Harry Potter

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’s Development Of Friendships Essay, Research Paper

Harry Potter’s Development of Friendships

The novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling, is a story about an orphan named Harry Potter who is sent to live with his relatives, the Dursleys. For the first ten years of his life, Harry is hated and ignored by his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon. Harry has never experienced a friendship with anyone until the day he is sent to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Throughout the school year, Harry develops a balance of friendship between Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Neville Longbottom. Each of them, has a need to belong somewhere. Together, they form a balance that make them each feel wanted in way that they have never known until they meet each other.

On the train ride to Hogwarts, Harry discovers a lot of similarities with Ron Weasley. Together, Harry and Ron help each other through the hard times and remain loyal friends without trouble. Harry’s first encounter with Ron took place on the train to the Hogwarts School where he realizes how alike the two are. Ron explains, “ ‘You never get anything new … I’ve got Bill’s old robes, Charlie’s old wand, and Percy’s old rat’” (100). Ron having five older brothers, knows the meaning of sharing, while Harry, a boy who has never had anything to share, now had access to money. Harry describes that “ ‘After all, he’d never had any money in his life until a month ago’”(100). Harry decides to buy candy and share it with Ron. For the first time, Harry can share something with a person and Ron gets something that is not handed down. The two boys become friends easily because they are comfortable around each other. During many occasions, Ron risks getting into trouble to help Harry out. When Malfoy dares Harry to a Wizard’s duel, Ron is there to sneak out with Harry risking getting into major trouble with the professors. They both give each other strength to do things they would never do. Near the end of the book, Harry, Hermione, and Ron is going through multiple tests to get to the Sorcerer’s stone. Ron exclaims, “ ‘That’s chess. You’ve got to make sacrifices! I’ll take one step forward and she’ll take me – that leaves you free to checkmate the king, Harry’ ” (283)! Ron risks his life and safety to help his friends, something he would of never did at home. Ron always thinks he is shadowed by his brothers. Ron fears he can never live up to his brother’s history as heroes. Ron all along has courage that he does not find out until he is finally recognized by Dumbledore who announces, “ ‘for the best played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award Gryffindor fifty points’ ” (305). Ron and Harry helps each other find their strong points as their friendship grow stronger too.

Hermione Granger begins as book smart student. As the school year progresses,

Hermione and Harry help each other with their strengths and abilities. Upon arriving at Hogwarts, Hermione always wanted to do everything by the rules. Sometime during the year, she realized that friendship can be more important. Hermione explains, “ ‘Please, Professor McGonagall –they were looking for me. I went looking for the troll because I –I thought I could deal with it on my own…’ ” (120). For the first time ever, Hermione has lied to a teacher. This begins the turning point where Hermione, Harry, and Ron become good friends. Harry helps Hermione get pass being perfect all the time. Sometimes a person needs to have fun and let go of all the rules. Hermione, too, helps Harry by using her mass knowledge about magic in times when it is needed. Hermione helps Harry with his schoolwork so he can pass everything. She helps Harry realize too that you need to balance between fun and school to accomplish goals. Hermione and Harry becomes such good friends that she is willing to break rules and help Harry get to the stone. She uses her knowledge to help Harry figure out which potion to drink to get through the fire. For that, she is awarded by Dumbledore who says, “ ‘ –to Miss Hermione Granger…for the use of cool logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor house fifty points’ ”(305).

Neville Longbottom comes to Hogwarts as a scared, nervous boy who can not stick up for himself. Ron, Hermione, and Harry help Neville to overcome his fears, and in return he helps them consider the safer side in approaching conflicts. Harry and the others teach Neville how to stand up to people like Draco Malfoy. Harry expresses, “ ‘You’re worth twelve of Malfoy. The Sorting Hat chose you for Gryffindor, didn’t it?’ ” (218). Harry’s words encourages Neville to finally say something to Malfoy and even to his friends, Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Neville, who has never been praised for anything, won points from Dumbledore who ended saying, “ ‘It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends’ ” (306).

Harry Potter begins his life as a loner because his relatives did not want to acknowledge him. At Hogwarts, he meets three people who become his good friends. Each has a strength and with that a weakness. Ron needs Harry to help him realize that he can be great and live up to his many brothers. Hermione helps Harry through all his schoolwork and during danger. In return, Harry helps Hermione loosen up and acknowledge what true friendship is. Neville gets courage from his friends. Together, they overcome the weakness and help each other through all the conflicts that come their way.

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