Harry Potter's Supporting Cast

Last weekend I watched "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" on DVD. I'd seen it twice at the theaters, the first on my own, the second with friends. It's the end of an era, a piece of cinematic history. Not all movie series end on such a high note. This one did. It is a very satisfying conclusion to a very satisfying series.I left the theater really wanting to read the books again. For I was thinking about one of the reasons I have enjoyed the movies so, and the books even more so, is the characters. Harry Potter got top billing, but it is members of his supporting cast who shine the brightest. They do it quietly, sometimes behind the scenes, ofttimes unrecognized. Kind of like life -- where would any of us in the real world be without our supporting cast?

I was introduced to Harry Potter shortly before the third book was released. Despite being a fan of children's and young adult literature all my life, not just the childhood part of it, if I'd seen or heard of the books prior to all the kerfuffle over their supposed evil influence over impressionable young minds, I'd not seen enough to have my curiosity piqued. I fully admit I wasn't a fan until I learned being a fan was a bad thing. I admit that were it not for the fervor, I might have continued in ignorance. Hooray for the naysayers: for I found some gems. I've read many books that inspired the ire of others, I've read many banned and challenged books, and many of those I failed to see the badness which was seemingly so apparent to others. Similarly, I've read many books that elicited accolades which left me wondering if time travel is possible, and if so, could I please have those eight or so hours of my life back?

I digress. Harry Potter's supporting cast. Can I pick a favorite? I don't think so, but maybe I can pick a handful. Hermione Granger, of course. How could anyone fail to love her? Smart as a whip, compassionate, loyal, brave, slightly neurotic -- don't you just want to adopt her or something? And Ron, of course, the trusty sidekick, Harry's first friend, loyal to the end and saving Harry's bacon almost as many times as Hermione did.

But beyond the obvious trio around which the epic centers, are those characters who are there on the sidelines, teaching, cheering, chastising, worrying, fussing. Mrs. Weasley, from the time her character was introduced, reminded me of the mother of one of my first friends. Don't mess with her children. Especially not at the final battle. Neville Longbottom is easily overlooked as shy and clumsy and possessing of a last name which practically demands mocking -- but by series end he shows himself to be a valiant and loyal knight. Luna Lovegood lives up to her nickname "Loony", but like many of the other characters, there is more to her than meets the eye; in her own way, she's as sharp as Hermione, and her willingness to accept things which the rest of the world doesn't understand gives her insights which are crucial to the outcome of many of the battles, not just the final one.

There's even more to Professor Snape than meets the eye, which anyone who has read the entire series or seen all the movies knows. I'd always thought there was, simply because Professor Dumbledore trusted Snape. Still, it was nice to learn I was was right. I'd scheduled a portion of my vacation in the summer of 2007 to coincide with the final book's release. Laugh if you will, but reading is an excellent way to spend one's vacation. Anyway, little hints about Snape's true character, scattered throughout each of the books, came to a satisfying conclusion in the final tome, and a complex character becomes a very sympathetic one. J. K. Rowling reports that she cried when she wrote of Snape's death. I did too, when I read it, but I'm pretty sure that was allergies, what with it being summer and all.

The problem with thinking of Harry's supporting cast is simply that that cast is so large. There isn't a single character, hero or villain, which doesn't profoundly affect Harry's life. Professor Snape was profoundly disliked by Harry (and most of the Hogwarts children) but were it not for his badgering, Harry could not have achieved what he did, even with Hermione's and Ron's help; he didn't have the drive himself. Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall were Harry's mentors even when they were being secretive. But he was also taught much by his enemies as well. Draco Malfoy was also a multifaceted character, and I always suspected he was more than just a bully.

And then of course there is Voldemort. Here is a villain up to par with Darth Vader and Maleficent from Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty. Right up to the end Harry gave his nemesis the opportunity to redeem himself, and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named didn't take that opportunity. Which of course sealed his final fate and made him perhaps the most tragic figure of all. But I think it also further defined Harry. As Professor Dumbledore told Harry early on, it is our choices that show who we truly are. And despite all the good stuff from the books which the movies left out, not many movie series present these themes so splendidly.