There is a reason why Hermione Granger is dubbed "the brightest witch of her age." She is an integral member of the Golden Trio and, at their admission, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley would be lost without her.
Hermione's most defining characteristics are her intelligence and her dedication to knowledge. Throughout the Harry Potter series, her wits and bravery have saved the day. However, as with all the characters, Hermione has her shortcomings. There are witches and wizards with extraordinary skills that surpass even hers. Here are ten characters from Harry Potter who are more clever than Hermione Granger.
Lily Evans
Harry Potter's mother Lily was a Muggleborn witch like Hermione with extraordinary abilities. Professor Horace Slughorn heralded her skill in Half-Blood Prince, and she was even a member of the Slug Club in her youth.
The exact details of Lily's magical prowess are unknown as she was murdered by Voldemort before the events of the first book. She demonstrated her exceptional powers as a witch by casting a spell upon her death that would protect Harry until his seventeenth birthday.
Bellatrix Lestrange
Hermione and Bellatrix had an encounter in Deathly Hallows which did not go well for the young witch. Admittedly, the Golden Trio were outnumbered and disarmed, but Bellatrix still demonstrated an impressive mastery of magic during their confrontation.
There is a reason why Bellatrix was imprisoned in Azkaban for so long. As Voldemort's right-hand woman, she possesses an extraordinary knowledge of the Dark Arts and a ruthless nature in battle.
Kingsley Shacklebolt
As a member of the Order of the Phoenix, Kingsley has shown that he is a capable wizard with an outstanding knowledge of magic. He was assigned to protect the Muggle Prime Minister in Half-Blood Prince, demonstrating how valued his magical skills are.
It is mentioned – at the end of Deathly Hallows – that Kingsley Shacklebolt was appointed Minister for Magic, a worthy role for this powerful wizard.
Rowena Ravenclaw
As one of the founding members of Hogwarts, Rowena Ravenclaw was a witch who defined history for generations. Her house is home to the school's cleverest students, as Ravenclaw herself was an exceptional witch who valued wit and intelligence.
Ravenclaw died in the eleventh century, long before the time of Hermione Granger. Nevertheless, she is a legendary witch who would undoubtedly demonstrate jaw-dropping abilities.
Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody
Moody was one of the most skilled Aurors of his time, famous for capturing and defeating multiple dark wizards. He was an integral member of the Order of the Phoenix until his death during the beginning of Deathly Hallows.
Despite technically being an imposter, Moody was appointed as the Professor of Defence Against The Dark Arts in Goblet Of Fire. His skill – and his reputation – preceded him.
Professor Filius Flitwick
Flitwick is a minor character in the Harry Potter series. Though not an official member of the Order of the Phoenix, Flitwick stood by Dumbledore and opposed Voldemort, dueling Death Eaters during the final battle as well as the battle in the Astronomy Tower in Half-Blood Prince.
As Professor of Charms at Hogwarts, Flitwick is an extraordinary wizard. A former Ravenclaw and Head of House, he is also infamously intelligent.
Severus Snape
Snape was the only wizard besides Voldemort to learn to fly unassisted by a broom or Thestral. On top of this, he mastered the Dark Arts in his youth as a Death Eater, as well as teaching Potions at Hogwarts for over a decade.
Snape easily defeated Harry in a duel during Half-Blood Prince, and his knowledge of the Dark Arts has proved valuable for the Order and the dark wizards. What Snape lacked in warmth, he certainly made up for in magical prowess.
Professor Minerva McGonagall
McGonagall is an integral figure in Hogwarts as the resident Transfiguration teacher and Head of Gryffindor House. She was the Headmistress of Hogwarts for many years and fought alongside the Order in multiple battles against the Death Eaters, including taking on Voldemort himself during the end chapter of Deathly Hallows.
McGonagall is one of the most talented witches in the entire series. She has acted as a mentor to Hermione and the Golden Trio in the past and was awarded an Order of Merlin: First Class following the Battle of Hogwarts.
Lord Voldemort
Tom Riddle mastered the Dark Arts in a manner that no other dark wizard has ever achieved - with the possible exception of Gellert Grindlewald. Lord Voldemort was the most feared wizard of his age and the descendant of Salazar Slytherin was dangerously powerful. In Order of the Phoenix, only Dumbledore is capable of going toe to toe with Voldemort in a magical duel and even then the older wizard was pushed to his limits and ultimately unsuccessful in permanently stopping his foe.
It was Voldemort's ignorance that ultimately led to his downfall. Regardless, his reputation is so impactful that generations of wizards and witches fear to speak his name, even those blindly devoted to following him.
Albus Dumbledore
Albus Dumbledore is one of the most decorated wizards in Harry Potter's history. The former Gryffindor showcased his exceptional skill as a student, and despite being approached about the Minister for Magic role several times, he elected to remain at Hogwarts first as Professor of Transfiguration and then as Headmaster.
Dumbledore's reputation is legendary. He is the only wizard who Voldemort ever feared, he assembled and led the Order of the Phoenix and he was a mentor to Harry until his death in Half-Blood Prince. Dumbledore's additional achievements include his tenure as Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot and Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, as well as his discovery of the twelve uses of dragon's blood and his alchemy work with Nicolas Flamel.