Professor Severus Snape — the mysterious potions master at Hogwarts School — was named the greatest Harry Potter character of all time on Thursday in a poll of fans run by MTV News.
Snape, played on screen by British actor Alan Rickman, was declared winner of the MTV News Harry Potter World Cup, while a separate nextmovie.com readers poll declared witch Bellatrix Lestrange favourite villain, ahead of scheming schoolboy Draco Malfoy. After seven books and with the eighth and final movie — Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2 opening worldwide this week, the death of Hogwarts headmaster Professor Dumbledore was declared the most unforgettable moment in the series, winning 51 per cent of the almost 36,000 votes cast.
Dumbledore’s demise easily outstripped the smooch between Harry Potter and girlfriend Cho Chang in The Order of the Phoenix.
Hermione Granger’s time turner was voted the magical device most fans wish really existed, with Harry’s invisibility cloak coming in a close second. Neville Longbottom topped the poll for the character that fans thought should get a spin-off movie or book, closely followed by Luna Lovegood. Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) won a commanding 43 per cent of the votes, followed by Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) at 22 per cent, and Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) with just 17 per cent.