melydia suggested I write this list, and I thought it a good theme for a list. However, it was harder to write than I’d expected. I seem to like characters in Harry Potter most when they’re with other characters. I love the Marauders, for example, but I wouldn’t put Peter Pettigrew on my list of favorite characters. I love the trio, but I just don’t think I love Ron enough to put him in the top ten. Sorry, Ron. So creating this list forced me to look at each character alone… which is not something one typically gets in a book that’s from one character’s point of view.
Top Ten Favorite Harry Potter Characters
- Remus Lupin- No big surprise that Remus is first on this list (which is really not in any particular order, honestly). I love Remus; he’s my absolute favorite character in the series. He is kind, damaged, strong, wise, brave, friendly, supportive, fun-loving, bookish, and a whole lot more.
- Sirius Black- I must admit that my fanon Sirius is probably the reason he makes this list. I do really love his moments as a godfather to Harry. And though he has his faults, I do truly love his character, his desire to be useful and to help Harry, his fun-loving nature, the fact that he entered a war when he was a teenager and then never got a chance to really grow up, and his single-minded quest for revenge.
- Neville Longbottom- Neville is the character I most admire and wish I could be. He’s… himself, which is not always perfect but is many times just fine. And he’s brave exactly when he needs to be, brave enough to be a BAMF and get the last horcrux.
- Harry Potter- I’ve noticed not a lot of people would call Harry their favorite character (it’s almost like Harry is too easy an answer), but most people would put him on a list of top favorites as without Harry, there wouldn’t be much of a story. I will always love following Harry on his journey from a muggle-raised little kid to an adult who’s saved the world multiple times.
- Rubeus Hagrid- There’s just something about Hagrid; maybe it’s Harry’s fondness for him that rubs off on me? I love how he cares for Harry, being supportive and friendly and telling him what he needs to know even when maybe he shouldn’t (I have a thing about grown-ups in YA who don’t tell kids important things, which is why Sirius and Hagrid make this list and Dumbledore does not). I love the Hagrid knows his place and is grateful for a job and home, but still aspires to be more and help however he can; he’s got a Hufflepuff’s loyalty.
- Molly Weasley- My favorite mother in the series, Molly is such a strong woman and a great example of motherhood. She’s a stay-at-home mother and certainly all the cooking and cleaning chores fall to her, but you know she had to be strong-willed to raise seven children. I love how she cares for Order members and for Harry like she does her family. And then there are so many great moments like her boggart and protecting Ginny during the battle.
- Luna Lovegood- I love Luna. It’s impossible for me to not love her. Sometimes I think she’s way too weird. Sometimes she reminds me of kids I knew at school who were a bit eccentric. But I’ve got to admire her for just being herself, for being creative, and for doing what’s right every time.
- Hermione Granger- I probably resemble Hermione more than any other character in the books… though I see a lot of myself in many of the characters and I definitely don’t have Hermione’s bravery. I love her role in the trio, but I also really admire her as a standalone character–her respect for knowledge, her morality, her selflessness, her dedication, her friendship.
- Severus Snape- I’m maybe not as in love with Severus as some of my friends (or as Remus in some of my stories), but I respect the man a lot… even though, if he hadn’t blabbed part of the prophecy to Voldemort, the story would have been a whole lot different. He went through a lot of changes in his life, which are interesting to see. But I mostly feel sorry for the man. I also think he was, despite being brilliant, a terrible teacher.
- Oliver Wood- Feels a little weird to go with a tertiary character when characters like Ron and McGonagall aren’t on this list. But I just had to include Oliver, probably because I’ve spent so much time with him in fics. I love his obsessiveness and passion for what he loves–that sometimes makes him forget common sense. And I’m pretty sure my cheer and happy dance when he showed up at the battle was honestly the LOUDEST cheer I gave while reading the entire last book.
I have a thing about grown-ups in YA who don’t tell kids important things
Me too. Actually, I hate it when any plot hinges entirely on people not talking to each other. It’s dumb. Reminds me of a LotR summary I read once that began with Gandalf showing up and saying, “Hi Frodo, let me not tell you things.”