Is Harry Evil? or Would Harry ever join Voldemort?

[ares1501s]

Is Harry evil? I think he may be evil because i heard somewhere that the song of the pheonix fill strike fear into the heart of evil. In CoS when Harry heard the pheonix's song "it lifted the hair on Harry's scalp" that to me sounds life fear. Or maybe it is just some other connection between Harry and Tom Riddle. Who knows, but is it possible for Harry to be evil, that would defeinately be a twist

[Hederic]

...I don't think the books hero is evil...

[Cat]

Me either!

And Fawkes' song has also given Harry courage at some point. It sang a note when he was about to tell Dumbledore about Voldemort's return and Harry felt more relaxed. It also sang when he was dueling Lord Voldemort.

[xicanti]

Ummm... I should think it would be rather a plot-killing twist...

[ares1501s]

Oh you don't think it's possible do you. Let's consider start wars. Does anakin ring a bell. In the beggining he is a good jedi one of the best ever. Then he goes to the dark side. I'm just saying anything is possible.

[Hedwig0183]

I don't think Harry is evil...The phoenix song, if I'm not mistaking (I don't have the book with me) in CoS, gave Harry hope, even though he didn't realize it at that particular time. The phoenix connection between Harry and Tom Riddle (Lord Voldemort), explained in Goblet of Fire, is a bit interesting, though. First, in Sorcerer's Stone, when Harry got his wand, Mr. Ollivander told him that the phoenix whose tail feather is in his wand gave another feather, in the wand of Voldemort. Now, if you remember from GoF, Dumbledore told Harry and Sirius that his phoenix, Fawkes, gave two tail feathers, which were put in Voldemort's and Harry's wands. When two brother wands are put against each other, they won't work properly. I think there will be another serious showdown between Harry and Voldemort in the coming books.

Hedwig0183

[ares1501s]

And if you didn't know Anakin turning to the darkside won't be a plot killing twist but rather it wiil heighten the plot

[Hederic]

...You shouldn't compare Star Wars with Harry Potter.

Anakin was gradually sliding to the darkside, and Star Wars has rules about the darkside, what it is, and how to identify people sliding towards it. Anakin was just perfect for the darkside to take hold of.

Harry on the other hand is a nice compassionate boy, who enjoys Quidditch. Not to mention that the antagonist killed his parents... he's quite cross about that one.

[Kneazle]

I agree with you all. We know that the running theme of the books is the struggle of Good versus Evil; Harry is most definitely against the latter side at the moment, and JK has said he will never be tempted to turn into a Dark wizard.

I imagine the Phoenix song as something that thrills your every nerve and that hearing it inspires both courage and goosebumps. Every encounter with Fawkes has comforted Harry and bolstered with confidence.

[ares1501s]

I'm not saying an evil one doesn't hate other evil ones, but it is a fact there are many people Harry hates. Remember at first glimpse he hated Hermione. He's always hated Malfoy and Malfoy just wanted to be friends with him. It seems to me that Harry DOES pick his friends wisely. He chooses only those that can help him achieve higher stature and all the others he cares nothing about. I just find that odd.

[ares1501s]

Hold the phone! Where and when did Rowling say he will never be tempted to turn into a Dark wizard, and even if she did say that it doesn't matter. Look at those words carefully. Nobodody has to tempt him if he's already there...

[xicanti]

Originally posted by ares1501s
I'm not saying an evil one doesn't hate other evil ones, but it is a fact there are many people Harry hates. Remember at first glimpse he hated Hermione. He's always hated Malfoy and Malfoy just wanted to be friends with him. It seems to me that Harry DOES pick his friends wisely. He chooses only those that can help him achieve higher stature and all the others he cares nothing about. I just find that odd.

Well, he seems to get along well with Neville, though they aren't close, and at the moment Neville doesn't seem to be a very promising lad. I doubt Harry sees him as someone who could help further his career as a wizard. Same with Fred and George. They don't really do anything for him in a "political" sense; they're just his friends.

I wouldn't say he hated Hermione at first either. I think his issues with her mainly game from the fact that Ron acted like he didn't like her, and Harry had already become good friends with Ron.

[Cat]

Hermione is a bossy goodie-two-shoes and Ron is a lanky gimp. They're hardly prize friends but Harry cares about them.

He doesn't hate Neville or Seamus or Dean, either.

[Puffskein]

I never looked at it that way. You're making Harry out to be some kind of Slytherin type. However, one thing worth noticing about the people Harry associates with is that many of them belong to groups which are looked down upon for some reason (a Muggle-born witch, an impoverished wizard, a half-giant, a near-squib, a werewolf, an escaped convict, a freed house elf).

[Hederic]

Wrong my friend.

Harry hated the kind of person Malfoy is. Elites who bully the weak, people who band together to hurt other people. People who think their better than other people because of heritage (Kinda like skincolour). Would you accept such a persons friendship, after he just insulted the guy with whom you shared your lunch.

He never hated Hermione, he thought she was annoying, the way young people do. I thought she was annoying to the first time.

If he wanted to have friends that can help him achieve higher stature, he would have picked Malfoy. The Weasleys are not good friends to have if he wanted to do that. He didn't even know that Mr. Weasley worked at the ministry.

He does care about other people, he has shown that more than one time.

I'm sorry but, please don't insult Harry.

[Hederic]

****, I was late...

[Edit] The asterisks doesn't represent a foul word as you might think... I too feel that foul words should not be allowed here... But this is going a bit far, the word was harmless.

[Cat]

Originally posted by Puffskein
I never looked at it that way. You're making Harry out to be some kind of Slytherin type. However, one thing worth noticing about the people Harry associates with is that many of them belong to groups which are looked down upon for some reason (a Muggle-born witch, an impoverished wizard, a half-giant, a near-squib, a werewolf, an escaped convict, a freed house elf).

A person who seeks only power rarely befriends the downtrodden, not really anyway. But Harry finds friendship in the strangest of places, you're right. That's not evil.

[ares1501s]

ok let's examine this closely. Ron is a great strategist who will do anything harry asks. Hermoine is the smartes girl at hogwarts for her age. The weasley twins know the entire layout of the school inside and out. And for the others he doesn't really talk to them that much it's as if they don't exist. It's Hermoine who we see always talking with Neville, not Harry.

[Cat]

Originally posted by ares1501s
ok let's examine this closely. Ron is a great strategist who will do anything harry asks. Hermoine is the smartes girl at hogwarts for her age. The weasley twins know the entire layout of the school inside and out. And for the others he doesn't really talk to them that much it's as if they don't exist. It's Hermoine who we see always talking with Neville, not Harry.

But did Harry learn all these things before or after he became friends with the people? He became friends with Hermione after the whole troll incedent and then found out that she could help him with his homework.

If he cared about these things he would have befriended Malfoy, the wealthy, powerful snob.

[DragonslayerX]

yeah, and harry hated malfoy becuz he could tell malfoy was a... "bad person"... also, harry cares for black, and he's a wanted criminal...dont see how he can help further harry's "career".

and finally, anakin turning bad didnt kill the star wars plot becuz the plot was about a GROUP of people fighting evil...this book is about HARRY fighting evil...so if harry turned to the "Dark Side", then evil would win, whereas in star wars, the group was still able to fight the evil

[xicanti]

I think we don't see Harry talking to the other students as much as to his particular friends because they don't have as large a place in the plot, not because he has no use for them. :)

[Hederic]

He can't talk to everyone, alas this is the curse of fame. Constant craving for attention.

"Look Harry, LOOK! I just earned a few points for Griffindor."

"Sorry Creevey, but I'm in the middle of getting killed by Voldemort"

[DragonslayerX]

and really, think about it. do YOU talk to EVERYONE at your school (or place of employment, or whatever), or do u just hang out with ur friends? harry has never really been MEAN to anyone, he just doesnt really hang out with them

[Kneazle]

Originally posted by ares1501s
Hold the phone! Where and when did Rowling say he will never be tempted to turn into a Dark wizard, and even if she did say that it doesn't matter. Look at those words carefully. Nobodody has to tempt him if he's already there...
True. I can't offer a link-- I looked for the quote and, though it's on just about every "HP facts" page, there's no original source. So I suppose it's one of those floating rumours. :shrug:

JK has said a lot about Harry's goodness, though. ("I positively think they are moral books. Harry, Ron and Hermione are innately good people.". . ."I see him as a good person but with a human underbelly. . . he has a very strong conscience". . ."[talking of good character being boring] Well, you see, Harry is good. And I personally do not find Harry boring at all. I mean, he has his faults.") She never directly says that Harry will never be evil, but she goes on about the good versus evil and how, though Harry is by no means faultless, he's got a good grip on what's right and wrong. Harry has integrity.

[xicanti]

Originally posted by Kneazle
JK has said a lot about Harry's goodness, though. ("I positively think they are moral books. Harry, Ron and Hermione are innately good people.". . ."I see him as a good person but with a human underbelly. . . he has a very strong conscience". . ."[talking of good character being boring] Well, you see, Harry is good. And I personally do not find Harry boring at all. I mean, he has his faults.") She never directly says that Harry will never be evil, but she goes on about the good versus evil and how, though Harry is by no means faultless, he's got a good grip on what's right and wrong. Harry has integrity.

Perfectly put.

[ErikvonRiese]

Another thing to think about may be the fact that while the Harry Potter series is just as enjoyable (and perhaps more so) to older, more mature audiences, it ~is~ aimed primarily at children, who have a tendency to really look up to certain popular fictional characters (like Harry). Granted, to knock a character off the pillar that children have built for him might be considered an artistic statement by most, but it just wouldn't seem like J.K. Rowling's style to do something like that. She spends too much time developing themes of friendship and unconditional love and loyalty, and I just don't see her dashing that all away in a flush of Hemingway-esque cynicism.

Anyway, that's what I think. But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

[ares1501s]

as I believe it J.K. has not aimed the series to children. I remember her saying time after time that she said "i am writing the book for myself" That means anything is fair game, and that the book is not nescessarily for children. I wouldn't let my child (if i had one) read HP. It is loaded with violence, disobedience, and profanity.

[GodricSlytherin]

Maybe in the future of the books..harry's evil side will show itself..we all know he can be pretty mean..he has had arguments with Ron and hermione..he is pretty mean..maybe we will see more of this evil side..who knows??

[DragonslayerX]

i am certain harry will not go evil...but i think voldemorte will try to get him to go over...i mean, harry has now beaten him 4 times...i think he will believe it would benefit him to lure harry over, instead of fighting him

[hermownninny]

by Dragonslayerx .i think he will believe it would benefit him to lure harry over, instead of fighting him

I think that Voldemort had a specific reason to kill Harry qhen he was a baby....remember that He did not want to kill Lily, se died because she was in the middle....

Anyways..I think That of course Harry is not evil...he just likes to be with these groups (the weak people....as someone sais..a muggleborn, poor, half giant, house elf etc) because He has been mistreated all his life by the Dusleys; therefore, he is against anyone that could harm weak people....complicated....:angel:

[Hagrid442]

Harry has the potential to be evil, as do we all. But, one of the major pervading themes in the books is that it is our actions and not something intrinsic within us that shows who we are as people. Harry's not always perfect, but overall, he has shown to be a good, kind-hearted person.

As to why he doesn't really have many friends outside of Ron and Hermione, well... he's a rather introverted person. His life with the Dursleys has contributed to that. Thus, he's more keen on having fewer, but more intimate friends.

[Picko]

Obviously Harry becoming evil would not be a very good plot twist because the books are written from his perspective and therefore we would see him becoming evil before he actually becomes evil.

As far as Star Wars is concerned the whole Anakin becoming evil thing has come about through the new trilogy and therefore can't be plot killer, because we already know it happens. Also the original Star Wars really has little to do with Anakin becoming Darth Vader and more to do with Luke's plight. So really there is little resemblence between the two series.

[Hederic]

Ares, remember, though she might be writing it for herself, her daughter reads it. It would be pretty cruel of her to make her daughter cry...

[ErikvonRiese]

Originally posted by ares1501s
as I believe it J.K. has not aimed the series to children. I remember her saying time after time that she said "i am writing the book for myself" That means anything is fair game, and that the book is not nescessarily for children. I wouldn't let my child (if i had one) read HP. It is loaded with violence, disobedience, and profanity.

This is an excellent point. However, I believe that JK has also made it relatively clear that she already has a pretty solid idea about what will happen in the remainder of the series. As such, her editor and whoever she is under contract with probably knows as well, or else they wouldn't have entered into her current contract. Seven books is quite a bit of writing, and unless they knew it was a relatively safe bet, they wouldn't have taken the risk.

Therefore, while JK herself may not be targeting children specifically, the people handling her marketing are. Would they take the even bigger risk of turning at least half of their fan base against them, knowing that Harry would eventually turn evil? Probably not. They would stand to lose too much additional revenue from generations to come, who would be told by their elders that "It was an okay series, but it's not worth reading, 'cause they screwed up the end."

Or perhaps a more literary analysis is in order. A bit of warning, though: if you haven't read all the books, this next paragraph pretty much gives away all the endings.

Is Harry evil? Yes and no. We all have a little evil in us, don't we? If we didn't, what would be the point of temptation? Harry is a realistic and finely drawn character with faults and pet peeves that occassionally push him over the edge, but he's already made his choice several times over. He couldn't help being imbued with one or two (or a dozen) of Lord Voldemort's characteristics, but if you notice, at the very end of every conflict to date, those characteristics haven't been what he's chosen to use, even though they may have helped him along the way. In the first book, he could have simply given up the stone and escaped with his life and perhaps a place at Voldemort's right hand, but he chose to call upon his courage instead and make a stand. In the second book, it is his loyalty to Dumbledore that saves him, by summoning Fawkes to his side, without whom he could almost definitely not have defeated the basilisk. In the third book, compassion and understanding allow him to love and trust Sirius and to let Wormtail live (something he will, according to Dumbledore, be grateful for later). Finally, in the fourth book, he could have simply kept leaping around and hiding behind tombstones until Voldemort eventually caught up with him and killed him, but once again he called upon his courage and the memory of his mother and father and faced Voldemort, overcoming him. There are other examples like these throughout the books, but these are the most glaring. Harry has shown time and time again that when the chips are really down, he is much more likely to choose noble action over ambition, cowardice, or revenge, and I see no reason for him to ever do otherwise.

[DragonslayerX]

yeah, i think the most noeworthy example u just gave was the one where he let wormtail live. thats becuz, this would not have seemed evil if he had let wormtail die. he was responsible for his parents' deaths. a lot of people would have let WT die, and not thought twice. and even more people would have thought harry just as noble if he had let WT die. but still, harry was merciful, proving he is NOTHING like Voldimorte...imagine what voldie would have done in that situation...

and, i really think this was a confirmation of sorts by JKR that harry would always be good. if he can be merciful to someone who essentially gave voldie harry's parents, then what would make him go bad? i think if JKR would make him evil later, she surely would have had harry let WT die.

[Katze]

Here's your proof that Harry is good, from the horses mouth so to speak:

Take from this interview (http://www.cbc.ca/programs/sites/hottype_rowlingcomplete.html)
E: Is there a sense that some people say good characters are boring and evil characters are always the more interesting. And there's the famous line about Milton and of course he writes Paradise Lost and God is a bore and the devil is interesting.

JK: Well, you see, Harry is good. And I personally do not find Harry boring at all. I mean, he has his faults. Ron and Hermione are both very good characters but they're… My voice sounds incredibly loud when we stop this train. (Laughs)

[Justin Etre]

I think Harry is less sympathetic thanI might be in his like, like how he acted with Dobby to start with. he didn't comfort dobby or act shcoked when he spoke about his beatings.
That could have been because of his age, or his upbringing though.

But despite this, he is definately a good guy. I think that you hit the nail of the head Katze, nice find!

[Sirius Black]

He's defintly a good guy. Voldemort has offered him to come in league with him but he always refuses. Plus, he always saves others. And does something kind. A thousands times better than Malfoy who'll defenitly be evil.

[Dedalus]

I don't see how he could possibly be evil. We know what actions he's done, we know mostly what he thinks, and all these have been good things, or else just normal things. Nobody can suddenly become evil, like an illness. You don't just say "ooh, I'm feeling particularly evil today, I'd better go for a lie down". You are only evil if you constantly do intentionally bad actions. Harry has done none, nothing intentional or else nothing out of ordinary mischief. In fact, a lot of what he's done is positively good.

I doubt he'll suddenly start to do intentional bad things, any way. If he was going to, he would have so far ... he could have let fame get to his head, like Lockhart. He could have become bitter of his past, like Riddle. He could have let Pettigrew get killed, and he didn't even do that! If anything, all the bad things that have happened to him have strengthened him, and made him opposed to doing bad, rather than supporting it. If he had the choice, he wouldn't just ignore everything that's happened to him and all his friends. He could have done once and it's too late now. His actions have already defined him, and what they say is "good".

[Dedalus]

Originally posted by Justin Etre (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=199795#post199795))
I think Harry is less sympathetic thanI might be in his like, like how he acted with Dobby to start with. he didn't comfort dobby or act shcoked when he spoke about his beatings.

He did! He was as sympathetic as he could be, any way, considering that he didn't have a clue what Dobby was, or why he was there and he was going to get him in to trouble. He was brief with him in that first meeting any way, because he wanted rid of him - he couldn't be found out.

But Harry is a very sympathetic lad. Think of the snake in the Philosopher's Stone ... one of his first thoughts was "this snake has it worse of than me". After everything Harry had lived with, he pitied a snake.

[DarlingChild]

All I have to say to this question is...nope. Harry is not evil.

[Jessie]

I will answer this simply; Harry is not evil but he does have a dark side, just like everyone else.

[Weatherby]

I agree with Dedalus.
Harry has loads of sympathy for other beings.
He freed Dobby did he not? :)
He may not make excuses to the degree some of us do for characters but he's not lacking in empathy.

Harry is not evil.
As Dedalus pointed out Harry had a lot to feel bitter about. He took everything with a grain of salt and moved on.
He always shows consideration for everyone else. He may not take as much time off as Hermione does for others but he doesn't have to.

It takes a lot to be considered evil in my eyes but really.
I'd put Lucius, Voldemort and Fudge in the damaging to other beings category if not evil. :)

[Fuchsia]

Harry is not evil. He cares too much about his friends and even those who are not his friends even when it isn't in his own best interest.
That is not the mark of an evil person.

[Silk E Smooth]

The main theme of the books is good versus evil. Which will win out? I personally think Harry is good. He's our hero and JKR is writing a story that influences millions of people, of course she wants the outcome to be a positive one. We will have all learned something too, not just harry.

[Bilbo]

Harry as stated earlier, is good. Sometimes he acts out of anger or immaturity. However, overall he has a great strength of character. Besides, I think a twist of this magnitude would alienate too many of her readers.

[xxquixx]

Originally posted by Bilbo (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=280890#post280890))
Harry as stated earlier, is good. Sometimes he acts out of anger or immaturity.

That's true. Never will Harry be evil (I think). But if the plot of the next three books is choosing the path between what is right and what is easy, and Harry chooses the easy (but evil) path, then that's another story...

[Weatherby]

Originally posted by ares1501s (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=82707#post82707))
Is Harry evil? I think he may be evil because i heard somewhere that the song of the pheonix fill strike fear into the heart of evil. In CoS when Harry heard the pheonix's song "it lifted the hair on Harry's scalp" that to me sounds life fear. Or maybe it is just some other connection between Harry and Tom Riddle. Who knows, but is it possible for Harry to be evil, that would defeinately be a twist


I think we have another case of Rowling's words being twisted to have different meanings.
The choice of "truimph" and now this.

I don't think Harry's hair standing up meant fear.
People can be shocked and surprised without being negatively afraid. He didn't know the phoenix would be down there.

[Barbara Kennedy]

Haven't you ever seen or heard or felt something so beautiful that it sent a shiver up your spine and made your hair stand up? Or a thrill of excitement at the call of a beautiful silver horn calling troops to battle?
That is what JKR was trying to convey.
HARRY EVIL? CODSWALLOP!

[jordmundt6]

Ahh, the Ernie Macmillan theory rears its ugly head again, but this time with new evidence. First, the theory. Harry is a powerful Dark Wizard. Why? Well let's let Ernie speak to that one.

"He can speak Parseltongue Hannah, we all know that's the mark of a Dark Wizard. Have you ever heard of a decent one who could talk to snakes? They called Slytherin himself, Serpent Tongue"

"Only a really powerful Dark wizard could have survived a curse like that. He should have been blown to smithereens, and he was only a baby [whisper] That's probably why You-Know-Who wanted him out of the way. Didn't want another Dark Lord competing with him."

Now, given what happens next, I find this sequence hilarious, but the theory is absurd. JK has stated that Harry will never be tempted to become a Dark wizard. So, for him to become evil, he'd have to be like Barty Crouch Sr. and he has shown no tendency toward that.

Now, the phoenix song.

The only times Harry has ever heard it, he's been emboldened. It was beautiful and terrible and the first time he heard it, the hair did stand up on his neck, but it gave him a feeling aof great hope, and the sense that he was no longer alone, that he might not see how the tools he had would help him, but he would face Riddle. The other times he heard it, as has been stated by other posters, he found the courage to tell the story of Voldemort's return and the courage to halt Voldemort and force the energy and magic back at him. It has been stated that the pure of heart receive encouragement and bravery from the phoenix's song. So, Harry's heart is still pure.

As to Harry being very selective about "obtaining friends who will increase his stature"--RUBBISH. He "chooses" the youngest son of a poor pureblood family in disfavor because they respect Muggles, and an obstinate Muggle-born. These aren't power alliese. They're true friends. Harry is also on relatively good terms with almost everyone except Malfoy. This is not anywhere close to an Anakin Skywalker model.

Also, please note that Harry had the opportunity to revenge himself upon the person responsible for his parents. But far from executing vengeance, he intervened to save a traitor's life. By comparison (and I HATE these Star Wars comparisons) Anakin slaughtered an entire tribe of sandpeople when he found his mother beaten to death (men, women, and children). This is something Harry would never do. The comparison doesn't work Ares.

[RonFan24]

I don't think Harry is evil because of his [choices]. Remeber, that is a key point in the books and because Harry chose Gryffindor over Slytherin. I think that says it right there. As for the Star Wars reference, can we really compare that to HP? First of all the Anakin plot line is a prequel. It's almost like backstory when you look at the original trilogy and the series as a whole. I'm sure there was even a time when Voldie himself wasn't evil. I'm sure he was full of hate towards his father which lead to his evilness, but I think there might have been a time when he was a normal little wizard.
Also, since it is a children's book I don't think it would play with the idea of an anti-hero. I don't know if some of the younger readers would grasp that concept. Maybe I underestimate the younger viewers, but I don't think Harry is or ever will be evil. Sure, he may be tempted, but that is not the same as becoming evil.
As for his parseltoung, it has been made clear that Harry speaks it because Voldie transfered some of his powers to Harry. Doesn't mean he will use it for evil. Again, another choice thing.
P.S. DragonslayerX, love your banner and sig! I too am a Bronco fan.

[FawkesBox]

Originally posted by ares1501s (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=82707#post82707))
Is Harry evil? I think he may be evil because i heard somewhere that the song of the pheonix fill strike fear into the heart of evil. In CoS when Harry heard the pheonix's song "it lifted the hair on Harry's scalp" that to me sounds life fear. Or maybe it is just some other connection between Harry and Tom Riddle. Who knows, but is it possible for Harry to be evil, that would defeinately be a twist


This is an interesting point and I am surpised that no one mentioned it before either inthis forum or in the book itself. I have two theories:
Perhaps Harry feels this way because he suspects that he might be evil (until recently in COS he thought he was the heir of Slytherin) and do realize that he is hiding things from and lying to professors (about hearing voices). Is Harry interested in defeating Voldemort because he is evil or simply for revenge??

Also maybe this feeling is because Harry has a feather from Fawkes and there is some special connection between them.

[GrangerGal]

Oh Please don't let Harry be evil! Plus I thought that the song helped him fight which means his heart is pure...

[jordmundt6]

There are times I feel like I'm talking to a wall on this thread. Harry is not frightened by the pheonix song. He is awed by it, but it gives him courage and helps him to fight, gives him the idea that he is not alone, that he has a friend next to him, helping him. This is symptomatic of his heart being pure (as Grangergal and numerous others have stated). It wasn't brought up before because IT'S NOT TRUE--it's a misinterpretation of the text!:angry:

[AvidSkyRise]

If Harry was evil it would completely undermine everything JK has worked to build

[jordmundt6]

Which is why some people are in love with the idea. But it makes no sense whatsoever in the context of the books.

[Weatherby]

Originally posted by jordmundt6 (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=282269#post282269))
Ahh, the Ernie Macmillan theory rears its ugly head again, but this time with new evidence. First, the theory. Haryy is a powerful Dark Wizard. Why? Well let's let Ernie speak to that one.




:lol:
Fantastic post!
I have issues with Ernie myself.
I can't beleive anyone is taking his theories seriously.

[DragonslayerX]

Originally posted by RonFan24 (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=282304#post282304))
P.S. DragonslayerX, love your banner and sig! I too am a Bronco fan.


Wow, it's weird getting a message in thread I haven't even been in in several months.

Now, as to the idea of Harry being evil. There is no such thing as pure evil, even in the Harry Potter books. Voldemort, the closest thing, isn't "evil", he is filled with a hatred, an envy, and a greediness that is so powerful it has consumed him.

Where, in Harry, have we seen any of this? In GoF, he risked his own life, as well as the Cup, in order to save Ron.

Do you think Voldemort would have or has ever risked anything for anyone else? No.

The pheonix...:rotfl: . I have heard the Star Spangled Banner countless times, and everytime it gets to the "Home of the brave" part, the hairs on my neck stand up. Do I get "affraid" at that moment in the song? No, I feel pride, I feel hope, I feel happiness. I'm willing to bet my future life savings that this is what Harry was feeling, not fear.

The parsel tongue. Ok, so he can speak parsel tongue. Tell me, besides Voldemort and Slytherin, who else do we know that has this power? So, you are basing the entire theory of parsel tongue being "evil" on two examples? Both Hitler and Napoleon had black hair. Does this mean all people with dark hair will try and rule the world? Besides, it was stated in the books that Harry got the power to speak parsel tongue from Voldemort.

And finally, the fact that Harry survived such a dark curse. He didn't survive it on his own. In fact, he had nothing to do with his survival. It was his mother that defeated Voldemort then.

Now, for the idea that Harry is just trying to defeat Voldemort for revenge. That may be true, actually. Does that make him evil? No, that makes him human. But anyways, he did not know he was after Voldemort in SS/PS, nor did he know who he was after in CoS. But he still went after the bad guy. So, revenge wasn't the reason, so why would he do it? To gain more power? Please. If he was after power, then he would have killed Tom Riddle in CoS, and tried to tame the snake before killing him. The Basilisk was obviously a powerful weapon, so why wouldn't an evil wizard try to harness that weapon for themselves?

So, in case you couldn't figure it out, or didn't bother reading the middle of this post, I am completely against the idea that Harry will turn evil. Sorry if I offended anyone.

[AbERcRoMBiE]

If the main character is evil, what about the rest?

[lanifiel]

I dont think he's evil but I think hes going to be tempted by evil...

[DocHollidaywe]

No i dont think Harry is evil, i mean we follow his life story wouldne we notice something like "Harry fell asleep almost at once, torturing muggles all day had really drained him"

[Fuchsia]

Harry has already been tempted by evil in PS and he turned it down.

[jordmundt6]

I think..oh wait. Yeah, it was a half-hearted offer. "What point is there to resisting, your parents died begging me for mercy." That kind of thing. He was mos tempted in PoA, but we've already seen him distance himself from Voldemort. Voldemort murdered his father and grandparents, but Harry personally interceded to spare Pettigrew.

Also, please note that the vast majority of Parselmouths have been evil. The only other named example is Herpo the Foul (I think his name speaks for itself, don't you?:D)--this guy is listed in Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them--but there have been others. No, Lily did not defeat Voldemort the first time. I think evidence we have suggests that what the countercurse did was slow down the Avada Kedavra, not stop it (Harry's scar is evidence that the curse reached him). This means that something else must have occurred to blast Voldemort. The only person we're aware of left in the room is Harry, so, for now, I'm assuming this was the mother of all magical reflex actions.

[Fuchsia]

If Harry was just using logic he'd know Voldemort was lying - which he did - so it isn't too tempting. But if it is something he really wants? Harry could have given in to the darkside in POA and killed Pettigrew that is true. He resisted it there too.

His only real problem is apathy. He does want to give up sometimes. He doesn't but it tempts him.

[Silk E Smooth]

We will always be in the mind of Harry. He will always have his sanity so that we the reader, will always be on top of the story.

[jordmundt6]

Not true on both counts. When Harry shuts down "example GoF his blind heartache and regret over Cedric, Rowling shifted us out to a distanced omniscient narrator for a couple of paragraphs, but by and large you're right). That doesn't mean Harry, won't flip though. She might enjoy the challenge of writing him nuts.

[Silk E Smooth]

He has freaked out before I guess. But I think the more he goes through things, the more he is being secured on the good side. After seeing what he saw, there's no way he could cross over. And he's strong enough to with stand curses.

[Prof.Aze]

Hey don't say that Harry is evil. Harry would always be good. No matter what happens.

[Ecthelion]

Hey don't say that Harry is evil. Harry would always be good. No matter what happens.

Well, I certianly hope not. Harry would never do evil on purpose. However he could accidently do or something like that. I could just see Voldemort playing mind games with Harry, since his mind is so confused about so many things as it is. I suppose that him doing evil unvoluntarily is highly possible. Potentially under the influence of drugs...whoops! (sorry, kinda bored) I mean under the influence of thinking he is saveing someone but instead leaving someone behind to die. You know, something like that.

[Black's Flight]

If Harry was evil, why would he be fighting against Voldemort? I mean, he would know if he was evil right? And DD said that it is our choices that makes up who we are. If Harry doesn't want to be bad, and I assume he doesn't because the story is told from his point of view and remember how he specificaly told the hat not to put him in Slytheryin, he wouldn't have to be. I think JK also said that Harry would not go to the dark side.

Sorry if this was already mentioned before. ;)

[Madame Malfoy]

ok, I searched and didn't find this anywhere but feel free to shut this thread down if it already exists.

Do you suppose that Harry might try his hand at being on Voldemorts side?
I can imagine it.
He has been picked on his entire life. That is enough to make anyone really angry.
The biggest thing to me, though, is the possibility that he will see how useless and blind the Ministry of Magic is, and become so frustrated that he is vulnerable to the temptations that Voldemort can offer.
I'm sure stronger wizards then Harry have been fooled and manipulated by Voldemort.

[Nickel]

This thread is called: Is Harry Evil? but I don't know if they're exactly the same.

http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?threadid=3170&highlight=harry+dark+side

Now, to answer your question...

I don't think Harry will join with Voldemort. After all he's obsessed with hearing his parents (remember with the boggart in POA) and he's been forced to live with relavives that don't really understand him because Voldemort killed his parents. For that simple reason I don't see Harry turning evil. Plus, take into account that he is the book's hero.

[Earendil]

I wouldn't be surprised--I could definitely see Harry turning to the Dark Side temporarily, and seeing the error of his ways. Sounds horridly cliched, I know, but I think JK would be able to make it work.

This is currently being discussed on this (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3170) thread, called "Is Harry Evil?"

EDIT: Looks like Nickel beat me to it! :p

[Puffskein]

I can't see Harry going to the dark side knowingly. Hasn't he known ever since he found out he was a wizard that he wants to defeat Voldemort? If anyone will go to the bad side temporarily, it's Ron (although I don't want him to).

[FirefightingMuggle]

I definately can't see Harry joining the Dark Side. He hates Voldemort way too much to join up with him. It makes no sense why would you want to befriend the man who killed your mum and dad? I definately wouldn't. I think Harry has more sense than that. Not even whiney Luke Skywalker would join the Dark Side, even when his father asked him to....why would Harry?

[Lestrange]

Why would Harry turn willingly to the Dark Side after Voldemort killed his parents? I don't know, but if this guy has been trying to murder him for like, 15 years, and Harry suddently surrendered to him, I think Voldemort would kill him...Now add to the fact that one of his friends, Cedric, died pointlessly in the hands of Voldemort, so Harry must have ALOT of hatred towards him, and I doubt that he would go over to the side of someone whom he hates so much...

[Snape's Cape]

I don't think Harry would ever join forces with Voldemort after he killed his parents. No way. However Harry does have a worrying capacity for violence and I think this will have very serious consequences sooner or later.

[Silver Phoenix]

I doubt Harry would join Voldemort. No matter what was promised to him. Voldemort killed his parents, he isn't likey to be forgiving Voldie for that. And besides in CoS Voldemort basically offered to have Harry join him and I think he might have said something about even bringing his parents back (even though we know thats impossible) o.0 and Harry refused. (Not sure if thats in the book..dun remeber. It was in the movie though, I'm pretty sure.)

[pasalita]

*merge*

[jordmundt6]

But she has unequivocally answered this question. No, Harry will never be successfully tempted to the "Dark" side. I think this was best illustrated when Harry didn't kill Black in PoA.

[Madame Malfoy]

Harry may not ever join Voldemort but do you suppose he could become one of those wizards who employes tactics which are as brutal as Voldmort and the deatheaters in order to defeat them. Fight fire with fire. The inneffectivness of the MoM could push him to turn into some sort of vigilante(sp?). Push him to take matters into his own hands.

[potterfreak24]

Originally posted by Madame Malfoy (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=380472#post380472))
Harry may not ever join Voldemort but do you suppose he could become one of those wizards who employes tactics which are as brutal as Voldmort and the deatheaters in order to defeat them. Fight fire with fire. The inneffectivness of the MoM could push him to turn into some sort of vigilante(sp?). Push him to take matters into his own hands.


Thats what I was thinking. I can see Harry remaining good overall, but sick and tired of battling evil honestly...I can see him stooping to "evil" levels in order to defeat evil itself...by begin deceitful, and using unforgivable curses. No one will challeng him because He's Harry Potter, and I think that people would understand what hes ben through....and give him thatleway in what he is allowed to do.

[Puffskein]

That's a good point, but Harry did save Pettigrew's life. He knows that two wrongs don't make a right. But he could end up frustrated and go down the Crouch Snr road. I hope not, but I won't rule it out.

[Madame Malfoy]

Originally posted by Puffskein (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=381759#post381759))
That's a good point, but Harry did save Pettigrew's life. He knows that two wrongs don't make a right. But he could end up frustrated and go down the Crouch Snr road. I hope not, but I won't rule it out.


Exactly.
Harry did the "right" thing when he saved Pettigrews life. Now he is going to have to watch the consequences of that little action. Cedric died, Vold returned and lots more horrible stuff is about to happen.
Harry may go into a self loathing state where he blames himself and decides not to worry so much about doing the "right" thing anymore.

[jordmundt6]

He might have to face that choice again, but the early signs indicate that he's cut from the James/Albus cloth. Though he desperately wanted to, he couldn't bring himself to kill Sirius and he deliberately intervened to save Lupin and Black from themselves.

[casimir]

yeah i think he might go evil the sorting hat thought he was suppose to be slytherin and maybe he was going to vanquish voldemort cause hes gonna be a really powerful dark wizard

hehe dark magic is cool

[padfoot_dawg]

It's really not possible for Harry to turn evil. But, then again, It would be an interesting twist in the story. Or maybe he turns evil in the 7th book, forcing JK to end the series! Hmmm...... Or maybe-not. Well, you never know! It might happen. It's not really expected, but.......Oh well. I'll just have to wait till till the 7th book comes out. In a few years. Ah,man! That stinks!

[elkator]

i think he is evil. as u might notice he has a much shorter temper. and he dosent take dudley's ****.

[MadMagic]

I don't think having a short temper means Harry is evil. I think he is at an emotional age when most teenagers do tend to have short tempers and yell a lot. Like Fuchsia said before, he has been tempted with evil before (in PS/SS) and he turned it down. I can't see Harry turning evil, at least no while his is in control of himself.

[Snowy Xmas]

It's absolutely no chance. If Harry turns evil, how can Rowling continue this story?

[kvl_514]

i cant believe this is even a topic...c'mon harry turning evil?? fat chance! :no:

[WeasleyIsOurKing]

I couldn't see Harry turning evil. Voldemort wouldn't want that, after all. I mean, Harry is only the person who can vanquish him. And how would we know that Voldemort wouldn't turn on Harry and kill him? Or vice versa? This is not Star Wars here. Voldemort has caused too much pain and suffering to Harry, and Harry would never be that dumb. He may be tempted to join Voldemort, but in the end I don't think it will ever happen.

[hermione_fan]

I'm pretty sure that Harry is not evil. Wouldn't it kind of ruin the plot if the book's hero is evil?

[bellatrix669]

How could Harry be evil if he was able to drive Voldemort out when he thought of his love for Sirius? As Dumbledore has pointed out several times, evil and goodness are inherently incompatible. This is probably the reason why Harry and Voldemort cannot coexist. I'm not saying that Harry is absolutely good, but I am saying that he has enough goodness and bravery to be able to face and (hopefully) defeat that which is absolute evil (Voldemort). So, to answer the original question, Harry won't go over to the Dark side. That would be an insult to his parents and Sirius.

[kittykat]

Well, as the last few posters have written, I don't think Harry will be turning evil anytime soon. It really doesn't suit the story, where would the point be? But in reality, (even though I know this is a book) but looking at it from a realistic perseptive when determining people's behaviours and actions (I think that makes sense), Harry could very well turn evil and join with Voldemort. Who knows, maybe he could get a brain hemmorage and go completely skitz, he could be captured and brainwashed and become Voldie's right-hand man and rule over the DE's, he could become so completely eaten up with bitterness (you know, having his parents murdered, Sirius dying, the years of abuse at the Dursley's, being a laughing stock and always having to defend himself to everyone, constantly getting into dangerous situations, seeing people murdered etc..., and knowing he's headed the same way) that he turns away from being good and saving the world and all that and turns completely evil, so evil that he rivals old Voldie for being the epitimony of evilness, or maybe he could develop a split personality and go around talking to his various selves (like Gollum!) and proclaiming he's going to take over the world. Or maybe, just maybe, none of this will happen. Actually, I can probably guarentee it won't because unless JK goes round the bend herself she's not going to be committing career suicide anytime soon. 100,000 million screaming, unreasonable, blood-crazed little kids (and alot of adults I'd wager ) chasing after her isn't something I'd wish on anybody. So, yes, Harry's not going to become evil. I think that was the point I was trying to make somewhere back there. :)

[Zachary1993]

No he would not want to do something that would disapoint his father or Sirius Black and he has others that can help him cope with Sirius Black's death.

[padfoot1008]

I really don't think that harry will ever become evil, or even be tempted... he's way too good. For example when harry went into snapes pensive and saw him being turned upside down (which i thought was pretty awesome :rotfl: ), he risked ALOT to just try and talk to sirius about why his dad was being "o so mean", to beloved snape. I think harry will always remain good. :angel:

[saphira]

Nope. I could never see Harry going evil. He despises evil way too much to go over to them. I mean, look at the end of Book 5. Harry risked his life to go after Bellatrix for what she did to Sirus. Nope, no amount of persuading will persuade me. (Ha! That Rhymes! Well..not really...but you know what I mean!)

[giantsquid28]

LV killed Harry's parents. I think the odds of Harry joining the DEs are about as good as Uncle Vernon becoming a wizard. :rotfl:

[seas of light]

Sorry, I don't have time to read every post, so if this has already been said I'm sorry.

Harry can't be evil! That would be a strange twist but it would ruin the series. Now I can see Harry wondering if it just wouldn't be easier to join the dark forces but then deciding against it.
But really if Harry wouldn't join Voldie at the hopes of seeing his parents again in SS/PS would he really do it for any other reason?

P.S. GiantSquid that would be hillarious :rotfl:

[sykosis17]

I highly think it unlikely that Harry will join the dark lord but he probably might use an unforgivable curse successfully just like the Dark Lord and the Death Eaters. He might stoop to their level out of sheer hatred.

[sone]

Is Harry Evil? or Would Harry ever join Voldemort?

The answer to that is in Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone or Philosopher's Stone depending on which book you have in your possession. Hint: Harry made his decision to Ron and Hermione.

[GryffindorGr]

Harry can possibly turn evil if he wanted. Decisions can always be changed through out the years and hard experiences make you turn your attitude.
We'll see won't we?
Harry definitely has some evil thoughts going on in OotP and it was quite scary for a minute but was momentarily gone as it came.

[giantsquid28]

Harry definitely has some evil thoughts going on in OotP and it was quite scary for a minute but was momentarily gone as it came.

Weren't those thoughts some of the ones that Voldie was manipulating?

[GryffindorGr]

Weren't those thoughts some of the ones that Voldie was manipulating?

if its the part where he wanted wickedly to keep a secret from Ron to make him feel how he felt, then yes, or other small instances but were immediately dispelled as he looked at his friends and realized himself, as if slapping those niggling evil thoughts away. It happens. People get like that. It's a revenge kind of thinking but no matter how you slice it, it's dark.

[Amadeus]

In my opinion, Harry isn't evil but he certainly is dark enough. He exactly isn't an optimist. As we already know, he does share many qualities with Voldemort other than the Parselmouth. I don't think he would every join Voldemort, since Voldemort is the reason that Harry had to suffer during his childhood and youth but he certainly has potential to become powerful and do great things (whether dark or not) as Olivanders had mentioned in PS.

[yrome]

ok, has anyone considered that Voldemort has NEVER asked Harry to join him! Harry says he'll never "go to the Dark side," but Voldy has not posed the question.
The only thing Voldy has asked him to do was learn some dueling manners before he tried to kill him. Voldemort has not, thus far, even tried to recruit Harry.

[aggiefan1206]

Highly doubt it book one kind of in way rules that out. He would never do that Harry make sbetter choices then that and plus after all this time fighting against Voldemort why would he join. Their would be no point really. Harry is a good wizard i think that has been made clear. He is a true gryffindore and he would never do such a thing and since he can already break the imperous curse no one could make him. He is definatly not evil. Look at the way he values his friendships and how important his friends are. harry for the most part puts his friends first and would do anything for them. He has too much love and too much desire to do whats right even if its noa lways easy.

[weasley]

If Harry ever became evil, he wouldn't be doing it with him knowing. He'd never ever join Voldemort.

[popping corn]

i like what kittykat [post 95] has said, it gives an interesting perspective. and i agree that it is quite farfetched but nonetheless.

personally i believe that harry would NEVER join voldemort, and he would think of it as an insult to sirius' memory, with harry being a loyal person and all.
his character doesnt fit this sort of activity but i think that this is a very good observation:

I highly think it unlikely that Harry will join the dark lord but he probably might use an unforgivable curse successfully just like the Dark Lord and the Death Eaters. He might stoop to their level out of sheer hatred.

i agree with this seeing as harry already used an unforgivable curse against bellatrix in ootp.

[stepha_hpfan]

ok, has anyone considered that Voldemort has NEVER asked Harry to join him! Harry says he'll never "go to the Dark side," but Voldy has not posed the question.
The only thing Voldy has asked him to do was learn some dueling manners before he tried to kill him. Voldemort has not, thus far, even tried to recruit Harry.

You must read books with more thoroughness... In PS/SS Voldemort said Harry, that it was better to safe his life and join him ... :huh:

One point that migh be considered, is the fact that Voldemort kill his parents, try to kill Harry is several times and the prophecy that said that only one(Voldemort or Harry) will survive...

[yrome]

[QUOTE=stepha_hpfan]You must read books with more thoroughness... In PS/SS Voldemort said Harry, that it was better to safe his life and join him ... :huh:

Can you please quote the canon, page and verse, that says that? i don't have my book on me right now. I can't ever recall Voldy asking Harry to join him, just to give him the stone along with some taunting. If i am wrong, then i am wrong...but
please provide the quote.

[chupachup07]

I would hope that his hatred for Lord Voldemort would cancel out any desire Harry would have to join him.

[stepha_hpfan]

Can you please quote the canon, page and verse, that says that? i don't have my book on me right now. I can't ever recall Voldy asking Harry to join him, just to give him the stone along with some taunting. If i am wrong, then i am wrong...but
please provide the quote.

OK..but the only version that I got of these book is in spanish so I don`t think it`ll coincide with yours...But you can find these in chapter 17

-Don`t be foolish-the face sa-.It`s better to safe your life and join to me... or you will have the same end of your parents...

And you migh consider, the fact that these apper in the movie too

[LilCubanita67]

If Harry turned evil that would defeat every thought that I ever had about HP. I mean, I don't think Voldy would want Harry on his side anyway. And if he does accept Harry, then it would be the end of the wizarding world as we know it.

[sere35]

Am I the only one who wants Harry to go evil. ALso he does not have to join Voldermort to be evil. He could be a rival dark lord.

Another thing why does everyone say JK would not do this or that or that it would ruin her job. SHe has enough money she could of stopped writing the books after the 4th and have more money then she could ever spend. Also I dont realy think she cares what a bunch of pta moms and stuff thinks about what she writes. She has always said she is writing the books for herself not for others.

[Asleepinapeach]

In my opinion, Harry isn't evil but he certainly is dark enough. He exactly isn't an optimist. As we already know, he does share many qualities with Voldemort other than the Parselmouth. I don't think he would every join Voldemort, since Voldemort is the reason that Harry had to suffer during his childhood and youth but he certainly has potential to become powerful and do great things (whether dark or not) as Olivanders had mentioned in PS.

I think that's very true, a grim outlook was forced upn Harry. I agree with everyone on this thread who's said that there's no way Harry will side with Voldemort,(he's most of the reason Harry's rancor), but he can be evil without declaring allegiance to anyone but himself. Frankly if JKR kills off anyone else close to him I won't really blame him. He's now only got Ron and Hermione to live for and that might get awkward. The other thing being I always thought maybe some foreign substance induced him act the way he did in book five. As Harry's going to sleep at some point he reads that the ingridients of some potion make tempers rise to a boil but I've never been able to find that part again. If anyone knew that page number I'd be soo grateful. :rotfl:

[luv2read]

Harry won't side with Voldemort. He is vehemently against him. BUT, Harry does possess a lot of anger, rage and hatred to do evil things. Though, he has a good heart which I think will keep him from ever being truly evil. I do think that we will see Harry become enraged and perhaps reckless which may lead to evil acts. Though, I think those acts would distinctly be against Voldemort in an act of revenge or self defense. The plot can take so many different turns, it's impossible to predict with any accuracy.

[mrsharrypotter]

Well, I hope not because when you think about it, he is the wizarding world's last hope but I think if he finds that joining Voldemort would get his parents back, than I think he would do it although I hope he doesn't

[asrivathsan]

NO WAY! then the book will be Dumbledore and whatever..... He will be the only one left.
Anyways..I think That of course Harry is not evil...he just likes to be with these groups (the weak people....as someone sais..a muggleborn, poor, half giant, house elf etc) because He has been mistreated all his life by the Dusleys; therefore, he is against anyone that could harm weak people....complicated....

true!

[Spirit]

All I have to say is this:

" 'So what?' Harry shouted. 'Don't you understand? If Snape gets hold of the Stone, Voldemort's coming back! Haven't you heard what it was like when he was trying to take over? There won't be any Hogwarts to get expelled from! He'll flatten it, or turn it into a school for the Dark Arts! Losing points doesn't matter anymore, don't you see? D'you think he'll leave you and your families alone if Gryffindor wins the house cup? If I get caught before I can get to the Stone, well, I'll have to go back to the Dursleys and wait for Voldemort to find me there, it's only dying a bit later than I would have, because I'm never going over to the Dark Side! I'm going through that trapdoor tonight and nothing you two say is going to stop me! Voldemort killed my parents, remember?' "
~PS/SS pg. 270 US

[sere35]

SPIRIT that was five years ago. Alot has changed since then.

[DeathEater7]

i think the death of sirius plays a key role of him turning evil. (and i do think he will turn) although i think he and voldemort are not gonna join forces. cuz after all, voldemort did kill his parents. and there was a star wars reference on this thread and think that makes total sense. the counter was that anakin's transformation from good to evil was gradual. wut do you think harry is?? he's going thru a gradual change. it can be seen ever since the first death in GoF.

[deej]

I don't believe Harry is evil at this very moment, but I do believe he has displayed some evil tendencies. In sparing Petigrew, his thought was not to save his life, but as we all no there are fates far worse than death and he wanted Petigrew to undergo the dementors kiss.

Harry displays a total disregard for the rules, if they stand in the way of his ultimate goal to kill Voldemort. His utter disregard for authority has jeopordized the safety of those he considers to be his friends.

Harry has been tempted to join Voldemort in past books, but he did not neccessarily decline. He declared Voldemort to be a liar. I am not sure how Harry would react if he new that together he and Voldemort could bring his parents back.

In short I agree with a previous poster that Harry is not evil, but does have evil in him, his choices govern who he is and thus far he has chosen not to be evil.

[hermione908]

Although Harry has many evil moments he won't ever join Voldemort by choice. Because of what the Sorting Hat said about how he could be in Slytherin there must be evil in him, but Death Eater level-no. And that's not because he doesn't have it in him, it's because of what they've done. Harry's an orphan. He has no mother and no father because of Voldemort. It was Belatrix Lestranges, a death eater, who cornered Sirius, forcing him to fall into the veil. I don't think Harry would ever join the people who are making him miserable without some sort of force.

[PHJ10]

I dont think that he will ever turn truly evil, over to LV's side. He hates him enough and he can throw his Imperius Curse. That, and JKR has talked repeatedly of 'Star Wars' endings, and is pretty against them in her books as far as I see. So Im thinking no.

[Aebhel]

I don't think Harry would ever join Voldemort. I think the thing that confuses people about Harry is that he has a darkness to him, unlike, say, Ron. He has a temper, he can throw a pretty impressive tantrum, and he's very intense about...well, everything. But that doesn't make him evil. For example, I have a nasty temper, but I would never torure anyone to death. It's all a matter of degrees. No one is flawless. It's just that Harry's flaws tend to get him into a lot of trouble, so we focus on them more.

Some people have used the Anakin Skywalker example, but to me, that makes absolutely no sense. First of all, Star Wars is a completely different story, with a completely different premise--what works for that story would NOT work for Harry Potter. Second, Anakin was seduced by the power of the Dark Side, and he had a cruel streak even when he was young. Harry has absolutely no interest in having power over people, and even at the height of his rage over Sirius' death, he couldn't produce the Cruciatus Curse. Besides which, I can't see JKR writing that.

[sirius_gerl]

I doubt he ever will. Voldemort wants to kill Harry. I don't see a day coming that Harry will be welcome in Voldemorts presence.

[MissingOctober]

SPIRIT that was five years ago. Alot has changed since then.
Alot has changed!? If anything, worse has happened! Voldemort proves that he doesn't blink at the sound of a body hitting the floor. He has killed Cedric, Bertha, Frank- it is basically his fault that one of his followers (Bellatrix) pushed Sirius through that veil. Sure it was her actions, but who were those actions for to support? Voldemort has caused more pain for Harry now, and I doubt that all of that makes Harry just want to take a big leap over to his side. Okay, Harry can whine and pout all that he wants, but there is no way that his little tantrums will progress into the Dark Side.

[sere35]

Evil does not mean Voldermort. Yes Voldermort is evil. But Harry can be evil with out joing him. Harry can be evil all on his own. WHo says he has to joing VOldermort or the death eaters to be evil.

[tarachristwen]

nah...i don't think so..voldermort killed his parents so he absolutely would not join forces with :evil: voldermort

[xXx]

i dont think harry will be evil and join forces with voldemont because.
--voldemont murdered harry's parents.
--voldemont is the reason why harry has a crucial life
--voldemont has tried to kill harry(many times)
--harry has a saving-people's-life thing.
--HP is a children's book, so children wouldn't want to read their idol/hero to turn evil..

[Aebhel]

Harry doesn't have the nature to turn evil. Besides, there aren't just two sides--evil and good--with nothing in between them. There are always shades of gray, even though Harry doesn't necessarily see them. For Harry to become evil, he would have to enjoy causing pain, for no other reason than to cause it. He would not care about anyone or anything except himself. I've seen no evidence that he's tending in that direction. He is capable of rage and hatred but...so is everyone. Hate to break it to you, but anyone is capable of hatred if they're pushed far enough. He is an essentially good person, overall, and people don't just decide to become evil if they aren't inclined in that direction already.

Again, it WOULD NOT WORK for this story. What would be the point? Okay, we've all fallen in love with this character, we've laughed and cried with him for God knows how many years, and in the end...what? He just decides to join the Dark Side and starts to set up his own little empire to rival Voldemort? What would be the point of that?

[sere35]

You dont have to enjoy causing pain to be evil. There are many kinds of evil.. As to why would Harry go evil? Because he wants to. Does he realy need a reason?

[hilkaryIC]

I don't think that Harry will turn evil, or join LV, but that does not mean that I don't think he will dabble in the dark arts. Drak arts have not been simply defined for us, nor do I think that they will or can. But is attepting to contact the dead considered a dark art. Which I think that Harry will definintly try and do. Check out some of the veil essays in Plot thickens. I think that Sirius' death and the veil will play a huge role in Harry looking at other forms of magic. It is said that the veil between the living and the dead can intermix on Halloween. Maybe this Halloween Harry will attept to cross the bridge. Does this mean he is evil, no, rebellious and depressed maybe...

[legstump]

If anything HP is starting to remind me more and more of a young Batman. Scarred by the brutal killing of loving parents, shaped and plagued by their desire to avenge themselves on their families murders. Living with the pain and demons that ravish from within. Emerging with a fierce hatred of all injustice and doing what ever it takes to protect the innocent. No Mr. Harry potter is not going to join LV by any means or stretch of the imagination.

[togtogtogtog]

Potter is not evil, will not turn evil, and will not join the dark side.

First and foremost, Jo wouldn't do that to her loyal fans. Secondly, Potter has never shown an ounce of evil in him. Let's take a look at the books.

First book, Spirit explains it pretty well. He said he will never join the dark side. LV killed his parents. If he wants to kill LV, it's cuz he wants revenge. And this isn't some GL Star wars stuff, wanting to take revenge won't mean you'll turn evil. Harry also chose to be in Gryffindor, not Slytherin. Like Dumbledore said, it's our choices that show who we truly are.

Second book, Potter summoned Fawkes to him, only someone extremely loyal to Dumbledore could've done that. He also pulled Gryffindor's sword out of the hat, only someone that truly deserves to be in Gryffindor can do that. And from what I read throughout the books, Gryffindor was the good guy.

Third book. Yes, Potter did seem to be really annoyed at Granger for getting his Firebolt taken. But take a look at the circumstances. Potter was in danger of being murdered by Black, Granger only wanted to make sure the Firebolt was safe. Potter did seem to geniunely want to amend things with Granger when he won the Quidditch Cup. He did seem to overreact when he met Black, but that was when Potter thought Black had betrayed his parents. The hate was fueled even more when Potter found out that Black had been Potter's parents best friend.

Fourth book. Potter shared the Triwizard cup with Diggory, and that takes skills. Especially when Diggory could've come out as the mightier of the two champions, and keep Cho as his girlfriend. Potter fought LV, and risked his own life to bring Diggory's body back with him. Potter also experiences "love". That's something LV would never understand.

Fifth book, Potter gets a bit emotional with Weasley and Granger, and with Dumbledore near the end, but that's because Potter was 15, and teenagers can be very emotional sometimes, something to do with hormones...Potter also loved Black like a father.

There are no signs whatsoever that should lead anyone to believe Potter can become evil.

[sere35]

togtogtogtog I am one of her loyal fans and have been for years and I want Harry to go evil and so do a bunch of other people.

Yes he has shown evil. Urges to kill and so on.

[rjade829]

Harry would never go evil and would never join Voldemort. Isn't that the whole point of the books? Good vs. evil, Harry being the good, the hero, etc. etc.? JKR's given plenty of hints in the books and her interviews that Harry's a good kid. Yeah, he has a temper, but don't we all?

[togtogtogtog]

Potter has shown urges to kill ONLY out of revenge.

Black was thought to have betrayed Lily and James, Harry couldn't stand around and do nothing now could he?

LV killed Lily and James and countless others. He was the reason Neville's parents are in St. Mungo's. He was the reason wizarding and muggle families have suffered. Harry wants revenge for himself and everyone else that have suffered.

If you read carefully, his urges to kill all had good reason behind them, and none of them show that Harry will turn evil.

[haha]

Potter has shown urges to kill ONLY out of revenge.

Black was thought to have betrayed Lily and James, Harry couldn't stand around and do nothing now could he?

LV killed Lily and James and countless others. He was the reason Neville's parents are in St. Mungo's. He was the reason wizarding and muggle families have suffered. Harry wants revenge for himself and everyone else that have suffered.

If you read carefully, his urges to kill all had good reason behind them, and none of them show that Harry will turn evil.\
i have to agree that i can't see Harry turn evil at any time. Yes he has been mad, but he's a teenager who has always been involved and now he feels as if he's being excluded and noone cares about him. A bit petty but again he's a teenager, how reasonable can you expect a teen to be. Trust me i know, I'm one myself :p
I don't think getting mad is the same thing as turning evil. The only possible reason i can see him go over to Voldemort's side is if he was spying on them for the Order, but even then can you really expect LV to take him in. He would naturally suspect that he was there as a spy and just kill him like he's laways wanted to do since the day he killed Harry's parent.

[Aebhel]

You dont have to enjoy causing pain to be evil. There are many kinds of evil.. As to why would Harry go evil? Because he wants to. Does he realy need a reason?

So what do you have to do to become "evil"? Define it. Evil isn't some amorphous invisible blob that randomly settles over formerly good individuals and makes them to horrible things. A person is evil because they do evil things. Humans are defined by their actions. Nobody sits down and thinks it through and says "...Hmm, you know, now that I think about it, I'd like to be evil. So how do I go about doing that?"

So.

Harry is not evil unless he does evil things.

Harry does not do evil things.

Harry does not want to do evil things.

Therefore, Harry is not evil.

Yes he has shown evil. Urges to kill and so on.

Imagine this: You're an orphan. You've been raised by abusive foster parents, you don't remember your real parents--all you know is that they were murdered while protecting you. Then you find out that they died because their best friend betrayed them. This man is standing in front of you, threatening to kill you. What would you do?

I'd try to kill him. And unlike Harry, I probably wouldn't stop myself just in time. I don't consider myself an evil person, but anyone, ANYONE can be pushed to murder. It's just that most people never get a hard enough push.

And other than this, what evidence do we have? He yells at his friends. He gets grumpy and frusterated. He hates the person who killed his parents, and he trashed Dumbledore's office after watching his godfather die. Yeah, that sure sounds like evidence of an evil soul to me.

[sere35]

You can't define evil. Why you ask? Because good and evil are objective. Who decides what is evil. Some people might think Voldermort is a saint and that Harry is evil. Some cultures encourage murder if your clever enough to get away with it.

[Aebhel]

And that's the root of the flaw in this whole debate.

[sere35]

Yes it is. But I still want Harry to go evil. Or at least what the normal wizard would consider evil.
How they consider Voldermort to be evil.

[Aebhel]

Why?

[sere35]

I don't realy know. It's just what I want to happen.

[sirius_gerl]

I doubt Harry will go onto Voldemorts side, after all, Voldemort wants to kill Harry, for some strange reason he's obsessed with it. I don't think Harry will. He's been doing everything he can to protect himself..not inclusing occlumency

[FootbagFanatic09]

Hahaha! Why would Harry ever join someone who want's him dead above all else. And like he's gonna join the wizard that wiped out his mom and dad. Why would anyone think that.

[Flawkes]

No, I dont think Harry will ever join Voldemort, or he could pretend to join him then kill Voldemort once and for all!

[LexiBlack]

I don't really think that this is even a possible scenario. Seeing how Harry is the only one who can destroy Voldemort, if Harry joins Voldemort then the magical world is in trouble. Harry is their only hope. I believe Harry has too much good in him to actually turn evil. He has done so much good since the first book. If were evil, then I don't think he would want to save people all the time! And if the hero of the book turned out to be evil, I think a lot of people would be really disappointed! Although, it is JKR's story, if she wants him to be evil then I guess he will be, but I honestly don't think she decided to make him turn evil!!

[FootbagFanatic09]

Look at the question you're asking. Harry turn to Voldemort. Voldemort killed the potters, i really think he will join with the man that made him an orphan. No Harry will not go to him.

[aggiefan1206]

I would have to say the answer to that would be about the same as the is Lily going to be a death eaters question to Jk. How Dare you. Its not in Harrys nature.