Of Owls and Newts

One of the unresolved issues at the conclusion of The Deathly Hallows is how do Harry, Ron and Hermione cope with missing their final year at Hogwarts. Mind you, the quality of education at the school had suffered rather badly what with Dumbledore being yanked out mid-year, in The Prisoner of Azkaban, Umbridge taking over in Order of the Phoenix and the distress of Dumbledore’s death in The Half-blood Prince.

Even as long ago as The Chamber of Secrets, exams were cancelled, so one wonders exactly how good a school Hogwarts was. However, next to Drumstrang and Beaubatons Academy, Hogwarts appears to be pretty good. Drumstrang seems to be rather too stoic to be appealing, while the girls of Beaubatons display little of the wit, wisdom and fortitude of the Hogwarts girls. I doubt either of the Delacour girls ever went near a quidditch pitch. Indeed, the Beaubatons’ cheerleading was pretty feeble, too.

Achievement?
While there is no doubt that Harry, Ron and Hermione distinguished themselves in The Deathly Hallows, they did miss their final year at Hogwarts and failed to take their N.E.W.T.s The three had good sets of O.W.L.s (Ron and Harry had 7, while Hermione had 11), one wonders what they did between the time of the vanquishing of Voldemort and the time they, presumably, got married. Calculating from the ages of the children, and assuming they did things in the conventional order, Harry would have been 23 when he married Ginny. Ron and Hermione would have been a similar age.

J K Rowling has given hints that Hermione went into Magical Law, which she could not have done had she not resumed her studies. It can also be assumed that Ginny remained at Hogwarts until she completed her N.E.W.T.s, as she was certainly more studious than George and Fred, who only managed to scrape 3 O.W.L.s each.

I suspect that Harry, Ron and Hermione all attended Knight School, so they were able to do some work during the day. Harry had a considerable amount of money (no doubt, part of the attraction for Ginny, who as the youngest child probably never had anything new), and might have added to it by giving special lessons in Defence Against the Dark Arts, which he had done so successfully to Dumbledore’s Army.

However, with Voldemort defeated, the demand for DADA lessons probably collapsed.

Given the state of 12, Grimmauld Place, Harry would have been well advised to learn some DIY skills to bring that 18th century house up to standard. He could have done worse than training as a plasterer.

It’s not likely, though. I think the trio found a way to complete their education. Yes, Ron, too. Hermione wouldn’t marry someone who only had 7 O.W.L.s. Her parents were dentists, remember, and she knew the value of education and professional training. Similarly, Harry wouldn’t be comfortable with a wife who had more education than he did. He had professional ambitions, too, and even though he might never become an Auror, he was clever enough – and smart enough – to want to make the most of his abilities.

Of Money and Muggles

Let me begin by saying that J K Rowling has earned her money. She created seven best-sellers and exercised great control over Warner Brothers to ensure that the film versions of her book came up to her standards. For the most part, Harry Potter merchandise has been of a high standard; control has been maintained over anything that could bring the productions or those working on it into disrepute.

This is no mean achievement.

J K Rowling has already done much good with her money and gives every indication of being the sort of person who will continue to do so. Looking at those who have very large amounts of money, getting rid of most of it as fast as one can appears to be the best way of surviving it.

Fame is a fickle friend, too. For the young cast, the association with such a phenomenal success can radically alter one's view of the world. The tabloids are full of those who have been unable to control their lives or cope with their success.

But let's not be unfair. All of them, Daniel, Emma, Rupert, Tom, Devon, Matthew, Bonnie and Evanna, know that being in these films will probably be the major event of their professional lives. Separating public affection for their roles from any regard for them personally, is very difficult. If half the world loves Hermione, how does that make Emma feel, whose character only partially overlaps that of the role she plays?

By all accounts (based on reports from my son who knows some of Emma's friends) she is a sensible, clever and witty young lady. It can only be hoped that these young people avoid the misery and public disapprobation that has been visited on so many erstwhile glamorous young stars.

In time, when The Deathly Hallows is in the can, I hope they can look back on the experience with pride and fondness, along with the remarkable satisfaction that their young selves are preserved forever on film.

First Things

Although a great fan of the books and films, I do not think J K Rowling is the next Jane Austen or Charles Dickens. However, from the first book, it was clear that her ability to tell a story was something special.

There are a number of things that contribute to this success:

• Characters who are real enough to identify with and care about


• An engaging plot that overlaps our own experiences enough to be believable


• Clever use of language and outstanding original terms


• A blend of mystery, suspense and humour that is often unexpected


• An always evident lovingness of the way she handles her characters


• A clear moral vision


• Nobility of thought


• Aspirational values

This is not a complete list by any means, but it shows that there is more than one thing that makes the books successful.

I think the single most appealing notion in the books is that there is another world that exists in parallel to our own; a place where things are more exciting, more glamorous, more in tune with the way we'd like things to be. (Who would not like Dumbledore as head of his school?)

One final point that adds greatly to the stories: there is a real sense of justice in almost all situations. From the beginning, we see Harry get some of his own back with Dudley falling into the snake cage, or receiving a tail from Hagrid. Later on, almost all forms are meanness are punished, or at least have consequences for their perpetrators. This includes Harry, too. When he is unfair or uncharitable, it has consequences.