Just Try And Name Over 80% Of These Harry Potter Wizards
- by Theo Kogod
- – on
- in Movies and TV
The Harry Potter series brought magic into the world for a whole generation of fans. These tales of Harry, Ron, and Hermione’s adventures (and misadventures) involved tussles with dragons and giants, dueling dark wizards, and getting into the usual school hijinks with occult meddling. It is a series that reminds us that there is mystery and wonder awaiting around every corner and that the castles and spells of the past still hold secrets that young pupils can learn from. The sheer scope of the world developed by J. K. Rowling is remarkable, including an entire shadow history of events which transpired beyond the notice of muggles.
Of course, another part of what makes the series so fun is its cast of characters. There are wizards and witches and magical creatures, Quidditch stars flying through the air on broomsticks and sharp-nosed goblins who move through the underbelly of the Earth in the Gringotts subterranean dungeonscape. Sparks fly when dark wizards duel with Aurors. All of these components combine to create a truly magical experience that fans can revel in as we cheer, laugh, gasp, and mourn. Most fans will be able to name some of these Harry Potter characters, but only an act of magic will be enough to name more than 80% of these Harry Potter characters.
Who is this wizard with the lightning bolt scar?
He is the “Boy Who Lived,” the “Chosen One,” and from his shaggy dark hair to the lightning bolt scar adorning his forehead, he is the main star of this series. There is not a lot this kid can’t do. Oh, sure, he might not be great at taking tests, but this boy is a sports legend whose broomstick skills outraced a dragon! He raised an army, resurrected from beyond the pale, and when he was 11 he beat the Dark Lord. Who is this wizard prodigy?
Name this star pupil of Hogwarts.
This genius witch is the pro-magic academic, putting the mystical genie back in genius. Not only is she smart, but she is also brave, loyal, caring, nurturing, and passionate. At the age of eleven, she solved puzzles meant to stump masters of the dark arts, and at thirteen she used time travel to cram in more study time. Yeah, her curly hair is only the second best attribute of her head. Who is this super smart spell caster that befriended Harry in their first year together?
What is this Slytherin named?
This rich, bad boy has the arrogance of old money and all the niceties of a back-alley hex. He was involved some very questionable banned magical devices, but he is rich, connected, and a pure-born, so generally speaking, he is able to get by without his actions having repercussions. Even at the end of the series when he tries to overthrow the government and attack a bunch civilians with dark magic while allying with the dark lord, he goes unpunished. What is this blonde Slytherin bad boy named?
Identify this Headmaster of Hogwarts.
One of the most respected magical practitioners of all time, this man is powerful, wise, and compassionate. He challenged both dark lords, proving brave enough to stand up to the most notable of the masters of black magic, but he also stood up against those legitimate respectable figures who held positions of authority and were sympathetic to Voldemort. This wizard became the Headmaster of Hogwarts, and personally worked to mentor Harry. Sure, he is far from perfect, but he did a lot to make the world a better place. Who is he?
Who is the half-giant Hogwarts groundskeeper?
Working as the groundskeeper of Hogwarts, this kind-hearted half-giant has a big heart, big hands, and some of the biggest hair not seen on a werewolf. This jolly giant first gave Harry Potter his letter of admission into Hogwarts, also giving him a cake and birthday present to welcome the young protagonist into the wizarding world. Additionally, he has a history of raising magical creatures and giving them the sort of knowledgeable care others might not be able to. Who is this kind-hearted half-giant?
Identify this red-headed Gryffindor chess champion.
This character is Harry Potter’s best friend. At times, that is wonderful, and their friendship is a rich source of joy for them both, full of adventure and animated conversation. Other times, Harry’s stardom proves a point of contention, inspiring jealousy and causing the two to argue. Still, this young red-headed wizard manages to shine all on his own. In addition to being the best chess player the school of Hogwarts has, he is the one who gets the girl at the end of the series. Identify this Gryffindor wizard.
What is this eccentric Ravenclaw’s name?
The world of wizardry and witchcraft is weird. Like, really weird. Hippogriffs and love potions and invisible horses are just some of its strange elements. But even weirder still is this silver-haired Ravenclaw witch whose optimistic belief in impossible magics perplexes her fellows. Despite her weirdness, she is a brilliant scholar and a loyal friend. She also is deeply devoted to spotting nagles (which may or may not exist, but which a cork necklace apparently helps one protect against). Who is this charming witch?
By what name is this red-headed conjurer called?
This witch went to Hogwarts as a first year during Harry Potter’s second year. She is the youngest of the Weasley siblings, and the only girl of the whole lot. Her first year, she got hold of Tom Riddle’s diary and unleashed an ancient power of darkness in the form of a Basilisk. She also developed a crush on Harry during that time. Later, she grew as a character, becoming one of the leading members of Dumbledore’s Army. Eventually she and Harry Potter married. Who is this redheaded witch?
This brooding professor brews potions in Hogwarts’ dungeon.
A brooding brewmaster might seem to be a walking redundancy, but this dark and moody wizard is the sort to always state something twice when it made people uncomfortable the first time. He had a childhood infatuation with Harry’s mother, Lily, and was bullied by Harry’s father James, using his love and his spite for the two parents as justification to be abusive toward the young innocent child Harry when charged with supervising the boy as a teacher. He was also a servant of Voldemort’s. Who is this Slytherin professor?
What is this Ravenclaw witch called?
This witch was romantically involved with both of the Hogwarts champions during the Triwizard Tournament. When Cedric Diggory and Harry Potter faced off in the Triwizard Tournament, they also competed in a Triwizard love triangle with her. She was a Seeker on the Ravenclaw Quidditch team, and after Cedric Diggory was offed during the outbreak of the Second Wizarding War, she was deeply affected. She and Harry briefly (and unsuccessfully) dated. After graduating, she returned to defend the school during the Battle for Hogwarts. Name this girl who wins (and breaks) hearts.
Real fans should be able to name “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.”
“The Dark Lord” is not a man to be trifled with. Even as a small child, he was manipulating other people and conjuring malevolent magical creatures such as basilisks to do his bidding. Obsessed with purity, despite being the child of both a magical parent and a muggle, showing a hatred born of hypocrisy, as well as revealing that the magical might he wields has nothing to do with the purity of his lineage. The dangers of this purity-obsessed outlook are clear. Who is the Dark Lord?
Who is the Professor of Transfiguration and Head of Gryffindor?
Transfiguration is the magical act of changing the nature of things. It is dangerous and complicated and hard to control, but is responsible for some of the most wondrous spells imaginable. At Hogwarts, the Professor of Transfiguration is also the Head of House Gryffindor, an Animagus, and second only to Dumbledore in the hierarchy of Hogwarts. She is shrewd and observant, but says little of what she knows and often being domineering in her demeanor when she does speak. Who is this imperious professor?
This Animagus is Harry’s godfather.
This wizard was the best friend of Harry Potter’s father, James, and was the best man of James when he married his wife, Lily. He then went away for a while, being locked away in Azkaban for a crime he did not commit. When he escaped, he was the most wanted man in the wizarding world, but still managed to sneak about the Hogwarts grounds shaped like a black dog, as he was secretly an Animagus. He continued to protect Harry the whole time he was on the run. Name Harry’s godparent.
Name these mischief-loving twins.
There are a number of sets of magical twins and memorable siblings in the series, but none more so than these two miscreants. From the first book to the last, they are prone to cause mischief, but also devoted to those who matter to them. They risked everything to help Harry, giving him the Marauder’s Map, helping to smuggle him away from the Dursley’s, and taking a stand during the Battle of Hogwarts. One paid the ultimate price. Who are these brave ne’er-do-well twins?
What is this Auror who took a job at Hogwarts named?
There have been a lot of people to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts. It is a running joke that there is a new teacher in that role every year. However, no teacher was more hauntingly aware of the dark arts than this one. Then again, the REAL teacher that year wasn’t this Auror, but an imposter. Still, the Auror DID accept the job and later on he imparted important lessons to Harry on how to defend against the dark arts. Identify this one-eyed Auror.
This Hogwarts professor has a special relationship with the moon.
The old joke of the revolving magic doorway of Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers coming and going from Hogwarts took an interesting twist with this teacher—a literal creature of darkness who was the most charming and nurturing teacher of any to ever take on the role during Harry’s seven years at Hogwarts. Interestingly, this man was a childhood friend of Harry’s father James. He married Tonks, and had a child with her before joining in the Battle of Hogwarts. He’s also a lycanthrope. What is this werewolf named?
Who is this vindictive bureaucrat with the Ministry of Magic?
The Madam Undersecretary to the Minister of Magic and Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts was introduced in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix as the ultimate villain—a smiling bureaucrat in pink who was obsessed with rules and had all of the compassion of a medieval Inquisitor. She is a loyal follower of the Dark Lord, and an enemy of both Dumbledore and Harry. She also has a phobia of centaurs after a life-changing encounter. Who is this vindictive villainess?
Who is this intensely devoted follower of Voldemort?
Some people are loyal. Some take that loyalty and turn it into fanaticism. Such is the case with this mad marauder who has pledged her life and loyalty to Voldemort, whom she loves both as both his follower and romantic partner. For her crimes during the First Wizarding War she was locked in Azkaban, but she escaped along with many other inmates who were devoted to the Dark Lord. After all the tragedies she caused, she finally met her ending at the wand of Molly Weasley. Who’s this dark witch?
By what name is this Auror and Ministry leader known?
This wizard made his first appearance in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and was himself a member of the Order of the Phoenix, a secret cabal of witches and wizards that Albus Dumbledore founded to stop Voldemort. In a twist that surprises no one, the Ministry opposed efforts to oppose the Dark Lord. Such actions resulted in the Minister of Magic. Eventually, this Auror became the new Minister of Magic, serving in that capacity 1998-2019, when he was (or will be) replaced by Hermione Granger. Identify this wizard.
This redheaded mother of seven has a fierce temper.
The Harry Potter series is a story about an orphaned kid and his teenage friends living on their own in a remote boarding school. As such, one would not expect parents to be a big part of the story. This witch is a mother of seven, and has all the intensity it takes to keep order among such a large brood. She is loving and nurturing in her own way, but is also an intensely fiery personality. Who is this overbearing matriarch?
This sensationalist reporter has a casual relationship with the truth.
Purple prose may be a skill this witch has mastered, but really, she is better known for her yellow journalism, having a relationship with the truth which can best be described as a restraining order. That said, many of the stories she tells that are true come from legitimate investigative journalism, conducted while she is in the form of a beetle, as she is secretly an unregistered Animagus. What is the real name of this writer who reports the news for the Daily Prophet newspaper?
Which Gryffindor wizard defeated Nagini?
Harry gets called the Chosen One, but it’s actually more like there were a Chosen Two. This Gryffindor wizard entered Hogwarts the same year as Harry, and he was subjected to his own early childhood hardships. Though his first few years at Hogwarts were rough, he grew into his own, despite being incessantly bullied by the school Potions Master. He eventually took head of Dumbledore’s Army, and then took head of Voldemort’s snake Nagini—this time doing so literally. Who is this gifted wizard?
Who is this Bulgarian Quidditch star?
The National Bulgarian Quidditch Team’s Seeker and a student at the Durmstrang Institute, this gifted wizard is a brave and charming spell caster, with an open heart and winning smile. Despite the reputation of his school and headmaster for intolerance, he shows no such signs throughout the series. He was the Champion for Durmstrang Institute during the Triwizard Tournament, and he and Hermione were romantically involved for a while, though it did not last. Who is this Bulgarian wizard Quidditch star?
What is the name of this football-loving Hogwarts jokester?
This young Gryffindor was born to muggle parents, and grew up with a deep love of football (or, as people in Canada, the US, and Japan know the sport, soccer). Though he was as loyal as any Gryffindor to the others of his house and eventually went onto become a Chaser for the Gryffindor Quidditch team in his sixth year, his first love was to West Ham United. His best friend is Seamus Finnigan, and both joined Dumbledore’s Army. Name this wizard that loves a sport with one ball, two goals and no flying.
This Hufflepuff has a love of magical creatures.
The author of the classic textbook Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (a textbook all Hogwarts students were expected to read), this Hufflepuff wizard became a best-selling author, and went onto help save the world from Grindelwald during the Global Wizarding War. He grew popular among fans in his recent film appearance, entitled Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, based on his book. He eventually married the Auror Tina Goldstein, and they had a child together. Who is this influential wizard?
Who is this traitorous, rat-like Animagus?
Traitor is a mean word, but it is still too good for this back-stabbing son of a witch. Think we’re being harsh? The official Pottermore website describes him as lying, weak, cowardly, conniving, a “little character always ready to save his own skin.” This man was a dear friend of James and Lily Potter, as well as of Remus Lupin and Sirius Black, betraying them all to Voldemort and faking his own demise after getting the Potters eliminated. Being an Animagus, he turned into a rat and hid. Who is this disloyal wizard?
Name this goblin.
This goblin was employed by the Gringotts Wizarding Bank. While goblins might be thought of as bad guys in traditional fantasy literature, this guy was not as bad as is typically portrayed. That said, he was cynical after an immortal lifetime living as a second class citizen. When Harry, Hermione, and Ron all broke into Gringotts together, it was with the help of this goblin, who then betrayed them, due to his general distrust of all wizards. Who is this goblin banker?
What is the name of this free elf?
House-elves are an enslaved people in the Harry Potter mythos, shining a light on the less-than humane conditions under which laborers work in the wizarding world. This elf was introduced in the second Harry Potter book, where Harry freed him at the end. This house-elf then began a job in the kitchens of Hogwarts, where his friends Harry, Ron, and Hermione frequently gave him socks (his favorite form of clothing, with clothes symbolizing his freedom). Who is this free elf?
He is a best-selling author with a winning smile and lost memories.
This wizard taught Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts during Harry’s second year at the school. To many, this might seem like a step down from his normal work, as he was previously a best-selling author and successful adventurer who had defeated many supernatural threats. Except he hadn’t. See, at the end of the semester, it’s revealed that he’d learned of the successes of other magic users, then wiped their memories and taken credit for what they did. Then his favorite mind-wiping spell affected him. Who is this imposter?
This witch was a powerful mind reader in 1920s New York.
This witch had the rare ability to read the minds and emotions of others, a power known as legilimency. Active during the events of the Global Wizarding War during 1920s, she lived with her sister Tina, and the two partnered up with the famed Newt Scamander. She developed an ambiguously romantic relationship with a muggle (or No-Maj) named Jacob Kowalski, a man whom she saved from a MACUSA Obliviator. This empath’s beauty is frequently noted by others, and she can hear their thoughts. Who is this thoughtful mind reader?
This Hufflepuff competed in the Triwizard Tournament.
The Triwizard Tournament is—as its name suggests—a tournament in which three wizards (or witches) compete. So it caused quite a stir when Hogwarts somehow ended up with TWO Triwizard Champions. One of them was the titular character of the series, while the other one was this charming Hogwarts student from House Hufflepuff. Despite his being a rival of Harry’s, the two were friends, helping each other throughout the Tournament. Then He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did the unspeakable to this young man. Who was this Hufflepuff wizard?
This French witch attended Beauxbatons Academy of Magic.
The French school for magic Beauxbatons Academy of Magic was part of the Triwizard Tournament at Hogwarts during Harry’s fourth year. This young witch was the Triwizard Champion for Beauxbatons. Later on, she got a job at Gringotts where she met and began a relationship with Bill Weasley, whom she married—only to have her wedding disrupted by Voldemort’s followers. She defended Hogwarts during the Battle of Hogwarts, and was awarded several medals for bravery for her actions. Who is this blonde French wizard?
Identify this ginger Hogwarts Prefect who assisted the Minister of Magic.
Sometimes following the rules is the right thing to do. Other times, the rules are made to support certain people, beliefs, or systems that do a lot more harm than good. Well, this goodie two-shoes has a tendency of supporting the wrong side of ethics in his adherence to obey the rules. This dedication won him a job as the personal assistant to the Minister of Magic. However, in the end, he eventually learns... mostly. Who is this former Prefect?
This Gryffindor witch dated Ron Weasley their 6th year at Hogwarts.
This Hogwarts witch is a lover of Divination classes who shared a dorm room with fellow Gryffindor Hermione Granger, and the two were good friends for years. Then, this blonde witch began to date Ron Weasley during their sixth year of school. Frequently conjuring their displays of affection in public places, this witch and Ron both had a torrid passion, despite the relationship ending abruptly. That Hermione and Ron would later date did not help matters. Who is this student of Divination?
This Minister of Magic had some very problematic views on purity.
The Minister of Magic for the majority of the books in the Harry Potter series, this man is pompous, self-righteous, and incompetent. He is a believer in purity of birth, and while he personally relief on Dumbledore for years, when Dumbledore brought an uncomfortable truth to light (that Voldemort had returned), this leader of the wizarding community led the charge to bury his head in the sand and ignore the truth—thus ensuring Voldemort consolidated his power unopposed by the Ministry. Name this malfeasant minister.
Divine the identity of the Professor of Divination at Hogwarts.
The Professor of Divination at Hogwarts had a certain way of seeing things that weren’t there, but not seeing the obvious. She instructed her students in the reading of tea leaves and crystal balls, but really, she is mostly making things up along the way. However, she does possess the gift for true Divination, demonstrating it at least once when she entered into a trance and began prophesizing events to come. But she did not predict her firing and eviction by Dolores Umbridge. Divine the identity of this witch.
Who was the leader of the Magical Congress of the US in the 1920s?
The English have their Minister of Magic. Across the pond, the MAGUSA have their own organization, headed by their own leader of the Magical Congress. In the 1920s, this woman was the leader, dealing with events involving the dark wizard Grindelwald, Newt Scamander unleashing a menagerie of magical animals throughout New York, and a number of other crises. During her time at the Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, she was actually selected for each of its four houses. Who is this wise leader of US witches and wizards?
Which Auror can change her appearance at will?
An Auror and a shapeshifter, this Metamorphmagus was first introduced during the beginning of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. She was assigned to protect Hogwarts during Harry’s fifth year at the school—one of several Aurors to do so. After fighting in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries and the Battle of the Astronomy Tower, she declared her love for Remus Lupin, marrying him a short while later. Both fell during the Battle of Hogwarts. Who is this Metamorphmagus?
Identify the Irish Gryffindor who joined Dumbledore’s Army.
The best friend of Dean Thomas, this Gryffindor wizard was in the same year as Harry, Ron, and Hermione. The Pottermore website lists his primary skill as being “pyrotechnics,” perhaps referring to the incident in his first year when he tried to make a feather levitate with a “Wingardium Leviosa” spell and instead turned it into a fireball. His father is a muggle and his mother is a witch, something his mother kept secret for years. Who is this Irish wizard?
This witch was a chaser on the Gryffindor Quidditch team.
One of the Chasers for the Gryffindor Quidditch Team, this skilled player frequently scored against other teams, and eventually she took over as the Quidditch Team Captain from Oliver Wood when he graduated. She was also a member of Dumbledore’s Army, and during the Battle of Hogwarts, she and her fellow Quidditch teammates took to the skies and soared about on broomsticks throughout the battle as aerial support. She briefly dated Fred Weasley as a student, and (after Fred’s tragic end) later married his brother George. Name this Quidditch star.
Finger the witch who worked for MACUSA in the 1920s.
This witch was an Auror for the MACUSA who partnered up with Newt Scamander to help him track down his escaped magical menagerie, and who also fought against the dark wizard Grindelwald. She lived in a small New York apartment with her sister Queenie, and she eventually would go onto marry Newt. After an incident where she used magic on (and in front of) muggles, she was demoted from an Auror to a Federal Wand Permit Officer. Who is this witch?
Name the French Headmistress of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic.
The French Headmistress of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic visited Hogwarts with a group of her star pupils for the Triwizard Tournament, where her student Fleur Delacour became the Triwizard Champion for her school. She romanced the Hogwarts teacher Hagrid for a while, but when he asked her about her (obvious to him) half-giant heritage, she denied the fact, claiming merely to be “big-boned.” This was something she later reneged on, but by then, their relationship had fallen apart. Identify this half-giant.
Who are these twin witches?
There are a number of twins in the Harry Potter series. These two twin sisters were in the same year as Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Neville, and one of them ended up in Gryffindor with them (where she was best friends with Lavender Brown), while the other was sorted into Ravenclaw. Dean Thomas once commented of these two that they were the most attractive girls in the same year as he, Ron, and Harry (at the time, Ron and Harry were escorting the twins to the Yule Ball). Who are these twins?
Which wizard sold wands in Diagon Alley?
Wands make the wizard as much as a wizard makes the wand. Or witches, as the case may be. This old wizened wizard has been selling wands to the magical community for longer than any characters can remember, and he is continuing a family business that has gone on for centuries. He chooses wands powered by three magical ingredients at their core: parts from unicorns, phoenixes, and dragons. He is very passionate about his work and remembers every wand he has ever sold. Who is the wand dealer of Diagon Alley?
Who was the Slytherin Headmaster who told Voldemort about Horcruxes?
This wizard was the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry before Dumbledore assumed the role. He is quite obsessed with purity, something that Voldemort’s followers used as an inspiration to try and recruit him, causing him to go on the run. During Harry’s sixth year, he agreed to return to Hogwarts to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts, being manipulated to do so by Albus Dumbledore who played on the ex-Headmaster’s ego. What was this purity-obsessed professor named?
What was Draco’s mother named?
Draco Malfoy is the main rival of Harry Potter’s throughout the series, and is almost as much of a villain as Voldemort at points. Draco got his habits and behavior from his family. His father Lucius was a bigoted, snotty, vainglorious villain, but it was Draco’s mother who had a more difficult role. She married someone as callous as Lucius, while her sister was the lover of Voldemort, Bellatrix Lestrange. However, in the end, she helped save Harry Potter’s life. What was Draco’s mother named?
Luna’s silver-haired father went by what name?
Luna is a bit of a strange girl. In other news, water is wet, Voldemort is bad, and most people don’t believe in nargles. Luna’s father is a little less strange, a little less brave, and a little less loyal than his daughter, but he is equally powerful in the ways of being weird. Voldemort’s loyal followers threw him in Azkaban for a bit, and as an editor of newspaper The Quibbler used his platform to support Harry Potter, though he later betrayed Harry. Who was Luna’s father?
Identify this ill-tempered house-elf.
The vast majority house-elves are victims of their unfortunate circumstances of less than equitable treatment, and overall, most are good-natured. Unfortunately, this particular house-elf has the temperament of a dragon, and is about as mean-spirited as the followers of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. After serving the Black family for years, where he was subjected to various unkindnesses, this house-elf eventually was given to serve Harry upon the passing of Sirius. But this house-elf was devoutly loyal to Sirius’ brother Regulus. What was this house-elf named?
This dark wizard was the Headmaster of Durmstrang Institute.
This dark wizard once served Voldemort, earning a tattoo with the mark of all such dark practitioners. He was eventually pardoned for his crimes after turning evidence on various fellows of his, but his biases remained. When he became head of the Durmstrang Institute, he did not allow students to enter the school who were born to muggle parents. He visited Hogwarts with a group of his students for the Triwizard Tournament. Who is this dark wizard who was principal of Durmstrang?
Who was the first dark lord before Voldemort?
He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is the main baddie of the series, but before his rise to prominence as the dark lord, there was an original dark lord long before him who caused widespread discord during the early parts of the 20th Century. However, this dark wizard performed twisted experiments at Durmstrang and later threw the world into war for wizard supremacy. He was friends with fellow prodigy and idealist Albus Dumbledore, who harbored romantic feelings for him, until they dueled to a bitter tragic end. Who is this dark lord?