The Harry Potter films and books are full of characters that audiences immediately cling onto. That is one of the defining legacies of the series’ success. These characters and their journies are so fascinating to watch.
But, that being said, not all of them were perfect. A few were honestly pretty muddled. Though few and far between, for every fantastic character arc there were just as many missed opportunities. Here are some of the best and worst character arcs of the Harry Potter series.
Best - Harry Potter
There is a reason he’s the protagonist. Harry’s journey through the entirety of the franchise has been one dominated by the hero’s journey. While some fans might argue that makes him a boring character, why would you want to mess with success?
For all its unique characteristics, the Harry Potter series is based in so much of traditional folklore and myth. It is crucial that its lead would go through the established arcs placed forth by heroes before him. Harry is our surrogate into this world, just as Luke Skywalker and Bilbo Baggins.
Disappointing - Ginny Weasley
Ginny, on the other hand, was left quite in the dust both in the books and films. She often showed promise, with her feisty independent attitude. But most of the time she was either a nervous fan of Harry’s or his silent love interest.
It’s a shame, seeing as so much of her characterization was developed for nothing in Half-Blood Prince. She was shown as a fiery individual who wouldn’t have wasted herself on someone who couldn’t be there for her. They should have left their relationship finished after Half-Blood Prince.
Best - Rubeus Hagrid
Hagrid’s arc is one of the saddest of the whole series. Born without a mother, Hagrid was raised by his wizard father. Sadly, he soon lost him too, leading a life without any family (besides his half brother Grawp). Hagrid’s false accusations also lead him to lose his right to practice magic and bearing the title of a wizard.
His redemption through becoming Harry’s greatest supporter, becoming crucial to the castle, teaching its students, and giving everything to Hogwarts shows his loyalty and heart of gold.
Disappointing - Remus Lupin
Remus Lupin is one of the most beloved professors and mentors of Harry’s life. He is complex, living with a curse that triggers the worst reactions in people. Apart from that, he has lived in poverty most of his life because of it. Not only is he cursed, but all of his friends are either imprisoned, dead, or traitors. Yet he remains a source for good, mentoring the young students he encounters.
But after The Prisoner of Azkaban, he falters as a character. His relationship with Tonks is immediately questionable and the fact that in the books, he attempts to leave her while pregnant to search for Horcruxes with Harry is nearly unforgivable. Then he dies. These choices don’t necessarily ruin him as a character, but they leave his journey bumpy, to say the least.
Best - Albus Dumbledore
Similarly, Dumbledore’s character was immediately flipped on his head by the end of the series. The only reason though it works though is because it makes total sense in the context of his actions, and in the context of Harry’s growing up. The realization that Dumbledore, who had such a wide scope and understanding of these events, had lost his humanity makes a shocking amount of sense.
Dumbledore is human, yet he also becomes so enthralled in pursuing “the greater good” that he often forgets it. His constant struggle to remember Harry’s humanity, those he manipulates, and himself, is fascinating and troubling at the same time. Not only that, but it shatters the image Harry had of him. In learning the headmaster’s faults, Harry learned that Dumbledore was more than his massive persona; he was just a person.
Disappointing - Severus Snape
This has divided fans since its reveal in The Deathly Hallows. The reveal that Snape had always been protecting Harry, and then was also used by Dumbledore, was meant to prop him up as an unlikely hero. Though that might have been the intention, it completely falls apart when you think about it.
Snape had always been abusive, not only to Harry, but to multiple classmates. He was a follower of Voldemort, even if he repented. And finally, he personified the “Nice Guy” trope, making himself out to be a victim just because Lilly didn’t love him back. Snape is a tool, and his actions in saving Harry doesn’t make him very brave.
Best - Horace Slughorn
Slughorn might seem like a one-note character, but his small bit of development is still fascinating to watch. We first meet Slughorn when he is only searching after the fame of others. He embodies the least insidious aspects of Slytherin House.
It is not until he opens up about his shame for assisting Voldemort’s knowledge of Horcruxes that we see any reality in his personality. He has been haunted by his actions for years. Finally, seeing him side with Hogwarts during the final battle proved him to be a force for good.
Disappointing - Luna Lovegood
Luna’s story certainly isn’t wasted. Her role in Order of the Phoenix is crucial in bringing Harry out of the dark. But she is eventually sidelined throughout, only serving as a MacGuffin now and again.
At least in the books, fans learn that she happily marries the zoologist grandson of New Scamander. But in the films, she just gets sidelined into an awkward relationship with Neville. Luna was never ruined, but her potential was a bit tarnished.
Best - Draco Malfoy
Malfoy was nothing more than a bully in the first few years of Harry Potter. But, once we learn what he faces as the son of a racist Death Eater, his actions begin to make sense.
His struggle throughout Half-Blood Prince and into The Deathly Hallows is some of the most dynamic characterizations throughout the entire story. Draco faces a task that he is immediately against completing but because of his deep-seated anxieties, he must seek the approval of his father by any means necessary.
Disappointing - George Weasley
Fred and George are fan favorites, and for good reason. Their constant positivity is a lovely addition to the series, and they become crucial when Harry gets into trouble. But killing of Fred and leaving George alone was one of the cruelest things Rowling ever did in the series.
In fact, it is one of her biggest regrets. In the books, George spends the rest of his life incomplete, missing his best friend all time. It could serve as an allegory for having to grow up, but it’s so extreme it just feels unnecessary.
