It’s rather unfortunate that, for many devoted and casual fans of Harry Potter, both Gryffindor and Slytherin seem to get the lion’s share of the attention, because Ravenclaw is a fascinating House in its own right, with its own traditions and characters that deserve attention. After all, they are devoted to the pursuit of knowledge, and some of their members have played a significant role in the novels and the films. However, it also has to be said that not all Ravenclaws are alike.
While some are truly pleasant and even heroic, there are also quite a few that leave a lot to be desired.
Likable: Filius Flitwick
It would be impossible to dislike Professor Flitwick. After all, he always comes across as charming and delightful, exactly the kind of person that one would want to be one’s teacher of charms. What’s more, he seems to have a lot of patience with his students, far more than some of his fellow professors. What’s more, in the films he’s portrayed by the great actor Warwick Davis and, let’s be real, it’s impossible not to like Warwick Davis.
Can’t Stand: Moaning Myrtle
Moaning Myrtle is one of the more interesting characters that appear in the novels. At first, she’s just the ghost that haunts the lavatory but, as events reveal, she actually was one of the victims of the Basilisk when Tom Riddle released it from the Chamber of Secrets.
Despite her tragedy, however, it has to be said that she can be quite an irritating character, since she seems to go out of her way to indulge in self-pity, not to mention the fact that she seems a little overly fond of Draco, which says a lot about her character (and there's still quite a lot that remains unknown about her and about the Chamber of Secrets in general).
Likable: Garrick Ollivander
Mr. Ollivander is, of course, a vital character, both in that he provides all of the Hogwarts students with their wands (and he knows about every kind of wand there is), but also because he becomes crucial to Voldemort’s attempt to reclaim the Elder Wand. He’s a very likable sort of character, though there are times, particularly in the early films, when he seems like he is more of an admirer of Voldemort than is strictly necessary. Then again, that might just be because John Hurt always plays his characters with a bit of oddness.
Can’t Stand: Gilderoy Lockhart
At first, Gilderoy Lockhart seems like a very likable character. After all, he’s absolutely charming, and he’s played by none other than the great actor Kenneth Branaugh. However, it quickly becomes clear that not only is he a fraud, but he’s willing to do almost anything to make sure that no one realizes the truth about him. It’s thus rather fortuitous that his own spell manages to rebound upon him, and it’s really nothing less than he deserves for being such a cad and notorious fake.
Likable: Sybil Trelawney
Oh, Professor Trelawney. She really is one of a kind. She earns quite a reputation for being a bit out there, particularly among those who see her particular skills at divination as a lot of claptrap (Hermione is one of the most notable of those who believe this way). However, she’s likable enough and, as becomes clear as the novels and films progress, she actually does have the ability to see into the future. Plus, who could not like her, after that horrible moment when Umbridge tried to kick her out of Hogwarts?
Can’t Stand: Qurinus Quirrell
Quirrell is another of those characters who is much more than he seems. When the reader, and Harry, first meet him he seems likable enough. It is ultimately revealed, however, that he has been literally possessed by none other than Lord Voldemort, and he proves himself to be a very weak sort of person with a corrupt soul.
Also, it’s worth pointing out that this is also a man who killed and drank the blood of unicorns. No wonder fans can’t stand him.
Likable: Luna Lovegood
Luna Lovegood is another of those Ravenclaws who just seems to live in a world all of her own. It’s no wonder that quite a few people think that she might be a bit mad. However, it’s worth pointing out that there are quite a few hidden depths to Luna, which Harry and his friends gradually realize. Despite her oddness and her tendency to say things that might be construed as unsettling, she proves herself time and again to be a good and true friend to Harry and his companions.
Can’t Stand: Xenoplilius Lovegood
Xenophilius is, of course, Luna’s father, and he’s quite as batty as she is. While he at first is a very likable person, repeatedly defending Harry, he ultimately tries to betray him to the Death Eaters because he believes that it will save his daughter Luna. While this is understandable in its way, one would think that he, of all people, would realize that the Death Eaters would be incredibly unlikely to honor any promises that they might make to him.
Likable: Padma Patil
Padma is one of those characters that just sort of hangs out in the background of the narrative. Though she makes appearances every now and again, the audience doesn’t really learn a whole lot about her. However, the bits and pieces that the novels and the films reveal that she, like her sister, is really a very nice and likable person, and she ultimately becomes a part of Dumbledore’s Army, which speaks quite a lot about her and what she values.
Can’t Stand: Cho Chang
Though Harry ultimately ends up marrying Ginny, it’s important to remember that one of his earliest romances was with Cho Chang. Cho isn’t always the most likable character, and she seems to harbor a rather unreasonable dislike of Hermione and Ron. What’s more, in the books she’s responsible for bringing a traitor into the midst of Dumbledore’s Army, while in the books she betrays the Army on her own (though, to be fair, she is under the influence of veritaserum).