Ten Things “Harry Potter” Taught Us About a Mother’s Love
When you consider the standout characters in Harry Potter, the mothers are probably not among the first who come to mind. You may think of the lovable and loyal Ron Weasley, the cunning yet vulnerable Draco Malfoy, or Harry Potter himself, the fearless hero who vanquishes Lord Voldemort. You may not think of the women who raised these characters and who arguably embody these traits to an even greater extent than their children: Molly Weasley, whose nurturing nature extends far beyond her biological family; Narcissa Malfoy, whose shrewdness profoundly alters the course of several lives; and Lily Potter, whose courage and selflessness ultimately save the entire wizarding world from Voldemort’s evil reign. In celebration of Mother’s Day, we honor the mothers of Harry Potter and reflect on the lessons they continue to teach us about a mother’s love.
1. Mothers love us even when we are unlovable.
Petunia Dursley may be far from a beloved Harry Potter character, but her constant love for her son, Dudley, who is often an insolent brat, teaches us that mothers love us even when we are unworthy of their love.
2. Mothers don’t have to be biological to love us and be loved by us.
Bonds between mothers and children aren’t always formed by blood. Molly illustrates this point by essentially adopting both Harry and Hermione Granger as her own children and supporting them unconditionally.
3. Mothers will go to great lengths to protect us.
The Unbreakable Vow is one of the most serious spells in existence because the person who accepts the terms dies if he or she breaks the vow. Narcissa doesn’t hesitate to convince Severus Snape to take this vow (and thus risk losing his life) to ensure Draco’s safety, just as many other mothers wouldn’t hesitate to do something desperate to protect their children.
4. In fact, mothers will protect us even when they cannot protect themselves.
Mothers tend to put the safety of their children before their own safety, sometimes at the cost of their very lives. Lily’s decision to protect Harry at the cost of her own life is the foundation on which the entire Harry Potter series is based.
5. A mother’s love never sleeps.
Molly’s magical clock shows the precise location of each of her family members at all times. Although such a clock doesn’t exist in real life (yet), our mothers do tend to fret over us more often than we realize.
6. A mother’s love leaves a mark on us that can never be erased.
Even after our mothers pass away, they are an indelible part of who we are. Although a mother’s mark may not be as obvious as a lightning-shaped scar, it is there nonetheless.
7. Mothers know that tough love is sometimes necessary.
Molly’s Howler may have scared the wits out of Ron, but she sent it for his own good. Mothers know that discipline is an essential part of raising children.
8. Mothers will fight for us and our future at all costs.
When Nymphadora Tonks joins her husband, Remus Lupin, at the Battle of Hogwarts, she makes a heart-wrenching decision to fight for the future of their infant son, Teddy, rather than stay behind with him. Mothers often think of their children’s futures when making tough decisions in the present.
9. A mother’s love is wild, fierce, and sometimes even dangerous.
When Molly kills Bellatrix Lestrange for targeting Ginny Weasley during the Battle of Hogwarts, we see just how fierce a mother’s love can be. Although it is an extreme example of motherly love, this moment demonstrates the raw power of maternal instinct.
10. A mother’s love will always be with us, giving us courage and strength in our darkest moments.
Before facing Voldemort one last time, Harry encounters the spirits of several loved ones who have died at the Dark wizard’s hands. Lily’s presence bolsters Harry the most as he prepares to die. Although this kind of exchange cannot occur in real life, a mother’s love can imbue us with fortitude when nothing else can.
Happy Mother’s Day! Which Potter mother inspires you the most and why? Let us know in the comments!
