With so many characters in the Harry Potter Universe, it's easy for some to miss the credit they deserve. Some one needs to say it: Here is a brief list of some of the most deserving characters who don't get nearly enough credit!
1. Neville Longbottom
If there is one underrated figure throughout the entire Harry Potter series, it is Neville Longbottom. Neville is revealed to be the other child that could have fulfilled the prophesy against Lord Voldemort besides Harry Potter. This is incredibly ironic, as Neville leads Dumbledore's Army and the rest of the students against the death eaters in The Battle of Hogwarts, and destroys the final horcrux so Harry is able to destroy Voldemort once and for all. He also causes a large amount of trouble for the Carrow siblings during his seventh year at Hogwarts.
Throughout his school years, Neville is described as a bumbling, incapable student, as well as a very awkward child in general. He a few shining moments, such as trying to stop the Golden Trio from getting in trouble, making vast improvements while in Dumbledore's Army, and fighting alongside Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Luna during The Battle of the Department of Mysteries.
It is also revealed that Neville was raised by his Grandmother because his parents, Frank and Alice Longbottom, were tortured into catatonia by Bellatrix Lestrange. During the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, Neville is taunted by Bellatrix over his parents.
Despite his awkward youth, Neville transforms into a leader during "The Deathly Hallows", truly showing why he was sorted into the Gryffindor house. In the final battle, Neville shows great bravery by standing up to Voldemort directly. He is then able to pull the Sword of Gryffindor out of the sorting hat, something no one but Harry had done previously. He then goes on to defeat Fenrir Greyback alongside Ron Weasley.
Throughout the series, Neville never waivers in his loyalty to Harry, despite the trio brushing him off at times. He is eventually made the godfather of Harry's son Albus, which Harry considers a large honor.
2. Luna Lovegood
Most people assume that Luna is insane, like Hermione does when she is first introduced. However, Luna becomes a very close friend of Harry, as well as an unflappable ally.
She is in Ginny's year at Hogwarts, and she fights alongside everyone during The Battle of the Department of Mysteries. Later on, while the trio is on the run, she is pulled out of Hogwarts by her father when it becomes too dangerous.
Luna is kidnapped by death eaters in order to force her father to stop printing positively about Harry in the Quibbler. It may also have to do with her close association to Harry as well. She is later rescued, alongside Dean Thomas and Ollivander, from the Malfoy's dungeon.
She goes on to duel Bellatrix Lestrange with Hermione and Ginny during The Battle of Hogwarts. Despite what people think of her, Luna supports Harry fully, and never hesitates to assist him, whether it be emotionally, or through battle.
3. Charlie Weasley
Charlie Weasley isn't included in the movies, but he is shown somewhat often within the books. He is revealed to live and work in Romania, handling dragons at the dragon sanctuary there. He assisted in handling some of the dragons during the Tri-Wizard Tournament.
When The Order of the Pheonix is restarted, Charlie is quick to join alongside his family. He remains in Romania and is in charge of recruiting foreign wizards into the organization.
During the final battle, Charlie lead a large group of reinforcements against the death eaters, possibly turning the tide of the battle.
Though he is not shown much, Charlie never abandons his family despite being so far away, unlike Percy Weasley.
4. Fred and George Weasley
Ah, the Weasley Twins. Who doesn't love this duo (Besides maybe Umbridge and Snape).
After Umbridge catches Dumbledore's Army, Fred and George stage an elaborate exit from Hogwarts, involving fireworks, a portable swamp, and much more, thus not finishing their education.
With funds provided by Harry from his winning from the Tri-Wizard Tournament, the twins begin their own joke shop called Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. It is wildly successful, though likely to become a target for Voldemort's forces due to their blatant antagonism, and the fact that they are members of probably the most prominent light family.
The twins are shown to be incredibly close to Harry and Hermione, perhaps seeing them as unofficial younger siblings. They are also very protective of their sister Ginny.
The twins participate in The Battle of the Seven Potters, were George loses an ear at the hands of Severus Snape. This does not faze either of the men, who proceed to take any opportunity to use "ear-related humor".
Both twins also participate in The Battle of Hogwarts, which results in the tragic death of Fred Weasley (which most of us are in complete denial of). George is forced to continue on without his twin brother, which is further emphasized over the fact that the twins were identical, meaning every time a member of their family looks at him, they are reminded of Fred.
5. Lee Jordan
Most people forget about Lee Jordan, as after the first movie, he mysteriously disappears. Best friend of Fred and George Weasley, Lee is often seen as an accomplice to their pranks. He is friends with Harry and the rest of the Weasleys, and ends up joining Dumbledore's Army. During The Golden Trio's time on the run, Lee runs an underground radio show called Potterwatch, intended to spread hope and updates on The Order of the Phoenix, as well as a list of the dead.
Lee Jordan is one of the only people to date, besides Ginny and Molly Weasley, that could pull the Twins back from going too far with their pranks. He also willingly returned to help fight The Battle of Hogwarts, were he and George slam Yaxley, a death eater, to the ground following the death of Fred Weasley.
He then goes on to assist George at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes with Ron Weasley. It is a fair assumption that Lee would have spent the coming years helping George recover from the loss of his twin brother, and Lee's own best friend.
Throughout it all, Lee tirelessly devoted himself to the cause against Lord Voldemort, despite the personal risk, and never waivers in his belief in Harry.
6. Nymphadora Lupin
Nymphadora, known as "Tonks" or "Dora", was an auror who dedicated herself to the Order of the Phoenix. A half-blood, a Metamorphmagus (which is extremely rare) and a Hufflepuff, Tonks was infamous for being incurably clumsy. It is also said that she was in Charlie Weasley's year at Hogwarts. Our first introduction to her is in "The Prisoner of Azkaban", when she is sent to help escort Harry from Little Whinging.
Tonks is one of the lead ministry members in The Order, and is stretched incredibly thin leading up to The Battle of Hogwarts. Not only is she incredibly pressured with her work for The Order, but she also fell in love with Remus Lupin, which caused her emotional stress, due to the fact he thought he was too old, and feared hurting her due to his being a werewolf. In the end, Tonks prevails, and she and Remus marry, leading to their son, Teddy Lupin being born.
Despite having just given birth to her son a few months earlier, Tonks does not hesitate to fight in The Battle of Hogwarts, ultimately dying at the hands of her aunt, Bellatrix Lestrange.
Throughout the entirety of the Harry Potter series, Tonks does not waver once in her loyalty to her family and friends. This woman managed to be stubborn, powerful, self-assured, and loyal while still trying to see the beauty of life in the darkest of times.
7. Andromeda Tonks
Mrs. Andromeda Tonks (nee Black) is the mother of Nymphadora Lupin (nee Tonks). In Hogwarts she was sorted into Slytherin along with her older sister Bellatrix, and her younger sister Narcissa. She is said to look nearly identical to her sister Bellatrix.
Andromeda is entirely excluded from the movies, but in the books it is relieved by Sirius Black that she was disowned for marrying Ted Tonks, a muggle-born Hufflepuff. She is a supporter of the Order of the Phoenix, and even provides a safe house for Harry and Hagrid after The Battle of the Seven Potters.
Not only is she completely alienated from her family, excluding Sirius, she also loses her husband, daughter, and son-in-law, all over the span of a few months. She then proceeds to raise her grandchild, Teddy Lupin, with the help of Harry and the Weasley family, all the while standing as a figure for the abashment of the Slytherin stigma. If that isn't the definition of a strong female character, I don't know what is.
There are many more deserving characters in the Harry Potter Series as well. Did your favorite unknown character get mentioned? Let us know!
