The Harry Potter series addresses many important themes, but perhaps the strongest theme that is explored is the importance of friendship and being able to love and care for other people. The friendship between the Golden Trio is central to the plot, and themes of loyalty and love are even essential to Harry’s ability to defeat Voldemort.
It could be argued that friendship is actually the most important theme of the entire series – after all, it’s Harry’s bond with Ron and Hermione that allows him to step up and save the day. Without support from his friends, he wouldn’t have the strength to defeat Voldemort, who is so alone in the world.
Updated on March 21st, 2021 by Svetlana Sterlin: Friendship is the most enduring quality of the Harry Potter series, both in the books and the films. Given how much the film relies on special effects, action, and mystery, this is quite a significant feat and speaks to the power of friendship, especially the one between Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Harry Potter is unique in this sense because many other popular franchises are better remembered for their battle sequences or epic romances. Thus, viewers can learn quite a lot about friendship from the Harry Potter films.
10 “You Don’t Really Think You’re Going To Be Able To Find All Those Horcruxes By Yourself, Do You?”
Harry is first introduced to the concept of a Horcrux in The Half-Blood Prince. Dumbledore trusts Harry enough to allow him to accompany him on a quest to retrieve what he believes is a Horcrux. The mission essentially costs Dumbledore his life, and the locket they find in Voldemort’s lair is a fake.
He shows Hermione and Ron at the end of the film, where they stand on the balcony of Dumbledore’s office, looking out at the Black Lake. He tells them he’s got to finish what Dumbledore started and find the other Horcruxes. Hermione takes the locket from him and says, “I’ve always admired your courage, Harry, but sometimes you can be really thick.” She reminds him that they’re in this together, and they would never let him embark on such a dangerous mission alone.
9 “Hermione, No! He’s Not Worth It.”
In what turns out to be one of the most iconic scenes of the Harry Potter series, Hermione faces off with Malfoy. They’re on their way to see Hagrid when they come across Malfoy and his two cronies preparing to watch Buckbeak’s execution. Having been mildly injured by Buckbeak, this is a personal matter for Malfoy, whose complaints to Lucius are what led to Buckbeak’s fate.
Outraged, Hermione corners him with her wand at his throat. Ron begs her to think before acting: “He’s not worth it,” he insists, which may be the wisest thing he’s ever said. For a moment, it seems like Hermione’s going to listen, but then she whirls back around and punches Malfoy in the face. Admittedly, it’s a satisfying moment, but Ron’s advice is sound.
8 “I’ll Go With You.”
At the end of Deathly Hallows, Harry prepares to make the greatest sacrifice of all. Everything has been done, the Horcruxes found, the battle fought, and he knows that now only one thing remains. Hermione and Ron have known for a while that it might end this way, but they still find the separation hard to process.
Inseparable for seven years, the Golden Trio is now faced with the harsh reality that Harry was never meant to survive this journey. They’re the last people he parts with, and the hardest to say goodbye to. Hermione is so reluctant to part with him, even though she knows it’s inevitable, that she offers to accompany him on this, the hardest road he’s ever had to take.
7 “I Think I Can Tell The Wrong Sort For Myself, Thanks.”
As the First Years are ushered into Hogwarts, Harry meets his classmates for the first time. Ron tells him about the four houses and who usually ends up in which. When they meet Malfoy, Harry doesn’t need Ron to tell him which house he’s about to be sorted into.
Draco reeks of arrogance and entitlement, and Harry instantly knows that they won’t be friends. Of course, Draco has heard of him and wants to make his acquaintance, so he tries to belittle Ron by calling the Weasleys “the wrong sort”. Harry politely declines his offer to become friends, signifying that character is more important than social standing.
6 “You’re The Weak One … And You’ll Never Know Love Or Friendship … And I Feel Sorry For You.”
Things come to a head in The Order Of The Phoenix in the Ministry of Magic, where Harry and Voldemort come face-to-face once more. The Dark Lord has just fought Dumbledore, then disappeared seemingly into thin air. A moment later, it’s as if he’s possessed Harry.
Harry collapses to the ground, writhing as Voldemort speaks through his mouth. He tells Harry that he’ll never win and that he’s weak. But, perhaps thanks to Snape’s training throughout the year, Harry brings back powerful memories of him with his parents and friends. The memories remind him that friendship is his most powerful asset and that Voldemort is weak without it.
5 “Then You Should Have Died! Died, Rather Than Betray Your Friends, As We Would Have Done For You.”
In Harry Potter, friendship is so important that it’s something that the characters are willing to die for. These bonds of love and loyalty are clearly quite deep, and this kind of care for loved ones is something that’s truly admirable.
Sirius Black is completely disgusted with the fact that Peter Pettigrew would sell out his friends to save himself. He’s the one who betrayed Lily and James to Voldemort, and Sirius calls him out for being selfish because he would go to any lengths for his friends.
4 “I Enjoyed The Meetings, Too. It Was Like Having Friends.”
While Harry, Ron, and Hermione might be the best friends in the series, there are other friendships that are important. Luna is also a really good friend to Harry, and the two share a special connection that Harry doesn’t have with anyone else.
When she becomes a member of Dumbledore’s Army, it’s clear that it’s important to her because she finally feels like she belongs. This is a nice reminder that sometimes it’s good to branch out and meet new people. Sometimes, people who don’t seem like they’d click end up being great friends, like Harry and Luna.
3 “What A Beautiful Place To Be With Friends. Dobby Is Happy To Be With His Friend.”
Dobby’s death is easily one of the saddest moments of the entire series. Dobby is a great friend to Harry in that he’s always there for him and willing to help him, even if it means making Harry angry.
When he passes away in Harry’s arms, he retains his signature optimism. While this is a truly tragic moment, it does remind viewers to look on the bright side of things even in difficult times. It also shows how much Harry’s friendship means to Dobby, who used to be an unwanted house elf.
2 “Books And Cleverness – There Are More Important Things; Friendship And Bravery.”
Hermione is parting ways with Harry in The Philosopher’s Stone after Ron is defeated by a giant chess piece. They’re not sure what’s in store for Harry in the next room, so she earnestly wishes him luck.
Harry takes the opportunity to thank Hermione for her support and let her know how amazing he thinks she is. She laughs the compliments off, telling him that her cleverness isn’t as important as friendship.
1 “It Takes A Great Deal Of Bravery To Stand Up To Your Enemies, But A Great Deal More To Stand Up To Your Friends.”
When it comes to being a good friend, it’s not always about agreeing and nodding along. Being a good friend sometimes means standing up to one’s friends or pointing out when they’re making a mistake.
So, when Neville stands up to the Golden Trio, he’s doing his best at that moment to be a good friend to them. Even though he may be upsetting or annoying them in the moment, it takes true bravery for Neville to put the greater good – in this case, he’s trying to protect his friends as well as Gryffindor’s reputation – ahead of his friends.
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