Top 20 Harry Potter Moments That Made Us Happy Cry

Various
Even now, after having heard it so many times, the first few notes of “Hedwig’s Theme” sends a chill up our spine. Although not always associated with the snowy owl, this is the magical theme that became most closely connected to the “Harry Potter” series. It’s the accompaniment for the opening credits of the first film, the closing credits of the final chapter, and so many moments in between. John Williams was the master of musical legacies, and we’re so happy he created one for this incredible series.

“Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” (2004)
Throughout the Harry Potter films, Draco Malfoy mocks the trio of friends and makes their lives miserable whenever possible. One of them was bound to snap and fight back with more than words at some point, and we love that it was Hermione. Even though Malfoy called her a slur for years, it was the pain he brought to Hagrid that pushed her over the edge. Draco’s behavior leads to Buckbeak’s death, and he follows that up by mocking Hagrid’s sadness. That’s when Hermione lets loose with her fist. Since the only serious damage is to Draco’s pride, we have to agree with Hermione that it’s a feel-good moment.

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1” (2010)
Although not in the book, this sweet moment is one we won’t forget. While searching for Horcruxes, Ron becomes overwhelmed by the dark influence of the cursed locket. He’s unable to help Harry and Hermione properly, and so they continue the search alone. In a relatable moment, Harry takes advantage of a good song on the radio to make Hermione smile. For a brief interlude, they let go of their gloom and just dance. It’s goofy fun between two people who have been best friends for 7 years, and a much needed moment of light in the darkness.

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” (2011)
Molly Weasley is a no-nonsense matriarch who keeps her wacky household of ginger offspring well in order. She also provides support and affection as a stand-in mom for Harry. So it’s easy to forget that she’s also a talented witch who will do anything to protect her family. In the last film, we finally get to see this tough mama bear set loose. When Bellatrix tries to battle Ginny, Molly makes it very clear that she’s not having it. Mrs. Weasly shows herself to be a master dueler, who doesn’t falter when it comes time to finish Bellatrix for good. Even if you aren’t a mother, you’ll get a little misty-eyed watching her protect her youngest.

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1” (2010)
The beginning of the final movie is dark and brooding, as the trio plans to search for Horcruxes to defeat Voldemort. Although they don’t have their gathering of friends at Hogwarts to look forward to, they do get to attend one last joyous occasion. The wedding between Fleur and Bill hits all the brighter notes. It’s another peek into magical traditions and a chance to see some familiar faces. Who doesn’t shed a happy tear at weddings? While the moment of good cheer is cut short by the invasion of the Death Eaters, the ensuing chaos emphasizes the importance of golden moments in harrowing times.

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” (2011)
When Harry looked into the Mirror of Erised in the first film, we learned that his heart’s desire was to be with his parents, something he never truly experienced. In the last installment of the series, he finally gets his wish. Right before facing his own death, Harry uses the Resurrection Stone to surround himself with his lost loved ones. His parents, Lupin and Sirius provide him with the support he needs to carry on. It’s a family reunion that he’s waited for his whole life. We can’t help but shed a tear that after everything he’s done for others, Harry finally gets to have this wish come true.

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” (2011)
There are a few hints that Ron and Hermione could end up as more than friends in the first few books and films. By the time their jealousy takes center stage in the fourth film, we definitely see where they’re headed. Frustratingly, the two friends dance around the possibility of more until “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”. As they search for Horcruxes, Ron and Hermione grow closer and start to let their true feelings show. After so many years of buildup, it’s no wonder fans were so happy to finally see them kiss. Ron adorably calling Hermione his girlfriend a few moments later is the cherry on top.

“Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone” (2001)
Watching young, adorable Harry being treated badly by the Dursleys is painful. At the beginning of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone”, you’re tempted to yell: “Somebody come get this kid out of there!” So, it’s a tremendous thrill when a pounding on the door announces Hagrid’s arrival. Even those who didn’t know the story going into the film recognize this bearded giant as Harry’s earliest champion. When Hagrid tells Harry he’s a wizard, it’s about more than earning a place in a special school. He’s just told a desperately lonely child that a whole group of people have been anxiously waiting for years to welcome him home, where he’ll be accepted for who he is. That’s pure joy.

“Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” (2004)
The third film in the series loves playing with our conceptions of Sirius Black. From serial killer to possible father figure for Harry, it’s a roller coaster of emotions. So, the possibility of his death at the hands of the Dementors seems too harsh for poor Harry to have to deal with. Luckily, with the help of Hermione and a Time-Turner, Sirius is saved. The joyous relief at their success is tempered with Harry’s impending separation from his godfather. However, when Sirius tells Harry that loved ones never truly leave us, we can’t help but feel the happy ending.

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” (2011)
When Neville stands up to his friends in the first film, he proves himself to be a true Gryffindor. However, his clumsy, awkward ways make him harder to accept as a hero figure. Even when he organizes the school’s rebellion against Voldemort’s influence, it’s Harry they’re all waiting for. It really shouldn’t surprise anyone but Voldemort when Neville is ready to fight in Harry’s place. His rousing speech gives hope to the group, and provides Harry the opportunity he needs. Later, Neville proves himself again when he kills Nagini. It’s a truly triumphant moment for this unlikely hero.

“Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone” (2001)
While the stakes may get higher as the series moves forward, in the first installment of Harry’s story, Gryffindor winning the house cup seems like the height of importance. After all of our trio’s misadventures trying to save the Philosopher’s Stone from Lord Voldemort, it didn’t seem like they’d have time to win back the house points that they had lost. In the end, though, it’s a dead tie between Gryffindor and Slytherin, until Dumbledore awards Neville ten points for standing up to his friends. The look on his face says it all!

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1” (2010)
Throughout the series, Harry is constantly mistreated by the Dursleys, and while the world has a lot of complex characters, it didn’t look like these three would ever get any redemption. In the final book, however, there is a poignant moment when Harry and the Dursleys are parting ways for a final time where Dudley shows an unexpected moment of humanity. The scene may have been cut from the theatrical version of the first “Deathly Hallows” film, but luckily the deleted scene eventually surfaced.

“Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” (2002)
The second book and movie take a decidedly darker turn when it is revealed that something within Hogwarts is trying to kill and petrify students. Not to mention, Harry is being ostracized by his peers because many think that he is the one who has opened the Chamber of Secrets. When the final battle takes place between Harry and the Basilisk, it seems that all is lost and that our hero will inevitably be defeated. The moment that Dumbledore’s phoenix, Fawkes, shows up though, we couldn’t help but cheer when we realized it was all going to be okay.

“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” (2009)
In “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” all of the romantic relationships that had been hinted at in earlier storylines finally started to become solidified. Though it was clear to fans that Ron and Hermione belonged together, he had to get a little experience first in the form of dating Lavender Brown. After he is unintentionally poisoned and ends up in the hospital wing, his true feelings are revealed when he asks for Hermione at his bedside instead of Lavender. You could practically hear the shippers sigh of relief!

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1” (2010)
One of the bleakest periods during the trio’s hunt for Horcruxes in “Deathly Hallows” is when Ron decides to leave Harry and Hermione behind. To be fair, the cursed locket was influencing his emotions, but it was still devastating for both the characters (and fans!) when he left. When Harry followed the silver doe to ultimately find the sword of Gryffindor, it seemed like all was lost when he was caught at the bottom of a lake. All he needed, though, was Ron’s helping hand, and when we realized who had saved him, we couldn’t help but shed a relieved tear. His subsequent reunion with Hermione wasn’t quite as simple though...

“Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” (2002)
In “Chamber of Secrets,” readers and viewers were finally given some insight into Hagrid’s past, including the reason he was expelled from Hogwarts. It turns out that he was accused of unleashing the monster who attacked students the first time the Chamber was opened, and was kicked out of school for his involvement. So when the Chamber was reopened in Harry’s second year, Hagrid was ultimately sent to Azkaban despite fans’ knowledge that there was no way he could be guilty. When he is finally released and shows up at the end of year feast, we couldn’t hold in our elation.

“Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone” (2001)
Harry had already been through so much by the end of his first year at Hogwarts, so as we see him get ready to board the Hogwarts Express to go back to a dreadful summer with the Dursleys, it’s tough to realize that he’ll be spending months away from the wizarding world. Hagrid gives him a gift, however, to help him through that difficult time. We don’t know where he managed to find old Potter family photos, but we’re thankful that they finally made their way into the right hands.

“Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” (2004)
In “Prisoner of Azkaban,” Harry learns much about his parents’ pasts, and the circumstances that led to them being killed by Lord Voldemort. He spends the whole story thinking that their friend, Sirius Black, contributed to their murders, but eventually Harry finds out the truth. When he realizes that his godfather can actually be a helpful figure in his life, Harry has a fleeting moment of being able to imagine a world where he never has to go back to the Dursleys. Of course, this is bittersweet, because they never manage to clear Sirius’ name, and that happy ending they dreamed of falls behind the Veil.

“Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” (2002)
Throughout “Chamber of Secrets,” the house elf Dobby seems like more of a hindrance than a help, but his heart is in the right place. The series shines a light on one of the injustices of the wizarding world when we see the abuse that Dobby has to suffer under his masters, the Malfoys. At the end of this story, though, Harry uses his quick wit to save his new friend from a life of servitude by tricking Lucius Malfoy into granting Dobby his freedom. This moment is a triumphant one, and one we’ll never forget.

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” (2011)
After all that our favorite characters had been through, bearing witness to their happy endings was just too much for most fans. Following along with their journey had been a roller coaster of emotions, and it all culminated with the epilogue, set 19 years after the events of the original series. The scene shows Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny on platform nine and three quarters sending their own children off to Hogwarts. We cried because everyone ended up exactly where they should be. We cried because after all these years it was really over. And of course we cried because “all was well.”