Harry Potter: 10 Evil Acts Committed By Gryffindors

Students who are sorted into Gryffindor House are brave, daring, and chivalrous, and as such, the titular character of J.K. Rowling’s best-selling fantasy series was the archetypal Gryffindor. Harry was heroic from the moment he set foot in Hogwarts and he was never afraid to face terrifying adversities for the good of the wizarding world.

Other prominent characters – such as Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Albus Dumbledore – were also brave in the face of danger. Even Neville Longbottom – who was rather cowardly when he first arrived at Hogwarts – grew into a brave and knowledgeable wizard.

But Gryffindors can’t be good all the time. Throughout the Harry Potter series, there are plenty of instances where their actions have contradicted the very essence of their house. Just like members of Slytherin, Gryffindors are capable of evil, and given the right situation, they can be angry, jealous, selfish, and violent.

Whilst the majority (but certainly not all) of the evil acts committed by Gryffindors didn’t have long-term consequences, they still demonstrate how even the most honourable of individuals can be wicked when they want to be…

Harry’s fifth year at Hogwarts was a struggle. As well as being tortured by Professor Umbridge during multiple detentions, he was seen by many as a mad attention-seeker who liked to cause trouble.

Influenced by the words of The Daily Prophet, Seamus did not believe Harry’s story about the Dark Lord’s return. And on the first day of their fifth year, the pair of them engaged in a heated argument which involved Seamus insulting both Harry and Dumbledore. Far from being brave, Seamus’s actions were cowardly as well as mean.

Thankfully, he changed his mind following Harry's interview in the Quibbler, which detailed Voldemort's return and the Deather Eaters who remained loyal to him. But it's still frightening how easily Seamus turned on someone who he had been friends with for the last four years.