We all know Harry wouldn't have gotten anywhere without Hermione and that Dumbledore is still the wisest man we know. We have watched Neville Longbottom transform from a stuttering, blundering first year into a courageous, confident fighter, and we all went through too many emotions to name after learning the truth about the greasy bat of the dungeons, Severus Snape.

But what about all the other great characters that aren't as well known or loved? Whether good, bad or ugly, these Harry Potter characters have one thing in common: they don't get the attention they deserve.

1. Professor Sybill Trelawney

She may be bumbling, vague and possibly not as in tune to the "beyond" as she claims to be, but Hermione's least favorite professor is the reason why Harry Potter became Harry Potter. The infamous prophesy she revealed to Dumbledore (about a boy who has the power to defeat The Dark Lord) is the reason Lord Voldemort hunted down James and Lily Potter. Without Trelawney, Harry, would have a lot fewer omens of death, and would probably not be the Boy Who Lived we all know and love.

2. Peeves the Poltergeist

At times we love him, and at times we hate him. A constant nuisance to Hogwarts and to its students, Peeves is one of the most mischievous ghosts to haunt the pages of Harry Potter. His sworn worst enemy is none other than Argus Filch (who can blame him) and he put his hijinks to good use when he used his powers of mischief against the deplorable Dolores Umbridge. Peeves' legacy of pranks will put even Fred and George to shame, and he did not even make an appearance in the movies.

3. Professor Horace Slughorn

Let's face it, we all wanted to be invited to the "Slug Club" and hoped to be "collected." As selective and flamboyant as Slughorn may be, he harbors the secret that is the key to the Dark Lord's demise. His role may not be as heroic or ostentatious as others, but in humbling himself, and his legacy, Slughorn helped to save the fate of the Wizarding World.

4. Kingsley Shacklebolt

We don't get to see much of Kingsley, but he is a pivotal part of the Order of the Pheonix. Kingsley works at the Ministry of Magic and defends what he, and the Order, believe in, even while the Ministry of Magic falls to corruption and fear around him. There is a reason he is elected Minister after the Battle of Hogwarts.

5. Helena Ravenclaw (The Grey Lady)

Stealing her mother's diadem, running away, and being murdered by a crazed ex-lover sounds more Shakespearean that Harry Potter, but alas, this is just Helena's life before ghost-hood. Even when it would be easier to lie low and save herself, Helena decides (albeit begrudgingly) to help guide Harry Potter to her mother's lost diadem (that just so happens to be a horcrux). Helen may not be the happiest, or most loved, of the Hogwarts ghosts, but her aid in Harry's quest should not be forgotten.

6. Remus Lupin

Known as "Moony" to some and "Professor" to others, you may argue that The Marauders get enough attention, but Professor Lupin as we all know and love him does not. While he has flaws (i.e. being a werewolf) he never lets his problems turn him into a victim. He is the kind of person who carries chocolate on him in case someone needs cheering up and is hands down the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher Harry ever had.

7. Madame Pomfrey

Hogwarts would be nothing but one magical malady after another if it weren't for Madame Pomfrey. It seems she can (and does) solve anything thrown her way from re-growing bones to un-petrifying students. The moment she really made a spot in our hearts was when she helped our favorite Gryffindor Hermione shrink down her teeth (and then some.) Madame Pomfrey has nothing but the safety and best interest of the students at heart and works tirelessly to do so.

8. Stan Shunpike and Ernie Prang

Basically the hippies of the magical world, these two men drive around in a magical bus all day picking up strangers and carrying them all over the Wizarding World. They've seen it all, been everywhere, and care not (they continue to call Harry "Neville" even after being corrected.) It may not be the hardest job and they may not be the most glamorous characters, but Stan and Ernie are not to be forgotten.

9. Petunia Dursley

Cold, pretentious and hostile, Petunia Dursley looks down with scorn on all with gifts or abilities that she does not possess. At the heart of Petunia, though, is a girl struggling with regret and jealousy at not being born with magical abilities like her sister, Lily. While none of her actions are justified, Petunia struggles with human emotions we all can relate to as a muggle looking on the outside of a magical world.

These characters are ambitious, quirky and courageous in their own way. Though they may not ever get attention, or credit they deserve, their actions have an impact greater than they could imagine.