They say good things come in threes, which is certainly the case for Harry Potter's iconic Golden Trio of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Their adventures in the Wizarding World turned them into some of the most cherished characters of the late 1990s and the 2000s, captivating millions of fans all over the world with their friendship.

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Despite their many good traits, the Golden Trio is guilty of several mishaps over the eight films that are overlooked in favor of their heroism. They might have the best intentions, but in the end, they're just teenagers under pressure making some questionable (and straight-up terrible) decisions.

10 They Were All Terrible Dates At The Yule Ball

Harry Potter Yule Ball

The Triwizard Tournament in The Goblet of Fire allowed Hogwarts students to mingle with the strong warriors of Durmstrang and the clever ladies of Beauxbatons. As a celebration and sign of good faith, Hogwarts organized the Yule Ball and sent the entire student body into a date-searching frenzy.

After being rejected by their first options, Harry and Ron attend the ball with the Patil twins, who they completely ignore for the entire event after refusing to dance with them. Even Hermione, who attends with Victor Krum, ends the night fighting with Ron and leaving her date behind.

9 Flying The Ford Anglia & Almost Exposing The Wizarding World

Harry Potter Ford Anglia

Harry and Ron aren't known for thinking before acting. Their recklessness has often landed them in troublesome situations, including the time they couldn't access platform nine and three-quarters, so flew all the way to Hogwarts in Mr. Weasley's magical Ford Anglia instead of asking for help.

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Harry and Ron could've easily messaged Dumbledore or any other magical authority via Hedwig. However, their panic ended up exposing the Wizarding community instead. The Ministry did some quick damage control before things could escalate, but Potterheads are reminded that if Hermione was there, the incident wouldn't have happened in the first place.

8 Hermione Confounding McLaggen So Ron Would Make Keeper

McLaggen on the quidditch pitch in Harry Potter

Hermione is a stickler for the rules, but she completely defied them in The Half-Blood Prince when she confounded McLaggen during the Gryffindor Quidditch tryouts. The Confundus charm managed to distract McLaggen so he missed the ball and ended up being a runner-up for the Keeper position.

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Not only was the move completely uncharacteristic for Hermione, but it was also incredibly unfair to both McLaggen and Ron, who were meant to compete fairly for their place on the team. All fans can agree that McLaggen deserved to be humbled, but Hermione's method was certainly not the best way to go about it.

7 Incapacitating Neville In The Philosopher's Stone

Harry Potter Neville

Harry's fellow Gryffindors, Neville Longbottom goes through one of the biggest transformations over the eight films, ending the saga as a brave and powerful wizard. In The Philosopher's Stone, an eleven-year-old Neville is mostly shy and insecure, but he does demonstrate some of his future courage when he stands up to Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they're sneaking out of Gryffindor Tower.

Hermione quickly Petrifies him, leaving Neville incapacitated in the middle of the common room. The Golden Trio apologizes as they step around their friend's immobile body, but how sincere can they be if they think it was for his own good?

6 Accidentally Framing Dumbledore By Using His Name For Their Defense Group

Harry Potter movie image featuring Dumbledore's Army

Their fifth year at Hogwarts is tough for the Golden Trio. Not only is Voldemort back, but there's a terrible Defense Against The Dark Arts professor ruining their chances of truly learning magic. Given Umbridge's awful lesson plans, Hermione proposes the creation of a secret study group led by Harry. The only problem is, they name it "Dumbledore's Army" without realizing the trouble they'll cause by using his name.

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When Umbridge finds out about their clandestine meetings, she confronts Dumbledore about his secret army and accuses him of conspiring against the Ministry. The Golden Trio's mistake forces Dumbledore to take the blame and go into hiding until the end of the film.

5 Harry Casting Sectumsempra On Draco Malfoy

Harry Potter Draco Malfoy Upset

When Harry rejected Draco Malfoy's offer of friendship in The Philosopher's Stone, he began a rivalry that would continue well into their teenage years. However, in their sixth year, things escalated into truly dangerous territory when Harry suspected Draco of following in his father's Death Eater footsteps.

During a heated battle in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, Harry casts Sectumsempra without knowing what the curse would do, which severely injures an already weakened Draco. Harry feels tremendously guilty for his actions but the damage is already done.

4 Breaking Into The Ministry & Getting Sirius Killed

Harry Potter Sirius and Harry

The Golden Trio is known for jumping the gun and involving themselves in situations that could get them, or others, killed. In The Order of the Phoenix, their reckless decision to infiltrate the Ministry leads to the death of one of the series' most beloved characters: Harry's godfather, Sirius Black.

Considered one of the most heartbreaking and important moments in Harry Potter, Sirius' death could've been avoided if Harry and his friends had contacted a member of the Order before jumping to conclusions. Unfortunately for everyone, Bellatrix got what she wanted and killed her cousin in cold blood.

3 Accidentally Exposing Lupin's Lycanthropy

Harry Potter Werewolf Lupin

Although Snape was technically the one who revealed Lupin's secret, the Golden Trio still played a hand in exposing his lycanthropy. If they hadn't been at the Shrieking Shack with Sirius, Lupin wouldn't have left without forgetting to take his Wolfsbane Potion, which led to his transformation under the full moon.

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Lupin was the best Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher Hogwarts had seen in a long time. So, his resignation was a true loss for the entire student body who'd come to admire him during his tenure. Although Lupin went on to live a short yet fulfilling life as an Order member and husband and father, fans would've loved to see him in Hogwarts a little longer.

2 Impersonating Ministry Officials & Getting Them In Trouble

Harry Potter Ministry of Magic

Learning nothing from their stunt in The Order of the Phoenix, the Golden Trio decides to break into the Ministry again in The Deathly Hallows —Part 1. Their elaborate plan consists of disguising themselves as Ministry officials with Polyjuice Potion and looking for the Horcrux under Umbridge's possession.

Unfortunately for them, things don't go smoothly. They soon discover that the wife of the man Ron is pretending to be is being interrogated, and if her trial doesn't go accordingly, she could potentially go to Azkaban. They do manage to save her from Umbridge's clutches in the end, so there's that, at least!

1 Ron Leaving Harry & Hermione During The Horcrux Hunt

Ron Weasley in a tent in Harry Potter

Over the years, the Golden Trio fought and disagreed from time to time, but their most heartwrenching fight was when Ron left Harry and Hermione during their hunt for Horcruxes. Ron's jealousy was amplified by the Horcrux around his neck, and after a nasty confrontation, he breaks under the pressure of his own dark feelings, strides out of the tent, and leaves.

He eventually returns and apologizes for what he did, but abandoning his friends remains one of his worst decisions in the entire series. After he rejoins his friends, Ron becomes a lot more assertive about his feelings for Hermione and has a sincere, albeit short, conversation with Harry that makes their bond stronger than ever.

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