The Magic of Harry Potter

The Harry Potter series become an important part of today's culture, and has gained fans from all corners of the world. But what is it that has made the story of the boy who lived so popular?

One of the main things is how you can relate to at least one of the characters. Children who have had broken childhoods can see how Harry pulled himself out of his difficult adolescence. They see Harry as a sort of role model, someone they can look up to.

Harry himself is a very brave and courageous character, making a strong role model. He stays loyal to his friends, and always puts them first. But what about the other characters?

For kids who grew up feeling as if they were a 'nerd' or a 'swot' and who have been bullied for it, Hermione is someone to look up to. She found life difficult in the first three books and didn't have many friends. But in the later books, she still kept her intelligence but learned to treat it like a strength. Hermione became a powerful and empowered character, who makes good practical decisions. 

Kids who grew up in low income families could look up to Ron Weasley, because he had the exact same experience. Ron grew up in a simple home and was always given hand me down clothes. But he still made the most of what he had. Ron became Harry's most loyal friend and stood by him during all of his troubles. Ron became a loving husband and caring father, showing that your upbringing shouldn't hold you back at all.

Neville Longbottom grew up without his parents, and suffered bullying and self esteem issues during his first four years at Hogwarts. He was never particularly good at magic, but he did find something he was good at; Herbology. To follow this, Neville actually grew up to become a Herbology teacher at Hogwarts. He also increased his confidence hugely, particularly in the fifth book. He learns to stand up for himself and becomes more skilled at using defensive spells. So Neville shows you that even if you aren't happy with yourself for now, things will change, and it's worth waiting for. 

My favourite characters are Neville and Luna Lovegood.

I love Luna because she always keeps herself positive and upbeat, and that's the kind of person I aspire to be. In the battle of the Department of mysteries in the 5th film, Neville uses the immobilization spell; Petrificus Totalus. Luna takes her time to praise Neville for his move, something I think is a very important thing to do for someone, particularly in a tense situation like they were in.

So in conclusion, I believe that the magic of the Harry Potter franchise won't be dying out any time soon. They are captivating stories with beautifully written characters. JK Rowling has defined a legacy.