I'm terrible at choosing favorite characters, especially when there are so many I absolutely love, but for quite a while I've set my top 3 in Rowling's world as Hagrid, Dumbledore and Fred and George. I say Fred and George are tied for third place, but really, the two of them together are like one entity. We almost never see them apart from one another. They occupy the same position on the Quidditch team, they go into business with each other, they finish each other's thoughts... everything they do seems to be together. Are there any distinguishing characteristics between them? I've never noticed any; it seems it could always just as easily one talking as the other. I'd say these are brothers who certainly revel in their twin-ness. We've seen them with dates (I think?) but it's kind of hard to imagine them ever getting married because they're so attached at the hip to each other...
They're such scallawags, always into some sort of mischief, but as troublesome as they are, they're never malicious. There's always a twinkle in their eyes and a grin on their faces. No matter how grim the situation, things seem a lot less dismal when they're around; without their presence, Order of the Phoenix would have been very dreary indeed most of the time. Along with their pranks, they're marvelously quick-witted, always with a smart remark at the ready. Their banter reminds me a lot of Hawkeye and Trapper on M*A*S*H. It's just so much fun to read. If only I could tell them apart...
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Ah, I don't know if I can do it...choose just three favorite characters, I mean! :-)
I'm going to rule Harry out of the running, which is probably cheating, but he's such an obvious choice. We all love Harry. And I have a deep maternal feeling about him...
which is one reason why Molly Weasley is in my top three favorite characters. I think I would add Dumbledore and Neville to the list. Although I am also a big fan of Hermione and Fred and George. How right you are about the necessity of their comic relief in OotP too.
John Granger has some insightful observations about Rowling's fascination with twins and twin imagery. If I can dig up my book (I've misplaced it during this crazy week...argh!) I will have to jot a few notes here.
I love all the Weasleys (well, maybe not Percy... *grumbles*) but especially Fred, George, Molly and Arthur. They're such a wonderful family. And for Harry, who's been stuck with the Dursleys his whole life, what a wonderful thing to be so wholeheartedly welcomed into this boisterous, messy, chaotic, wonderful, loving family. And Fred and George would be such fun to have as big brothers. Really capital of him to return the favor of their mentorship (however dubious) by giving them the prize money...
Ah, good ol' Neville. He's definitely a favorite too. Really, there are so few Rowling characters I don't like... and among those, I "love to hate" most of them and know the books would be a lot less rich without them. Umbridge... *shudder* What a horrible woman... I'm nearing the midway point in Goblet of Fire right now, and I'd all but forgotten about Ludo Bagman. He's a fun character. Not such a great guy, as it turns out, but fun nonetheless...
Anyway, hooray for Fred and George!
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