The 14 Most Important Harry Potter Secondary Characters, Ranked

As a long-time fan of the magical world created by J.K. Rowling, I find it truly captivating to delve into the lives and actions of the secondary characters who significantly impacted the storyline of Harry Potter. Among these unsung heroes, Neville Longbottom stands out as the most pivotal figure, not just because he played a crucial role in defeating Voldemort, but also due to the profound life experiences that shaped him into the brave and resilient young man we came to admire.

In the “Harry Potter” movie series, starring Daniel Radcliffe as the boy wizard Harry, it’s clear that he is the central character. However, his transformation from a homeless child to the world’s magical savior wouldn’t have been achievable without his close friends Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) and Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint). Guidance in his life came primarily from Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts, who masterfully orchestrated the first 18 years of Harry’s life to enable him to overcome the malevolent dark wizard Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). Another significant character is Severus Snape, played by Alan Rickman, who remains a beloved figure among fans. The main cast includes these individuals, but there are other characters who play pivotal roles in the narrative – some for good, others for evil.

In compiling our list of top supporting characters from the “Harry Potter” movie series, we took into account several factors: the amount of screentime each character had, their role in advancing the plot, and their impact on the overall emotional narrative of the story.

14. Dolores Umbridge

In the beloved “Harry Potter” series, Dolores Umbridge (portrayed by Imelda Staunton), is undeniably one of the most detested characters, perhaps even across all fiction. She’s a ruthless individual who shuns teaching genuine Defense Against the Dark Arts skills to Hogwarts students and punishes Harry by making him inscribe reprimands onto his skin with a magical quill. First introduced in “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” Umbridge embodies the concept of “lawful evil.” She zealously adheres to an unjust legal system, either that of Cornelius Fudge’s Ministry of Magic initially or later Voldemort’s, for it grants her power.

Umbridge plays a crucial role in the Harry Potter series as she demonstrates that Voldemort and his followers are not the sole embodiment of evil within the wizarding world. Her alignment with the Ministry of Magic, even without Voldemort’s direct influence, highlights the inherent flaws within the institution.

13. Dobby

In the Harry Potter books compared to the movies, Dobby played by Toby Jones has a more significant role. Despite this difference, he plays a crucial part in “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” adding depth to the wizarding world’s background. Dobby is a house-elf, who are compelled by magic to serve humans. He’s under the control of the Malfoys, who mistreat him severely, which makes him privy to Lucius Malfoy’s (Jason Isaacs) plan in the second movie to smuggle Tom Riddle’s diary into Hogwarts.

Due to his magical inability to disclose his masters’ secrets, Dobby chooses to take all necessary steps to prevent Harry from going back to Hogwarts, as this would put him in grave danger, especially involving Riddle’s diary. To Harry’s exasperation, Dobby provokes the Dursleys and causes Harry and Ron to miss the Hogwarts Express. By the conclusion of “Chamber of Secrets,” Harry realizes that Dobby was trying to protect him from harm, and manages to convince Lucius to free his house-elf.

In this story, an exceptional connection forms between Harry and Dobby, a bond that significantly shapes the narrative. Throughout “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1,” their relationship proves crucial, with Dobby sacrificing himself to rescue Harry, Ron, Hermione, and others from the Malfoys. His selfless act ultimately holds great significance in the overall plot, as it encourages Harry in his mission to vanquish Voldemort.

12. Bellatrix Lestrange

If Dolores Umbridge embodies the “lawful evil” character type, then Bellatrix Lestrange (portrayed by Helena Bonham Carter) is an exemplar of “chaotic evil.” Like Umbridge, Bellatrix debuts in the fifth film and serves as one of Voldemort’s most fervent followers. It seems that she may be even more devoted to his ideology of blood purity than he is himself. Her actions suggest a level of insanity, which was evident before her time in Azkaban prison.

Bellatrix Lestrange plays a significant role due to her involvement in some of the darkest actions within the storyline, including the torment of Neville Longbottom’s parents, which led to their lifelong insanity. For Harry Potter, her most impactful act was the murder of Sirius Black in the Department of Mysteries, a tragedy that left a lasting impression on the young wizard as Sirius had served as a crucial mentor and father figure during that period.

11. Ginny Weasley

In a hypothetical scenario where our list was focused on secondary characters as portrayed in the Harry Potter books, Ginny Weasley would likely have placed higher. Regrettably, the movies didn’t fully capture the essence of the character, according to Bonnie Wright who played Ginny in all eight films. She noted that some aspects of the character were not fully explored because there were insufficient scenes to do so. However, it’s important to mention that Ginny still makes a significant impact on the movies.

In the sequel, Ginny Weasley gets ensnared by Tom Riddle’s diary and unwillingly triggers the Chamber of Secrets. The knowledge about its whereabouts becomes crucial for our protagonists – Ron and Hermione – as they later need to access it in order to secure a Basilisk fang, an item capable of destroying a Horcrux. Ginny proves herself to be a key figure within Dumbledore’s Army, a student-led group that significantly contributes to the Second Wizarding War. She demonstrates her bravery when confronting Death Eaters at the Ministry in the fifth film and again at Hogwarts in the final installment. Notably, Ginny holds a special place as she eventually becomes Harry Potter’s romantic interest.

10. Minerva McGonagall

At Hogwarts, where Harry and his companions frequently encounter life-threatening situations, it’s easy to overlook the fact that they are merely school students. Despite Dumbledore being the headmaster, he spends more time planning Voldemort’s downfall than managing the school. Snape, the potions master and head of Slytherin House, displays such harsh bullying behavior towards students that it seems he never actually graduated. Over the course of Harry’s years at Hogwarts, six different Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers come and go, most of whom are deeply unhappy in their roles. Additionally, there’s a clumsy groundskeeper, a fake divination professor, and a disgruntled caretaker.

Amongst the few reliable and trustworthy figures at Hogwarts, and significantly in Harry’s life, is Professor Minerva McGonagall (portrayed by Maggie Smith). Her competence is evident as she avoided dismissal by Umbridge in the fifth film, and she consistently enforces discipline across all houses. What sets her apart is that she played a pivotal role in expelling Snape from Hogwarts after Dumbledore’s demise and took charge during the Battle of Hogwarts, the decisive battle of the series. Without her involvement, it’s hard to imagine how things might have unfolded differently.

9. Molly and Arthur Weasley

In the movies, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley (played by Mark Williams and Julie Walters) play crucial roles, serving as some of the few stable adults amidst the chaos. They frequently appear to be the only grown-ups in the room who remember that Harry, Ron, and Hermione are still children, needing care and protection despite their maturity. In truth, while Harry considers Sirius a father figure, Molly and Arthur essentially fill the parental role in the magical world for Harry.

Following his initial encounter with Ron at Platform 9 3/4, Harry effectively joins the Weasley family. Throughout the summers, he resides with the Weasleys at their home, known as the Burrow. Molly, one of the matriarchs, eloquently expresses this bond during an argument she has with Sirius when he questions Harry’s familial status: “He might not be your son,” Molly retorts, “but he’s just as much!” Had it not been for the affection and nurturing provided by Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Harry’s association with Voldemort could have led him astray.

8. Luna Lovegood

Despite her oddball reputation, Luna Lovegood (Evanna Lynch) is a surprisingly sagely character. Her ability to provide off-handed insight to Harry at opportune moments is uncanny, especially in the fifth movie. When Harry first encounters Luna, she assures him that she sees the thestrals pulling the carriages to the castle as well. She later explains that the only people who can see them are people who have witnessed someone’s death, much to Harry’s sorrow. She also enlightens him: Harry has been moodily pulling away from his friends and loved ones, and she explains that, by wallowing in bad feelings, he is doing exactly what Voldemort would want.

At this point, Luna serves as a comforting confidante for Harry, who is struggling with the loss of Sirius. Sharing their mutual experience of losing someone dear, Luna offers Harry an understanding shoulder to lean on. Her straightforward nature guides Harry towards healing, and she eventually becomes a loyal friend and supporter. She stands by Harry during the Department of Mysteries in the fifth movie, attends Slughorn’s Christmas party with him in the sixth, and, needless to say, they fight side-by-side in the Battle of Hogwarts in the final film.

7. Peter Pettigrew

Peter Pettigrew (Timothy Spall) is a rather pitiful character. As a child, he was mysteriously placed in Gryffindor and maintained friendships with James Potter, Remus Lupin, and Sirius Black. However, when they matured and circumstances became perilous, he betrayed his friends by revealing Lily and James’ whereabouts to Voldemort, which ultimately led to their demise. Consequently, his actions play a crucial role in shaping Harry Potter’s life story, as it was his betrayal that essentially set the events of Harry’s life into motion.

As a gamer, I’d rephrase it like this: In the first three films, I learned that Pettigrew had been disguising himself as Ron’s pet rat, Scabbers, all along, to dodge the consequences of his betrayal and Voldemort’s downfall. The way Pettigrew managed to slip away at the end of “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” had a significant effect on me – it meant Sirius had to keep hiding as a fugitive, which made it impossible for him to step up as my guardian. Additionally, it was Pettigrew who supplied Voldemort with everything he needed in the fourth movie to regain his physical form, making him a crucial player in the entire storyline.

6. Fred & George Weasley

Fred and George Weasley, played by James and Oliver Phelps, are well-known pranksters throughout Hogwarts. They add humor to many scenes in the movies, but their most significant action in the story is an act of compassion: They hand over the Marauder’s Map to Harry. Although they may not have known how crucial the map would be, had they not chosen to pass on the enchanted map (which reveals the whereabouts of everyone within Hogwarts), events might have unfolded very differently.

If Harry hadn’t obtained the map, Professor Lupin wouldn’t have discovered that Peter Pettigrew was alive and that Sirius Black was innocent. The map turned out to be beneficial for Harry, as it helped him and Dumbledore’s Army evade detection by Umbridge, and he used it to track Draco Malfoy’s activities after believing that Voldemort had turned him into a Death Eater. It can be concluded that Fred and George’s gift served its purpose well.

5. Remus Lupin

Harry Potter had his first reliable Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher in Remus Lupin (David Thewlis), who was also the first person to be friends with Harry’s parents. Through Lupin, Harry learned how to create a protective charm called a patronus and defeat malevolent beings known as Dementors. Moreover, Lupin provided insight into Sirius’ connection with Harry’s family and verified the truth behind Sirius’ tale about Peter Pettigrew, which turned out to be a pivotal moment in Harry’s life.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but acknowledge that Lupin plays an instrumental role within the Order of the Phoenix, not just as a guide for Harry, but also as a source of unwavering support and solace. However, it’s worth noting that the film series sometimes overlooks Lupin’s significance in comparison to other characters – if we were ranking based on the books, Lupin would undoubtedly rank higher, much like Ginny Weasley.

4. Rubeus Hagrid

Rubeus Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) is the first person from the magical realm that Harry encounters, and this alone makes him a significant character. Notably, he saves Harry from the Dursleys, and this event is one of, if not the most, memorable scenes in the films. Yet, Hagrid’s importance extends beyond these dramatic moments. In fact, he plays crucial roles in various other understated instances that are integral to Harry’s overall journey.

The kindly caretaker of Hogwarts plays a crucial role in informing Harry and his companions about various happenings within the school. For instance, he provides our trio with the secret to soothing Fluffy in the initial film and directs them to follow the spiders if they wish to uncover the central mystery in the second installment. He frequently offers hints that he later regrets, although these instances are used for humor. However, it’s important to remember that Hagrid is not just a large, friendly half-giant; there’s much more to him than meets the eye.

3. Draco Malfoy

The significance of Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) in the story is highlighted by his actions aiding Harry in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1.” Prior to the sixth film, Draco primarily functioned as an annoying antagonist for Harry, a school-level rival from a competing house who was intensely envious of Harry’s acclaim. However, when Draco’s father is imprisoned in Azkaban, Voldemort drafts him into his forces and assigns him a critical mission: Infiltrate Hogwarts and assassinate Dumbledore. Despite his best efforts, Draco fails to kill Dumbledore personally, but Snape accomplishes the deed as part of a secret plan orchestrated by both Dumbledore and Snape.

After witnessing the chaos wrought by Voldemort’s followers within Hogwarts, Draco loses faith in Voldemort’s violent ways. This newfound doubt gives him the strength to withstand the pressure when Harry is captured at Malfoy Manor, disguised under Hermione’s makeshift jinx. Though he recognizes Harry beneath the swelling, he also understands the dire consequences of confirming his identity. So, he decides to feign uncertainty about Harry’s true identity instead. This bold decision not only spared Harry’s life but provided Dobby with the necessary moment to free him, ultimately altering their fate dramatically.

2. Sirius Black

In a different phrasing, the character Sirius Black (played by Gary Oldman) symbolizes the remaining pieces of Harry’s past life. After Sirius breaks free from Azkaban and meets up with his godson, Harry briefly experiences what might have been – only for it to be disrupted once more due to Peter Pettigrew’s escape. Throughout Harry’s fourth and fifth school years, Sirius provides support and guidance, but unfortunately, in the final scene of the fifth film, Sirius is tragically killed, creating one of the most emotional moments in the “Harry Potter” series. Although Sirius didn’t stay with Harry as long as he wished, his influence on young Harry was immense during their time spent together.

Sirius’ death is essentially the beginning of the end of the story, setting in motion a series of important events. Without it, Harry would never have had the insight on death and loss that he later needed in order to face Voldemort in the Forbidden Forest. When the spirits of his parents appear right before that fateful moment, Sirius is alongside him. The pep talk they give fills Harry with the courage he needs to lay his life down — at this point, he believes the only way to stop Voldemort is to let the Dark Lord kill him. Of course, all Voldemort ends up doing is killing the piece of himself that latched onto Harry all those years ago.

1. Neville Longbottom

In the world of Harry Potter, Neville Longbottom stands as a key secondary character due to his potential as an alternate Chosen One. The prophecy by Professor Trelawney foretells “the one with the power to defeat the Dark Lord” would be born in the seventh month and have parents who defied him thrice. Voldemort discovers two boys born at the end of July, Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom, whose families oppose him. He focuses on Harry, altering his life significantly, but it’s important to note that it could just as easily have been Neville who was destined to thwart Voldemort.

As a gamer, I’d rephrase it like this: During our epic quest against Voldemort, while I was out searching for Horcruxes, Neville stood his ground at Hogwarts, keeping Dumbledore’s Army alive and leading the resistance within the school under the Dark Lord’s control. In the climactic battle, he took one for the team – as I battled Voldemort in the grounds, Neville struck a crucial blow by slaying his snake Nagini, the last Horcrux. This paved the way for me to deliver the final blow. Without Neville’s quick thinking, the outcome of the battle could have been drastically different.

2024-11-05 00:30