When the Harry Potter series introduced Hogwarts, the Scottish castle where students learn how to practice magic, fans immediately began sorting themselves into one of its four houses: Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Gryffindor. As most of the characters belonged to the latter, Gryffindor House became one of the most popular ones in the fandom.

Known for their bravery, chivalry, and slight recklessness, Gryffindors wore scarlet and gold with pride throughout their school years. Many of them grew up to be some of the strongest wizards and witches of their time, adding to Gryffindor’s honorable history.

Updated on October 29, 2023, by Andrea Sandoval: The Harry Potter series follows an epic fight between good and evil. However, even though wizards have magic, not all of them are strong enough to hold their own in a duel. We updated this list to include the Gryffindor wizards and witches who proved to be the strongest members of this Hogwarts house.

15. Peter Pettigrew Is A Coward But He’s Also Strong

Animagus, Skillful Spellcaster, and Death Eater

Even though Peter’s placement in Gryffindor is deeply questionable, there’s no doubt he’s one of the strongest characters in the lion house. Peter wasn’t the most brilliant member of the Marauders, but not any wizard is capable of turning into an Animagus when they’re still in school age.

Petter Pettigrew’s Skillset

Charms: Exceptional
Potions: Exceptional
Unregistered Animagus
Death Eater

Peter Animagus’s ability gives him an edge over the wizards, as he already proved by faking his own death and remaining unseen for twelve years. What’s more, Peter is one of Voldemort’s closest Death Eaters, and it’s unlikely the Dark Lord would trust a low-level wizard to join his crew.

14. Molly Weasley Will Protect Everyone She Loves

People would make a big mistake underestimating Molly Weasley. She might spend most of her time taking care of her family’s household, but she’s also a skillful witch who can hold her own. The audience mostly sees Molly as a loving figure, so they never really get to see her in action, but in Deathly Hallows the witch shows people how powerful she truly is.

In the Battle of Hogwarts, Molly was a fearless warrior, and she even faced one of Voldemort’s strongest Death Eaters, Bellatrix Lestrange. The fact that Molly managed to carry a duel with this witch and survived speaks volumes, as Bellatrix is responsible for the deaths of many talented wizards.

13. Ron Weasley Is Stronger Than People Give Him Credit For

While most people believe Hermione is the smartest one and Harry is the skillful one in terms of defense against the dark arts, Ron is almost as strong and clever as his best friends are. Ron accompanied Harry throughout most of his adventures, being a powerful and loyal ally.

Ron faced countless Death Eaters in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries and the Battle of Hogwarts and survived, a feat that even experienced and trained wizards didn’t manage. What’s more, in the future, Ron becomes an Auror, which is one of the most demanding careers in the wizarding world and requires a lot of physical, mental, and magical expertise.

12. Hagrid Used His Giant Ancestry & Love for Magical Creatures To His Advantage

Despite not finishing his magical education, Rubeus Hagrid was shown to be rather talented at magic. Considering he only used the remnants of his original wand, he was still able to cast non-verbal spells and even practice Human Transfiguration on Dudley in The Sorceror’s Stone.

Hagrid’s giant ancestry also made him far stronger and more resilient than the average wizard, easily deflecting several Stunning spells at once. His knowledge of magical creatures and Hogwarts’ grounds made him invaluable to Hogwarts, its residents, and later to the Order of the Phoenix.

11. Fred and George Weasley Are Fast Learners

Skillful Spellcaster, Inventors, and Members of the Order of the Phoenix

Fred and George Weasley usually use their talents for no good, but when the Battle of Hogwarts came around, they showed to be prepared for any kind of circumstance. Not only did these characters hold their own in several battles (although Fred was tragically killed by an unpredictable explosion), but they also created clever gadgets that helped them in different circumstances.

Fred and George joined the Order of the Phoenix as soon as they became old enough. As an association created to fight against Lord Voldemort, the Order of the Phoenix only accepts capable and strong wizards who can face all kinds of evil, so Fred and George are stronger than people think.

10. Ginny Weasley Was Incredibly Powerful Despite Her Young Age

Ginny Weasley was an incredibly powerful witch, showing an aptitude for flying, dueling, and both the Dark Arts and the defensive measures against them. As an important member of Dumbledore’s Army, she managed to conjure a corporeal Patronus and battle Death Eaters in the Department of Mysteries at only fourteen years old.

During her later years at Hogwarts, Ginny became known for her extremely potent Bat-Bogey Hex and innate flying skills. Alongside Luna Lovegood and Neville Longbottom, she led Dumbledore’s Army in Harry’s absence and survived the Battle of Hogwarts, where she fought Bellatrix Lestrange.

9. Bill Weasley Had One Of The Most Difficult Jobs In The Wizarding World

25 Harry Potter Theories That Actually Make SenseThe oldest of the Weasley siblings, Bill Weasley was one of the most accomplished wizards of his generation. Not only was he a Prefect and later Head Boy during his time at Hogwarts (where he earned a record-breaking twelve OWLs,) but he was also able to secure a very profitable and difficult-to-get job as a Curse-Breaker for the Wizarding bank, Gringotts.

Throughout Harry Potter, Bill is shown to have mastered Transfiguration, Charms, and Defense Against the Dark Arts. As a member of the Order of the Phoenix, he also utilized his high-level dueling skills and widespread knowledge of wizard-Goblin relationships to aid the cause against Voldemort.

8. Neville Longbottom Was Almost the Chosen One

Throughout the first installments of Harry Potter, Neville was depicted as the butt of the jokes. Since he’s forgetful, clumsy, and anxious, people, including his grandmother, didn’t expect a lot out of Neville, but he proved everyone wrong. Neville joined Dumbledore’s Army and trained with Harry to become a powerful wizard.

Neville Longbottom Skillset

Courage
Perserverance
Herbology: Highly Skilled
Physical Prowess: Skilled Fighter

Not only did Neville accompany Harry in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries and survive several Death Eaters attacks, but he also led a rebellion in Hogwarts while Death Eaters ran the school. What’s more, Neville killed Voldemort’s snake, Nagini, a strong and deathly creature. It’s clear that if Neville had been the Chosen One the wizarding world would have been in good hands, as Neville surely could have defeated Voldemort.

7. James & Lily Potter Faced Voldemort Himself Thrice Before Their Death

During their time at Hogwarts, Harry’s parents were known as two of the brightest students of their time. Lily was especially skilled at Potions and Charms and James showed that he was equally talented at Transfiguration and flying. They were made Head Girl and Boy in their last year before graduating and joining the fight against Voldemort.

As members of the Order of the Phoenix, Lily and James faced Voldemort himself three times and survived, marking them as the potential parents of “the chosen one” who would defeat the Dark Lord. Despite their skillset, they succumbed to Voldemort’s last attack after putting their trust in their friend, Peter Pettigrew.

6. Remus Was One Of The Most Skilled Members Of The Order Of The Phoenix

Arguably the most logical and mature of the Marauders, Remus Lupin was a very promising student and an even better teacher, which he demonstrated when he took over the Defense post in The Prisoner of Azkaban. Given his status as a werewolf, he was particularly knowledgeable about Dark magical creatures, including others like Dementors and Boggarts.

Lupin could also cast spells wandlessly and non-verbally, two skills that were considered incredibly advanced. His participation in both Wizarding wars honed his dueling technique and allowed him to battle some of Voldemort’s most powerful Death Eaters, though he ultimately died at Dolohov’s hands during the Battle of Hogwarts.

5. Hermione Was The Brightest Witch Of Her Generation

Every Minister For Magic In The Harry Potter TimelineHermione Granger was hailed as the brightest witch of her age since her introduction. She was often the first in her classes to master any spell and potion and, unlike most students, she actually enjoyed the theoretical side of magic, which often helped her, Harry, and Ron during their adventures.

Hermion Granger’s Skillset

Non-Verbal Spells: Skilled
Wandless Spells: Skilled
Potions: Expert
Charms: Expert
Time Manipulation: Expert

By eighteen, Hermione had earned ten OWLs, mastered non-verbal and wandless magic, learned to cast a corporeal Patronus charm, and mastered branches of magic that none of his peers had like Arithmancy and the Study of Ancient Runes. She helped bring down the most powerful Dark wizard of all time. It made complete sense that she would later become the Minister for Magic.

4. Sirius Was Able To Become An Animagus At Age Fifteen

Sirius Black was often described as a particularly gifted wizard, in part due to his ancestry as a member of the House of Black. During his time as a Marauder, Sirius’ talents for Transfiguration and Charms allowed him and his friends to become Animagi and create the Marauder’s Map, which were considered great feats for wizards of their age.

Sirius Black’s Skillset

Unregistered Animagus
Transfigurations: Expert
Charms: Expert
Non-Verbal Spells: Skilled

Though weakened by his time in Azkaban, Sirius was still powerful and skilled enough to execute martial magic, use non-verbal spells, and easily evade the Ministry in his dog form. He was crucial to the success of the Order of the Phoenix during both wars, but eventually died during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries.

3. Harry Potter Unleashed His Full Potential & Leadership Skills

How Harry Potter Survived Voldemort’s Second Killing CurseDespite not learning of his magical parentage until age eleven, Harry Potter proved to be a powerful young wizard, especially when it came to Defense Against the Dark Arts and flying. Harry was never an outstanding student, but he was able to gain extraordinary results when he put his mind to it, even becoming quite adept at non-verbal and wandless magic during the Horcrux hunt.

Harry Potter’s Skillset At a Glance

Dueling: Skilled
Non-verbal Spells: Proficient
Wandless Spells: Proficient

Harry was a proficient duelist and leader. He was able to teach complex spells like the Patronus Charm, which he mastered at thirteen, to Dumbledore’s Army. He faced Voldemort on his own multiple times and survived and even became the Master of Death after acquiring the Deathly Hallows.

2. Minerva McGonagall Was An Exceptional Witch and an Impressive Teacher

As one of the most important head figures at Hogwarts, Minerva McGonagall was both an exceptional teacher and an impressive witch. During her time at Hogwarts, she was known for her talent at Transfiguration, which she would later specialize in and earn several awards. At age seventeen, she was able to become a cat Animagus.

Minerva McGonagall’s Skillset

Transfigurations Expert
Charms Proficiency
Dueling Expert
Registered Animagus

McGonagall’s extensive experience and magical mastery made her an excellent duelist, as she demonstrated when she protected Hogwarts from the Death Eaters and Voldemort himself. She was the only person in Harry Potter who was shown to produce three Patronus charms at the same time.

1. Dumbledore Was A Genius Who Mastered Magic In Its Entirety

Often a controversial figure, Dumbledore was undoubtedly the most powerful Gryffindor in the Harry Potter series. He was already considered brilliant while he was only a student, something that would continue to define his magical career as he began teaching Defense Against The Dark Arts and later Transfiguration at Hogwarts.

Albus Dumbledore’s Mastery of Magic

As he had mastered most, if not all, branches of magic, Dumbledore was considered the greatest wizard of his time, even by Voldemort’s standards. His leadership, dueling, and rare magical skills (such as his Legilimency expertise, magical multilingualism, and elemental mastery) easily singled him out as a genius and gained him both the respect and fear of the entire Wizarding community. That alone guarantees his position as the most powerful Gryffindor in the entire Harry Potter series.