Only Hermione Can Name All These Harry Potter Secondary Characters
- by Rose Moore
- – on
- in Movies and TV
Everybody knows the major players in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter - at least, everyone who has seen at least a few of the films, or picked up one of the books... or just paid attention to pop culture! Harry Potter himself is always the star of the series, with his two best friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley next in line for the title of Wizarding World MVP. Headmaster Dumbledore, Draco Malfoy, and of course, Lord Voldemort are also some of the most important names in the franchise... but how well do you know those characters who don't get quite this much screentime?
The supporting characters in this world are often almost as important as the big guns - they are the ones who back up the heroes, who form the armies of the Death Eaters and the Order of the Phoenix, and who teach at Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft and Wizardry. These characters are the love interests, the Quidditch players, the Triwizard champions, the support staff at the school, and the house elves who keep everything running behind the scenes... and if you can name them all from a photo and a brief description, then you must be as smart as Hermione herself - or just a huge Harry Potter fan, who knows every last detail of this magical world.
What's the name of Luna's father?
Luna Lovegood is one of the biggest 'secondary' characters in Harry Potter - she's sweet, quirky... and saves the day more than once. However, she's not the only Lovegood that we meet in Harry Potter. Her father also appears several times - he's the one to first reveal the idea of the Deathly Hallows to the Golden Trio of Ron, Hermione and Harry, he's the one who nearly gives them up to Voldemort and sends them to rescue Luna, and he's one of Harry's staunchest supporters from the beginning.
Who is Harry's uncle?
One of the first characters that we meet in Harry Potter is also one of the most odious ones. This is the uncle that takes Harry in when his parents die... and he hates every second of it. He rejects Harry in favor of his spoiled son, and struggles to force Harry to reject his magical ability - even going so far as to go a little crazy when his letters from Hogwarts started showing up, and sailing the family out to an island to try and avoid them.
Who is the Knight Bus conductor?
The Knight Bus appears to come to the aid of any witch or wizard who could be stranded - it will appear as soon as you put out your wand, and take you anywhere you need to go at incredible speeds. At night, it arrives with beds and hot cocoa, and during the day, it comes with couches and newspapers. It also comes with a very distinctive conductor, who isn't the smartest wizard on the bus... but who means well.
Name this trashy journalist.
She's not quite a villain, but this journalist is about as close as it comes to the bad guys in the Harry Potter franchise without being straight up evil. A total tabloid journo, she is assigned to report on the Triwizard Tournament at Hogwarts, and is happy to use her 'quick quotes quill' to twist anything that the champions say into the most salacious version it could be... even when it's being said nowhere near her - thanks to her secret status as an animagus.
Who was this Defense Against The Dark Arts professor?
There have been many professors of the Defence Against The Dark Arts class at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry - but this was definitely most people's favorite... not least because he was one of the only ones who wasn't secretly working for Voldemort all along. He was also one of the most capable Defense Against The Dark Arts teachers that Harry and his friends ever had, but he was forced to leave the post after being outed as a werewolf.
Who was the professor of Divination at Hogwarts?
The Divination Professor at Hogwarts was, without doubt, the least capable of the professors at this school of Witchcraft and Wizardry... but Dumbledore would always keep her on to protect her from Voldemort, because he was there on one of the only nights that she was actually able to predict something real - the prophecy that led Voldemort to believe that Harry Potter was the key to his eventual victory - and that would set the events of the series in motion.
Name the head of Hufflepuff?
Each of the four Hogwarts houses has one professor to act as their Head of House - a professor who is responsible for the students in that house, and who was also a student in that house when they themselves were in school. This is the house of Hufflepuff, and also the professor of Herbology at Hogwarts - and doesn't get nearly enough credit for everything she does while there! Not least, for being the one to grow all the ingredients needed for all the potions that the very busy Hogwarts infirmary needs.
What was the name of Harry's aunt?
Of the three members of Harry's living family, his aunt may be one of the most sympathetic by the end. Over the course of the series, fans of Harry Potter learn of her overwhelming jealous of her sister, Lily, when she learned that she was a witch - which is something that most fans can understand! Although she was a terrible aunt to Harry, she was both bitter about being a muggle herself, and afraid of magical powers in general as a result.
What was the name of this shape-shifting traitor?
This was one of the biggest reveals of the series, as fans learned that Ron Weasley's family rat was actually an unregistered animagus who had been hiding with them... and that he was the one to betray Lily and James Potter to Voldemort! It was only uncovered when Harry's uncle, Sirius Black, broke out of Azkaban to force the rat to reveal his true nature... although he did manage to escape again, to return to help Voldemort one more time.
Name this Slytherin student
Most of the main characters in the Magical World of Harry Potter are members of Gryffindor house... which isn't too surprising, given that this is the house that Harry himself belongs to! However, there are a few Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs that get some screen time, as well as the Slytherins that Harry and his friends hate. Draco and his goons are probably the best known, but what about Draco's occasional romantic interest (in the books, at least), who gets only a few scenes...
Who was this Beauxbatons headmistress?
During the events of the Triwizard Tournament, students from two other wizarding schools come to Hogwarts to compete, along with their Headmaster, or in this case, Headmistress. This imposing woman thrilled Hagrid when she appeared, because she is one of the only other people in the wizarding world as tall as him - and even a little taller! The two have a brief romance, although his willingness to talk about his giant heritage almost puts her off for a moment, there.
Who was this member of the Order of the Phoenix?
The Order of the Phoenix is a group of witches and wizards devoted to opposing Voldemort and his followers - and while many of them were old enough to have been in the Order during the First Wizarding War, there were many new members after Voldemort's return, including this woman. This witch also introduced fans to the concept of a metamorphmagus; a witch or wizard who can change their appearance at will (and which she usually uses to give herself colorful hair!).
Which ghost was played by John Cleese?
There are plenty of truly famous British actors in the Harry Potter franchise - including Monty Python comedian John Cleese, who plays the Gryffindor house ghost. This ghost's real name is Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, but he's known by another name by the majority of the students at Hogwarts, thanks to a very distinguishing feature of his. Usually jolly and happy to help the students, this ghost does have one sore spot - the manner of his death, and his inability to join the Headless Hunt.
Name this miserable ghost
Another ghost that roams the Hogwarts halls is this young student - although she admittedly spends the majority of time in a girls' bathroom... the same one where she died! She was a student at the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry at the same time as Tom Riddle (aka the Future Voldemort), and when he released Slytherin's basilisk from the Chamber of Secrets, this student was the one killed by it. Despite her miserable moods, though, she's been a lot of help to Harry and his friends.
What's the name of the Hogwarts nurse?
The nurse at Hogwarts certainly has her work cut out for her - unlike at a Muggle school, where the most dangerous things students do is get into the odd fight, the students at Hogwarts are often headed to her because of spells gone wrong. She's had to deal with students petrified by a basilisk, accidental bone removal, bones broken from falling off flying broomsticks, charms and potions gone wrong... and of course, injuries from Voldemort's own attacks as well as the usual student mischeif.
What's the name of Draco's father?
Although Draco himself seems like an odious little cockroach for most of the Harry Potter series, he does struggle with what he has to do for the Dark Lord - and a lot of his worst qualities definitely come from his parents! The older Malfoys are obsessed with money and with blood status, and while Narcissa is more concerned with protecting her family than anything, the patriarch of the family seems truly devoted to Voldemort and his plans to take over.
Who was the announcer at Hogwarts Gryffindor matches?
This young wizard is one of the closest friends of Fred and George Weasley, and is often found joining in with their various pranks and helping them with their schemes. He is also the announcer at the Quidditch games at Hogwarts for much of the series, and his particular brand of announcing is extremely memorable! He may attempt to keep things neutral, but this staunch Gryffindor gets as caught up in the match as everyone, and puts his own unique spin on the commentary.
Who was Ron's short-lived romance with?
As well as dealing with the constant threat of Voldemort, the Golden Trio and their schoolfriends also had to cope with all the usual stresses of being a teenager... including romance. While anyone could guess that Ron and Hermione would probably end up together, he did have another girlfriend for a while - who became very annoying, very quickly. She was clingy, jealous, and constantly wanted to be around him whispering baby names in his ear or giving him matching necklaces...
Who became Minister for Magic after the Second Wizarding War?
There are a few Ministers for Magic in the Harry Potter series, but by the end of the Second Wizarding War, it was clearly time for power to shift... and it shifted into the capable hands of this member of the Order of the Phoenix. He had originally worked as an Auror for the Ministry, and at one point in time he was assigned to protect the Muggle Prime Minister, acting as his secretary. From the start, he has opposed Voldemort and his regime.
What is the name of the Black house elf?
We don't meet as many house elves in the movies as there are in the books, but the two most important house elves still make their appearance - including this elf, who lives at 12 Grimmauld Place, the Black family home owned by Sirius. At the beginning, he is furious to find his home filled with 'traitors' to the Black family, and tries to make their lives miserable... however, once Hermione is actually nice to him, he becomes incredibly helpful to the Golden Trio.
Name this sidekick of Draco Malfoy
Draco is indisputably the biggest name in Slytherin, especially as he becomes one of the older students at Hogwarts (and his family grows in power, thanks to their connections to Voldemort). He's got quite the group of followers by the end, but from the start, Draco Malfoy has been followed around by two goons who are certainly not living up to the cunning side of the Slytherin reputation. Vincent Crabbe was one of the students who acted as the muscle to Draco's brain, but what was the name of the other?
Name this lying author and professor
Another of the many Defense Against The Dark Arts professors who passes through the halls of Hogwarts, this wizard was also a celebrated author, known for his charm, good looks, and thrilling books of adventures. Of course, as Harry and his friends soon discovered, none of these adventures were actually his! Instead, his true talents lay with memory charms, which he would use to wipe the memories of braver wizards than he and steal their stories... until one backfired and sent him to St Mungos.
Who was the major wandmaker of Diagon Alley?
There are several famous wandmakers around the world in the Harry Potter series, but one in particular gets the most attention, as he has his shop in Diagon Alley, and is where most of the witches and wizards in Britain buy their new wands. He has been a master wandmaker for his entire life, and we first meet him when Harry goes to find a wand - and learns that the phoenix who gave her tail feather for his wand gave only one other - which is in the wand of Voldemort.
Who was the Beauxbatons school champion?
During the Triwizard Tournament, each of the three schools has an official champion representing them, (as well as the surprise entrant, Harry Potter, of course). Hogwart's champion was Cedric Diggory, while the Durmstrang champion was Quidditch player Victor Krum. There was only one female champion in the competition, who was one of the students from the French school of witchcraft and wizardry. After the tournament, she ended up falling in love with Bill Weasley, and the two even got married.
What was the name of Harry's cousin?
The last of the Dursley family, who took care of Harry (sort of) until he turned seventeen, this little boy was about the same age as Harry himself, but the two couldn't have been more different. Harry's cousin was fat, greedy and rude - and totally spoiled. He threw birthday tantrums about not getting enough presents when he was a kid, and as he got older, he became a school bully, hanging out with a gang of thugs and beating up younger kids.
What is the name of this helpful house elf?
The first house elf that Harry meets is this one, who comes to try and warn Harry that he shouldn't go back to Hogwarts, because he is in great danger. The house elf is correct, of course, but in his attempts to help Harry he actually ends up causing all kinds of problems for the young wizard at first. Of course, eventually, when Harry is able to sneakily free him from the Malfoys service, he becomes one of his greatest helpers.
Who is this Hufflepuff?
The Hogwarts champion of the Triwizard Tournament, this is probably the best known Hufflepuff in the original series. A popular student in general, he was also the seeker for the Hufflepuff Quidditch team and a big fan of the sport. However, after he and Harry both reached the Triwizard Cup at the same moment, he became collateral damage in Voldemort's plan to resurrect himself, killed almost as soon as they hit the graveyard - and then, became a symbol to the wizards and witches fighting the Dark Lord.
Name this member of the Weasley family.
The Weasley family is certainly not one of the small families in the Wizarding World, but true fans of the series can tell all these redheads apart with ease. This member of the family originally worked as a Cursebreaker for Gringotts, and had a very rakish look... which was sadly changed after the battle of the Astronomy Tower, when he was mauled by Fenrir Greyback. However, these injuries did prove that Fleur Delacour loved him for far more than just his good looks.
Who is this dark witch and Voldemort supporter?
While Voldemort had many supporters who went into hiding after he was presumed dead (and came quickly back out of the woodwork when he returned), he also had a few staunch supporters who refused to give up on his ideals, even after he disappeared. This witch was one of those most loyal, who was taken to Azkaban after the First Wizarding War, and who Voldemort broke out almost immediately. She was eventually killed in a duel with Molly Weasley, who was protecting her daughter, Ginny.
Who is this magical historian?
This witch is one of the preeminent magical historians of the wizarding world, and the author of several books. She is also one of the residents of Godric's Hollow, and someone who knew Dumbledore and his family extremely well throughout her life... up until her death at the hands of Voldemort. She is never actually seen alive in the series, although her corpse is reanimated by Voldemort and Nagini in order to try and lay a trap for Harry Potter.
Who is this relative of Neville Longbottom?
One of the many characters who gets more attention in the books than the films is Neville Longbottom's grandmother, and his ward since his parents were tortured into insanity during the First Wizarding War. Although Neville is quite frightened of her and how strict she is for much of the series, he knows that she loves him - and even uses her clothing to deal with a boggart! By the end of the series, she is rightfully extremely proud of her grandson.
Name the Hogwarts caretaker
Even at Hogwarts, there are those from magical families who don't actually have magical ability - most notable of whom is the caretaker. This grumpy old man is revealed to be a Squib when Harry finds a magical correspondence course on his desk... and it goes a long way to explaining why he is so bitter about the students at the school, and so eager to control them with excessive rules and punishment, enforced by him and his cat, Mrs Norris.
Name this squib posing as a muggle
As well as those witches and wizards who live in wizarding villages, or who are far enough away from the muggle world to be quite open about their magic, there are plenty who are carefully hidden within the muggle world - like this squib, who was a neighbor to Harry Potter when he was growing up. She did her best to protect Harry, and was instrumental in keeping him from being charged when he created a patronus to protect himself and Dudley from dementors one summer.
Who is this Gryffindor quidditch player?
Another member of the Gryffindor quidditch team who gets a lot more attention in the books than in the films is this young witch, who plays for the Gryffindor team as a Chaser, before eventually becoming Captain of the team after Oliver Wood leaves the school. She's a talented player, and a close friend to the Weasley brothers - in fact, after they all leave school, it is revealed that she eventually marries George Weasley, and the pair have two children together.
What's the name of Dumbledore's brother?
Albus Dumbledore is by far the most famous member of his family, for obvious reasons. He's one of the most powerful wizards in the world, and has dueled with Dark Wizards throughout his life before becoming Headmaster at Hogwarts. However, his brother is far from an unimportant character in the series, as he is the one who keeps Harry and his friends safe when they return to Hogsmeade, who helps the students at Hogwarts, and who evacuates those who cannot fight in the Battle of Hogwarts as well.