30. Buckbeak
Our first Harry Potter character comes in the form of an animal rather than a witch or wizard. Buckbeak first made his appearance in The Prisoner of Azakaban. A scary yet misunderstood creature, he was in Hagrid’s possession before being sentence to death (at the hands of the wretched Draco Malfoy). Fortunately for those lovers of Buckbeak, he was able to escape death — and live with Harry Potter’s godfather, Sirius Black. Throughout the latter movies, Buckbeak provided Harry with both loyalty and protection.
29. Peter Pettigrew
A loyal stooge to Voldemort, the cowering man named Peter Pettigrew ended up being a very significant character as we delved further into the story. He faked his own death by evolving into a rat (which turned out to be Ron’s pet for 12 years). Upon Voldemort’s official regeneration, Pettigrew morphed back into the slimy, creepy, cunning man many knew him to be. “Wormtail” — as he was known by his former friends — ultimately double-crossed Sirius Black, James Potter, and Remus Lupin. While not a beloved character by any stretch, he was fascinating nonetheless.
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28. Ginny Weasley
Ron’s sister was essentially a non-factor for the first film. She’d pop up every now and then — though she rarely had anything in the way of a storyline or major narrative. However, The Chamber of Secrets soon revealed her to be a pawn in Voldemort’s wicked game. With the help of Tom Riddle’s diary, it was Ginny responsible for essentially opening the chamber. Ultimately, Ginny became more of a focal point as the movies went on. Her intense love for Harry was eventually matched. As we learned at the conclusion of the final film, Harry and Ginny ended up getting married.
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27. Aragog
Aragog was an integral character in The Chamber of Secrets. The gigantic spider was rumored to be the monster of Slytherin. However, it turned out that this wasn’t the case. Though the spider had a friendship with Hagrid, it didn’t extend to Harry and Ron. The two were on the cusp of becoming dinner before a perfectly-timed flying car saved them. It was a particularly trying experience for Ron, as he held a deathly fear of spiders.
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26. Professor Sybill Trelawney
Ah, Professor Trelawney… the resident nutcase at Hogwarts. Though a total kook, she did make two rather significant prophecies which rang true. One involved a boy being born, and how that boy would one day defeat the greatest dark wizard of all-time. The second prophecy spoke about Voldemort’s eventual emergence back into the limelight. While we give the professor props for these nuggets of truth, we must question the thickness of her glasses — and her unwillingness to brush her hair properly. Trelawney’s impact largely occurred towards the second set of films in the series.
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25. Hedwig
Hedwig provided Harry with his first real friend. A true companion through and through, the gorgeous snowy owl was integral in being Harry’s ‘pet’ throughout his time at Hogwarts. The owl was wise without even uttering a shrill cry. There was a real majesty about Hedwig as she flew through the air. Aside from delivering Harry’s mail, she was used to deliver items for those far from school. Sadly, she died during The Deathly Hallows amidst the intense warfare.
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24. Moaning Myrtle
Poor Myrtle. She was the person who got caught up in the classic “wrong place, wrong time” scenario. Her death stemmed from looking the Slytherin basilisk directly in the eye. She’d ‘haunt’ one of the girl’s bathrooms at Hogwarts. At one point, she developed quite a crush on Harry. There were times when she acted like a total brat. Other times, the audience would feel total sympathy for her as her lifeless existence was relegated to a toilet stall. Still, many found her a charming ghost.
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23. Cedric Diggory
Teens/Tweens in both the fictional world of Hogwarts and the non-fictional real world swooned over Diggory (played by Robert Pattinson). Blessed with good looks and charm, Diggory was the main man trying to win the Triwizard Tournament Cup for Hogwarts in the intra-school competition featuring Durmstrang Institute and Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. In one of the most climactic scenes in The Goblet of Fire, Diggory was killed in the infamous graveyard by Pettigrew. His death was shocking to those in the story, as well as those watching in the theaters. One should also not forget his efforts to help Harry understand the second clue in the tournament involving a gigantic golden egg.
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22. Ron Weasley
The protagonist’s best friend, we’ve been through thick and thin with Ron for the entire magical story. At first, his angst-ridden behavior was funny, and endearing at times. Then, it got old real quick. Ron was a whiny, jealous bloke without any appreciation for Harry or Hermione. Outside of his bravery in the wizard’s chess duel in The Sorcerer’s Stone, Ron was a non-factor in terms of any real significance. Ron did skip his last year of school to help Harry take down Voldemort. We do offer him props for that. Additionally, he must get a standing ovation for spitting enough game to marry Hermione.
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21. Mr. & Mrs. Weasley
The Weasley family was awesome. Even though their house resembled a shabby boot from the outside, it was always offered as a place of refuge for Harry and his friends. They took in Harry as if he were a non-red headed member of their family. Arthur Weasley was integral in getting information from his job at the Ministry of Magic. Molly Weasley was the true matriarch — a woman with passion, strength, and resources. No one will ever forget Mrs. Weasley calling Bellatrix Lestrange ‘a bitch’ before obliterating her into a pile of dust.
20. Alastor ‘Mad-Eye’ Moody
The ‘real’ Mad-Eye Moody was a worthy soldier in the fight against Voldemort and his cast of wicked minions. However, we first saw Mad-Eye as a quirky individual in The Goblet of Fire. He took a liking to Harry, and it got to a point where he curiously was offering him help in the notoriously individual Triwizard Tournament. We later came to find out that the incessant twitching and licking of his lips was due to the guzzling of polyjuice potion by Barty Crouch Jr. (though it was fun to see him turn Draco Malfoy into a ferret). An expert auror, Moody was sadly killed during a battle in the final film.
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19. Argus Filch
A total curmudgeon, Filch was tasked with essentially snuffing out any fun within the corridors. This included mischief of any kind. His trusty cat Mrs. Norris accompanied him whenever he was patrolling the halls during the early morning hours. It really came as no surprise to see him align with the ruthless nature of Professor Umbridge in The Order of the Phoenix. His life’s mission also included banning any joke shop items (which were eventually used against him to form grotesque pustules on his face).
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18. Neville Longbottom
Early on, Longbottom was a portly child with a nice demeanor, yet he didn’t offer much in the way of innate talent. As he got older, Longbottom went from a timid individual to one with a voice. This can best be seen in the final film — as a now slim Longbottom took Godric Griffindor’s sword and effectively sliced through Voldemort’s snake Nagini (who also happened to be a precious horcrux). We also have to give it up for Neville when he bravely stood up to Voldemort — especially when considering the fact that his parents were killed by Voldemort.
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17. Uncle Vernon
While Uncle Vernon did provide Harry with a roof over his head, he did make him into essentially an indentured servant. Harry was forced to live in a cupboard under the stairs. Any mention of magic was strictly forbidden in Uncle Vernon’s house. However, this didn’t stop a younger Harry from experimenting with magic. It killed Uncle Vernon as Harry magically messed with the likes of Dudley (his son) and Marge (his sister). His epic rant about leaving his home for a mysterious lighthouse in the middle of the ocean was hilarious. Easily, Uncle Vernon was the most underrated villain of the entire series.
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16. Lucius Malfoy
A loyalist to Voldemort, the slithery Malfoy also happened to be the father of Harry’s school rival, Draco Malfoy. The elder Malfoy was excellent at throwing dirty looks and offering biting one-liners. He had an obvious distaste for Harry and all of his friends. We later learned it was Malfoy acting as a conduit in attempting to unleash Voldemort in The Chamber of Secrets. In typical cowardly fashion, Malfoy discreetly left the final war scene with his wife and child. This likely didn’t go over very well with the rest of the Death Eaters. From a fashion standpoint, Malfoy was a shining star. Very few could pull off the cascading locks of white-blonde hair along with a opulent cane and garish robes.
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15. Fred & George Weasley
The hijinks of the effervescent duo were simply awesome. Both Fred and George acted in complete unison. Each had their moments — whether it be trying to trick the Triwizard Tournament selection process, sneakily offering edible funnies from the joke shop, or even unleashing a gigantic fireworks show against Professor Umbridge as they triumphantly quit school. One of the most important moments involving the brothers came in the form of the Marauder’s Map. They came across the significant map, and proceeded to give it to Harry. This inadvertently enabled him to uncover the mystery surrounding Peter Pettigrew and Sirius Black.
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14. Professor Dolores Umbridge
This woman was a piece of work, to put it mildly. We initially expected her to be a lovely woman. Professor Umbridge had the sweetness and appearance of a gigantic piece of cotton candy. However, we quickly realized her to be a wretched human. Her cruel methods of punishments included Harry coming away with a gnarly scar on his hand (which reads, “I must not tell lies”). She institutionalized Hogwarts — and effectively had the esteemed Albus Dumbledore jettisoned for a laundry list of made-up rules. As her plans eventually came crashing down, Umbridge set out to attack the likes of Harry, Ron, and Hermoine. This was the case… until a herd of angry centaurs hauled her off into the forbidden forest. Umbridge’s levels of cruelty should be applauded — if for nothing more than the fact she became the most hated teacher in Hogwarts’ history.
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13. Professor Remus Lupin
There’s having split personality disorder… and then there’s Lupin. He was the rare exception of a teacher possessing the penchant for being both a human and a werewolf (depending upon the situation). In any event, he was integral in helping Harry ward off the advances from dementors. This included offering him chocolate on their first encounter, as well as personal lessons in allowing Harry to finally find his patronus. As the films progressed, Lupin remained as a loyal team member against Voldemort. His reunion with Sirius Black in The Prisoner of Azkaban was one of the best scenes in the film.
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12. Harry Potter
You may be surprised to see our main man this far down the list. Above all else, we do have to give him credit for essentially taking down the greatest dark wizard of all-time. This instantly etched himself into the record books. Additionally, Potter’s bravery must be commended. With that said, he isn’t an overly likable character. His moody moments did coincide with his teenage years — though he lost his composure on more than one occasion. Potter also had a self-righteous attitude which did not help his cause.
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11. Luna Lovegood
Luna instantly developed a connection to Harry. Most saw her as a total space cadet. She floated in and out of conversation, and often displayed atypical quirks (particularly in terms of fashion). Still, Luna had a delicate nature about herself. Both her and Harry were able to see thestrals due to the fact that each had previously seen someone perish. Her role in the movies picked up steam. Brave and eccentric, Luna fought tremendously hard against Voldemort and all of his supporters. Though she can be a bit ‘out there’ at times, it’s an endearing quality — and thus helps in encapsulating her intriguing aura.
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10. Bellatrix Lestrange
The iconic cackle is immediately recognizable upon being unleashed. A Death Eater herself, Bellatrix Lestrange had no other purpose than to kill Harry Potter. Her taunting of his friends was legendary — as were her hideous teeth which only were unveiled whenever snarling at someone. Lestrange first introduced herself upon being broken out of Azkaban. Her loud, booming laugh reverberated all across Great Britain. It was also incredibly fitting — as she sounded perfectly like the most evil of witches. Her lack of conscience as it pertained to using dark magic made her extremely compelling.
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9. Rubeus Hagrid
In many ways, Hagrid is Harry’s main protector. From when he was a baby, Hagrid had Harry’s best interests at heart. The two shared an undeniable bond — which often was illustrated when Ron, Hermione, and Harry paid Hagrid a visit to his cottage on the outskirts of the school. The massively large figure had his share of experiences, particularly when dealing with Aragog, Buckbeak, Norberta, and the diary of Tom Riddle. Hagrid’s dancing with Headmistress Maxime at the Yule Ball was brilliant. We hadn’t really seen him be involved with anyone of significance (though that may have been helped with a shower and an occasional shave).
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8. Professor Minerva McGonagall
Professor McGonagall was the best type of professor. While stern when she needed to be, she’d also look the other way if it meant going against the rules in the name of something important. McGonagall was as respected a teacher as there was at Hogwarts. She also was highly powerful — something beautifully illustrated during the final film. In a sense, McGonagall was the matriarch of Hogwarts. She quickly became a fan favorite. This largely stemmed from the personal interactions she had with Harry, Ron, Hermione, and those attempting to stop the dark lord from rising once again.
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7. Draco Malfoy
Unapologetic and brazen, Malfoy had little regard for the rules of the school. He encapsulated the negative connotation surrounding the Slytherin House quite well. From here, his rivalry with Harry only grew. Film by film, it intensified to the point where the two squared off face-to-face in The Half-Blood Prince. Malfoy and Harry shared multiple experiences whilst on a broom. In the first film of the series, Malfoy’s bullying of Harry set the stage for the protagonist’s proclivity as a flier. The duo competed in Quidditch, where Malfoy was not shy about playing dirty. Finally, Harry did have the heart to save Malfoy from dying amidst a fiery wall. No one will forget how Malfoy’s scowl complemented his slicked back white-blonde hair.
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6. Dobby
Who could forget Dobby? The house elf possessing tennis ball-sized eyes and a mischievous smile was involved in a fair share of incidents. Though a servant of the Malfoy family, Dobby was saved by Harry upon receiving a pair of socks. He was a true friend to Harry — and helped him through a number of situations. Perhaps the most humorous was when he showed up on Privet Drive, and dropped a cake upon the head of a dinner guest. His relationship with Harry is the most noteworthy aspect of his character. There was never a time in which he wouldn’t help Harry out. Sadly, at the conclusion of the seventh film (Deathly Hallows Part 1), Dobby was fatally injured by an ill-timed Lestrange dagger throw. We’ll forever look upon Dobby in a fond light.
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5. Lord Voldemort
If you possess the nickname He Who Must Not Be Named, you’re doing something right. We’ve seen Voldemort transform — literally and figuratively — from film to film. In one instance, he set up shop on the back of the head of poor stuttering Professor Quirrell. From there, he managed to take the shape of his past self, a scary looking bald figure with no nose, and even a bloody fetus of a person (which was beyond hideous). We have to applaud Voldemort for his consistency. As scary a villain as one will find, he consistently attempted to eradicate Harry Potter. Along the same lines, he consistently failed in doing so. The epic battle in the series’ final film between Voldemort and Harry was phenomenal. Even though he was a horrible thing (person?), the audience felt his pain.
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4. Professor Albus Dumbledore
There are really not enough words to fully describe the impact Dumbledore had on both the school and those involved. He was the ultimate figurehead when it came to patience, wisdom, guidance, and bravery. Sacrificing himself for the greater good is the most selfless thing anyone can do. It was shocking to see him perish — though his constant advice for Harry helped in shaping his manhood. When we think of The Great Hall, we think of Dumbledore. Perched high up on what looked like a throne, Dumbledore would softly speak to his staff and students with the authority of an all-time great. His myriads of hats — along with his flowing beard — helped in adding even more mystique. All in all, Dumbledore was a wonderful character.
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3. Sirius Black
Sirius Black is one of the most beloved characters in the entire Harry Potter world. After initially being billed as a murderous criminal, we came to find out that Black was completely misunderstood. He also represented the father figure Harry simply never had. Though his life was in palpable danger, Sirius did his best to watch out for Harry in even the most perilous situations. His ability to transform into an animagus was pretty awesome — as was his ability to transpose his face into a ember-filled fireplace. During The Order of the Phoenix, Black was ruthlessly killed by his cousin, Lestrange.
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2. Hermione Granger
Quick-witted and utterly brilliant, Hermione Granger was without a doubt the most impressive young witch in the series. On more than one occasion, Hermione deftly cracked the code — whether it be a riddle, a sticky situation, or a near-impossible task. She probably made life miserable for her peers. She’s the classic ‘know it all’ with a voracious passion for learning. However, her phenomenal mind was particularly useful to Harry when trying to take down Voldemort. Above all, she’s a loyal friend — and one who fiercely cared for those close to her.
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1. Professor Severus Snape
Snape holds the top spot on this list — and for good reason. He orchestrated the biggest ‘pulling the wool over the eyes of the audience’ that we’ve arguably ever seen in cinematic history. His weirdly rude behavior to Harry and most of the non-Slytherin students was clearly evident. We assumed him to be an untrustworthy Voldemort enthusiast the entire time. Instead, he pulled a 180 and instead was working for ‘the good guys’ the entire time. As we learned more about Snape’s background, we realized that he was motivated to help Harry based upon his love for Harry’s mother, Lily. His death in the final film was made even sadder after learning of Snape’s torturous past (which involved holding a dead Lily in the wake of Voldemort’s wrath). His ability to speak with facial expressions and body language rather than words made him the best character from the series.
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