In order to give scale to the work, fill it with events and various nuances, writers introduce minor heroes into their works. With their help, events unfold more vividly and richly, not being reduced only to the main line of the narrative. This makes the plot more interesting and entertaining. And despite their secondary nature, in the course of the narrative, along with the lines of the main characters, the lines of their destinies develop. One such minor character in Harry Potter novels is Ernie Macmillan. Let’s try to trace exactly how his fate unfolded.
A few words about the performer of his role
What is characteristic, about Louis Doyle, a boy invited to the role of Ernie Macmillan, nothing is known except his British origin. Where casting experts found him is also a mystery. Given that his hero studied in parallel with Harry (only at the Hufflepuff faculty) and entered the first year in 1991, like our main character, now the actor should be about the same age as Daniel Radcliffe.
Another interesting fact is that according to the book Ernie Macmillan is a well-fed boy. Louis Doyle, however, was absolutely not like a well-fed one and was, rather, of medium build. Also in the book, the guy’s hero was allocated much more space than in the film. Here he was more likely one of the members of the general crowd, and he managed to open his mouth in only two films, or rather, in the Chamber of Secrets and the Goblet of Fire.
And then the scene in the Chamber of Secrets, where Ernie, a full-year sophomore from Hufflepuff, was discussing Harry Potter with fellow students, or rather, that Harry is the “Slytherin’s heir” who was guilty of opening a room with a creepy creature, was subsequently cut from the final version of the movie, and you can now see it only in files that complement the main licensed DVD disc.
Now that we’ve sorted out the actor who played Ernie Macmillan, let's move on to Ernie himself.
"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone"
The Philosopher's Stone says nothing about Ernie. He was introduced into the story only in the second part, in the Chamber of Secrets, from where readers, in fact, learn that Ernie Macmillan is Harry's fellow student, only from the Hufflepuff faculty. This means that he was present in the crowd of freshmen freshmen. However, in the film, neither in the corridor in front of the stairs to the general hall, where Professor McGonagall explains some rules to newcomers, nor in the crowd of children before selection in the hall itself is not visible.
"Harry Potter And The Chamber of secrets"
In this film, Ernie repeatedly lights up in the crowd. Here he is in the place where the bloody inscription on the wall is first discovered, which says that all the Mudbloods should tremble from the fact that a direct descendant of Slytherin appeared in Hogwarts, who was soon going to deal with them.
And in this shot he can be seen in the place where Harry is talking with the snake, caused in a duel by Draco Malfoy with the help of the spell “Serpensortia”.
As it turned out, in the future he held back the snake so that it would not attack Justin Finch-Fletchley, a good friend of Ernie. It was at that moment that Ernie Macmillnan was inspired by the idea that Harry was a descendant of Slytherin, since he was also a “serpentine” to everything.
After what happened in a duel, Ernie began to spread gossip everywhere with the suspicion that it was Harry who was the main villain, who in some incomprehensible way influenced the fact that the Chamber of Secrets with the terrible creature in it opened. It was the moment that testified to this, and was subsequently removed from the film.
Also unlit or rather oversimplified was the moment when Harry stumbles upon a stunned ghost of Almost Headless Nick and the equally immobilized Justin Finch-Flechley lying under him, hanging without movement in the middle of an uninhabited passage. In the film, Finch spotted him, called McGonagall, and she led him to Dumbledore.
In the book, he was “burned” by the ubiquitous poltergeist Peeves, about whom there is not a single word in the film, although he was one of the most prominent characters. Here's how it is told in the book:
... Harry’s legs have grown to the floor. One of the doors burst open and Peeves flew out into the corridor.
- Ah, sweaty Potter! - flying past, he touched Harry's glasses, and they pulled off his nose. - What is he doing here? Who is hiding from?
The poltergeist jumped, rolled somersaults and hung upside down. His gaze fell on the defeated - Justin and Almost Headless Nick. Peeves rolled over, took a deep breath and, before Harry could utter a word, he yelled out that he had urine:
- The attack! Again attack! Save yourself, people and spirits! Save yourself who can! ..
And he began to hum his own, immediately composed: “Harry Potter, you are a villain, a murderer of spirits and people!”
The whole crowd came running to the noise from everywhere, among which was McGonagall. And here is an episode from Ernie:
... At that moment, the very Ernie from the library rushed into the silent crowd without a bloodline in his face.
- Gotcha! He poked a finger at Harry.
“Now shut up, Macmilan,” the professor of transfiguration called him to order ...
In the future, she forced everyone to disperse into their offices. The following is written about Ernie:
... Professor Flitwick and Professor Sinistra from the Department of Stargazers carefully lifted and carried Justin into the hospital wing. But with Almost Headless Nick, a hitch came out: how do you carry a ghost? Professor McGonagall solved the problem - conjured a huge fan from the air, gave it to Ernie and explained how to act. Proud Ernie waved a fan, and a black ghost, like an airship, swam up to its habitat. Only Harry and Professor McGonagall remained in the hallway ...
Later, when Hermione came under the gaze of Basilisk, Ernie redefined his views on who he was, apologized to Harry and began to see the "descendant of Slytherin" in Malfoy. No more was said about Ernie in this book.
"Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkaban"
Here, for the entire book about Ernie, only once is mentioned, when Harry and Ron begin to suspect that with Hermione, and more precisely with the way she manages to be present at the same time in two lessons at once, everything is not clear.
According to Ron, Ernie told him that their friend did not miss a single lesson in Muggle studies, although they often coincided with their lessons, which Hermione also attended. Subsequently, it became clear how, or rather, with what help she does it. But this is already a question “from another opera”.
"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"
In this film, slightly matured Louis Doyle was again invited to star in extras. He lit up at the Quidditch Championship and for the whole book never said a word more, although he was highlighted in it in third roles. Same thing with the movie.
Other books and summary
In the remaining books, he was also needed more in order to give the scenes mass and liveliness. Dialogues did not meet with him, except that he was among the first to call for a fight with the Dark Lord in the "Deathly Hallows."
In general, the conclusion is this. As a student, he was diligent, excellently passed the SOV exams, of the boys he was friends with Justin Finch-Flechley, of the girls - with Hannah Abbot. And all would be well, if not for his stupid conjectures, baseless suspicions and a long tongue. But nevertheless, he, among many (according to the book), enrolled in the Dumbledore Squad, and as he grew older he also began to show the makings of a sober mind and leadership, since he so eagerly called everyone into battle in the end. He participated in the battle for the Hogwarts. It would be appropriate to say “has rewards”, but, alas, besides that, at one point, together with Seamus and Polumna, he helped the main trinity - Hermione, Ron and Harry to disperse the Dementors, there was no more word about him.
Conclusion
That was Ernie Macmillan from Harry Potter. And who is interested to get acquainted with this hero in more detail - see the extended version, or better, read the book in which all the characters are interestingly described.