“We could all have been killed – or worse, expelled…”
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 ranked the top fifty HP characters, a list to rival Newt Scamandar’s catalogue of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. We’re at the halfway point, with #30-21 the order of the day.
Do you agree with our list? Let us know what changes you’d make (if any).
Mischief managed.
30. Vernon & Petunia Dursley
Two parents in bad need of Supernanny. The Dursleys didn’t show a scrap of kindness to Harry, but were an important part of his character, and the opening pages in Privet Drive were always an interesting part of the books. The “No post on Sundays” scene is perhaps the most memorable from the first film.
29. Narcissa Malfoy
Bellatrix’s sister was a subservient presence in the books, first to Lucius and then to Voldemort. However, her moment of humanity saved Harry’s life in the Forbidden Forest – by assuring her Draco was still alive, Narcissa lied, allowing him to save the wizarding world.
28. Dudley Dursley
Dudley is a classic spoiled bully. He is extraordinarily dim-witted and uses his cousin as a punchbag for most of his early life. However, he was present for many memorable moments in the series, and we feel a glow of warmth for Big D in The Deathly Hallows when he extends a hand of peace to Harry leaving Privet Drive.
27. Rita Skeeter
Skeeter is the tabloid journalist who made Harry’s life hell in the Goblet of Fire (remember “eyes glistening with the ghosts of his past”?). Her ruthless pursuit of stories, true or not, became a theme in the books and a source of constant irritation. She’d probably fit in quite well in the Muggle world too, once she learned how to hack phones.
26. Garrick Ollivander
Ollivander knew a thing or two about wands – his family has been making them since 382 BC. He had one of the quotes of the series, describing Voldemort’s life – “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things. Terrible, yes! But great.”
25. Fleur Delacour
The Beauxbatons student and part-Veela Delacour arrived for the Triwizard tournament, bringing a hormonal surge to the books. She went on to marry Bill Weasley despite his heavy scarring from the Greyback attack, declaring: “I am good looking enough for the both of us anyway” with a Kanye-esque level of self-belief.
24. Nymphadora Tonks
Tonks brought a sort of youthful coolness to the Order of the Phoenix, with ripped jeans, multi-coloured hair and a sassy nature. Her marriage to Lupin raised eyebrows for the age gap. Not the possibility of human-werewolf crossbreeding. Obviously.
23. Luna Lovegood
Luna was mental, “but in a good way” according to Ron. She was a true individual that a lot of readers identified with and her lateral thinking was a great help to the gang. Plus, “My name isn’t Luna, but I know how to Lovegood” is one of the best pickup lines ever.
22. Dobby
The house-elf that started out as an annoyance and ended the series as one of the most popular characters. His death, both in print and onscreen, is probably the saddest moment of the series.
21. Arthur Weasley
For every brilliant, resourceful, ultra-organised mother, there is a sort of scatty father that loves sport and messing around in the shed out the back. Arthur Weasley is a hardworking family man that is somewhat in Molly’s shadow, he still proves a brave and loyal Order member, almost being killed by Nagini and often offering Harry comfort and advice.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
