Welcome back, welcome all, to the hall of memories.

Enter at your own risk. There are a plethora of lessons in these words. Choose five and advance carefully…

You may discover that there is more than meets the eye.

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"It’s high time your grandmother learned to be proud of the grandson she’s got, rather than the one she thinks she ought to have." — PROFESSOR MCGONAGALL

I am a firm believer that Professor McGonagall always felt a maternal instinct towards her students. She consistently surpassed expectations as an educator, was honest (within reason) with her students, often showing compassion to them when they were going through things. Paired with her fierce sportsmanship and loyalty, this quote is made all the more profound. Neville Longbottom was very much bullied by his classmates and sadly, this likely contributed greatly towards his social anxiety, along with the traditional ideals exemplified by his grandmother. For example, his grandmother insisted on him choosing to take Charms as a further study, even though he did not actually want to, due to his grandmother thinking it would be useful. While she was correct in this observation, she likely wanted him to take it so that he could find a ‘respectable’ job in the Ministry. I think that this quote really shows McGonagall’s motherly instinct and how she truly cares for her students, such as when she tells Neville that his grandmother should be proud of him as he is. Sometimes, all a person needs is for someone to tell them that they believe in them. McGonagall tried her best to be that person, and she did a good job as well.

“There’s things more importan’ than keepin’ a job.” — RUBEUS HAGRID

I chose to include this quote because I think it actually has very real implications in our own world as well. This quote shows that as much as people piled on Hagrid for being a half Giant, for not speaking in a proper accent, for not being the traditional example of an educator, and more, he always stood for what he believed in and actually acted—rather than passively promoted. While that may not have been the smartest strategy (such as the Harry Potter party in the Deathly Hallows) he was one of the only people that really took action to shift the war. It shows that he’s principled—that he’s a fighter. He helped McGonagall when those awful Ministry people shot five stunners at her. He fought off the Ministry when they were trying to subdue him. He fought in the Battle of Hogwarts. No matter what, through and through, Hagrid consistently proved that he always cared. Whether it was for the animals everyone deemed dangerous that he nurtured and cared for, the brother everyone hated but him, or for the Golden Trio, Hagrid was a driving force. And I, quite frankly, am tired of him being underappreciated.  This is not to say that Hagrid didn’t care about his job, but he recognised first and foremost what many others didn’t: that his job wouldn’t exist if the war had continued. This is something that many others forget in our world too, with all the current wars going on. Everyone is stuck firmly in the box of their job and their specific duties that no one wants to sacrifice anything to help.

“Soon we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy.” — ALBUS DUMBLEDORE

Another quote with very real implications. What is right is often very difficult and very hard to swallow. Oftentimes, we convince ourselves that the easy thing will not have repercussions—that it is right in a way, and that it will be fine and well. In reality, it is not, and it will never be so. Many people come to a crossroads in their life where they must choose to do the right or the easy thing—and more often than not, they unfortunately choose the path of least resistance. Dumbledore, as wretched as he is, always knew this. Many times, he chose the easy option, led with his heart. And who would not? For using one’s head, one’s sense, it would sacrifice far too much. That is why Dumbledore supported Grindelwald. And it cost him everything, for the easy way will always bring consequences. The right thing shall too, but perhaps it is better to frame it as short-term and long-term. The easy way brings you short-term pleasure, while the right thing brings you long-term pleasure… sometimes. Unfortunately, many don’t want to see the bigger picture in favor of the current moment.

“You sort of start thinking anything’s possible if you’ve got enough nerve.” — GINNY WEASLEY

When Ginny is saying this quote, she’s referring to how—because she lives with Fred and George—she starts to think that anything’s possible if you have enough ‘nerve.’ I like this quote because I feel that she’s really showing appreciation for her brothers’ genius, which is vastly under-recognised in the Weasley household. Molly Weasley in particular had set traditional ideals that Fred and George simply didn’t fulfill, and as a result, she found it difficult to accept. Due to Ginny having grown up with her brothers and having a different influence, she embraces the natural idea of ‘what if?’ and the innovative thinking that the Weasley brothers embodied and eventually made Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes successful. This idea of anything being possible is also reiterated throughout the series where Harry, an eleven year old, consistently does the ‘impossible’ feats of defeating Voldemort’s various ventures due to his bravery.

“Anyone can speak Troll. All you have to do is point and grunt." — FRED WEASLEY

I think that when some people make jokes, they don’t realise it’s offensive. Before you label me as a woke and far-too-sensitive person, let’s unpack this quote. Let’s reframe. ‘Anybody can speak (language), they just have to (action).’Does that statement not sound a little off to you? Diminishing a language that has developed with many meanings to a simple ‘point and grunt?’ This quote shows the sheer ego that the Wizarding World has. Even Fred Weasley, who is part of a lower-class family, shares this belief that wizards are greater and more above. It is the same belief that many humans share—that we are above animals, that we are superior. And how terrible is that? Perhaps many will chalk this up to ‘it’s a joke, get over it, it’s a fictional character.’ And yet, considering the symbolism and allusion that Rowling often included in her work, it’s very possible that this was intended to show the subtly racist belief of Wizardkind—much more subdued than the out-loud of ‘mudblood.’

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Finally, it’s time for the bonus quote. This is from one of my favourite book series of all-time, and from one of my favourite authors of all time—the elusive Lemony Snicket (or his representative, Daniel Handler), from A Series of Unfortunate Events.

“If everyone fought fire with fire, the whole world would go up in smoke.” — THE SLIPPERY SLOPE

A common saying in V.F.D. and an extremely real and honest truth, this quote hits quite hard when you understand it. If everyone fought fire with fire, the whole world would go up in smoke. Not flames. Smoke. Who to trust? Who to know? Every step you take is charred, every inch of land in waste. Fire with fire. Most people often say that you have to fight fire with fire. If someone stole something from you, you might steal something back from them. They might continue to do so, and you might do the exact same back to them. Eventually, your relationship would erode and if—by chance—you had happened to misplace something, you would likely accuse the other for the smoke from both of your flames that have clouded your eyes. Flames are delicate and tiny things that can cause schisms, arguments, and a terrible series of unfortunate events.  They can be small little actions, like pulling on one’s hair. This might foster a terrible rivalry and lead to your future demise. Who knows? Fire is a tricky thing. So is smoke. And in times where one decides to fight fire with fire, both may be indistinguishable.

Written by Sara Rowan.
Edited by Sam Diggory.
Proofread by Daphne Clarke.