Harry Potter characters that the films didn't do justice to

Kreature

Kreature, the Black family's house-elf, has one of the best character development of all the side-characters in my opinion. This was not shown in the film at all with Kreature only featuring in a couple of short scenes. When we are first introduced to Kreature he is described as a vile creature who is unpleasant, selfish and rude. He is poorly treated by Sirius and as a result is loyal to his former masters and the Death-Eaters. He is naturally opposed to Harry and to mudbloods and blood-traitors. However, with Harry as his new master and under the kinder treatment of Hermione in particular, Kreature develops a new loyalty to the trio and becomes a devoted and thoughtful house-elf. One of my favourite passages of the entire series is where Kreature leads the house-elves into the battle of Hogwarts crying "Fight! Fight for my master, the defender of the house-elves! Fight the Dark Lord, in the name of brave Regulus! Fight!"

Dobby

Book-Dobby is one of most lovable and devoted characters ever to exist which is why his death is so heartwrenching. We see Dobby transform from being a rather annoying creature whose good-intentions tend to lend Harry in a lot of trouble and pain, to being a helpful friend to Harry and a character who plays a significant part in the story. I found Dobby's loyalty to Harry and his insistence on trying to please him quite endearing and their sock exchange was one of my favourite moments. Dobby helps Harry out a number of times, for instance by giving him gilly weed for the first task of the Goblet of Fire and showing him the room of requirements in the fifth book before heroically sacrificing himself doing what he did best - saving Harry Potter.

Whilst we see some of this in the films, Dobby just doesn't get enough screen-time for us to fully appreciate the character and to come to love him as much as we do in the books which makes his death less impactful.

Ginny

In the books Ginny is bright, effortlessly funny, talented, brave and popular. She is one of the strongest female characters in literature, having overcome all the obstacles that go with having six older brothers as well as being possessed by the dark lord in her first year. Ginny is confident and independent and she develops a strong bond with Harry over the course of the books as Harry spends so much time at the Burrow with the Weasleys. Harry and Ginny confide in each other and understand each other in a way that other characters do not. In the films however, Ginny is reduced to only being Harry's love interest but even this seems to come out of nowhere in the sixth film. Ginny has very little screen time, virtually no character development at all and the on-screen romance between Harry and Ginny feels rather forced with no pre-established connection or chemistry. Harry and Ginny's spontaneous first kiss after a brilliant quidditch match, one of my favourite scenes in the books, was completely erased from the film and reduced to what I found a rather cringey moment in the Room of Requirements in which none of Ginny's bubbly energy is shown and she seems rather dull.

Ron

In the books, Ron is easily one of the funniest and most lovable characters as Harry's incredibly loyal friend. In the films Ron is reduced to being the third member of the trio who really doesn't serve much purpose at all except for comic relief. In the books Harry is closer to Ron than he is to Hermione because Hermione is a lot more serious and spends so much time studying. Ron plays a pivotal role in introducing Harry to the wizarding world and is always generous and supportive. Harry essentially becomes an adopted member of the Weasley family and this plays an intrinsic part in helping him to feel like he belongs and in shaping him into the great leader he becomes.

In the books, Ron is good in a crisis and he will do anything for his friends - he keeps his head when Hermione panics, no matter how scared he is. In the films he becomes a nervous wreck and has to be saved by Harry and Hermione which does a complete disservice to the character. Unfortunately in the film Ron is frequently the butt of jokes and is portrayed as being a bit of an idiot. Hermione took on many of Ron's best lines which is a real shame and takes something away from both characters.

The films make out that Harry and Hermione had some kind of secret relationship going on while Ron is shunned to the sidelines and made to look like a sulky, jealous third wheel. This was is no way a part of the books and it is so unnecessary. Apparently the screen-writer's favourite character was Hermione so perhaps this is why she is made to steal so many of Ron's amazing traits in the films.

Dumbledore

For me the portrayal of Dumbledore was one of the worst screen choices. In the first two films Dumbledore was played by Richard Harris who I thought did a fantastic job at capturing Dumbledore's energy. Sadly Richard Harris became too ill to continue acting and the character was taken on by Michael Gambon who played a very different version of the headmaster for the remainder of the series. To me, Richard Harris perfectly encapsulated the essence of Dumbledore: twinkly, child-like, kind, light-hearted, fair, calm, eccentric, wise and powerful when he needed to be. Michael Gambon portrayed a much darker, more intense and serious version of Dumbledore who did not smile often and got angry with the wrong people.

In the books Dumbledore becomes a mentor and a role-model to Harry. They form a very special bond and Dumbledore is one of the people who always trusts Harry without question even when no-one else does.

One of the most-quoted lines of the book, '"Did you put your name in the goblet of fire, Harry?" Dumbledore asked calmly.', demonstrates Dumbledore's nature, showing that he is prepared to take Harry at his word and addresses difficult matters in a calm and controlled fashion. This moment is completely butchered in the film where Dumbledore literally runs up to Harry with barely concealed rage, shakes him roughly by the shoulders and aggressively asks him if he put his name in the goblet, if he asked an older student to do it for him, if he is absolutely sure... It's totally off-brand and ruins the character of Dumbledore.

Apparently Michael Gambon never read the Harry Potter books and instead wanted to put his own take on the character. This is all too obvious in his acting choices and as a result the wonderful character of Dumbledore that meant so much to the wizarding world of Harry Potter is sacrificed.

Hedwig

Hedwig doen't get shown much in the films but in the books she plays a really important part in Harry's life. She is like a friend to Harry, someone who is always with him even when he's completely alone in the muggle world over the summer. She's a character who has been there since the beginning and someone Harry talks to, confides in and seeks comfort from. Hedwig represents Harry's connection to the wizarding world, the link to his friends and family. Though she is only an owl, Hedwig is very intelligent and seems to understand Harry. She is there to console him, to protect him and to serve him. Hedwig always knew where to find Harry and what he needed her to do. She remained faithful to the end and ultimately died a tragic death by Harry's side in the final book, representing his loss of innocence as he becomes an adult.