Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Chapter 24 Quotes

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Chapter 24 Quotes

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Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote 1

…shortly afterward he had set to work, alone, digging the grave in the place that Bill had shown him at the end of the garden, between bushes. He dug with a kind of fury, relishing the manual work, glorying in the non-magic of it, for every drop of his sweat and every blister felt like a gift to the elf who had saved their lives. (24.7)

Harry's grief at Dobby's death reflects his guilt and pain at the idea that others make willing sacrifices for him. It hurts more than anything else to think about the fact that those he loves, like Mad-Eye and Dobby, are ready to give up their lives for him.

"… Of course, the manner of taking matters. Much depends on the wand itself. In general, however, where a wand has been won, its allegiance will change."

There was silence in the room, except for the distant rushing of the sea.

"You talk about wands like they've got feelings," said Harry, "like they can think for themselves."

"The wand chooses the wizard," said Ollivander. (24.115-117)

Interesting… so, not only humans make choices here, but so do their wands. This is a fascinating twist on this theme that will prove to be fundamental to the plot's resolution. It's another way in which Harry's approach to magic differs from Voldemort's; while the latter thinks that he can force anything he wants to happen, Harry realizes that some things (like the Elder Wand choosing him) happen out of their own free will.

Quote 3

His scar burned, but he was master of the pain; he felt it, yet was apart from it. He had learned control at last, learned to shut his mind to Voldemort, the very thing Dumbledore had wanted him to learn from Snape. Just as Voldemort had not been able to possess Harry while Harry was consumed with grief for Sirius, so his thoughts could not penetrate Harry now, while he mourned Dobby. Grief, it seemed, drove Voldemort out… though Dumbledore, of course, would have said that it was love… (24.8)

Is love really so different from grief, though? Harry's sorrow for the loss of those who have given themselves up for his sake is made a thousand times more bitter because of his love for them. Perhaps both of these things are what keep Harry closed off from Voldemort's mind.