The “Harry Potter” Friendships We Should Be Talking More About
We’ve all felt low at times, down-trodden, insecure, and anxious. But when the dark clouds arise, you need only to look to your friends. I’m not just talking about those you’d say hello to on the street. I mean your closest, most trustworthy friends. The kind who’d do anything to help you, protect you, defeat a full-blown mountain troll with you.
In keeping with this, here is a list of the relationships in Harry Potter that we should be talking more about:
Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas
These two met during the Sorting ceremony and stayed friends ever since. Their friendship remained solid and unrelenting – the human equivalent to the fireplace in the Three Broomsticks. But it’s not as if it didn’t have its hiccups. Despite Seamus’ disagreement, Dean made sure to argue Harry’s case in their fifth year when he claimed that Voldemort had returned. As Dumbledore himself said, “It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.” Even though they did spend time apart while Dean was on the run as his presumed Muggle-born status put him in danger, the two ended their final year sitting together after having fought in the Battle of Hogwarts. Dean and Seamus were so close that J.K. Rowling even considered making them a couple at one point.
Rubeus Hagrid and Madame Maxime
Hagrid first laid eyes on Madame Maxime in Harry’s fourth year, during the Triwizard tournament. He was immediately bewitched by the half-giantess and tried to impress her with his charm and appearance. However, the budding relationship began to wilt when Hagrid acknowledged she was a half-giant, like him. Because of the stigma against half-giants, Madame Maxime didn’t want to reveal what she was. Since then, Hagrid and Madame Maxime consoled each other at Dumbledore’s funeral and met during Fleur and Bill’s wedding. While the romance didn’t quite get there for these two, there is no denying – Madame Maxime brought out another side of Hagrid that we hadn’t seen before.
Nymphadora Tonks and Kingsley Shacklebolt
Tonks and Kingsley came into contact through the Ministry of Magic. Both chose to become Aurors and were therefore united by their want to protect others. They fought alongside one another in the Second Wizarding War and were part of the Order of the Phoenix. After Tonks died in the Battle of Hogwarts, Kingsley felt her death to be a real loss.
Viktor Krum and Hermione Granger
The relationship between Viktor and Hermione is often overlooked and seen as trivial because it didn’t last long. However, Viktor Krum was Hermione’s first love interest, and their interaction helped shape her view of romance in the future. In her fourth year, Krum would hang around in the Hogwarts library to try and work up the courage to talk to Hermione, eventually asking her to the Yule Ball. Despite struggling to pronounce her name, Viktor openly admitted his feelings for Hermione and even invited her to come and stay with him in Bulgaria. Hermione’s romance with Krum was significant in teaching her the importance of mutual respect in relationships.
Harry Potter and Hedwig
This friendship is perhaps the most underrated of them all. What started off as a gift from Hagrid on Harry’s 11th birthday, Hedwig soon became one of Harry’s closest companions. The snowy owl stayed by his side for six years, being his only support during summers at the Dursleys’ house. Hedwig loyally delivered Harry’s post and was able to make her way back to him no matter what. Their friendship was unwavering, but Hedwig eventually died during the Battle of the Seven Potters. She was caught in the crossfire and killed almost instantly by a Death Eater chasing Harry and Hagrid. Hedwig represented Harry’s childhood, and to lose such a constant friend was worse than losing a limb.
Are there any other underrated friendships you think need some limelight? Let us know in the comments down below. As Harry himself said in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone:
“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.”
