Hogwarts Legacy is set to be released during the 2022 holiday season and each new glimpse of the upcoming game has Potterheads brimming with excitement. Though the game doesn't follow the adventures of Harry, Hermione and Ron, it does offer an immersive and diverse world to explore.
Fans might be uncertain of what sort of relationships the new game will provide, however. One of the most engaging elements of the Potter franchise to date has been the characters and the struggles they encounter within their relationships. Though some of these become quite serious in nature, there are plenty of moments when talk of dark wizards and strange creatures gives way to banter and outright boldness. Ranker voters weighed in on some of the sassiest of these Potter moments.
Note: Ranker lists are live and continue to accrue votes, so some rankings may have changed after this publishing.
When Harry Used Professor Umbridge’s Words Against Her
"I’m Sorry Professor, But I Must Not Tell Lies."
By the end of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, fans had had enough of Dolores Umbridge. The biased (and incredibly frustrating) Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher found herself in a dicey situation when surrounded by an angry herd of centaurs, and appealed to Harry for help.
Harry’s response originated from Umbridge’s constant insistence that he was lying each time he spoke up about Voldemort. Hearing him repeat her scolding in her moment of desperation was classic Potter, in that he was able to triumph over his enemy by biding his time, remaining composed, and simply doing the right thing.
When The Marauder’s Map Told Snape Off
"Mr. Moony Presents His Compliments To Professor Snape, And Begs Him To Keep His Abnormally Large Nose Out Of Other People’s Business."
Not long after Harry is gifted the Marauder’s Map in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Professor Snape manages to confiscate it. His attempt at making the highly detailed map reveal its secrets, however, results in this humorous response.
The map’s response to Snape’s meddling is likely exactly what Harry would have liked to say but knew very well he couldn’t. It’s a moment in the film that feels both gratifying and funny, mostly because by this point in the franchise, audiences aren’t especially fond of Snape.
When Hermione Mocked Ron’s Lack Of Compassion
"Just Because You’ve Got The Emotional Range Of A Teaspoon…"
Hermione makes this statement to Ron immediately after explaining to him and Harry how Cho Chang is likely feeling. Chang went through a lot in the fourth and fifth Potter installments with the death of Cedric Diggory and her crush on Harry has her confused.
When Ron responds that no one can feel all the things that Hermione says Chang is probably feeling, she uses the opportunity to get in a dig at Ron. He’s famously been either clueless or simply incompetent with his feelings toward Hermione up until now, and her frustration over that fact shows here.
When Hermione Made It Clear To Ron That They Were Growing Up
"Just Because It’s Taken You Three Years To Notice, Ron, Doesn’t Mean No One Else Has Spotted That I’m A Girl!"
The Yule Ball that takes place in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire delivered what was arguably one of Hermione’s most poignant statements. Having put off asking anyone to the upcoming ball, Ron mistakenly believes that Hermione can be his default date.
Ron initially doesn’t believe that Hermione is serious, and this in itself is a major turning point for the entire Potter series. They may have been introduced to fans as 11-year-old kids, but by the time Goblet of Fire arrived, it was quotes like Hermione’s that helped everyone to understand that these kids were growing up.
When Professor McGonagall Got Serious About Punctuality
"Perhaps It Would Be More Useful If I Were To Transfigure Mr. Potter Or Yourself Into A Pocket Watch? That Way One Of You Might Be On Time."
In the first Harry Potter movie, there was much learning to be done. Harry was only just realizing that a wizarding world existed and despite his dedication to Hogwarts, he and Ron ended up late for Transfiguration, much to Professor McGonagall’s annoyance.
The quote may not have had a huge impact on the future of the wizarding world, but it was enough to embarrass Harry and Ron into respecting McGonagall’s time. Throughout the series, the professor remained a strict but faithful friend, making Ron, Harry, and Hermione’s time at Hogwarts that much more memorable.
When Professor Snape Took A Jab At Harry’s Learning Skills
"Yes, It Is Easy To See That Nearly Six Years Of Magical Education Have Not Been Wasted On You, Potter. Ghosts Are Transparent."
Throughout the Harry Potter franchise, there are numerous instances in which Snape picks on Harry. When Harry begins talking to Ron and Hermione during Snape’s class, the mercurial professor smugly asks Harry to explain the difference between ghosts and Inferius.
The difference between the two, as fans discover, is that Inferius are dead corpses reanimated by the Dark Lord. Unfortunately for Harry, his explanation wasn’t as strong as it could have been and Snape used the opportunity to make him look like a fool. It’s one of the last times in the series that this happens, as Harry soon learns the truth about Snape.
When Harry Was Blunt About How He Should Be Addressed
"There's No Need To Call Me 'Sir,' Professor."
The dynamic that operates between Professor Snape and Harry typically frustrates fans, but in this particular incident, it results in laughter. After Harry responds to a question from Snape with “Yes”, Snape corrects him by saying “Yes, sir.” Harry then takes the opportunity to flip the script on his teacher.
It’s a pretty gutsy move on the part of Harry, to say the least. Despite his disdain for Snape throughout most of the series, he usually managed to keep his feelings to himself. This time, however, Harry doesn’t hold back and the quip is arguably the best attempt to get under Snape’s skin in the entire franchise.
When Fred Weasley Threw Some Savage Shade On Snape
"He Can Move Faster Than Severus Snape Confronted With Shampoo."
While discussing Voldemort and his potential whereabouts in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Fred throws this zinger at Severus Snape. The mysterious potions professor’s hair has long been a key descriptor of him, and Fred’s joke is one of the better burns in the series.
Considering that Snape is eventually revealed to be an incredibly brave hero, the amount of vitriol sent his way by Harry and his friends is unfortunate. Then again, it is also a testament to how convincing Snape’s performance as a jerk was, right down to his wardrobe and questionable personal hygiene.
When Harry Got Sarcastic About A Past Defence Against the Dark Arts Teacher
"Yeah, Quirrell Was A Great Teacher. There Was Just That Minor Drawback Of Him Having Lord Voldemort Sticking Out Of The Back Of His Head."
When Professor Umbridge decides to reference (and praise) Professor Quirrell in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, it’s a further indication of how misguided the Ministry of Magic is. As fans are well aware, Professor Quirrell tried to help bring back Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Out of all the Harry Potter entries, it’s possible that Order of the Phoenix shows Harry at his most sardonic. No longer the wide-eyed little boy we came to know in Philosopher’s Stone, by Order of the Phoenix he’s witnessed plenty of proof that Voldemort is back. His sarcasm over Umbridge’s statement is both a reflection of this frustration and of his maturity.
When Ron Lost His Cool In The Devil’s Snare
"Kill Us Faster? Oh, Now I Can Relax!"
The finale of Philosopher’s Stone involves Ron, Hermione, and Harry attempting to pass a series of tests in order to protect the mysterious Philosopher’s Stone from Voldemort. One test involves Devil’s Snare, a plant with tendrils that tighten the more its victims panic. When Hermione tells Ron this, he responds with terrified sarcasm.
This scene alone could perhaps be responsible for some Potter fans feeling that Ron didn’t contribute as much throughout the series as Harry and Hermione did. His fear is so over the top that he can’t adhere to a simple rule of not panicking in order to survive. Regardless of Ron’s questionable courage, however, he’s always ready to offer a quick-witted comment.