We still haven’t recovered from the death of our precious Dobby (formally known as Dobby the House Elf) in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1. Still, Dobby is just one of J.K. Rowling‘s many characters that we’ve grown to love in her sprawling Wizarding World. However, as we’ve continued to wax poetic about Hagrid, Dumbledore, Neville Longbottom and so many others, there are several amazing characters that have been tragically overlooked. (For example, Peeves is LEGENDARY in the books but he doesn’t even make it into the films.) Here are 12 underrated Harry Potter characters that are more magical than your faves.
1. Kreacher
We know this might seem out of left field, but Kreacher was low-key heroic. He had the surly disposition of nearly everyone on a Monday morning pre-coffee, and he was notoriously unbothered. He lived to insult folks he wasn’t here for. Kreacher might not have been your fave, but you have to remember that he was nearly driven mad by poor treatment and from drinking the potion from the basin in the Crystal Cave for Regulus. All Kreacher needed was a little TLC, and he softened up… kind of.
2. Madam Pomfrey
Listen! Madam Pomfrey deserves all of the Galleons and Sickles. She’d been working overtime in the Hogwarts hospital wing long before Voldemort returned. From reviving people that were petrified, to regrowing bones, Madame Promfey had an endless amount of ailments to cure. This was all before the horrors of the Battle of Hogwarts. To make her even more amazing, Queen Pomfrey wasn’t afraid to put people out of her hospital wing. Seriously, if she were a real person we’d have a holiday named for her.
3. Luna Lovegood
We admit, Luna was a bit of an odd one, but that didn’t stop her from being amazingly heroic. She helps Harry find the lost diadiem, she joins Dumbledore’s Army and she always stood with her friends. Ginny and Harry even named their daughter and third child, Lily Luna Potter, after her.
4. Madame Maxime
We could never forget about Hagrid’s boo from the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. Despite having to deal with anti-giant prejudice, Madam Maxime didn’t stop that from letting her be a boss bitch. Also, her fashion choices and mode of transportation were the peak of regal. Did we forget to mention that she was totally down to accompany Hagrid on their dangerous mission to seek diplomacy with the giants? Because know the movies sure did.
5. Draco Malfoy
Just hear us out okay. We know that on the surface Draco is a racist turd, and we’re not saying that he should get our sympathy. However, Draco was a product of his family, and he did grow a lot over the course of the series. He couldn’t bring himself to kill Dumbledore, and after the Battle of Hogwarts he moved to shed his prejudiced ideals.
6. Stan Shunpike and Ernie Prang
Stan and Ernie didn’t get nearly enough screen time in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Think about how dope these two were! They spent their lives riding about on a magical bus (which was purple BTW), picking up strangers around the world. Also, Ernie was the best driver ever. Stan was amazing even if his tendency to embellish the truth got him into a bit of a pickle.
7. Professor Lupin
Lupin’s arc in the Harry Potter saga was a tragic one. However, while he was alive, he was always looking out for Harry. Not only did Lupin teach Harry how to to defend himself from Dementors, he was also the best Defense Against the Arts teacher ever. Plus, he walked around with pockets full of chocolate.
8. Nymphadora Tonks
Like Lupin, his wifey Tonks doesn’t get nearly enough credit. First and foremost she is one of the most intriguing characters in the series because she is a Metamorphmagus. She can transform herself into ANYTHING which is super rare even in the Wizarding World. Her abilities helped her become an Auror at only 25-years-old. Oh, and we’re sure you forgot her aunt was Bellatrix Lestrange. Like her hubby Tonk’s arc was tragic and short, but she left her legacy and her abilities as a Metamorphmagus with her son, Teddy Lupin.
9. Colin Creevy
Colin’s introduction in the Harry Potter series was like an annoying pimple that never went away. He always taking pictures of Harry, and showing up where he didn’t belong. However, after being Petrified, our sympathies for Colin grew. By the end of the saga, Colin (who was Muggle born) showed his true Gryffindor bravery by staying at the Battle of Hogwarts even though he was underage. He lost his life because of that choice.
10. Narcissa Malfoy
As Draco’s mama and Bellatrix’s sister, Nacrissa was generally trash (or as Harry described her, “She always looked like she smelled something bad”.) However, when it came down to fairness, she ended up saving Harry’s life because he saved Draco.
11. Dean Thomas
#WizardBae as we now call him, was Ginny Weasley’s ex-squeeze, which could have been really awkward. However, Dean had has his own pretty dope backstory. He grew up believing that he was Muggle born. Because he couldn’t prove his wizard pedigree, he had to go on the run at age 17 so that he wouldn’t be thrown into Azkaban. He was also a member of the Dumbledore’s Army and he was always supportive of Harry when hardly anyone else believed in him.
12. Fleur Delacour
Though she’s not exactly loved by Harry Potter fans, Fleur was no fairy princess. Not only was she the best student from Beauxbatons (which is why she got chosen for the TriWizard Tournament), after Harry saved her little sister in the second task, she was loyal to Harry for life. Fleur helped him fool the Death Eathers, days before her wedding. Also, when her hubby Bill Weasley got maimed by Fenrir Greyback, she didn’t care that he was no longer a hottie. Fleur is a badass and she doesn’t get nearly enough credit.
