It’s Harry Potter Day! Revisit 10 of the Most Magical Moments

On June 26, 1997, the first Harry Potter book quietly hit bookshelves in the UK with only 500 copies printed. Despite its small beginnings, the series took off and our ordinary muggle world hasn’t been the same since. The series has spellbound both adults and children alike, and understandably so with its themes of love, friendship, and good triumphing evil. Plus, who wouldn’t want to attend school at Hogwarts? 

I was eleven years old when I read the first Harry Potter book – the same age as Harry when he attends his first year at Hogwarts. In many ways, I feel like I grew up alongside Harry, as the final chapter of the series was published while I was in college. To this day, I enjoy re-reading the series for the sense of nostalgia and comfort the books bring me. And in honor of Harry Potter Day, I conjured up some of the best moments of the series for you.

So pour a glass of pumpkin juice (or firewhiskey if that’s your preference), grab your favorite squashy armchair by the crackling fire, and let’s revisit the magic. (Warning: spoilers ahead!)

THE MOMENTS THAT MADE US LAUGH:

1. Pretty much every time Fred and George didn’t take Percy seriously…

Percy, however, held out his hand solemnly as though he and Harry had never met and said, “Harry. How nice to see you.”
“Hello, Percy,” said Harry, trying not to laugh.
“I hope you’re well?” said Percy pompously, shaking hands. It was rather like being introduced to the mayor.
“Very well, thanks -”
“Harry!” said Fred, elbowing Percy out of the way and bowing deeply. “Simply splendid to see you, old boy -”
“Marvelous,” said George, pushing Fred aside and seizing Harry’s hand in turn. “Absolutely spiffing.”
Percy scowled.
“That’s enough, now,” said Mrs. Weasley.
“Mum!” said Fred as though he’d only just spotted her and seizing her hand too. “How really corking to see you -“

– Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by JK Rowling

2. Or when Ron didn’t do so well on his Divination Exam… 

“Well, we were always going to fail that one,’ said Ron gloomily as they ascended the marble staircase. He had just made Harry feel rather better by telling him how he told the examiner in detail about the ugly man with a wart on his nose in his crystal ball, only to look up and realize he had been describing his examiner’s reflection.”

– Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, by JK Rowling

3. And who could forget when the Weasley twins taunted Voldemort like this… 

“The right-hand window was covered with a gigantic poster, purple like those of the Ministry, but emblazoned with flashing yellow letters:

WHY ARE YOU WORRYING ABOUT YOU-KNOW-WHO?

YOU SHOULD BE WORRYING ABOUT U-NO-POO – 

THE CONSTIPATION SENSATION THAT’S GRIPPING THE NATION!

Harry started to laugh. He heard a weak sort of moan beside him and looked around to see Mrs. Weasley gazing, dumbfounded, at the poster. Her lips moved silently, mouthing the name “U-No-Poo.”

– Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, by JK Rowling

4. But imagining Snape’s face when Harry tells him his “nickname” is pretty priceless, too… 

“This is the copy of Advanced Potion-Making that you purchased from Flourish and Blotts?”
“Yes,” said Harry firmly.
“Then why,” asked Snape, “does it have the name ‘Roonil Wazlib’ written inside the front cover?”
Harry’s heart missed a beat. “That’s my nickname,” he said.
“Your nickname,” repeated Snape.
“Yeah… that’s what my friends call me,” said Harry. 

– Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, by JK Rowling

THE MOMENTS THAT MADE US CHEER: 

5. Like when our hearts burst for Neville’s act of bravery… 

They had tied for the House Cup – if only Dumbledore had given Harry just one more point.
Dumbledore raised his hand. The room fell gradually silent.
“There are all kinds of courage,” said Dumbledore, smiling. “It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. I therefore award ten points to Mr. Neville Longbottom.”
Someone standing outside the Great Hall might well have thought some sort of explosion had taken place, so loud was the noise that erupted from the Gryffindor table. 

– Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, by JK Rowling

6. And when a newly freed Dobby stood up against Mr. Malfoy…

“What’s that?” spat Mr. Malfoy. “What did you say?”
“Got a sock,” said Dobby in disbelief. “Master threw it, and Dobby caught it, and Dobby – Dobby is free.”
Lucius Malfoy stood frozen, staring at the elf. Then he lunged at Harry.
“You’ve lost me my servant, boy!”
But Dobby shouted, “You shall not harm Harry Potter!”
There was a loud bang, and Mr. Malfoy was thrown backward. He crashed down the stairs, three at a time, landing in a crumpled heap on the landing below. 

– Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by JK Rowling

7. Or the time when Harry and Ginny finally… 

“We won!” yelled Ron, bounding into sight and brandishing the silver Cup at Harry. “We won! Four hundred and fifty to a hundred and forty! We won!”
Harry Looked around; there was Ginny running toward him; she had a hard, blazing look in her face as she threw her arms around him. And without thinking, without planning it, without worrying about the fact that fifty people were watching, Harry kissed her. 

– Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, by JK Rowling

8. And of course we all wanted to give Harry a high five after this interaction… 

“Do you remember me telling you we were practicing nonverbal spells, Potter?”
“Yes,” said Harry stiffly.
“Yes, sir.
“There’s no need to call me ‘sir,’ Professor.”
The words escaped him before he knew what he was saying. Several people gasped, including Hermione. Behind Snape, however, Ron, Dean, and Seamus grinned appreciatively. 

– Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, by JK Rowling

AND THE MOMENTS THAT INSPIRED US:

9. Basically everything Dumbledore said, but especially the following two quotes:

“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that.” 

 – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, by JK Rowling

“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” 

– Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by JK Rowling

10. And the important reminder from Hagrid about being true to yourself always…  

“I am what I am, an’ I’m not ashamed. ‘Never be ashamed,’ my ol’ dad used ter say, ‘there’s some who’ll hold it against you, but they’re not worth botherin’ with.’ An’ he was right.”

– Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, by JK Rowling

Whew! Does anyone else feel like they dunked their head in a pensieve??

Whether you are a “Potterhead” or not, I think we can all agree finding a book series that enchants you until the very end is magical indeed. Some stories are so powerful that when you read the last line, it feels like losing a friend… until you read it again of course!  

Lauren
Drawn by family connections, hill country living, and the friendly culture, Lauren and her family moved to San Antonio in 2017 from Houston, Texas. This Texas Aggie (whoop!) is passionate about kids, learning, and quality instruction. After teaching middle school history for several years, she most recently worked as an instructional coach for social studies teachers all over the San Antonio area. When her daughter made her debut in 2018, Lauren decided to pause her career and become a stay-at-home mom. Now a mom of two littles, she spends most of her time feeding her newborn and preventing her toddler from jumping off the couch. It is her most rewarding job yet. When she finds a minute to herself, she enjoys reading, hiking, and photography.