We’ve all read them. We’ve all lost somebody we love amongst their pages. And we all love the genius author who brought us such happiness despite everything. Harry Potter was never just a fictional character, he was never just the protagonist in what was meant to be a children’s series; he became much more than that the minute he escaped the cupboard under the stairs. In 4,224 pages, Harry and his friends, his allies, and his enemies told us all much more than just a story.
Even if you are different from others, you can achieve great things.
Beginning with Harry himself, he was mistreated for 10 years by the people who were meant to love him. His aunt and uncle and cousin ridiculed him for being different, a difference he knew nothing about, and tried to change him into someone he would never be. They abused him and felt no remorse for their actions, only more contempt toward his existence.
Once he reached Hogwarts, everyone knew who he was. He was famous for his past, and quickly became infamous for his celebrity. Harry admitted on many occasions that he was “just Harry,” and that meant nothing special, but he received special treatment regardless.
Throughout the series, Harry discovers many new qualities and talents that set him apart from the other witches and wizards of his age (his penchant for flying, his knack for thwarting dark wizards, his ability to speak parseltongue …). Ultimately, most of what sets Harry apart from his peers is what aids him in his success, along with help from his friends.
Sometimes what you need has been right in front of you all along.
We have all heard of the classic tale of best friends who grow up to fall in love, but nobody does it better than Ron and Hermione. As in many cases, the two start out as annoying acquaintances who are forced to be around each other due to a common denominator (in their case, Harry and their Hogwarts house, Gryffindor). Quickly, they learn of each other’s redeeming qualities and become best friends.
As time passes, though, Ron becomes increasingly more aware of the positivity of Hermione’s wit, and he learns to appreciate the number of times she gets him out of a tight situation. It seems to take all seven books before they finally get their heads in gear and get together, but they have always had one another to count on.
Similarly, Harry and Ginny have always been close, have always been there to save each other, and it takes them the length of the series to show their feelings, as well. Harry first meets Ginny as he is getting onto Platform 9 ¾ for the first time, and then he saves her from the Chamber of Secrets in his second year. Ginny has an obvious crush on him, but is also the one Weasley to put Harry in his place at times. It seems inevitable that the two end up together, and with children.
You have to face your fears in order to overcome them.
In just his first year of learning magic, Harry faces his worst enemy, Professor Snape, head on. He goes into the situation wholly unprepared, and incredibly aware of how unevenly matched he is. However, he knows that his life, his friends’ lives, and the safety of the entire magical community is at stake should he not at least try to defeat his nemesis.
When he gets there, though, he learns that he was even more unprepared than he thought; Lord Voldemort, the greatest dark wizard of all time, was waiting for him under a guarded trap door in the school.
It is important to let a little light in when things seem tough.
Time and time again, things seem to be at an end for Harry. Each time, his friends are there to remind him that he is not alone. Time and time again, Ron or Hermione has to remind Harry that the three of them are fighting this fight against dark forces together.
In the middle of the Triwizard Tournament, the three schools come together to put on a Yule Ball, in celebration as a community, rather than remain divided.
Whenever circumstances seem dark or bland, the Weasley twins are there with a box of tricks to cheer everyone up. After the Ministry begins dismantling, they seem to be the only ones keeping up a business in dark times. Everyone needs a laugh in disparaging times.
The day that the Ministry finally falls is also the day of Fleur Delacour’s and Bill Weasley’s wedding. Even amongst all the death and destruction that Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters are causing, there is still a wedding being held to celebrate the union of two families.
Even if you are different from others you can achieve great things.
Hermione Grange was muggle-born and quickly became known as the brightest witch of her age. She could outscore even the purest of bloods in any subject in school and could perform magic well above her skill set.
Luna Lovegood was always an outcast, a stranger. From the minute she is introduced, she is “Loony Lovegood.” But because Luna’s mind works against the norm, she is able to think of different outcomes that prove helpful.
Hagrid is half-giant and never graduated from Hogwarts because he was expelled in his third year. He was allowed to stay on the grounds as gamekeeper and help Dumbledore out however he could. Because of Hagrid, many unanswered questions are answered and Harry and his friends are able to get out of tight spots.
Neville Longbottom is not very smart, athletic, or graceful. All of this becomes very clear in his first year. But Neville is loyal and will never betray his house or his friends.
Remus Lupin is a werewolf, but he turns out to be the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher Harry and his friends ever have. He is brave and he is loyal.
Sirius Black is a wanted escapee of Azkaban prison. But he is Harry’s godfather, and he protects Harry from afar to the best of his ability. Until he has to protect Harry in a battle against the Death Eaters, in which Sirius fights to protect his godson until his untimely death.
Severus Snape is sinister and sly. He is a double-agent for both Voldemort and Dumbledore, with the sole purpose of protecting Harry Potter. He risks his life, and eventually gives it up, in order to protect the son of a man he loathed in life.
Harry Potter was raised and ridiculed by Muggles who tried to stamp his magic right out of him. But as soon as he enters the wizarding world, he learns he is different from everybody else, and all he wants is to be the same. But his difference is what leads him to defeat the greatest dark wizard of all time.
“Though we all come from different places and speak in different tongues, our hearts beat as one.”
