If you are re-reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which of these moments stand out for you?

The Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws shielding Harry

Harry often worried whether he asked too much from other people – which made this moment all the more significant. To see the majority of the school rally around and shield him from the Slytherins was incredibly poignant. While a lot of these students were too young to join the battle itself, it did demonstrate that they were ultimately ready to stand up for what was right.

Then a figure rose from the Slytherin table and he recognised Pansy Parkinson as she raised a shaking arm and screamed, ‘But he’s there! Potter’s there! Someone grab him!

Before Harry could speak, there was a massive movement. The Gryffindors in front of him had risen and stood facing, not Harry, but the Slytherins. Then the Hufflepuffs stood, and, almost at the same moment, the Ravenclaws, all of them with their backs to Harry, all of them looking towards Pansy instead, and Harry, awe- struck and overwhelmed, saw wands emerging everywhere, pulled from beneath cloaks and from under sleeves.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Percy apologising to his family and joining the fight

Percy Weasley was not one to easily admit when he was wrong – but he couldn’t have been more wrong about the return of Lord Voldemort. Yet when it came down to it, Percy climbed through that passageway to join the rest of his family and fight. He even gave them a long overdue apology, admitting he was at fault (and a fool). The Weasleys, being a wonderful and loving bunch, accepted him back, no questions asked. We were so pleased he managed to make up with his entire family while they were all still living.

‘I was a fool!’ Percy roared, so loudly that Lupin nearly dropped his photograph. ‘I was an idiot, I was a pompous prat, I was a – a –’

‘Ministry-loving, family-disowning, power-hungry moron,’ said Fred.

Percy swallowed.

‘Yes, I was!’

‘Well, you can’t say fairer than that,’ said Fred, holding out his hand to Percy.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Colin Creevey sneaking back despite being underage

We should have all realised that Colin would not stay away from Hogwarts when it was being attacked. Having looked up to Harry the entire time he was at school, and as a proud member of Dumbledore’s Army, there was no way that he wouldn’t have stayed to do what he could. Despite the fact he was too young, we reckon he gave the battle everything he had. When he died, we were absolutely devastated. Colin lost his life fighting to help secure a better future for the wizarding world. While his death is only mentioned fleetingly, it doesn’t mean he was any less of a hero.

Ron remembering the house-elves

There’s certainly no shortage of heroic Ron moments in the Battle of Hogwarts, but this is one that we believe deserves a little more recognition. In Harry’s time at Hogwarts, we saw that house-elves were often forgotten by the wizarding community – despite all they did for them behind the scenes. It often seemed like Hermione was the only person who really cared about what rights they had. So, it was a very welcome surprise when Ron remembered them and wanted to ensure they were safe. We know Hermione was certainly impressed – if her reaction was anything to go by.

‘Hang on a moment!’ said Ron sharply. ‘We’ve forgotten someone!’

‘Who?’ asked Hermione.

‘The house-elves, they’ll all be down in the kitchen, won’t they?’

‘You mean we ought to get them fighting?’ asked Harry.

‘No,’ said Ron seriously, ‘I mean we should tell them to get out. We don’t want any more Dobbys, do we? We can’t order them to die for us –’

There was a clatter as the Basilisk fangs cascaded out of Hermione’s arms. Running at Ron, she flung them around his neck and kissed him full on the mouth.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Slughorn facing Voldemort himself

Horace Slughorn really exemplified the Slytherin skill for self-preservation. He didn’t seem to do anything that wouldn’t benefit him, so you’d be forgiven for thinking he might not wish to stick around and risk his life. But he did – and faced Voldemort himself.

Voldemort was now duelling McGonagall, Slughorn and Kingsley all at once, and there was cold hatred in his face as they wove and ducked around him, unable to finish him
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Not only were we impressed that he managed to survive a duel with Voldemort, but the fact he went against his very nature to do what was right raised our expectations of Slughorn considerably.

Hermione holding it together for Ron and Harry after Fred’s death

Fred’s death was awful and had a major impact on so many characters. It must have felt nigh on impossible for those who loved him to keep fighting through their grief. Both Harry and Ron (understandably) lost focus momentarily and wanted revenge. However, Hermione realised that they didn’t have a choice, they had to keep going, and she needed to be strong for Ron in that moment. She put his needs and feelings before hers and made sure that the three of them remembered the bigger picture.

‘Harry, in here!’ Hermione screamed.

She had pulled Ron behind a tapestry. They seemed to be wrestling together, and for one mad second Harry thought that they were embracing again; then he saw that Hermione was trying to restrain Ron, to stop him running after Percy. ‘Listen to me – LISTEN, RON!’

‘I wanna help – I wanna kill Death Eaters –’

His face was contorted, smeared with dust and smoke, and he was shaking with rage and grief.

‘Ron, we’re the only ones who can end it! Please – Ron – we need the snake, we’ve got to kill the snake!’ said Hermione.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

When Dumbledore’s Army put their skills to the ultimate test

In the midst of battle when you’ve lost people you have loved (or are unsure of their fate), summoning the strength to cast a Patronus feels pretty inconceivable. When Harry, Ron and Hermione found themselves surrounded by Dementors, it seemed like they were not going to be able to walk away without losing their souls. However, Dumbledore’s Army came to the rescue with some excellent spell work, with Luna becoming the teacher that Harry once was to her. Not only did they save our favourite trio but gave them enough strength and encouragement to continue.

And then a silver hare, a boar and a fox soared past Harry, Ron and Hermione’s heads: the Dementors fell back before the creatures’ approach. Three more people had arrived out of the darkness to stand beside them, their wands outstretched, continuing to cast their Patronuses: Luna, Ernie and Seamus.

‘That’s right,’ said Luna encouragingly, as if they were back in the Room of Requirement and this was simply spell practice for the DA. ‘That’s right, Harry ... come on, think of something happy ...’

‘Something happy?’ he said, his voice cracked.

‘We’re all still here,’ she whispered, ‘we’re still fighting. Come on, now ...’
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Grawp helping to protect Hogwarts

The majority of the giants may have fought for Voldemort, but Grawp was different. His personality seemed to be more like his half-brother Hagrid’s. While it is unclear whether he understood the reason behind the battle, he still fought for Hogwarts – even though was so much smaller than any of the giants he faced. Grawp demonstrated that not all of his kind were gruesome monsters to be feared, and proved they were capable of so much more.

Ginny comforting an injured student

When Voldemort momentarily called off his attack during the Battle of Hogwarts, it allowed those who were still able to check on the wounded and move the bodies of the dead. It takes a huge amount of bravery to fight, but it also takes courage to reassure and care for those left behind – especially when you are exhausted. Ginny found the strength she needed to do this and demonstrated real compassion when she held the hand of an injured student and comforted her, especially when she probably needed comforting herself.

She was crouching over a girl who was whispering for her mother.

‘It’s all right,’ Ginny was saying. ‘It’s OK. We’re going to get you inside.’

‘But I want to go home,’ whispered the girl. ‘I don’t want to fight any more!’

‘I know,’ said Ginny, and her voice broke. ‘It’s going to be all right.’
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Narcissa Malfoy not telling Voldemort Harry was alive

Although Narcissa’s motivation was to protect her family rather than go against Voldemort, the courage it took to lie to him can’t be underestimated. The untruth she told him probably saved Harry’s life – and sealed Voldemort’s fate. Ultimately, it demonstrated that family was Narcissa’s real focus, and the love she had for her son outweighed the fear or support she had for Voldemort.

Luna causing a distraction so nobody would bother Harry

When Harry finally defeated Voldemort, unsurprisingly, everybody wanted to be near him to celebrate such a momentous occasion. However, having fought a long hard battle – that really started the moment Voldemort returned a few years before – it was not surprising that Harry was completely drained and overwhelmed. Luna was one of the only people to realise this. She quietly helped Harry out by causing a distraction so he could slip away, and she did it in the most Luna-way possible.

After a while, exhausted and drained, Harry found himself sitting on a bench beside Luna.

‘I’d want some peace and quiet, if it were me,’ she said.

‘I’d love some,’ he replied.

‘I’ll distract them all,’ she said. ‘Use your Cloak.’

And before he could say a word she had cried, ‘Oooh, look, a Blibbering Humdinger!’ and pointed out of the window. Everyone who heard looked around, and Harry slid the Cloak up over himself, and got to his feet.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows