Harry Potter is replete with characters who show uncommon courage, bravery, and quick thinking in the face of terrible danger. There were those who died for Harry in the Final Battle of Hogwarts and those who were willing to give up everything so that goodness could prevail.
A lot of people gave up the opportunity to see their kids grow up so that the world could be a better place, but it isn't always the big sacrifices, but even little ones (which aren't so little in the long run), that count. And at the end of the day, it was the will to stand up for what they believed in that made these choices special.
Hermione Granger
Hermione Granger was one of the most badass women in Harry Potter. Her sacrifice might not seem like a lot in the face of the grand gestures made by those who died for Harry, but what she did took strength of character and an iron will to keep the ones she loved safe.
Before leaving to hunt down the Horcruxes, she obliviated her parents and erased herself from every photograph and memory. The knowledge that her parents might never recognize her again must have been a terrible one to come to terms with, but to keep them safe from the wrath of the dark forces, she did what she had to. Kudos to her for having the strength that not many people would have.
Molly Weasley
Molly Weasley is probably one of the most underrated players in the Harry Potter universe, yet in her own way, she gave up or was willing to give up more than most people realize. Not only did her son, Fred, pass away tragically in the Final Battle of Hogwarts, but George Weasley lost an ear, and Bill had been mauled by the terrifying Fenrir Greyback.
But even more importantly, there was a time when almost every member of the Order of the Phoenix was a Weasley. As a mother and a wife, Molly must have made peace with herself about fighting against evil whatever the price, and that would have taken great courage.
Dobby The Elf
The freedom craving House-elf died a tragic and unexpected death when he was stabbed by Bellatrix Lestrange's knife just as he was disapparating from Malfoy Manor with Harry and his friends.
In spite of some unpopular opinions about Dobby that Harry Potter fans might harbor on Reddit and such, the elf was always devoted to and proved invaluable to Harry. He had tried to help him in his own twisted way during the events of the Chamber of Secrets but in the end, he literally gave his life for the Boy Who Lived.
Regulus Black
Regulus Black is a lesser discussed character in the series, but a closer look at him reveals that he had, in fact, given up a lot to beat the forces of evil. Born into the Black family who prided themselves in being pure-blood, he became a Death Eater at an early age. However, he soon realized the folly of his ways.
He found out about the locket, one of the Horcruxes created by Voldemort, but was pulled into the waters of the cave where the locket had been hidden. The Inferi murdered Regulus, however he had already ordered Kreacher to take it, place a fake locket in its place and destroy the real one. As the only one who knew about the Dark Lord splitting his soul at the time, young Regulus showed great courage and made a great sacrifice indeed.
Frank & Alice Longbottom
This might take fans by surprise, but the tragic fate of Frank and Alice Longbottom goes unrecognized despite the heroism of the couple who refused to budge under the Unforgivable Cruciatus Curse.
The sacrifice made by this Auror couple who had an infant son just like the Potters, but didn't step back from fighting for what they believed in, is one of the most disturbing tragedies of the series. If anything, the Longbottoms suffered a fate much worse than the Potters, for they lived on, but they were too traumatized to function after what they had gone through in the hands of Death Eaters, and worst of all, they failed to recognize their own son, Neville. There is something deeply haunting and melancholic about their story that deserves more attention.
Harry Potter
Harry Potter's name certainly makes this list because, by the end of it all, he was ready to die. Once Harry found out that he had always been meant to die to destroy Voldemort, he knew what he had to do.
At this point, Harry could no longer let his friends die for him, and he chose to meet the Dark Lord alone in the Forbidden Forest, knowing he was walking to his doom. And indeed, he did perish briefly, until of course, Dumbledore told him he had a choice. He then chose to go back, but he had already made the ultimate sacrifice.
Albus Dumbledore
Albus Dumbledore was a complicated man but he had also made a lot of sacrifices, the final one being willingly walking to his death so that Voldemort could be led to his own destruction.
Dumbledore knew that Draco Malfoy had been ordered to kill him and made sure that Snape would do the deed instead, which he did. He sacrificed himself for the greater good so that Voldemort would never doubt Snape's allegiance and would ultimately be led to his demise.
Remus Lupin
Any list on the sacrifices made by Harry Potter characters would inevitably include Remus Lupin, the kind ex-professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts and a father figure to Harry, who was killed in the Final Battle of Hogwarts.
Remus left behind his newborn son Teddy Lupin, who became Harry's godson. Many people lost their lives in the final showdown, but probably not many died along with their partners. Fans couldn't help weeping as Remus's inert body was seen lying beside his wife, also dead. Although Harry Potter fans wondered if Lupin and Tonks's relationship always made sense, their sacrifice was no less noble than Lily and James Potter's -- both of them gave their lives hoping to create a better world for their son.
Lily Potter
Speaking of Lily, the sacrifice of this woman set in motion the events of the entire saga. Fans will recall that Voldemort had given Lily the choice of moving aside so that he could kill her infant child.
Naturally, she had no intention of doing so. Not only did she die herself protecting Harry, but the selflessness of her sacrifice protected the child with the power of her love. This love, which Voldemort later called 'old magic', saved the boy wizard from being killed instantly by the dark wizard's spell.
Severus Snape
One of the biggest sacrifices made by any character in the series came from the surly potions professor at Hogwarts, Severus Snape. Set up as one of the major antagonists in this epic tale, Harry Potter fans never expected the plot twist that revealed him as an anti-hero in the climactic moments.
Having loved Lily all his life, Snape agreed to make amends for her death by acting as a double agent to keep Harry safe. He risked his life every day, as the slightest notion that he was betraying Voldemort would have had horrific consequences. Ultimately, he was killed in the most shocking and painful manner despite Voldemort acknowledging that he had been faithful. Snape's death was poetic justice for his own misdeeds, but he had willingly accepted his fate long before.