The Harry Potter series might be well-known as an epic fantasy story of good versus evil, but at its heart, it’s also a tale of friendship. The friendships between Harry, Ron, and Hermione are very important to the plot of the series, and many fans loved the development of these three. Overall, friendships and love were major themes in the series.

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As the main character, Harry was often a very caring and good friend, but he also had his moments where he wasn’t good at all.

Good: Because he forgave pretty easily

Ron Leaves Harry and Hermione in Deathly Hallows

Harry is someone who’s temper can flare rather quickly, but he usually doesn’t stay mad for long. When people upset or hurt him, he might get annoyed by it, but he’s usually willing to forgive them right away when they apologize. So, when Ron stops being his friend during their fourth year and then leaves Harry and Hermione on the Horcrux hunt, Harry takes him back as a friend quickly.

Awful: The fact that he wasn’t that open to making new friends

Harry Potter Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley

Harry understandably had a lot to deal with during his time at Hogwarts, so having a large social circle wasn’t on the top of his list. He was very close to Ron and Hermione and also became good friends with Ginny, Neville, and Luna as time went on. However, he could be a little closed-off to other people and not willing to get to know them.

Good: He was good at lifting others up with encouraging words

Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley at Quidditch Tryouts

Harry was the member of the trio who was often best at lifting the other two up with his words. He often encouraged Ron that he was smart and capable, and this was especially true with Ron’s insecurities about Quidditch.

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He was Ron’s biggest supporter in this. He also often told Hermione how impressive and smart he was. Being willing to support his friends in this way was a great strength.

Awful: He took his anger out on his friends

Harry Ron and Hermione at Grimmauld Place in Order of Phoenix

While Harry could be great at encouraging and complimenting his friends, he also had moments where he lashed out at them unfairly. Harry went through a lot of trauma from a young age, so his inability to process and control his emotions makes complete sense. However, there were times where it was frustrating for fans to see him get angry at Hermione and Ron over things that weren’t their fault.

Good: Because he befriended people who were picked on like Neville and Luna

While Harry might not have been one to make a ton of friends, he usually made friends with people that others discounted. Even Ron and Hermione weren’t particularly liked by their peers when Harry became best friends with them. Both Luna and Neville were also often made fun of and considered uncool, but Harry wasn’t concerned about those things at all.

Awful: He didn’t help much with the Buckbeak case

Harry Potter and Buckbeak the Hippogriff, One of Many Fantastic Beast

Harry is someone who tried his best to be there for the people in his life, but just like all people, he sometimes fell short. During his third year, Hermione and then Ron spent a lot of time helping Hagrid build Buckbeak’s defense.

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Harry, however, became busy with school and Quidditch and ended up forgetting almost completely about helping them.

Good: He cared about the safety of his fellow students

Harry and his friends leave Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Order OF The Phoenix

Harry might have only had a small circle of friends, but he did care about his fellow students, too. This is most clear when he and Hermione start Dumbledore’s Army. He wants to help his peers know how to protect themselves from Voldemort and his followers, and he is willing to provide his expertise and teach them for free.

Awful: Because he couldn’t understand why Ron was jealous of him

Ron in his dress robes in Harry Potter.

While Harry was often great at supporting Ron by telling him he was great and could succeed, he was a little obtuse when it came to seeing things from Ron’s perspective. Even though he knew Ron struggled with insecurity, he just couldn’t grasp exactly why it could be so hard for Ron to be Harry’s friend. While Ron didn’t always react well, Harry could have tried to be more understanding.

Good: He was great at giving gifts

As the richest of the trio, Harry was in a unique position to really do a lot for his friends this way. He was always picking out excellent gifts that he knew his friends would love. He also always wanted to help out Ron and his family, and the only reason he didn't’ is because he knew they didn’t want him to.

Awful: He was too self-absorbed

The main thing that kept Harry from being a good friend all of the time was that he could be a little self-absorbed. This is somewhat forgivable since he had a ton of things to worry about that a normal teenager wouldn’t. But, there were definitely times while at Hogwarts where he could have worried a little more about his friends’ problems, too.

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