A Defense Of Harry Potter And Why He Is A Great Character

Harry Potter may be flawed, but that is what makes him a great character and one who truly was special to us all.

Once Again Someone Attacks Harry Potter

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Once again Harry Potter has come under attack by those who wish to do harm. Harry Potter is the Boy Who Lived, a hero, and the one who has truly generated a large following amongst millions of people across the globe. However, this is not to say that Harry Potter is perfect. Quite the opposite, he is flawed. And that is what makes him so fantastic. That being said... to the list!

Now Its Time For the Counterargument

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You Shall Not Harm Harry Potter

The Second Wizarding War was Not About Harry Potter

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Yes, part of the War was about saving Harry Potter and protecting him from Voldermort. And Yes, he is the "Chosen One" prophesied to bring about the end to Voldermort. However, the primary purpose of the war, and the reason so many people laid down their lives was to defeat Voldemort, not to die for Harry Potter. So many of them saw the consequences of Voldemort's rise to power that they would do anything to prevent it from happening agains.

The reasons for various characters joining the war throughout the series are diverse. The objective of the Order of the Phoenix was to defeat Voldemort, Molly Weasley joins to protect her family, knowing full well the last wizarding war cost her the lives of her brothers, and Neville joins the war because his parents were tortured into insanity by the same people fighting for power now.

I could go on... but clearly the primary reason for so many of these people sacrificing their lives during the war was NOT for Harry Potter.

Harry Potter's Parents Were the Ultimate Parents

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Harry Potter's made the ultimate sacrifice for their child. He never asked his parents to die and sacrifice themselves for him. He was a baby, and really couldn't articulate anything more than basic desires and needs. His parents to die for him because at the age of one he wouldn’t have comprehended the concept of death. However, his parents loved him and laid down their lives for their child so he could live. Now that's some quality parenting.

C'mon Harry Hated Being the Center of Attention

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So sorry the Dark Lord tried to kill me and so sorry I was left with this large scar that makes me stand out like a sore thumb.

Harry never wanted to be the "Chosen One," didn't want to be a Champion in the Triwizard Tournament, or become a Horcrux. He never sought out the attention. He actually wanted to just be like any other normal wizarding kid. He didn't seek out the limelight, the limelight chose him.

And c'mon let's all remember he grew up in the Muggle world. We all can't be like Hermione and awesome, so how was he to know that the Triwizards tasks had "protections." For all he was told, people actually died during the tournament.

The Dursley's Are Horrible People and Deserved Harry's Anger

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The Dursley's are not nice people. They lie to him, ridicule his family, call him deranged and criminal, made him live under a cupboard, and told him as a child that he was unworthy of love or kindness. We've all thought they deserved a good tongue lashing at times and many of us cheered when he finally told them off. The nicest thing Dudley says to Harry is that he isn’t a waste of space. So clearly, the kid is a bit entitled to being angry at times.

Moaning Myrtle is a Peeping Tom

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And a habitual one at that... she even mentions she spied on Cedric as well... not cool.

Ghost or not... Wizarding Law or not... being a peeping tom certainly is creepy and any unwanted sexual advances are clearly inappropriate.

Harry Potter's Rule-breaking was Justified for the Greater Good

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Harry, Ron and Hermione break the rules only to uphold the greater good or moral high ground. The only times they're breaking the rules is to save Hogwarts and those they love. Like keeping the Sorcerer's Stone from Voldemort, saving Ginny from the Chamber of Secrets (because every adult is giving her up for dead) or you know destroying horcruxes to prevent Voldemort from coming back every time he is vanquished.

Besides how was Harry to trust anyone to uphold the rules when he had the Ministry spreading lies, Voldemort possessing Quirrell, and Umbridge trying to harm him all the time?

Harry Potter Relies on His Friends

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Harry routinely relies on his friends and understands how important they have been to his success.

Thanks Buzzfeed for already showing the importance of friendship in Harry Potter!

Harry Sticks Up for His Friends

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Not only that but Harry is a REALLY good friend. He's a great judge of character and sticks up for you from Day One. Malfoy tried to tell Harry that Ron wasn't a good wizard friend to make, however Harry, within hours of meeting Ron, tells Malfoy to bugger off. He does the same when Romilda Vane tells Harry that Neville and Luna are kind of beneath him. Harry doesn't succumb to peer pressure and is a really good friend.

Harry Potter is Modest

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Harry never flaunts his achievements and success stories, in fact he quite maturely displays a bit of humility, often telling everyone that he's not that special and is no different than any other boy wizard. When he helped form Dumbledore's Army he told them his prior achievements were mostly due to luck and the help of others.

And what's wrong with having a little help from our friends?

Harry is a Good Teacher

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Although at first reluctantly, because he didn't want to get anyone in trouble with Umbridge, Harry eventually helps his classmates learn difficult spells. He taught young wizards to conjure corporeal Patronus charms. That's some pretty difficult magic.

Harry Potter is a Teenager

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How many of us were truly in charge of our emotions during our teenage years, even when we weren't under the eye of all of wizarding kind. Going through puberty alone, without everyone watching is hard enough, we can give the kid a bit of a break.

Its partly why he is also such a reasonable character and one so many of us emphasize with. He is flawed, like any one of us, but he is ultimately trying to do what's right and help his friends.

Harry Grew Up and Learned From Life

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Sure Harry didn't do everything right, but he learned from his mistakes. That is what truly makes a good person. He may have acted rather stubbornly without thinking at 15, or didn't listen to a man who had openly ridiculed him throughout school, or treated the Patil twins unfairly at 14, but he certainly grew up and treated Ginny rather well. He acknowledges his mistakes and tries to be a truly honorable person. What more could we ask for from a man?

Sincerely Someone who has REREAD the Books and Reconciled the Differences From the Movies

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I love all my Harry Potter friends... even the Slytherins