[HPforGrownups] Harry and bravery (was: The Sorting Hat)

[Kathryn Cawte]

No: HPFGUIDX 87384

Someone who didn't give their name said -
When I've looked up brave or bravery it always refers back to  courage:
> mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger,
fear, or
> difficulty.
>
> Sounds like Harry to me. It also fits Hermione, Ron, Neville, Luna ect.
> There are just different ways of being brave.
>

K

In order to actually exhibit bravery you have to understand that what you're
doing is dangerous. If (for example) I know nothing about the dangers of the
Forbidden Forest and I think it is perfectly safe and I go into it to find a
lost child - that isn't bravery. If however I do exactly the same thing
knowing that there are many things in there that would want to kill me -
then that is.

Most of the time Harry doesn't realise how dangerous what he's doing
actually is - that's not bravery. Ron is terrified of spiders, but he
follows Harry into the Forbidden Forest out of loyalty to Harry, to Hagrid,
and to his friends who are in danger of being petrified. *That* is bravery.
And it doesn't matter that he didn't know that he was likely to be eaten -
he was scared but he faced his fear and did what he felt was right anyway.
Ron is one of the best examples of bravery in the books. Neville is another.

Bravery is not doing something dangerous, it is facing your fears and not
letting them stop you. It is *knowing* the dangers and doing what is right
or necessary anyway. I add that last bit because doing something dangerous
just for the sake of doing something dangerous isn't brave it's reckless.

K