In all of the Harry Potter books, have there been any characters you completely misjudged?

Question

Not counting, like, Moody in GoF, have your opinions about certain characters gone through major changes?

For example, my ideas about Arthur Weasley have drastically changed. In CoS, he seemed to be a kind of quirky, mediocre "yes, dear" kind of guy, oblivious to much of what goes on with his sons. Later, he seems to be a much more mature, wiser guy, very talented. That he knows when the trio snuck off, saying, "please. you're talking to the man who raised Fred and George" shows he's been "in the loop" all along.

Answer 1

I didn't really misunderstand a lot of people, but I think a lot misunderstood Ginny Weasley. They just say, "She's a little kid with a schoolgirl crush, she's never going to be important!" And now look, she's Harry's ex-girlfriend, plays Quidditch, and is an exeptional witch who fought Death Eaters TWICE.

Answer 2

Fleur

I thought, like everyone else, that she was big-headed and selfish and vain. She was rude and childish and I thought that she and Bill were a terrible match.

But then Bill was attacked.

Nobody expected Fleur to do what she did. Molly had already expected Fleur to call the wedding off. Molly thought Fleur wouldn't love Bill, but Fleur never even CONSIDERED not loving him. Their love is very strong, even through her flaws. She and Bill are overcoming a huge obstacle, and their love is keeping them together. Their love isn't based on beauty... it's real.

I misjudged her terribly

Answer 3

Definitely Snape in the beginning. And Hermione in the 3rd one.

Answer 4

I did misjudge Dumbledore. I never thought of him hiding so much from Harry pre OotP. Sirius too: I didn't think he was meant to die :'( Can't think of any others....

Answer 5

I misjudged Ginny in CoS. I thought she was just an innocent little kid, but NO, she's a heartless cold blooded killer who blames popular literature for her actions.