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The Top 10: Underrated Harry Potter Characters

So many of those who populate the world of Hogwarts have failed to gain the full recognition they deserve. Until now

John Rentoul
Friday 28 August 2020 12:23 BST
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Love over loyalty: Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter films
Love over loyalty: Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter films

I asked for nominations giving reasons in fewer than 140 characters (yes, I am still upset that Twitter doubled it to 280). Some of you failed to observe the limit, but I make the rules, so I can break them.

1. Cornelius Fudge. “His policy certainly lies in ruins, to which his deceit contributes, but he is arguably also something of a scapegoat for the systemic failures of the Ministry of Magic and the broader constitutional settlement” – Sunder Katwala.

2. Madam Pomfrey. “A real expert at her job; a strict warmth toward her charges; and the kids would all be a lot worse off without her!” – Tom Hemsley.

3. Barty Crouch. “His lust for power and draconian sentencing regime (brought on by having a real wrong’un for a son) introduce the concept of the blurred lines between good and evil better than any other character” – Alex Briggs and Graham Moonie.

4. Ludo Bagman. “A surprisingly sympathetic character. He could be Gilderoy Lockhart, but he is more endearing, with vices we can relate to. His fall from grace feels like something from the muggle world, like Paul Gascoigne on a broom” – Madeline Grant.

5. Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy. “She saved Harry’s life in lying to Voldemort; and tried to save Draco via Snape” – T Marvolo Riddle. “Lucius’s love for his son was more important than loyalty to Voldemort” – Heather Leask.

6. Dudley Dursley. “In the early books he is spoilt (throwing his tortoise through the greenhouse roof in a tantrum) but he largely comes good in the end, realising Harry is a good guy and showing some gratitude towards him for it” – Will Wormell.

7. Neville Longbottom’s parents. “Tortured and in hospital because they fought Voldemort, leaving Neville to be raised by his grandma” – Alison Kershaw.

8. Rufus Scrimgeour. “Replaced Fudge as Minister for Magic and seemingly disliked Harry but was tortured to death, refusing to divulge Harry’s whereabouts” – Richard Mayo.

9. Mrs Figg. “There’s something quite selfless in her commitment to the cause of the Order despite her own lack of magical powers. Plus: has cats” – Dom Walsh.

10. The muggle prime minister in book six. “Could our own politicians cope with keeping such an enormous secret without it affecting their day to day job?” – Dom Walsh.

The magic 11th underrated character is Harry Potter himself, not just because he is flawed but does the right thing in the end (most heroes do that), or because his reputation for being an angry teenager is unjustified (and when he is an angry teenager he has reasons for it), but because he is funny: “There’s no need to call me ‘sir’, professor.”

Honourable mention for Shane McHugh, who nominated Horace Slughorn: “A John Le Carre character let loose in Rowling’s world. Best embodiment of pre-Voldemort Slytherin – vain, venal and self-serving but not evil.”

Several nominations for Neville Longbottom, Professor McGonagall, Dobby, Luna Lovegood, Hagrid and Hedwig were ruled out because they are not underrated. And an ingenious nomination for Befatigus Benton was ruled out because Ash made him up: “Compassionate but strong, decisive but never hasty. He provided precisely the leadership required during those dark days. One of the few characters in literature – children’s or otherwise – who is as good as he is great.”

Next week: Bad losers – prompted by Donald Trump’s pre-emptive whining about election rigging.

Coming soon: Famous modern people whose faces are unknown, such as Tim Berners Lee, inventor of the world wide web.

Your suggestions please, and ideas for future Top 10s, to me on Twitter, or by email to top10@independent.co.uk

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