The world of Harry Potter is filled with wacky characters dressed in starry robes and waving sticks around in the air. Except, of course, that magic actually exists and these people, irrespective of what Uncle Vernon thinks, are not "abnormal." On the contrary, witches and wizards in the Harry Potter universe are capable of extremely impressive feats.
At the beginning of the story, it's much easier to categorize Harry Potter characters according to their magical strength, but it gets increasingly complicated over the seven years of the storyline. Still, it's possible to make a sensible assessment of combat ability after 2017, the year the epilogue takes place and the characters are well-established in their lives and careers.
10 Draco Malfoy's Achievements Are Outstanding Even If Not Transformative
Draco isn't an exceptional wizard, but he certainly possesses an innate talent for magic; he uses hexes like Locomotor Mortis and Everte Statum in his early years at Hogwarts, exploits that are supposed to be beyond his age.
His combat ability is improved enormously under the tutelage of his aunt, Bellatrix Lestrange, almost defeating Harry in their sixth-year bathroom duel. As an adult, Draco shows himself to be far more proficient despite not being involved in a lot of magical duels in the past couple of decades.
9 Ron Weasley's Magical Gifts Are Partially Clouded By Insecurities
Ron would have been a considerably more powerful wizard had he not been burdened by childhood insecurities, largely brought on by the academic and sporting achievements of his older brothers.
Regardless of his low opinion about his own skills, Ron is actually quite versatile when it comes to magical battles, two prime examples taking place at the Astronomy Tower and the Department of Mysteries. At the Battle of Hogwarts, Ron even ends up saving Draco from an attacking Death Eater.
8 Neville Longbottom Goes From Borderline-Squib To Horcrux-Killer
Neville's accomplishments at Hogwarts are negligible, to say the least, but he shows the most growth of any character in the story. His perceived absence of magical ability leads to him being mocked as a Squib by several people, which only serves to push him further into his shell.
However, his experiences with the Golden Trio and Dumbledore's Army have all but transformed Neville Longbottom into the best version of himself: a hero worthy of the name of Gryffindor.
7 Harry Potter's DADA Talents Help Him Become An Auror
Harry Potter is obviously going to be among the more impressive wizards in a story built around his character, but he's a far cry from the actual powerhouses. Several attributed his success against Lord Voldemort the first time to pure luck, a trend that follows him through his schooling.
Harry's DADA talents are proven when he receives an Outstanding achievement O.W.L. for the subject while Hermione only gets Exceeds Expectations. He is an excellent teacher, strengthening Dumbledore's Army in every possible way. Harry continues this tradition of helping others when he becomes an Auror for the Ministry.
6 Hermione Granger's Intelligence Usually Saves The Day
Hermione has been called everything from "know-it-all" to "the brightest witch of her age," and her mere existence lends validity to these claims. She is unmatched in nearly every single test and exam that Hogwarts throws at its students, proving time and again why she's arguably the most valuable member of the Golden Trio.
Hermione's aptitude for spellwork is nothing short of spellbinding, as expressed by the likes of McGonagall and Flitwick. She is truly a force to be reckoned with.
5 Severus Snape's Skills Are Obvious From His Time At Hogwarts
Snape's mastery is unquestionable; very few people are brave enough to take him on in battle, and even fewer could hope to emerge from the duel unharmed.
His natural interest in Potions results in him becoming the subject's teacher, but he possesses a peerless understanding of charms, curses, transfiguration, and abstract magical concepts like Occlumency and Legilimency. Lord Voldemort acknowledges Snape's brilliance by making him one of his closest and most trusted advisors.
4 Bellatrix Lestrange Learns Everything From Her Beloved Master
Bellatrix Lestrange's viciousness is compounded by the sheer breadth of her magical talents. Already rather adept to start with, she learns a considerable amount of Dark Magic from Lord Voldemort to become his most fearsome lieutenant.
Bellatrix is best known for the capture (and subsequent torture) of the renowned Aurors Frank and Alice Longbottom, but her greatest claim to fame has to be when she murders her cousin, Sirius Black, an eminent wizard in his own right. It can be argued that Bellatrix's loss against Molly Weasley occurs because she miscalculates the latter's intent to kill, and not due to any difference in power.
3 Minerva McGonagall Is A Magical Force Of Nature
Minerva McGonagall's career lies in the field of Transfiguration, but that doesn't mean her aptitude for the other subjects is limited in any way. She effortlessly makes her name for herself during her time studying at Hogwarts, a reputation that is only augmented by her various achievements.
McGonagall displays magical performances rarely seen in Harry Potter, such as animating dozens of armor suits or forcing Snape to play defense (and later flee) during their brief battle in the Great Hall.
2 Lord Voldemort Surpasses Grindelwald's Darkest Imagination
Lord Voldemort is universally considered to be the most powerful Dark Wizard of all time, indicating his superiority over Gellert Grindelwald (a wizard whose skills are not to be scoffed at).
Dumbledore himself is wary of his ex-student, maintaining as much secrecy with the Order as the villain does with his Death Eaters. More importantly, Lord Voldemort is extremely knowledgeable about almost every branch of magic, even if he prefers to rely on their darker aspects.
1 Albus Dumbledore Is Arguably The Strongest Wizard In The World
Dumbledore refers to Tom Riddle as "the most brilliant student Hogwarts has ever seen," but this statement is a reflection of the Headmaster's humility, not his lack of utter genius.
There is a reason that Lord Voldemort spends his life skulking in the shadows while attempting to gain power, and why he openly shows his face in public after Dumbledore's death. If nothing else, consider that Dumbledore snatches victory (and the Elder Wand) from none other than Grindelwald in a duel that takes significant emotional and magical effort.