How Harry Potter Should've Ended

Ah, here we are again. Progressing into the colder months of the year, it is the perfect time to binge watch (or read) the entire Harry Potter series. There's an extraordinary amount of coziness that comes with engaging with the wizarding world once again.

Maybe its the frequent use of butterbeer. Maybe it is the fact that the return to Hogwarts for students is always in the autumn. Maybe its the incredible snowy wonderland that encapsulates Hogwarts and their festive feasts. Maybe its the magic and warmth that we all need as we descend into the dark half of the year. Whatever is the case, there's always something familiar and inherently comforting about Hogwarts and our golden trio.

Now don't get me wrong. I adore the series, both the books and movies. I grew up with them and, like many other children that have grown up within the past two decades, it has become a pivotal part of my childhood. It introduced me to magic beyond my imagination, to heroism and courage, to wholesome characters who were growing alongside me, making mistakes and learning every step of the way. If not for Hermione Granger herself, booksmart, shrill, passionate, clever beyond measure, I probably would not have been so comfortable in who I was growing up. As a child, I too was frizzy haired, bucktoothed, and a huge bookworm. Thank goodness for Hermione Granger leading the way.

But as I have grown and rewatched and reread the series time and time again, I have noticed a jarring detail of the ending of Harry Potter and the future that was crafted for them.

Something that I simply cannot keep quiet about.

Come along with me as we humor my imagination and explore how I would have loved to see the chosen one grow into adulthood.

Harry would not have dedicated his lifelong career to being an Auror

By definition an Auror is a "wizard or witch who acted as highly trained law enforcement officials for magical governments." (https://harrypotter.fandom.com/wiki/Auror) Basically, an Auror is wizard police or military. It is a noble pursuit in its own regard, absolutely. I'm sure there was no shortage of dark arts crimes even after the fall of Voldemort. It is no surprise why Harry would be attracted to this line of work from a young age. I mean, the boy has literally been fighting evil since he was an infant! We even see that he has had this dream of becoming an Auror since at least his fifth year, and was vehemently supported by Professor McGonagall.

"Aurors were trained to investigate crimes related to the Dark Arts, and to apprehend or detain dark wizards and witches. As a result, they were often called "Dark Wizard catchers" (https://harrypotter.fandom.com/wiki/Auror) Harry himself is an incredibly powerful wizard and absolutely qualified for a career as an Auror (defeating the Darkest Wizard of his time on numerous occasions by 18 years old is nothing to scoff at!)However, the Ministry of Magic has put him and his friends through so much turmoil; for example, not believing him when he swore Voldemort was rising to power, glossing over Cedric's death as an unfortunate accident, a cruel Ministry official torturing and scarring him and his friends, and the entirety of the ministry getting infiltrated. After all of that, it just doesn't seem like this would be Harry's true life long path. According to JK Rowling, he and Ron went on to revolutionize the Department, essentially weeding out the corruption within the department. I can definitely see him and Ron cleaning house on all the nonsense that they have witnessed in their years. Harry even goes on to being the head of the Auror Department and, without a doubt, adding a whole new level to his already heroic legacy.

I do believe Harry would enjoy the heroics and action throughout his twenties and even his thirties, perhaps, but I don't think it would his dream or lifelong pursuit.

Which bring us to this question : what career is better suited for someone who has already had the adventure of a lifetime?

Harry returns to Hogwarts as Defense Against the Dark Arts professor

Now, bear with me, dear reader. Let me paint the picture for you.

It has been almost two decades after the Battle of Hogwarts. Harry has married the love of his life, Ginny Weasley, and raised three brilliant children, who are about to embark on a journey to Hogwarts of their own.

Harry returns to Hogwarts, the one place he has always considered home, but this time not as student, not as savior, but as a professor. The castle welcomes him with familiar warmth, as if it has been waiting for him all this time. It has been rebuilt finely after the destruction of the Battle; a little different but home all the same.

As he walks the halls, Harry recalls Ron and Hermione in their adolescence and all the adventures they have journeyed together. But this time, there is no danger lurking around the corner. There is no Dark Lord encroaching on his thoughts. There is only Harry doing what he does best. Inspiring others to be courageous and defend themselves against the dark arts.

Harry is much older, maybe even with a little gray in his still messy hair. He wears warm knit sweaters, some of which Molly Weasley knit and still gifts him every Christmas. He sets up his classroom to his liking. The long wall of tall windows are wide open, welcoming hazy light and a gentle autumn breeze into the space.

His office has not a fuzzy pink kitten in sight, but instead moving pictures of his loved ones. A picture of a wedding celebration, Ron's face bright red and crying as Hermione smiles at him with adoration. His children as toddlers, wizzing around on toy broomsticks with Harry chasing them. Ginny Weasley, international Quidditch superstar, holding the World Cup as she soars above a cheering crowd on a broomstick.

Harry recalls fondly the beginning of Dumbledore's army. All those months of recruiting fellow classmates to rise up against the complacency of a Ministry approved Defense Against the Dark Arts course. All that time spent teaching in secret, hiding in the Room of Requirement until they were inevitably discovered. More than anything he recalls how all his friends grew in their confidence to rise up and defend themselves. He wonders if maybe his teachings even saved them during that final battle. He honors the memory and sacrifice of those fallen, the ones he could not save. It is no longer Dumbledore's Army he is teaching, but Dumbledore is with them nonetheless. This year, he will be teaching the children of some of those who were a part of Dumbledore's Army, and to Harry, that is a true honor.

He looks out to his empty classroom at the top of the stairs of his office. His curriculum is ready, full of his favorite spells and particularly exciting courses on boggarts, werewolves, basilisks, Animagus, and giant spiders. He has a story for every lesson.

He can almost see him and Ron laughing at the long tables there. He can hear the heavy thuds of Hermione unpacking her books with a smile on her face.

An owl flies to the window with a letter in his beak. It is addressed to Professor Potter. Hagrid has invited him to the hut for afternoon tea.

He casts a silent Patronus that prances about the room, a homage to his father, to Remus Lupin without whom he could have never perfected his Patronus, and to Sirius who would've been so proud.

The curse of the Defense Against the Dark Arts position has been broken. Harry is home.

May your days be full of warmth and the closeness of loved ones. May imagination and stories take you on wonderful adventures. May you find what truly makes you feel alive and may you follow it always.

Thank you for being here with me.