Even the darkest moments of Harry Potter fans have been accustomed to since the series' early days. The overall character growth of each beloved witch or wizard has been developed through many years of joy, sacrifice, grief, and love. Harry Potter fans know that the best in each individual can often be contrasted with intense sadness.
In a Ranker post, fans have gathered together the most heartbreaking realizations they have made regarding Harry Potter's legendary narrative. Whether it has been the trials that the hero experienced himself, or the trauma experienced by his peers, the saddest moments of the series continue to rally fans together with mutual empathy and affection for the characters.
Note: Ranker lists are fan-voted, live, and continue to accrue votes so some rankings may have changed after publishing.
The Posters Reflect Harry's Growing Sadness
For some eagle-eyed fans, they couldn't help but notice how the posters from the franchise got a lot darker as the years went on (reflecting the overall sadness of the characters). This shouldn't come as a great surprise considering that the golden trio and every other character in the series experienced a tremendous loss (from fighting off the decrepit Voldemort in book one to winning the legendary wizarding war in book seven).
When comparing the state of the characters in the first film to the last, the overall tragedies and the tribulations they went through hit devoted fans in a profound way. They cling to each moment of happiness, knowing full well that in order for their favorite characters to have the best in life, some have to sacrifice everything they have to defeat the evils that threaten them.
Harry And Ron Predict Their Own Suffering
Each main character suffers their own worst experiences throughout the Harry Potter series, and in an ironic turn of events, fans theorize that the drastic predictions made by Harry and Ron for Divination homework actually came true in The Goblet of Fire. What started as a harmless attempt to please Professor Trewlaney, morphed into the trauma that Harry would undergo during his fourth year.
Harry and Ron jokingly predicted that Harry would be in danger of burns, lose a treasured possession, be stabbed in the back by a friend, and lose a fight (which parallels perfectly to each challenge and event of the Tri-Wizard Tournament). The heartbreaking truth that they predicted the future brought to light that horrible things are likely to happen to them.
Harry's Relationship With Dumbledore Mirrored His Relationship With Death
Dumbledore made a magical first impression and had a meaningful impact on Harry throughout the series. In this gut-wrenching theory, fans point out the similarities between Harry's relationship with Dumbledore and the link he had to the Deathly Hallows. Though Dumbledore's involvement in Harry's life is crucial to the Chosen One's victory over Voldemort, the deeper levels of his role are intriguing.
From the start, Dumbledore is a key mentor and righteous manipulator in Harry's life. He also is the source that Harry collects the Deathly Hallows, one by one. Compiling this knowledge with the fact that Dumbledore greeted Harry in his brief period of death, it's more than enough to sway fans into believing that Dumbledore represents Harry's tragically familiar relationship with death.
Being Forced To Fight At A Young Age Was One Of The First Things Harry Had In Common With His Friends
As the victor over Voldemort in his infancy, Harry was born a fighter. The chances of him meeting peers that were also willing to stand for what's right and do what it takes to overcome the evils they encountered were necessary for his success. Fans often contemplate the sadness that accompanies the insight that Harry and his friends were fighting for their lives at the young ages of eleven and onward.
Harry and his friends were key aspects of each event that led up to the defeat of Voldemort. The tragedy lies in the fact that the iconic group of heroes was in a full-out war by the age of 17. Acknowledging all of the loss and trauma that each character endured throughout the series which took place at the beginning of their lives is heartbreaking.
Harry Couldn't Accept Sirius's Death Because Of How Quick It Happened
Harry spent every waking moment fighting for the safety of his loved ones and carrying the burden of being the relentless target of Lord Voldemort. To his dismay, people around him were constantly put in danger either by association with the Chosen One or for resisting the Dark Lord.
The fifth book highlights all of Harry's efforts to protect Sirius from harm, which is regrettably countered by Sirius's abrupt death. Harry had no time to act, or even process his emotions before his godfather was ripped from his life. Although he is no stranger to loss, the death of Harry's closest parental figure gave him trauma that he never had time to address before Voldemort's next attack on his life.
Harry And Neville Carried The Loss Of Their Parents On Their Backs
Some of the most brutal deaths and attacks in the series revolve around Harry and Neville's parents. Naturally, the loss of parents at such young ages affected each character in countless ways. Luckily, neither man succumbed to the tragedies of their youth and instead grew stronger because of their trials.
Both men grew into fierce pillars of love and justice, always looking for ways to help and strengthen their friends. Sadly, they were both robbed of loving parents whom, even with the triumph in the Battle of Hogwarts, wouldn't bring closure to. Harry and Neville carried the losses on their conscience every day, always striving to make their absent parents proud.
Hagrid Wrote To Harry Because He Had Nobody Else To Get Letters From
It's no secret that Harry had nobody worth keeping in with back in Little Whinging. Although this was a relief for Harry, the isolation he would have felt is heartbreaking in itself. In the books, Hagrid would send letters to Harry so that he wouldn't feel left out while everybody else was receiving letters from their families.
As an outcast himself, Hagrid understood the loneliness and severe adjustment that Harry was experiencing, especially during his first year at Hogwarts. Through little acts of kindness like sending him letters, Hagrid helped Harry to recognize his value and that he was wanted at Hogwarts which is something he'd never known or felt before.
Harry Didn't Realize How Unhappy He Had Been Until He Was Finally Happy
This theory revolves around Harry's huge adjustment to being around a functional and loving family like the Weasleys. Fans have hypothetical examples of the first interactions he might have had at the Weasley household that could include his shock at seeing everybody pitch in for chores, and Molly and Arthur's patience when it comes to teaching and loving their children.
The heartbreaking truth is that Harry never realized how deprived of happiness he was while he was living in fear of the Dursleys. After experiencing peace and comfort in his newfound relationships at Hogwarts and his friend's home, Harry recognized the happiness he deserved. This feeling of acceptance and love is what Harry never stopped fighting for.
Harry's Reliance On Himself References His Depression From Being An Orphan
Although there are a few valid criticisms against Harry, fans can't argue the heroics and the uplifting example that he became throughout the series. A heartbreaking yet inspirational moment was seen in the third book when Harry defeats a horde of dementors all on his own.
As confirmed by J.K. Rowling, dementors represent depression. Fans paired this knowledge with Harry's sudden realization that he was the only one that could save his and Sirius's life. In other words, Harry was the only one to pull himself up and face a better future with renewed faith in himself and love for his friends. He learned he couldn't rely on his parents, but that he was also capable of so much more than he thought.
Harry Hadn't Experienced What It Was Like To Be Around People Who Liked Him Until He Met The Weasleys
The neglect and hatred Harry received from the Dursleys caused a stark contrast to how he was treated by the Weasleys. Fans often dwell on the heartbreaking truth that in Harry's most formative years, he was never around loving and accepting people until he met his best friends. He was shocked to be around people that actually valued him and wanted him around.
The abuse that Harry grew accustomed to in his youth greatly shaped him into the hero he became in later years. Instead of stewing in the injustices he experienced, time and time again, the Chosen One continued to rise above his oppressors. He spread the love that he learned from people like the Weasleys and helped make the wizarding world a better place.
