Summary

  • Harry Potter's enemies at Hogwarts, like Quirrell and Pettigrew, provide many obstacles for the young wizard to overcome.
  • Dolores Umbridge's cruel reign at Hogwarts brings pain to Harry and his friends, even extending into the Ministry of Magic.
  • Lord Voldemort, Harry's greatest enemy, is constantly intertwined with Harry's fate as their battle continues to escalate towards the ultimate showdown.

The world of Harry Potter has brought forth many strong wizards and witches who possess incredible talent and skill. Yet, amongst the centuries of wizarding history, few have surpassed the talent and importance of Harry Potter himself, the titular character of the Wizarding World. Harry's legend has made him widely renowned, with his adventures at Hogwarts being of great interest and intrigue.

Harry being healed and Hermione in Hospital with Harry and Ron in Harry Potter
Harry Potter: 7 Best Healing Spells

The Wizarding World is filled with danger around every corner. In Harry Potter, these healing spells are essential.

With such a formidable name and being dubbed the Chosen One, Harry gathers many enemies in his time at Hogwarts. Ranging from teachers, students, and mythical creatures, Harry's enemies provide the wizard with many problems that complicate his life, with the young wizard facing off against each of them throughout the Harry Potter series.

7 Professor Quirinus Quirrell

Harry's First-Year Professor Who Taught Defense Against The Dark Arts

Ian Hart as Quirinus Quirrell

In Harry's first year at Hogwarts, Professor Quirrell pays close attention to the famed student, with Quirrell being his Defense Against The Dark Arts Professor. Despite acting innocent and aloof, Quirrell's ulterior motives were always fixated on Harry as he carried the fleeting life of Voldemort on his head.

At the climax of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Harry confronts Quirrell, leading to a fight in which Quirrell physically attacks Harry as he follows the instructions of his master, Voldemort. Upon attacking Harry, Quirrell dies of burning from Harry's touch, with Harry's protective charm from his mother being the root of Quirrell's downfall.

6 Peter Pettigrew

Lord Voldemort's Assistant And Ron's Rat, Scabbers

hp-peter-pettigrew-thumbnail

Peter Pettigrew played the long game with Harry as he infiltrated his inner circle by disguising himself as Ron Weasley's pet rat, Scabbers. After escaping the clutches of Harry, Sirius Black, and Remus Lupin, Pettigrew finds Voldemort, his former master, and begins the necessary steps to bring forth another Wizarding War.

Pettigrew helps bring Voldemort back to life, using his sharp wand to take blood from Harry to complete his master's resurrection. Pettigrew becomes a thorn in Harry and his friend's side as he helps plot and scheme for Voldemort.

5 Dolores Umbridge

Harry's Fifth-Year Defense Against The Dark Arts Professor

Dolores Umbridge

Dolores Umbridge first established her reign of cruelty and terror at Hogwarts as a Defense Against The Dark Arts Professor. Early on, Umbridge inflicted a lot of pain on Harry, with her detentions leading to cuts and burns on his hands. As Umbridge's influence spread, she was appointed Headmistress after Albus Dumbledore's firing, leading to more problems for Harry and his friends.

The Most Powerful Spells Used By Harry Potter
8 Most Powerful Spells Used By Harry Potter

Harry Potter has proved himself as a talented wizard thanks to his use of powerful spells in and out of Hogwarts that have rivaled even Voldemort.

After Umbridge's downfall at Hogwarts, Umbridge further provides problems for Harry as Umbridge takes a role in the Ministry of Magic under Voldemort's control. When Harry, Ron, and Hermione Granger sneak into the Ministry of Magic, Umbridge proves an obstacle for Harry and Ron as they encounter her in compromising situations.

4 Lucius Malfoy

The Cruel & Powerful Father Of Draco Malfoy

Lucius Malfoy's Wand

Being the father of Harry's archrival Draco, Lucius Malfoy shares many similarities with his son, such as their mutual hatred of Harry. Being a Death Eater, Lucius Malfoy is a stout supporter of Voldemort who seeks to destroy Harry. Throughout Harry Potter, Malfoy acts unpleasant to Harry and his friends, making remarks regarding class and people's place in society.

Lucius Malfoy participates in the fight against Harry at the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, and the battle saw him and his Death Eaters injure many of Harry's friends. Lucius is cunning and evil, and his dark plans follow Voldermort closely.

3 Bellatrix Lestrange

Sirius Black's Killer And Cousin

Bellatrix Lestrange Harry Potter

Known for being an Azkaban Prisoner and Death Eater, Bellatrix is one of Harry's greatest enemies. First appearing in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Bellatrix becomes an immediate enemy of Harry, with Bellatrix killing Sirius, Harry's godfather, in the Ministry of Magic. When Harry tries to chase after her, Bellatrix taunts Harry, using the killing of Sirius as bait for when Voldemort arrives.

Bellatrix is unhinged, a true danger to anyone around her. With a sly grin and a bout of laughter at seeing others in misery, Bellatrix clearly takes pleasure in pain, and hurting Harry is the dessert, especially after the murder of the innocent and beloved free elf, Dobby.

2 Draco Malfoy

Harry's Rival Student At Hogwarts

Tom Felton Harry Potter Draco Malfoy
Tom Felton Harry Potter Draco Malfoy

In Harry's years at Hogwarts, Draco is Harry's main rival, with the pair frequently coming to blows throughout their studies. From their first meeting, the pair have failed to see eye-to-eye, with Harry and Draco becoming bastions of their respective houses, Gryffindor and Slytherin. Draco's main issue with Harry is his notoriety in the wizarding world, with Draco being jealous of all his accomplishments at such a young age, including Harry's victory over Draco in Quidditch.

Harry Potter Most Powerful Spells Used By Hermione Granger
Harry Potter: 5 Most Powerful Spells Used By Hermione Granger

Throughout the Harry Potter books and films, Hermione has made use of several powerful spells to aid her friends.

As the years go by, their hatred of each other only grows. Their hatred leads to Harry using the Half-Blood Prince's Sectumsempra spell on Malfoy after he suspects his rival of being involved in Voldemort's plans, leaving Malfoy severely injured.

1 Lord Voldemort

The Dark Lord And Harry's Greatest Enemy

Voldemort in the Ministry of Magic Harry Potter
Voldemort in the Ministry of Magic Harry Potter

In all of Harry Potter, Harry's greatest enemy is Lord Voldemort. Harry and Voldemort's relationship started when Voldemort attempted to kill Harry as a baby. This resulted in Voldemort's demise due to Lily Potter's charm, which kept Harry alive and deflected Voldemort's attack. Despite seemingly dying, Voldemort found a way to survive as his life's goal changed, with killing Harry being his main objective once he returned to his regular self.

When Harry goes to Hogwarts, he continually finds himself in trouble, with many incidents linked to Voldemort. As Harry grew older and Voldemort returned, their fates became intertwined, with only one out of the pair prophesied to live. In the end, Harry prevails in their battle due to Voldemort's Horcruxes being destroyed, allowing Harry to vanquish the dark lord from the world.

Harry Potter Characters Who Disappeared
Harry Potter: 6 Characters That Just Disappeared

These Harry Potter characters, despite playing a more prominent role in the books, simply disappeared in the films.