Which Harry Potter Character Would Have the Best Credit Score?

I have been hooked on the Harry Potter series since I was in second grade. I’m one of the kids who truly grew up alongside the characters in the books. When I was asked to choose which character might have the best credit score, it was a tough call.

My initial choice was Neville Longbottom, who later marries Hannah Abbott. To me, they are a financial power couple, not because of the money they have, but because of the jobs they have and their character traits. Neville makes his living as a Hogwarts professor. Professors are provided with room and board included in the salary — smart! Hannah Abbot was a Hufflepuff prefect (a trusted student given additional responsibilities) in her days at Hogwarts, and a bit of a perfectionist. During an interview, J.K. Rowling informed fans that Hannah later becomes the landlady at the Leaky Cauldron, a pub for wizards. As landlady, Hannah must stay on top of the bills, take care of the customers and carry on the well established credit history of the 500+ year-old pub. Their ultimate fault, though, is that Neville is terribly forgetful, increasing his likelihood of forgetting a payment.

After much consideration, I believe that Professor Minerva McGonagall would have the best credit score of any character in the Harry Potter series. She shares her name, Minerva, with the Roman goddess of wisdom. McGonagall teaches one of the most challenging classes, Transfiguration, and is a brilliant witch.

As head of the Gryffindor house, she is well known among students as a disciplinarian and possesses great self-discipline, as well. Just as someone with a good credit score keeps watch over his or her finances and is well disciplined, she keeps close watch over her house, Gryffindor, and especially the students she cares a great deal for — Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.

Having good credit doesn’t mean that you never spend any money. You must establish credit, and maintain a good record. She does make big purchases, such as when she secretly bought Harry a Nimbus 2000 flying broomstick, which was the best that wizard’s gold could buy! It sells at the hefty price of 340 galleons, which is roughly $2,677 (depending on the exchange rate, of course).

She is careful in all matters and critical of those, even her colleagues, who are careless. Professor McGonagall earns her reputation over time, by consistently choosing what is right, proving her carefulness and taking well-calculated risks when necessary. Because she has these personal qualities, I believe she would also maintain them in financial matters, making her likely to have the best credit score.

If you want to have a better understanding of your credit, and work toward a higher credit score, the best place to start is by pulling your credit reports and credit scores to see your history and where you stand. Look to see how your credit history — paying on time and as agreed, keeping your credit balances low, keeping your applications for credit to a minimum, having a good mix of different types of credit and the length of your history — is reflected in your score. You can get your credit reports for free from the three major credit reporting agencies once a year; and Credit.com offers you two credit scores and an explanation of your credit reports for free every month.