“Up, up, up, up!” That was us practicing our magic abilities on the kitchen broom. Hey, Harry’s first time didn’t go so smoothly either. But once in the air, the boy really knew how to fly! OK, not at first. See? There is still hope for us all! All we need is a flying class with Madam Hooch. Unfortunately, the legendary flying instructor is employed elsewhere, at some school called Hogwarts, and we’re still waiting for our acceptance letter.
Until then, we will have to make do with occasional screenings of our favorite sport – Quidditch. From the very first year at Hogwarts, Madam Hooch makes sure Harry and the others know how to mount a broom and learn to fly. She also discovered Harry’s incredible snitch-catching abilities, and even refereed his first Quidditch game. Go, Gryffindor!
Gemma Jones as Madam Pomfrey
Madam Pomfrey, or by her character name - Poppy Pomfrey - is a school nurse at Hogwarts. Her area of expertise is healing magic, and she seems to be quite good at it. In fact, her hospital wing always seems to be full of students, yet she stays on top of it all. Throughout the series, she has to deal with the mischievous likes of Harry and the gang, who prove to be quite prone to ‘accidents'.
From re-growing bones, to werewolf bites, to Quidditch maladies, to a full-blown battle, Madam Pomfrey is constantly kept on her toes. Perhaps that's what makes her so lovable and realistic to us. Who here hasn't heard the nurse's favorite line - ‘get out! Visiting hours are over!'?
Gemma Jones Now
It sure seems like Gemma was born to play the part of Madam Pomfrey, but this veteran actress has actually been in the professional acting world since 1962! In fact, her filmography is longer than almost any other woman's on this list. Gemma Jones began her career while at school at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. She quickly entered the film industry by landing herself major parts in Jane Eyre, Bridget Jones' Diary, God's Own Country, Sense and Sensibility and many more. In 2015, she even won herself a BAFTA Award for her role in Marvelous.
This year, she is already on the go, splitting her time between the movie set of Rocketman, and the TV show Gentleman Jack. Busy, Busy, Busy.
Zoe Wanamaker Now
From her 1970's performance as Hermia, in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Zoe Wanamaker has come a long way. After moving to the UK from the United States when she was just 3-years-old, she knew she wanted to be on stage, on screen or just up there with the stars. As a starting actress, she joined the Royal Shakespeare Company and national theater, and before she knew it, the offers were just rolling in. The Harry Potter franchise is one of her few movie appearances, along with My Week With Marilyn, Babs, and a few others.
But her true talents lie in original theater work, and the extensive TV show appearances she's done, such as in Mr. Selfridge, My Family and more. She has even won an Olivier award for best actress, in the Broadway hit show - Electra.
Frances de la Tour as Madame Maxime
If you thought Hagrid, our friendly half-giant gatekeeper, was a surprisingly large sort of fellow, then lean back in your seats, because he is nothing compared to the size of Beauxbatons giant French headmistress - Madame Maxime. We were introduced to Olympe in the fourth book, just before the Triwizard Tournament, when the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons schools of magic sent their contestants to compete for the winning cup at Hogwarts.
At the time, Madame Maxime claimed that she was simply ‘big boned.' Yeah, okay. Although everybody knows you never ask a woman about her height...or her figure, for that matter. She later joined Hagrid on a mission through Europe, to persuade the giants from joining Voldemort. Romantic? Maybe...