The 31st of July is a special day. It marks the birthday of the Boy who Lived – that’s Harry Potter for you muggles.
In celebration, I will be focusing on the seven most underappreciated quotes from the Harry Potter series, one from each book. These quotes have been decided upon through very scientific methods, namely reading all the books about five times. Also, I’m a Hufflepuff, so finding isn’t really an issue here.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone:
“The truth.” Dumbledore sighed. “It is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution.”
Such a beautiful quote that becomes more poignant if you think about Dumbledore’s difficult relationship with the truth. He spent most of his life fighting for truth and justice, but he could not share much of his shameful past.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets:
“It’s a disgusting thing to call someone,” said Ron, wiping his sweaty brow with a shaking hand. “Dirty blood, see. Common blood. It’s ridiculous. Most wizards these days are half-blood anyway. If we hadn’t married Muggles we’d’ve died out.”
Ron Weasley’s simple explanation of why Mudblood is a derogatory term is so underappreciated because a) a lot of people forget that his character has depth because of how he is portrayed in the film adaptations, and b) it is the start of Rowling’s powerful critique on discrimination (back before she went for after-the-fact twitter announcements).
Janke van Schalkwyk (21), an honours student in Afrikaans and Dutch, shows her “I solemnly swear that I’m up to no good” tattoo. PHOTO: Supplied.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban:
“Have you ever seen anything quite as pathetic?” said Malfoy. “And he’s supposed to be our teacher!”
Harry and Ron both made furious moves toward Malfoy, but Hermione got there first —
SMACK!
She had slapped Malfoy across the face with all the strength she could muster. Malfoy staggered.
One of the most iconic scenes ever. Probably the moment that my 12-year-old self became a feminist. The fact that Hermione, who is incredibly proficient in magic, still went for the muggle way of fighting is an extra blow to Malfoy.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire:
“Why do they have to move in packs?” Harry asked Ron as a dozen or so girls walked past them, sniggering and staring at Harry. “How’re you supposed to get one on their own to ask them?”
“Lasso one?” Ron suggested.
A fantastic piece of dialogue that resonates with anybody that has had to ask somebody to a dance. This is made even better by the fact that Harry’s thoughts just before this incident are about how he’d much rather face a dragon than ask a girl on a date.
Willene Potgieter (22), a final year Education student shows off a part of her Harry Potter collection. PHOTO: Supplied.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix:
“There’s things more importan’ than keepin’ a job,” said Hagrid.
I like this quote because it shows that Hagrid, who is often seen as dumb, has the right priorities in life and understands that there is more to value in life than some job (or degree for that matter).
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince:
“But you think you’re right?” said Harry.
“Naturally I do, but as I have already proven to you, I make mistakes like the next man. In fact, being — forgive me — rather cleverer than most men, my mistakes tend to be correspondingly huger.”
A fantastic quote by Dumbledore and something I try to convince myself every time I mess up on a grand scale.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows:
The world had ended, so why had the battle not ceased, the castle fallen silent in horror, and every combatant laid down their arms? Harry’s mind was in free fall, spinning out of control, unable to grasp the impossibility, because Fred Weasley could not be dead, the evidence of all his senses must be lying—
I have nothing to add except that this quote encapsulates what’s so important about Harry – even after all the trauma and hardship he’s been through, he continues to care so deeply about others.
I hope you enjoy your 31st of July by avoiding J.K. Rowling’s twitter feed and eating pumpkin fritters.