Wielding The Axe
The Lesson: Jo Rowling is ruthless
As Shown By: Everyone was expecting a few tears to be shed along the way, but the sheer volume of well-loved characters that Rowling decides to kill off took us all by surprise. Cedric, Sirius, Dumbledore, Mad-Eye, Dobby (sniff), Fred, Remus, Tonks… never have so many fan favourites felt the sharp end of an author’s axe!
Sweet Tooth
The Lesson: Magical sweets knock Fruit Pastilles into a cocked hat
As Shown By: We’ve often thought that of all the magical bits and pieces that exist in Rowling’s world, the various goodies on offer in Honeydukes sweet shop are the ones we’d most like to get our hands on. From Fizzing Whizzbees to Bertie Botts' Every Flavour Beans, they make Wonka’s offerings look pedestrian by comparison.
Now You See Me
The Lesson: An invisibility cloak really would be brilliant
As Shown By: How many times does that ruddy cloak get Harry out of a tight spot? Serving as an access-all-areas pass to some of Hogwarts’ most forbidden recesses, its proves an invaluable tool throughout the films. Its standout performance? Allowing Harry to eavesdrop on McGonagall, Hagrid and Fudge when they reveal the true nature of Harry’s relationship with Sirius Black. Oh, and Harry probably deserves a pat on the back for his discretion too. Giving a teenage boy a cloak of invisibility in a mixed boarding school would ordinarily be a recipe for disaster…
Sister Sister
The Lesson: It’s okay to hit on your best mate’s sister
As Shown By: Whilst Ron is initially less than pleased by the idea of Harry copping off with his sister, he comes around to the idea without so much as a single punch thrown. We’re not so sure this one would hold water in real life…
Eight-Legged Freaks
The Lesson: Giant spiders are always bad news
As Shown By: Even in the world of Harry Potter , where even the ickiest of magical beasties are usually shown to have a soft and cuddly side, the acromantulas (giant spiders to you and me) should be left well alone. Even though they recognise Harry and Ron as friends of Hagrid (a sworn ally of the Hogwarts colony), they attempt to turn them into a light snack, and when it all starts kicking off at the Battle Of Hogwarts, they can’t wait to start picking off the stragglers. Giant spiders are bad news, period. Just ask Frodo…
Gone But Not Forgotten
The Lesson: The people who die never leave us
As Shown By: The scene with the Resurrection Stone in Deathly Hallows pt. 2 illustrates this point in a particularly touching fashion, as Harry’s dearly departed relatives rally around him, supplying him with the courage required to face down Voldemort. It’s a wonderfully tender scene amid the bombast of the film’s big finale.
Morally Bankrupt
The Lesson: Principles are all that keep us from savagery
As Shown By: Whilst the Death Eaters might be a loathsome group of fascists, their actions are at least informed by a cause. However, some of the series’ most heinous characters are those who don’t operate in accordance with any principles at all. We’re thinking of the hideous Fenrir Greyback, who works for Voldemort purely because he enjoys killing, and Dolores Umbridge, whose only motivation seems to be the furthering of her own career alongside a sadistic streak a mile wide.
Hell Hath No Fury
The Lesson: It doesn’t pay to jilt a witch
As Shown By: Whilst most teenage girls might deal with rejection by having a bit of a cry and possibly starting a nasty rumour or two, Hermione Granger doesn’t react so placidly. Hence the flock of angry birds she sends Ron’s way when he kisses Lavender Brown. Let that be a lesson to you chaps… never end up in a witch’s bad books!
Heart's Desire
The Lesson: You can waste your life dreaming of what might have been
As Shown By: The Mirror of Erised reflects the most heartfelt desires of whoever stares into it, but it is presented as a destructive, almost maddening influence on the beholder. While at first the images of Harry’s parents serve as something of a comfort, he finds himself becoming obsessed with the mirror, until Dumbledore is forced to step in. “It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live,” he warns Harry. “Remember that.”
All Good Things
The Lesson: Christmas just isn’t the same without a major fantasy franchise propping it up
As Shown By: As soon as the nights start drawing in and the first Christmas lights start cropping up in high streets up and down the country, we start looking forward to the next instalment of an epic fantasy franchise. At one time, that franchise was Lord Of The Rings , after which the baton was passed to Harry Potter . But this year, we’re left bereft. Fortunately, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 is out on Blu-ray, DVD and digital download today. We've already bought our copy, addicts that we are…
