#this is why I hate Harry Potter

[uncleasriel]

Oh my God, that makes so much sense!

The "fairy-tale-ness" is the exact mot juste that I was looking for! The way magic isn't especially world-built, or justified...that it's just a matter-of-fact property about the setting and its people. There's no mechanics, no magic system, no deep and layered worldbuilding, and that's fine.

The pleasure of those early books is watching the characters we've come to know be clever and courageous and leverage their virtues towards Stopping The Wicked Voldemort. It came together well,with just enough foreshadowing (like how it's a Basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets is hinted at by folks getting paralyzed, and the smashed greenhouse) to make you feel like "I could have pieced it together if I had read it closer!"

It's satisfying in that way, even if (as some critics have pointed out) there is a sense of mean caricature in the characters that Rowling intends us not to like.

I'm glad you liked the Dahl comparison! Revisiting Charlie and the Chocolate Factory put me in mind about how Rowling & Roald Dahl both portray the sorts of people the author didn't like as cartoonish buffoons who get what's coming to them. I get that it is a little "ethically meanspirited", as LeGuin describes it, but I can't deny that sometimes a little meanspirited comedy can land - especially if you're a slightly messed-up kid wanting to vent at all the bullies and authoritarians of the adult world who are sometimes Like That.

I think that's why I bounced off the fourth book after Rowling divorced her editor made it big. The tone was distinctly not fairy tale anymore, and the push to make real-world politics meld with Wizard World politics felt tonally disconnected with what came before.

Before Rowling showed her ass as a bigot, I was content with the first three books. They were perfectly cromulent children's fiction, far from unreadable and enjoyable enough for a young reader. But if you were to drop a copy of them into a parallel world where Harry Potter Mania never existed, if you didn't have the bizarre conflux of publishing firms and advertising overreach and film rights all combine into that exact perfect storm in the mid-to-late 90s... I highly doubt they'd make the same kind of splash.

After Rowling went full Mask Off... I really don't think I should be defending this series. There's nothing so special about them that warrants enriching a bigot, and I think it would be best if the series was laid to rest. One day, when the death of the author becomes a literal death (and not a rationale to excuse supporting a vocal transphobe shit-heel "cuz 8th birfday was Pottah themed!"), then maybe someone could do something with the IP that's halfwauy decent. But them I'm left asking....

...why bother? There are so many more compelling stories waiting to be told than just recapitulating to a long-gone childhood nostalgia.

Basically:

for the record even if we lived in a universe where jk rowling wasn't a fundamentally evil person, and every dollar spent on harry potter merchandise wasn't being funneled directly into anti-trans causes, I would still think grown ass adults who are unable to help themselves from purchasing every possible thing from a mediocre childrens book franchise are extremely pathetic people

[leighbaye]

[blorger]

yes, hello, please let the record show that when Harry and Draco meet at Madame Malkin's and Harry is reminded strongly of Dudley Draco hasn't done anything that is particularly vile, he's just

been blond (technically "pale", we can't yet make the Dudley to Draco connection via hair color)

talked about having two involved parents

I direct the jury to this exchange:

Draco is just behaving like a kid, even if he uses the world "bully" ( he's clearly using it hyperbolically) and drawls (the Malfoy Special, if you will). This is not exactly villain foreshadowing 101.

Something could be said for how Draco's words suggest a power dynamic wherein he's in control of his parents, like Harry views Dudley and the Dursleys's relationship, but also... Draco is a child making boastful remarks to another child, one would expect exaggeration as par for the course.

I fail to see any signs of Great Evil; Draco's phrasing may have triggered feelings of inadequacy and maybe also envy, (Harry wants a family most of all as per the mirror of erised) but also, Harry has presumably been going to school and has met plenty of parented children, this can't be a new situation.

What I'm saying is that jkr is doing a bit of a tell don't show, she is giving us the key with which we are to interpret every one of Draco and Harry's interactions from this moment on but kind of falls flat in the execution.

What I (and others beside me) read in their following interaction is just two people not understanding eachother. One boy feels confused, insecure and out of his depth and the other one doesn't know this is happening. Draco is trying to make a good impression on a schoolmate by saying any and all impressive things he can think of, not knowing that by repeating his father's greatest hits he's inadvertently alienating Harry.

In conclusion, your honor, I posit to you that upon their meeting Harry immediately feels strongly about Draco but, in his inexperience (and lack of emotional development see: cupboard), he is unable to identify the origin of said strong feelings and attributes them to dislike (the Dudley Connection). Thus a scene meant to highlight their incompatibility ends up foreshadowing Harry and Draco's unusual bond instead.

tldr: drarry is a great ship, jkr is an idiot savant who managed to write the greatest enemies to lovers storyline of all time without meaning to and also I know I'm reaching but I've decided this is the bible truth since truth is what you make of it.

[bawbawbridgie]

i lied. put your clothes back on. let’s talk about why cursed child is so overly hated and criticised but is actually one of the most beautiful, raw and complex pieces of work in the harry potter franchise.

[myokk]

quidditch champions seb

[corwnvus]

I was wondering if you could draw regulus wearing james winter hat and jacket while holding a little baby lamb? Please 🐑 with a pink bow 🎀

This was really cute bit I'm NEVER drawing a lamb again...

+ a lil polaroid ver cus my dad said it looked like one.

[handledwithgloves]

guys, guys, hear me out.

i dont think draco would care that harry was powerful.

think about it. draco knew full well harry destroyed voldy as a toddler and still bullied him. then he lived with one of the most powerful wizards of their time and was afraid yes but also incredibly unimpressed by voldy as a whole.

the only way he would care about harry being pwerful is that it would give him incentive to become just as powerful if not more. he wouldnt care to look at harry with starry eyes bc he would be like “psh, i could do that if i tried. obvs i just haven’t tried yet.”

ex. harry uses wandless magic, draco: i didnt know we could do that… bet i could do it better than you. how long did u practice for? i could probably do it half that.

like, did i cook, chat? do u get it?

[lilithofpenandbook]

Seriously how can M*r*uders stans like random Slytherins (who tf are Evan Rosier, Pandora (is that Luna's mum and why tf is she Evan Rosier's twin in half of these), and I don't even want to discuss Regulus) and make them Actually Misunderstood Good People Who Were Forced Down That Path when at least one of them *coughreguluscough* was obsessed with Voldemort

And then turn around and make Snape an awful person?

[abearinthewoods]

Randomly thinking about how jk Rowling coded it in to the HP universe that the stairs to the girls dorms had a spell to keep boys out but not the inverse. Even having a character explain to Ron that its because the founders viewed boys as less trustworthy.

In retrospect given that it really shouldn't have been a surprise when she harpooned on about "men in dresses trying to invade women's spaces". She clearly sees sexual deviancy as a distinctly male trait.

[soraya-snape]

Just realized that at my age Snape recently, had defected from Voldemort and was being a double agent for Dumbledore as well as a teacher at Hogwarts despite suffering the loss of the most important person in his life. In addition to that, he had already created multiple spells and improved potions, and was just in general a very gifted wizard. And here I am not even able to read an email, let alone write one because I'm too scared. He really is the bravest, strongest and most talented man I know.

[labyrinthhofmymind]

WHY ARE PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THE HARRY POTTER TV SHOW REBOOT AS IF THEYRE GONNA WATCH IT????? LIKE???? HELLO???? let’s not forget that engaging with it in any way means more money towards jkr, and for a fandom like the marauders that preaches so much about how inclusive and diverse they are (ESPECIALLY when it comes to trans people) the fact people are talking about this show and who they want cast + shit is INSANE.

ALSO!!!! WHY WOULD WE WANT A SHITTY REBOOT OF THE MARAUDERS ANYWAY???? idk about you guys but i’m perfectly happy with the little/big world we have created as a fandom through fanfiction, artwork, short films, etc. and ik for a fact that a tv show/movie about the marauders will NEVA live up to what we already have.

[jumpy-frog]

do you think Peter felt regret when James and Lily chose him to be their secret keeper? Was he sad that they trusted him that much? Did he second guess what he was doing and doubt all his assumptions about where he fit in the friendgroup?

Or was he just mad that he wasn’t their first choice? That the only reason they trusted him was because they could never imagine him without them, or having the guts to go against them? That the only reason they chose him over Sirius was because no one would ever guess they chose him?

Did he feel guilty? Or did he feel proud?

[pleeborp]

Guys I’m actually crying right now I’m so sad all the time over how Harry’s abuse is never addressed

He was ABUSED guys and NOBODY ever talked about it

And can you just imagine Harry James Potter waking up that first Christmas expecting nothing and then Ron Weasley his FIRST friend telling him he has PRESENTS. The joy the shock that boy must have felt. But can you imagine for a split second he doesn’t believe him. Can you imagine for one second that Harry thought Ron, his first friend, could be playing a cruel trick on him. You think Dudley never pulled that shit on him? You think he was never given false hope that he had presents before?

Or how about the fact that Harry probably woke up every morning for what was probably his first four months at Hogwarts at least, panicked and rushed to get up to make breakfast for the Dursley’s only to realize he didn’t have to. Can you imagine the relief? The weight off his shoulders. Or even worse can you imagine the guilt he felt? He had been raised to cook for them every morning and you think it wasn’t deeply engraved in his mind that in order to feel some sort of acceptance without doing something for others? You think he didn’t try to do things for his friends those first months at Hogwarts, believing it to be the only way he’d be accepted?

Think even harder about how as the years went on and as he did more things for people it seemingly fed into those beliefs? How every time he saved someone, every time he did something for the school, everyone loved him for it? How Hogwarts was his safe haven, but even then they always expected something from him in return. And when they hated him, and he did something else to save them, suddenly they loved him again. You think he didn’t solidify in his poor, hurt mind that in order him for him to be accepted he had to do these things for the people around him?

Or even the betrayal he MUST have felt when he learned all of this was PLANNED. That he was raised and built and forged to be nothing else other than a hero for a society that always expected that from him.

That despite the fact that he escaped the Dursley’s, he would never be without expectations and responsibilities shoved into him from those around him.

Guys I’m so upset I just want to hold him. He deserved a loving, supportive home, where he should have had no expectations other than to be a child and to be loved. This is secretly a PSA that I fucking hate Albus Dumbledore for the pressure and the manipulation he put on Harry.

Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.

Also FUCK Jk Rowling

[megtheuntalented]

James groggily blinked awake, groaning slightly. He runs his hand through his already messy hair, and turns over to the sight of an empty bed. With furrowed brows, James sits up. He snags a shirt tossed haphazardly on the floor and creeps out of the bedroom. He hears quiet murmuring and babbling and follows the voices.

James vision is momentarily obscured as he tugs on the shirt while making his way to the kitchen. When he pulls the fabric from out of his face, he's greeted by the sight of Regulus whispering to a bouncing and babbling Harry. Regulus stands in front of the fridge, with its harsh light making his already pale complexion look translucent. His skin contrasts with his deep eye bags. But, he's smiling softly at Harry, who's propped on his hip. The smile rounds out the harsh lines of Regulus's face.

James smiles to himself and leans on the doorway. Regulus looks so natural while holding his kid. It was like he was born to be James' family. It doesn't help that Regulus is dressed in James' oversized quidditch jersey, and happens to have mismatched socks of varying length. James' heart swells as he looks to his beautiful man.

Regulus happens to look up and finds James lurking in the shadows. His soft grin morphs into a wry smirk, and he says to James, "Well, come on, love. If you're up, that means you can hold the baby."

He slides his was over to James, and carefully plops Harry into his arms. Harry pouts a little, making tiny grabby hands to Regulus. Regulus just smiles at the demanding baby, ruffling his messy hair and pressing a kiss to it. Harry sinks back into James, reluctantly satisfied.

James chuckles, before catching a fleeing Regulus by his wrist. "And where's my kiss," James asks with a coy grin. Regulus just rolls his eyes, even though his smile betrays his true feelings. He presses a soft kiss into James cheek. Even though they've been married for years, James can still spot a soft pink on Regulus' cheeks.

When Regulus pulls back, they both get stuck in each other's gazes. The soft smile on Regulus' face slowly turns into a neutral face as his eyes flick downwards. James, concerned, reaches for Regulus. He uses the hand not holding Harry to cup Regulus' face. His breath stutters a little when he feels a tear slip down his thumb.

"Regulus, what is it?" Regulus just looks at James once more. He moves pale hand to lay over top of James' own. "You have to wake up, love."

James eyes widen, "But-"

And then his eyes shoot open. He's in a dark bedroom. Lily snores by his side. Her hair happens to be in his mouth.

He wipes it away and sits up. Runs a hand through his hair and then over his face. Grabs the glasses from off his nightstand. Sneaks out of his bedroom to the kitchen.

And he cries when he finds no one there.

[maxdibert]

Lily Evans and the Tragedy of Poor Character Writing: How She Could Have Been Interesting but Was Reduced to the Moral Compass for the Men in Her Life

The way Lily is used as a moral instrument for the male characters prevents her from standing on her own as a character with individual depth, aspirations, and personal struggles. While we see hints that she has agency and a personality beyond her relationships, these moments are fleeting and sacrificed in favor of reinforcing the men’s journeys. This lack of consistent development reduces her to what feminist criticism calls the “moral arbiter” or the “redeeming woman” trope, where a female character exists mainly to define or “purify” a male character’s storyline. This phenomenon is particularly evident with Lily, whose interactions serve to validate or critique the men in her orbit but rarely to explore her own motivations, desires, or struggles.

Lily’s relationships with Severus, James, and Sirius reveal moral contradictions that could have added complexity if they were properly addressed. For example, her friendship with Severus is cut off for reasons that appear, on the surface, morally justified—but she doesn’t seem to apply this same standard to James or Sirius, despite their bullying and violence toward others. Her reaction to Mulciber’s behavior is harsh and unforgiving, yet her forgiveness of Sirius’ behavior (he comites attending to murder) as they get older suggests a double standard that’s never examined. These decisions could have made her a compelling, morally gray character; instead, they’re brushed aside to uphold her as a “good person,” an infallible figure who’s somehow always in the right. This sanitizing approach dismisses her potential for growth, change, and inner conflict, flattening her character to fit the role of a flawless moral validator.

Her relationship with James, too, suffers from this one-dimensional portrayal. The narrative pushes the idea that James becomes a better person because of Lily’s acceptance, implying that he is redeemed not through personal introspection or growth but by “winning” her approval. This reinforcement of the idea that men can be “fixed” or redeemed by a woman’s acceptance or love is problematic because it perpetuates the notion that women exist to reform men, placing responsibility on women to serve as emotional caretakers or moral rehabilitators. This is a trope rooted in misogyny, as it frames female characters as moral tools rather than individuals with their own agency.

Feminist theory critiques this kind of portrayal, arguing that it reduces women’s roles to secondary functions in the narrative. Lily becomes a kind of “reward” for James’s perceived growth, not a fully realized partner with her own arc. This approach reflects Rowling’s broader struggle with female characterization, where women often lack agency beyond their relationships with men and are rarely allowed the depth, autonomy, or moral ambiguity afforded to male characters. By framing Lily as a moral gauge for Severus, James, and even Harry, Rowling removes her complexity and potential flaws, opting instead to present her as an idealized figure who serves primarily to validate the men around her.

The inconsistencies in Lily’s portrayal have led to her being a divisive character for many fans. She’s often disliked not necessarily for her actions but for the incoherent, contradictory ways she’s written, and this is ultimately a failure of Rowling’s character development. Instead of being an empowered, nuanced figure with her own voice and flaws, Lily is molded to fit the needs of the male characters’ narratives, leaving her motivations unclear and her personality inconsistent. This reflects Rowling’s problematic handling of female characters throughout the series, where women are often defined by their relationships and reduced to supporting roles. Lily, as one of the most significant female figures in the story, suffers from this treatment, and it’s a major reason why her character often comes across as both underdeveloped and unrelatable. The narrative’s inconsistent treatment of her is not a flaw of the character but a symptom of Rowling’s broader issues with writing female characters, who frequently lack the autonomy, depth, and agency that would make them compelling and relatable in their own right.

And yes, I’ll admit it—Lily Evans really annoys me, but it’s precisely because of everything I’ve discussed here. She’s been reduced to this saintly figure, this ultimate epitome of “good” motherhood and femininity in the narrative, and it’s frustrating because her complexities and contradictions are glossed over or ignored. Lily isn’t allowed to be fully human; instead, she’s turned into a symbol, an idealized version of what a woman should be, stripped of the depth and nuances that would make her an interesting character.

Instead of exploring her flaws, her contradictions, or the ways she fails to live up to the moral standards she seemingly sets for others, Rowling chose to simplify her into a narrative tool. Lily’s personal contradictions—her selective morality, her double standards, her often unquestioned choices—are brushed aside because they don’t serve the image of “perfect womanhood” the story wants to project. Rather than treating her as a fully realized person with her own journey, she’s treated like an object, a measure of how “good” or “redeemed” the men around her are.

It’s this reduction that bothers me the most. In focusing on Lily’s role as the moral benchmark for others, especially the men she interacts with, Rowling denies her the chance to be anything more than a tool for measuring their worth. She doesn’t get to make mistakes and grow; instead, she’s held up as an unattainable ideal, and that’s not just boring—it’s damaging. It perpetuates the idea that women are there to serve as moral compasses for men, to help shape their actions and destinies, while never being given the chance to explore their own complexities or motivations.

This lack of depth doesn’t just harm Lily as a character; it harms the story as a whole. The other characters’ arcs are all defined by how they relate to her, which only highlights how little she’s allowed to define herself outside of them. Lily could have been so much more than just the woman who inspires James to be better or the woman whose approval validates their actions. She could have been a flawed, messy, deeply human character. But instead, she’s been turned into a one-dimensional ideal, and that’s why I find her so frustrating—not because of who she is, but because of how the narrative chose to treat her.

[mozzzz05]

I’ve had it with people saying that the Marauders naming themselves ‘the Marauders’ isn’t actually canon and is just what they called the map.

Enough people assumed that they went round calling themselves that. I did before I was even involved in Fandom. I thought they called themselves that when I first read the books at 11, before I even had social media. Every single person I’ve ever seen discuss this recoils in shock, “oh my good gracious me. I never realised such a thing. What numptys we have been to assume that all these years.” (There’s no evidence to say that they didn’t call themselves ‘the marauders’ but also not enough evidence to suggest they did)

I think it’s safe to say that enough people assumed it for it to be cannon.

And if she who-must-not-be-named didn’t intend for that. It’s just bad writing.