Content Warning: This article contains discussions/references to death.
Harry Potter may be a franchise that features the supernatural and occult practices, but at the heart, there is one core theme: the importance of family and friendship. In the world of Harry Potter, these two themes proved to be extremely valuable for the students of Hogwarts as the school did lack the role models some individuals desperately needed, with the teachers often revealing themselves to be enemies in disguises. This was particularly relatable for Harry, who often found himself placed in danger due to his unfortunate connection with Voldermort.
However, that does not mean that there weren't a few parents who were willing to step up and protect Harry as if he was one of their own. In fact, through Harry's eyes, fans got to see the lengths certain parents and guardians would go to to make sure that he and the other children were safe from harm. Fans will always remember these parents and their stories.
Harry Potter
Sure, James and Lily only spent a year with their child Harry before Voldemort rocked up at Godric's Hollow and shattered the family. But that doesn't change the fact they were excellent parents before their sad deaths, and good people too.
They were willing to put their lives on the line to join the fight against Voldemort and his loathsome band of Death Eaters, working with the Order of the Phoenix to make the wizarding community a far safer place. And then there's the visit of Voldemort himself.
Instead of letting him get to Harry, they both stood up to the Dark Lord. James died first, being callously cut down. And Lily then perished next, with her love actually saving her son from a terrible fate. They may be long gone by the time the story begins but that shouldn't detract from everything they did during their time alive.
James Potter
Not much is told about James Potter's backstory during the eight Potter movies, which is pretty understandable given the limited time Warner Bros had at their disposal. However, the novels flesh things out far more. And Sirius Black paints James' parents to be excellent people during a sweet chat during the Order of the Phoenix book.
Sirius would frequently run away from Number 12 Grimmauld Place as a child due to the fact he hated his family, who were purebloods through and through.
And Sirius tells Harry that it was Mr and Mrs Potter who would give him a place to sleep. That means Harry would have had lovely grandparents but, unfortunately, they are long gone by the time he grows up. He does see them, though, while staring into the mesmeric Mirror of Erised during the events of The Sorcerer's Stone.
Cedric Diggory
In the Goblet of Fire book and movie, Amos Diggory is a boastful man. He's extremely proud of his son Cedric Diggory, introducing him to Harry and friends just before the Quidditch World Cup. But just because he comes across as slightly arrogant doesn't mean he's a bad parent, or a bad person.
Amos is graceful towards Harry while grieving after Cedric's death, refusing to blame the Boy Who Lived for the devastating incident. He also spurns the chance to receive the winnings from the Triwizard Tournament, which end up going to Fred and George Weasley.
Both Amos and his wife clearly cared dearly for Cedric - and as they should. He was a stellar student and would have likely gone on to achieve great things if fate hadn't so cruelly intervened.
Teddy Lupin
The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 movie begins with Harry, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger lying low after their narrow escape from Malfoy Manor. They soon break into Gringotts Bank afterwards, stealing Lord Voldemort's Horcrux from the vault of Bellatrix Lestrange herself.
Yet, what the blockbuster fails to show is Teddy Lupin being brought into the world. Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks celebrate the birth of their first child by taking him to Shell Cottage, with Harry then named godfather. The Boy Who Lived feels daunted by this responsibility, wondering if he will be as reckless a mentor as Sirius Black was to him.
But that means Teddy deserves to make the list. Lupin and Tonks were both excellent people and terrific assets to the Order of the Phoenix, too. Their deaths are amongst the saddest in the series, with the pair dying during the Battle of Hogwarts. It wasn't in vain, however, with Voldemort then defeated once and for all.
Hermione Granger
Hermione Granger's parents only make fleeting cameos during the Potter series. The first is in the Chamber of Secrets, when they escort their girl to Diagon Alley. And the second is during the opening stages of the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, when Hermione wipes their memories.
Muggles can be iffy about dealing with wizards and witches. Just look at the Dursleys, for example, who try and act as if they are oblivious to their existence. But the same can't be said for the Grangers, who appear to have nothing but sheer pride at the fact their little girl is off to Hogwarts.
It's unknown what happened to them after the main story but it's likely Hermione restored their memories and brought them back from traveling around the world. It would be pretty confusing having such charms performed on you but they'd likely have appreciated it was all for her own good.
Neville Longbottom
In The Sorcerer's Stone, it's established that Neville Longbottom lives with his grandmother. He doesn't mention his parents at all, something that led many fans to ponder whether they were dead. Yet it isn't until the Goblet of Fire that their situation is clarified.
Harry learns via Albus Dumbledore's Pensieve that they were deeply traumatized by Bellatrix Lestrange and Barty Crouch Jr, with the duo then sentenced for their crimes because they were integral members of the Order of the Phoenix. That makes it extra sickening that Crouch Jr poses as Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody and teaches him, becoming Hogwarts' latest Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher.
Frank and Alice Longbottom's mental health may have declined but they still maintained their warmth. In the fifth book, during a visit to St Mungo's Hospital, they gift Neville with a sweet wrapper. The Gryffindor student is told to discard it by his grandmother but he pockets it instead, showing just how much it means to him. This is noted by Harry, who decides to keep his friend's secret.
The Weasleys
Harry Potter fans will always admire how parents, such as the Weasleys and Lupins, would always step up and protect Harry - no matter what.
During Harry's first trip to Platform Nine and Three Quarters, he encounters Molly Weasley. And, in that moment, he has no idea that he's just met the person who would be the closest thing he ever gets to having a mother of his own.
Molly is warm and caring towards Harry, just as protective of the Boy Who Lived as she is her own children. She regularly sticks up for him, especially when Voldemort returns to power during the fourth movie and book. The same can be said of Arthur Weasley, too. Though he's a bit of a pushover, he treats Harry like a son.
That's made even sweeter by the fact they have seven children of their own to care for. They do a good job, with all of their kids turning out alright. The Weasleys are always strapped for cash but, what they lack in money, they make up for in heart. Which, you could argue, is far more important and valuable.