10 Shocking Moments That Almost Turned Harry Potter Into a Dark Wizard!

by

Since Daniel Radcliffe’s character, Harry Potter, got his acceptance letter(s) to Hogwarts, he has been a beacon of goodness in the wizarding world. Known as the “Chosen One,” he battled against Umbridge’s tyranny, liberated Dobby the house elf, and ultimately conquered Lord Voldemort – these are just a few examples of his heroic deeds. Nevertheless, Harry’s path to heroism wasn’t always clear-cut, and on numerous occasions, his choices and circumstances took a more ominous turn.

remarkably, it’s quite frequent for protagonists to transform into antagonists in their narratives, and there were instances when Harry was strongly drawn towards such a shift. If not for the affection and encouragement from those around him, he might have effortlessly evolved into the most sinister wizard ever known.

10
His Childhood Could Easily Have Been a Villain’s Backstory

From an early age, Harry endured a stormy upbringing marked by neglect and abuse following the murder of his parents. The Dursleys, far from being a nurturing family, were downright cruel towards him. They forced him to live in a cramped cupboard under the stairs, frequently denied him proper food, verbally lashed out at him, and even physically abused him on occasion. Remarkably, given such treatment, it’s astonishing Harry didn’t seek retribution as soon as he discovered his magical powers.

Hard Times Continued

Following his departure from the Dursleys, Harry had every justification to anticipate that his childhood would become less arduous. Nevertheless, his tenure at Hogwarts was equally challenging, marked by persistent perils to his life and the tragic losses of numerous cherished companions. Despite these adversities, he consistently endeavored to make a positive impact and, in a broader sense, strive for goodness within the school, often when the institution itself seemed determined to dissuade him from doing so.

9
The Sorting Hat’s Temptation

After reaching Hogwarts, Harry found himself beneath the Sorting Hat, a magical artifact that aimed to find the perfect House for him. He expressed his disinterest in Slytherin, but the hat attempted to persuade him of his potential greatness there. In the end, he was placed in Gryffindor, bringing relief and happiness to Harry and his friends. However, it’s hard not to wonder if the Sorting Hat had seen something special—he could have achieved remarkable things, but perhaps for all the wrong reasons.

Slytherin’s Reputation

In the Harry Potter series, Slytherin was often viewed negatively. However, it’s important to note that there were instances where Slytherin students demonstrated kindness, while some non-Slytherins displayed equally questionable behavior. Given his circumstances, it appears that Slytherin could have had a detrimental impact on Harry, who was new to the Wizarding world and desperately seeking a sense of belonging. If he were drawn to Slytherin’s intriguing yet potentially harmful ideology, it might have offered him a much-needed connection in his isolated situation.

8
The Mirror of Erised

The magical artifact known as the Mirror of Erised reveals to its observer “not more or less than their most heartfelt and intense yearnings.” In the initial movie, when Harry gazed into this mirror and beheld his parents, Voldemort hinted that if Harry handed over the Philosopher’s Stone, the Dark Lord could resurrect them. It’s highly probable that this was a deception designed to lead to Harry’s demise. Yet, it is also plausible that Voldemort might have exploited Harry’s desire for his parents’ return by offering him a false chance of fulfillment, ultimately corrupting him in the process.

Deepest Desires

In an attempt to persuade Harry to hand over the stone, Voldemort argued, “There is no good or evil. There is merely power, and those who are too feeble to grasp it.” However, Harry remains skeptical of this argument. It isn’t implausible that, under different circumstances, Harry might have been tempted by such a hollow promise, especially if he had been left utterly alone before meeting Ron, Hermione, and his other friends – as he once was.

7
When He Used Sectumsempra on Draco

Draco Malfoy was a wizard born of pure blood and belonged to the Slytherin house at Hogwarts. At first, he attempted to befriend Harry Potter, but their bond turned sour, leading to numerous conflicts depicted in both novels and films. In “The Half-Blood Prince,” Harry confronted Draco over a necklace cursed to harm a classmate. Hot on his heels, Harry used magic that gravely injured Draco; had it not been for Professor Snape’s timely intervention, the situation might have escalated severely.

Unleashing Darkness

Indeed, Harry himself confessed that he wasn’t completely clear on the potential consequences of the spell, which he discovered in a textbook penned by the mysterious figure later identified as Snape. The power of this curse and the realization that the book held numerous similar spells left him visibly shaken.

Luckily, Ginny kept the book safe in the Room of Requirement to prevent misuse. Yet, harming Draco could have awakened something sinister within Harry, and if he had delved deeper into its contents, it’s chilling to contemplate his potential actions—particularly since he would later employ even more malevolent spells.

6
When He Used the Cruciatus Curse

The curses that can never be pardoned, labeled as such due to their unforgivable nature, consist of Crucio, Imperio, and Avada Kedavra. Crucio, also known as the agonizing curse, was employed by Harry following Beatrix’s murder of Sirius. Granted, his initial attempt at casting it fell short, for Crucio necessitates the caster to truly wish to cause pain. Yet, in the story, he later made an attempt (again unsuccessful) to cast the spell on Snape after Dumbledore’s demise, and eventually managed to use it effectively on Amycus Carrow, demonstrating his genuine intention to inflict suffering.

Pain Born of Pain

On two occasions when Harry attempted and failed to cast a spell due to his grief over someone’s death, one instance was different. In Amycus’ case, he resorted to casting the spell out of rage because McGonagall had been disrespected. While it’s undeniably rude, this pales in comparison to other situations. This raises the question of whether there is ever an appropriate or justified moment to employ such a curse. If so, was Harry equipped to discern it, or was he merely guided by an ominous and instinctive urge?

5
When He Used the Imperius Curse

Following the discovery that Hufflepuff’s Cup, one of Voldermort’s Horcruxes, was stored in Bellatrix Lestrange’s bank vault, Hermione resorted to using Polyjuice Potion to impersonate Bellatrix and gain entry to the bank. However, the goblin guards became suspicious, leading Harry to employ the Imperius curse on one named Bogrod, who was then ordered to help them open the vault. In the ensuing chaos, the trio attempted to flee, but unfortunately, a dragon ended up slaying Bogrod during their escape.

Slippery Slope

In a similar vein as with Crucio, Harry undeniably possessed a motive for casting this Unforgivable Spell; however, the same could be said for any individual who has ever employed one. Furthermore, it can be debated that Harry was left without alternative but to use it, yet he effectively stripped Bogrod of his choice in the process, significantly contributing to the goblin’s demise.

Additionally, it became clear that along with Bogrod, numerous wizards and goblins lost their lives as the trio escaped, raising questions about the morality of Harry’s actions. While his actions were crucial for finding and destroying the Horcrux, one must consider the impact on innocent lives to determine if they were truly “good” or a stepping stone towards something ominous.

4
If He’d Decided to Keep the Elder Wand

The Elder Wand was an incredibly potent magical artifact, infamous for turning evil those who used it. One of Death’s treasures, Harry obtained the “Stick of Death” from Draco after defeating him in combat. Later, he utilized it to vanquish Voldemort. However, disappointingly, before repairing his own wand, he shattered the Elder Wand at the film’s conclusion. If he had kept it instead, events might have unfolded quite differently.

Power Corrupts

The theme of power leading to corruption is evidently present throughout the series. If Harry had retained the wand, his power could have been virtually boundless. It might appear uncharacteristic for Harry to desire the wand, but Ron was subtly persuading him to keep it in the books. Furthermore, it would have been simple for Harry to maintain possession of the wand to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. However, this power could have easily corrupted him, transforming him into precisely the kind of person he would have wished to avoid having the wand bestowed upon.

3
His Connection to the Horcruxes

On their quest to destroy Voldemort by finding the Horcruxes, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley stumbled upon Slytherin’s locket. Desiring to destroy it, they quickly found that it was protected by a powerful magic spell. In search of something to break this enchantment, they took turns wearing the locket, uncovering its ability to significantly influence their emotions. This influence proved particularly harmful towards Ron, causing him to harbor sinister thoughts about his companions. Had Harry been the sole wearer or worn it for a longer duration, the consequences could have been just as detrimental.

Harry the Horcrux

Among all the Horcruxes, Harry felt the strongest impact from his direct bond with Voldemort. As a Horcrux himself, Harry occasionally gained insights into Voldemort’s actions and even caught glimpses of his thoughts. This connection left Harry frequently immersed in darkness, which on several occasions threatened to overpower and engulf him completely.

2
Prophecies Are Tricky Things

In 1980, Sybill Trelawney foretold that a powerful wizard capable of challenging Voldemort would be born to a pair who had outsmarted him three times. Unbeknownst to Voldemort, he played a part in determining whom the prophecy pertained to. By attacking baby Harry, he unwittingly set the stage for the prophecy’s fulfillment on Harry’s shoulders, thereby sealing his destiny and ensuring their fated connection.

The final part of the prophecy stated that neither Harry nor Voldemort could coexist alive. This left Harry with no other option but to eliminate Voldemort, or face elimination himself. Moreover, the notion that Harry was “designated” as Voldemort’s equal caused some of the Dark Lord’s followers to anticipate (and wish for) him to be equally malevolent.

The Chosen One

Initially, some believed Harry was destined to defeat Voldemort, while others saw him as a potential successor to Voldemort. If Harry had opted for it, this belief could have become a self-fulfilling prophecy, as he would have garnered support from Death Eaters had he embraced the dark side of magic. Given that ‘good wizards’ supposedly on his side often failed him, this is an important observation.

1
Dumbledore’s Cold Shoulder

In the series of films, there are numerous indications suggesting Dumbledore doesn’t completely trust Harry. He yearns to have faith in him, but he is equally cautious because the boy might stray towards darkness or unknowingly become part of Voldemort’s plans. This suspicion becomes particularly evident in “Order of the Phoenix,” where Dumbledore maintains a certain distance from Harry due to concerns that he could be manipulated by Voldemort as a spy. However, the reasons behind his caution are not explicitly detailed in the movies, potentially leaving viewers as perplexed—or in the dark—as Harry himself.

Harry’s Love

Previously stated, it was love that empowered Harry to battle against Voldemort and any potential darkness within him. Unfortunately, Dumbledore’s absence when Harry needed him the most could be seen as withholding the nurturing care that sustained him. Fortunately, the enduring love of his mother, which had once shielded him from Voldemort’s deadly curse, continued to stay with him even after her death. In essence, it might be more correct to say that this love was instrumental in preventing Harry from ever turning into a dark wizard.

As more creative offshoots emerge, it’s quite plausible that Harry Potter might tread on one of the ominous paths suggested, or a fresh director might imagine an alternate, equally dark scenario for the ‘Troubled and Perilous’ Child Who Lived.

Read More

2025-01-16 04:32