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Apart from its magical world-building, the Harry Potter series is best known for its one-of-a-kind, and eclectic cast of characters. The original film series follows J.K. Rowling's original book series, and as a result, struggles to squeeze everything about every character into the films. However, some witches, and wizards have set themselves apart as highly intelligent.

Though many older, and more experienced wizards have an advantage, several young wizards put up a fight. Whether book smarts, "street" smarts, a lifetime of learning potions, magical beasts, or the dark arts, every witch, and wizard has their own skills, and abilities that prove their intelligence.

Updated on October 31, 2023, by Andrea Sandoval: The Harry Potter series has plenty of outstanding characters, especially when it comes to intelligence. The best witches and wizards manage to use magic to their advantage, creating innovative and unique magical elements. We updated this list to include more of the smartest characters in the Harry Potter series who possess exceptional skills.

15 Sirius Black Was Reckless But Bright

Member of the Order of the Phoenix

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Harry's godfather, and one of the Marauders, Sirius Black proved himself to be intelligent upon his first mention in the series. To be the only prisoner to ever escape from Azkaban, and without any outside help, requires brilliance, and complex magic. Sirius mastered this complex Animagus magic during his fifth year at Hogwarts, so he could keep Lupin company on full moons.

Though he was a prankster while in school, and even a bully, teachers noticed, and respected his intelligence. After his escape from Azkaban, Sirius had not yet proven his innocence and was forced into hiding. Sirius still managed to give Harry advice on the Dark Arts, and on Voldemort, proving he learned much during the First Wizarding War.

14 Rubeus Hagrid Knows A Lot About Magical Creatures

Professor of Care of Magical Creatures

Best known as Hogwarts' gamekeeper, before being instated as the Care of Magical Creatures professor, Rubeus Hagrid has a true world's education. Though expelled from Hogwarts during his third year after being wrongly framed, Hagrid kept up with his education, finding ways to learn through real-world experiences.

Apart from knowing everything about Hogwarts and its grounds, Hagrid is well versed in the world of magical creatures, which is why he was granted his position. From a young age, he had an appreciation for all kinds of creatures, starting with his dangerous pet tarantula, Aragog, then failed attempts to raise a dragon and werewolves. Despite these hiccups, few wizards know as much about fantastical beasts as Hagrid.

13 Fred and George Weasley Understand Business

Inventors and Entrepreneurs

Considered Hogwarts' mischievous pranksters, Fred and George Weasley were never seen as intelligent, especially when compared to their perfect older brother, Percy. However, Fred and George are quite brilliant for their age, using their magic to create inventions, gag gifts, and candies, rather than studying.

After school, Fred and George used their entrepreneurial skills to open up their own gag shop, which proved to be quite successful. Putting their business on hold during the Second Wizarding War, Fred and George proved to be powerful wizards in action as well. However, Fred was devastatingly killed in battle, and George continued to run their business to honor his brother and the inventions they created.

12 Ginny Weasley Is A Quick Learner

Quidditch Player and Journalist

When Ginny first arrived at Hogwarts, she was naive enough to let Tom Riddle convince her to help him. However, she grew up to become way smarter than that and turned into one of the most intelligent characters in the Harry Potter series. Throughout the books, Ginny proved to be a fast learner. She showed great talent at Defense Against the Dark Arts and Charms, learning difficult spells from a very young age.

The younger Weasley, Ginny is one of the smartest of the bunch. Even though she isn’t particularly known for being good at school like Percy, her expertise at spells and attacks inspired fear in the rest of the student body. Her brothers underestimate her because she’s a girl, but she proved them wrong.

11 Regulus Black Is The Forgotten Hero

Kreacher obsessively stares at Regulus Black's locket

Former Death Eater (Betrayed Lord Voldemort)

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Even though Sirius's younger brother, Regulus, allowed Voldemort to groom him into his ranks as a young boy, he soon saw the Dark Lord for the villain he really was. Soon enough, he plotted to kill him by destroying one of his Horcruxes.

Regulus was only a kid when he realized Voldemort’s plan with the Horcruxes, and he even taunted him about it. He was faster to understand Voldemort’s quest than some of the smartest wizards of his time, such as Horace Slughorn or Albus Dumbledore. Unfortunately, people often ignore his doing in the war against the Dark Lord, which has granted him the moniker of the Forgotten Hero.

10 Luna Lovegood Is the Smartest Ravenclaw

Magizoologist and Fiel Studies Professor

Luna Lovegood's intelligence has been present since being sorted into Ravenclaw, a house known for its members' wit and wisdom. Though brushed off by classmates as being "looney," Luna is one of the most underrated characters in Harry Potter. Luna is constantly reading and has a hunger to learn as much as she can about everything.

Luna's interest in fantastical beasts and creatures drives her to learn about them, making her one of the few students well-versed in the field. Luna proves to be highly educated in Defense Against the Dark Arts, joining Dumbledore's Army upon Voldemort's return. Despite minimal practice, her knowledge of the subject allows her to protect her friends, and even attack a Death Eater while just a fifth year.

9 Remus Lupin Was Harry's Mentor

Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts and Member of the Order of the Phoenix

One of the Marauders, Remus Lupin was a student at Hogwarts before becoming one of the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers. Before Snape, Lupin was the only professor to actually be knowledgeable about the subject and was able to teach Hogwarts students how to protect themselves.

Infected with lycanthropy, Lupin transforms into a werewolf once a month. As a student, Lupin was separated from his peers to protect them and eventually used this time to study Hogwarts' grounds. He and the Marauders used this knowledge to create the Marauder's Map, managing to use the Homonculous Charm at a young age. Lupin made sure to pass much of what he knew onto Harry before his death.

8 Harry Potter Is Smarter Than People Think

Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement

While Harry wasn't particularly bright when it came to his academic career at Hogwarts, this was mostly due to his procrastinating tendencies. Harry managed to do great in his O.W.L.s, although he barely studied at all. On top of that, Harry is a quick thinker in battle, swiftly figuring out how to proceed in the most difficult situations, which is an important type of intelligence as well.

Additionally, as an adult, Harry went on to become an Auror, one of the most demanding careers in the wizarding world. Aurors not only have to be exceptionally strong, but they also have to pass a series of difficult written tests that prove their knowledge in different magical abilities.

7 Lily Evans Was The Brightest Student of Her Generation

Hogwarts's Head Girl and Member of the Order of the Phoenix

People don't get to know a lot about Harry's mother, Lily Evans, throughout the Harry Potter series, but by the little they learn is clear that Lily was one of the brightest witches of her generation. Lily excelled as a student at Hogwarts, and she was made Head Girl during her seventh year, a position given to two of the most accomplished students.

What's more, Horace Slughorn included Lily in the Slug Club when she was a student. Slughorn only selected the most promising students to be a part of this small circle of intellectuals and celebrities. Additionally, Slughorn said that Lily was incredibly proficient in Potions. It's obvious that Lily was more or less than Hermione and had she lived, she would have had a promising career in the wizarding world.

6 Professor McGonagall Is An Outstanding Spellcaster

Professor of Transfiguration and Headmistress of Hogwarts

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McGonagall proved to be one of Hogwarts' most charismatic and intelligent students in her youth, receiving top grades in O.W.L.s, and N.E.W.T.s, as well as being a Prefect, and a Head Girl. McGonagall quickly discovered she had a knack for transfiguration, one of the most complex forms of magic, and mastered the art before graduating. She was even awarded the prestigious Transfiguration Today Most Promising Newcomer Award.

After graduating, McGonagall joined the Ministry before returning to Hogwarts as a professor where she'd eventually become the Head of Transformation and later, Headmaster. McGonagall also played an active role in the Second Wizarding War, joining the Order of the Phoenix, and showcasing her arsenal of complex protection spells.

5 Hermione Granger Is Always the Smartest Witch In the Room

Minister for Magic

Written to be the brilliant best friend, Hermione Granger does live up to her character's trope. In most scenes, Hermione can be seen with her head in a book, or wanting to go check one out from the library. She's always at the top of her class, even being called an "insufferable know-it-all" by one of her professors.

While Hermione is also brave, it's her arsenal of information that saves the lives of her two best friends on countless occasions. Her wit and quick thinking prove resourceful, but it's her devotion and curiosity to learning that sets her apart from other witches and wizards.

4 Garrick Ollivander's Memory Is Exceptional

Wandmaker

As one of the most exceptional wandmakers in the wizarding world and the best one in Britain, Garrick Ollivander, better known by only his last name, displays a great intellect. Ollivander has outstanding knowledge about wands, their materials, and magical elements. Ollivander is not only great at creating wands but also assigning them to a wizard.

On top of that, Ollivander shows an impressive memory. He can, without missing a bit, recall every wand he's ever sold and the owner of the wand. While Ollivander isn't one of the biggest characters in Harry Potter, his role in the series is key for Harry to figure out the workings of the Elder Wand.

3 Tom Riddle/Voldemort Was As Bright As Evil

Hogwarts's Prefect and Head Boy, Heir of Slytherin, and the Most Dangerous Wizard of All Time

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Rivaled only by Dumbledore, Voldemort's expansive knowledge of the Dark Arts, and his mastery of Horcruxes, Occlumency, and Legilimency set him apart from other wizards at a young age. Considered to be one of the most powerful wizards of all time, Voldemort's interest in the Dark Arts posed a threat to the wizarding and muggle worlds.

Voldemort's intelligence came from a drive to become immortal, which sparked his interest in Horcruxes. A dark and difficult magic that can only be accomplished through terrible means, Voldemort created his first Horcrux at only sixteen. His intelligence and power only increased with age and instilled fear within the wizarding community until his death during the Second Wizarding War.

2 Severus Snape's Outstanding Skills Helped Save the Wizarding World

Professor of Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts

During his first year at Hogwarts, Severus Snape garnered a reputation for being more intelligent than some of the seventh years, having a solid grasp on the Dark Arts, and even knowing numerous hexes and curses. A victim of the Marauders' bullying, Snape turned to education, teaching himself as much as possible.

Hogwarts' potion master, Snape discovered a talent and passion for potions while in school, even being invited to the Slug Club. Snape also created several popular spells, one of the most famous being sectumsempra, which acts as a testament to his creativity and brilliance. While almost pressured into the Dark Arts, he quickly mastered them, which aided himself, the Order, and Harry in eventually defeating Voldemort.

1 Albus Dumbledore Is Considered the Most Intelligent Wizard in Harry Potter

Order of Merlin First Class, Headmaster of Hogwarts, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, and Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards

Before his death, Albus Dumbledore was considered the most powerful wizard alive and was the only wizard that Voldemort ever feared. His most notable portrayal of intelligence can be seen in his years of planning and organizing a way to manipulate and destroy Voldemort's plans by using Snape as a double agent, and Harry as a pawn.

Though his actions are questionable, Dumbledore creates the only plan that can save the wizarding world. Dumbledore was one of the few wizards who figured out Voldemort had Horcruxes, helping lead Harry to some of them. No matter the situation, it seems that Dumbledore always knows the answer.

Harry Potter 8 Movie Collector's Edition featuring all movie art
Harry Potter

The Harry Potter franchise follows the adventure of a young boy introduced a whole new world of magic, mayhem and darkness. Traversing the obstacles in his path, young Harry's rise to heroics pits him against Lord Voldemort, one of the most dangerous wizards in the world and all his minions.

Created by
J.K. Rowling
First Film
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Latest Film
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2
Upcoming TV Shows
Harry Potter
Cast
Daniel Radcliffe , Rupert Grint , Emma Watson , Maggie Smith , Alan Rickman , Helena Bonham Carter , Ralph Fiennes , Michael Gambon
Where to watch
HBO Max
Spin-offs (Movies)
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them , Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald , Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
Character(s)
Harry Potter , Voldemort
Video Game(s)
Hogwarts Legacy , LEGO Harry Potter Collection , Harry Potter: Wizards Unite , Harry Potter: Puzzles and Spells , Harry Potter: Magic Awakened , Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets , Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1 , Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2