Severus Snape must be one of the most complicated souls in the Harry Potter world — part villain, part hero, and entirely misunderstood. He spent years lurking around classrooms with that permanent scowl, throwing insults sharper than his wand. Everyone at Hogwarts — and every reader — loved to hate him. But then came the twist.
Snape was protecting Harry out of love. This love never faded, not even after Lily Potter was gone. Beneath his black robes and colder-than-winter attitude was a man ruled by guilt and love.
When Snape died, it wasn’t just the end of a character — it was the loss of someone who lived in moral grey, who taught us that redemption sometimes wears a scowl. But honestly, the man didn’t deserve that death. He should have lived to tell his story. He should have lived to stop hiding in the shadows, finally. There were plenty of other people who could have taken that hit instead. Let’s get into it.
1. Cornelius Fudge
A still of Cornelius Fudge from the Harry Potter franchise | Credit: Warner Bros.
Cornelius Fudge was the Minister for Magic. He is the minister who loves to live his life in ignorance. He knew very well about Harry’s warnings. He just chose to ignore them. He told the wizarding community that Voldemort’s return was impossible instead. He was kind of a useless fellow in a time of crisis.
His death could have been a game-changer for sure. What if he had a small redemption arc? Maybe he realized too late that ignoring evil doesn’t make it go away. It would’ve been poetic justice, really. The man who dismissed Harry’s truth could have gone out trying to save his people. Instead, he quietly vanished from the story. He was probably out there somewhere sipping tea and hoping people forgot how useless he’d been.
Let’s face it — Fudge dying in an act of bravery would’ve given him more dignity than the legacy of being “that clueless guy who wore green bowler hats.” Cornelius Fudge would probably schedule his own funeral press conference and still deny Voldemort was back.
Related: “For that I’m sorry”: Real Reason Emma Thompson Hated Harry Potter
2. Narcissa Malfoy
Images of Narcissa Malfoy | Credit: Warner Bros.
Now, Narcissa Malfoy is an interesting choice to replace Snape’s death, too. The Malfoy family practically wore arrogance as perfume. And Narcissa was no exception. She was elegant and icy. She was loyal to her bloodline to the core. But hidden under that polished exterior was a mother. Later in the movies, we get to see the mother terrified of losing her son. It wasn’t out of defiance for good when she lied to Voldemort about Harry being dead. The lie was love for her child. That flicker of humanity changed everything for her character arc.
But imagine if she had died protecting Draco, or even Harry. It would’ve been a full-circle moment. Much like Lily Potter, a mother stands between her son and death. It would have redefined her entire character, turning a proud, pure-blood aristocrat into a mother willing to defy darkness. Her death would’ve hit hard — it would’ve been haunting and strangely beautiful.
She didn’t deserve hate, but her sacrifice could’ve rewritten the Malfoy name. In a parallel version, maybe Narcissa dying for Harry would’ve felt like a quiet nod to Lily. Two mothers who got connected by love, not blood.
3. Draco Malfoy
Images of Draco Malfoy | Credit: Warner Bros.
Draco Malfoy, Hogwarts’ poster boy for “my dad will hear about this.” Spoiled, snarky, and always armed with insults sharper than his wand skills, Draco was the perfect blend of privilege and insecurity. But under the sneers and gelled-back hair, there was a scared kid molded by his parents’ choices and the pure-blood propaganda he grew up swallowing.
As he got older, Draco realized evil wasn’t glamorous. Being ordered to kill Dumbledore wasn’t power in any sense. It was punishment. At the end of the movie Half-Blood Prince, the cracks began to show. The boy who mocked Harry was left standing trembling. Draco did find some redemption later, though in some way. But imagine if his arc ended in sacrifice. Maybe while saving someone during the Battle of Hogwarts, he could have died.
Or instead of Harry saving Draco in the Room of Requirement, it could have been the other way around. The scene could have ended with Draco’s death.
Draco’s death, instead of Snape’s, would have been equally tragic for sure. But it would have also been so very poetic. It could have been like the son paying for the sins of his father. He could have finally broken the Malfoy cycle of fear and pride.
4. Percy Weasley
A still of Percy Weasley from the Harry Potter franchise | Credit: Warner Bros.
Ah, Percy Weasley — the red-headed rulebook. Every family has one overachiever. A person who insists on wearing a tie at breakfast, and that was Percy. He wasn’t a bad person, just insufferably serious and obsessed with authority. While Fred and George were pulling pranks and Ron was off saving the world, Percy was busy writing reports for the Ministry and probably color-coding them too.
His “Ministry-first” attitude caused real heartbreak, especially when he turned his back on his own family during the ascent of the Dark Lord. It made him one of the most frustrating characters in the entire series. But in the end, Percy came back. He was humbled and heartbroken. He was ready to fight beside the very people he once dismissed. Percy probably sent the Ministry a vacation request form before joining the Battle of Hogwarts, though.
Now imagine if Percy had died during the Battle of Hogwarts — saving his family, or even Fred. The same family he once abandoned. That would’ve been the perfect redemption arc. His death could’ve replaced Snape’s as the emotional core of the finale — a proud man finally realizing that love and loyalty matter more than ambition and approval. The Weasleys losing Percy instead of Fred might’ve been a softer but more meaningful blow.
5. Minerva McGonagall
A still of Minerva McGonagall from the Harry Potter franchise | Credit: Warner Bros.
Minerva McGonagall was pure magic. She was the ultimate boss of Hogwarts. One eyebrow from her could silence an entire room faster than a silencing spell. She wasn’t just a teacher. She was a force of nature. Her power wasn’t loud or flashy. Her power was quiet, graceful, and absolutely terrifying when it needed to be. The woman could turn into a cat. She dealt with teenage drama almost every day. But in the end, she still kept her spectacles spotless. That’s talent.
She wasn’t just a teacher handing out homework. She was a fighter who stood her ground in both wizarding wars. She faced Death Eaters like they were rude students interrupting class. She even took on Voldemort himself without flinching. She was Hogwarts’ moral compass and its emotional heartbeat.
Now imagine if she’d died instead of Snape. The heartbreak would’ve been unbearable. It would’ve felt like losing the soul of Hogwarts — the one person who always kept everyone safe. Her death would’ve been heroic, but far too cruel for fans to handle.
6. Cho Chang
A still of Cedric Diggory and Cho Chang from the Harry Potter franchise | Credit: Warner Bros.
Poor Cho. If anyone in the entire series got done dirty, it was her. Known mostly as “Harry’s first crush” and “Cedric’s girlfriend,” Cho Chang deserved way more than just being remembered for crying in corridors. The girl saw her boyfriend’s dead body for Merlin’s sake — that kind of trauma doesn’t just vanish after a few tears and a butterbeer.
She was brave enough to join Dumbledore’s Army when most were too scared to even whisper against the Ministry, and she fought for what was right, even while carrying a broken heart.But her story just… fizzled. Imagine if Cho had gone out in a blaze of courage — dueling Peter Pettigrew, the rat who caused so much death, including Cedric’s.
If she’d gotten to avenge Cedric and fallen fighting, she would’ve gone down as a hero rather than a forgotten side character. It would’ve been poetic. She would not have died out of fear or tragedy, but in the name of love and justice.
Cho’s character had kindness and loyalty. She had more strength than people gave her credit for. Instead, the films and the books brushed past her pain. Her sacrifice would’ve carried more emotional weight than another misunderstood man dying from a snake’s bite.
7. Gilderoy Lockhart
A still of Gilderoy Lockhart from the Harry Potter franchise | Credit: Warner Bros.
The man could probably fall in love with his own reflection if given five minutes alone with a mirror. He was charm and chaos wrapped in glitter and ego. Imagine a peacock with a wand and too much hair gel — that’s him. He strutted through life with his perfect smile, polished robes, and not a single clue about what he was doing. He’d have been Voldemort’s fiercest rival if vanity were dark magic.
Lockhart wasn’t evil in the classic sense. He didn’t crave power or world domination. He just wanted applause — endless, deafening applause. The man built an entire career by stealing other wizards’ achievements, erasing their memories, and pretending he was a legendary hero. His greatest spell wasn’t magic — it was marketing. But his luck ran out when one of his own charms backfired, and boom — memory gone. Karma with flair.
If Lockhart had died instead of Snape, Hogwarts wouldn’t have mourned. No one would have lit a candle. He was funny, yes, but mostly for the wrong reasons. Severus Snape’s death made everyone’s hearts ache. Lockhart’s would have made people say, “Well, that was overdue.” And knowing him, we are sure that Lockhart would’ve probably insisted his tombstone say, “Author, Adventurer, Absolute Delight.”
8. Mundungus Fletcher
A still of Mundungus Fletcher from the Harry Potter franchise | Credit: Warner Bros.
Mundungus Fletcher — the name alone tells you everything you need to know. He’s the sketchy guy you’d never trust with your wallet or your wand. This man was always up to something shady. He was technically part of the Order of the Phoenix (Why? J.K. Rowling, why?). But calling him a reliable member would be like calling Peeves polite.
He wasn’t outright evil — just incredibly self-serving. Mundungus cared about survival, and if that meant running away mid-mission or selling something “borrowed,” so be it. He somehow managed to dodge consequences every single time. He slipped through danger like a greasy ghost. Honestly, it would’ve made perfect sense if he’d met his end running from Snatchers. Or if he accidentally crossed paths with Voldemort and was killed. The coward getting caught in his own mess — poetic in a messy way.
Snape’s death broke hearts and made people rethink everything they knew about him. If Mundungus had died instead, there would’ve been no tears. It would have just been a collective “about time.” He wasn’t a villain, just the kind of man who looked out for himself when others were fighting for something bigger.
9. Lucius Malfoy
A still of Lucius Malfoy with his son Draco from the Harry Potter franchise | Credit: Warner Bros.
Ah, Lucius Malfoy — the man whose cane probably had a bigger ego than most wizards. Rich, arrogant, and forever clutching his status like a prized broomstick, Lucius was one of Voldemort’s oldest supporters. He spread fear, bullied others through power and money, and nearly got an eleven-year-old girl killed by sneaking Tom Riddle’s diary into her bag. That’s not just evil, that’s parenting malpractice.
Lucius was obsessed with appearances. He was obsessed with control and terrified of losing both. He treated Dobby, his house-elf, like dirt. He raised Draco with the same superiority complex he wore like a crown. Lucius probably polished his cane more than he hugged Draco. But under all that cold charm was a coward. When the tides turned, he cowered and stumbled, his pride crumbling faster than a broken wand.
If Lucius had died instead of Snape, it would’ve made sense. The man who once looked down on everyone could’ve gone out trying to protect his son or even redeem himself. Snape’s death symbolized misunderstood love; Lucius’s could’ve symbolized overdue justice. He had years to change — he just didn’t.
Related: Harry Potter: 10 Times Ron Weasley Proved He Was Smarter Than Harry and Hermione
10. Dolores Umbridge
A still of Dolores Umbridge from the Harry Potter franchise | Credit: Warner Bros.
Dolores Umbridge is a name that can ruin anyone’s mood faster than a Howler at breakfast. She was living proof that evil doesn’t need dark robes or snake tattoos. It can come dressed in pink. She was sugar on the outside and poison underneath. She is the kind of person who’d offer you tea right after making you carve words into your own skin. Even her Patronus was a cat, because she’d have a pet that ignores everyone but itself.
Her cruelty wasn’t fueled by curses or power-hungry madness — it came from control. Rules were her weapons. She didn’t just want order; she wanted submission. Umbridge turned Hogwarts into a horror show with lace curtains. And the worst part? She thought she was right. That made her scarier than Voldemort — at least he never hid his evil behind good manners and kitten plates.
She was petty, manipulative, and disturbingly proud of it. Every “hem-hem” felt like nails on a chalkboard of the soul. If she had died instead of Snape, fans wouldn’t have shed tears — they’d have thrown a party: big hats, pink confetti, the works. Snape died misunderstood. Umbridge lived untouched. Somehow, that feels unfair.
Movie NameDirected ByIMDb RatingRotten Tomatoes RatingHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)Chris Columbus7.780%Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)Chris Columbus7.582%Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)Alfonso Cuarón7.991%Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)Mike Newell7.788%Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)David Yates7.578%Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)David Yates7.683%Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)David Yates7.776%Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)David Yates8.196%
Snape’s death was tragic. But it also showed that not all heroes get statues or songs. Some just get remembered — painfully, quietly, and with the wish that they’d been given one more chance.
So, do you agree with the list? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
Harry Potter films are currently streaming on HBO Max.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
