Saying the Harry Potter novels are the most popular book series of our generation is by no means unrealistic. If you were not captivated by the books, the movies drew you in; and, if you haven’t read or watched Harry Potter you have at least heard of them. So after visiting The Wizarding World of Harry Potter last week, I began to contemplate why this specific series hits home with almost an entire generation. The reason is simple—bravery.
Harry Potter, of course, exemplifies bravery in almost every page in the series. From facing off against the most powerful dark wizard of all time at the meager age of 12 to his willingness to sacrifice his own life at eighteen to protect his friends, Harry proves time and time again he truly embodies the bravery expected from a Gryffindor.
However, when fans are asked who their favorite character is from the novels, the answer is overwhelmingly not Harry Potter. Instead, fans shout out anything from Hermione Granger to Dobby the house elf. Despite each character displaying their own specific character traits, we love them for the same reason. Every one of JK Rowling’s characters, in their own unique way, is brave.
The bravery each character shows inspires readers in different ways. Luna Lovegood finds her bravery by fearlessly being herself. She never holds anything back, despite how different or weird any other character finds her. This may not be a heroic form of bravery, but is inspiring to people scared to be themselves. And a lot of us fear being ourselves more than we would like to admit.
One of the most impacting moments of bravery for me was Neville Longbottom taking control of Dumbledore’s Army when Harry, Ron, and Hermione leave Hogwarts. Neville was the timid, bumbling wizard who to some should not have even been sorted into Gryffindor in the first place, much less become the defacto leader when the Golden Trio disappeared.
But he does. Neville takes over and keeps the student’s spirits alive and even destroys a Horcrux during the Battle of Hogwarts. A young boy who was terrified of the Dark Arts and Death Eaters conquers those fears because he believes in Harry. Neville proved that no matter how afraid a person may be, they can still do amazing things.
Out of all students at Hogwarts, Hermione Granger is probably the most popular character to female readers. From her brains to her firm loyalty to her friends, she is truly a worthy role model. But do not expect to hear Draco Malfoy call her anything but an unworthy, unnecessary Mudblood. Which is quite true (although maybe not the unworthy and unnecessary part), for all intents and purposes Hermione Granger is a Muggle-born witch.
Which means Hermione Granger, at 12 years old, was whisked away from her Muggle home and Muggle life and thrust into the life of a young witch. Before her Hogwarts letter, Hermione knew nothing about the Wizarding world. But suddenly, Hermione was thrust into this world she had only ever read about in a book. Imagine how terrifying that must be for a child.
However, we hardly ever see Hermione let her actions be affected by it. Hermione walks right into Hogwarts with her head held high, determined to be the greatest witch of her class. Despite constant insults from Draco and his fellow Slytherins, she never falters. She never gives up and goes home. Hermione stay at Hogwarts right alongside Harry and Ron. That is true bravery.
Harry Potter contains entirely different demonstrations of bravery from each character, and that is precisely why everyone loves the books. Each person can find their own fears in a character, and then watch that character conquer them. And that character’s bravery makes you think; well if they can do all that, then maybe I can be brave too.
