The Real Magic of Harry Potter by Jalyn

The Real Magic of Harry Potter by Jalyn - October 2025 Scholarship Essay

I’ve learned a lot from people I connect with in my life, but one of the most important lessons I’ve ever learned came from a fictional character: Harry Potter. Reading the Harry Potter series taught me that real courage isn’t about being the best fighter there is, but it’s about doing what’s right, even when it’s hard or unpopular.

When I first started the series, I saw Harry as a hero because he was brave in dangerous situations. But as I got older, I realized his courage ran much deeper than that. He stood up for others, spoke the truth even when no one believed him, and kept doing what he thought was right, even when people turned against him. He didn’t just fight evil with magic; he fought it with kindness, loyalty, and compassion.

One moment that really stuck with me was when Harry tried to save Cedric Diggory during the Triwizard Tournament in The Goblet of Fire. Even though Cedric was his rival, Harry couldn’t just leave him behind. That showed me what integrity looks like, helping others even when you don’t have to. It reminded me that being a “good” person means caring about what’s right, not about who gets the credit.

Harry’s compassion also taught me a lot about empathy. He forgave people who hurt him, like Draco Malfoy and Peter Pettigrew, and tried to understand them instead of just hating them. That made me think about how I treat people in my own life. It’s easy to hold grudges or assume the worst about someone, but Harry showed me that trying to understand others takes real strength, but it is the right thing to do.

There have been many times when I’ve seen someone that looks upset or alone and felt too afraid to speak up. When I thought more about it, just like in the Harry Potter books, there is nothing to lose from being kind. I decided to speak up instead of staying quiet. It wasn’t a huge act of heroism, but it felt like a small version of what Harry would’ve done.

Harry Potter taught me that courage and kindness go hand in hand. You can be brave without being harsh, and you can be strong without losing your compassion. His story showed me that even ordinary people can make a difference. The most powerful kind of magic isn’t in spells, but in the choices we make to do good.