Harry Potter: Each Main Character’s Most Iconic Scene

The Harry Potter series has become such a huge staple in the pop culture consciousness that there are so many scenes people are aware of, even if they’ve never seen the films. There are intense and dramatic moments, such as when Dumbledore is killed by Snape, as well as more light-hearted ones, like when Harry first goes to Diagon Alley.

All of the main characters have one or two iconic scenes that encapsulate who they are. While it’s hard to narrow things down since so many of these characters have a wide selection of great moments, these particular scenes exemplify who they are or represent a turning point of some sort for the character. Or, they are just so engaging or exciting that the moment is impossible to forget.

10 Voldemort: His Return To Full Power

Voldemort is a terrifying antagonist even before he once again takes his full human (or almost human) form. Even in his sickly, weakened state, he inspires fear.

However, while moments before he becomes powerful again are fascinating, his most memorable moment is when he uses Harry’s blood and some other disturbing ingredients to have Peter Pettigrew bring him back to his body. It’s a truly upsetting scene and one that fans won’t forget.

9 Hagrid: Bringing Harry To Privet Drive On A Flying Motorcycle

Hagrid is an important mentor in Harry’s life from the beginning. He’s the one to rescue Harry from the wreckage of the Potters’ home in Godric’s Hollow, and he takes Harry directly to Privet Drive.

While Hagrid has other great scenes such as when he hatches baby Norbert, the moment when he flies in on a giant motorcycle at the very beginning of Sorcerer’s Stone really stands out and introduces the audience to the magic of the wizarding world.

8 Luna Lovegood: “You’re Just As Sane As I Am.”

Luna is a well-loved character in the fandom because she’s creative, loyal, and eccentric. Luna doesn’t make an appearance until the fifth book, but she makes a big impact.

Luan definitely makes a splash and shows off her odd and lovable personality when she does things like wearing radish earrings or reading upside down, but this line that she says to Harry about seeing the Thestrals is probably the most memorable of them all. Plus, it really explains the type of character that Luna is.

7 Neville Longbottom: Killing Nagini

While Neville starts out as an awkward young kid who doesn’t do so well at magic, he grows into a confident and capable leader. Neville was adorable but incompetent when he was younger, and fans will always remember moments like when he lost the Remembrall. However, his best moment is definitely when he uses the Sword of Gryffindor to kill Nagini.

This is his “glow-up” moment, and he shows that he is also a true Gryffindor. Without Neville disposing of the Horcrux inside of Nagini, Harry wouldn’t have been able to defeat Voldemort.

6 Draco Malfoy: Introducing Himself To Harry

Draco Malfoy has a rather fascinating arc, and some people think he should have been given more of a redemption story than he actually got. He has some rather well-known moments later on in the series such as when he attempts to kill Dumbeldore, but his earlier movements might be even more iconic.

Draco shows the kind of character he is when he meets Harry for the first time and tries to tell Harry who he should be friends with.

5 Severus Snape: “Turn To Page 394”

Severus Snape has many well-known moments in the narrative, but many of them are rather depressing. Fans often think about when he kills Dumbledore, and Harry and fans at the time didn’t know why he did it.

There are also some flashback scenes of Snape in his youth that are rather disturbing and heartbreaking. However, perhaps the moment that sticks out the most is when he says this quote in the third movie, as Alan Rickman’s delivery of the line made it iconic.

4 Dumbledore: His Duel Against Voldemort

Dumbledore is a rather complex character, because while he’s instrumental in taking down Voldemort and learning his secrets, he’s not always a good person. He has a rather dark past, and the way he manipulated and lied to Harry is often criticized by fans. There are a lot of Dumbeldore scenes that fans will always remember, but one of the most intense is his one-on-one duel with Voldemort.

This battle takes place in the Atrium of the Ministry of Magic, and it showcases just how powerful both of these wizards are. It’s clear that they are on an equal footing in their magical ability, and it’s an impressive but dramatic scene.

3 Ron Weasley: Sacrificing Himself In The Chess Game

Ron Weasley is known for some rather humorous moments and characteristics, such as his fear of spiders or for his constant bickering with Hermione. But, while he might be the least serious member of the trio, he has his heroic scenes, too.

One of his best sequences actually happens in the very first year at Hogwarts when he offers to sacrifice himself in the chess game so that Harry can move forward to get the Sorcerer’s Stone.

2 Hermione Granger: Using The Time Turner To Save Sirius And Buckbeak

Hermione is known for her intelligence and determination, and she’s instrumental in saving the day many times. In fact, often Harry wouldn’t have gotten very far without her because she’s so knowledgeable and prepared.

It’s hard to pick just one iconic Hermione moment, but when she reveals the Time-Turner and uses it to save Sirius and Buckbeak, it’s a fan favoritescene.

1 Harry Potter: Using Expelliarmus Against Voldemort

Harry is. the protagonist,  and so he naturally has the most scenes of any of the characters. It’s hard to narrow down his best sequences to just one, but his duel against Voldemort at the end is very iconic.

It also stands out because Harry uses Expelliarmus, which is sort of his signature spell move, instead of going for a curse.  It was fitting that he would use a defensive spell yet again, and he had already sacrificed himself to kill the Horcrux inside of him, so he was able to defeat Voldemort for good.

About The Author