The Marauders are definitely favorites for Harry Potter fans. The adventures of Sirius, James, and Remus while they were in high school have inspired fans and left them wanting to learn more. While readers only got bits and pieces of their time at Hogwarts, the three of them, and Pettigrew although he doesn't really count, had such dynamic chemistry and friendships that fans have gotten really attached. It’s no wonder that there are so many fan works about these three.
To celebrate fan’s love of the Marauders, we’ve collected a list of the ten best quotes from James, Sirius, and Remus throughout the series.
10. “IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT A MAN’S LIKE, TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT HOW HE TREATS HIS INFERIORS, NOT HIS EQUALS.”
This insight from Sirius can definitely apply in many situations. While Sirius is far from a perfect person himself, he does have many quotes that reveal wisdom and goodness. Growing up, he was raised by pure bloods who hated Muggles. While Siruris can be arrogant and impulsive, he went against what his parents taught him to turn towards good and equality. It’s definitely true that someone’s true character is revealed by how they treat people who aren’t as privileged as them.
9. “DID YOU LIKE QUESTION TEN, MOONY?”
Seeing the three of the Marauders interact in the series is a rare treat. As James is dead before the series even starts, the only time readers got to see these friends talk was in memories that Harry was viewing. This interaction shows Remus, James, and Sirius talking and joking about Remus being a werewolf. Sirius asks him if he got a question about how to identify a werewolf correctly, and Remus and James quip back. It’s definitely an adorable and heartwarming moment.
8. “THAT SUGGESTS THAT WHAT YOU FEAR MOST OF ALL IS - FEAR.”
When Harry first meets Remus Lupin in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Lupin definitely becomes a much-needed mentor. When Lupin helps Harry learn how to cast a Patronus, these lessons are valuable to Harry in many ways. This quote from Lupin is about Harry’s worst fear which comes in the form of a Dementor. It’s clear that Lupin thinks highly of Harry and also has a great deal of wisdom.
7. “I WAS TRYING TO MAKE A WORLD IN WHICH HE COULD LIVE A HAPPIER LIFE.”
This quote from Lupin might be one of the most heartbreaking of all the quotes on this list. Lupin says this line to Harry after Harry uses the resurrection stone to bring him back. He says this line about his and Tonks son who is now an orphan. The rest of the quote begins, "I'm sorry too, that I will never know him ... but he will know why I died and I hope he will understand.”
It’s extremely heartbreaking, but Lupin’s love for his son is clear.
6. “NO ONE WOULD HAVE MADE ME A PREFECT. I SPENT TOO MUCH TIME IN DETENTION WITH JAMES. LUPIN WAS THE GOOD BOY, HE GOT THE BADGE.”
When we see Sirius in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, he is definitely struggling and reckless. But, one of the rare positive moments of his scenes in this book is when he interacts with Lupin at Grimmauld Place. They talk to Harry a little about their time at Hogwarts and how Lupin was the most rule-following of the three.
Lupin adds, “I think Dumbledore might have hoped I would be able to exercise some control over my best friends. I need scarcely say that I failed dismally.”
5. “THE WORLD ISN’T SPLIT INTO GOOD PEOPLE AND DEATH EATERS.”
This is another quote from Sirius Black that is full of a lot of wisdom about how the world works. While Harry sometimes has a black and white way of thinking, which makes sense given how young Harry is, Sirius explains that things aren’t always so simple.
He tells Harry that there are many people who aren’t clearly good or clearly evil as there are many shades in between.
4. “THERE’S NOTHING YOU CAN DO, HARRY...NOTHING...HE’S GONE.”
The lives of the Marauders are filled with a lot of tragedy. James is betrayed by Pettigrew and dies because of this. Siruris is framed and spends years in Azkaban. Lupin is an outcast in society because he’s a werewolf. This is why when Sirius died in Order of the Phoenix it’s just another extremely tragic thing to happen in their lives. Lupin at least is there to comfort Harry and provide a calm, clear head in the immediate aftermath of Sirius's death.
3. “THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED! DIED, RATHER THAN BETRAY YOUR FRIENDS.”
The four Marauders were there for each other when they were at Hogwarts. It’s clear that friendship and loyalty were important values to them. So, when Pettigrew betrayed James, and all of them, it’s a disgusting betrayal on so many levels.
When Sirius finally gets the chance to confront him, he reveals how important loyalty and friendship is to him. He would die for his friends.
2. “UNTIL THE VERY END.”
This is another heart-wrenching quote that is said by James in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This is the only time Harry ever gets to talk to his parents, even if they aren’t exactly alive. When Harry uses the resurrection stone to bring them back, he asks them if they will stay with him as he goes to confront Voldemort. James’ response is extremely emotional and heartbreaking.
1. “I SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I AM UP TO NO GOOD.”
There is no one author of this quote, so in many ways, it’s the one main quote that can be contributed to all of them. This famous line, as well as the other hilarious things said by the Marauder’s Map, really captures the energy and mischief that this group of friends got up to while at Hogwarts.