Harry Potter
Harry’s coming of age journey all begins as an 11 year old boy living under the stairs at his abusive aunt and uncle’s house. Leading up to his 11th birthday he receives letters from Hogwarts. Eventually, he discovers that all he thought he knew is a lie, and that he is actually a very famous wizard. This realization prompts him to begin thinking about himself in a new way.
As he learns more about who he is and where he comes from, Harry progresses further in his coming of age journey. He starts school, meets new friends, and begins to discover what kind of person he is and what he wants to do with his life. He faces challenges along the way, but all of those challenges help him mature and grow into the man he is meant to be. Every year he is at Hogwarts, Harry grows both mentally and physically. By watching the movies or reading the books, it is possible to see this transformation to adulthood taking place.
As he learns more about who he is and where he comes from, Harry progresses further in his coming of age journey. He starts school, meets new friends, and begins to discover what kind of person he is and what he wants to do with his life. He faces challenges along the way, but all of those challenges help him mature and grow into the man he is meant to be. Every year he is at Hogwarts, Harry grows both mentally and physically. By watching the movies or reading the books, it is possible to see this transformation to adulthood taking place.
In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry starts to choose his own path in life when he asks to be placed into Gryffindor house. In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, he continues to show what kind of a person he will become when he is willing to sacrifice himself for Ginny Weasley. In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, he learns more about his past and discovers that he has a godfather. This realization gives him the family support that he had been lacking. In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, he takes on the challenge of the triwizard tournament and struggles through his first real fight with his best friend Ron.
In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, he sees that there is a need for a leader in the wake of Voldemort's return, and he takes on that role. In Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, he realizes that sometimes things that seem too good to be true really are when he becomes attached to a potions book that leads to him down a dangerous path. Finally, in the first part of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, he makes the decision to find horcruxes and destroy Voldemort once and for all, and in the second part, he demonstrates how he has truly come of age when he sacrifices his own life to save those that he loves. All of the events that take place in Harry’s life lead him through the process of coming of age and turn him into the person that he ends up becoming.
Ron Weasley
Ron Weasley comes from a large and loving family, and his coming of age journey as seen in the Harry Potter series starts when he meets his soon to be best friend Harry Potter. Because he has a lot of siblings, Ron doesn't have the opportunity to be in the spotlight very often. His friendship with Harry gives him the chance to discover who he is beyond his family ties.
His journey begins in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone when he decides to stay behind and do what needs to be done so that Harry can continue on and protect the Sorcerer’s Stone. Throughout the series he continues to learn, even though there are moments when he shows his immaturity. For example, even when he steals the family flying car, or when he impetuously chases after his pet rat, he still makes these decisions with the best of intentions.
His journey begins in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone when he decides to stay behind and do what needs to be done so that Harry can continue on and protect the Sorcerer’s Stone. Throughout the series he continues to learn, even though there are moments when he shows his immaturity. For example, even when he steals the family flying car, or when he impetuously chases after his pet rat, he still makes these decisions with the best of intentions.
It wasn't always an easy journey for Ron and Harry. In the New York Times article "'Harry Potter' Is Not Just for Kids" Cynthia Magriel Wetzler illustrates that "despite the magic, nasty things befall good people, friends unexpectedly turn out to be enemies and vice-versa" (Wetzler). In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Ron becomes jealous of Harry, and their friendship suffers because of it. In the end, though, Ron realizes that he's wrong about the situation and friendship is more important than fame. Through this friendship with Harry, he is able to grow and mature into a loyal person.
The moment when it becomes clear that Ron has fully come of age is in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows when he returns to Harry and Hermione and destroys one of Voldemort’s horcruxes. He shows that he has learned from his mistakes, and that he is grown up enough to know that true friends stick around when things get tough.
The moment when it becomes clear that Ron has fully come of age is in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows when he returns to Harry and Hermione and destroys one of Voldemort’s horcruxes. He shows that he has learned from his mistakes, and that he is grown up enough to know that true friends stick around when things get tough.
Hermione Granger
Hermione Granger is a very complex and relatable character in the Harry Potter series. In her journal entry, Winifred M. Radigan talks about Hermione's struggles and how others can relate to them. Radigan explains how "like Hermione, constantly reading and prone to speaking the unpalatable truth, she was avoided until needed for help with homework" (Radigan 694). Radigan emphasizes that even though she's not Hermione, she can understand the trials Hermione faced as if they were her own.
Hermione always comes off as wise beyond her years, but she comes of age just as much as the other characters throughout the course of the series. Being a muggle-born, she has to face challenges that the other characters might not have to. In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, she overcompensates and comes off as a know-it-all who can’t resist chiming in when she knows the answer to something. As the series goes on, she accepts the fact that even though she has a different parental background, it doesn't make her any less of a witch.
Hermione always comes off as wise beyond her years, but she comes of age just as much as the other characters throughout the course of the series. Being a muggle-born, she has to face challenges that the other characters might not have to. In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, she overcompensates and comes off as a know-it-all who can’t resist chiming in when she knows the answer to something. As the series goes on, she accepts the fact that even though she has a different parental background, it doesn't make her any less of a witch.
It is safe to say that Hermione comes of age more quickly than her two best friends, Harry and Ron. There are many instances where she proves her maturity throughout the series. She comes up with the idea to start Dumbledore’s army in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, she supports and helps Harry throughout Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, and she is instrumental in finding and destroying the horcruxes in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Hermione learns how to navigate social situations and uses her gifts in ways that help others. By doing both of these things, she proves that she has in fact come of age.