20 most emotional deaths in Harry Potter, ranked 

Christie
Christie's Unveil Classic Week Highlights - Source: Getty

The Harry Potter series is one of the most memorable parts of a whole generation who grew up with it. Even today the significance of the stories remains with the same magic and intrigue. Several characters of the story have left significant marks on us and their tragic deaths were emotional. In this list, we are going to talk about the 20 most emotional deaths in Harry Potter, ranked.

1) Dobby

Dobby | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures
Dobby | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures

Dobby has played a crucial role in Harry Potter’s life. Dobby has saved Harry’s life on several occasions. However, during his rescue mission to save Harry from the Malfoy Manor where he was surrounded by danger, Dobby was attacked by the Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange. The knife Bellatrix threw towards Dobby while he was trying to disappear along with Harry wounded him mortally and he died shortly after in Harry’s arms.

2) Severus Snape

Severus Snape | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures
Severus Snape | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures

Though he initially seemed morally ambiguous towards his motives Severus Snape’s final culmination revealing his true intentions toward Harry has swayed the viewers’ and the readers’ hearts. He was always protecting Harry from the beginning from behind the shadows. His death when he was fatally wounded by Nagini, Voldemort’s snake, was a pivotal part of the movie along with Harry’s life. Harry understood Snpe’s truth and the unwavering love he had for his mother.

3) Sirius Balck

Sirius Black | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures
Sirius Black | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures

Though the viewers were ambiguous about Sirius Black’s true intention towards Harry, eventually his love and care for Harry was revealed. His death in the fifth book and the movie where he was struck by a curse by his cousin Bellatrix Lestrange was extremely emotional and left a significant mark on Harry’s life. Sirius Black was Harry’s godfather and close friend to his parents his death death was a turning point.

4) Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks

Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures
Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures

Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks played a crucial part in Harry Potter’s life. Remus’s relationship with Remus emerged slowly throughout the years starting with Remus’ teachings of Defence Against the Dark Arts. Remus and Nymphadora lost their lives during the battle of Hogwarts which not only had a devastating impact on Harry but also on their orphaned son Teddy.

5) Hedwig

Hedwig | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures
Hedwig | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures

Hedwig, Harry’s beloved companion throughout the years delivered letters to Harry but also provided a sense of companionship during times of Harry’s lonely times. Hedwig’s loyalty and unwavering love towards Harry resonated with the audience and the readers. Hedwig’s tragic death during the Battle of the Seven Potters had a devastating impact on Harry.

6) Fred Weasley

Fred Weasley | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures
Fred Weasley | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures

Fred's death was one of the most devastating deaths in the whole Harry Potter series. Fred and George were known for their comedic relief, uncanny ability to read each other's minds, finishing each other's sentences, and mischievous pranks. Fred had a significant impact on Harry's life. Fred Weasley’s death during the Battle Of Hogwarts was a crucial turning point. His death left a scar on his twin’s life. His death is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of the war.

7) Dumbledore

Dumbledore | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures
Dumbledore | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures

If anyone had a crucial role in Harry’s life and struggles it would be Albus Dumbledore. He was not only the headmaster of Hogwarts but also one of the strongest wizards of all time. Dumbledore’s death at the hands of Severus Snape was a pivotal point. He himself instructed Snape to cast a killing curse on him in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince which was later revealed.

8) Lily and James Potter

Lily and James Potter | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures
Lily and James Potter | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures

Harry’s parents, Lily and James Potter, though died long before when Harry was an infant had a lingering impact on Harry’s life. Their absence made Harry suffer throughout his childhood when he did not even know the truth behind their deaths as it was hidden by the Durselys. Lily and James both died protecting their son from Voldemort when he attacked their house to kill Harry.

9) Mad-Eye Moody

Alastor Moody | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures
Alastor Moody | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures

Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody had a complicated relationship with Harry initially. He died during the Battle of the Seven Potters in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I where the mission was to safely transport Harry from the Dursley’s home. While he was flying on his broom during the battle Moody was struck by the killing curse and died. His death had an immense impact on the Order of the Phoenix as he was a highly respected Auror.

10) Cedric Diggory

Cedric Diggory | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures
Cedric Diggory | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures

Cedric Diggory had a unique relationship with Harry. During the Triqizard Tournament, both Harry and Cedric were chosen to contend in the competition. Cedric However, when Harry and Cedric were passing through the maze they reached a cup which they thought to be the key to escape. However, the cup was a Portkey which led them to Voldemort. There, Peter Pettigrew murdered Cedric with the Killing Curse in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

11) Helena Ravenclaw

Helena Ravenclaw | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures
Helena Ravenclaw | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures

Helena Ravenclaw faced a tragic death in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II. Helena had run away to Albana with her mother Rowena Ravenclaw’s diadem. However, when Rowena sent Bloody Baron to retrieve her daughter, he killed Helena out of rage from unrequited love when she refused him. Helena returned to Hogwarts Castle as a ghost and was named as the Grey Lady.

12) Aragog

Argog | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures
Argog | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures

Aragog, a giant acromantula who lived in the Forbidden Forrest for many years was a beloved spider of Hagrid. Though he died of natural causes in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Hagrid’s grief after his death resonates with the viewers and the readers. Hagrid had cared for Argog since he was a student of Hogwarts and Argog was his companion during his lonely times.

13) Colin Creevey

Colin Creevey | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures
Colin Creevey | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures

Colin Creevey was a young student at Hogwarts who wanted to stand by Harry’s side as a fellow Gryffindor. Despite being told to evacuate because he was underage he disobeyed the orders and stayed back to fight alongside others during the Battle of Hogwarts. However, he was tragically killed by the Death Eaters in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I. His death was a poignant point showing the loss of innocence and the impact of war.

14) Gregorovitch The Wandmaker

Gregorivitch The Wandmaker | Image Via: Warner Bros Pictures
Gregorivitch The Wandmaker | Image Via: Warner Bros Pictures

Gregorovitch was a renowned wandmaker who operated a wand shop. He was famous for his craftsmanship and capability of making powerful wands. He was once in possession of the Elder Wand however it was stolen from him. Voldemort kills Gregorovitch in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I by torturing him when he is unable to give him information about the Elder Wand.

15) Charity Burbage

Charity Burbage | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures
Charity Burbage | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures

Charity Burbage received a tragic ending at the hands of Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I. She was the Muggle Studies teacher at Hogwarts who believed that there should be equality between the muggles and the wizards which made her a target of Voldemort. She was cruelly murdered in front of Severus Snape by the Killing Curse.

16) Frank Bryce

Frank Bryce | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures
Frank Bryce | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures

Frank Bryce also faced a tragic end in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire because him being a muggle and unaware of the world of magic. He was the elderly caretaker of the Riddle House who overheard whispers and noises from the abandoned property. After which he was killed by Voldemort who feared exposure. His death was a crucial point as Harry saw his death through a dream.

17) Vincent Crabbe

Vincent Crabbe | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures
Vincent Crabbe | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures

Vincent Crabbe met with a tragic ending during the Battle of Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II. During his desperate attempt to stop Harry, Ron, and Hermione he cast the dark spell of Fiendfire within the Room of Requirement. The Fiendfire is a powerful and uncontrollable curse that consumes the room and eventually kills Vincent Crabbe.

18) Lavender Brown

Lavender Brown | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures
Lavender Brown | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures

Lavender Brown, known for her strong crush on Ron causing tension between Ron and Hermione faced a tragic death during the Battle of Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II. She was attacked by the werewolf Fenrir Greyback and succumbed to death from the injuries. Though her death was not detailed was a poignant reminder of the impact of war.

19) Bathilda Bagshot

Bathilda Bagshot | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures
Bathilda Bagshot | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures

Bathilda Bagshot was a renowned historian who died tragically at the hands of Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I. She authored the standard textbook of Hogwarts A History Of Magic which was studied by many students including Harry. She was significant to Voldemort in manipulating Harry and Hermione as Bathilda’s corpse was possessed to lure them to Godrick’s Hollow.

20) Senior Barty Crouch

Sr. Barty Crouch | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures
Sr. Barty Crouch | Image Via: Warner Bros. Pictures

Senior Barty Crouch, in the Harry Potter universe, suffered a tragic death at the hands of his son. He had imprisoned his son in Azkaban for his crimes. He also put the Imperius curse on his son to prevent him from joining Voldemort. His death was significant in the series which exposed the secrets of his family.

Love movies? Try our Box Office Game and Movie Grid Game to test your film knowledge and have some fun!

Quick Links

Edited by Zainab Shaikh