Happy Birthday JK Rowling and Harry Potter -- 11 things we learned from the different characters

Harry Potter is one of those books that seemed to have completely revolutionised our reading habits. Not only has it helped create a whole generation of avid readers but it has taught us a lot more about life. Here are 11 characters from the book and what they taught us, with respect to living the right way.

Harry Potter: The star of the book, Harry Potter was one character that most people warmed up to. But apart from being brave and the hero of almost all scenarios in the book, Harry teaches us that being resilient, fighting against all odds and caring for the people who you love is a virtue we must have. From being an orphan and living with extended family that treated him poorly to being the star of Hogwarts, Harry also shows us that going after what you really want is the only way you can achieve greatness. And he shows us that even a scrawny, bespectacled kid can be a hero!

Albus Dumbeldore: The principal of Hogwarts, this kindly, old wizard was the epitome of kindness, wisdom and good leadership. He taught us to accept that you can make mistakes. He accepted his shortcomings and worked with them rather than hide them. He knew he wasn't one to be trusted with power and took the call to be a teacher instead. But what made him a great teacher was the fact that he allowed his students and colleagues to shine and let them make their mistakes so they could learn from them. That's why he didn't tell Harry about the Deathly Hallows, for he wanted him to earn them himself. Most importantly, Dumbeldore taught us to be wise and not thrust our opinions on other people.

RonWeasley : Harry's best friend, Ron was portrayed as someone who stood by Harry no matter what; be it flying with him in his dad's stolen Ford Anglia or following him into danger to fight foul creatures. A bit fearful of situations, Ron teaches us to be trusting and loyal and that you stand by your friends no matter what. And he teaches us that it's quite feasible to conquer our fears.

Hermione Granger: The brightest of the lot, who's always ready to help, teaches us that being a nerd isn't a bad thing. She shows us that it's possible to be intelligent without being arrogant and that it's important to love what you learn. And most importantly, she taught us that everyone needs to be treated equally -- be they humans, goblins or house-elves. She always fought against injustice and stood by her friends. What's more, the beautiful lassie always encouraged her friends to believe in themselves.

Snape: The greyest character in the series, Severus Snape was always portrayed as one of the bad guys. But what we all failed to realise (until the last book) was the fact that Snape was actually a good guy and Dumbledore's man through and through. He had a rocky start in life and ended up being a Death Eater, but after learning of Lord Voldemort's plan to murder Lily's child, Snape switched sides and spent his life protecting Harry. He taught us that doing good is what matters and not flaunting your good deeds. He also teaches us that you should be willing to take the fall once in a while, and that it's okay to be the look like the bad guy to achieve the greater good.

Sirius Black: One of our favourite characters, Sirius Black is a great father figure. He was loving, caring and always tried to be there for Harry when he needed him. His dedication and love for Harry was so great that he was willing to do anything for the boy, even surviving on rats in a nearby cave so he could watch over his beloved godson. Sirius teaches us that true love and dedication are the essential aspects of life, and also it's nice to be a bit wicked!

Hagrid: The tall, hairy gamekeeper of the grounds in Hogwarts, Hagrid was a misfit of epic proportions. The half-giant was a beloved character who took Harry under his wings in the early days and was the first one to tell him that he was a wizard. One of the most emotional characters in the book, Hagrid loved animals and shows us how treating them with respect is essential. He was a good teacher, respected decisions and was determined to learn magic, even though he was expelled from Hogwarts.

Dobby: A very adorable house elf, Dobby was at first a servant in the Malfoy household but Harry freed him which instilled him a great sense of loyalty towards Harry. Dobby stood by him through thick and thin. This little elf taught us that being loyal and standing by the person you love, no matter what is what sets a person apart from the crowd.

Voldemort: We, know he is bad guy, but there are aspects of Voldemort that aren't bad. He's driven, zealous and will stop at nothing until he achieves his goals. He is also quite resourceful and loves himself immensely and while we're not saying you become a full-blown narcissist, it's definitely a good idea to love and respect yourself.

Fred and George: The absolute jokers of the lot, these brothers lived from one prank to another. Mischief was so ingrained in their blood that they ended up with their own joke shop which did roaring business. They taught us that it doesn't matter what society wants us to do, we should follow our own dreams, no matter how stupid they seem. While they did not do too well at school, their interest lay elsewhere, and they used this passion to grow. An important lesson they teach us is the fact that if you do what you love, you will always succeed.

Neville: The underdog, Neville Longbottom was an unlikely hero. Never the most talented, he fought against all odds, not letting his shortcomings stop him. His courage was clearly seen when he refused to join Voldemort when he offered him a spot with the Death Eaters in the final battle of Hogwarts, even when it appeared that all was lost and Harry was dead. His character goes to show that bravery and the courage to fight for the good goes a long way in helping you succeed.

Picture Source: Warner Brothers

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• Happy Birthday Harry Potter 5 reasons every child needs to read the books
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• 10 ways to help your child learn to read

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