Reasons Harry Potter Is Actually A Jerk

Whenever fall rolls around I have a strong urge to reread the Harry Potter series. I’ve read them more times than I can count, but I still notice things I haven’t before. This time around I’ve realized that Harry is kind of a jerk. Before you call me a Slytherin, just look at the proof!

He’s selfish. At every turn Harry chooses himself above others. Sure he does some heroic things, but his number one priority is his own well-being. It’s all about poor Harry, when he could be helping others. In book three specifically, he continues to sneak into Hogsmeade just because he wants to. Even though it’s a huge risk, plus one time he even ditches Neville to sneak there. In this novel he also abandons Hagrid in his time of need, leaving all the work for Buckbeak’s case to Hermione. Like stop thinking about Quidditch and Sirius Black for two seconds to help someone else.

He pretends to be smart. People tell Harry he’s “a great wizard,” but where’s the evidence? Most of the spells he performs are pretty basic. The only spell he thinks to use against Voldemort is Expelliarmus for crying out loud. Yeah, he eventually nails the Patronus spell, but you’d think a great wizard could do a little more than that. He’s also always asking Hermione for help or trying to copy her work. Get out of here, cheater! I’m also pretty sure he didn’t figure out any of the Triwizard Tournament task clues on his own. He always had help, waited until the last minute and barely even tried.

He’s a crappy friend. Besides clearly using Hermione for her smarts, there are also so many times him and Ron straight up bullied her. In the first book they make her cry, miss class and get attacked by a troll. He’s also pretty rude to Ron, because he clearly can’t understand what it’s like to always be second string. Have some empathy for once, Potter!

He has anger issues. Being a teenager is hard. I totally get it, but maybe express yourself some another way besides blowing up at everyone around you. Book five is my favorite for the angst, but he is truly ridiculous. Every little thing sets him off, but of course nothing is even remotely his fault.

He’s entitled. Harry goes from humble to a straight up narcissistic from book one to five. At first he’s all like, “Who me? A wizard? Can’t be!” to “Listen here idiots, I’m gonna teach you everything I know about the dark arts, and you better listen and appreciate it.” Once again, I still don’t think he’s really qualified. He basically always just had a bunch of good luck every time he faced Voldemort. Get off your high horse and maybe read a book or something.

These are just a few of the reasons I think Harry Potter is a jerk. Have I convinced you?