Tonight, the mister and I are going to do something fun. We’re heading up to Denver for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in concert with the Colorado Symphony!
#PuffPride #Hufflepuff4life
Can you tell that I’m just a little bit excited? We’ve had tickets for this for months. We got great seats too! So in honor of going to watch one of my favorite movies with a live symphony, I’ve decided to devote this week’s Friday Favorites to my favorite Harry Potter characters.
5. Fleur Delacour
Fleur Delacour via Pottermore
“What do I care how ‘e looks? I am good-looking enough for both of us, I theenk! All these scars show is zat my husband is brave!” ― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
I have to admit, for a long time I had a severe dislike for Fleur. I thought she was vain and snobbish. The mister and I were talking about side characters one day and we got into a conversation about Fleur. He insisted that there was more to her than I was giving credit to, and after going back to reread the books, I realized that he was right.
If you’ve never read the books, you might not understand that Fleur wasn’t the only girl among the Triwizard Champions because she came from an all-girl school. Beaubatons and Durmstrang were both co-ed schools. So, just as Cedric was chosen over all of the boys and girls at Hogwarts, so Fleur and Viktor were chosen.
In the later books, she showed just how worthy she was of being chosen, through her skill and bravery. When Bill was disfigured, she proved her devotion and loyalty and when I read through that part, Molly wasn’t the only one who was moved! After taking a closer look at Fleur, she became one of my favorite characters.
4. Minerva McGonagall
Minerva McGonagall via Pottermore
“… Harry witnessed Professor McGonagall walking right past Peeves, who was determinedly loosening a crystal chandelier, and could have sworn he heard her tell the poltergeist out of the corner of her mouth, ‘It unscrews the other way.’” ― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Let’s talk about the badass that is Professor Minerva McGonagall. In Order of the Phoenix, she not only stood up to Umbridge and made things difficult for her, she also took four stunning spells to the chest. And survived! This one is prickly, strict, kind, smart, strong, and well, she’s pretty damn amazing.
3. Neville Longbottom
Neville Longbottom via Pottermore
“Well, my gran brought me up and she’s a witch… but the family thought I was all Muggle for ages.” – J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
“I’ll join you when Hell freezes over,” said Neville. “Dumbledore’s Army!” he shouted, and there was an answering cheer from the crowd, whom Voldemort’s Silencing Charms seemed unable to hold.” ― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
I loved Neville Longbottom from the moment he first lost his toad until he proved to be a total BAMF in Deathly Hallows. The fact that he could have been the chosen one, and that his story arcs in similar ways to Harry’s is an important part of the books that a lot of people overlook. This poor, shy boy whose parents suffered horribly at the hands of Voldemort’s followers is easily one of the most engaging and relatable characters for me.
2. Fred and George Weasley
Fred and George Weasley via Pottermore
“You haven’t got a letter on yours,” George observed. “I suppose she thinks you don’t forget your name. But we’re not stupid-we know we’re called Gred and Forge.” – J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Who doesn’t love Gred and Forge? I mean Fred and George. This two wise-cracking, joke playing twins are such a wonderful addition to the series. They are irreverent and even in the darkest moments of the series they were able to infuse tense situations with levity. As a device for humor, J.K. was at her best when she developed Fred and George.
1. Ron Weasley
Ron Weasley via Pottermore
“Rubbish,” said Hermione. “You’ve read his books — look at all those amazing things he’s done —” “He says he’s done,” Ron muttered. —J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Ron Weasley is the unsung hero of the entire series. From day one on the train until the very last page, he is Harry’s greatest support. He is a partner in crime, and while some might say he is just a sidekick, that’s the whole point to him! Everyone has worth, whether they are “the chosen one”, the “smartest witch of her age”, or the sixth son in a family of seven children. For me, Ron is the most well-rounded character in the series. He isn’t the smartest, he isn’t the bravest, he isn’t the most loyal, he isn’t the best Quidditch player, he isn’t the funniest guy in school (though he is pretty funny). But of all the characters in the series, he is the most real.
His struggles with feeling overlooked, unheard, unimportant…these are things that real people struggle with on a daily basis. That he is able to face them and come to terms with them makes him a real hero for me.
Here are just a few other things about Ron that put it into better words than I can!
The chapter that made us fall in love with… Ron Weasley
What about Harry Potter?
Well, there wouldn’t be a series without a Harry Potter, right? But despite the series being about Harry in general, Harry isn’t really my favorite character. Don’t get me wrong, I love Harry. Especially when he’s being sassy Harry:
But for me, the series is not just about Harry Potter. It’s an entire world, with a wide, diverse range of characters to relate to aside from the hero of the story.
Who is your favorite Harry Potter character? Let me know in the comments!
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