10 Harry Potter Characters with the Most Tragic Fates (Besides Harry), Ranked

Harry Potter has definitely had his fair share of life obstacles (to put it lightly) – being the Chosen One will do that to anyone. Here are, however, 10 other characters within the Harry Potter universe who haven’t had the best of luck in life.

10. Severus Snape

OK, Snape’s miserable life was of his own making, but it’s still pretty sad. Growing up in an abusive household, losing your only friend and love, living a double life for decades, and dying knowing that the child you’ve spent your life protecting will die regardless – all of it is tragic, but he lowkey deserved it.

9. Merope Riddle

Voldemort’s mom grew up in a racist family with her father and brother constantly belittling and abusing her. That didn’t give her the right to basically rape and hold an innocent muggle captive for a year, but Merope was a product of her surroundings and didn’t know any better. She died alone giving birth to her only son, who would become one of the most powerful dark wizards of all time, and that’s heartbreaking.

8. Lily & James Potter

Why are Lily and James so far down the list, you might ask? Well, it’s devastating that they died so young, leaving Harry an orphan, but all in all, they were pretty happy in their lifetime – they had great friends (for the most part), each other, and Harry, which is more than some people had back then.

7. Neville Longbottom

This poor kid may not have become the Chosen One in Harry’s place, but he did lose his parents to the war as well. In some ways, his loss is even greater, considering that Frank and Alice are driven to the point of not recognizing their own son, but they are still alive and breathing.

6. Nymphadora Tonks

This aspiring Auror shouldn’t have died so soon. Tonks had just found love and started a family when her life was so tragically cut short. It’s not fair, but it’s exactly what war does to people in the end.

5. Ariana Dumbledore

Dumbledore’s sister got attacked by some Muggle boys, resulting in her not being able to control her magic and becoming an Obscurial. She lived a sheltered life and died when she was just 14 years old in a duel gone terribly wrong, scarring both her brothers for years to come.

4. Andromeda Tonks

This woman has lost her daughter, son-in-law, and husband in the Second Wizarding War (not to mention her sister Bellatrix to the dark side and her cousin Sirius to the veil). Andromeda is the only surviving member of her family, and she has had to be brave for her grandson’s sake since she still needs to raise Teddy.

3. Rubeus Hagrid

Hagrid is one of the most kindhearted characters in the saga, and yet his life makes you bawl your eyes out. His mom left his dad when he was a child, he got kicked out of school for something he hadn’t even done, and he struggled all his life, forced to live among wizards who treated him as a second-class citizen because of his giant heritage and the fact that he never became an educated wizard. Justice for Hagrid!

2. Sirius Black

Sirius’ family disowned him because he disagreed with their beliefs, his best friend was killed because of his decision to trust someone, and he spent 12 years in Azkaban for a crime he hadn’t committed. After he escaped, he was forced to live in a house filled with bad memories, unable to go anywhere or even be near his godson.

You’d think after all the misfortunes he had endured, Sirius would at least get to live. Nope, he died, leaving Harry without any family around… again.

1. Remus Lupin

From the name that determined his life to the fact that he died just after he finally found happiness, Remus is the character who we just want to give a big hug. His werewolf curse never let him live his life to the fullest – it gave him scars and the constant fear that he might hurt or kill someone, ensured that he couldn’t provide for himself properly, and even almost cost him his shot at happiness.

Remus never should’ve died the way he did because he had already gone through a lot more than an average person in their lifetime.