There are many aspects Harry Potterof the magical world that is quite confusing, but the darker truth lurks beneath the surface. The fantasy universe described in JK Rowling’s books is undoubtedly peculiar, between somewhat disturbing magical practices, risky school rules and negligent parents. It’s a wonder that Harry and his friends survived Hogwarts, even without the threat of the Dark Lord. However, the monsters in the Forbidden Forest or Potions tasks gone wrong are far from the worst. The magic of the wizarding world itself hides Harry Potterthe most disturbing truth.
Over the years, the most disturbing aspects of Harry Potter became even clearer. Love potions are a prime example – they initially seemed innocent, but it is now clear how problematic such a thing can be. Furthermore, from a child’s point of view, the clueless adults of the wizarding world seemed typical enough, but it is now evident that the danger Harry and his friends were constantly placed in was downright negligent. Yet, Harry Potter is, at its core, aimed at children and teenagers, so these quirky tropes are to be expected. However, magic’s dark sense of justice is a much more mature concept.
Magic has its own dark sense of justice in the wizarding world of Harry Potter
Magic and destiny keep the balance
THE Harry Potter The series begins innocently enough, but by the end, there are numerous signs that the magic of the wizarding world comes with a disturbing built-in justice system. Dumbledore avoided this fact indefinitely, telling Harry that those who committed dark acts would eventually be punished. This goes far beyond “what goes around comes around“from the real world. In Harry Pottermagic and destiny are the same thing, and When a witch or wizard cheats death or commits a magical crime, they are doomed to face a dark and twisted fate..
Peter Pettigrew, Severus Snape and Lord Voldemort are the best examples of magical justice
They paid for their lives with their lives
The most obvious example of magic’s dark justice system in Harry Potter It’s Peter Pettigrew. Harry saved Pettigrew’s life in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Dumbledore explained that this meant the man owed Harry a life debt that would be repaid one way or another. In Harry Potter and the Deathly HallowsPettigrew tried to kill Harry despite owing him this debt. As punishment, his own hand went back to his throat. Peter Pettigrew choked to death because the magical justice system saw fit to punish him for not honoring the debt he owed Harry.
Severus Snape later gave Voldemort the information that led to the murder of the Potters, meaning he himself caused the death of the man to whom he owed his life.
Severus Snape is another example. He and James Potter were enemies, but Harry’s father still saved Snape’s life while they were studying together. Like Harry and Pettigrew, this meant that Snape owed James a life debt. Severus Snape later gave Voldemort the information that led to the murder of the Potters, meaning he himself caused the death of the man to whom he owed his life. In this case, fate kept Snape alive long enough to protect James’ son and aid in the boy’s fate. Still, the price for this crime had to be paid—Snape’s life was doomed from the start in Harry Potter.
Finally, Lord Voldemort is another excellent example of Harry Potter magical justice system. The villain committed the worst crime of all and paid the greatest price for it. Voldemort committed murder and used this terrible act to split his soul into pieces, granting his own immortality. He believed this made him invincible, but magical destiny guaranteed otherwise. When Voldemort heard the prophecy about a boy who could destroy him, he tried to kill him – but only ensured his own downfall. Voldemort’s severed soul was then trapped in torment for all eternity, unable to find peace.
It may be difficult for the Harry Potter remake to get the poetic balance of magic right
Harry Potter’s magical justice system looks better on the page
THE Harry Potter The series is full of these disturbing checks and balances – Pettigrew, Snape and Voldemort are just the beginning. Life is sacred in the wizarding world, and the gift of giving life and the crime of taking it will always be rewarded or punished. This is not an open system, but it is impactful all the same. Talthough a little present in the Harry Potter films, Dumbledore’s hints about the inevitability of magical fate were mostly absentand the punishment faced by Pettigrew, mainly, was left out at the end. Hopefully this is something that Harry Potter remake can restore.
Life is sacred in the wizarding world, and the gift of giving life and the crime of taking it will always be rewarded or punished.
HBO Harry Potter The TV show will dedicate entire seasons to each of Rowling’s books, which means a lot more time to capture the series’ subtler moments. Still, the delicate balance of magical justice won’t be easy to adapt to the screen. THE Harry Potter the books subtly addressed this topic and hid the rules of the wizarding world in the characters’ stories. The next TV show would need to do the same, resisting the urge to openly draw attention to this disturbing truth of the wizarding world. Hopefully the somewhat terrifying poetry of the Harry Potter series can be carefully restored.