50% Of Harry Potter Fans Can't Name All These Characters
- by Johnny Reynolds
- – on
- in Movies and TV
While fantastical worlds filled with mystical elements and wondrous creatures often rely on the magic of it all to grab the attention of the viewer or reader, those worlds are nothing if they don't have fleshed out and interesting characters to experience said magic. And nowhere is that more true than with the Wizarding World seen in Harry Potter.
Many of these characters created by the immense imagination of J.K. Rowling have become some of the most beloved in all of fiction. And her villains have become just as well-known through their delectably devious intentions. The Harry Potter universe may focus heavily on magic to delight the mind, but the characters are what make it timeless.
Ever since readers found out about the Boy Who Lived from a strange, hidden world in 1997, the world has become infatuated with each and every character. From the professors who teach at the increasingly fascinating Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to the morally grey antagonists who struggle to make the right decisions, every person or creature inhabiting this world has felt wholly unique.
And when the books were turned into movies, each of these characters only became more well-known. But as there are seven books (or eight movies) worth of characters, it can be a bit difficult for one to remember everyone's name. Except, of course, for the massive Potterheads.
What is the name of the Boy Who Lived?
The reason that this series exists is because of the Boy Who Lived. After the Dark Lord found out about a prophecy that stated a boy born at the end of July to parents who defied him three times would be his downfall, he hunted that boy and his parents down. This young boy's mother sacrificed herself to save her son, which protected him and rebounded the curse onto the Dark Lord himself. Thus, this boy became one of the most famous wizards of all time. What is his name?
Who is this bright witch?
Often called the brightest witch of her age, this character became one of the most important characters of the series early on. While some students think of her as a bit of a know-it-all, it's because she loves learning everything she can about the wizarding world as she was born to Muggle parents. Becoming close friends with Harry meant putting her life at risk each and every year but, being that she is in Gryffindor, she is also very brave. What is the name of this witch?
Who is this loyal friend?
The very first student Harry Potter becomes friends with in his new life is a boy with a pet rat from a very large family. This boy often feels overshadowed by his numerous older brothers as they accomplished so much during their time at Hogwarts. Becoming best friends with Harry Potter, however, ensures he gets more than enough glory. Though the two have had some rocky moments like any friendship, this is a character Harry knows he can always trust. What is his name?
What is the name of this wise wizard?
Throughout Harry's time at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, this wise wizard is the headmaster and one of Harry's most knowledgeable mentors. But his life has been full of achievements before the story picks up. He accomplished a lot of work within the field of alchemy and put a stop to a powerful dark wizard in his prime. He's also the only wizard that the Dark Lord fears and has proven himself a capable warrior, despite his old age. What is this wizard's name?
Who is this stern professor?
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is home to all manner of interesting professors who teach wonderfully magical subjects. This particular professor also happens to be the head teacher of Harry's house, Gryffindor. Although, she never likes to show them any favoritism. She teaches Transfiguration and Harry learns to transform objects and creatures into other things under her guidance. She is also one of a few Animagi, witches or wizards who can transform into an animal. She can turn into a cat. What is her name?
What is the Dark Lord's name?
Every great epic needs a great villain and Harry Potter has the Dark Lord. Also known as He Who Must Not Be Named, even the name he gave himself is feared among the wizarding community. So powerful and dangerous has he proven himself to be. The sacrifice of Harry's mother meant 11 years of peace with the Dark Lord biding his time, barely alive, in order to somehow return. And after he was successful, the world Harry had grown to love began to crumble. What is the name of this dangerous wizard?
Who is this villain?
While the Dark Lord is certainly the most unnerving and dangerous of the villains seen in the Harry Potter franchise, his minions and followers are almost as bad as him. One of the most notorious is this witch who loves to bask in the despair of others. She's absent for the first half of the series as she's in Azkaban. But a mass breakout in "Order of the Phoenix" lets her reek havoc on the outside world. And when she did finally get to join, she instantly became one of the best villains of the series. What is her name?
What is the name of the Weasley mother?
Though Harry Potter grew up without a family, the closest he ever got to knowing what it would feel like was with Ron and his family, the Weasleys. And Ron's mother was definitely one of the most nurturing figures to Harry during the series. Although, that nurturing side could be replaced with ferocity at the drop of a hat if she suspected one of her many children were in danger. With her and the rest of the family's help, Harry learned a lot more about the world he was supposed to be a part of. What is her name?
Who is this nervous student?
At first glance, one might wonder why this nervous student was ever put into Gryffindor in the first place as that house is meant for the bravest of students. But his life before Hogwarts, which isn't gone into detail early on, had almost as many fateful incidents as Harry's. He shows his bravery when it's important, like when he stood up to Harry, Ron, and Hermione when he thought they might lose Gryffindor more points. What is the name of this nervous student?
What is the name of this odd student?
Though she wouldn't appear until "Order of the Phoenix," this Ravenclaw student would quickly become one of the more interesting Hogwarts students around. Many find her a bit too kooky and choose to make fun of her, but she never lets it get to her. She also becomes an amazing friend to Harry, as she understands what he's going through after the events at the end of "Goblet of Fire." Though her beliefs are a bit strange, she has shown time and time again that she can think outside the box to help in tough situations. What's her name?
What is the name of the only female Weasley child?
While the majority of the Weasley children are boys, the youngest is a girl. She is also one of the more naturally gifted when it comes to powerful spells. Her Reducto spell showed her power when practicing with Dumbledore's Army in "Order of the Phoenix." And when Harry and his friends traveled to the Ministry of Magic to rescue his godfather, her same spell caused a lot of mayhem for Voldemort's minions. She was shown from the start to admire Harry greatly and would eventually become his love interest. What is her name?
What is the name of this antagonist?
While this boy loves to look down on those who don't have 100% magical DNA, it is shown later in the series that he is really just a product of his environment. He and Harry become rivals almost immediately and for years this boy is always trying to get others to view Harry negatively. The sixth entry fleshed the character out more, as he was given a dangerous and life-changing job by Voldemort that he struggled to do. What is the name of this Slytherin student?
Who is this mean professor?
The head of Slytherin house comes off as a lot more biased than Professor McGonagall, the head of Gryffindor. From the very beginning, he made his feelings about Harry abundantly clear and would spend the majority of the first few books and movies finding ways to embarrass and demean him. It was eventually revealed that there was a lot more to this character than appeared. He may have despised Harry because of how Harry's father acted at school, but he was shown to be a true hero. What is his name?
Who is this jolly half-giant?
This character is Harry's first introduction to the wizarding world as he tracked him down to give him his Hogwarts letter after Harry's aunt and uncle refused to tell him the truth. And what an introduction it was. This half-wizard, half-giant was expelled during his third year due to a crime he didn't commit, but Dumbledore gave him the opportunity to become the Gamekeeper at Hogwarts so he could stay. This character would become one of Harry's closest friends who he could always confide in. What is his name?
What are the names of Ron's older TWIN brothers?
Ron Weasley is a great source of comedic relief but he seemed to pick up some humor from his older brothers as their shenanigans steal every scene. They have no interest in academic prospects like their brothers before them and they even end up dropping out in spectacular fashion. But they also start their own business inside Hogwarts which develops into an incredibly popular joke shop once they leave. They also show their bravery in the final entry during the Battle of Hogwarts. What are their names?
What is the name of this House Elf?
The world of Harry Potter is home to many magical beings outside of wizards and witches. Their are centaurs, goblins, and house elves. One house elf in particular becomes very attached to Harry Potter during "Chamber of Secrets" when he tries to warn Harry of the dastardly plot that is coming to Hogwarts. Harry puts an end to that and frees him from his service. To repay him, the house elf pops up from time to time to help Harry out with a problem. What is this house elf's name?
What is the name of the Minister of Magic?
The world of witches and wizards, just like the real world, has a governing agency to protect its people. The Ministry of Magic starts off as a strong force for good, though Voldemort's return brings chaos to the organization. Before the rebirth of the Dark Lord, the Minister of Magic tried his best to help Harry. And while he may have had his own agenda in mind, his position meant he still had more power in the wizarding world than most and he tried to use it to keep people safe. What is his name?
What is the name of Harry's godfather?
Harry believed for the longest time that the only family he had were his aunt, uncle, and cousin, who all treated him terribly. The reveal that he in fact had a godfather who had been in Azkaban for 13 years, and for a crime he didn't commit, brought joy to Harry. At least there was one family member who would treat him with respect and teach him about his parents, of which he knew little. Voldemort's return sadly stopped them from being able to truly connect, however. What is the name of Harry's godfather?
What is the name of this mentor?
The position of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor is a hard one to keep at Hogwarts. There are some who believe it is cursed as during Harry's time at the school, no one keeps it for more than a year. Harry's favorite professor to hold the post, no doubt, is the one who grew up with his parents. This teacher teaches him how to combat the dementors. He was bitten by a werewolf when he was very young and he unfortunately loses his job when everyone finds out. What is his name?
What is the name of Draco's father?
This dastardly villain is the main reason Draco Malfoy turns out the way he does. Even before Voldemort returns, Draco's father preaches about how mixing with Muggles is wrong. He supported the Dark Lord before his downfall but was somehow able to slip out of trouble and continue living his life. This smug character gets his comeuppance after Voldemort does return when he ceases to please him. And by the end, the events of the story leave him without any confidence. What is the name of Draco's father?
Who is this metamorphmagus?
A Metamorphmagus is another incredibly rare type of transformative witch or wizard. But unlike Animagi, these individuals can change any part of their body to whatever they want. When this character is introduced, she shows she can change her hair from different colors. But later she shows she can take on animal properties as well when she changes her mouth to a duck bill. She's a fierce member of the Order of the Phoenix and shows just how much she's willing to sacrifice during the Battle of Hogwarts. What is her name?
What is the name of this Auror?
An auror is essentially a wizard detective and this is one of the Ministry's best. His body bears scars from his long time catching dark wizards. He has a wooden leg and a magical eye that allows him to see through solid barriers and even invisibility cloaks. He's one of the more gruff characters in the Harry Potter universe and his enhanced eye, which moves around freely in any direction he wants it to, earned him the nickname 'Mad-Eye.' What is this auror's name?
Who is this Ministry of Magic official?
Voldemort may be the big bad of the whole series, but this character may have been more disliked by fans. She works for the Ministry and comes in during "Order of the Phoenix." After many in the organization, Fudge included, refuse to acknowledge Voldemort's return, she is sent to take up the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts. From there, Harry's year is filled with barbaric detentions and a repression of magic. Though this character loved everything pink and kitten related, it certainly didn't fit with her prickly demeanor. What is her name?
Who is the Charms professor at Hogwarts?
Charms is certainly one of the more fun subjects to learn in Hogwarts. The professor teaches students how to levitate objects in the first entry but he also teaches them the importance of wand movement and proper pronunciation. This professor is also the choir conductor at Hogwarts and has a Goblin ancestor. Speaking of goblins, the actor who plays the Charms professor also plays a well-known Goblin character, though he is almost unrecognizable due to the amount of make up he had to wear. What is the name of the Charms professor?
Who teaches Divination at Hogwarts?
Divination is a subject at Hogwarts that is most-often scoffed at. It should say something about the ability to see into the future if isn't believed to be real given that the world is filled with all other types of magic. The Divination professor is thought to be a hoax by some, though there are others that believe every word she says. While a lot of her predictions are fuzzy, there have been two instances where she has predicted something incredibly important concerning Voldemort. What is her name?
What is the name of Harry's cousin?
Harry's cousin is the apple in his Aunt and Uncle's eyes, which of course means he's incredibly unfriendly to Harry. While Harry's Aunt and Uncle never wanted to provide anything for him, they gave their son anything he asked for. He ended up becoming totally spoiled. When Harry was revealed to have magic abilities, he would hold his powers above his cousin whenever he returned home for the summer. These tricks were the only way for him to get the upper hand on his cousin. What is the name of Harry's cousin?
What is the name of the Weasley father?
His wife may be the more nurturing type, but this character is just as interesting as any of the Weasleys. He's worked for the Ministry of Magic for years as the head of the Misuse of Muggle artifacts Office. His job means dealing with Muggle items that witches or wizards have enchanted and caused trouble for non-magic folk. He's fascinated by Muggles, never passing up an opportunity to ask Harry questions about the world he grew up in. What is the name of Ron's father?
What is the name of Voldemort's minion?
One of the biggest twists early in Harry Potter is that Scabbers, Ron's pet rat, is not a rat at all. Instead, he is an Animagus who grew up with Harry's parents yet sold them out to Voldemort. It is because of this character that Harry had to grow up without his parents. And when Sirius broke out of Azkaban and revealed his secret, this minion was able to escape and bring Voldemort back. He is more commonly called 'Wormtail' due to his Animagus form. What is this villain's name?
Who is this Hufflepuff student?
Before Robert Pattinson became a superstar thanks to "Twilight," he starred in "Goblet of Fire" as this well-liked Hufflepuff student. He willingly submitted his name into the Goblet of Fire so he could compete in the Triwizard tournament and he's one of the only Hufflepuff students who received a lot of screen time in the movies. He was shown to be a brave, capable, and charming student. He did very well in the tournament, which made the moment he lost his life to Wormtail all the sadder. What is his name?
Who teaches Harry how to play Quidditch?
Quidditch is one of the most fun pastime events at Hogwarts and it's a sport that Harry is surprisingly fantastic at, given that he didn't grow up around it like most other students. Harry becomes the youngest Seeker in a century at the school when he joins the Gryffindor team. And it is this student that teaches him the basics of the game. He's shown to care about most things less than Quidditch and is always concerned about getting their plays just right. What is this student's name?
What is the name of this minor villain?
Though this follower of Voldemort only appears in "Goblet of Fire," his plan to help resurrect the Dark Lord is successful. While Harry does survive the ordeal, it was this wizard who ensured that Harry did well in the competition throughout the year, always giving him hints and clues about what to do next. And he did this all through the use of Polyjuice potion, letting him take on the form of that year's Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Alastor Moody. What is this dark wizard's name?
Who sold Harry Potter his wand?
Making and selling wands may not seem that complicated at first thought, but it requires a very precise form of magic and skill. Wands can come in different lengths and be made out of different types of wood with different elements from magical creatures at the core. All of these things matter greatly and each wand becomes permanently linked to be the best suited for whichever witch or wizard uses it. All of this wandlore Harry eventually learns from the man who sold him his wand when he was 11. What is his name?
Who is the Hogwarts caretaker?
Hogwarts is mostly filled with people who love their job, teaching young minds different forms of magic. This character is not one of those people. He's the caretaker at Hogwarts and seems to have it out for every student that walks through the doors. It is revealed later that is actually a Squib, a person born to magical parents who cannot perform magic themselves. His jealousy of each student's magical abilities causes him to be the crankiest member of the Hogwarts staff. What is his name?
What is the name of this professor?
The professor to take up the Defense Against the Dark arts position in Harry's second year was this pompous character. He had become a well-known celebrity through his books, all which detailed his accomplishments over certain dangerous magical creatures. He loved being adored and loved telling others of his fame even more. But by the end of "Chamber of Secrets," Harry and Ron found out that all of his accomplishments were really those of other wizards and witches whose minds he erased in order to take their fame. What is his name?
What is the name of Draco's mother?
The majority of the time Draco is seen with a parent, it is with his smug father. And when his mother was finally revealed, she was shown to be much more loving. Though she may be a follower of Voldemort, her actions make it clear that she only truly cares about keeping her family together. It's the mark of a great character and mother to put aside everything she once believed in in order to keep her son safe. What is the name of Draco's mother?
Who was this traitorous professor?
Harry's first experience with treachery came in his first year when he found out that this bumbling professor was actually working for the Dark Lord. The whole year Harry thought that Snape had been the villain and was surprised to find that underneath this professor's turban, Voldemort's soul had bonded to the his body with his face on the back of his head. This character is notable for being the first villain Harry would ever face and come out on top against. What is his name?
Who is this member of the Order of the Phoenix?
The Order of the Phoenix has had many members, from the first time they joined to stop Voldemort to when they reformed with Harry in order to stop him again. During their reformation, this character keeps his job with the Ministry of Magic in order to tell the group what Fudge is planning. He's a helpful source to have and an even more helpful ally to have in a pinch. He helps escort Harry to safety through a pack of Voldemort's followers and doesn't hesitate to fight alongside his friends in the Battle of Hogwarts. What is his name?
Who became Minister of Magic after Fudge retired?
After it was proven that Voldemort had returned in "Order of the Phoenix," Cornelius Fudge felt it wise to step down as he had massively fumbled the situation. The man to take his place was much more stern when it came to dealing with the problems ahead. He showed that he wanted to work with Harry, but the boy had already soured towards the organization due to how he'd been treated. This minister would fall when the Ministry was overthrown by Voldemort, causing a mass panic within the wizarding community. What is his name?
What is the name of this bubbly Hogwarts student?
This bubbly Gryffindor student would serve as a humorous love interest to Ron Weasley in the sixth entry, though it would still be rather obvious that he was destined to end up with Hermione. She got her time to shine as an overbearing girlfriend who liked to call Ron 'Won-Won.' Ron struggled with how to end things, and only accidentally did when he kept mumbling Hermione's name while he was in the hospital wing. What is the name of this Gryffindor student?
What is the name of Voldemort's pet snake?
There are many pets in the series that, while not necessarily magical, do prove to be important characters rather than just animals. Harry has his owl and Voldemort has his snake. She's the most loyal of pets and one of Voldemort's horcruxes. She is also one of the scarier elements in the entire series as Voldemort loves to use her to great effect. The "Fantastic Beasts" series has shown that there was always more to this snake than met the eye. What is her name?
Who is this Ravenclaw student?
After dealing with Voldemort, Harry Potter would settle down with Ginny Weasley and start a family. But before even beginning a relationship with her, he was completely infatuated with this Ravenclaw student. In the books, she's shown to be an impressive Seeker for the Ravenclaw team. But she's also shown to be a good fighter when she joins Harry and the other members of Dumbledore's Army. Their relationship had more than a few bumps, but they would remain friends. What is the name of this Ravenclaw student?
Who is this grumpy House Elf?
The first House Elf that is shown in the series is Dobby, happy and excited. This house elf is the exact opposite. He's served the Black family for years, though Sirius's family was much less forward-thinking than he was. This house elf loved Sirius's mother and her tendency to look down on those whose DNA wasn't 100% magical rubbed off on him. Though far from the kindest of characters, he would prove his use when he helped Harry track down a Horcrux. What is this house elf's name?
What is the name of Voldemort's follower who is a werewolf?
It isn't just normal witches and wizards that fill the ranks of Voldemort's followers. There are also giants and a particularly mean-spirited werewolf. This werewolf has shown to be one of the Dark Lord's most ruthless followers. Even when it isn't a full moon, he likes to attack others. Just like Voldemort, the wickedness of his ways have had an affect on his physical appearance. During the final installment, he helped the Snatchers (bounty hunters of a sort) track down witches and wizards on the run. What is his name?
What is the name of this Beauxbatons student?
During "Goblet of Fire," readers found that there were other magical schools in the world. Two came to visit for the Triwizard Tournament, one from France and one from Bulgaria. Of the French academy, Beauxbatons, this student was the champion the Goblet chose. Though she would go on to play a bigger part during the war when she married Ron's older brother Bill. She's a skilled witch who probably would've done better in the tournament had their not been other forces at work. What is her name?
Who is this popular Bulgarian Seeker?
The champion chosen for the Bulgarian school, Durmstrang, in "Goblet of Fire" is also one of the most popular Seekers around. Harry and the Weasleys watched him play during the Quidditch World Cup before getting a chance to meet him when his school visited. He would share a brief romance with Hermione, much to Ron's chagrin. He admired her so much, in fact, that she was the person chosen for him to rescue during the tournament's second task. What is this character's name?
What is the name of this goblin?
Goblins aren't exactly the warmest of species found in the Harry Potter universe. Many of them believe that wizards and witches look down on other magical races, and in some cases they're right. The wizarding bank, Gringotts, is filled with Goblins as they exceed in finding treasure and crafting powerful magical objects and weapons. This particular Goblin helped Harry break into the bank in order to get inside Bellatrix Lestrange's vault, but betrayed the trio and left them there. What is the name of this goblin?
What is the name of Luna Lovegood's father?
Though he only appeared in one movie, Luna Lovegood's father made it perfectly clear why she turned out the way she did. He runs The Quibbler, a magazine that many witches and wizards think to be filled with nonsense. Through visiting him, Harry learns about the Elder Wand, the Resurrection Stone and the Cloak of Invisibility - a trio of magical items whose power is unparalleled. Unfortunately for them, he sells them out because Voldemort's followers have taken his daughter. What is the name of Luna Lovegood's knowledgeable and odd father?
Who is the headmistress of Beauxbatons?
The headmistress of the French magical academy, Beauxbatons, is entirely protective of her students. Though what she wants more than anything in "Goblet of Fire" is for her student to come out victorious. She's shown to have a bit of a softer side though as she begins a romance with Hagrid. Both of them are so monumentally tall that the attraction is almost immediate. Even after her champion is no longer her student, she still shows up to Fleur's wedding to Bill Weasley in support. What is her name?
Who is the headmaster of Durmstrang?
The world of Harry Potter is filled with characters that make the reader or viewer think they are villainous when they're really not. The headmaster of Durmstrang is one such character. He used to be a follower of Voldemort before the Dark Lord lost his power and served his time in Azkaban before the took over his school. This fact, along with his generally unfavorable demeanor, makes him seem like someone who would want to cause Harry harm. But he really just wants his student to triumph over all. What is his name?
Who teaches and referees Quidditch at Hogwarts?
Being able to fly on a broomstick is one of the most joyous things Harry Potter experiences during his first year at Hogwarts. He's naturally gifted since his father was such an excellent flyer. This character is the person who teaches Harry and every other first year student how to fly. She is also the referee of most Quidditch matches and has been known to be almost as stern as McGonagall. It was through her lesson that Harry was made Seeker of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. What is her name?