Five Questionable Moments in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”
Since I previously examined the questionable moments in the first six books, today I look at the dubious moments in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Lupin’s Preparedness to Leave His Pregnant Wife
‘Tonks is going to have a baby.’
‘Oh, how wonderful!’ squealed Hermione.
‘Excellent!’ said Ron enthusiastically.
‘Congratulations,’ said Harry.
Lupin gave an artificial smile that was more like a grimace, then said, ‘So… do you accept my offer? Will three become four? I cannot believe that Dumbledore would have disapproved, he appointed me your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, after all. And I must tell you that I believe that we are facing magic many of us have never encountered or imagined.'” (DH 212)
Lupin is normally a great guy with strong morals, but this is one moment when that fails him. His decision to leave his pregnant wife, although made out of self-hatred, was a terrible one.
Ron’s Abandonment
She was impeded by her own Shield Charm; by the time she had removed it, he had already stormed into the night. Harry stood quite still and silent, listening to her sobbing and calling Ron’s name amongst the trees.
After a few minutes she returned, her sopping hair plastered to her face.
‘He’s g-g-gone! Disapparated!'” (DH 310)
The Horcrux affected Ron worse than his friends, resulting in him choosing to leave the others after a bad fight. His decision was probably the worst one he made throughout the series and one he went on to regret. Fortunately, he managed to find his way back to them.
Dumbledore’s Past
Grindelwald. You cannot imagine how his ideas caught me, Harry, inflamed me. Muggles forced into subservience. We wizards triumphant. Grindelwald and I, the glorious young leaders of the revolution.” (DH 716)
The last book revealed several secrets about Dumbledore, and this one really influenced readers’ perception of him. The fact that Dumbledore was not only not the man we thought he was, but also that he was someone who might have been as bad as Voldemort, was a revelation.
Dumbledore’s Secrecy
‘So the boy… the boy must die?’ asked Snape quite calmly.
‘And Voldemort himself must do it, Severus. That is essential.'” (DH 686)
Another one of Dumbledore’s questionable decisions was his choice to keep the truth from Harry. Given that it was Harry’s life, Dumbledore should have been more forthcoming with information related to his life and future.
Harry’s Children’s Names
‘Albus Severus,’ Harry said quietly, so that nobody but Ginny could hear, and she was tactful enough to pretend to be waving to Rose, who was now on the train, ‘you were named for two headmasters of Hogwarts. One of them was a Slytherin and he was probably the bravest man I ever knew.'” (DH 758)
One of the more questionable decisions that multiple people have pointed out is Harry’s children’s names. Using James and Lily as names is wonderful, but naming one of his children after Snape was definitely not something I would have done. Snape’s positive actions didn’t erase the years of harassment Harry and his friends suffered at his hands. Naming a child after Remus would have made a lot more sense.
What do you think of my list? Let us know in the comments!
