Considering her role as the mother of our hero, Harry Potter, Lily Potter plays a rather minuscule character in the whole scheme of things. Her story, however, plays a major part in Harry’s life and memories. Throughout the movies, we see only bits and pieces of Lily’s younger years through Harry’s memory, or his glances into others’ memories of her.
After He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named finds the Potters in their home in Godric Hollow, Lily desperately attempts to save her baby boy’s life by shielding him in her arms. Unbeknownst to Harry, this action would later end up saving his life multiple times. But in the long run, it’s her backstory that ends up protecting him the most.
Afshan Azad as Padma Patil
There were many changes when adapting J.K. Rowling's original characters to film, and Padma Patil is a perfect example. We all know that Padma is only one-half of the giggly Patil twins, but in the books, Padma is actually sorted into the Ravenclaw House (as opposed to her sister, Parvati Patil, whose fate lies among the Gryffindors).
However, in the movies, Padma is a Gryffindor, too, just like her sister Parvati. Either way, they both prove themselves to be on the good guy's team, and add to the overall picture of our bewitching middle school setting, as well as being vital members of Dumbledore's Army.
Afshan Azad Now
Just like Bonnie Wright (and unlike most of the other women on this list), Afshan Azad was not a professional actress before being cast as Padma Patil. She actually admitted to only having auditioned for the role just for the fun of it! Crazy, right? But that does explain why we haven't seen her since. Shortly after the end of the Harry Potter series, Afshan's father and brother were charged with threatening her life.
At the young age of 22, she became intensely entwined in a seemingly never-ending court battle for her livelihood. Not quite the fame and fortune we imagined for this star. But what a beautiful, strong woman she has turned into.
Geraldine Somerville Now
Geraldine Somerville made a name for herself long before the Harry Potter franchise. Before her role as Lily Potter, Geraldine was mostly known as Detective Sergeant Jane Penhaligon, from the once-popular crime show series, Cracker.
She then moved on to smaller roles, such as Louisa, Countess of Manton, in the Titanic mini-series, or Sarah Griffin in the BBC's mini-series, Quirke. Lately, Geraldine Somerville served as Lady O, in the 2017 blockbuster, Goodbye Christopher Robin.
Natalia Tena as Nymphadora Tonks
Nymphadora Tonks has got to be one of the coolest characters of the entire franchise. As if she wasn't cool enough, she also has the coolest job ever: a dark wizard catcher. If we were a metamorphmagus, we would totally be a dark wizard catcher, too. It's just so dark and mysterious. But if you haven't fallen in love with her yet, wait until you see her babysit. She may not have thought about it at the time, but being a metamorphmagus comes with major babysitting points.
And luckily for Ginny, Hermione, and the gang, Tonks doesn't hold back when showing off her abilities at dinnertime, or when it's her turn to watch over them. As a vital member of The Order of the Phoenix, and the one with the most flourish, her untimely death was truly devastating to us. I cry watching it every time.