The Special Bonds in the Harry Potter Franchise

Along with lots of magic, mystery, and mayhem, the world of Harry Potter gave us lessons on bravery, sacrifice, love, family, and friendship. Out of all these, perhaps the latter two are the most notable because it is truly impossible to consider Harry's journey without the support of his friends or those he considers family. In this article, we will discuss some such bonds.

1.

Harry, Ron, Hermione

"Don't play," said Hermione at once.

"Say you're ill," said Ron.

"Pretend to break your leg," Hermione suggested.

"Really break your leg," said Ron."

The friendship between Harry, Ron, and Hermione is iconic because it defines Harry's journey. His two best friends are exactly who he needs to survive his future trials. Where Hermione gives knowledge and guidance to Harry, Ron provides support and much-needed laughter. Yet despite Harry's instant friendship with Ron, it takes a troll to bring the trio together.

"There are some things you can't share without ending up liking each other, and knocking out a twelve-foot mountain troll is one of them."

It is a testament to their friendship that Ron invites Harry to spend the holidays with his family because he knows Harry does not get along with the Dursleys. As a pureblood, he often has more insight into wizarding traditions and whenever he's letting Harry know about them, he bolsters him up by letting him know that he knows Harry could manage it just fine. Time and again, like the chess game in their first year or facing Sirius in the Shrieking Shack in their third year, Ron thinks nothing of sacrificing himself for his friends.

Hermione, on the other hand, is ruled by her head. Her decisions are mostly practical which leads to some tension between her and Ron over the years. She tries to dissuade the boys from getting into trouble, like going to duel Draco Malfoy in the middle of the night in their first year, but when they don't listen, she accompanies them to make sure nothing bad happens. In their fourth year, Hermione practices just as hard as Harry to get him ready for the Triwizard Tournament, convinces Harry he would make a good teacher in their fifth year which leads to the infamous Dumbledore's Army, and obliviates her own parents so she could follow Harry into battle.

2.

The Marauders

While the friendship between The Marauders is only witnessed through memories, the enchanted map, or through Sirius and Remus' comments, it is a fan favourite. Their wit and humour combine perfectly to serve the most hearfelt moments.

"Did you like question ten, Moony?" asked Sirius as they emerged into the entrance hall.

"Loved it," said Lupin briskly. "Give five signs that identify the werewolf. Excellent question."

"D'you think you managed to get all the signs?" said James in tones of mock concern.

"Think I did," said Lupin seriously, as they joined the crowd thronging around the front doors eager to get out into the sunlit grounds. "One: He's sitting on my chair. Two: He's wearing my clothes. Three: His name's Remus Lupin..."

But it is not just friendship based on jokes. James, Sirius, and Peter turn into animagi to help Remus survive his monthly transformations; Sirius goes to live at James' house after he abandons his blood-purist family; Sirius is named Harry's godfather and the secret keeper to James and Lily's house. And in the end, Harry sees them all together when he uses the resurrection stone, reaffirming their close friendship.

3.

The Weasley Family

The appearace of the Weasley family at the exact moment when Harry is about to enter into the Wizarding World is of great significance. They serve as a foil to the coldhearted Dursleys and show Harry what a loving family is really like. Due to Ron's close friendship with Harry and Hermione, the rest of his family comes into frequent contact with them as well. The family welcome them with open arms, sending them enormous bundles of gifts for special occasions and inviting the two to their house for holidays.

It can be said that Fred and George Weasley form a friendship with Harry on their own when they help load his trunk onto the Hogwarts Express his first year. Overall, they rarely play pranks on him, include him in their jokes, and sometimes even tell him their secrets - like when they gave him the Marauder's Map.

"Well, I certainly don't," said Percy sanctimoniously. "I shudder to think what the state of my in-tray would be if I was away from work for five days."

"Yeah, someone might slip dragon dung in it again, eh, Perce?" said Fred.

"That was a sample of fertilizer from Norway!" said Percy, going very red in the face. "It was nothing personal!"

"It was," Fred whispered to Harry as they got up from the table. "We sent it."

4.

Hagrid

Hagrid is one of those people who offer their friendship and love unconditionally. He was present for every one of Harry's important milestones. In his first year, Harry receives an owl from Hagrid, inviting him for tea because he knew Harry would feel lonely. This becomes a tradition for Harry and later Ron and Hermione as well. Hagrid always listens to thr trio's theories and never dismisses them outright. He offers them guidance and tries to caution them. In turn, the trio are just as fond of him.

In their second year, Harry and Ron go to great lengths - even meeting the ferocious Aragog and his brood - to free Hagrid from the false murder accusation and free him from Azkaban. They encourage him when he is made a teacher in their third year. When Hagrid is devastated by Rita Skeeter publishing an article about his half-giant status in Harry's fourth year, he barricades himself in his hut, afraid everyone would hate him. Harry, Ron, and Hermione are relentless in trying to talk to him, proving that they valued him greatly.

5.

Luna Lovegood

It is true that Luna's candour and often strange remarks make Harry uncomfortable, but she is the first person to teach him the importance of being yourself. Slowly, they form an unbreakable bond of trust and friendship. She tells him about thestrals, putting his mind at ease about being able to see them. Harry offers to help her find her shoes when she admits someone stole them. She shows up to all Gryffindor matches to support Harry and later, Ron and Ginny too. Harry takes her to Professor Slughorn's Slug Club party and Luna is delighted to be invited as his friend. She also reassures him (in his fifth year) that she believes his claim that Voldemort was back. Harry later discovers that his small acts of kindness meant so much to her that she had painted a mural in her room with those she considered her friends, including him.

"I enjoyed the meetings, too. It was like having friends."

6.

A Mother's Love

Throughout Harry's life, one bond has resurfaced time and again to reaffirm its importance and that is a mother's love for her children. The greatest example of this is Lily Potter, Harry's own mother, who put herself between Harry and Voldemort in an effort to save her son's life. It is this one act that continues to shield Harry against Voldemort for the next few years.

"He didn't realize that love as powerful as your mother's for you leaves its own mark."

It can also be seen when Narcissa Malfoy betrays Voldemort to know if her son is safe. During the final battle, she and her husband abandon all loyalty to Voldemort and run around the castle looking for Draco.

For Harry, this bond is exemplified the most in the form of Molly Weasley whose main concern is for her family, evidenced early on through her magical clock that keeps track of her children's wellbeing. When Bellatrix is about to send the killing curse Ginny's way, Molly steps up to face her to spare her daughter.

Honourable Mentions

It would be remiss of us to not discuss some other significant bonds throughout the stories including Harry and Hedwig; Dumbledore and McGonagall; Fred, George, and Lee Jordan; Parvati and Lavender among a few.

Fun Facts

James, Sirius and Remus were the Fred and George of their day – sneaking out when they were supposed to be in bed, stealing midnight snacks from the kitchens and creating incredibly complex magical artefacts just for fun.

McGonagall is the first to raise her wand to the sky after Dumbledore's death in Harry's sixth year at Hogwarts.

Luna had decorated her bedroom ceiling with five beautifully painted faces: Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville.

Harry wasn't overly friendly, but always made sure to reach out to those others didn't consider good friend material or thought of as uncool. This includes all his close friends such as Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Luna.