A more profound orthodox Christian interplay is found in the relationship that Harry shares with Dumbledore, who both effectively lead the joint forces of good.
Albus Dumbledore is appreciated as the best wizard there is, a seemingly omniscient force for good who rarely reveals his powers in full and who closely oversees tasks with The Order of the Phoenix and other organizations. After much research, Dumbledore understands that Harry plays an unique role in the battle to bring down Lord Voldemort and plays a crucial role in helping Harry from time to time throughout the book series. Dumbledore repeatedly kept Harry unaware of the ‘big picture’. For example, Dumbledore kept the story of what happened to his hand a secret until when he believed it was helpful for Harry Potter to know. Thus, it can be argued that the relationship that was forged between the Hogwarts Headmaster and Harry Potter mimics elements both found in the relationship in God and Jesus Christ or between John The Baptist and Jesus Christ. When Jesus Christ was brought onto Earth, God helped His son on various occasions until the crucial moment when Jesus had to die. In Mark 14:35, Jesus asks his Father to “Take this cup from me” when he feels abandoned by his Father in Gethsemane. This famous Biblical quote paints Jesus Christ as a real human, who is scared and overwhelmed of the task that was set before him.
In comparison, J.K. Rowling planted several scenes across the series that leads up to the desperately reluctant Harry walking into the Forbidden Forest to face Lord Voldemort for what he believed was the last time. Lastly, when Harry Potter asks Dumbledore if Voldemort is coming back, Dumbledore tells him: “Nevertheless, Harry, while you may only have delayed his return to power, it will merely take someone else who is prepared to fight what seems a losing battle next time- and if he is delayed, again, and again, why, he may never return to power.
” (Sorcerer’s Stone, pg. 371) And it is concluded in the following books that Voldemort does regain his power despite big effort from those who are opposed to his evil work. This dark transition in the series draws a close parallel to the fight between good and evil in the Christian theology. The book of Revelation warns fellow believers that Satan, the AntiChrist, will return in the future. In his reign, many will lose hope and grow weary, just like many wizards did during the reign of Lord Voldemort. And just like Harry Potter defeated Lord Voldemort in the end, so will Jesus defeat Satan at the end of the seven years.
Although there are several obvious reworkings of the Christian redemption story found throughout the Harry Potter novels, J.K. Rowling laid a foundation for the reader to interpret for themselves the elements that were the most important to them. For several, the book series has become a second home- a way to run away from the horrors of their real lives- and for others, a theological rendition of their belief system.
The story is full of witches, their witchcraft, and their magical world, but there is still strong evidence that the story of Harry Potter manifests several traditional Christian themes and procures a strong story about friendship, love, and a battle against the greater evil.
