Friends are born, not made.-Henry B. Adams

MY FRIENDS

I disagree.

Harry James PotterHarry tragically lost his parents at the age of 1, when a demented, psychopathic killer found his parents at home with the door unlocked. I met him shortly after, though I am not exactly sure of the date. Harry is very brave and loyal, which reflects the values of his Hogwarts House, Gryffindor. Harry has always been a very good friend to me, and I have learned a lot from him through the years.

Clockwise from top left: Harry allows his pet owl, Hedwig, to perch on his arm. He demonstrates his

skills as a quidditch player, and then stands outside the tent that became his home for several months while he was in hiding from his parents’ killer and

plotting justified revenge.

Ronald Bilius WeasleyI met Ron Weasley when he was eleven, at King Cross Station. He is one of the funniest people I know, and he never fails to break the tension or make someone smile. Ron’s family is great, but very poor, and he is sometimes jealous of his closest friend’s wealth. Ron is also loyal and brave, but sometimes this is hard to see, as Harry’s fame often overshadows Ron. He had a longtime crush on one Hermione Granger, and eventually married her and had two children, Hugo and Rose.

Clockwise from top left: Ron gives his new friend, Hermione, an odd look. He looks

dismayed at his frilly new dress robes while preparing for a ball, and celebrates being a star Quidditch player and winning the house

cup.

Hermione Jean GrangerHermione Granger annoyed me at first. She is an absolute know-it-all, but in the best was possible. She truly is the brightest witch of her age, and she can do anything, I believe. Hermione is more that smart, however. Hermione is quick-witted and can always find a solution in a matter of seconds. She is brave and caring and loyal. More than anyone, she is eager to defend the rights of others and strives for equality.

Clockwise from top left: Hermione brews a very complicated potion at a young age. She participates in

class, following along attentively to the lesson. Hermione prepares to defend her life and the lives of

her friends.

Severus SnapeSeverus Snape may be the most loathed person I have ever known. He can be vile and petty, often holding grudges. Severus teaches potions, an area where he is prodigious, but has always wanted to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts. He is particularly well qualified to teach that class, but please do not tell anyone. I found out several years after I met Severus that he is actually a Death Eater, or at least pretending to be one to save Harry Potter’s life. Severus had an epic romance long ago, but it ended badly, and I believe he still suffers from it today.

Clockwise from top left: A young Severus looks up from his studies at bullies that are quickly

approaching. Severus protects Harry, Ron, and Hermione from a werewolf seeking to harm them. An adult Severus Snape stands in his Potions’ classroom,

appearing doubtful.

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian DumbledoreAlbus Dumbledore is as complex as his name. Dumbledore has a hidden past that he reveals to almost no one, and I feel privileged to know the little I do about him. Dumbledore is also a prodigious wizard. He is quite eccentric, and deals with the hardships of life by making odd and often cryptic remarks. Dumbledore owns the most powerful wand in existence, but he is not likely to brag about this. He is very humble, but also perfectly aware of his abilities. I admire him very much.

Clockwise from top left: Dumbledore toasts the sorting of Harry Potter into Gryffindor and the annual start-of-term feast. Dumbledore opens the gate at Hogwarts. He sorts his memories and deposits it in the Pensieve, on of the many odd gadgets he enjoys.

Nymphadora TonksTonks hates the name Nymphadora. She has many special abilities, including the power to transform her face into any configuration. The first time I met her, Tonks changed her nose into a pig’s snout to lighten a dark situation. She has always been funny and generally cheerful. Tonks is extremely clumsy, and she has a difficult time walking in a straight line without falling over. She is very intelligent, and excellent at her job as an Auror, or dark wizard catcher.

Clockwise from Top left: Tonks fights Death Eaters in the Department of Mysteries inside of the Ministry of

Magic. She poses with her husband, Remus Lupin, whom she shares a child with. Tonks, her mentor Mad-Eye Moody, and Kingsley Shackle bot arrive at Harry

Potter’s home to save him from Lord Voldemort.

Minerva McGonagallMinerva McGonagall may seem very harsh. She is very careful about obeying rules, and she forces others to obey them as well. Under this harsh exterior, however, she is a very caring and kind person. She is a teacher and watches after her students fiercely. She takes great pride in being a Gryffindor and in the students of her house. Minerva is staunchly good and loyal. She has enormous skill and great inner strength. She has the uncanny ability to transform herself into a cat.

Clockwise from top left: Minerva confronts a coworker for mistreating children. She comforts a women she does not like, who has just lost her home. Minerva

fights in the battle to save Hogwarts from evil forces.

Fred and George WeasleyFred and George Weasley are the biggest jokesters I know. They are happy to lighten the mood at the expense of someone else whenever necessary. They work off of each other to create comedy magic. Besides their senses of humor, there is real substance to the Weasley twins. They are willing to take on serious responsibilities, even if they take them with a joke. They have very good business sense and have been very successful in every venture they have taken, except schoolwork.

Clockwise from top left: The young Mr. Weasleys pose in their Quidditch beaters uniforms. The two survey an

exasperated Harry Potter with humor. Fred and George battle for Hogwarts.

Neville LongbottomNeville is the kid who is overlooked in almost everything. He has never been very good at schoolwork, except in Herbology, where he excels. Neville was a very awkward child, but he has matured greatly. He was forgetful and filled with self doubt, until he found a cause that he cared for and could work with. Since then, he has become a powerful leader. Always a very loyal person, Neville has actually chosen the possibility of death rather than betray his friends. He has a strong sense of right and wrong.

Clockwise from top left: Neville claps when his contribution wins Gryffindor the House cup. He prods

his exotic plant. Neville show off the sword of Gryffindor, which he used to kill one of Voldemort’s

most deadly horcruxes.

HagridHagrid has an abnormal love for strange and dangerous creatures. This makes him very capable to preform his duties as groundskeeper and Care of Magical Creatures teacher at Hogwarts. Hagrid is half giant, but he is quite friendly and warmhearted. He is fiercely protective of his friends, because the loss of them hurts him so much. Hagrid is not allowed to use magic because of a terrible mistake that caused him to be expelled from Hogwarts. Hagrid is a sweetheart.

Clockwise from top left: Hagrid hangs out around the grounds with libations for his latest pet hanging

around his neck. He appears in Knockturn Alley just at the right moment to save Harry from hooligans. Hagrid skips stones in his most horrible suit after

hearing some dreadful news.

Ginny WeasleyGinny Weasley grew up with six brothers, so she is naturally tough. Ginny is an excellent quidditch player and she often puts the boys to shame. She is very nice and accepting of others. Ginny is brave and not afraid to stand up for herself and others. When she was small, she was painful shy, but she has since become very sociable and fun to be around. She is hilariously funny, much like her brothers, Fred and George. Ginny is a great person.

Clockwise from top left: Ginny displays the diary that very nearly killed her. She practices a spell in Dumbledore’s Army. Ginny helps Harry, her future husband.

Luna LovegoodLuna Lovegood is a bit ethereal and strange. She holds a lot of beliefs that seem completely ridiculous, but that is just part of her charm. She sees things that others do not and maintains that until something is systematically disproven, it is very likely to be true. Luna has a deep connection to her friends, mostly because she found true friendship much later than most do. Luna lives in her own world, but she seems to have an inner peace that few gain during their lifetime.

Clockwise from top left: Luna practices spells. She reveals the secrets of thestrals, which she can see

because of her tragic past, to Harry. Luna sportingly dons a lion hat to support Gryffindor in its match.

HedwigFriends come in all shapes, sizes, and species. Hedwig is no exception. She is a dead useful bird, who delivers mail and provides friendship. Hedwig can, however, be a little bit mean. She often bites at people a bit, which isn’t exactly kind. She usually forgives and forgets eventually, which is a good quality. Hedwig protects her friends when possible, even when she has to protect them by cheering them up or delivering a timely piece of mail. Hedwig is, quite simply, a wonderful companion to have around.

Clockwise from top left: Hedwig rests with Harry in his room. She takes flight with a fierce attitude. Hedwig

lands on a young Harry’s arm, greeting him after a long day.

Moaning MyrtleMyrtle is that friend you sometimes wish would go away. I met Myrtle after her death, which did not seem to change Myrtle much at all. In fact, it just accentuated her already present traits. Now, she merely complains more and is more apt to appear out of thin air, quite literally. Myrtle can be petty and sensitive, which often leads her to misunderstand others. Under all of that, however, Myrtle is really a good person. She wants to help and be a good friend, she just does not know how to begin.

Clockwise from top left: Myrtle teases a student. She floats nearly invisible in front of the bathroom

window. Myrtle stares straight into the camera, eager to tell if cameraman has been talking about her

lately.

JK RowlingJK Rowling was living in poverty when she wrote one of the highest selling books in the world. In many ways, Mrs. Rowling is a role model for fledgling authors, who look at her as an example for perseverance. She created vivid characters and a plotline that drew in readers, and combined these with a will to follow her tale to the end. She is an absolute success story. JKR is highly creative and intelligent, qualities that are reflected in her work.

Clockwise from top left: JKR attends one of the Harry Potter movie premieres. She fulfills her role as the

Harvard commencement speaker. Mrs. Rowling poses with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the last

book in her bestselling series.