What can be better than magic? The Harry Potter franchise has stood the test of time, and over the years, fans have grown more and more curious about the intricacies of each character. In such a long-running franchise, it is easy for us as an audience to learn about what makes them unique. The Wizarding World is incomplete without magic, and spells pretty much run every aspect of this franchise. From fights between wizards to what students learn in school, every wizard in this franchise has a go-to spell up their sleeves.
Although the movies are unable to explore and display every spell mentioned in the novels, the ones that we do witness are some that we will not forget for years to come. The most iconic moments from the characters in Harry Potter are attached to certain spells that they choose to use in high-stakes situations and are defining traits of each character. Sometimes, even just a funny scene from a film can attach a spell to that character forever. Here is our list of some Harry Potter characters and their favorite spells.
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10 Harry Potter: Expelliarmus / Expecto Patronum
Warner Bros. Pictures
We probably take the most notes when we see Harry Potter, played incredibly by Daniel Radcliffe, casting a spell. Throughout the entirety of the franchise, Harry is thrown into the most heat, and his skills as a wizard are constantly tested. That being said, his go-to spell has to be Expelliarmus. If you take a look at the one-on-one fights against Voldemort, who happens to be throwing the Killing Curse at him every time, he chooses the disarming spell, Expelliarmus. However, we are also going to give some much-needed love to Expecto Patronum. Harry performing this spell is like a comfort for every character, and everybody’s Patronus is pretty much an extension of the best of them. And that epic moment protecting Sirius in Prisoner of Azkaban? Iconic.
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9 Ron Weasley: Stupefy / Wingardium Leviosa
Warner Brothers
Ron Weasley displaying his magical abilities to the fullest extent are definitely fan-favorite moments. When in combat, Ron’s go-to, and probably favorite, spell would have to be Stupefy. This spell is meant to stun your opponent. It’s quick, and during the fighting the Department of Ministries in Order of the Phoenix, Ron uses this one quite a bit. Also, if we are going to talk about memorable moments, Hermione pretentiously teaching Ron how to cast Wingardium Leviosa (the levitation spell) as well as him using it to defeat a troll in the first movie, proves this spell also has a chance at being his favorite.
8 Hermione Granger: Alohomora
If there is a spell to encapsulate the asset Hermione is to everyone’s favorite magical trio, it has to be Alohomora. Alohomora is, fittingly, the spell that is used to unlock locks. Much like her character throughout the entire series, Hermione is wicked smart, cunning, resourceful, and the best problem-solver. Honestly, if you are a fan of the movies and even the novels, can you imagine anyone else’s voice other than Emma Watson reciting the spell? We definitely can’t.
7 Draco Malfoy: The Protean Charm
Warner Bros.
Draco Malfoy is one of the most complicated and complex characters in the entire series. On one hand, he is definitely a villain. However, as much as he gave Harry a hard time, he was forced to fight a fight he never had a choice in. Therefore, figuring out a spell that is Draco’s favorite is hard and, in the movies, there is no defining moment that cements a spell as his favorite. Based on Harry Potter lore, and an article by The Healthy Journal, Draco’s signature spell is a N.E.W.T standard spell, The Protean Charm.
6 Tom Riddle / Voldemort: Avada Kedavra
You-Know-Who is this franchise’s most formidable villain, and Harry Potter’s arch nemesis, who is constantly out to kill him. The relationship/connection between Harry and Voldemort is a constant push and pull, and Voldemort knows that he cannot win this war unless Harry is dead. So, of course, whenever they find themselves facing each other one-on-one, he is throwing the killing curse (Avada Kedavra) Harry’s way. Not many characters in this series have been bold enough to cast the killing curse like Voldemort is, and it is without a doubt, his favorite spell.
5 Bellatrix Lestrange: The Cruciatus Curse
Bellatrix Lestrange is the perfect example of a ruthless and completely unhinged villain. Watching Bellatrix come to life on screen is watching Helena Bonham Carter at her best. She does not hesitate to do the morally wrong thing every time, and one of the most defining actions of her character is when she tortured Frank and Alice Longbottom using Crucio, the torture curse. Also, after Bellatrix kills Sirius, Harry takes it upon himself to use her favorite spell against her in an outburst of rage.
4 Severus Snape: Sectumsempra
You’ll love him and hate him all at the same time. Severus Snape spends his entire time in the franchise sacrificing his happiness and safety to help Harry and honor Lily. His redemption is well-deserved. As a wizard, if you are in the business of creating your very own spell, it is a shoo-in to be your favorite/signature. In The Half-Blood Prince, Harry discovers Snape’s old potions book that has all sort of cheats and shortcuts as well as a spell “for your enemies.” The spell, Sectumsempra, is used by Harry on Draco and leaves Draco a bloody mess on the bathroom floor.
3 Albus Dumbledore: Firestorm
Albus Dumbledore was a flawed character, but also a rock and mentor to Harry until his death. We see how powerful of a wizard he truly is on countless occasions. However, it is in the intimate moments that we see him at his best. His fight against Voldemort in the Ministry of Magic will forever be iconic. However, in an incredible scene in The Half-Blood Prince, Dumbledore saves Harry using a Firestorm spell after they receive one of Voldemort’s Horcruxes.
2 Remus Lupin: Riddikulus
Remus is one of the Marauders and one of Hogwart’s best Defence Against the Dark Arts teachers. Along with being a father-figure and mentor to Harry, the introduction of Remus Lupin into the Harry Potter franchise is defined greatly by a lesson he teaches to Harry’s class. The class is forced to face a Boggart, a creature that transforms into the worst fear of the person standing in front of it. To defeat the creature, you simply have to recite the spell “Riddikulus.”
1 Neville Longbottom: Herbivicus
Neville’s character growth throughout the franchise’s run is the classic zero-to-hero storyline that every audience member loves. With how beloved Neville is as a character, one of his defining traits is his love for herbology. From his passion for the field to his ability to help Harry during the Tri-Wizard Tournament, it is fitting that his favorite spell is Herbivicus, a spell intended to make plants grow faster. Much like his character, Neville definitely wants his plants to grow as much as he has throughout the course of this franchise.
