Top 10 Harry Potter Quotes

Uncle Vernon gets us started, in a fit of rage after Dudley’s brush with a Burmese python at the reptile house. And the blame falls firmly at the door of Harry’s cupboard under the stairs. Unimpressed by his nephew’s inability to explain and incensed when Harry drops the ‘M’ word, Dursley takes Potter by his hair, locks him up and snarls his now-famous fallacy. No such thing, eh? We’ll see about that.

The Dark Lord’s rise and fall has thrown up countless quotable moments. Here, he feels he’s at a high-point, having recently returned, duelled with Dumbledore and hacked into Harry’s body. So, time for Voldemort to goad his rival in typically ominous fashion. Of course, his prediction doesn’t exactly pan out. And Harry’s no-one’s fool. But it is difficult to imagine a turning of the tide here. Still, at least Riddle sticks around long enough for Fudge to believe he’s real.

Professor Quirrell will forever be remembered for bringing Voldemort back to Hogwarts, but before his treachery was revealed he delivered this legendary line. A scene subject to countless parodies, Quirrell’s panicked warning starts a stampede in the Great Hall. And to think, You-Know-Who was right there all along. Had Dumbledore not called for silence, the Dark Lord’s Defence Against the Dark Arts servant may have been squashed there and then.

To one of the franchise’s most famous speeches, and Neville’s long-awaited time to shine. Voldemort appears on the brink of victory with the Battle of Hogwarts smouldering in the background, and he’s offering one final chance for his foes to switch allegiances. So, Neville steps forward. But, do not doubt his loyalty. There’s just time for the Death Eaters to try and demean him, before Longbottom launches a rousing call to arms. Determined and defiant, it’s enough to reawaken the dead. Speaking of which…

Sirius has seen his fair share of the harsher sides of life, so whenever he speaks it’s worth paying attention. In “The Prisoner of Azkaban” he hit the heartstrings with one of the most famous mentions of Harry’s mother’s eyes, but it’s this scene in the fifth film where he truly comes into his own. Having listened to Harry’s mounting anxieties, Sirius soothes his fears with an enlightened assessment of the human character. It’s the perfect pep talk at exactly the right moment.

Another character who’s had plenty of hardship, Dobby is one of Harry’s most devoted protectors. And never more so than in this scene. Harry and his friends are in a pretty tight spot, held prisoner at Malfoy Manor and surrounded by Death Eaters. Cue the heroic house-elf with some powerful words. Remember, Dobby’s freedom is mostly down to Harry after the sock trick in year two. A lot has happened between then and now, but this is friendship at its finest. And the ultimate sacrifice.

Does Hermione’s intelligence know no bounds? She’s a mere first year in this scene, but that doesn’t stop her from schooling Ron. The trio are trying their hand at a levitation charm, but the feathers are going nowhere. Ron’s action is especially clumsy, and Hermione’s quick to pick apart his pronunciation. It’s probably the best example of the pair’s bickering, although there have been countless quips, and it makes for a defining moment in the first film. Seamus soon breaks the tension, though.

Back to where it all began, with Hagrid bursting in on Harry’s birthday. At this point, the Dursley’s have gone to desperate lengths to try and dodge Harry’s magical heritage. But Hagrid’s about to change everything. Before hand-delivering the Hogwarts acceptance letter which had so far eluded Harry, the gentle giant’s big reveal is a stand-out moment in cinema in general, let alone the series. And Harry’s reaction is priceless.

Where to start with this scene? It’s poetry in motion. But we’ve plumped for Dumbledore’s parting words of wisdom. He and Harry are strolling through an ethereal King’s Cross, and Harry’s trying to make sense of all that’s happened. So, Dumbledore delivers line after line of unparalleled insight. The ‘help at Hogwarts’ rethink is another memorable moment, but when Harry questions his reality, Dumbledore’s response transcends the story itself. Why on earth, indeed.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

The Chosen One

Not My Daughter

I Must Not Tell Lies

We sign off with Snape, and a pinnacle point for this ever-evolving character. He’s villain of the piece for much of the series, and a teacher you definitely don’t want to cross. But then his true motives are thrown out into the open, and all our hearts break at once. Snape quotes are often stacked with comic timing, but here, with his final memories, we get beneath his intimidating outer shell. And with a single word, he flips everything we thought we knew.