If you’ve been following the site at all (especially recently), you know by now that both Chris and myself are huge Harry Potter fans. Chris has been doing some coverage on the books and I’ve been taking a look back at the movie series. We decided to do some Harry Potter stuff together (well, we’re starting with this one and we’ll see if it progresses from there). So today we will be drafting 10 side characters from the Harry Potter universe. We arbitrarily decided who would not count as a side character. Some are obvious. Some we added in to force us to dig a little deeper for those later picks. The list of undraftable characters is below. We each had our own draft philosophy.
We did a standard snake draft. And because I am a gentleman, I gave Chris the choice between first pick or next two. He deferred the first pick to me. You’ll see our picks below the undraftable list, along with some thoughts on each pick.
Undraftable Characters
- Harry Potter
- Ron Weasley
- Hermione Granger
- Hagrid
- Albus Dumbledore
- Voldemort
- Professor Snape
- Professor McGonagall
- Sirius Black
- Remus Lupin
- Fred Weasley
- George Weasley
- Ginny Weasley
- Molly Weasley
- Arthur Weasley
- Neville Longbottom
- Draco Malfoy
- Lucius Malfoy
- Kingsley Shacklebolt
- Mad-Eye Moody
- Dobby
- Bellatrix Lestrange
- Luna Lovegood
- Nymphadora Tonks
Matt, Pick 1
This was easy. It was Peeves, no question. I may have taken Kingsley as he was a borderline “undraftable” for us. But as you saw on the list we ultimately decided to include him. So once that decision was made, my choice was clear. Peeves was such an entertaining character in the books. Always up to mischief, causing problems for any and all who crossed his path. Though disappointed that he was not a movie character, I understand the reasoning. But of all book characters that did not carry over to the movies, he’s probably the one I wish most had been.
Chris. Pick 1
Once we decided that animals were included as draftable characters, I knew I had to have Fawkes. Hedwig is great and all, but who wouldn’t want a badass phoenix as their animal best friend. Fawkes has also shown how useful he can be, helping Harry save the day in Chamber of Secrets by bringing him the hat and sword, and then literally saving Harry’s life with his tears. I just had to make sure I got him which is why he was my first pick.
Chris, Pick 2
I feel like Cedric Diggory is a highly underrated character. I feel like movie Cedric is hurt by Robert Pattinson, who isn’t a bad actor, just known for Twilight, and drama and all that, so people naturally carry it over to Cedric. But Diggory is low key one of the most pure characters in the series I think. He is adored by the school and comes as no surprise why most of the school wanted him to win the Triwizard Cup than Harry. Even in that intense competition he is very kind to Harry, and I believe if he had lived, the two of them could have been good friends. Of all of the students at Hogwarts, I think I would try to befriend him above all others.
Matt, Pick 2
An ancillary character throughout the series, Seamus served largely as comic relief. Whether he’s trying to turn water into rum (a wild move for an 11-year-old), accidentally blowing stuff up, purposefully blowing stuff up, or wearing his ties in the most ridiculous way possible, Seamus was always good for some laughs.
(A great scene for multiple reasons, but just check out Seamus’ excitement at being instructed to blow up the bridge.)
Matt, Pick 3
Gryffindor’s fearless Quidditch captain, Wood was also a common source of laughs, more so in the books than the movies. Much of his humor came from his intense devotion to Quidditch.
“Bad news, Harry. I’ve just been to see Professor McGonagall about the Firebolt. She – er – got a bit shirty with me. Told me I’d got my priorities wrong. Seemed to think I cared more about winning the Cup than I do about you staying alive. Just because I told her I didn’t care if it threw you off, as long as you caught the Snitch on it first.” Wood shook his head in disbelief. “Honestly, the way she was yelling at me … you’d think I’d said something terrible.”
Then Wood was speeding towards him, half-blinded by tears; he seized Harry around the neck and sobbed unrestrainedly into his shoulder. (After Gryffindor wins the Quidditch Cup)
Chris, Pick 3
Grindelwald is a badass. As I reread the series, I am very excited to get to the seventh book and read about him some more, as he is hardly even mentioned in the movies. I feel like I can speak for everyone when I say how excited I was that Rowling was exploring his story in the Fantastic Beasts movies. The duel between him and Dumbledore was teased as being one of the best of all time, and I can’t wait for the movies to get there.
Chris, Pick 4
Aberforth is definitely overshadowed by his brother, but he is still a Dumbledore. He is a lot harder and harsher than Albus, but he is still a very interesting character. He sheds light on Dumbledore’s past to our main characters in the last book, and is instrumental in helping them. It would be interesting to see him have played a more major role in the books. I feel like he would have been very wise, like his brother, but with a no BS attitude with Harry and the gang.
Matt, Pick 4
There are a number of great animal characters throughout the series. Chris took a great one earlier in Fawkes (a little early for my liking, but to each his own). And of course there’s Hedwig, arguably the most well-known animal/creature in the Potterverse. But Hippogriffs are awesome. It’s no small task to get a Hippogriff to trust and respect you. But once you’ve found yourself in their favor, you have a fiercely loyal and protective friend for life. Plus, Buckbeak attacked that dingus Malfoy when he insulted Buckbeak. That can’t go unnoticed.
Matt, Pick 5
Lee Jordan, none other than the Weasley Twin’s best friend. This kid was electric. We were given a little taste of Lee’s potential in the movies, as he was often shown as the Quidditch announcer. But there was much more of him throughout the books, often as the Quidditch play-by-play man there as well. And he was great. I feel like he deserved some more screen time, and I don’t think it would have been too difficult to get him in a few extra scenes throughout the film series.
Chris, Pick 5
Firenze was a character I knew I needed on my “team.” I risked drafting him until a later round hoping Matt would let him pass, and I got lucky. He is such an interesting character in the first book, one of the best, and I can’t wait to read more about him in the books to come when he takes his post as a Divination teacher. The Centaurs are a very interesting breed in the wizarding world. They understand things that humans could never comprehend. With Firenze being a much more friendly Centaur than the others, he is able to interact with our main characters a little. It feels like he could have played a bigger part, however, and added more help and wisdom. Perhaps he did though with Dumbledore behind the scenes.
Chris, Pick 6
Lily Potter seems to be all that is pure in this world. She was an extremely loving mother to Harry and a great wife to James. She is kind to all people, as shown with her friendship with the creepy Snape all of her life, who is obsessed with her. It is a shame Harry never got to know her in person, but he certainly learned loads about her throughout the series. She is a skilled witch and seemingly flawless person that I am happy is in my squad.
Matt, Pick 6
This guy was awesome. Sir Cadogan took over for the Fat Lady after she was attacked by Sirius Black. He was completely arrogant and full of himself, and ended up being a hilarious character. While the books had their fair share of humor, there weren’t too many legitimate “laugh out loud” moments. But Sir Cadogan provided quite a few. Along with Peeves, he is one character I sorely missed in the movies. Though he did manage an appearance in a deleted scene from Prisoner of Azkaban.
Matt, Pick 7
I love this kid. He was only briefly in the movie for a few brief moments, but when he was, oh boy. His lines were meant to be serious, but for whatever reason, they came off as hilarious to me. I just can’t help it but I lose it every time his parts come up when I rewatch that movie. Good video clips of Bem are surprisingly hard to come by. I guess I’ll leave it by saying, if you know, you know.
Chris, Pick 7
Gilderoy Lockhart, my man. He is such a goon, but man, he is a hell of a character. He honestly stole the show in the somewhat boring Chamber of Secrets. Every time he was in a chapter, he was wildly entertaining. His arrogance is unmatched. He just doesn’t seem to live in the real world, and it is amazing. He is someone I would love to be around in very short periods of time.
Chris, Pick 8
Barty Crouch Jr is another highly underrated character and villain. What we need to remember is that pretty much the entire fourth book he was impersonating Alastor Moody as the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Not only did he do a great job with his impersonation, but he was also an awesome teacher. He actually taught them a lot about the dark arts and how to defend it, and he was a badass teacher that took no shit from Malfoy or anyone. If all of that was not enough, he was actually a very clever villain whose scheme was instrumental in bringing back the Dark Lord.
Matt, Pick 8
There might be some characters I like more, but James Potter simply had to be drafted. Even in death, he was such an important person in Harry’s life and, by extension, in the series as a whole. As great a man as he turned out to be, he was still a flawed human being, as evidenced by incessant bullying of Snape while at Hogwarts. But still, it’s James Potter, Harry’s dad. You can’t talk about supporting characters and not mention James.
Matt, Pick 9
This might have been a reach, but it’s my second to last pick, so I’m good with it. To be honest, I don’t remember how the book portrayal compares to the movie, so this pick is just based off the movie version. And movie Cormac is great. He was a nice slice of humor added into the darker movie that Half-Blood Prince was. He has a few great notable moments in HBP.
Cormac vomiting on Snape’s shoes is a classic moment. But what’s even better is how he goes big and meets Snape’s gaze after the fact. And he’s able to hold it through until Snape turns to talk to Harry. Snape typically intimidates most students, so Cormac doing this is no small thing.
(Skip to 0:57 if the video doesn’t start there.)
Then there’s the Slug Club dinner. This clip doesn’t really need any explanation. Just soak it in.
(Skip to 1:37 if the video doesn’t start there.)
Also, Cormac got robbed at the Quidditch tryouts. Anyone with half a brain can see that Cormac is a better Keeper than Ron. And it’s not particularly close.
Chris, Pick 9
I believe Flitwick is also underrated. He is the goofy, lovable charms teacher and head of Ravenclaw house. He is exceptionally clever, always a good teacher, and a skilled wizard and fighter. Flitwick is a solid guy I felt good about drafting, and wish we got more of him throughout the series.
Chris, Pick 10
Pretty much every Weasley is rock solid, except Percy of course. Charlie seems like such an interesting character, that we don’t get to know very much in the series. His profession is something like a dragon handler, and helps the gang out a couple times. I am surprised he didn’t become more of a major character once shit started going down in the final book. Either way, it is clear he is a pretty awesome guy and am happy to have him rounding out my squad.
Matt, Pick 10
Neville was undraftable, so I had to get a Longbottom in here somewhere. Augusta’s presence was mainly felt off-page, though she did show up at the “Battle of Hogwarts” to fight (because of course she did). She was stern with Neville but look how awesome he turned out. This quote from Neville describes Augusta about as well as anything:
“Thing was they bit off a bit more than they can chew with Gran. Little old witch living alone, they probably thought they didn’t need to send anyone particularly powerful. Anyway, Dawlish is still in St Mungo’s and Gran’s on the run.”
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