The Best Harry Potter Quotes You Forgot About

There are so many beautiful quotes in the Harry Potter series. From “Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much” to “All was well,” and plenty in between, there are enough amazing quotes to fill… well, seven books.

However, some quotes are more easily recalled than others. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you probably own a T-shirt or two that reads, “Mischief Managed.” Or what about a poster that reads simply, “Always.” Personally, I always have this quote from Dumbledore written somewhere in my room: “It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”

But what about the lesser appreciated quotes? Open to just about any page in any book of the series, and you’re bound to find a hilarious or poignant sentence. That’s just the nature of the talented J.K. Rowling's writing. Sure, Dumbledore has some pretty insightful quotes — after all, he’s probably the most-quoted character in the series. But what about the fierce Professor McGonagall? Or the spirited Ginny Weasley? Or even… Dudley Dursley? All these characters have something to say, too, and the following quotes deserve more recognition (particularly on T-shirts I can wear).

" 'Now, you two – this year, you behave yourselves. If I get one more owl telling me you've – you've blown up a toilet or –''Blown up a toilet? We've never blown up a toilet.''Great idea though, thanks, Mum.' "

—Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Fred and George have some of the funniest lines in the series, especially during their interactions with Mrs. Weasley. This scene, which is one of the first times readers meet Fred and George, concludes with them promising to send Ginny a Hogwarts toilet seat. Perfection.

"Mrs. Weasley was marching across the yard ... Remarkable how much she looked like a sabre-toothed tiger."

—Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Her kids may give her a hard time once in a while, but Mrs. Weasley is the ultimate mum, and this narration sums up exactly how ferocious she can be: she's not just a mother bear, she's a sabre-toothed tiger. Rowling makes it clear early on that this is NOT a woman to mess with.

"'At least no one on the Gryffindor team had to buy their way in,' said Hermione sharply. 'They got in on pure talent.'"

—Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Hermione Granger is an example of someone who doesn't let prejudice and other people's expectations get in her way. Not only is she incredibly bright and talented at magic, refusing to let comments about her blood status faze her, she also encourages others to do the same. She values talent and loyalty above status, and this quote is a prime example of this belief, which she carries into her work with S.P.E.W.

"'Give her hell from us, Peeves.'"

—Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

As Fred and George ride away on broomsticks, leaving Hogwarts in a tizzy of fireworks and excitement, they deliver this last line to Peeves the Poltergeist (the "her" refers to the infamous Dolores Umbridge). Harry thinks that he's never known Peeves to take orders from a student, but Peeves salutes the twins and takes the request to heart. Plus, this line represents Fred and George's epic exit from school, which inspires students to say they want to "pull a Weasley" when they have too much studying to do. "Pull a Weasley" should definitely be a thing. Can we make "pull a Weasley" happen??

“'What do I care how he looks? I am good-looking enough for both of us, I theenk! All these scars show is zat my husband is brave!'”

—Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Just when you think Fleur Delacour is flighty and shallow, she whips out this smart line. After her fiancé, Bill Weasley, is attacked by a werewolf, some assume that Fleur will be put off by his scars. Instead, she loves him for who he is, and displays overflowing self-confidence to boot. Go Phlegm! I mean Fleur!

“'I don’t think you’re a waste of space.'”

—Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Dudley Dursley is a spoiled brat for most of the series, but in this moment, he shows that he's capable of change. He tells Harry that he's not a "waste of space," which may not seem like much, but coming from Dudley it's the biggest compliment ever. It just goes to show that you can move beyond childhood prejudice and move toward overcoming it.

“Do you remember me telling you we are practicing non-verbal spells, Potter?""Yes," said Harry stiffly."Yes, sir.""There's no need to call me "sir" Professor."

—Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry delivers this great comeback to the one and only Severus Snape. He could've had a career in improv comedy, if he weren't so busy being the Chosen One.

"'I do not generally permit people to talk when I am talking.'"

—Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Professor McGonagall says this to the sickeningly fake-sweet Dolores Umbridge in one of the best scenes in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Umbridge is observing different professors' classes, but when she arrives in McGonagall's class, she doesn't know what hit her. Basically, this is just another instance of McGonagall being completely awesome.

"This boy has as much chance of becoming an Auror as Dumbledore has of ever returning to this school.''A very good chance, then,' said Professor McGonagall."

—Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Once again, Professor McGonagall lays down the law to Umbridge. She doesn't let Dolores tell Harry that he can't become an Auror, and goes on to swear she'll do everything she can to help Harry achieve his goals. Not only is she a stellar teacher, she's not afraid to defy Umbridge in order to stand up for her students.

"Harry witnessed Professor McGonagall walking right past Peeves, who was determinedly loosening a crystal chandelier, and could have sworn he heard her tell the poltergeist out of the corner of her mouth, 'It unscrews the other way.'"

—Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Conclusion: Professor McGonagall's hatred of Umbridge is legendary.

"It's high time your grandmother learned to be proud of the grandson she's got, rather than the one she thinks she ought to have — particularly after what happened at the Ministry."

—Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

McGonagall recognizes Neville's talent, though it's unconventional, and is quick to guide him and other students to where their strengths lie: the mark of an excellent teacher. She expects students to exhibit their personal best, and relentlessly holds them to that standard. One would expect nothing less from the #fierce head of Gryffindor house.

"'I'm nobody,' said Neville hurriedly.'No, you're not,' said Ginny sharply."

—Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Ginny stood up for the underdogs, and she recognized Neville's worth even when everyone (including Neville himself) was quick to put him down. This quote is just one of the times she stood up for him, and it summarizes so many times that Ginny was a true friend. After all, she gave up a chance to go to the Yule Ball with the "chosen one," her longtime crush, to make good on a promise to go with Neville Longbottom — and this was pre-Matthew-Lewis growing up. Basically, Book Ginny is awesome.

"'Yeah, size is no guarantee of power,' said George. 'Look at Ginny.'"

—Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

As Shakespeare would probably add, though Ginny be but little, she is fierce.

“Lee Jordan was finding it difficult not to take sides.'So — after that obvious and disgusting bit of cheating —''Jordan!' growled Professor McGonagall.'I mean after that open and revolting foul —''Jordan, I'm warning you —''All right, all right. Flint nearly kills the Gryffindor Seeker, which could happen to anyone, I'm sure, so a penalty to Gryffindor, taken by Spinnet, who puts it away, no trouble, and we continue play, Gryffindor still in possession.”

—Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Lee Jordan's Quidditch commentary was one of the best parts about the Quidditch scenes in the book, mostly because of his obvious favoritism. His super biased description, coupled with McGonagall's constant reprimands, made the matches come alive.

"'I thought you two'd value your friend more'n broomsticks or rats. Tha's all.'"

—Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

If there's one thing Hagrid understands, it's true friendship. He knows what's important when it comes down to it: there's a reason Dumbledore trusted Hagrid with his life. Was anyone more loyal than Hagrid? More trustworthy? Not only does Hagrid come through for those he loves, he's not afraid to call them out when they're out of line.

"'Ah, well, people can be stupid abou' their pets,' said Hagrid wisely."

—Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Hagrid is consistently empathetic and kind to others, and always has a soft spot for anyone (or any thing) who's an underdog, or just plain misunderstood. This love of animals is one of the things that makes Hagrid so great, and this quote is a particularly insightful moment that most can probably relate to. As someone who has an instagram dedicated to pictures of my dog, I have to agree with his logic.

"Tuck your shirt in, scruffy!"

—Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

This line is delivered by a mirror, and not only does it demonstrate just how magical the world of Harry Potter is, it's just so perfectly unexpected and hilarious.

“Every human life is worth the same, and worth saving.”

—Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Kinsgley Shacklebolt says this line, pointing out out a common theme in the Harry Potter series which perfectly sums up what everyone is fighting for: equality. All lives are important and valuable.

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