In the bewitching world of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is divided into four illustrious houses, each representing unique traits and qualities. One of these houses, characterized by wit, learning, and wisdom, is Ravenclaw.
Over the series’ extensive narrative, we meet several Ravenclaw characters, each contributing significantly to the storyline with their intellect and individuality.
In this guide we rank the most famous Ravenclaw characters, delving into their roles, personalities, and the distinctive traits that align them with their house’s ethos.
Here are the 10 most famous Ravenclaw characters.
10. Quirinus Quirrell
Quirinus Quirrell is most famously known for assisting Lord Voldemort with his evil scheme of stealing the Sorcerer’s stone. Even though he resisted initially, he eventually succumbed to the Dark Lord’s powers.
In his early life, Quirrell was a shy and quiet individual. His classmates often teased him because of his timidity. The bullying initiated a lifelong thirst for attention.
He left his teaching position at Hogwarts in hopes of finding what was left of Voldemort. He hoped that he would get famous by finding the defeated Dark Lord. Or at the very least, hoped he would learn something from him.
Once Voldemort took over his body, Quirrell returned to Hogwarts as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
Voldemort only used him to access the school and later referred to Professor Quirrell as a fool.
Professor Quirrell died in a standoff with Harry Potter about the Sorcerer’s stone.
9. Ignatia Wildsmith
You may be familiar with Floo Powder, but not its inventor. Ignatia Wildsmith was an exceptional witch. She invented Floo Powder which would transport witches and wizards from one fireplace to another.
We see this used frequently in the Ministry of Magic.
She is mentioned as a notable member of Ravenclaw House to first-year students when they are sorted into Ravenclaw.
She is also memorialized on a Chocolate Frog Card for her valuable and brilliant invention.
8. Millicent Bagnold
Millicent Bagnold is renowned for being the British Minister of Magic when Voldemort was first defeated.
During this time, she also presided over the trials of Death Eaters, who the jury sentenced to Azkaban. Some of which included Bellatrix Lestrange and Bartemius Crouch Jr.
Around that time, Harry Potter’s godfather, Sirius Black, was wrongfully accused of playing a part in James and Lily Potter’s death.
The innocent Sirius was sent to Azkaban as well.
7. Gilderoy Lockhart
Gilderoy Lockhart was a celebrity in the wizarding world. He wrote many books on his encounters with Dark creatures and scary tales of his numerous adventures.
It wasn’t until later that everyone found out he was stealing these stories from other witches and wizards. He used a Memory Charm to make them forget what they told him.
Because he spent so much of his time perfecting the Memory Charm, he could do little to no other magic.
Lack of knowledge was his downfall when he became the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts.
However, he only took this position because of his need for fame and attention. He exhibited this when he had his students purchase only his authored books as textbooks for the class and nothing else.
When the Chamber of Secrets was opened, he pretended like he knew its whereabouts all along and even pretended to know about the monster.
When Ron and Harry make him take them into the Chamber of Secrets, he tries to cast the Memory Charm. However, it backfires, and he wipes his memory instead.
He spends the rest of his days as a patient at Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.
6. Cho Chang
Cho Chang is mainly known for her romantic relationship with Cedric Diggory and then with Harry Potter.
She is very intelligent, kind, and popular among the houses. She was one of the few people who did not mistreat Harry when the Goblet of Fire chose him.
Cedric’s death inspired her to join Dumbledore’s Army. She kindled a relationship with Harry during this time. Unfortunately, their relationship fell apart when her fellow Ravenclaw friend tells on their group.
Even though her friend did something terrible, she stood by her, showing how fiercely loyal she was.
5. The Grey Lady (Helena Ravenclaw)
The ghost that roams Hogwarts, known as The Grey Lady, is the daughter of Rowena Ravenclaw.
Helena was jealous of her mother’s ambition and decided to steal her diadem to get back at her. The diadem was her mother’s most prized possession, and whoever wore it grew in wisdom.
Rowena Ravenclaw became ill and sent Bloody Baron, who was in love with Helena, to get her daughter and bring her back.
When Helena refused to go back, Bloody Baron killed her and then himself in regret.
They both return to Hogwarts as ghosts. Later, Tom Riddle flatters Helena and tricks her into giving him the location of the diadem and turns it into a Horcrux.
4. Garrick Ollivander
Garrick Ollivander was a half-blood wizard and was praised as the finest wandmaker in the world. His family had a long history of association with wand-making, and he excelled at it in his younger years before he opened his shop.
He completely reinvented the craft of wand-making, and his wands were better than all others.
Because he had thoroughly studied the elder wand, he was captured by Death Eaters and tortured by Voldemort for information.
Harry Potter, Hermione Grainger, and Ron Weasley rescue him, and he eventually returns to selling wands.
3. Luna Lovegood
Luna Lovegood is seen as the eccentric, lovable, and somewhat odd yet fan-favorite member of Ravenclaw. Her father (the editor of The Quibbler) raised her after her mother died when Luna was nine years old.
Because she witnessed her mother’s death, she can see the invisible horse-like creatures that pull the Hogwarts carriages, called Thestrals.
She was known as a kind and comforting friend to all. She was never afraid to be her unique and individualistic self. Even when teased or bullied for her “strangeness,” she still stood by what she believed.
She was a crucial part of Dumbledore’s Army in the beginning and later when she co-led the group alongside Neville Longbottom and Ginny Weasley.
When she was older, she married Rolf Scamander, the grandson of Newt Scamander. She became a Magizoologist and traveled the world to discover magical creatures.
2. Filius Flitwick
Filius Flitwick was unique in the sense that he was part-goblin and part-wizard. In general, goblins were not well-respected in the wizarding world and were viewed as lower in status.
However, Filius proved them wrong as he excelled in school. He went on to become the Charms Master and Head of Ravenclaw House.
He was known for being very wise, funny, and kind, and he treated all his students fairly, no matter what house. For this reason, his students loved him.
He was instrumental in protecting the Sorcerer’s Stone with enchantments. He also used spells to protect Hogwarts from Voldemort during the Battle of Hogwarts.
1. Rowena Ravenclaw
The most famous Ravenclaw in Harry Potter is Rowena Ravenclaw. She is one of the four founders of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Rowena is known for her wisdom, creativity, and cleverness. She wanted the students that were put in Ravenclaw House to exhibit these character traits as well.
As mentioned above, her daughter stole her precious diadem, and Rowena became fatally ill. Some say she eventually died of a broken heart because of her daughter’s betrayal.
One of her notable acts is standing up to Salazar Slytherin when he wanted to make it a rule that only pureblood witches and wizards could attend Hogwarts.
Her (and the other co-founders) belief that Hogwarts was a place for all drove Salazar to leave for good.
