Highlights
- The battles in the Harry Potter series are pivotal moments that shape the characters and the overall story. They are not easy to get through and involve the loss of many lives.
- The battles reveal the darker and more complex nature of the series as it progresses, with characters like Cedric Diggory and Sirius Black meeting their tragic ends.
- The battles serve as significant turning points, marking the rise of the Dark Lord and the awakening of his power, as well as the growth and development of Harry as a character.
The Harry Potter series started in the early 90s, taking the world by storm for its heart-touching and clever storyline. Starting as a novel made for children, the series has evolved tremendously throughout the 7 books and 8 movies.
Harry Potter: 7 Wizards Who Survived Forbidden Curses
There exist forbidden curses in the Harry Potter world capable of extinguishing life, but what of those wizards that survived such a fate?
In the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, many memorable battles are poignant in the movies. Many are centered around Harry and the golden trio, cementing their importance in the stories. Many battles are won, but some are not easy to get through. The loss of many lives is painful, yet it strengthens each of the golden trio into the great wizards they have become.
7 Harry vs. The Basilisk
The Destruction Of The First Horcrux
- Notable Combatants: Harry Potter, Basilisk
If Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone works as a foundation or introduction to the Harry Potter universe, then Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets marks the beginning of the series to a darker, more complex story.
Harry Potter: 7 Great Places To Hide A Horcrux
Though Voldemort thought he hid his Horcruxes quite well, Harry Potter proved he could have hidden them much better.
The secret battle of Harry fighting off an ancient monster in the Chamber of Secrets slowly cements Harry’s character as the designated hero and main character, while also introducing Voldemort’s more detailed backstory that is poignant in the later series. This battle also indirectly lets the fandom peek into the first Horcrux, albeit the concept was not fully developed at that time.
6 The Graveyard Battle
Harry & Voldemort's First Duel
- Notable Combatants: Voldemort, Harry Potter, Cedric Diggory, James Potter, Lily J. Potter
As Harry Potter grew older, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire solidified the series into a more complicated story. Straying away from the whole made-for-“children” vibe, the series takes an even darker turn as one of the characters, Cedric Diggory, passes away in front of the audience.
No more sugar-coating, no more happy ending, the battle that takes place in the Little Hangleton Cemetery marks the beginning of the Dark Lord’s awakening and rise to power. Even the Ministry of Magic did not want to believe it, as the casualties from this event were too scary to even think about.
5 The Battle Of The Department Of Mysteries
First Battle of the Second Wizarding War
- Notable Combatants: Sirius Black, Harry Potter, Mad-Eye Moody, Lucius Malfoy, Bellatrix Lestrange
The battle of the Department of Mysteries is indeed a painful event for Harry Potter. There, he witnesses the death of the only family member he has left, his Godfather, Sirius Black. Without glazing over his trauma, the death of Sirius Black works as a reminder to the Wizarding World that the dark power is getting stronger, and their danger is not to be underestimated.
Harry Potter: 8 Best Deleted Scenes, Ranked
The Harry Potter series houses some incredible deleted scenes, begging the question of why they were cut in the first place.
It also marks another growth for Harry as a developing character, as he deals with grief over Cedric Diggory, Sirius Black, and the horrifying future he has to deal with if he keeps Voldemort in control in the sick game he plays.
4 Dumbledore vs Voldemort
A Stalemate of Powerful Wizards
- Notable Combatants: Albus Dumbledore, Voldemort
Taking place in the Ministry of Magic soon after the battle of The Department of Mysteries, it leads to one of the most important moments in the Harry Potter universe. Lord Voldemort, who has been regaining his power, is facing off against Dumbledore in a compelling battle.
Harry Potter: The 7 Worst Things Done By Lord Voldemort
Voldemort gained his reputation for being an evil wizard by doing all manner of terrible things, but these vile acts were easily the worst.
However, this is also where he realizes that Dumbledore is too powerful, and therefore, he tries to take control of Harry instead. Harry, who was grieving about his Godfather’s death, is finally able to sever their link, as he uses his strongest weapon just like his mother, love. After the battle, there is also the moment when the Ministry of Magic finally realizes their ignorance is not bliss.
3 The Battle Of The Seven Potters
Order of the Pheonix vs Death Eaters Results in Tragic Loss
- Notable Combatants: Alastor Moody, Hedwig, Death Eaters
The battle of the Seven Potters started with the parting of the Dursleys with Harry Potter, reminding the fandom that the series is taking everyone towards the end of the stupefying journey. The Order of the Phoenix members turns themselves into 7 identical Harry Potter with the help of Polyjuice Potion, who still got a trace from the Ministry as an underaged wizard.
Although seemingly short in the movie, the battle took quite a long time in the book. Alastor Moody and Hedwig, unfortunately, passed away at the hands of Death Eaters, adding another guilt and pressure on Harry’s shoulders.
2 The Battle of The Astronomy Tower
Snape Betrays Dumbledore
- Notable Combatants: Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape
Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince is one of the greatest series for several reasons, but notably, the shocking twist that came out of it is undeniably influential. Dumbledore, a well-known wizard in the Wizarding World, was killed by Severus Snape, although Draco Malfoy was supposed to do the deed.
The battle also leads towards an even sinister change in the series, as Dumbledore’s moral values and past are challenged by his brother and acquaintances later on. Nonetheless, the death of Dumbledore also changed the entirety of Hogwarts and the Wizarding World, making Harry even more desperate to defeat Voldemort.
1 The Battle of Hogwarts
The Final Fight of the Second Wizarding War
- Notable Combatants: Harry Potter, Minerva McGonagal, Neville Longbottom, Weasley Family, Lord Voldemort, Bellatrix Lestrange, Lucius Malfoy, Fenrir Greyback
After years of adventures and memorable moments, the livelihood of the Wizarding World almost comes to an end. After months of searching for clues amidst emotional and painful fights, the Golden Trio is going towards the end of their journey to the Battle of Hogwarts. Many other wizards are also coming to participate in the battle, risking their lives.
Although many are killed along the way, including Snape, who is working as a double agent, Lord Voldemort only wants to kill Harry Potter. After using the resurrection stone to “meet” his dead loved ones, he sacrifices himself. The sacrifice works in his favor as it only kills Voldemort’s soul in his body, leading to Voldemort’s demise. Many innocent lives were taken in this battle, but they did not die in vain.