Becoming Harry Potter: Quick to forgive #MNBHP

Harry,” he said, very seriously, “whoever put your name in that goblet — I — I reckon they’re trying to do you in!”

It was as though the last few weeks had never happened — as though Harry were meeting Ron for the first time, right after he’d been made champion.

“Caught on, have you?” said Harry coldly. “Took you long enough.”

Hermione stood nervously between them, looking from one to the other. Ron opened his mouth uncertainly. Harry knew Ron was about to apologize and suddenly he found he didn’t need to hear it.

“It’s okay,” he said, before Ron could get the words out. “Forget it.”

“No,” said Ron, “I shouldn’t’ve —”

“Forget it,” Harry said.

Ron grinned nervously at him, and Harry grinned back.

GoF

Harry and Ron have been at odds from page 285 (give or take) to page 358! Harry, bewildered and frightened, turns to his best friend (one of them) for comfort only to receive rejection. And yet, before Ron can even say, “I’m sorry,” Harry forgives him. Harry doesn’t even need to hear the words. He’s just glad to have his friend back.

What would Harry’s life have been like if he had chosen not to forgive? To carry around his grudge against Ron like a medal of honor? Stop and think about what the rest of Goblet would have looked like. What Phoenix, Prince, and Hallows would have looked like without Ron. Would Harry have remained close to the Weasleys, finding family and a mother’s love with them? Would he have won the championship without the encouragement of his friend? What would the DA have been like, or dating Cho, or even falling in love with Ginny have been like (or even happened)?

CHALLENGE

Read the Epilogue in Hallows and then ask yourself: Would holding a grudge against Ron for abandoning him twice have been worth missing out on that moment nineteen years after the death of Voldemort?

Now ask yourself what grudges you are holding and what you may be missing out on because you are unwilling to forgive a friend. A flawed friend (aren’t we all flawed?), but also a friend who, despite their flaws, could be a source of great joy, triumph, and companionship for years to come. Will you be quick to forgive so that you don’t miss out on all your story could be?

Next Week: Becoming Dobby: Weird but free