Our Favorite Single Ladies in the “Harry Potter” Series
There are many gifted witches in the Harry Potter series who never let sexism stand in their way. A majority of these women are married or in serious relationships. However, let’s not forget that unmarried characters in the Harry Potter books make endless contributions to the wizarding world. These women are all different, with various magical skills that make them invaluable to wizarding society. As an asexual single person myself, I know I’m not the only person who looks for representation in literature. It’s reassuring to read about unmarried female characters slaying the game! These characters prove that they are no less worthy just because they choose to be single.
1. Professor McGonagall
Starting off this countdown with the queen herself, Professor McGonagall is the ultimate powerful single woman. She obtained many suitors throughout her lifetime, and she even married briefly. However, McGonagall has spent most of her life without a partner. What I love about McGonagall is that she still has a very fulfilling life and isn’t depicted with the spinster trope. McGonagall is always in the middle of the action, ready to help all her students and fellow professors. Her close friendship with Professor Dumbledore is lovely too. Their relationship is proof that a man and woman can be great friends and share platonic love between them. McGonagall is fierce, loyal, and one of the wisest characters in the series. Honestly, is any man really worthy of her?
2. Parvati Patil
This next one is tricky because Potterheads don’t know for sure what happened to Parvati after the Battle of Hogwarts. However, we do know that Parvati didn’t really date while she attended Hogwarts, only sharing a few dates with a Durmstrang student during her fourth year. From what we know, Parvati instead preferred to spend her time with her female friends. We assume that Parvati followed in the footsteps of her mentor Professor Trelawney, becoming an independent Seer. Parvati certainly seems to adore everything about Trelawney, from her career to her eccentric personality. It’s not a leap to assume that Parvati pursued this same career and untethered lifestyle.
3. Professor Sprout
One of the most underrated professors at Hogwarts is definitely Pomona Sprout, which is a real shame, because she is kind, devoted to her students, and a brilliant Herbologist! Professor Sprout is the teacher everyone loves because she never has a harsh word to say to anyone, and she really spends the time getting to know her students. Most notably, she becomes a sort of mother figure to Neville. She takes Neville under her wing and helps him discover his potential as a Herbologist as well. One of my favorite Sprout moments is when Professor McGonagall informs Neville that Sprout has told her all about his talent for Herbology. What a way to boost a student’s confidence!
4. Madame Maxime
Madame Maxime is another character who mostly remains single for the duration of the Harry Potter series. While Maxime did date Hagrid for a time, the pair ended up just being good friends. Maxime seems busy running Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, and like Professor McGonagall, she forms close relationships with her students, such as Fleur Delacour. Also, Maxime worked alongside Hagrid and Dumbledore to convince the giants to ally against Voldemort in the upcoming war. Maxime took up such a dangerous mission, leaving everything behind of her life in France. Maxime is as brave as any Gryffindor, no doubt!
5. Leta Lestrange
While Leta Lestrange was engaged last we saw her in the Fantastic Beasts films, Leta spent most of her life taking care of herself. At Hogwarts, Newt Scamander was her best friend, and that was the only significant relationship in her young life. It seems that Theseus Scamander was the only romantic relationship she ever had, but Leta never defined herself by the men in her life. She was a brilliant witch, earning a job at the British Ministry of Magic and seeming to have a successful career right out of Hogwarts. Let’s not forget that even when Dumbledore questioned her in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, Leta stood up to him and asserted her magical talent. Now that is a confident and powerful witch! Leta is certainly a character I wish we had seen more of in the films.
