Ludo Bagman Character Analysis in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

The Head of Magical Games and Sports and a former Beater for the Wimbourne Wasps Quidditch team. Harry observes that Bagman looks like a once-powerful man who's begun to go to seed; he often wears Quidditch robes, but they don't fit especially well because of his developing belly. Bagman is good-natured, though in the eyes of people like Mr. Crouch and Percy, Bagman is hopeless and a disgrace. Hermione agrees with them, given that Bagman seems wholly unaware of the riot at the Quidditch World Cup. Others also believe that Bagman's lack of concern in regards to Bertha Jorkins's disappearance reflects poorly on his character and his competence. He's partially responsible for organizing the Triwizard Tournament. When Harry's name comes out of the Goblet of Fire, Bagman is unconcerned and mostly just excited. Puzzlingly for Harry, Bagman offers him help throughout the Tournament and he, Hermione, and Ron see Bagman in Hogsmeade with goblins on weekends when Bagman has no reason to be in town. Near the end of the year, Harry learns from Fred and George that Bagman has a gambling problem and has refused for almost a year to follow through on a bet that Fred and George won. Bagman is also in trouble betting with goblins and runs away after the Tournament concludes, as the goblins seem intent on making him follow through on giving them their money. During Harry's time in Dumbledore's Pensieve, he discovers that Bagman was once accused of passing information to Death Eaters. However, Bagman was cleared of charges and thanks to his status as a star Quidditch player, was able to salvage his reputation and go on to hold his job in the Ministry.

Ludo Bagman Character Timeline in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

The timeline below shows where the character Ludo Bagman appears in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Reading, Critical Thinking, and Truth Theme Icon

...about Mr. Crouch and the preparations for the Quidditch World Cup. He says that Ludo Bagman, the head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports, isn't being helpful and isn't... (full context)

History, Community, and Coming of Age Theme Icon

Good, Evil, Power, and Choice Theme Icon

..."Obliviate," and Mr. Roberts dreamily gives Mr. Weasley his change. The wizard mutters that Ludo Bagman isn't helping with Mr. Roberts, since he keeps talking about Quidditch in front of him. (full context)

...the Ministry people passing by. Just after Bill, Charlie, and Percy arrive around lunchtime, Ludo Bagman stops by and happily says that everything is going well. He invites Mr. Weasley to... (full context)

Bagman asks for a cup of tea and says he's looking for Mr. Crouch to translate... (full context)

Bagman tries to talk about the other event that they're organizing, but Mr. Crouch insists that... (full context)

...Weasley and Mr. Malfoy greet each other coldly. Minutes after they take their seats, Ludo Bagman races into the box, magnifies his voice, and announces the beginning of the Quidditch World... (full context)

Bagman announces the Irish mascots and a huge comet takes the field and turns into a... (full context)

...shake hands with the Ministers. The Irish team arrives next to accept the cup. Once Bagman returns his voice to its normal volume, he gives Fred and George the money they... (full context)

Harry suggests that they can safely stay put just as Ludo Bagman Apparates in front of them. He's shocked to hear that there's a riot going on... (full context)

...tells Mr. Weasley that Winky had a wand and therefore could've created the Mark. Ludo Bagman Apparates to the scene and Mr. Diggory revives Winky. (full context)

Hermione points out that the extra two seats have been filled by Mr. Crouch and Bagman, and says that they likely organized the event. After the feast ends, Dumbledore introduces them,... (full context)

...looking impressive and mature. Fleur addresses Harry as though he's a messenger and moments later, Bagman excitedly enters and introduces Harry as the fourth champion. The other three look bewildered and... (full context)

Dumbledore, Mr. Crouch, Madame Maxime, Karkaroff, Snape, and McGonagall interrupt Bagman as they enter the room. Madame Maxime and Karkaroff are furious, while Snape maliciously says... (full context)

...they set the Goblet of Fire up again until each school has two champions, but Bagman points out that it won't reignite until the next tournament. When Karkaroff threatens to leave,... (full context)

...The two argue but Dumbledore stops them and says that Harry still has to compete. Bagman is the only one who looks excited, and he asks Mr. Crouch to give the... (full context)

...his antidote. However, before Harry can begin brewing, Colin Creevy arrives to fetch Harry for Bagman and the Daily Prophet. (full context)

Colin leads Harry to a classroom where there's an area set up for photos. Bagman leaps at the sight of Harry and explains that it's time to weigh the champions’... (full context)

...tent with the other champions. Inside, Fleur looks nervous, Krum looks surly, and Cedric paces. Bagman calls the champions to attention when he sees Harry and explains that once the audience... (full context)

...and each judge gives Harry a score out of ten. Maxime, Mr. Crouch, Dumbledore, and Bagman give Harry high scores, but Karkaroff gives Harry a four. Ron shouts indignantly and Harry... (full context)

Bagman calls the champions back into the tent and tells them that the second task will... (full context)

...seems to be doing just fine. When she mentions that he's judging the Tournament with Bagman, Winky dissolves: she says that Bagman is bad, but she insists on keeping Mr. Crouch's... (full context)

Percy sits down next to Ron and he and Harry watch Fred and George accost Bagman. Bagman escapes them, comes over to say hi to Harry, and explains that the twins... (full context)

...nice. Hogsmeade is uneventful and there are no signs of Hagrid. The trio does see Bagman sitting with three goblins who all look upset. They think it's strange that Bagman is... (full context)

When he spots Harry, Bagman pulls him aside and, seeing Harry looking at the goblins, says that the creatures are... (full context)

Harry and Ron are shocked that Bagman wants to help and Ron wonders jokingly if Percy poisoned Mr. Crouch so he'd be... (full context)

...see Percy at the judge's table and has no time to catch his breath before Bagman arranges the champions at the edge of the lake, checks that Harry has a plan,... (full context)

After a brief conversation with the judges, Bagman announces that they'll award points out of 50. He awards Fleur 25 points, as she... (full context)

...if any of the Malfoys stole Harry's wand in the top box and they discuss Bagman. The news that Bagman keeps trying to help Harry concerns Sirius. As Hermione angrily says... (full context)

...and when they get to the Quidditch field, they see that it's covered in hedges. Bagman explains that they're growing a maze. The Triwizard Cup will be in the center, there... (full context)

...Rita Skeeter and an older-looking Mr. Crouch. Harry realizes that this is a different day. Bagman, young and strong, nervously sits down in the chair. Mr. Crouch asks Bagman if he... (full context)

...Harry asks if this means that Barty Crouch might be innocent. He also asks about Bagman and Snape, and Dumbledore says that neither is a Death Eater. As Harry leaves, Dumbledore... (full context)

...says that this is what Rita Skeeter and Winky were talking about in reference to Bagman. Ron wonders if Fudge's suspicion of Madame Maxime has any truth, given her parentage, but... (full context)

...to not have to cook. After the evening feast, Dumbledore excuses the champions to follow Bagman to the field. The hedges are now 20 feet high. As the stands fill, Hagrid,... (full context)

Bagman reminds the crowd where everyone stands on points--Harry and Cedric are tied for first, followed... (full context)

...in, Harry asks who Fred and George were blackmailing. They darkly say that it was Bagman. Bagman paid them their winnings from their bet at the World Cup in leprechaun gold... (full context)