Books
One of my favorite things in Harry Potter is the abundance of minor characters. No matter how large or small a part they play in Harry's story, every character we encounter in the Wizarding World is full of life. That's part of what makes the world of Harry Potter feel so real and comforting: Opening up the books is like being reunited with hundreds of your friends.
Whether we encounter them in the hustle and bustle of Diagon Alley or they're a regular roaming the halls of Hogwarts, each person in the series has their own flair, from tiny quirks to truly wild style.
And of course, every minor character in Harry Potter has a truly fantastic name. Sometimes I think that the more minor a character is, the more fantabulous their name is. (Although of course, when it comes to kooky names, you can't really beat Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. )
So let's take a moment to appreciate some of the often overlooked characters that make the world of Harry Potter so special. Many of these characters didn't make it into the movies, so it's hard to find a picture of them. But once you hear their names, you're certain to grin with nostalgia.
1
Sir Cadogan
Or rather, the portrait of Sir Cadogan. Courageous to a fault, this over-the-top knight is always rearin' to go. Every time the trio enlists his help (whether intentionally or not) it's always a treat to see Sir Cadogan spring into action.
2
Dedalus Diggle
Dedalus is one of my personal faves. Not only does he have a fantastic name, but he and Harry go way back. He first met Harry before Harry knew he was a wizard, while Harry was shopping with his aunt and cousin. Dedalus bowed to the young Boy-Who-Lived, bewildering Harry and infuriating Aunt Petunia. Every time he meets Harry, he gets a little starstruck, which I find absolutely adorable.
3
Florean Fortescue
The owner of the ice cream shop in Diagon Alley, Florean Fortescue is best remembered for giving Harry free ice cream and helping him with his History of Magic homework at the beginning of Prisoner of Azkaban.
4
Violet
Also known as The Fat Lady's friend, Violet is the biggest gossip of the Hogwarts portraits. She and The Fat Lady are always getting drunk on wine from other paintings and cajoling Harry. Her own portrait hangs in a small chamber off the Great Hall.
5
Justin Finch-Fletchley
Justin's a Hufflepuff in the same year as Harry, and we see him around Hogwarts a lot. Justin tends to believe everything he hears, and we often see him at the business end of magic gone awry. Harry saves Justin from being attacked by a snake in Chamber of Secrets, and he eventually becomes a member of the D.A.
6
Mrs. Figg
I freaking love Mrs. Figg, and she always gets looked over. She spends over a decade living next door to Harry, babysitting him from time to time (and making him miserable), and she doesn't reveal to him that she's a Squib until Order of the Phoenix. How baller is that? And of course, she is the ultimate cat lady.
7
Hermione's Parents
Though we get a lot of the Weasley parents, we really don't see or hear a lot from these two. We know that they're dentists, and that they're Muggles, and that's basically it. (Though, they seem to be extremely supportive and accepting of Hermione!)
8
Romilda Vane
Such a minor character, but once you hear her name you can't help but giggle at the memories. In Year 6, this Harry Potter groupie tries to ensnare Harry with love potion-filled chocolates, but accidentally gets Ron instead. Good times!
