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Harry then did something that was both very brave and very stupid.
This quote is in reference to Harry jumping on the back of a mountain troll, but it also gives a fair summary of Harry’s decision-making process throughout the book. Harry often makes snap decisions, even if they are well-intentioned. He does this when he is in danger, but also when he is on the Quidditch pitch. His choices are often reckless, but almost always done selflessly in service of his House or his friends.
[Harry] couldn’t ever remember feeling happier. He’d really done something to be proud of now – no one could say he was just a famous name anymore.
Harry is uncomfortable with his fame because he is unaccustomed to it. He constantly worries he will not live up to his reputation or prove himself unworthy of a spot at Hogwarts. When Harry discovers Quidditch, he is overjoyed to find a natural talent and enjoyment for the sport. After catching his first snitch and leading the Gryffindor team to a victory against Slytherin, Harry finally begins to feel he belongs in the wizarding world.
“You’re worth twelve of Malfoy,” Harry said. “The Sorting Hat chose you for Gryffindor, didn’t it? And where’s Malfoy? In stinking Slytherin.”
Harry encourages Neville that he does belong in Gryffindor after Draco makes fun of him and puts a leg-locking curse on him. Harry has clearly settled into the house rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin, and he parrots the idea that Slytherins are more likely to turn out “bad” than the other houses. However, the central idea of Harry’s speech to Neville is that Neville is worthy and accepted in Gryffindor. Harry’s encouragement echoes his own insecurities about his place at Hogwarts, but shows he has no trouble seeing the value of his peers.
VOLDEMORT! . . . I’ve met him and I’m calling him by his name.
Harry and Dumbledore are the only characters in the book who feel comfortable saying Voldemort’s name out loud. The wizarding world has lived in fear of Voldemort for a long time, but Harry does not grow up with a knowledge of that fear. At the beginning of the book, Harry feels bad that he can’t remember to censor Voldemort’s name. He even begins to understand the fear that everyone else has of the name, but after Harry survives a confrontation with Voldemort, he agrees with Dumbledore that the name cannot hold any power unless people allow it to.
