Most college students today grew up with Harry, Ron and Hermione.Â
Many Potterheads waited in long lines for midnight book releases and dressed up for midnight premieres. We learned every single detail of the books and criticized the movie for incorrect information. We watched our favorite protagonists grow into amazing wizards. We saw them arrive and depart from Hogwarts. We followed them through their journey of love, loyalty and sacrifice.
I, and many other Potterheads, would like to say “thank you” to J.K Rowling for creating a wonderful story for all ages.
Thank you for Harry. The Magic. Bertie Bott’s Beans. Hogwarts. Ron, Hermione and Harry’s friendship. You-Know-Who. Gryffindor. Slytherin. Ravenclaw. Hufflepuff.
That was my childhood. Growing up with these characters, I learned many lessons along with them.
Lesson 1: You can  always count on your friends when you need them and when you don’t.
Harry teaches us that we might be strong on our own, but we are stronger when we have our friends by our side. In our seven-year journey with Harry, he always had two best friends that stood with him against all odds. Even when their friendship was down, they never betrayed each other. The friendship between Harry, Hermione and Ron taught us that friends tell you the truth, even when you don’t want to hear it.
Friends help in you in your toughest moments. Harry Potter would not have gotten the Sorcerer’s Stone if Hermione and Ron didn’t play chess with him. His friends stood with him at the final battle with Voldemort. This shows that the greatest friends are the ones that are there with you from the start to end, and they never give up on you.
Lesson 2: Every family has its own issues.
In every family encounter on our journey with Harry, we see that all families are imperfect in their own ways. Harry lost his parents and is abused by his aunt and uncle. Hermione has to erase her parents’ minds, and therefore they have no memories of her. Voldemort was left at an orphanage. Sirius Black was hated by most of his family. Ron’s brother Percy betrays their family by joining the enemy.
But in the end, Dudley Dursley, Harry’s cousin who hated him for most of Harry’s life, told Harry “I don’t think you are a waste of space.”
This shows that you might not get along with your family, but when you need your family you can always call on them.
Lesson 3: Never lose sight of your dreams.
Harry experiences many ups and down over the course of the book series. When he was a baby, Voldemort tried to murder him. He lived with unkind relatives. He was wanted dead by the most powerful, villainous wizard of all time.
But even through his struggles, he never gave up. No matter what the obstacle was, he always fought to overcome it. Harry lost his parents, his godfather, his mentor and his dignity, but he never stopped fighting. Harry Potter was the only wizard who had all three unforgivable curses cast upon him and survived.
This shows you that you may encounter challenges on your way to accomplishing your dreams, but if you keeping doing your best, you will be successful.
Lesson 4: A mentor teaches you life lessons. But there comes a point where you have to stand on your own two feet.
Harry was  mentored by Lupin, Sirius Black, his parents, and Albus Dumbledore. They all helped him grow into an adult who could defeat The Dark Lord. However, during the battle, he was alone. His mentors helped him to learn that this was his battle, and no other person could him defeat his enemy. This shows that mentors will teach us the skills of life, but, in the end, we are the ones using the skills they have taught us.
Lesson 5: Prejudice is unacceptable.
The wizarding world is not free from discrimination. Discriminations were based on blood status such Pure-Blood, Half-Blood and Muggle-Born. But, as Harry said, “it is not the way you are born but how you life your life.”
Lupin was born a werewolf, but he is one of the most-loved characters in the story. Hermione Granger and Lily Evans, Harry’s mother, were both Muggle-born, but they were the most intelligent and powerful witches of their time.
We’re all different, but no person is a waste of space. Harry Potter shows us never judge a person based on their race, gender, color or anything else.
Lesson 6: Love is more powerful than hatred.
Love was the most significant factor in saving Harry’s life. Voldemort, who never knew love, was destroyed by a mother’s love.
Love was able to destroy the most powerful wizard of all time. Voldemort had many followers, but he was feared,not loved. This shows that hating someone is a waste of energy, and it causes you more harm than good.
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Lesson 7: Chocolate can cure anything.
In the world of Harry Potter, chocolate is the cure to the cold, empty feeling that Dementors give to those around them.
If wizards use chocolate to cure empty feelings, I think Muggles should be able to use it to cure a broken heart.
Sources:
Harry Potter books (photo): taken by Oby Grace.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (photo): FanPop, http://www.fanpop.com/spots/harry-potter-and-the-goblet-of-fire/images/26801988/title/gof-photo.
Oprah Winfrey quote (photo): We Heart It, http://weheartit.com/entry/12183721.