Harry Potter is one of the most notable wizards in the series that bears his name. As such, it’s not surprising that he is also its hero, the one who sets out to defeat the nefarious Voldemort and stop him from rebuilding the world in his image.
However, as valorous and heroic as Harry undoubtedly is, it’s also true that he does, at times, show some shocking similarities to his nemesis. In fact, there are a number of quotes that show the extent to which he can also be seen as a low-key villain in his own right.
Using a Terrible Spell:
“Sectumsempra!”
One of the most dangerous and perilous spells in the Harry Potter canon is “Sectumsempra,” a spell invented by Snape that has truly devastating consequences on the person it’s used against. Though Harry uses it against Draco not knowing its full impact, he tries to use it against Snape, even knowing how much damage it would cause. True, he felt justified because of Snape’s apparent murder of Dumbeldore, but it stil shows the extent to which Harry has a darkness in his soul that occasionally emerges.
Mocking People:
“Not As Stupid As You Look, Are You, Dud? But I S’pose, If You Were, You Wouldn’t Be Able To Walk And Talk At The Same Time.”
Given the way that Dudley and the rest of his family mistreat Harry, it’s not surprising that the young man finally starts to strike back at his cousin/nemesis. However, there is also an edge to quotes like this one that suggests that there is more than a hint of a villain lurking beneath Harry’s surface. Like many others who have been oppressed by others, he tends to respond by almost becoming the thing he opposes.
On Making the Right Choices:
“For A Moment, So Did I.”
The bond between Cedric and Harry is one of the most touching in the series, all the more so because it is so brief. In a brief exchange, Cedric expresses the belief that Harry almost let him face the risk alone.
Harry’s response, though delivered in a rather lighthearted fashion, nevertheless suggests that there is something a bit sinister beneath his calm surface, something that tends to only emerge during periods when Harry is under extreme duress.
Running Out of Patience For Friends:
“I Didn’t Ask For This To Happen, Ron. Okay? You’re Being Stupid.”
The Ron/Harry friendship is one of the best in the series, and it’s repeatedly made clear that they truly care for one another. However, it is also true that Harry, either unconsciously or consciously, looks at himself as being somewhat superior to Ron. That’s precisely why it’s so easy for him to make comments like this one, ones that reinforce, to Ron at least, the disparity in their respective intellects. It’s also an indication that Harry is more morally ambiguous than he would like others to know.
Going Where He Isn’t Wanted:
“Protego!”
There are many great scenes between Harry and Snape, but one of the most remarkable is when the latter tries to teach the former how to shield his thoughts from Voldemort. In the process, Harry casts this spell, which puts him inside of Snape’s own memories. It’s a haunting moment, and though it forces the young man to contend with the reality of who his father was, it doesn’t really change his relationship to Snape. Like many other low-key villains, Harry is too stubborn to realize the complexity of the truth.
Thirsting For Revenge:
“I Hope He Finds Me. Because When He Does, I’m Gonna Be Ready! When He Does, I’m Gonna Kill Him!”
Wormtail is one of the most disliked of the villains in Harry Potter, precisely because he betrayed his friends so that they were then murdered by Voldemort. While Harry is perfectly within his rights to feel murderous toward the person responsible for his parents’ deaths, it’s also one of those moments that shows just how close he is to becoming a villain himself. The headstrong nature that got him sorted into Gryffindor, in this case, has hardened into the icy rock of vengeance.
His Hotheadedness In Stress:
“Fight Back, You Coward! Fight Back!”
After Snape kills Dumbledore, Harry pursues him, determined to kill him for what he’s done. Again, this is a moment where his anger makes perfect sense, but to see Harry so intent on harming another person, even Snape, is still a jarring experience. More than anything else, it shows just how easy it is for Harry to slip into a murderous frame of mind and how, if things were slightly different, he could easily have followed a similar path to Voldemort’s.
Double Agents Must Be Bad People:
“No — That’s Your Job, Isn’t It?”
Time and again, Harry tries to goad Snape. Harry, whatever his other positive character traits, steadfastly refuses to see the unpleasant reality that Snape himself had to inhibit, as someone spurned by his fellow Death Eaters yet never fully trusted by most of those whose side he joined.
With this remark, Harry shows yet again his villainous tendencies, finding the weak point in Snape’s armor–that he was tasked with understanding the Dark Lord–and exploiting it. It certainly doesn’t paint Harry in a positive light.
On Seeing Himself In Others:
“I Couldn’t Help But Notice Certain Things, Certain… Certain Similarities Between Tom Riddle And Me.”
Every now and again during the course of the series, Harry has a moment where it starts to dawn on him just how similar he is to Voldemort. Though Harry does deserve a great deal of credit for this realization, it’s still one of those moments designed to keep the audience uncertain about just how much of a Harry truly is. In fact, it’s precisely his resemblance to Tom Riddle that leads him to get into trouble more than once and that keeps him from being a totally pure sort of hero.
Getting Revenge:
“I’m Sorry, Professor, But I Must Not Tell Lies.”
Dolores Umbridge is one of the most ruthless of the many villains that appear in Harry Potter. Quite capable of inflicting torture on those she doesn’t approve of, she takes a particular dislike to Harry. However, he shows that he’s more than happy to turn the tables on her, and when she faces danger in the Forbidden Forest and calls for help, he delivers this famous line. Once again, it’s understandable, but the malicious glint in his eye suggests that there’s a sadistic streak in Harry that verges on the villainous.
