Alright witches and wizards, now that the release of the first installment of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is just a few weeks away, I thought I’d break out the butterbeer and pumpkin juice and celebrate one of the greatest series of books in history, Muggle or otherwise…
Confession. I came a bit late to the Hogwarts Express. I read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in college and always planned to read the rest at some point, but Merlin’s beard people, those books are LARGE. It’s a commitment, and there were always so many other books and manuscripts that were pressing.
Well, this summer I received the boxed set for my birthday and plowed through those books faster than you can say “expecto patronum.” (By the way, my Patronus is a space monkey. In case you’re wondering).
When I read the series I was just stunned at Rowling’s talent, ambition, the depth of the world building, the immediacy of the characters, the attention to detail. To say I admire Rowling is kind of like saying Dobby sort of likes Harry. I kept putting down the books, looking at my wife, and crying, “It’s not fair. This is so good. It’s not fair.”
But rather than just talk about how awesome Harry Potter is (AND I COULD GO ON), I thought we’d delve a little deeper into some of the writerly things that make Harry Potter so great.
So stay tuned for a week of Harry Potter themed posts!
In the meantime, one of the more stunning things to me about Harry Potter, which I will talk more about tomorrow, is how much Rowling is able to accomplish with a third person limited perspective. With a few scattered exceptions, we’re only inside Harry’s head, seeing his thoughts, and seeing everyone else filtered through Harry’s perspective.
It’s astounding how many compelling, memorable, hilarious, and terrifying characters Rowling draws with that constraint. We know so much about what makes the other characters tick, and yet we’re never seeing their thoughts. Go look! Not a single “Hermione thought such and such.”
So. Before we delve into how she does it, let’s talk favorites.
Who is your favorite character??
Not my favorite character, but one who always stood out to me, is Tonks. I heard someone once comment that Tonks is like a crossover character from her own series, and we're just catching little glimpses of her.
I'd certainly read a Tonks series just to find out more about her. Did anyone else feel this way?
Harry is my favorite character, though Rowling does a great job with her character building, it's hard to choose. But I always find myself rooting hardest for The Boy Who Lived.
Luna Lovegood 🙂
Hermonie, hands down. We're soulmates. 😉
I loved Tonks too. I'm sad that the movies haven't really shown much of her.
But I have to say my favorite is Hermione. I am so the nerd and rule-follower so I identify with her the most.
If this isn't jumping the gun, my favorite magical item is Mrs. Weasley's clock that shows what all her family members are up to. I so want one of those. But it would probably not be good for me.
There is a special place in my heart for Mrs. Weasley, a wonderful mother who readily accepted Harry into her fold.
I read the box set 15 months ago – in one week (a birthday present). Incredible stuff. Favorite character? Gotta go with Harry, but Snape is pretty awesome. Hope your new gig works out well for you.
Oh, man…it's a toss-up between Hermione and Snape. Two TOTALLY different characters, but still. I identify with Hermione, but have always been majorly impressed with all things Snape. Rowling did a fantastic job with him.
Is it weird that I'm also fascinated with Voldemort? I wouldn't really want to be his friend or anything, but…well…what an interesting villain. Again with the wonderful writing—I actually feel empathy with this horrible guy. Incredible.
I'm looking forward to tomorrow's post on third person limited POV. 🙂
Snape! I have a soft spot for tortured antiheroes.
Oooh I'm reading HP7 again in anticipation of the movie release, and I'd have to say Luna Lovegood–and not just because we share a name =) I don't think I liked her nearly as much until they portrayed her in film. The actress who plays her is just amazing in the role!
Yeah Tonks was memorable as was Mad Eye Moody but for me the best realized character in the whole series was Severus Snape. You could never get to like the guy but at the end of the Deathly Hallows after Harry got his memories – well let's just say – it reminded me of Ole Yeller.
Fred and George, I can't decide between them because they're so awesomely awesome.
I love that Rowling somehow managed to show that some people are not brilliant in school because they have other callings in life with these two. Plus they always make me smile.
I think Neville Longbottom may be my favorite. I love the way the character develops over the course of the series.
Fred Weasley. 🙁 🙁 🙁 crying forever.
Also, Luna Lovegood. and Snape.
Luna Lovegood — she's a bit far out there in her own little world (which I am too, much of the time) but her attitude toward life is just inspiring. It's not "Don't let the bastards get you down," it's more like the bastards don't even exist for her.
Harry of course, but you can't beat the Weasly twins for pure comic genius.
I don't know how Dumbledore manages to be addled, befuddled, sharp and wise, all at the same time. But he's the man!
What impresses me most about the series is how the story becomes more mature, the voice more compelling, and the darkness more vivid, with each book. The movies echo this somewhat, because, well, the actors grow up and get better at acting. But still…to witness such growth in the span of 7 books, I wish I had even a fraction of Rowling's talent.
By the way, sad to see u leave the agenting world, Nathan. Have always been hoping to have you representing me one day (soon). Oh, well. All the best at CNET.
Go Giants!
SNAAAAAPE!!!!
Best. Character. Ever. I just wish he and Harry had a one on one scene after everything was out in the open.
Second would be Hermione. A strong yet still feminine character. Also nerdy. I loved her. I hated what the movies turned her into though…
Moaning Myrtle – but only the book version. Not a fan of her movie portrayal.
Neville Longbottom has always been my favorite character. Being a bit of a late bloomer and a klutzy screw up myself I always indentified with Neville. I could kiss J.K. Rowling for taking his character where she did, though he was a minor character he developed beautifully throughout the books and ended up being a hero in his own right.
Go Neville!
Ron! Absolutely!
Then again, I was exactly like Hermione in high school. 😉
OK- who else wanted Harry to end up with Luna Lovegood?
Voldemort: Sketched in the shadows throughout so his image is created largely by our own minds (teased along by Rowling's skill).
Harry Potter! Harry Potter! Harry Potter! (I should have a sign that says I <3 Harry Potter and twirl it around outside)
Can one possibly choose a favorite character? I mean, I love Professor Snape, he's an evil man, but there is something about him that feels sad and lonely.
Then there is Hermione, she's gorgeous, fun, but a know-it-all
The Weasley Twins, Fred & George, whats not to love.
I could never choose a favorite, because the moment I do my own brain expresses concern for another fav.
Well, Harry is the DUH choice. After Harry, though, my heart belongs to Hagrid, big gruff loveable beast-whisperer, and to Sirius, madman-turned-hero and Harry's surprise family.
Without question Harry is my favorite character, not only for his combined strength and vulnerability, but because he sees everyone and everything so clearly, except himself.
I love Molly Weasley. She's a tough cookie, and the scene between her and Bellatrix Lestrange is one of my favorites ever.
I also have a special place in my heart for Lucius Malfoy, but that's mostly because I'm crushing on Jason Isaacs in his long blonde wig.
Hermione and Snape. Someone's already said that this is an odd combo, and it is! I love to hate Draco Malfoy. Geeks, antiheroes, and unlikable bad guys are a few of my favorite things.
It's amazing to me how difficult this question is to answer. I'm partial to Hermione, Luna, Tonks, and Snape, but I think my favorite character is Sirius Black. I've always been a sucker for the walking wounded, and he definitely fits that mold.
Harry, Ron and Hermoine all rock, of course, but I also truly love Prof. McGonagall. So tough, so scrappy, so dedicated to her students. And such great heart underneath it all. And Snape too. I think Rowling's ability to give even some of the side characters, the adults (who so often are pushed to the side in books about children) such great depth.
I am totally ridiculously psyched for Harry Potter week posts!!!
Dobby!
No matter who or what kicked him he showed complete devotion to his hero. Such loyalty is hard to come by in fiction or fact, so he's my hero too.
No kidding that Rowling's way of telling a story is pure genius. The ups and downs. The comedy. Everything is so vivid. The world feels completely real. How can you pick just one favorite character? I may have to go with Hagrid though.
It's always hard for me to pick one favorite. I love all things Harry Potter.
There is a special place in my heart for Neville, though. He's the one that missed out on being the chosen one by this much. He seems like a loser until we see his family and what he deals with on a daily basis. He may actually be the strongest character in the series. And his transformation at the end is fabulous.
Rowling lets her characters surprise us, but in believable ways. Dudley's final comment to Harry at the beginning of Deathly Hallows had me in tears. On, what, page 8? Awesomeness.
Bellatrix Lestrange. She's psychotic, but fully devoted in her psychosis … all right, I just love evil women.
It's hard to choose! There are so many great characters in the books. I had an order of favorite characters when I started reading the books, but they all died… Everyone that I loved died. It sucked.
But hands down, my favorite character of the series is Severus Snape. (My husband hasn't read the books, so he doesn't understand why I love him… haha)
I'm super excited about the Harry Potter posts this week!! Best. Books. Ever.
Hermione! She's such a fantastic, strong-willed, wildly intelligent female character. I can identify with her frustration at the immaturity of the boys and her insecurities despite knowing her smarts. I think her friendship with Harry is also really special (despite that it's usually overshadowed by her relationship with Ron, or even Harry's friendship with Ron) I admired how they always stuck up for one another. They were both such brave, tender souls.
After reading all the comments, it's obvious why picking one favorite is impossible. I echo what everyone said, especially about Snape and Luna. I find it interesting that nobody chose Ginny…from Harry's perspective, shouldn't we absolutely adore her? I do love the line in HP7 when he sees her in the room of requirement, and he says he never fully appreciated how beautiful she is.
Dare I say I would love to know a bit more about Albus Severus?
To answer this question (sort of) – the story wouldn't be complete without Dobby.
Oh dear, I completely forgot. Gotta also give it up for dear loyal Neville. I just love how he grows into himself over the series.
I think the draw is that there's a little of each of us in most of the core characters. I was often Harry, the unlikely hero, I was the know it all, hand-always-up Hermione, the dream but stalwart Luna…
I've reread the series often over the years just to see if some of Rowling's process would sink in and spew forth from my fingers.
That's a really difficult choice! I'm torn between McGonagall for her shape-shifting, her mythological first name, and her no-nonsense attitude…and Trelawney because, let's face it, I wish I could make a living teaching witches and wizards about divination!
From the moment in the first book when they said "We'll send you a toilet seat," it has been Fred & George. Never have I adored a pair of red-headed twins more than the Weasley twins.
Ron pulls a close second.
I like Sirius a lot too. And Snape. But after Ron, everyone just kinda falls into the "love" or "don't love" categories 🙂
OOh I'm looking forward to this theme week! I have a hard time picking a favorite but one that came to mind first was Professor Lupin. Both in the books and movies he comes across well. A sad yet hopeful character all at the same time.
If we're talking about the books: Jinny Weasley
If we're talking about the movies: Snape
So many great characters from which to choose.
Snape, though…love him in the books, love Alan Rickman's portrayal of him in the movies.
The Twins. Duh.
Sirius Black.
Though i am pretty partial to the twins
Oh my Gosh! Dobby! His death had me sobbing. If he hadn't died, my answer would be Neville, but Dobby's death was such a perfect ending. His entire life was loving Harry, and it is the only bit of justice he could have to sacrifice himself for the guy who sacrifices himself for all. 🙂
Hagrid! Amazed nobody so far voted for the lovable, sturdy giant. I'm starting the fan club, then.
Like most here, I'm torn between several characters. But if I had to choose, it would whittle down to three.
Hagrid, Dobby, and Lupin. They just had the best characters. I had a hard time choosing between Snape and Lupin, since both are inwardly tortured characters, but Lupin supported Harry more often. So he wins 🙂
Hermonie. I related to her the most.
Minerva McGonagall. And her tartan pj's!
This sounds like such a cop out of an answer, but I really don't have a favorite. Rowling created such amazing characters all around that I love so many of them for such different reasons.
I love Neville for being a late bloomer that became a real hero.
I love Hermione and Ron for their fierce loyalty and courage.
I love Luna's quirkiness and Dumbledore's genius and Sirius's recklessness and Lupin's trust in Harry's abilities.
I love to hate Snape and Bellatrix.
I love the gentle giant, Hagrid, and his innocence, but also his way of intimidating at just the right time.
I love Harry for being Harry.
So, so many that I love…
But my absolute favorite would have to be Bellatrix. She manages to terrify me to my very core and make me laugh at the same time. Both book and movie versions of her.
I was just about to freak that no one said Hagrid, then finally, Quinn had some sense. Hagrid is awesome. Of course, the twins are awesome. And I kinda rooted for Dudders. The scene where Harry leaves him, possibly for good, left me crying for a good half hour. You wanted him to redeem himself, and he did!
As the mom of three little boys, I cannot help but love Harry. I want to take him under my wing like Mrs. Weasly. 🙂
I am a big fan of Lupin. He is one of Harry's most influential teachers and a tragic tale in his own right. His condition and the way it worked into his relationship with Sirius and James is sort of heartbreaking yet pivotal to the development of that group – I always felt that out of everyone Lupin missed and needed that bond the most. He does so much for Harry's development that I can't help but think of him.
As far as the films go I'd have to go with Sirius because I am a huge Oldman fan and he knocks it out of the park.
Ginny was my favorite until the end of the last book. Then I couldn't help but love Snape the most.
Hagrid. No question.
— Tom
It's hard to choose favorites. Of the three main ones I have to say Hermione for brilliance and guts.
For support cast it has to be Luna or Jenny. Specifically the book version of Jenny. The movies don't capture her sense of humor. Loved the twins too.
But my all time favorite villain award goes to Delores Umbridge. She was so full of herself and mean. Without her the twins wouldn't have had their brilliant departure from Hogworts.
I skipped the whole Harry Potter phenomenon – both in print and on screen. Though, the sheer saturation and integration of that world into our culture made it impossible to escape all together.
From what I know:
I'd say Snape, because I love Alan Rickman's characters, and figure there was a reason he was cast.
I have a soft spot for quirky back-up players, so that would mean Luna or Tonks. They're both free spirits in their own way, both loyal and strong in their own way, and both totally crazy in their own way.
Hermione is definitely my favorite character. She's brilliant and a loyal friend. I love the way she is constantly stepping out her academic comfort zone to help Harry. Close runners-up are Luna and Molly Weasley. Harry may be the lead character, but he is supported every step of the way by strong females. Love JKR for that.
I see people all the time say, "Wow, I wish I could have written the Harry Potter books," and I don't understand it. I wouldn't trade places with JK Rowling for anything. I mean, think about it. Living for years knowing who's going to live and who's going to die… knowing the ending… knowing everything… I feel more blessed having gotten to read about these characters than if I'd gotten to write about them. Maybe not as wealthy, but definitely more blessed. In some ways, JK missed out on a lot.
Favorite character: Tie between Sirius Black and Arthur Weasley.
I'll confess to only watching the movies. Hermione is obviously the most well portrayed hard on the outside squishy and tender on the inside tomboy character since Jodie Foster was a kid.
The writing just didn't grab me although the storytelling plot lines and world building were good, it didn't suck me in the way I hoped it would. I failed to catch the contagion of it but admire Rowling's accomplishments.
The character I was most interested in was Snape. There was always the underlying question as to which side he was really on, and I kept rooting for him.
I think the movies don't do as good a job of making you wonder. In the films, it seems clear that he's with Dumbledore, even after the last one.Whereas, I recall a lot of forum discussions about Snape's true allegiances after book six.
[word verification = inape / not quite "Snape," but weirdly close]
In the books, Lupin. I never understood why Harry was all about Sirius because his parents happened to pick Sirius as godfather, but seemed much less interested in Lupin, who was also an old friend of his father's.
(In the films, it's gotta be Snape! But that's down to alan Rickman more than anything else. And Dean Thomas. I think he's underrated and underused in both books and films.
Ah, this post makes me so happy! I LOVE Harry Potter, too. 🙂 My favorite character? Definitely Sirius Black. Ah… I love that he's dark and edgy and mysterious and so devoted to Harry. Really, really love him.
I know someone already said this, but I love Sirius Black… I cried when he died. And I also love Fred and George, especially in the fifth book! That book was so dark, and they provided the perfect amount of comic relief!
Oh, man. I don't know if I can just pick one. But my first immediate three were Sirius, Lupin, and Ron. Love all these guys, and almost every character in hp!
Harry Potter, of course! But I also have a fascination with Snape. I LOVE how he is so complex. Even after the explanation for his bad behavior, well it still isn't a totally justifiable explanation for all of his behavior; that is why he is so perfectly human.
Harry's definitely my favorite overall.
After him, I love Ron, Draco, Snape, and Lupin.
Nathan, at first when you mentioned you're no longer an author I thought sad thoughts.
But now I see a major upside to this. It means you're going to be talking more about the craft of writing instead of focusing more on publishing, right?
Well, maybe not all the time, but I was pleased to see you're quickly throwing off all your agent hindrances and posting the things you really want to talk about.
My favorite is Harry's godfather, Sirrius Black.
Well, I'd do just about anything for Harry, and I'm most like Hermione – but as a favorite character, I'd have to go with Sirius. I love his relationship with Harry. The books portrayed him so much better than the movies.
Fred and George! (I put them both because they came from the same zygote!) They're my fav all time fictional characters =)
Hermione! Especially in the 1st movie when she turns to Ron and says, "And you are?"
Steppe, try reading the first 10 pages of the first book, and see if you're pulled in by the writing. It's unfair to Rowling to say you didn't much care for the writing if you didn't read the books, but only saw the movies. The movies were a quick compilation of what's in the thick, dense books; in them, the writing is lost. (Thankfully, the adverbs are also lost…).
My favorite: Snape.
We just bought the DVD for movie #6 and I found myself lamenting the end of the series. They're promoting a couple new DVDs with behind-the-scenes info and deleted scenes. Normally I'd be cynical about it (why not put that on the regular DVD? Why not let the series die without last-gasp moneygrabbing?), but in my dismay at seeing the whole series end, I probably will buy the extra DVDs. And if she writes more books (and reviews are good), I'll buy more books.
Luna, for sure. I can't help but smile when she shows up, and she's so loyal and wise and creative. I love her.
Though I have a very soft spot for Snape, too.
Snape, totally Snape.
@Ruth
Now that the series is finished I'll take another run at it. Someone probably gave me book two or three for Christmas.
Her success is worth studying to better understand popular culture and tastes.
The movies rocked, keeping the nieces and nephews under control and not getting booted from the theater was an act of personal wizardry in and of itself.
Ahhh, Harry Potter week!!!! This is so stinkin' awesome. Your post gave me an idea for and extra item on the thanksgiving dinner table. They have awesome recipes over at muggle net. (My family is going to kill me, but that's ok). On to the question/answer (I think I had too much coffee trying to get to my NaNo goal). I love, love, love Hermione. She is totally me in high school (minus the time turner and overall magic thing). But, they again I love Ron — what comedic timing! And, Harry is awesome too 😉
SIRIUS BLACK! This is weird, but I remember my twelve-ish year-old swooning at the mention of him. I cried when he died, so…yeah. I think what I liked most was his relationship with Harry, as short lived as it was.
I've got to say, I also like Ron a lot. He's a favorite in my house. Everyone loves Ron here.
Harry Potter week! Now THIS is my mug of butter beer.
I truly can never pick a favorite. As soon as I try, someone else pops into my head. That being said, Harry, Hermione, and Snape are the ones most often duking it out for domination in my head, occasionally accompanied by Luna and Dobby.
I would have to say that Hagrid and Dumbledore made me feel like everything was right with the world as long as they were near. Everyone needs a good protector.
All of them. Seriously. Each time I read the books, I am astounded at Rowling's ability to give life and depth to all her characters, major, minor, and barely-mentioned. I can hear them, see them, understand them to a level that I've rarely seen with other authors. Even the horrible ones (and there are many horrible people in those books) are so richly drawn readers sympathize with them well before the end of the series.
That said, Harry is by far my favorite character. Though I love the scenes with Ginny, Neville, Luna, Tonks, Lupin, Dumbledore . . . see? Everyone else ties for second place.
And now excuse me while I squee like the fangirl I am.
HARRY POTTER WEEEEEEEEEEK!!!!!!!!!
Sorry, I had to get that out of my system. Carry on.
I so agree with you about Rowling's skill with limited third person. I regularly use HP when teaching POV, because she is just so brilliant with it.
I find it very hard to choose a character I like most. I identify with Hermione. But, I must say I am extremely fond of Luna Lovegood.
Oooh ooh! Much too hard. Part of me wants to say Ron, just because, well, because–but I want to *be* Luna Lovegood and I already *am* Hermione so . . .
Harry Potter week! I'm excited!
Prof. McGonagall and Luna Lovegood. Two people who are truly who they are and comfortable with themselves.
This is very timely because I am re-reading the series in anticipation of Deathly Hallows Part 1 coming out. I'm on Order of the Phoenix at the moment, which happens to be my least favorite of the 7.
But oh the joy of falling under Rowling's spell again. If you've never read them one right after the other – do. It's astonishing how complicated the plot threads are and how she threads them through all the books.
That said – I'd have to go with Fred and George Weasley for the comic relief – especially when it is needed most. Of the Harry-Ron-Hermione trio, I feel the same way about Ron.
I also could not leave Dumbledore out. My favorite adult character. I also love Professor McGonagall – strict but fair, caring in her own way.
Ummm… How much space do we have for comments? LOL
My favourite of them all is Dobby and then Hagrid.
This is liking asking Mrs. Weasley who her favorite child is…
One thing Rowling does brilliantly is characterization. For every character in the books, I know someone in real life who is like that. They're not cliches or archetypes either, but real complex characters.
In my opinion, the adult characters are more interesting than the child characters. They're more colorful, distinct, and memorable to me than the child characters. Then again, people don't fully develop their personality until they're adults.
The most heroic character in the series is Snape. It doesn't seem like it throughout the series, but in the end when I learned the full story of what motivated Snape, I was in awe of the sacrifices that he made and the constancy of his love for Lilly Potter. I wouldn't say that Snape is my favorite character, there are many times when I would like to knock some sense of fairness into him…
I like tortured souls, so probably Sirius Black.
(yeah, I've read and owned them all! The last four or so I bought the day they came out, but when I started the first two had already been published)
Dumbledore!! Though he isn't perfect, he always tries to do what is right and also battles his own personal demons, as we learn in the final book. Not only does he introduce the main message of the series in Book One but he continues to demonstrate it throughout Book Seven even after his death…Dumbledore's message: Love is the most powerful magic of all.
Oh, yeah, and Snape. How could I forget?
Thanks for Harry Potter week, Nathan!
It's so hard to pick a favorite "one" of anything related to Harry Potter (character, quote, spell, etc.).
Harry's story is what drew me in as a mother. I instantly wanted to adopt him as my fifth child. Mrs. Weasley is a close second.
But I think the most amazing character in children's lit is Severus Snape.
Harry, hands down, is my favorite, with Dumbledore a close second.
I got the first Harry Potter book for Christmas ten years ago and, as any 15 year old, I scoffed and thought it was for children. But my mom was so excited about having found what she considered the perfect Christmas present that I decided to give it a shot. Oh, boy. Was I hooked. I quickly became a Harry Potter addict. Rowling is as amazing as a writer can be.
Now, finding a favorite character, that's hard. I've been reading the comments and going "oh, yes, I love him too", "but, oh, I love her too", so on and so forth. But since I have a thing for strong and awesome female characters, I'll have to go with Hermione and Mrs. Weasley. Mrs. Weasley's action on the last battle made me actually hoot.
Damn, I miss those books…
I've been trying to reread them all before the movie comes out and I've definitely noticed how well developed the characters are. I'm on GoF right now and we meet Ludo for only a few pages, but still we get this incredibly full picture of who he is.
As for favorite character, I've always loved Sirius. He's kind of a jerk, but I have a soft spot for "unlikeable" characters.
I LOVE this post! Anyone who knows me or has read my blog knows of my obsession with HP and my undying devotion and awe to Jo Rowling. Okay, favorites…well, there's Harry, of course. I feel like a surrogate mother to the orphaned boy. And speaking of mother's Mrs. Weasley is one of my favorites, but behind Harry would have to be Fred Weasley. I love his humor, his goodness and his fierce devotion to his family and Harry. Broke my heart in a thousand pieces when he was killed in the seventh book. I actually had to put the book down and sob for ten minutes! Needless to say, I will be seeing the 7th movies at the midnight showings, with no make-up!
Not a Harry Potter fan, but I love book series that appeal to all ages.
Surprisingly, I discovered this past week that my youngest daughter is a big fan of Harry and his ilk. I believe the influx of Fantasy films (Lord of the Rings, etc.) and the technical ability of the film industry we have today feeds that love of the fantasy story. Magic stories are fun to read. I just find the HP series a bit young for my preferences.
Bravo for Rowling – she deserves all the fuss.
Nathan – will you continue to post writing information that covers more than just MG and YA?
Most of us have come to you for insight and to learn from your expertise in the field of writing. I hope that will continue.
Fred Weasley. Gotta love the funny, full of life guys!
One of the few books that made me bawl!
My second favorite is Sirius Black.
Rowling did such a wonderful job creating memorable characters. Every character is so unique and likable (or detested_) for different reasons.
Can I say the Mandrake ?
Snaaaaaaape.
After the fourth book, I thought, "This guy isn't nice, but if he's doing what I think he's doing, then he's really brave."
Nathan, this is an unfair question. It's like you're asking me who I love the most in my family. I love them all, I tell you. ALL. Each character is so developed, so rich. It's an amazing saga.
Tonks!
Weasley Twins… why oh why did Fred have to die?! I liked him best.
Favortie HP character? Are you kidding? Asking me to choose one is like asking me to coose a favorite family member. Can. Not. Do. It.
They are all so complex and so flawed and so perfect. Just like real people. Just thinking about it makes me go, "Hagrid. No, Harry. No, Luna, No, Tonks, No wait, Dumbledore. And the twins. But what about….." You get the idea.
Oh, and YAY for HP week at Nathan's place!
Snape, hands down.
Snape – first, last and always.
Anyone could write Harry.
JK made me believe in Snape.
Hey Nathan, one job is so much easier than two; no?
Oh, I JUST re-read the first book last week, this is wonderful timing!
And my favorites are the Weasley twins, and not just because they're fun, they're rule breakers, and the joke shop is awesome.
More than that, I love them because they are GOOD PEOPLE. Remember in the first book how they helped Harry with his trunk before they even knew he was famous, just because he was a kid who needed help? Remember at Christmas when they made Ron put on the sweater Mrs. Weasley made him ("Come on, get it on, they're lovely and warm.") and insisted that Percy join them for dinner ("Christmas is a time for family.")?
I just LOVED that the characters who were rule-breakers were also the characters with the deepest commitment to family values. Just blows me away how Rowling even made the minor characters so rich and wonderful.
Snape. Snape, Snape, Snape!
What a wonderful use of a character, both hero and villain. Think how dull so much of the school stuff would be without Snape… all that time, with Voldemort so often off stage, we have Snape. Ah, the ambiguity of that character… golden.
My favorite character used to be Hermione (and she is still my role-model!), but as I grow older, I can't help but fall for Snape. 🙂
I sort of love Professor Trelawney. 🙂 She's so out of it. But my absolute favorite character is Dumbledore, especially when he's being cheeky.
Snape! It's always great to find people as bitter and psychologically messed up as I am in fiction.
Ooh- this is going to be a great week!
Favorite characters: Kreature and Luna.
Fred, George, Hagrid, and Hedwig
Hermione! I love Hermione. Smart, strong, and awesome.
Also, Professor McGonagall. And the twins. And Luna. And Harry and Ron and Dumbledore and Sirius and […]
I saw JKR on Oprah, and she related this story about how a young girl in her twenties had just "bloomed out of the pavement" in front of her recently. The girl had said, "You are my childhood."
Too true. I started reading HP when I was eleven, same as Harry. The last one came out when I was 19. HP has always been more than a series for me–it was, to sound as trite-but-true as possible, my childhood.
Looking forward to this week's posts! 🙂
I heard book 2 on disc in my car and almost drove off the road laughing about Gilderoy Lockhart. As a writer, this beautiful and devious hack gave me a certain wicked pleasure.
So glad you got the opportunity to finally read the HP series! I must agree, Rowling has an amazing way with characterization and does a spectacular job of creating the Wizarding World.
I'm disappointed though…I have yet to receive my letter to Hogwarts! D:
Well, besides the obvious one (Harry Potter), my favorite character is quite probably Luna. She's so quirky, and such a good friend!
~TRA
http://xtheredangelx.blogspot.com
Nymphadora Tonks is by far my favorite character, partially because of how three-dimensional she feels in the story, and partially because of her unrealized potential within the series. And really, how cool would being a Metamorphmagus be?
She's quirky and easy-going, but at the same time, she knows what she wants and what she believes in, and she goes for it. She's a member of the infamous Black family, but she makes a name for herself separate from them. She's the half-blood daughter of a pureblood witch raised in a pureblood family, and she's a trailblazer. It takes a rare kind of courage to live with the kind of conviction Tonks had, and from the first time we see her, she's jumped off the page to me. I was devastated with the ending of Deathly Hallows.
Sirius was my favorite. I too read the set in record time. (2 weeks to be precise).
Spoiler Alert!!!
I fell in love with Sirius and was destroyed when he was killed. Absolutely a wreck. Couldn't speak about it without dissolving into tears. My fiance had to keep reminding me that I didn't really know him. And that he wasn't real.
Harry is the best. How can anyone pick another character as their favorite if they know Harry is there waiting to be chosen? Seriously, Harry is so special because he's real, vivid and caring. I mean, everything about Rowling's story is real and vivid, but Harry is just too great to tell. Well, I also like Molly Weasley in a weird way, she's the mom Harry never had and she's got it all.
Long live Sirius Black! 😀
Looking forward to your posts this week!
I'm seeing very few Draco Malfoy comments…and Fred and George! The former is the only one that is mentally involved in both sides (Snape is the wizard equivalent of a double agent but is always on the side of good in the series–there really should be a prequel actually) Fred and George are just witty and great characters!
Snape! By far the most engaging character. Is he good? Is he bad? (We all knew the truth!) The chapter dedicated to his side of things in Deathly Hallows had me bawling–Dumbledore's comment about sorting too early, the eyes! I'm so nervous about how they'll handle that in the movie…
Yay to Nathan for hosting a Harry Potter Week! I could participate in this lovefest forever.
Oh, and I'm with Emily about Ginny. She totally rocked! (Plus I'm partial to redheads named Jenny, I mean, um, Ginny)
Harry! Followed by Dumbledore, Hermione and Tonks.
… oh, and Mrs. Beasley. I think she's such an awesome Mom!
I love Hermione. Probably because she reminds me so much of myself.
The role Rowling gave Neville Longbottom in the Deathly Hallows was absolutely brilliant.
Severus Snape is my favorite character. The depth of the character, the internal contradictions… the question of whether he's a good guy or a bad guy (and I won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't read the books and is only going through the films).
Another favorite "character" is the whole wizarding world itself. They didn't build a theme park in Orlando for nothing! 🙂
Fred and George. They're a two-fer. Their comic relief kept me cackling, particularly their parting gift to Delores in the fifth book. A spoiler slipped through so I knew what to expect in the end of the last book, but I still cried all the same.
Hermonie. Now I just need to find a spell to take back the Petronus you stole from me. 🙂
Fred and George were my favorites in all the books. And I loved Sirius and hated it when he died.
It's been awhile, and it's hard to pick a favorite, but I have to mention Snape. I wonder, though, if it would've been different for me if Rickman hadn't portrayed him. He would still be up there on my list, but I'm not sure I'd mention him first.
Harry, Hermione, and Dumbledore are all big favorites for me, too. (Did anyone say Ron? I just don't remember seeing him…)
From the films, I love Luna! Never noticed her all that much in the books, but I just love her in the movies!!
Really looking forward to this week!
Harry, no question, despite all of the fantabulous characters in the books. I love them ALL (well, except Voldy, Umbridge, Pettigrew and a few others, LOL), but The Boy Who Lived holds a special place in my heart above the rest. Long live Harry Potter!
RONNIKINS!!!! He's my favourite character ever. I love his family, his humor, his loyalty, and how he makes mistakes sometimes but always tries to set them right.
Bascially though, I just have a thing for redheads.
Yay Harry Potter Week!!! 🙂
No question. Neville. Poor tortured soul.
Oh man, I love them all. But I guess two of my favorites (besides Harry, of course) would have to be the twins, Fred and George. They are great! Very funny.
Maybe that's my problem… I write from Third Person Watching!
Haste yee back 😉
NEWSFLASH! J. T. Shea has never read a Harry Potter book! A huge omission he intends to rectify. He HAS seen and vastly enjoyed the movies, and has started reading and greatly enjoying THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE, which is THE SORCEROR'S STONE before it was translated into American.
J. T. has bought most of the Harry Potter books. But he reads dozens of books at a time and sometimes loses them in the stacks that fill the shelves and floors and tables and every other flat or slightly inclined surface in his house, where all the rooms are really libraries.
But Nathan, you WERE sometimes reading more than one book by the same author, even while still an agent! First Tolkien, now J. K. Rowling. How naughty!
Judging from the movies and the early parts of the first book, Harry is my guy. A kid on a great adventure to extraordinary places with extraordinary people. A kid who is himself both ordinary (understandable, accessible, comprehensible) and extraordinary (predestined but not predetermined). Like the young protagonist of my WIP in some ways, but not in others.
BTW, fellow commenters, thanks for the general absence of nasty putdowns of Harry and his creator, which are not unheard of in writers' circles. But no thanks for all the spoilers!
Harry, because you have to love the point-of-view character. Draco, because he's so deliciously mean but has a really soft, human side too. And Snape, because he is the bravest character I've ever read. Snape really makes you think that if he could deceive the evilest wizard of all time, and fool our main characters as well, you can do anything xD
Severus Snape. I never for one second thought the guy betrayed anybody.
Well, anybody good, I guess.
Professor Lupin. I liked that he was steady/supportive and mysterious/dangerous all at the same time. I hoped he'd take on a larger role in Harry's life in the 6th and 7th books, but, alas…
Sirius Black for sure. I was pretty broken up about his exit.
HaHaHa. Can't believe I said "Mrs. Beasley" … I meant "Mrs. Weasley". Have been a little too rushed and busy today.
Who do I love? Harry. Who do I identify with? Hermione. Who do I think is one of the most brilliantly drawn characters since Dickens? Dolores Umbridge. The combination of her cruel and creepy personality with her ultra-feminine style is SO disturbing! It's brilliant!
Snape with little hesitation. There would have been no hesitation had a played a more pivotal role in the final book. I think she did the series a disservice by casting him in such a weak light in Deathly Hallows after he was such a large figure in Half Blood Prince.
Dick Hannah
http://www.puborperish.blogspot.com
Lessee… enormous Snape tattoo on my leg, 350,000 words of fanfic, and a black cat named Snape. I'm going to err on the side of caution and say my favorite character is Severus Snape.
Though Remus Lupin is definitely second, then Lucius Malfoy third.
Choosing a favorite character is like trying to pick your favorite aunt or uncle at a wacky family reunion. In the end, I'd have to choose Snape. So loathsome, and yet so sympathetic at the same time. I loved the twist Rowling gave him at the end.
I agree that Rowling is fantastic, but you're missing a big point. One of the great things to see in her books is her progression as an author. That to me is inspiring, not overwhelming. Overwhelming is Markus Zusak's The Book Thief. 🙂
Prof. Dumbledore would be first followed by Mrs. Weasley, mom extradinaire.
Harry, Hermoine, Dumbledore, and Snape. You said four, right?
If I had to choose just one, it would have to be Harry.
Kreacher. He was so important to the outcome of the story, and to see him at the end of the series starting a house elf riot was just amazing. Apart from Kreacher, I have to give props to Rita Skeeter, Arthur Weasley and the Lovegoods. Power to the minor characters 😀
I love Harry, of course, and Ron and Hermione, but I have to say I have to put my vote in for Lupin. He was never in the spotlight, either in his friendship with James and Serius, or in his relationship with Harry, but he was always there. I just love him. And thank you, Nathan, for still being here. My heart broke a little when you said you were leaving, but I think I'll survive if you still keep posting your blog.
Wow, such a deep question. Neville Longbottom because he was so tortured with his memories (or lack thereof). But she created so many great characters, Hagrid, Dudley, Luna, Draco, Fred and George, Snape, Dumbledore, Rita Skeeter, etc… there was something about all of them that was out there and just interesting.
Since the time, 30-some years ago, that I raced through a borrowed copy of Cinnamon Skin, I've loved John D MacDonald's Travis McGee. Who wouldn't want to be a carefree, capable, trustworthy white knight?
I've read thousands of books over the years, but am always game to re-read any of the 26 "color" installments in the Travis McGee series.
sorry, should have read the rest of the comments first — I would have understood the question! As you were, then.
Sev, of course. The Snape chapter in Deathly Hallows had me in tears.
And I had a little fiction crush on Sirius Black, even though he was a bit arrogant. He had the whole dark, mysterious, troubled thing going for him.
It really is hard to pick just one!! The characters are so well drawn.
Ron Weasley. He had me laughing out loud so often, I developed my very first redhead crush.
I'm so excited for the Harry Potter themed posts!!
Ginny. And pretty much all of the Weasleys. Also Harry. Gosh, is there a character in those books that isn't perfect. But mainly… Ginny.
The thing I admire most about Harry Potter – I was watching the second movie the other day and there were all of this LITTLE details that totally set up for the later books. It's amazing. It made me want to cry
Snape. Hands down. For his unbroken ambiguity throughout the series, the emotional impact of the price of his atonement and the palpable suffering he feels as revealed in the final book.
Snape's suffering is on par with, if not exceeding Harry's own. Harry lost his parents and mentor, but his friends help him deal with his destiny. Snape lost the only person he ever loved and is reminded of her everyday. He has no true friends and must constantly hide his real self from his master.
It will always be Snape. Rowling's development of his character and arc is abso-lutely-brilliant!
You want a fresh read on the series? Read them all again through the eyes is Snape. Paints a whole new picture.
It's a toss-up between Bellatrix Lestrange and Luna Lovegood. Of course, I might only like Bellatrix because she is played by Helena Bonham Carter….
I think Snape is the most interesting character (I don't think I could pick a favorite).
His storyline has always been really rich and moving. And you just never knew if you could trust him or not. It's amazing she kept that going for 7 whole books!
So many great characters to choose from! I love Fred and George (troublemakers rule) but my absolute favorite is Snape. I fell in love with the character on paper and on film (oooooh, Alan Rickman.)
Snape, then Harry.
Like you, I am in awe of her talent at writing this long and complex saga. I really don't know how she kept track of the complexities and wove the story from book one to seven without leaving anything unsettled, contradicting herself or ending up in dead ends. I guess that's where good editors help out (and magic of course).
We were probably reading the series at the same time. A friend recommended it and I read all 7 books this summer.
Moody was totally my favorite character! Even though, for his first appearance, he wasn't actually Moody, but Barty Crouch JR. He was portrayed in a very dynamic way. He was terrifying to the students, but knowledgeable. A very no-nonsense kind of guy, strategic in his actions, and even though he seemed so paranoid about everything, I took it as efficiency and respected him for it.
I like my fictional characters long-haired and a bit ornery. It's Lucius Malfoy for me. Love Snape too…especially after finding out his motivation. The bravest man, indeed.
One???!!! Only one?!
Harry, of course, with Neville and Snape tied for second. I loved the part when Dumbledore said it was brave to stand up to your enemies, but even braver to stand up to your friends, then gave Neville a boatload of points for Gryffindor.
Nathan, I'm glad you're keeping the blog going, and also glad it's Harry Potter week.
Ron Weasley. I love the chemistry between him and Hermonie.
How can you not fall head over heels for at least half the characters?
I guess I’ll start with the twins- I love to laugh, and I SOOO just wanted to be BFF’s with Fred and George. I still have emotional scars because of Fred’s demise.
But if I had to choose someone to be on my side, who better than Professor Dumbledore, who usually had the villains shaking in their boots?
Hermione is fierce! Girl power! And I very much enjoyed the “crushing” that was going on between she and Ron- so fun.
Who couldn't love Hagrid with his love for all creatures cute and ugly?
And the moment I knew I was in love with Harry was when he first arrived at Hogwarts, and rejected Draco as a friend.
But I’d also have to agree with a few other posts- Molly Weasley was not messing around when she put the smack-down on Bellatrix, and commenced to whoopin’ her tail! When I watched it on the big screen, I think I was so excited that I nearly jumped into some strangers lap!
The Twins: Fred and George
I include them as one character, because they (together) are just an integral part of the humor in the books- through the good, the bad, and the (very) ugly.
Give her hell Peeves!
Definitely Fred, George, and Ginny. They're hilarious! Some of my favorite sections in the books were when they ganged up on Percy!
Hermione, closely followed by Minvera McGonagall
Oh, this is an easy question! While I love many of the characters in the Potterverse, Hagrid is indeed my favorite – from beginning to end, in fact – and I think Robbie Coltrane was BORN to play him!
Lee Jordan. He doesn't get the attention he deserves, but every time Rowling brought him up he was doing something spectacularly awesome. Really.
Remus Lupin
Sirius Black
Tonks
Luna
Ginny Weasley. Smart, funny, and takes no crap from anyone.
Harry, because he's the perfect flawed hero, for his innocence, and his longing for a family that manifested itself in such unconditional gobsmacked fascination with anything "family": the Weasley's, his godfather, any trace of his parents. And especially because he never let his fame go to his head. His humility was what made him a great hero.
Hagrid, because he's simple, loyal, warmhearted and iconic.
Dumbledore, for his subtlety and restraint.
Sirius and Lupin, because I always root for the misunderstood underdogs.
And Snape, villainous, but not the villain, because it was so much fun wondering where his loyalties lay. I always thought he was a good guy, despite his tortured, jealous soul, and I cheered when I was finally vindicated.
Dobby. I don't know why, I just always loved the little guy! I bawled like a baby when he died! And when he wasn't in the fourth, fifth, or sixth movie, I was very upset. I'm glad he'll be getting his justice in this last movie.
OK, I confess, I have never read a Harry Potter book. Perhaps if I receive the entire boxed set as a gift, this will entice me.
Dude – I haven't read them yet. The amazingness that is Harry Potter is my major Middle Grade literary gap. Sorry.
I'll get to it as soon as NaNo is over, and I've finished reading MSs for my CPs, and after I've finished polishing… You get the picture. When I can, I'll get to them. Cross my heart. I'm kind of desperate to read them now.
There are so many great characters, it's hard to choose just one, so I'll choose two: Fred and George Weasley.
They're brave, they're funny, they love a good joke, a good fight and they're fiercely loyal to family and friends. They went against everything that was expected of them and forged their own path. They aren't afraid to stand up for what's right or what they believe in.
And they never once turned their backs on Harry. Need I say more?
Hermione, mostly because she reminds me so much of myself. But Lupin is very close to the top of my list too– he's a very loving and honorable character, and is so loyal.
Snape is my favorite, although I love many of them. I was enjoying the movies, too, until they decided to turn Lavender Brown from black to white. I also felt they got the mates wrong, as I never bought the idea of Hermione and Ron together. Harry belonged with either Hermione or Luna.
Favourite three: Hagrid for his fierce loyalty to Harry, his bumbling, honest nature and his love of all magical creatures; Luna because she is so quirky and original and has hidden depths, and she teaches Harry so much; and finally…well, it's between Tonks, because I identify with the characters who have that vulnerability, love the way Hagrid and Luna all have aspects of that trait, but are so different; or Dumbledore and Sirius for the way they could have done everything for Harry but they let him find out for himself. Ha. I limited myself to three, but didn't do very well.:) They're all amazing.
Fred and George, without question. My second favourite character? George and Fred. Only because they go hand in hand, one can't be without the other. They're like the comic relief you NEED when you're reading about the trials and horrors of someone like Goggles…agh, I mean Harry. 😉 Which is why I'm glad she ended the series off the way she did, else it would never have been the same and made me a major sad panda.
Charlie Weasley! I am so hardcore about him. Dragons!
Ah! Best.Blog.Post.EVER! Anything to do with Harry Potter series I love, as I've spent exactly half my life (which is 11 years) ogling the world JKR built.
I honestly can't say who is my favorite character because the they are all so unique and so flawed yet so perfect at the same time that it is completely impossible for me to choose between people like Ron, Harry, Hermione, Luna, Neville, etc…
Harry and Snape, and the dynamic between them.
So glad you arrived in my inbox today, Nathan, and I love this post.
Your blog is currently featured on SCBWI_BI Ning!
I admit, I've almost always picked protagonists as my favorites — Frodo in TLOTR, hurrah — and Harry is my favorite in HP-verse. At the same time, I love reading pretty much every character . . . which, I suppose, is what you were discussing; the many wonderful characterizations. They're all so clear and so different and I feel like I know and can recognize all of them. Even the way they speak — Snape has elegant turns of phrase; Hagrid has dialect concealing a definite intelligence; Dumbledore has a definite liking for sere phrases — distinguishes them. It's glorious.
As one of the few thirty-somethings, who waited in line with children at midnight to buy various new installments, I am a huge Potter fan. (I love Luna – how genuine she is) I've recently discovered "A Charmed Life" by Diana Wynne Jones… see if some of the ideas in there (published in 1977) don't seem a bit familiar… That said, the writing doesn't compare. Rowling sucks me in and makes me live in her world with her – like a pensieve.
Neville Longbottom, hands down. I love how he developes from a nobody loser to one of the major characters. I cheered when his last part came up (refrains from spoilers).
On a side note, the sixth movie really pissed me of. In the book he had been invited into the slug club, but in the movie they made him a server. Poor unappreciated Neville.
Harry, Hermione and Ron as they're good main characters, but the ultimate favorite is Professor Snape.
I have a hard time choosing, because I do love them all, but I think it's between Sirius and Dumbledore, with Sirius a tiny bit in the lead.
Oddly enough, neither of their deaths is the one that upset me the most. Fred's did.
This is impossible. Dumbledore. No, wait, Hagrid, – er, Sirius. I don't know.
I mean I LOVE Harry, Hermione and Ron, and Neville, but for some reason I really connect with a lot of the secondary characters. Maybe because I read them all as an adult.
I guess Severus, overall. He is absolutely the most sympathetic villain I have ever read.
Harry and Snape.
My favorite is Professor Trelawney and runner up is Luna Lovegood. Both women have unexpected strengths and don't apologize for being themselves.
Character? As in singular? My oh my, where to start?
It's impossible, there are too many brilliant ones, even those that only appear in a few books! Luna, Tonks, Lupin, Dobby to name a few. Then there are those in all the books, Dumbledore, Hagrid, McGonagall, Fred and George and so on.
On a side note, I had a quick glance at the Character list on Wikipedia … Wow! I mean, totally, Wow!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_potter_characters
Ginny Weasley. The movies don't really do her justice but she's totally bad ass, even if you don't start to see it until Order of the Phoenix. I also love Hermione, Tonks and Lupin.
Luna is my favorite of the students–love the wisdom hidden in the wacky.
Of the adults, Remus Lupin. Though I am pretty fond of Dumbledore, too.
Ron. I love almost every character, but with Ron, I think Rowling really showed her talents. He could have been just Harry's devoted sidekick, but instead he's just as complex as Harry. He and Harry fight. He gets jealous and he leaves Harry in a time when his friend really needed him. It's easy to write a friend to a character. It harder to made that friendship more than the average.
Hermione. Gotta love the brainiac in the group.
There wouldn't be HP books without Harry, so obviously he has to take first prize. After him, I loved Snape from the very beginning, in all his mean, flawed glory. I knew he would show himself to be the "'bravest man I [Harry] ever knew'" (Book 7). And Hermione is most like me.
Harry. But, reading through the comments, what stands out for me is the diversity of the responses. Anybody who can make readers fall in love with just about any of her characters is a damn good writer.
Also, now I really want to reread the entire series. Yeah, not happening during NaNoWriMo…
First off- love the HP week and can't wait to read all the posts.
My hands down favorite character is Hermione, for so many reasons. I see a lot of myself in her.
I also loved the character of Tonks- I don't remember anyone with quite that level of cool when I was growing up.
I'm fascinated by Bellatrix- I'd love to know more about what made her so crazy.
And, I love Ron. To me, he was very realistically characterized.
I could talk HP all day….
I love:
Harry
Luna
Doby
Kreacher (sob!)
Regulus (what a courageous guy!)
The Weasleys
Snape and
yes, Voldemort
This is like asking who my favorite family member is. J.K Rowling is such an excellent writer that I love all her characters. You have to admire Sirius for persevering through Azkaban and Hagrid for well, just being Hagrid. By book seven I was even feeling sorry for Malfoy…how is that possible? I suppose I like Hermione best because of her growth. She starts as the know-it-all trying to prove that she belongs at Hogwarts and by the end she is breaking all the rules and risking everything for her friends. You have to admire that.
Snape definitely. Hands down.
How do you choose? There's not a single character in there not to like. Even Snape, frighteningly enough.
Wait, perhaps I have to take that back. I guess Voldermort and his crowd are not to like. Although even the Malfoys end up more nuanced than you'd think.
I've thought the same thing many a time, reading those books (over and over): This is SO NOT FAIR.
I really like Remus Lupin. He's this incredibly responsible, ethical guy who's had to deal with incredible hardship, along with being the straight man to wild James and Sirius (and then to have all three of his best friends taken from him in various ways). And he doesn't really complain about it, except insofar as he tries to keep Tonks from entangling herself with him because he doesn't want her to have to share his burdens.
I think that if he'd been Harry's godfather, Dumbledore would not have been unwise to keep Harry with him rather than having him raised outside the wizarding community because Lupin could have kept him down-to-earth.
That's not to say I don't have an enormous lit-crush on the Weasley twins — I have a thing for redheads.
It's a toss-up between the Weasley twins (they are one character,) and Luna Lovegood.
"To say I admire Rowling is kind of like saying Dobby sort of likes Harry." LOL, excellent analogy!
My favorite character is the entire Weasley family. Love them! (Except Percy most of the time, but he redeems himself in the end.)
I'm looking forward to all your Harry Potter posts!!!
Is there such a thing as just having one favorite? I love them all! Luna is adorable and brings light to some situations and yet you know that she's right there in the scene, helping things along.
Ron is this guy who seems happy go lucky about being Harry's best friend but he's actually really insecure and he has fears. He and Harry fight. It's a good dynamic.
I could go on…
Impossible to choose, but isn't it interesting how many of use feel we are/were Hermione?
Ron! With all the Hermiones responding here, & I too identify with her, I'm surprised so few fell for Ron! I also love both of his parents & wish they were mine. In fact, I love the whole Weasley fam & wish they were mine. Also love Luna.
it's amazing how few people said Dumbledore! It's a tie between Dumbledore and Hagrid for me. I was so scared to read the last book for fear she might kill Hagrid — Rowling did have a tendency to push Harry's protectors right over metaphorical cliffs.
Ooooooooooh I love Harry Potter week!!!! I love all the characters, but I'm going to be a tool and say it's all about Harry for me. Close second are Hermione and Dumbledore, and I love Mrs. Weasley. Snape is an incredibly compelling character as well.
Mind you, the Weasley's are cool, not least because they have a FLYING CAR! It's an ancient Ford Anglia, but it FLIES! Sometimes all by itself.
My family had a Ford Anglia many moons ago. But it didn't fly, except occasionally on our bumpier Irish roads…
That's really difficult…I always liked the Weasley twins. They were AWESOME. And Luna…she's great too for many reasons. She may be a little eccentric but I think that's why I like her–she doesn't care too much about what others think about her and she's as genuine as a person can be, even if she has some odd things about her.
Sirius Black. Oh how I mourned his death and had to put the book down for awhile 'til I was ready to start reading without him.
Also love Snape!
Fred and George – I have a weakness for funny redheads (just ask my husband!).
oh its snape what a deep character he was, j.k.rowling has done a great job… i would say snape as a hero of the series…….
Definitely Neville Longbottom with Luna Lovegood and Hermione Granger close behind c:.
Hermione Jean Granger is my favorite character from Harry Potter. I am a lot like her, too. Smart, caring, and intelligent.
I even did this little Harry Potter character quiz thingie and got Hermione Granger. <3 her! 🙂
So yes, I love Hermione and I have a cool Gryffindor robe my aunt made me.
I was the person who said I love Hermione and that I'm like her cause I'm smart, caring, and intelligent and I even did a little quiz thing. Also, I used to have Hermione's wand but I lost it and I'm so mad! Anyway, thanks for reading! 🙂
Sirius Black!!! 😀
the Marauders except Peter 😛
Lupin, Sirius then James.
OH and Tonks <3