25 Profound Lessons Derived From Harry Potter Characters

The Harry Potter series has taught us a lot of life lessons. It teaches you to choose your friends wisely, to face your fears, ask for help if you need it, that people aren't always what they seem, that everyone dies but some never really live, that the most harmful action is inaction, that it's OK to be a misfit, that mother's love is the purest and stronger and many more, but the most powerful one being MAGIC IS REAL. 

Here are 25 profound lessons from each character of the Harry Potter series. 

1. Harry Potter 

“It was, he thought, the difference between being dragged into the arena to face a battle to the death and walking into the arena with your head held high. Some people, perhaps, would say that there was little to choose between the two ways, but Dumbledore knew - and so do I, thought Harry, with a rush of fierce pride, and so did my parents - that there was all the difference in the world.” 
― Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

The point of your continued survival is not all you have to offer this world, even after feeling like you’ve lost everything but your life. Your past is not the defining factor of your future. It only proves that you have the strength to survive anything that it throws at you. 

2. Hermione Granger

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“Books! And cleverness! There are more important things! — Friendship! And Bravery!” ― Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

She literally taught us "reading can save your life". Wisdom is more powerful than knowledge. Love is mightier than hate. Loyalty is stronger than encouragement. And, courage is found in all of these things.

3. Ron Weasley

There was a pause, in which the subject of Ron’s departure seemed to rise like a wall between them. Yet he was here. He had returned. He had just saved Harry’s life. ― Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Facing your fears is overwhelming, but it's worth the reward. Being brave isn’t always running into battle with your sword. Sometimes, it’s sacrificing your own peace of mind, time, and energy to help others get through their struggles, too. 

4. Sirius Black

"The heart is where you truly live. This heart! Here!" ― Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

You aren’t defined by other people’s opinions of you. As long as you are genuine to yourself, aware of who you are, and have a handful of people in your life who understand your true character, you don’t need to prove anything to anyone. Your existence, personality, and reality of self are valid. 

5. Professor Minerva McGonagall

“It’s high time that your grandmother learned to be proud of the grandson she’s got, rather than the one she thinks she ought to have.” ― Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

If someone knows that you believe in them, you could potentially change their lives. Be fierce: dedicated, brave, protective, loyal, and kind. The things you care about are always worth fighting for.  

6. Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore

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“Happiness can be found in even the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. 

Great knowledge is attained with great pain. Our lives are full of surprises, and we’ll never predict all the obstacles and opportunities that come our way.

7. Hagrid

"I am what I am, an’ I’m not ashamed.” ― Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. 

Take pride in your work and protect those you love loyally. You cannot control the future. You can only control how you prepare for it, whom you choose to share it with, and how you handle what it brings. 

8. Professor Severus Snape

Source: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

"After all this time?" 

"Always," said Snape.” ― Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

There is a story behind every human’s bitterness and outward actions. Don't forget this before judging them. Forgive often, and wholeheartedly. Love fiercely and passionately, and do so with loyalty. Sometimes, what is right isn’t always easy. You can be hurting and still do the right thing. You are capable. 

9. Dobby 

“Dobby has no master. Dobby is a free elf!” ― Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Freedom from your pain is always attainable, especially if you find the right support system to help you achieve it. Friendship is an incredible, wonderful gift. Hold onto those you consider companions. They may end up saving your life. 

10. Draco Malfoy

“it is exceptionally lonely, being Draco Malfoy.” ― Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

It’s never too late to oppose the darkness. It’s never too late to take hold of your present, and refuse to let your past, or the people who have controlled it, have leverage over you. 

11. Luna Lovegood

“You're just as sane as I am.” ― Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Being yourself is the greatest gift you can give the world. Your truth, your thoughts, and your unique, brilliant existence is can be provided to the world only by you. Adapting to society isn’t how one achieves peace with themselves. Accepting yourself for the quirky, odd, wonderful person you are, is. Celebrate yourself as often as possible.

12. Voldemort

“There is no good and evil, there is only power and those too weak to seek it.” ― Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

You will not find peace or power in tearing yourself apart, nor in trying to overpower the people around you. Hate will always lose in the end. Existing without connection isn’t living. Neither is trying to survive without love. Life without love is barely living.

13. Dolores Umbridge

“Potter, do something. Tell them I mean no harm."

"I'm sorry, professor. But I must not tell lies.”

― Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Being cruel and controlling will backfire in the end. Education should never have a political agenda. Offer help and support, rather than trying to suppress or ignore.

14. Nymphadora Tonks

“My Head of House said I lacked certain necessary qualities...like the ability to behave myself.” ― Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

You are only young once. Enjoy it. Grow from the experiences and the people around you. Don’t waste a second of the time you have, the love you give, and the things you learn. 

15. Remus Lupin

“It is the quality of one's convictions that determines success, not the number of followers” ― Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

You, exactly as you are, with all flaws and faults, are deserving and capable of finding love. And, chocolate can often fix a bad day.  

16. Lily Potter

"Harry, be safe, be strong" ― Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Alone, we are vulnerable and weak. Together, survival is inevitable. There is nothing stronger than a mother's love. Love is the strongest force on earth. 

17. Fred and George Weasley

“Where's the fun without a bit of risk?” ― Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Laugh often. Life is not meant to always be taken seriously. Bringing joy to other people will likely bring it to you, as well. 

18. Ginny Weasley

“Anything's possible if you've got enough nerve.” ― Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Bold is beautiful. You don’t have control over the people around you, or the situations they put themselves in. But, you will continue to grow despite their actions, and, over time, you might find them transforming with you. Don't let anybody underestimate you or try to stifle your potential. 

19. Molly Weasley 

“I see a light in the kitchen. Let us not deprive Molly any longer of the chance to deplore how thin you are.” ― Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Treat friends like family, and treat strangers like friends. Life is too long of a journey to be selfish. Be generous in all you do, and in doing so, you will find strength in the love that you cannot imagine. 

20. Arthur Weasley

“What exactly is the function of a rubber duck?” ― Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Never judge those who are different than you. Curiosity is a good thing. Trust, kindness, and honesty are the greatest attributes one can possess. 

21. Bellatrix Lestrange

“Shut your mouth! You dare speak his name with your unworthy lips, you dare besmirch it with your half-blood's tongue, you dare —”

― Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Constantly pursuing the past will drive you mad. Knowing no limits might just kill you. There is no gain in seeking revenge, or dedicating your life to a cause of hatred. 

22. Hedwig

“‘Hedwig — Hedwig —’ But the owl lay motionless and pathetic as a toy on the floor of her cage.” ― Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Animals are great companions. They will be by your side from the very beginning until the very end and how much the pain of departure and the loss of innocence will leave you empty. 

23. Cho Chang

“Don't you understand how Cho's feeling at the moment?" [Hermione] asked.
― Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

It’s okay to take time to grieve. Recovering from loss isn’t a battle that lasts a single day. You are allowed to not be ready to move forward. 

24. Cedric Diggory

"Remember Cedric Diggory.” ― Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

A life worth living is not defined by your victories, but the people you have the honor of sharing them with. Be kind and humble, always, and good people will be drawn to you. 

25. Neville Longbottom

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“We’re all going to keep fighting, Harry. You know that?” ― Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Your purpose may not be apparent to you every second, but you are destined for a greatness that you can’t possibly even comprehend yet. Look forward to the future, and be mindful of all you can do to create a better present. It is not always simple to be confident, but finding the things and people that give you confidence makes life that much more purposeful. And, most importantly, only the biggest adversities will reveal your true self. 

Written by - Anusha Vajha

Edited by - Adrija Saha