Hey everyone,
Welcome to another installment of Harry Potter Theory. In the past I’ve made videos ranking
the most powerful gryffindors, slytherins, hufflepuffs, ravenclaws, order of the phoenix
members, death eaters and more. You guys seem to really enjoy my ranking videos, so for
today I’m going to be ranking none other than DUMBLEDORE’S ARMY.
"I was thinking, more of a name that didn’t tell everyone what we were up to, so we can
refer to it safely outside meetings." "The Defence Association? The D.A. for short,
so nobody knows what we’re talking about?" "Yeah, the D.A.’s good, only let’s make
it stand for Dumbledore’s Army because that’s the Ministry’s worst fear, isn’t it?"
I’m going to assume that most of you know what Dumbledore’s army is already, and if
you don’t..well..shame on you. What books have you been reading?
HOWEVER, for the sake of the video- I’m going to provide a quick refresher. Dumbledore’s
Army was a secret organization first founded in October 1995 by Harry Potter, Ron Weasley,
Hermione Granger and others. The purpose of the society was simple: teach Hogwarts students
how to properly defend themselves. Dumbledore’s Army was founded in the same school year that
the ministry of magic infringed on Dumbledore’s power at Hogwarts- which resulted in Dolores
Umbridge being appointed as the school’s defence against the dark arts professor. Threatened
and in utter disbelief at the prospect that the dark lord voldemort had returned, Fudge
did everything in his power to denounce and censure the prospect of Voldemort’s return.
This meant that the school’s Defence against the dark arts class wasn’t really teaching
students how to defend themselves, which was a bit of an issue given that voldemort HAD
in fact returned. Dumbledore’s Army was formed in response to this lack of preparedness
for the imminent fight against evil. The trio, who were certain of Voldemort’s return,
knew that they needed to do something to prepare their fellow peers.
"Harry, don't you see? This... this is exactly why we need you... We need to know what it's
really like... facing him... facing V-Voldemort."
Given that Harry, Hermione and even Ron (to some extent) were quite well-versed in magic
for their age, they took on the responsibility of teaching their fellow students various
spells that they could use to combat the forces of evil. Harry even knew how to produce a
patronus charm- which was no joke for a wizard of his age. When the organization was originally
founded it had 28 members, and though it disbanded by 1996- it had a resurgence in 1997.
Anyway, without further ado, I’m going to be providing you with, in my opinion, the
SIX most powerful members of Dumbledore’s Army. One important thing to consider is that
these rankings are based on the power/skill of the witch or wizard during the time period
that Dumbledore’s Army was first founded- not later in life. I’m looking at 1995 to
1997. If we were to go by power rankings later in life, then the list would need some rearranging-
maybe I could cover that video another time.
6. Luna Lovegood
Luna Luna Luna...I think it’s best if we just let the book describe Luna.
"The girl gave off an aura of distinct dottiness. Perhaps it was the fact that she had stuck
her wand behind her left ear for safekeeping, or that she had chosen to wear a necklace
of Butterbeer caps, or that she was reading a magazine upside down."
A known oddball, Luna Lovegood was born in the year year 1981 to father Xenophilius and
mother Pandora Lovegood. Luna started at Hogwarts one year after Harry Potter, in the year 1992
(shoutout people born in 1992), and was sorted in to Ravenclaw house. Despite being a veritable
oddball, Luna was quite talented magically- most likely stemming from her inquisitive
nature. Though her presence in social situations was a bit peculiar, Luna knew a lot more about
the magical world than many gave her credit for, and as a result she was a powerful young
witch. She was raised primarily by her father Xenophilius as her mother tragically died
experimenting with spells when she was just 9- however, both of her parents were, like
her, magically talented but simultaneously highly unusual. When Luna joined Dumbledore’s
army she quickly learned how to produce a patronus, and she was an extremely valuable
asset in many battles- including the battle of the department of mysteries and the battle
of the astronomy tower.
5. Ron Weasley
I know what you’re thinking...Ron? Here’s the thing, Ron was always magically talented..Okay
maybe not immediately, but he became more and competent as the years went on. The only
reason that Ron’s lack of skill/ability was sometimes apparent/highlighted was because
he spent the majority of his time with some of the school’s most powerful students-
Harry and Hermione. Not only that, but Ron came from a huge family of accomplished and
talented witches and wizards, which meant that he had a lot to contend with. This often
left his own significant accomplishments unnoticed:
"I'm the sixth in our family to go to Hogwarts. You could say I got a lot to live up to. Bill
and Charlie have already left — Bill was Head Boy and Charlie was captain of Quidditch.
Now Percy's a prefect. Fred and George mess around a lot, but they still get really good
marks and everyone thinks they're really funny. Everyone expects me to do as well as the others,
but if I do, it's no big deal, because they did it first."
However, if we look at Ron as an individual- he was talented, he really was, and he came
in to his own more and more as the series progressed. When Dumbledore’s Army was first
founded,I feel that Ron was really just starting to realize his potential, and by the end of
the Deathly Hallows noone would be able to argue that he became a truly talented young
wizard.
4. Ginny
Ginny aka Ginevra Weasley is a quintessential ‘sleeper’ when it comes to power, as her
sometimes shy demeanour and unassuming appearance is in stark contrast with her sheer power
and magical ability:
"Yeah, size is no guarantee of power. Look at Ginny..."
Like Ron, Ginny’s skills develop as the series progresses- and by the time the films
end she is an EXTREMELY talented young witch. When Dumbledore’s army was first founded,
she quickly learned how to produce a patronus charm, and in no time at all was adept at
producing other powerful spells like Reducto. Later in life, Ginny’s quidditch skill shone
through more than ever as she eventually went on to become captain of the holyhead harpies.
Ginny is no joke.
3. Fred/George
Yeah I know this isn’t ONE person, but honestly, Fred and George sort of are one. The powerful
Weasley twins were born in the year 1978 and were sorted in to gryffindor House a few years
before Ron, Harry and Hermione. The boys were funny, well-liked among the student body,
and much to the dismay of the teachers that were bemused by their antics- very good students.
The boys were able to produce advanced potions and spells that were well above their pay
grade in terms of magical ability, and were invaluable assets in many battles throughout
the series.
Though Fred tragically died, and George had to live out the rest of his days without him,
the boys were inseparable while still alive, which meant that their magical ability was
completely evenly matched. Even if one of the brothers learnt a new spell, it wasn’t
long before the other brother knew how to do it as well.
2. Hermione Granger
Number two- getting close to the top! Hermione Granger was one of the most talented witches
of her entire year, and the entire school for that matter. She began attending Hogwarts
at the same as Harry/Ron, and given her affinity for learning and knowledge it’s no surprise
that she became a talented witch. Not only that, but her work ethic was impeccable- as
while attending school she even went as far as to use a TIME TURNER to take additional
classes. She had a thirst for knowledge, and, through her dangerous adventures with Harry
and Ron, became well versed in the practical application of the knowledge that she had
amassed over the years.
1. Harry Potter
Surprise surprise, Harry Potter. I don’t think that Harry’s position on this list
should be shocking to anyone, as he was, after all, the PRIMARY teacher of Dumbledore’s
army. He was the first to learn a Patronus charm- and he was skilled enough at it to
teach other people. Harry certainly had a few advantages- like the fact that a piece
of a powerful wizards soul was inside of him (which may or may not have influenced his
power), but the thing that influenced Harry’s level of power the most was that he was hardened
by his upbringing and environment. Harry was a fighter from day one, and after each altercation
with Voldemort Harry was a stronger version of his former self. I should mention however,
that Harry and Hermione are close. I think that Hermione probably knew more about magic
in general, including more spells, but Harry is quick on his feet and an expert at application.
Harry just had too much real-life experience for another person of his age to contend with
him.
And that’s it for this video! What do you guys think? How would YOU rank Dumbledore’s
army? What do you agree with? Disagree with? Give me your list!
Until next time,
Remember
There is plenty to be learned even from a bad teacher- what not to do, how not to be