After seven novels and eight films, to say that Harry Potter fans were invested in the story of The Boy Who Lived would be an understatement. Many readers and viewers had grown up with these stories, and when it reached its inevitable conclusion, there was a feeling that childhood was finally over, in a way. While many were worried that no film could be enough to satisfactorily end the series, director David Yates managed to craft a two-part finale, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, that was both thrilling and emotionally rich.
While splitting the final installment of a franchise into two parts often smacks of a cash grab and has a detrimental effect on the integrity of the story, Deathly Hallows actually had enough plot to warrant the split. When evil is finally defeated and all is well, you can bet that fans have cried their tears and had their emotional catharsis. Before you plan your next Harry Potter marathon, take a look at these great (somewhat spoilery) quotes from Deathly Hallows Pt. 1 and Pt. 2 (which opened five years ago on July 15).
“Seems silly, doesn’t it? A wedding. Given everything that’s going on.” – Ginny Weasley
“Maybe that’s the best reason to have it. Because of everything that’s going on.” – Harry Potter
Harry had lived his entire life under the specter of Voldemort, and in Deathly Hallows, that fear becomes even more real to those around him. Part of the message of Harry Potter is that light can be found even in darkness, and that you can’t stop living life out of fear. Sure, the wedding of Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour may seem insignificant in the face of possible destruction, but it’s the small, beautiful things that make life worth fighting for.
“I still think we should have used Polyjuice Potion.” – Hermione Granger
“No. This is where I was born. I’m not returning as someone else.” – Harry Potter
Desperation drove Harry and Hermione to Godric’s Hollow. Their quest was going nowhere, Ron had abandoned them, and they were out of ideas as to how to find another horcrux. While it was ultimately a dangerous mission, Harry finally getting to visit the graves of his parents is a lovely, quiet moment. Too bad it was spoiled by a run in with Voldemort’s snake, Nagini, hiding in the corpse of Bathilda Bagshot.
“I have seen your heart, and it’s mine. I have seen your dreams, Ronald Weasley, and I have seen your fears…” – Voldemort
The second half of Deathly Hallows Part 1 is really the fight for the soul of Ron Weasley. The effect of the locket horcrux proved too much for the amiable ginger, causing him to uncharacteristically abandon his friends on their quest. When he eventually shakes off the effects and returns to Harry’s side to destroy the locket, the dark energy exploits all of his deepest insecurities.
“The Deluminator. It doesn’t just turn off lights. I don’t know how it works, but Christmas morning, I was sleeping in this little pub, keeping away from some Snatchers, and I heard it. A voice. Your voice, Hermione. You said my name. Just my name. Like a whisper. So I took it, clicked it, and this tiny ball of light appeared. And I knew. It flew towards me, the ball of light, right through my chest and straight through me. Right here. And I knew it was going to take me where I needed to go.” – Ron Weasley
When Ron finally finds his way back to Harry and Hermione after leaving them high and dry, he has a lot of groveling to do. After mustering up the strength to destroy the locket with the sword of Gryffindor, Ron knows that he has to make amends to both Harry and Hermione. Telling Hermione that it was her voice that drew him back is definitely a step in the right direction.
“The Elder Wand, the most powerful wand ever made. The Resurrection Stone. The Cloak of Invisibility. Together, they make the Deathly Hallows. Together, they make one master of death.” – Xenophilius Lovegood
When they finally learn the legend of the Deathly Hallows, the trio finally have some answers. With this information, they have a clearer idea of what Voldemort is seeking instead of just wandering around blindly in the woods. Unfortunately, this stop with Lovegood would be one of betrayal. While it is hard to blame Lovegood, who was simply acting to rescue his daughter, it is always painful to see former allies turn on each other.
“How dare you defy your master!” – Bellatrix Estrange
“Dobby has no master. Dobby is a free elf, and Dobby has come to save Harry Potter and his friends!” – Dobby
Few characters were as genuinely good as Dobby the house elf. When Harry freed Dobby from the cruel Malfoys in The Chamber of Secrets, he had no idea that the house elf would be by his side in many of his darkest moments. After rescuing them all from Malfoy Manor, Dobby unfortunately succumbs to Bellatrix’s knife. As he dies in Harry’s arms with a quiet “What a beautiful place… to be with friends,” it is safe to say that there wasn’t a dry eye in the theater.
“Lily… after all this time?” – Professor Dumbledore
“Always.” – Professor Snape
Severus Snape’s love for Lily Potter began when they were children and extended beyond death. While this doesn’t justify his years of abuse towards Harry, it does provide a lot of context to the emotional journey of Snape. He could never quite recover from losing his childhood love, and it became the motivation for every choice that he made after her death.
“Stay close to me.” – Harry Potter
“Always.” – Lily Potter
When he is finally on his way to face Voldemort for what he thinks is the final time, Harry does it alone. However, when he figures out that Dumbledore’s last gift of Harry’s first snitch actually contains the Resurrection Stone, Harry is faced with the ghosts of his parents, Remus Lupin, and Sirius Black. All gave their lives to stop Voldemort, and all would be by his side during his act of ultimate sacrifice.
“Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living and, above all, those who live without love.” – Dumbledore
Dumbledore is a complex character. While ultimately on the side of good, his methods are often questionable. He can usually find a way to justify his manipulation and endangerment, but it still rankles in the heart of many fans. However, it is impossible to deny that he and Harry had a deep bond, last seen in this scene in some sort of afterlife.
“It doesn’t matter that Harry’s gone. People die every day. Friends, family. Yeah, we still lost Harry tonight. He’s still with us, in here. [Points to his heart] So’s Fred, Remus, Tonks… they didn’t die in vain. But YOU will. ‘Cause you’re wrong! Harry’s heart did beat for us! For all of us! It’s not over!” – Neville Longbottom
The story of Neville Longbottom is a tragic one. After losing his parents to madness after they were tortured by Bellatrix Lestrange, Neville could have been The Chosen One in an alternate timeline. In this final showdown with Voldemort, Neville shows that he had all the makings of a hero, and eventually seals the deal by summoning the sword of Gryffindor out of the Sorting Hat and slaying Nagini.
“Not my daughter, you b*tch!” – Molly Weasley
By the end of the Battle of Hogwarts, many lives had been lost. Molly Weasley had lost her son, Fred, and was not about to lose another child. Molly spoke for fans everywhere when she spit this warning at the wicked Bellatrix, and finally rid the wizarding world of one of its most hated villains. Honestly, her death was almost more satisfying than Voldemort’s.
“Albus Severus Potter, you were named after two headmasters of Hogwarts. One of them was a Slytherin, and he was the bravest man I’ve ever known.” – Harry Potter
Between the silly names and bad mom hair, the Deathly Hallows epilogue gets a lot of flack from fans. However, seeing the characters safe and content after so much pain is definitely something to be cherished.
This post originally published on October 2, 2015.
