A Happy Birthday To Our Hero and Heroine

The 31st of July is a special day in every Potterhead's calendar as it marks not only the birthday of our most beloved hero, but also his creator, the inevitably genius Jo Rowling. 

Without her, our cloaks would merely be carnival attire, if it wasn't for her, our wands would simply look like silly toys and she made magic en vogue in a style it has never seen before. In short, she is THE witch who magicked Harry Potter into all our lives, a quill as her wand and a steady cup of tea as the magic liquid edging her on (at least that is how it happened in my head). 

It is no wonder that our special hero should share a birthday with her, as he is nothing short in wit, warmth, loyalty and bravery. Harry has fought many demons - physical and inner likewise, as has his fierce creator and they both deserve deep admiration for their won battles, their scars and successes. 

But let's not derail into admirable chit-chat, as it is the most important day of all in our calendars, let's review a couple of admirable and fantastic facts on our two heroes of the day and as they were born in the seventh month, here are 7 Facts on Jo Rowling and Harry Potter. 

7 Facts on JK Rowling

1. She worked for Amnesty International before moving to Portugal to become a teacher.
2. In 2005, she founded the charity Lumos which supports children getting out of orphanages and which seeks to reunite families.
3. She was selected Companion of Honour by the Queen for her services to literature and philanthropy
4. Apart from Lumos, Rowling has various funds which often focus on supporting single parents – a fate Rowling knows all too well.
5. The first book was rejected by 12 publishers before being picked up by Bloomsbury’s children’s department. This proves Rowling’s perseverance and belief in her own work (thankfully she didn’t give up after the first attempt).
6. Rowling created the Dementors during a time of clinical depression from which she resurfaced stronger and, obviously, more successful – a true power woman!
7. Despite her billion-dollar-legacy of Harry Potter, Jo actually wants to be remembered for her philanthropic work rather than the Harry Potter books (not that she does NOT want to be remembered for those, too). Helping reunite families and supporting impoverished people are the highest-ranking priorities in her life and most of her money goes directly back into her charities, which proves she is not only an undeniably talented writer, but also one of the best people on this earth.

 
7 Facts on Harry Potter

1. Harry chose the impoverished, all-over-the-place Ronald as his best friend despite being offered “friendship” by rich and privileged Draco Malfoy, which shows how strong his character was already from the start.
2. Despite Ron and Hermione ending up marrying each other, it is actually Harry who brings her into the friendship. Upon hearing the troll roaming the castle and Hermione not knowing about it, Harry is determined to find her and warn her (despite Ron’s little enthusiasm) and she is embraced into their special friendship thereafter.
3. Harry never kills anybody in the whole series, which proves what a true hero he is. In Prisoner of Azkaban, he shows mercy to Peter Pettigrew when Lupin and Sirius want to kill him for his betrayal of James and Lily but Harry intervenes. Even though he states he simply didn’t want to see his father’s two best friends become murderers, he also proves his goodwill and character, which is later fatefully reciprocated when Pettigrew shows mercy towards Harry, which costs the former his life.
4. Not that Luna is one to pity, but when Harry scores (or rather reluctantly accepts) an invitation to Slughorn’s party, he decides to bring Luna and not one of the many pretty girls who swoon just upon seeing him, shutting up their bullying towards Luna in the same move. Good one, Harry!
5. Bullying generally seems to be something Harry cannot tolerate. He steps in for Ron when Draco repeatedly insults Ron’s family, he steps up for Neville and Luna likewise. He and Ginny make a great time in that respect and it is probably one of the reasons he fell in love with her.,,
6. One of Harry’s grandest moments is probably when he decides to give Fred and George his prize money from the Triwizard Tournament after the Diggorys decline taking it. With their new financial freedom, the twins can finally set up their dream joke shop, which they do more than just successfully and even though poor Fred never lived to see it expand further, it is now in the safe hands of George and Ron.
7. Finally, Harry’s father qualities shine brightly (despite what Albus moans about in Cursed Child) when he kindly talks to his son about the latter’s concerns and generally it is safe to assume that Harry makes a loving and doting father and relays the kindness and loyalty we all love about him to the next generation. 

​They both deserve a relaxed and Happy Birthday! Have a good one!