Harry Potter Hero's Journey

Coming-of-age stories are loved by people of all ages, but especially by younger readers who can relate to the hero’s journey. They can follow the maturation of the main character and grow up with them. They can also learn about the importance of friends to help in the process of growing up. One of the most iconic books that teaches such a lesson is the coming-of-age novel “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” by J. K. Rowling. In this book, Harry’s travelling companions, Ron and Hermione, who accompany the hero in his journey, complement his skills and qualities to help him win the final battle against Lord Voldemort.

Ron’s knowledge of the wizarding world helps Harry grow as a wizard and helps him defeat Voldemort. Indeed, when Ron’s

Ron and his family are the ones who help Harry literally cross into the world of magic by showing him how to get to Platform 93/4. Ron will continue to play the role of Harry’s guide into the world of magic throughout the whole story. Ron is the one who tells Harry Chocolate Frogs contain collectible cards and who teaches him how to play wizard chess. Both these things are crucial to defeat Lord Voldemort in the final battle of the novel. The card in the Chocolate Frog is what helps Harry figure out that Dumbledore practices “alchemy with… Nicolas Flamel” (Rowling 77). This clue, found with Ron’s knowledge of wizard sweets is very important since it told Harry and his friends that the Philosopher’s stone is what Voldemort desperately wants. Additionally, Ron’s skills in wizard chess were essential in stopping the Dark Lord from obtaining eternal life. Without him, Harry and Hermione would’ve never been able to get to the other side of the enchanted chess board in Hogwarts. Ron’s knowledge of the magical world is

Her intelligence and resourcefulness help Harry mature and overcome Voldemort in the last chapter of the novel. During the very first meeting between Harry and Hermione, she already seems to know a lot about school and the curriculum since she’s “learnt [their] set books by heart” (Rowling 79). During this encounter, Hermione seems like a bit of a pretentious know-it-all, threatening Harry who is already doubting his magical capabilities. Once in Hogwarts, Hermione continues to appear that way since she is the best student of their class, the one with all the answers. In Professor Flitwick’s class, she coaches Ron on the levitation spell “Wing-gar-dium Levi-o-sa” (Rowling 127) seeming even more snobby. Despite this initial tension, just like Ron, Hermione proves her loyalty to Harry. She lies to Professor McGonagall, telling her she “thought [she] could deal with [the escaped troll] on [her] own” (Rowling 131) to prevent the boys from getting into trouble. Harry quickly discovers that Hermione’s intelligence is an extremely useful asset, especially when Voldemort may be after his life. Hermione is the one to set fire to Snape’s robes when they thought he was enchanting Harry’s broom and trying to make him fall. Although Professor Quirrell was really the one harming Harry, without Hermione’s aptitudes in magic, Quirrell wouldn’t be knocked over and Harry would’ve been injured.