You’re a wizard, Harry…
The Harry Potter series changed the world. The best-selling series of books ever committed to paper encouraged a generation that reading could be fun, taught countless people life lessons and inspired a sensational film series that became a force of nature.
This week, Harry Potter turns 20 as we approach the anniversary of the release of The Philosopher’s Stone. To celebrate, we’ve shared our thoughts in the office Pensieve to rank the top fifty Potter characters. We started Thursday with 50-41, and now we bring you #40-31.
Do you agree with out list? Let us know what changes you’d make (if any).
Mischief managed.
40. Cornelius Fudge
The classic bumbling, conniving politician. Fudge was helpless to stop the rise of Voldemort, and tried to start a smear campaign to hush it up, with Rowling drawing comparisons between him and pre-WWII Neville Chamberlain.
39. Sybil Trelawney
A thoroughly irritating character, Trelawney was Divination teacher in the books and usually had all the predicting power of a drunk horoscope writer. However, she did predict Harry as the one with the power to vanquish Voldemort. We’ll give her that.
38. Moaning Myrtle
The only people lurking in normal school toilets are kids looking to have a cheeky cigarette or do some poorly thought-out graffiti. However, in Hogwarts, the girl’s first-floor bathroom is occupied by Moaning Myrtle, who rather creepily admired Harry as he took a bath. She was nothing if not memorable.
37. Bill Weasley
Bill is the eldest Weasley, following up a stellar academic career with a job in Gringotts Bank. He later marries Fleur Delacour, and the pair provides shelter to the trio, Griphook and Ollivander after their escape from Malfoy Manor.
36. Dementors
A metaphor for depression, the dementors side with Voldemort in the Second Wizarding War and are enlisted to guard Hogwarts during the Goblet of Fire. Dementors suck the soul out of you, rather like watching an entire episode of Geordie Shore. They also have no morals, rather like the cast of Geordie Shore.
35. Nearly Headless Nick
Sir Nicholas, the Gryffindor house ghost, is a welcoming presence to Harry during his first ever term, and later provides comfort following Sirius’ death. He was portrayed brilliantly by John Cleese in the first two films.
34. Horace Slughorn
The Harry Potter equivalent of the teacher that uses his former students’ connections to score All-Ireland tickets. Slughorn held parties for his favourites, which included Harry, and later fought (reluctantly) in the Battle of Hogwarts.
33. Mad-Eye Moody
A grizzled, cranky Auror, Mad-Eye was a high-ranking Order of the Phoenix member until the Deathly Hallows, when he died protecting Harry. His gruff film version, played by Brendan Gleeson, was a stand out from the Goblet of Fire.
32. Aberforth Dumbledore
The saviour of Harry before the final battle, Albus’ estranged brother was a welcome late addition to the series, adding depth and a new dimension to the ex-headmaster’s back story.
31. Filius Flitwick
Flitwick was the teacher that allowed a bit of craic down the back of the classroom. The Charms professor defeated Dolohov in the final battle, and even preserved a bit of Fred and George’s portable swamp after they left, thinking it a “really good piece of magic.” Legend.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
