Harry Potter & Loss – 5 Quotes to get Through the Toughest Times

There is so much good and truth in every one of the Harry Potter novels. These quotes about death and loss from a myriad of Potter novels resonate for many different reasons. I keep them close to my heart to call upon them when needed. I hope you can use them when you need it, or pass them on to those who might also find their hearts in a place that needs healing.

Dumbledore

1) “Numbing the pain for a while will make it worse when you finally feel it.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
When I want to push off my feeling of pain rather than acknowledging it, feeling it, and then moving forward, I know it will come back eventually – and it will come back stronger and with stronger pain. Even knowing this, I still push it off… but I’m getting better. Working through it all will make it much easier in the end. I write about that Onion concept here.

2) “Death’s got an Invisibility Cloak?” Harry interrupted again.
“So he can sneak up on people,” said Ron. “Sometimes he gets bored of running at them, flapping his arms and shrieking…”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
For those with dark humor and a sarcastic way of grieving, this is pretty much perfect – but it also explains that sometimes death just creeps up on us and those we love. There is no rhyme, no reason, it just is. We can look for signs and signals of what we may have done to prevent this loss, but no amount of thinking will bring that person back. It is not our fault, and we could not have prevented it. Death just sneaks up without warning.

3) “Does it hurt?” The childish question had escaped Harry’s lips before he could stop it.
“Dying? Not at all,” said Sirius. “Quicker and easier than falling asleep.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
They are gone, and their pain is gone. No matter the way they left this earth, they are no longer feeling the hurt that occurred.

As we process the events that unfolded around their death (especially if we were present for their last breaths or for the event that caused it), we can become stuck on the pain that they experienced. If you cannot unstick yourself from those images of their pain, please, please get help. The best thing I did was go through counseling for what I saw – it’s exhausting to address you own pain head on – but it is incredibly important for your long term health to do so. (See #1)
Which brings me to this:

4) “It is the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
What you think and build in your head as what happened to contribute to their death, what they felt when they passed, and/or what happened to them after they passed can create massive fear and anxiety in your mind. This can cause you be anxious about losing loved ones, anxious about what can happen to you unexpectedly, and anxious basically about every aspect of your life. Search for the truth about the events surrounding their death (when you’re ready). Knowing what really happened (and not rumors by others, or what you’ve created in your head) will lead you to peace.

5) “You think the dead we loved truly ever leave us? You think that we don’t recall them more clearly in times of great trouble?”
“…the ones that love us never really leave us. And you can always find them in here.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
The ones who love us are always there – standing beside you. Always. Even in the darkest of hours you are never alone. Whether as an energy surrounding you, as part of the land as they lay in rest, as matter on this planet, or above in heaven, no matter your beliefs, they are there. They will always be a part of you – and no one, nor anything, can take that from you. In times of fear, trouble, danger, joy, happiness, and sadness, they are by your side and are a literal part of you. You are never, ever alone.

Hannah Stonehouse Hudson

My name is Hannah Stonehouse Hudson. Best known for my photography and overly sunny attitude towards life, I wear many hats: a photographer, writer, adventurer, and dog lover.

Like many people, I have had so many crazy things happen in my life that I don’t know where I would be without these events. Whether it’s a world famous photo, moving constantly, traveling around the world, having a near death experience during a miscarriage, or losing my husband unexpectedly, I am at my best in chaos. Change is what I am good at!

I am here to show you that the best can come from the worst. Life is short. Do good things. Pursue your dreams. You won't regret it.

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