Often it is the simplest thing that let’s you know that things are developing as they should. When Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) takes up the mantle as leader of Dumbledore’s Army to practice their defensive magic in preparation for battle with Lord Voldemort, it is Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis) who shows it can be done by succeeding where he failed in past attempts and who shows what motivates them when seeing the picture of his parents.

Director:  David Yates Writer:  Michael Goldenberg; J.K. Rowling Cast:
Daniel Radcliffe -  Harry Potter Emma Watson -  Hermione Granger Rupert Grint -  Ron Weasley Harry Melling -  Dudley Dursley Miles Jupp -  TV Weatherman Fiona Shaw -  Petunia Dursley Richard Griffiths -  Vernon Dursley Geraldine Somerville -  Lily Potter		Ralph Fiennes -  Lord Voldemort Natalia Tena -  Nymphadora Tonks Brendan Gleeson -  Alastor ‘Mad-­Eye’ Moody George Harris -  Kingsley Shacklebolt Bridgette Millar -  Emmeline Vance Gary Oldman -  Sirius Black Mark Williams -  Arthur Weasley David Thewlis -  Remus Lupin

I’ve lost a few friends for what I consider viable reasons. I can always trace back why it happened and what part I played in its happening. I feel no pride in losing a friend and its sadness haunts me to this day. But my conscience is clear. That wasn’t always the case. When I was young and stupid, I tossed away some relationships that filled me with regret upon recollection. Some I was able to repair. Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) probably felt that way when he told Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) to piss off in a fit of pique and jealousy. But he is young, he’ll learn. Just because you know someone who can do stuff better than you can, may get a few more breaks and has an easy manner about them, it is no reason to slag them off. There are always more that they can’t do or don’t have than that which cause you to do something stupid.

Director:  Mike Newell Writer:  Steven Kloves; J.K. Rowling; Steve Kloves Cast:
Daniel Radcliffe -  Harry Potter Emma Watson -  Hermione Granger Rupert Grint -  Ron Weasley Mark Williams -  Arthur Weasley James Phelps -  Fred Weasley Oliver Phelps -  George Weasley Bonnie Wright -  Ginny Weasley Jeff Rawle -  Amos Diggory		Robert Pattinson -  Cedric Diggory Jason Isaacs -  Lucius Malfoy Tom Felton -  Draco Malfoy Stanislav Ianevski -  Viktor Krum Michael Gambon -  Albus Dumbledore Robbie Coltrane -  Rubeus Hagrid Robert Hardy -  Cornelius Fudge Eric Sykes -  Frank Bryce

In each life there are a number of rites of passage. Some are simple, some are strange and some are confusing. One I remember as a highlight was the first time I was allowed to go to the corner store by myself. I had no idea what I wanted to buy, it was being allowed out on my own to spend my pennies that filled my mind. I remember the journey but not the purchase. Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), who is turning eleven, is ushered into Mr. Ollivander’s (John Hurt) shop by Rubeus Hagrid ( Robbie Coltrane ) to buy a wand. He’s breathless to see all of the choices available. He has some trouble in finding the right one but Mr. Ollivander is up to the challenge. Harry agrees and stumbles distractedly out of the shop. He bought something on his own.

Director:  Chris Columbus Writer:  J.K. Rowling; Steven Kloves; Steve Kloves Cast:
Daniel Radcliffe -  Harry Potter Emma Watson -  Hermione Granger Rupert Grint -  Ron Weasley Richard Harris -  Albus Dumbledore Maggie Smith -  Professor Minerva McGonagall Robbie Coltrane -  Rubeus Hagrid Saunders Triplets -  Harry Potter (Age 1) Fiona Shaw -  Aunt Petunia		Harry Melling -  Dudley Dursley Richard Griffiths -  Uncle Vernon Ian Hart -  Professor Quirrell Ben Borowiecki -  Diagon Alley Boy Warwick Davis -  Professor Flitwick/Goblin Bank Teller Vern Troyer -  Griphook the Goblin John Hurt -  Mr. Ollivander Matthew Lewis -  Neville Longbottom

I’ve met and known a number of people for whom others line up and are entranced by. Some are bewildered by the process, others are just happy that somebody else is interested in what they do and a few bathe in the spotlight and figure they deserve the adulation. But I’d have to say that I only know a couple like Gilderoy Lockhart (Kenneth Branagh), a chronic inept self-promoter. His act at the signing of his book, with the women swooning and the men rolling their eyes, is one I’ve seen but made me wish I were elsewhere. It isn’t much of a surprise to know that folks like him go on to bigger and better stunts but the number of repeat visitors seem to diminish with each audience.

Director:  Chris Columbus Writer:  J.K. Rowling; Steven Kloves; Steve Kloves Cast:
Daniel Radcliffe -  Harry Potter Rupert Grint -  Ron Weasley Emma Watson -  Hermione Granger Richard Griffiths -  Uncle Vernon Fiona Shaw -  Aunt Petunia Harry Melling -  Dudley Dursley Toby Jones -  Dobby the House Elf (voice) Jim Norton -  Mr. Mason		Veronica Clifford -  Mrs. Mason James Phelps -  Fred Weasley Oliver Phelps -  George Weasley Julie Walters -  Molly Weasley Bonnie Wright -  Ginny Weasley Mark Williams -  Arthur Weasley Chris Rankin -  Percy Weasley Tom Felton -  Draco Malfoy

Over the years, I’ve made (and lost) a number of friends. As I get older, I find it harder to make a new one. It seems easy to make an acquaintance but to have that relationship turn into a friendship is rare. So watching Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) get to know his Defense Against the Dark Arts professor Remus Lupin (David Thewlis) prompts a number of pleasant memories of friends past and present. Despite Lupin’s shortcomings and his unfortunate lack of manners when transformed, he’s still someone that Harry can count on for sage advice and useful information.

Director:  Alfonso Cuarón Writer:  J.K. Rowling; Steven Kloves Cast:
Daniel Radcliffe -  Harry Potter Emma Watson -  Hermione Granger Richard Griffiths -  Uncle Vernon Rupert Grint -  Ron Weasley Michael Gambon -  Albus Dumbledore Maggie Smith -  Professor Minerva McGonagall Alan Rickman -  Professor Severus Snape Robbie Coltrane -  Rubeus Hagrid		Matthew Lewis -  Neville Longbottom Pam Ferris -  Aunt Marge Fiona Shaw -  Aunt Petunia Harry Melling -  Dudley Dursley Adrian Rawlins -  James Potter Geraldine Somerville -  Lily Potter Lee Ingleby -  Stan Shunpike Lenny Henry -  Shrunken Head