Most powerful wizard in the books? barring DD and LV

[Richard]

No: HPFGUIDX 77423

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Danger Mouse" 
<dangermousehq at h...> wrote:
> sebfish5:
> I'd say Severus Snape or Bellatrix Lestrange, Mcgonagall and 
> Flitwick are both very good wizards but there is little "power" 
> about them. Lupin is also vrey powerful but I think he is a notch 
> below.
> If I was picking duelling teams I'd pick snape first.
> 
> Now, create your own, duelling team, can't have dumbledore or 
> Voldemort.
> Mine
> 1.Severus Snape
> 2.Bellatrix Lestrange
> 3.Remus Lupin
> 4.Sirius Black(yes you can have him)
> 5.Alastor "Mad Eye" Moody.
> 
> Dan:
> I don't agree that McG/Flitwick have little "power." McG is getting 
older, and Flitwick's tiny, but they're very skilled, if only in 
their individual subjects. Now, for my team:
> 
> 1. (Whatever his first name is) Flitwick, a dueling champion
> 2. Severus Snape, with his skill in curses 
> 3. Minerva McGonagall, because I'm sure some heavy transfiguration 
would come in handy
> 4. Lily Evans, the charming one
> 5. Rubeus Hagrid--if he trains up a bit, his 1/2 giant protection 
is a major plus; I wonder what other charms he easily withstands...


Try considering who is feared, why they are feared, and by whom they 
are feared.  (For now I'll stick with the living.)

Lucius Malfoy is definitely feared, as per Dumbledore's comment at 
the end of CoS about the other school governers being under the 
impression that Lucius would curse them if they didn't vote in 
support of suspending Dumbledore.  Lucius seems to display a complete 
lack of conscience, but some adroitness in politics.  That lack of 
conscience is an advantage in a serious duel, as there would be no 
hesitation in the attack, being unconcerned about the effects upon 
the target.

Snape is feared for being very knowledgeable with regard to curses, 
as well as potions, including poisons.  Though the potions and 
poisons would not be of direct help in a duel or combat, he may well 
have a number of potions in mind and hand that would give him an 
edge, and he is a nasty enough cuss to not hestitate in either duel 
or combat.

Moody is both feared and respected.  He's powerful enough 
to "bring 'em back alive," if at all possible, or to kill them if it 
isn't.  Sure, he's now getting old, and a little paranoid, but his 
undeniable power and skill derived from long experience in the most 
desperate of combat has to count for something, and a little paranoia 
keeps the reflexes quick.

Flitwick isn't feared ... or at least we haven't heard about it.  
However, a dueling champion is a dueling champion, and you don't earn 
a title without some very real power and skill.  Also, we know that 
he and McGonagall are able to easily clean up magical messes that at 
least some others find near impossible (the swamp, etc., in OotP).  
If better isn't available, he'll do as a reserve or a stand-in.

McGonagall is, without question, both powerful and knowledgable, but 
though feared by students, she doesn't seem to be feared much outside 
Hogwarts ... unless you consider the number of stunners that hit her 
a kind of homage due a feared witch charging at you.  Again, she's 
likely a reserve.

Lupin is feared for being a werewolf, which doesn't involve magical 
ability at all, but still, we know his a talented wizard, and has 
little to lose.  All that time running around with James and Sirius 
definitely rubbed off, so he is at least a reserve.

Kingsley Shacklebolt is, as an auror, feared, and he has the 
experience to be a rather senior one.  He did a nifty little memory 
charm in a somewhat crowded room without being noticed by the wrong 
people, which shows some real intelligence and skill.  Thus, he is 
likely a lower pick for the team, but probably on it.

Beatrix Lestrange is feared, she's now probably more than a little 
crazy, and she is devoid of anything remotely resembling a 
conscience.  Particularly if you were in combat, and you could be 
assured that she really was on your side, she could come in quite 
handy.  No hesitation, good power and a serious attitude.  She's on 
the team, but others are unlikely to turn their backs toward her 
unnecessarily.

So, who else do we know enough about to make at least preliminary 
estimates of their abilities?  And what do YOU think of them?