Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is one of the most acclaimed educational establishments in Harry Potter. Like Beauxbatons Academy and Durmstrang Institute, it forges young pupils into formidable witches and wizards. Hogwarts alumni include some of the greatest magic-users of the 20th century — Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Severus Snape, and Lord Voldemort, to name a few.

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The Harry Potter narrative correctly presumes that students can be as gifted as their teachers, even if a shade less experienced. In fact, the Dark Lord would have never been defeated without the tireless actions of the Golden Trio and their allies. That said, some pupils are naturally more gifted than others.

10 Vincent Crabbe Learns To Cast The Devastating Fiendfyre Curse

Crabbe and Goyle stand with their arms crossed in Harry Potter.

Along with Gregory Goyle, Vincent Crabbe spends most of his time as Draco Malfoy's boneheaded minion. He fails his Fifth Year O.W.L. exams, indicating that he's exactly as intelligent as he sounds. Crabbe may not exhibit the stereotypical Slytherin shrewdness, but he's certainly capable of casting the darkest magic known to Wizardkind.

He learns a variety of jinxes and hexes from Alecto and Amycus Carrow, although it's still not clear how he knows the devastating Fiendfyre curse. The very fact that Crabbe uses Fiendfyre sets him apart from the rest of his cohort, regardless of what happens to him in the end.

9 George & Fred Singlehandedly Flip Umbridge's Draconian Regime On Its Head

Fred and George Weasley share a smirk in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

Fred and George aren't exactly known for their scholastic accomplishments. On the contrary, the twins flaunt their poor test results as a sign of their disinterest in academia, much to their mother's chagrin. Fred and George set up a thriving business with some monetary support from Harry, offering their customers a magical range of DIY joke products.

Their inventions are incredibly complex; even Hermione is impressed by Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Fred and George singlehandedly turn Umbridge's draconian regime against her, a testament to their limitless capacity for mayhem. The twins enhance their combat prowess during their stint in Dumbledore's Army.

8 Luna Lovegood Fights Death Eaters Without Relying On Verbal Magic

Luna Lovegood casting a Patronus with Dumbledore's Army in Harry Potter

Luna Lovegood's flighty demeanor doesn't negate her magical potential in the slightest. Harry teaches her several spells in The Order of the Phoenix, which allows her to fight opponents far older and more experienced than she is.

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Luna is capable of casting highly advanced spells, such as the Patronus charm. In The Deathly Hallows, she successfully stuns Alecto Carrow without uttering the incantation, revealing her proclivity for nonverbal magic. Luna understands how to treat exotic creatures like Thestrals, showcasing her unique skillset.

7 Draco Malfoy

Draco Malfoy appearing stressed and haggard in The Half-Blood Prince

Draco's grades are surprisingly high, especially considering his aversion to hard work. He earns excellent marks in Potions, Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Transfiguration, placing him in the upper echelon of Hogwarts students.

Bellatrix helps Draco improve his magical expertise, effectively making him one of the strongest fighters in the story. He eventually turns away from the Dark Arts and (mostly) sheds his elitist attitude. Nevertheless, Draco Malfoy remains a proficient duellist well into his forties, as seen when he battles Harry in The Cursed Child.

6 Neville Longbottom's Martial Magic And Unbreakable Willpower Make For A Deadly Combination

Neville Longbottom standing on the bridge in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

While Neville's timid personality often makes him a bullying target, he displays his Gryffindor mettle on many occasions. He courageously blocks the Golden Trio from embarking on a dangerous mission in The Sorceror's Stone, even if his attempt is ultimately fruitless.

Neville exhibits his unbreakable willpower at the Battle of Hogwarts when he decapitates Nagini, Lord Voldemort's last remaining Horcrux. Neville Longbottom evolves into a mature, assertive young man, eventually becoming the resident Herbology professor at Hogwarts, as well as the Head of Gryffindor house.

5 Ron Weasley Plays An Integral Role In Voldemort's Eventual Defeat

Ron Weasley holding Scabbers in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Having grown up around his overachieving siblings, Ron initially lacks the confidence to trust his own magical talents. He can easily cast spells of varying degrees of power, from the simple Boggart-Banishing Spell to remarkably complicated defensive charms.

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Ron's knowledge of Wizard's Chess helps Harry reach Quirrell and the Philosopher's Stone, whereas his insights into the Wizarding World prevent the Golden Trio from going down the wrong path. He plays an integral role during the Battle of Hogwarts, helping defeat a number of Death Eaters, including Fenrir Greyback. Ron's Auror career is extra proof that he's not someone to be trifled with.

4 Cedric Diggory Is Officially Chosen By The Goblet Of Fire, Indicating His Innate Magical Talents

Cedric Diggory 1

The Goblet of Fire officially selects Cedric Diggory to represent Hogwarts in the Triwizard Tournament, highlighting his innate magical talents. Ron describes his innovative spell during the First Task, calling it "a pretty cool bit of Transfiguration."

Cedric's offensive combat style serves him well over the course of the tournament — he successfully fights his way through the maze and reaches the Triwizard Cup, albeit at the same time as Harry. Unfortunately, Cedric never gets the opportunity to develop his strengths further because he turns into another casualty of Voldemort's bid for power.

3 Ginny Weasley Dispatches Her Opponents With A Masterful Blend Of Spellcasting And Footwork

A close up on Ginny Weasley's face.

Although tricked by Tom Riddle's Diary-Horcrux in The Chamber of Secrets, Ginny has very few weaknesses with respect to magical prowess. She is an exceptional duellist, efficiently dispatching her enemies with a masterful blend of footwork and rapid-fire spellcasting.

Ginny is involved in countless fights during the Second Wizarding War, surviving all of them with little more than scratches. Unlike most wizards and witches in the story, her Patronus is completely corporeal, taking the shape of a horse. Ginny is one of the few heroic characters who uses dark charms, hexes, jinxes, and curses, almost always to great effect.

2 Harry Potter Ends Lord Voldemort's Reign Of Terror And Saves The Wizarding World

harry potter spell

Despite Snape's constant assertions to the contrary, Harry proves his magical worth on innumerable occasions. He impedes Voldemort's attempt to acquire the Philosopher's Stone, kills the Basilisk of Slytherin, protects Sirius Black from the Dementor's Kiss, and manages to survive Avada Kedavra twice.

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Remus Lupin commends Harry's "pronounced aptitude" for Defense Against the Dark Arts, the only subject where he performs better than Hermione. Harry Potter isn't merely the Boy Who Lived, but the man who ends Lord Voldemort's reign of terror and saves the Wizarding World.

1 Hermione Granger Is The Smartest Witch Of Her Age And The Strongest Hogwarts Student In The Series

hermione potion

Hermione Granger is the "cleverest witch of [her] age" and the strongest Hogwarts student in the series. Harry and Ron are deeply proud of their friend's prodigious skill and genius intellect, often relying on her intuition to save the day. Hermione can perform nonverbal and wandless magic with little difficulty, even in extremely precarious situations.

Her martial style frequently incorporates non-offensive spellwork, confusing her opponents into reacting recklessly. Hermione is a magical hurricane — most people caught within her attack range are unlikely to emerge unscathed. She later sets her sights on a political career and is inevitably elected Minister for Magic.

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