JK Rowling has created her fair share of unforgettable characters in the span of creating arguably the most memorable story ever made. The original seven Harry Potter books made her the richest author of all time, and she continued to create within the Wizarding World with the Fantastic Beasts movie series, lending the world more
magical characters.
Yet despite all of the variety in her characters, both protagonists and antagonists, her two primary characters—Harry Potter and Newt Scamander—share such similarities that were it not for the separation of their houses and Harry's scar, they might as well have been the same person.
They're Troublemakers
It seems like only the heroes ever get in trouble at Hogwarts. No one ever sees any regular students like Ernie Macmillan or Penelope Clearwater getting in trouble.
Maybe they do and it's just never shown, who knows. But as for Harry Potter and Newt Scamander, they both got in a lot of trouble, though it was never really because they did anything that awful. Rather, it was because of how headstrong they were, and how much they held to their ideals. Which does, unfortunately, often get people in trouble.
Independent To A Fault
Along those same lines, both Harry and Newt operate independently. Or at least they would if they were given the choice to. Harry tries so many times to go at it alone and, eventually, he gets that wish when he faces Voldemort on his own, but still, Ron and Hermione are always there with him, even when he doesn't want it.
Newt is the same way, though he is independent for different reasons—he just prefers the company of his beasts to that of people. Thus he often isolates (sometimes in his handy suitcase) to achieve those ends.
Reluctant Heroes
Both Newt and Harry are heroes, that much is certain. Until the Fantastic Beast series plays out, it's unclear how heroic Newt will be, but he's obviously shaping up to play a major part in the downfall of Grindelwald.
Neither Harry nor Newt asked to be a hero. They are sought after for their skills and, once called into action, they don't back down. After all, it is Dumbledore who praises the heroism of both of them, specifically saying of Newt, "You simply ask, “Is the thing right in itself?” If it is, you do it, no matter the cost."
And speaking of Dumbledore...
Used By Dumbledore
As mentioned, neither Harry nor Newt asks for the job that is given to them, but they are both under the tutelage of Dumbledore the whole way. Newt asks for it even less, but Dumbledore drags him into it and, when an old man, he is often criticized for asking too much of "the boy" Harry Potter.
While it may seem cruel to accuse Dumbledore of using them, he uses them because he trusts them to do their part and that trust paid off with Harry and it's almost certainly going to pay off for Newt as well. And besides, is it really being used if...
Loyalty To Dumbledore
Despite what may be construed as "being used," both Harry and Newt show incredible loyalty to Dumbledore. Harry shows it from a young age or he'd have been killed in the Chamber of Secrets and he continues to show it throughout his journey to defeating Voldemort.
Newt is much the same. Despite ample reason to be annoyed with the renowned wizard, he always respects his opinion and, whether he intends to or not, carrying out his bidding. Because he does, as aforementioned, realize that it is the right thing. And he does it.
At Odds With The Ministry
For as highly as Harry and Newt think of Dumbledore, they think the opposite of the Ministry of Magic, who is also conveniently out to get Dumbledore. In the battle between Dumbledore and the Ministry, a battle that carries on for decades, Newt and Harry have a clear side.
For Harry, it was more a battle of misinformation, as the Ministry never believes him about Voldemort, and thus he is pushed away as the boy who lies. For Newt, he finds them all as careerist hypocrites, whose solution to everything problem is to kill it.
Good With Animals (And Other Beings)
Obviously Newt is great with beasts, he is the author of Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, so that doesn't need to be elaborated on. But Harry is no slouch either. Bear in mind that his only friend at times was Hedwig.
He was the first student that Buckbeak trusted and the reason Sirius escaped and Harry was also fantastic with Dobby. Obviously not an animal, but Dobby still deserves mention because, like Newt's defense of Beasts, both stand up for "lesser" beings and those thought to be secondary.
Fighting The Bad Guy
While neither Newt nor Harry asked for it, they are both matched up against the baddest wizard of their time. For Newt, it's Grindelwald and for harry, it's Voldemort, but the result is the same. Although it's Dumbledore that ends up defeating Grindelwald, Newt will probably serve in a Neville-esque capacity.
Since they are both heroes and both talented wizards and both roped in with Dumbledore, it was inevitable that they would both end up facing off against evil. That is what makes a story great, after all.
Talented, But Not Proud
It takes a special individual to understand how talented they are and not be arrogant about it. And despite what Professor Snape may think, Harry is not arrogant by any stretch, and neither is Newt. Newt never ones draws attention to his own ability. His book is an attempt to educate, not inflate his ego.
For Harry, he has never seen himself as special in the slightest. When he's called on to teach Dumbeldore's Army, he doesn't understand what qualifications he has to be a teacher. Yet both Newt and Harry carry out their duties and do them better than anyone else without ever getting puffy.
Unhesitant Bravery
More than anything, these two never balk in the face of adversity. Perhaps this was a late addition to Newt's repertoire, it's hard to say, as not much is seen from his time as a student. But as an adult, he never hesitates to rush into danger to do what is right. Whether that's breaking into the French Ministry of Magic, travel ban and all, or rushing to the defense of his friends in at the Lestrange family tomb.
And for Harry? He walked, unarmed, into literal death. Both of these guys are afraid of absolutely nothing and will face anything—so long as it's the right thing to do.