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The Smartest 'Harry Potter' Characters, Ranked by Intelligence

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The 10 Most Underrated Quotes from the Harry Potter Movies, Ranked

The devastating '28 days later' moment that completely changes the movie's meaning, james cameron's wild r-rated spider-man would've changed marvel forever.

It’s hard to believe, but it's been 20 years since the premiere of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone , the first of eight films in the Harry Potter series. The highly-anticipated 20th anniversary reunion, Return to Hogwarts , will premiere on HBO Max on New Year's Day, January 1, 2022, and will bring back most of the series’ stars including Daniel Radcliffe , Rupert Grint , Emma Watson, and many others .

In celebration of the 20th anniversary, we are taking a look back at the film series and remembering its most intelligent witches and wizards. Since intelligence can be measured using a number of factors, I've narrowed it down to one's knowledge of the magical arts as well as one's mastery and application of that knowledge for the sake of this list. Of course, some of the characters on this list will have many more years of experience, so that must be kept in mind as a natural caveat. Lastly, there are plenty of characters who undoubtedly would make it on to this list but given their limited screen time (since we're not taking into account the lore from the novels), there isn’t enough material to sufficiently judge their place in the line-up.

Without further ado, I present to you a ranking of Harry Potter ’s most intelligent characters.

RELATED: Most Powerful Wizards in the Harry Potter Universe, Ranked

9. Fred and George Weasley

It may come as a surprise to see Hogwarts’ most notorious pranksters on the same list as intellectual legends such as Hermione Granger and Professor Dumbledore. But despite their chaotic antics, Fred and George Weasley ( Oliver and James Phelps ) show no shortage of intelligence, creativity, and business savvy. The Weasley twins started their own joke shop business with Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes and were selling gag gifts to their peers as early as their fourth year at Hogwarts. Fred and George may have dropped out of Hogwarts in their seventh and final year in the most epic and outrageous exit in Hogwarts’ history, but their intelligence continued to blossom and branch into a successful business that carried on even after Fred's death (RIP).

8. Luna Lovegood

Intelligence comes in many forms, and there is no better example of that than Luna Lovegood ( Evanna Lynch ). Luna displays wisdom far beyond her years, though her classmates often dismiss her intelligence as kookiness. Luna is fueled by pure, raw curiosity, a desire to learn the mysteries of the universe, which makes her scope of knowledge unique and often misunderstood. She proves to be invaluable in Harry's quest to defeat Voldemort when she suggests Harry look for the Horcrux in Ravenclaw's Lost Diadem, and she is also one of the very few people with the nuanced emotional intelligence Harry needs in moments of loss and hardship.

7. Remus Lupin

Remus Lupin ( David Thewlis ) was essentially the Hermione Granger of his friend group at Hogwarts, the level-headed companion trying to keep his friends from causing endless mischief and mayhem. Along with Sirius Black, James Potter, and Peter Pettigrew, Remus was one of the original creators of the Marauder's Map, the highly advanced magical document that was first introduced in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban . He was also one of the only professors of the Defence Against the Dark Arts during Harry's time at Hogwarts who actually knew a thing or two about the Dark Arts! Granted, the bar is low, but Professor Lupin clearly had the extensive knowledge, emotional intelligence, and wisdom necessary to make an excellent teacher and mentor to Harry.

6. Sirius Black

Along with James Potter and Peter Pettigrew, Sirius ( Gary Oldman ) learned in his fifth year how to become an unregistered Animagus, a highly advanced form of magic that allows the witch or wizard to transform into an animal at will. He was also the only prisoner to ever escape from Azkaban, the most notoriously fearsome and heavily dementor-guarded prison in the wizarding world, without outside help. Sirius’ headstrong personality sometimes skewed his judgment, like when he insisted on accompanying Harry to the train station in the form of his Animagus Padfoot, but ultimately, Sirius was one of the most intelligent members of the Order of the Phoenix and Harry Potter characters in general.

5. Minerva McGonagall

Professor McGonagall ( Maggie Smith ) is Professor Dumbledore’s right hand, and following his death, an excellent successor as Headmaster of Hogwarts. There is no doubt that she is one of the most intelligent witches of her generation. She is a skilled Animagus and a master of Transfiguration, one of the most complex and dangerous forms of magic, and her actions during the Battle of Hogwarts further cemented her status as a skilled sorceress and certified badass. Also, Dame Maggie Smith just naturally exudes intellectual superiority in everything she does, so her version of Professor McGonagall earns her a few extra points.

4. Severus Snape

Professor Snape ( Alan Rickman ) is a divisive character, particularly given the fact that he bullied a child for years because he still harbored a grudge with his dead father (who, admittedly, really was a jerk). That being said, Snape does go down as one of the most courageous, intelligent, and skilled wizards in the Harry Potter universe. He was the only wizard to master Occlumency so expertly that he was able to deceive the Dark Lord himself and serve as a double agent for years. He was also one of the most gifted Potions Masters, able to create complex elixirs such as Veritaserum and Wolfsbane Potion, as well as a highly skilled duelist and practitioner of the Dark Arts. The self-proclaimed Half-Blood Prince, Snape showed signs of brilliance (and maliciousness) at a young age, having created his original curse Sectumsempra when he was a student at Hogwarts.

3. Hermione Granger

It's hard to picture Harry and Ron surviving without Hermione Granger, the brightest witch of her time. In her second year — at a mere 12 years old — Hermione figured out that the monster inside the Chamber of Secrets was a basilisk. In her third year, she deduced that Professor Lupin was a werewolf. Throughout the entirety of their friendship, Hermione's logical prowess and iron-clad memory kept Harry and Ron alive, quite literally. Hermione is a naturally gifted powerhouse of knowledge, but she doesn't rely on natural ability alone. Hermione is endlessly dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and is always reading and studying and gathering information that will help her in the future. Hermione is one of the most intelligent characters in Harry Potter not because of her wealth of knowledge, but her application of that knowledge that she proves time and time again, especially in Deathly Hallows Part I when her strategizing, quick thinking, and preparedness kept Harry and Ron alive on their hunt for the remaining horcruxes.

2. Tom Riddle/Voldemort

Professor Dumbledore once said that Tom Riddle, a.k.a. Lord Voldemort, a.k.a. "He Who Must Not Be Named" ( Ralph Fiennes / Hero Fiennes Tiffin / Christian Coulson ), was the most brilliant student that Hogwarts has ever known. The magical mastery needed to create the horcruxes alone is beyond comprehensible, and that was just the tip of the iceberg. Voldemort was an unparalleled master of Occlumency and Legilimency, the ability to penetrate the minds of others while also shielding one's own. He was the only wizard known to have the ability to create and control Inferi using the Dark Art of Necromancy and the only known wizard besides Dumbledore to be able to apparate silently. During his time at Hogwarts, a young Tom Riddle showed early signs of terrible greatness that rivaled even Albus Dumbledore himself.

1. Albus Dumbledore

Said to be the only wizard that the Dark Lord himself was afraid of, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore ( Richard Harris / Michael Gambon ) was considered to have been the greatest wizard of all time. His intelligence is unmatched, particularly when it comes to his tactical genius that led to dismantling the Dark Lord's plans and ultimately forging a pathway to his defeat following years of predicting, planning, and strategizing. Dumbledore also showed an emotional intelligence that allowed him to pierce through Voldemort's nature long before he became the Dark Lord. His ability to see into the heart of those around him, as well as his natural intuition, deductive skills, strategic thinking, and magical mastery, is what ultimately leads him to make difficult choices for the greater good, even if that means sending Harry down a path that can only end in sacrifice.

• Movie Features
• Harry Potter

12 Harry Potter Themed Airbnbs You Can Actually Stay At

• Airbnb hosts around the world are offering fully immersive Harry Potter-themed experiences, from cozy nooks under the stairs to rooms inspired by Hogwarts Castle and Diagon Alley.
• These accommodations cater to Potterheads with magical decor, themed bedrooms, and even activities like feasts and magical classes, allowing fans to relive the series and indulge in the wizarding world.
• Locations such as Salem, Massachusetts, Edinburgh, Scotland, and Colmar, France offer unique Harry Potter experiences, allowing guests to explore the real-world inspirations behind J.K. Rowling's magical universe.

Face it: no matter how old you are, a part of you will always wish you could have received an acceptance letter inviting you to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Fortunately, some Airbnb owners have been transforming their vacation homes into fully immersive, Harry Potter-themed experiences.

From magical decor to wizard activities, lodgers worldwide are providing the most excellent places to stay for the ultimate Potter fan (known as Potterheads). Take a look at just some of the options below and plan a trip for just you or the entire family: no brooms or Floo Powder required!

UPDATE: 2023/09/01 17:18 EST BY NOAH STAATS

We've Found More Harry Potter-Themed Airbnb's To Visit This Year!

This article has been refreshed with a new Harry Potter-themed Airbnb listing, as well as links for booking all of these properties. Whether you're a fan of the movie books or want to spice up the next vacation you plan, here's to the wizarding world of Harry Potter! Have fun!

Harry Potter “Closet Under the Stairs” Experience (Sparks, Nevada, United States)

• You can book this Airbnb here .

One fun experience for Harry Potter fans in Nevada is the "Closet Under the Stairs" Airbnb listing. Here, people can experience a night under a stairwell mimicking the Harry Potter movie and book. Moreover, those here will stay in a comfortable nook under the stairs modeled after Hogwarts Castle and the magical world therein. This stay will be an experience like no other. Guests will also have access to all common muggle facilities in the home. At a nightly rate of roughly $55, you can't beat this property while in Nevada! The owner has amazing reviews as well.

This Airbnb is also roughly 45 minutes from Lake Tahoe, putting it in the Northern part of the state. Nearby Reno, Nevada, may also be worth checking out while here.

Harry Potter & Fantastic Beasts Fan Dorm (Salem, Massachusetts, USA)

What better way to have a witchy vacation than traveling to the location of the Salem Witch Trials ? Choose from the School Dorm Room . The owner will not only provide you with plenty of suggestions of Salem haunts to check out but also provide you with a proper English breakfast in Mrs. Weasley's Breakfast Nook!

You'll spot plenty of familiar creatures in the Fantastic Beasts room and have the option of sleeping in either Harry or Ron's bed in the School Dorm room. (You can only enter the School Dorm room if you tell the Pink Lady portrait the password, of course.)

West Bow Flat (Edinburgh, Scotland, UK)

Any true Potterhead knows Edinburgh, Scotland, is a must-visit , considering it is where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write the Harry Potter series! Not only is this apartment near Edinburgh Castle, but it actually resides on West Bow—Rowling's inspiration for Diagon Alley!

For $126 a night, you and up to three other guests can stay right where the magic started. The living room is covered in a wallpaper of portraits, reminiscent of the walls of endless moving paintings at Hogwarts. Complete with a bookshelf of antique books and an otherworldly chandelier; this Airbnb will transport you to the magical universe Rowling created just around the corner.

RELATED: These Are Some of The Most Interesting Themed Hotels In the World

Wizarding Home (Kissimmee, Florida, USA)

If you're planning a trip to visit the Harry Potter theme park at Universal Studios Orlando , this wizard home is only ten miles away. This impressive Magical Manor is available with a pool and a game room, that's certainly worth the price!

The dining room is complete with floating candles, and you are welcome to choose the themed bedroom that corresponds with your favorite Hogwarts House. With five bedrooms, all equally regal, luxurious, and perfectly magical, it'll be hard to decide which of the nine beds you'll want to sleep in!

The Common Room (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada)

Travelers sorted to Gryffindor (and also happen to be heading to British Columbia's Victoria) should book a couple of nights in The Common Room. Designed after the Gryffindor Common Room, this Airbnb is every Harry Potter fan's dream!

This condo is decked out with a decorative rug and a faux fireplace and adorned with a mélange of Harry Potter memorabilia, making visitors feel like they're hanging out at Hogwarts. You may even spot a popular house elf in the kitchen (make sure you give him a sock to free him of his master)!

Harry Potter Fan's Dream (Chickamauga, Georgia, USA)

Every nook and cranny of this home in Chickamauga is Harry Potter-themed, and if you look closely enough, you'll find some hidden magical surprises! With the den styled to look just like the cozy Gryffindor standard room and the beds styled to look like the beds you would see in your typical Hogwarts dorm, you will feel wholly transported into the magical world of a Hogwarts student.

There are plenty of games provided for you and your guests and lots of magical trinkets and knick-knacks to observe! Up to four guests can have this magical experience for $86 per night.

RELATED: Airbnb Hacks To Make Your Stay More Affordable (And Enjoyable)

A Magical World of Wizards & Witches (Tagaytay, Philippines)

The owner of this condo in the Philippines indeed went all-out, importing merchandise from Warner Bros. and Universal Studios to make sure guests have plenty of fantastic photo ops. You can sit in a Three Broomsticks booth to eat or wash your hands in a sink built into a model of the Hogwarts Express.

With plenty of Harry Potter knick-knacks, a pool, and all the movies already loaded up on the 43" Smart TV, this condo aims to be fan-friendly while also high-end.

Magical Potter Apartment (Prague, Czech Republic)

Feel like heading to Prague?

This cozy apartment can host up to 13 dedicated Potterheads! The owners have ensured that each option is fully furnished in the most magical ways. With super cool Harry Potter-themed wall art and modern, fresh furniture, these are the perfect places to stay to take in all Prague has to offer in wizard style.

Blackburn Academy Of The Magical Arts (Springville, Utah, USA)

This large home is not just a place to stay— it's a wizarding school ! The property owners provide feasts and magical classes, just as if you were an actual student at Hogwarts. The property is 129 years old, so it has a historical feel.

Check out the many classrooms, Grand Parlor, and plant conservatory. A place where roleplaying is taken to a 10 is a trip in itself. Their official website has tons of information on the activities and experiences they provide .

Magical Wizarding Residence (Edinburgh, Scotland, UK)

Another Edinburgh location, except this time set smack-dab in Edinburgh City Centre. With a wallpaper of books and a dementor looming over the front room, this apartment is 100% inspired by Harry Potter.

Indulge in all the books and movies while you sip from a Harry Potter-themed mug, and when you get antsy, you have some of the most historic parts of Edinburgh right outside your door. You and a guest can sleep in a modern bedroom with a double bed.

Wizards Way by Loma Homes (Florida, USA)

Wizards Way in Florida, USA, is a Harry Potter-themed house consisting of eight bedrooms. The house is a magical wonderland located at Champion's Gate. People who like Wizarding Home in Kissimmee, Florida, will even love Wizards Way more. The latter is the epitome of fantasy and luxury and sleeps up to 16 guests. They can enjoy the special effects, wizard-themed bedrooms, gorgeous carved beds, ambient sounds, and custom mood lighting. Furthermore, Wizards Way features a Great Hall dining room, an open living room, and a fully fitted gourmet kitchen.

Harry Potter-Themed Room (Colmar, France)

Potterheads will enjoy a trip to Eastern France to stay in this iconic Harry Potter-themed Airbnb in Colmar. The room features two four-poster beds and a Hogwarts-medieval-style bathroom. Visitors to the iconic town in France must include wine tasting in this Alsatian countryside, provided they're adult witches or wizards. The Harry Potter-themed room can sleep up to four guests, and the price starts at $113 per night. Who doesn't love a French AND Harry Potter-themed vacation?

NEXT: It's Easy To See How This London Market Became A Cornerstone Setting In 'Harry Potter'

• Smart Living

If You're TRULY Obsessed With Harry Potter, Then This Is the 1 Map You Need in Your Life

One of the biggest "Muggle struggles" for Harry Potter fans is the fact that, despite how real they seem in our imaginations, magical locations like Hogwarts and Diagon Alley don't actually exist as we know them. But as Professor Dumbledore would surely remind us, why on earth should that mean they're not real? Thanks to HP-fansite Pottermore and Time Out London , travelers now have a veritable Marauder's Map of all the London locations mentioned in the books or shown in the movies. Even though we can't enjoy a pint at the Leaky Cauldron or check our balance at Gringott's, this comprehensive guide means that we can at least visit the spots that inspired those fictional establishments.

We've included closer-up shots below, but you can also open the above map in another window to explore it in full-resolution. Visit Time Out for deeper explanations about map additions, such as:

• Film location number two: the London Zoo Reptile House (where Harry has his first encounter with a Brazilian snake)
• Book location number four: Vauxhall Road (where young Tom Riddle buys his famous diary)
• Film location number 13: Scotland Place (where the phone booth entrance to the Ministry of Magic is located)

Next time you visit London, these 19 spots will definitely be at the top of your Harry Potter bucket list !

• Harry Potter
• Travel Inspiration

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We fell in love with Disney World in 2011 during our first family vacation there. While we originally thought we’d visit Disney once a year, we have been to Disney World and Disneyland dozens of times while also working on our family 50 US State Challenge.

I only write about activities we have personally done. This means you can trust all our travel reviews, tips, and tricks knowing we have really experienced what you are researching.

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