Let me start by making one crucial point—this post is about book Ginny; movie Ginny is the actual worst. This is in no way a reflection on Bonnie Wright, who I think is lovely, nor on her performance or acting abilities. I am talking about the way her character was written for the movies—her storyline was almost entirely expunged from the movies, and the parts they did include were poorly written and removed all traces of her personality. Those movies did our girl real dirty. Now that we’ve established that…

I’ll admit that dear Ginevra did not arrive on the scene with her best foot forward; she went full deer-in-the-headlights any time Harry was around, and she refused to speak in front of him for the first several books—not to mention the whole singing valentine “new-pickled toad” fiasco. There was also that unfortunate business with Tom Riddle possessing her. But to that I say, who among us has not been tongue-tied and horrifically awkward around our crush, and which of us did not find ourselves the victim of our own naivety when we were 11 years old? And after all, no lasting harm was done.

Ginny really starts to come into her own, however, in Order of the Phoenix. After years of pining after Harry, she finally decides to take him down from the pedestal. She dates someone else and allows herself to become comfortable being in Harry’s presence. It’s amazing how much difference actually speaking to someone can make, and she and Harry finally start to get to know each other for real. 

This is also the book where we are introduced to Ginny’s skill, not only with a wand, but on a broom as well. Ginny is a founding member of Dumbledore’s Army, and quickly masters the spells that Harry teaches them. She also fills in for him as seeker on the Gryffindor Quidditch team when Harry lands detention after detention with Umbridge, and is eventually banned from playing altogether. When Harry races to the Ministry of Magic to rescue Sirius (RIP), Ginny uses her legendary Bat-Bogey hex skills to escape the inquisitorial squad and insists on accompanying Harry and the gang to London. In the ensuing battle against the Death Eaters, she is one of the only members of the D.A. to remain conscious the entire time and retain some semblance of ability to fight. This is incredible considering she is one of the youngest members of the D.A. Order of the Phoenix is also where she blesses us with one of my favorite lines in all of literature: “…you sort of start thinking anything’s possible if you’ve got enough nerve.”

Half Blood Prince Ginny is my absolute favorite, which makes sense since we get significantly more of her in this book than any other. Half Blood Prince is also my favorite book of the series, and one of my top 2 favorite books of all time (the other is the Fellowship of the Ring). If you need proof that Ginny is an extraordinary witch, you need look no further than Horace Slughorn. He spent his entire career learning how to identify those students who would go on to occupy influential positions in the wizarding world, and made it his business to recruit them to the Slug Club in the hopes of benefiting from that influence in the future. The fact that Ginny and Hermione are the only members of the Slug Club that we know of who are invited because they impressed Slughorn with their talent really says something—everyone else was asked because their families were known to have money and power (Harry being the exception as “the Chosen One”). The very first time he saw her, Slughorn knew Ginny would go on to do great things.

I would, once again, like to mention how let down I was by Ginny’s portrayal in the movies. Watching Harry slowly start to become more aware of Ginny and discover that he is, in fact, in love with her, is beautifully executed in the book. Seeing her through Harry’s eyes gives the reader additional glimpses into the things that make Ginny such a remarkable character. She is obviously good-looking, based on the number of people we see her dating during her time at Hogwarts, but there are so many other wonderful things about her that we get to see in the books. 

Not only is Ginny a talented seeker, she is also an incredible chaser, a role she adopts on the Gryffindor Quidditch team under Harry’s captaincy in Half Blood Prince. She’s good enough that she goes on to become a professional chaser for the Holyhead Harpies. She’s also a fiercely loyal friend, and not afraid to stand up for herself; I love a girl who doesn’t take crap from anyone. One of my favorite examples of this is when Ron is getting onto her about kissing Dean Thomas in the corridors, and she tears into him, calling him out for being misogynistic and pointing out that the only person who had ever kissed him was their Aunt Muriel (which is seen to be a true burn when we meet the foul woman in Deathly Hallows).    

When Dumbledore dies at the end of Half Blood Prince (RIP), Ginny is the only one who is able to offer Harry any comfort, and she stands by him as he breaks the news to the rest of the Order. When Harry ends their relationship to protect her from Voldemort while he’s off hunting horcruxes, she understands and accepts it calmly and with grace (but she doesn’t let that stop her from sucking his face on his 17th birthday). And while he is gone, she takes her place on the front lines, leading the rebellion at Hogwarts against Severus Snape (RIP) and the rest of the Death Eaters.

The courage that Ginny exhibits over the course of these books is astounding. She bounces back amazingly well from her possession by Voldemort in her first year at school. She faces down Umbridge and the Inquisitorial Squad. She charges into the Ministry beside Harry, knowing that Voldemort himself is probably waiting for them. She leads the rebellion at Hogwarts against the Carrows’ reign of terror. And she stands and fights at the Battle of Hogwarts, in the face of great loss (RIP Fred). 

Ginny is such a great example of character growth; seeing her go from a fearful and awkward girl in the first book to the strong, fierce, independent woman she is at the Battle of Hogwarts is amazing. Watching as she holds her own as the youngest of 7 children (and the only girl) is incredible; in a family of Order members, entrepreneurs, and one brother who hunted down pieces of Voldemort’s soul with the Chosen One, she still manages to make a name for herself. She is proof of the fact that we create our own destinies (a concept highlighted throughout the series). That you can grow from a terrified child to a strong, confident woman. That you can stand firm in the face of terror and unthinkable loss. That you get to decide what legacy you leave. And that, with enough patience and determination, you might even marry the Chosen One. I guess anything really is possible if you’ve got enough nerve…