The world of Harry Potter turns out to be much darker than what audiences might expect. The magical realm does not entirely lack enchanting elements, yet the narrative still leans heavily into many troubling aspects. If the main character, Harry Potter, emerges from tough circumstances, facing dangerous battles, then his journey is often laden with unfortunate events.
At least the group, known as the ‘Golden Trio’, has a brighter adventure than the four characters listed below. All of them had to confront significant hardships. Some experienced tragic deaths, and others were burdened with losses that were never acknowledged.
4. Myrtle “the moaning” is the first victim of Tom Riddle, who later became Lord Voldemort, haunting Hogwarts as a ghost.
To be frank, Myrtle “the moaning” has a serious reason behind her tragic fate. She became the first victim of Tom Riddle – who later transformed into Lord Voldemort.
After her tragic death, Myrtle became a ghost haunting the girls’ bathroom (and occasionally other bathrooms) at Hogwarts.
Specifically, in 1943, Myrtle, while still a Hogwarts student, was brutally attacked by the Basilisk, under Voldemort’s control. After her death in the bathroom, her spirit became permanently attached to this place. From then on, she transformed into the moaning ghost, often scaring Hogwarts students and even giving Harry Potter (Myrtle briefly mentioned the Chamber of Secrets to Harry).
Myrtle’s tragic death stuck her in the bathroom, unable to escape her gloomy existence.
3. Professor Snape was tragically manipulated from his childhood, becoming a tragic figure to conclude the series’ grand narrative.
No doubt about it, Professor Severus Snape is one of the most tragic characters in the Harry Potter series. With the title of “the half-blood prince”, Snape grew up in a dysfunctional home with a Muggle father and a witch mother. His childhood was marked by rejection, especially since Lily, his childhood crush, fell in love with James Potter – who became Snape’s greatest rival, leading to his eventual unhappiness.
Even when Snape began his career at Hogwarts, he still faced significant challenges. With a difficult personality that made students fear him, Snape also concealed deep feelings for Harry Potter – the son of Lily. The most painful moment came in the last movie when Snape was forced to kill Dumbledore under the orders of the headmaster, aiming to protect Harry from Voldemort.
At the moment of death, Snape’s hand froze in mid-air. Fortunately, Harry Potter later recognized the true nature of Snape’s love for Lily, culminating in the poignant phrase “Always”.
2. Sirius Black was wrongfully imprisoned, suffering the loss of family and dying tragically due to a betrayal.
As a wealthy and talented individual, Sirius Black had the potential to be a significant figure in the wizarding world, but he instead chose a different path. Rather than listening to his family, Sirius rebelled against their values, became an outcast, and was ultimately betrayed by his best friend, Peter Pettigrew.
In his youth, Sirius Black not only formed a close friendship with James Potter – one of the most talented students from Gryffindor but also became a target of betrayal. Tragically, Sirius was falsely accused of betraying James and was sentenced to life in Azkaban. Even after more than a decade in prison, Sirius remained innocent. The more he tried to save his godson Harry Potter, the more he faced danger, ultimately leading to his quick death at the hands of the deranged Bellatrix Lestrange.
1. Neville Longbottom is the most tragic character in the films, having to endure immense loss.
As one of the two heirs of the prophecy “the boy who lived”, Neville Longbottom shares many similarities with Harry Potter, but his path is more tragic and psychologically complex. While Harry simply inherits the legacy of his parents, Neville’s background is difficult to interpret. After being attacked by the Death Eaters, Neville’s parents went insane, leaving him with a physical presence but a lost identity, often overlooked by others.
With the name “Longbottom”, Neville was continuously bullied at school.
Thus, Neville grew under the care of his grandmother – a strict person who lived alone and despised any form of weakness. The young boy often felt isolated and yearned for acceptance. His love story with Luna Lovegood also faced many obstacles, as he struggled to express himself. Fortunately, in the series’ final moments, Neville bravely stood up and defeated Nagini. Sadly, his journey had been filled with turmoil since the start of the Harry Potter series, as Neville struggled with his identity.
Source: Compilation
