The Trio’s First and Last Words
As anyone can tell you, our favorite trio evolved a lot over the course of the seven books, but what can the first and last descriptions of each member tell us about this magical evolution?
Harry Potter
Inside, just visible, was a baby boy, fast asleep. Under a tuft of jet-black hair over his forehead they could see a curiously shaped scar, like a bolt of lightning” (SS 15).
The scar had not pained Harry for nineteen years. All was well” (DH 759).
Young Harry was unwittingly brought to live with his aunt and uncle shortly after the brutal murder of his parents. It is on their doorstep that we get the first ever description of the young boy, featuring his peculiar scar. Nearly 36 years later, we are left with a similar description of the famous scar. Sure, he could be a bit ignorant and angsty, but overall, Harry never let his scar define him. He became the honest and considerate man we all know and love, with the help of Hermione and the Weasleys, of course. Oh, and in the meantime, Harry defeated the Dark Lord several more times and even died once. So yeah, no big deal.
Ron Weasley
She pointed at the last and youngest of her sons. He was tall, thin, and gangling, with freckles, big hands and feet, and a long nose” (SS 93).
‘Don’t let it worry you,’ said Ron. ‘It’s me. I’m extremely famous'” (DH 759).
On the platform, when he first met Harry, Ron was easily embarrassed by his family’s poverty and could be quite rude to people like Hermione. Nevertheless, he remained a loyal friend, and somewhere in between fighting Death Eaters and being our King, Ron evolved into a much more kind and tolerant man – not to mention the fact that his emotional range is no longer the size of a teaspoon. It’s more like the size of a dinner spoon.
Hermione Granger
She had a bossy sort of voice, lots of bushy brown hair, and rather large front teeth” (SS 105).
‘Ron for heaven’s sake,’ said Hermione, half stern, half amused. ‘Don’t try to turn them against each other before they’ve even started school!'” (DH 756)
Hermione Granger was always a strong woman and defender of the little man, but over the course of seven books, Hermione taught us all that “bossy” isn’t being loud and in charge; it means being independent and determined, and that’s okay. In addition, Ron and Harry taught Hermione that, every now and again, it is okay to bend to rules just a bit. In return, Hermione ensures that the boys stay grounded, and heaven knows she has saved them time and time again. Even on the platform, watching their children leave for their own Hogwarts adventures, Hermione keeps Ron and Harry’s bias in check.
