Rest assured, Harry, Ron and Hermione’s involvement in the Battle of Hogwarts goes without saying – and, really, we were proud of all of our Hogwarts favourites during the climactic ending of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
But here’s a closer look at a couple of characters in particular who really prospered in the face of this bloody battle.
Ginny Weasley
‘I can’t go home!’ Ginny shouted, angry tears sparkling in her eyes. ‘My whole family’s here, I can’t stand waiting there alone and not knowing and –’
Her eyes met Harry’s for the first time.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
She was told she was too young, she was told to stay safe, but Ginny Weasley was not to be underestimated. Always overprotected due to her age throughout all the Potter books, Ginny grew up to be ferociously stubborn, clever, funny, and an accomplished witch, despite how much her mum tried to keep her away from the darker side of the wizarding world.
In the Battle of Hogwarts, Ginny was still underage, so required to stay out of the conflict. Of course, this didn’t stop her, and she snuck back into the main throng of the fight not before long. While Ginny fought valiantly, she also showed compassion for a crying Hogwarts student, as Harry witnessed under his Invisibility Cloak. Because, of course, kindness for those in distress is just as vital as the battle at hand.
Molly Weasley
‘OUT OF MY WAY!’ shouted Mrs Weasley to the three girls, and with a swipe of her wand she began to duel.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Molly had arguably one of the most famous moments of the entire battle of Hogwarts, showing a merciless edge when she saw her children in danger. With a cry of ‘NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!’, she slaughtered the witch who had brought so many hardships to not just her family, but the whole wizarding world: Bellatrix Lestrange.
Seeing Molly in battle was a side to her we’d never quite seen before – and showed that being the matriarch of a huge family isn’t just about being a whizz in the kitchen, making sure everyone’s doing well in their studies and keeping the house in order – but protecting her family at whatever cost.
Kingsley Shacklebolt
‘We’ve only got half an hour until midnight, so we need to act fast! A battle plan has been agreed between the teachers of Hogwarts and the Order of the Phoenix.’
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
One of the more commanding members of the Order of the Phoenix had an important part to play in the battle – and it’s not surprising he was appointed Minister of Magic not soon after the events of Voldemort’s downfall. Kingsley was instrumental in helping to organise the school’s battle plan and was seen duelling valiantly once the fight began.
Luna Lovegood
‘I’d want some peace and quiet, if it were me,’ she said.
‘I’d love some,’ he replied.
‘I’ll distract them all,’ she said. ‘Use your Cloak.’
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Along with other loyal members of Dumbledore’s Army, Luna was vital during the Battle of Hogwarts – even leading Harry to one of the final Horcruxes he needed to destroy. Luna’s part to play in the battle required brains beyond brawn, such as helping Harry enter the Ravenclaw common room – and then helping him achieve some much-needed peace and quiet once the battle was won. Although Luna was still very active in the battle itself (such as producing her silver hare Patronus to thwart the Dementors), it was her calmer, quieter moments that were vital to Harry’s success.
Professor Flitwick
‘No!’ squealed Flitwick, raising his wand. ‘You’ll do no more murder at Hogwarts!’
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Who knew Professor Flitwick, so pleasant and so kindly, could be so ruthless and so tactical in the face of combat? First of all, he took down Snape with a smart charm on a suit of armour, then he performed complex incantations through a smashed window, then got into the heart of the battle, facing off Death Eaters such as Dolohov and Yaxley successfully. Flitwick combined his tremendous intellect with his immense level of expertise in his field to succeed in the battle – the mark of a Ravenclaw through and through.
Professor Slughorn
Voldemort was now duelling McGonagall, Slughorn and Kingsley all at once, and there was cold hatred in his face as they wove and ducked around him, unable to finish him –
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Slughorn’s involvement in the Battle of Hogwarts was perhaps more significant, as it concluded his path of redemption. After all, our journey with Slughorn was a tricky one – this is the man that favoured famous witches and wizards over others, the man who seemed to only help out when he had an ulterior motive, the man who told Tom Riddle what a Horcrux was. Slughorn’s help on the battlefield (where he joined the other professors in the many duels against the Death Eaters) and representing Slytherin house in place of Snape showed that the Potions professor had heart – even if it took him a while to properly come through.
Hagrid
Beyond Hagrid, out in the dark night, Harry saw bursts of light in the distance and heard a weird, keening scream. He looked down at his watch: it was midnight. The battle had begun.
‘Blimey, Harry,’ panted Hagrid, ‘this is it, eh? Time ter fight?’
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
The man who welcomed Harry into the wizarding world had to be there at the very end – when all hope looked lost – and he was. Hagrid’s appearance at Hogwarts surprised Harry, after the half-giant had been hiding in a nearby cave avoiding arrest for hosting a ‘Support Harry Potter party’, but of course, Hagrid was never going to miss the Battle of Hogwarts.
Inevitably, Hagrid had a part to play in the physical side of the fight but was perhaps most significant for his anguish carrying Harry’s ‘body’ after his face-off with Voldemort seemed to end in tragedy. Of course, it didn’t, but Hagrid’s fierce love for Harry never felt more raw than right here.
Professor Sprout
‘And as she jogged out of sight, they could hear her muttering, ‘Tentacula. Devil’s Snare. And Snargaluff pods ... yes, I’d like to see the Death Eaters fighting those.’
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Much like Flitwick, Professor Sprout applied her specialist subject skills to great results during the battle, choosing to take on Lord Voldemort with Mandrakes and exploding Snargaluff pods. Sprout’s unorthodox approach worked a treat – and the boisterous Herbology professor provided a wall of strength along with the other Heads of House.
Neville Longbottom
‘I’ll join you when hell freezes over,’ said Neville. ‘Dumbledore’s Army!’ he shouted, and there was an answering cheer from the crowd, whom Voldemort’s silencing charms seemed unable to hold.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Neville’s inspirational story came to a stunning climax during the Battle of Hogwarts – with Harry returning to the school to find the formerly timid student a battle-worn hero, who’d kept Dumbledore’s Army afloat during his absence. Neville even got one of the most important parts in the entire battle, finishing off Nagini, perhaps Voldemort’s most beloved Horcrux – and rejecting Voldemort’s offer to join his army in a thrilling face-off. How far he had come, from standing up to Harry, Ron and Hermione in Philosopher’s Stone, to standing up to the most powerful Dark wizard of the wizarding world.
Professor McGonagall
Without Professor McGonagall, would Hogwarts have stood so strong against Lord Voldemort? With Snape disgraced, it was up to the deputy headmistress to stand strong in the face of devastating peril, get the castle ready for impending attack, and be magnificent throughout. McGonagall’s strength was evident from the very first time we met her. But in times of trouble, she rose to the top. Despite a year of misery at Hogwarts, despite losing Dumbledore, despite blaming herself for Snape’s apparent betrayal, despite having a school full of terrified students to take care of, truly nothing phased McGonagall – and Hogwarts was safe under her wing.
An inspiration to the very end.
Originally published onPottermore
Harry Potter to Fantastic Beasts
Discover the films
