Sometimes it seemed that the ginger twosome had a monopoly on LOLs – but don't forget these other funny folk.

In a world where your eyebrow might suddenly turn yellow, or your DNA be melded with a mangy cat, it’s important to retain the ability to laugh at yourself. These are moments that were the best at distracting us from possible impending Avada Kedavara-ing.

Any time Moaning Myrtle appeared

She might have been occasionally gloomy, but this toilet-haunting ghost knew how to bring the accidental laughs. Whether she was trying to inspect prefects, flirt with boys brewing potions in her bathroom, or merely delight in the misfortune of others, her particular brand of mournful charm was always funny.

‘You’ll be teased something dreadful,’ said Myrtle happily. ‘It’s OK, Hermione,’ said Harry quickly. ‘We’ll take you up to the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey never asks too many questions ...’ It took a long time to persuade Hermione to leave the bathroom. Moaning Myrtle sped them on their way with a hearty guffaw. ‘Wait till everyone finds out you’ve got a tail!’
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry, Ron and Hermione work on brewing the Polyjuice Potion in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom

Jacob - especially when he discovered Gigglewater

Now, here’s one from Fantastic Beasts. It’s always amusing when a Muggle (or in this case, a No-Maj) is introduced to any moment of witchcraft or wizardry – and seeing as Jacob is just a funny guy anyway - witnessing him become acquainted with the magical drink Gigglewater made us giggle too.

Trying to have a flirtatious exchange with Queenie, while sipping the beverage that makes it impossible to stifle a laugh, had us surpressing chuckles too.

Still, he styled it out. Okay, maybe he didn’t.

No-Maj Jacob Kowalski gets a glimpse into New York's secret magical world with Queenie Goldstein at The Blind Pig speakeasy

Roonil Wazlib

Given that homework at Hogwarts always had to fit inbetween the gaps of avoiding giant snakes and eating twelve-course lunches, it’s really a wonder that the less academically gifted ever made time to do any at all. That made it particularly funny when Ron’s Spell-Checking quill, the wizarding answer to autocorrect, turned on him.

‘How d’you spell “belligerent”?’ said Ron, shaking his quill very hard while staring at his parchment. ‘It can’t be B – U – M –’ ‘No, it isn’t,’ said Hermione, pulling Ron’s essay towards her. ‘And “augury” doesn’t begin O – R – G either. What kind of quill are you using?’ ‘It’s one of Fred and George’s Spell-Checking ones … but I think the charm must be wearing off …’ ‘Yes, it must,’ said Hermione, pointing at the title of his essay, ‘because we were asked how we’d deal with Dementors, not “Dugbogs”, and I don’t remember you changing your name to “Roonil Wazlib”, either.’
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

hp-f5-harry-and-ron-hogwarts-class-quills

Luna’s Quidditch commentary

Luna was an unsung humorous hero, and it’s frankly a shame that people spent too much time laughing at her to enjoy themselves laughing with her. She had the brand of off-beat humour that would make her a star on Twitter, and she never sought laughs at the expense of anyone else. You could pick from multiple Luna-isms to prove her comedic value, but it was perhaps her work commentating on the Quidditch match that was the most hilarious.

‘And that’s Smith of Hufflepuff with the Quaffle,’ said a dreamy voice, echoing over the grounds. ‘He did the commentary last time, of course, and Ginny Weasley flew into him, I think probably on purpose – it looked like it. Smith was being quite rude about Gryffindor, I expect he regrets that now he’s playing them – oh, look, he’s lost the Quaffle, Ginny took it from him, I do like her, she’s very nice …’ Harry stared down at the commentator’s podium. Surely, nobody in their right mind would have let Luna Lovegood commentate?
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Of course, Lee Jordan had his moments too. You can read some of our favourite moments of his here.

Luna wearing her roaring Gryffindor Lions Head

Flying baby Nifflers

In Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, it was revealed that Newt didn’t just have one Niffler – he now had baby Nifflers. Seeing one of the little fellas hop aboard a champagne cork like a rocket is an image we won’t forget in a hurry.

Baby Nifflers from Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.

Alas. Earwax.

Albus Dumbledore might be better remembered for sound advice and totemic proclamations, but it’s also worth remembering that he also had some of the funniest and most memorable lines. There are a number of millennials who can’t hear the word ‘earwax’ without recalling Albus’s disappointment in his Every Flavour Bean. And who could forget his inaugural sorting speech?

‘Nitwit. Blubber. Odment. Tweak.’
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Dumbledore smiling from the Philosopher's Stone

Malfoy the bouncing ferret

Mad-Eye Moody (or, rather, Bartemious Crouch Jr. topped up with Polyjuice Potion) might have been terrifying, but he was also extremely dry and very capable of directing his terror to those most deserving.

Never has so much been summed up in a single word:

The ferret flew through the air, its legs and tail flailing helplessly. ‘Never – do – that – again –’ said Moody, speaking each word as the ferret hit the stone floor and bounced upwards again. ‘Professor Moody!’ said a shocked voice. Professor McGonagall was coming down the marble staircase with her arms full of books. ‘Hello, Professor McGonagall,’ said Moody calmly, bouncing the ferret still higher. ‘What – what are you doing?’ said Professor McGonagall, her eyes following the bouncing ferret’s progress through the air. ‘Teaching,’ said Moody.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody

Ron attempting Divination

Ron was the joke-maker of the trio, and as such had plenty of funny moments – but many of the very best occurred in the stuffy, pouffe-studded environment of Divination, as he tried desperately to extract some mystical meaning from his crystal ball, overseen by Professor Trelawney.

‘Would anyone like me to help them interpret the shadowy portents within their Orb?’ she murmured over the clinking of her bangles. ‘I don’t need help,’ Ron whispered. ‘It’s obvious what this means. There’s going to be loads of fog tonight.’
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Gilderoy Lockhart

The brocade-clad purported vampire slayer would likely have described himself as brilliant, gifted, attractive, wry and charming before listed ‘funny’, but his pompous arrogance led to some genuine laugh-out-loud moments.

‘His memory’s gone,’ said Ron. ‘The Memory Charm backfired. Hit him instead of us. Hasn’t got a clue who he is, or where he is, or who we are. I told him to come and wait here. He’s a danger to himself.’ Lockhart peered good-naturedly up at them all. ‘Hello,’ he said. ‘Odd sort of place, this, isn’t it? Do you live here?’
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Lockhart with his hand on his hip

Sassy Harry Potter

Harry might be daring, bold and chivalrous, but when it came to comic relief, we usually relied on other characters. Ron usually took care of the funnies while Harry focused on saving the world, and that was a good division of responsibilities.

It played to their strengths. That said, Harry was definitely capable of a good comeback. Snape in particular was capable of bringing out the jollies in him – even if he wasn’t exactly a responsive audience.

His Shield Charm was so strong Snape was knocked off balance and hit a desk. The whole class had looked round and now watched as Snape righted himself, scowling. ‘Do you remember me telling you we are practising non-verbal spells, Potter?’ ‘Yes,’ said Harry stiffly. ‘Yes sir.’ ‘There’s no need to call me “sir”, Professor.’
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

HP-F4-goblet-of-fire-harry-ron-quills-books