Several months ago, a friend requested that I write about my favorite non-climactic moments in each of the Harry Potter books. I've literally been stewing over this for weeks. It's been incredibly difficult to choose, but I think I've narrowed it down to just a few moments per book!
You ready?
Here we go!
When Harry goes to Diagon Alley for the first time.
"Harry wished he had eight more eyes... There were shops selling robes, shops selling telescopes and strange silver instruments Harry had never seen before, windows stacked with barrels of bat spleens and eels' eyes, tottering piles of spell books, quills, and rolls of parchment, potion bottles, globes of the moon...."
—Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Chapter 5, page 71-72
I love this moment. It's the first time Harry really sees the wonder of this new world. He is amazed that it is all real, and even more amazed that he gets to virtually start his life over. He is no longer the abused little kid hiding underneath the stairs at Number 4, Privet Drive. He is for the first time in his mind, the boy who lived.
When Ron sacrifices himself in the chess game.
"'Yes...' said Ron softly, 'it's the only way...I've got to be taken.'
'NO!' Harry and Hermione shouted.
'That's chess!' snapped Ron. 'You've got to make some sacrifices! I take one step forward and she'll take me - that leaves you free to checkmate the king, Harry!'...
'But-'
'Look, if you don't hurry up, he'll already have the Stone!' There was no alternative.
'Ready?' Ron called, his face pale but determined...He stepped forward, and the white queen pounced. She struck Ron hard across the head with her stone arm, and he crashed to the floor...The white queen dragged Ron to one side."
-Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Chapter 16, page 283
I love Ron. He is so important to the story of Harry.
Throughout the books, Ron frequently sacrifices his wants, feelings, and even sometimes his life for the cause. Think about it. Who went with Harry into the Forbidden Forrest to talk to giant spiders, even though they were his biggest fear? Whose only desire is life is to be recognized and loved for himself, and yet allows himself to almost constantly be in the shadow of his famous best friend, usually without complaint? Who drops out of school and leaves his home and family to help Harry search for horcruxes? Who remained friends with Harry year after year, knowing that it put not only him, but his entire family in grave danger?
Ron.
No, he wasn't perfect, but he was willing to give his life for Harry, and this moment in the first book illustrates that perfectly.
So there's Book 1! Stay tuned for more!
When Ron sacrifices himself in the chess game.
"'Yes...' said Ron softly, 'it's the only way...I've got to be taken.'
'NO!' Harry and Hermione shouted.
'That's chess!' snapped Ron. 'You've got to make some sacrifices! I take one step forward and she'll take me - that leaves you free to checkmate the king, Harry!'...
'But-'
'Look, if you don't hurry up, he'll already have the Stone!' There was no alternative.
'Ready?' Ron called, his face pale but determined...He stepped forward, and the white queen pounced. She struck Ron hard across the head with her stone arm, and he crashed to the floor...The white queen dragged Ron to one side."
-Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Chapter 16, page 283
I love Ron. He is so important to the story of Harry.
Throughout the books, Ron frequently sacrifices his wants, feelings, and even sometimes his life for the cause. Think about it. Who went with Harry into the Forbidden Forrest to talk to giant spiders, even though they were his biggest fear? Whose only desire is life is to be recognized and loved for himself, and yet allows himself to almost constantly be in the shadow of his famous best friend, usually without complaint? Who drops out of school and leaves his home and family to help Harry search for horcruxes? Who remained friends with Harry year after year, knowing that it put not only him, but his entire family in grave danger?
Ron.
No, he wasn't perfect, but he was willing to give his life for Harry, and this moment in the first book illustrates that perfectly.
So there's Book 1! Stay tuned for more!
This is so awesome! Thanks for posting :) :) I really liked how you described both moments - I will totally appreciate them both more now.
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