Only Adults Will Understand The True Meaning of This Deathly Hallows Scene
All Potter fans should remember one of the stand-out scenes in the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 with Harry and Hermione's platonic slow dance with each other.
For those who watched the film for the first time when they were younger, although memorable, the scene seemed quite awkward. Especially considering Daniel Radcliffe's clear lack of dancing ability. However, for fans who now reflect back on the scene as adults, the true meaning of the character's bittersweet dance scene suddenly takes on a whole new meaning.
After the action-packed start to the movie, Harry, Ron, and Hermione are in hiding from the Death Eaters now that they have proceeded to fully take over the Ministry of Magic. The trio are now the last line of defence against defeating Lord Voldermort, and their goal is to find and destroy his remaining horcruxes.
However, the burden of the one horcrux they do have, combined with the stress and fear they feel for their other friends and family, leads to Ron suddenly leaving in a rage. At a low point for the two teenagers, Harry attempts to cheer Hermione up with some embarrassing dancing while listening to the radio. The scene only lasts a couple of minutes. And it briefly lightens the tension which has been building gradually since the very start of the film.
At first glance, the whole scene seems remarkably out of place. Partially because the tone shifts so suddenly, the awkwardness between the pair, and possibly because of the surprise of hearing a contemporary song in a Harry Potter film.
This scene was one of the few that was never mentioned in the books. But in hindsight, it actually fits perfectly with how both Harry and Hermione must have felt at the time.
Considering how miserable they must have been, it's only natural for one friend to want to comfort the other. Even if it's just briefly. It also helped Harry to forget for a split second the unpleasant circumstances they were both under.
The uncoordinated and inelegant dance moves shown may be a little awkward to watch. Yet this one scene alone captures the most important message of the whole franchise. That friendship and love are more powerful than any evil. It is the reason that Harry is alive in the first place.
And it is how they have continued to defeat Voldermort so many times before, as friends united together. As Harry watched Hermione sadly endure all this pain and sacrifice to help others, he may have been reminded of the words Dumbledore spoke to the students in The Prisoner of Azkaban.
"Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light".