The Harry Potter book series came to an end in 2007 with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, in which the epilogue gave readers a taste of Harry’s life a few years later, but J.K. Rowling made sure that fans knew what Harry’s post-Hogwarts life was like beyond that. Harry pursued a career as Auror, something he had been dreaming of for years, but he would have performed better in another job also related to the dark arts.
Throughout seven books and eight films, Harry Potter fans got to know the title character and his closest friends quite well, following them through their teenage years and all the ups and down that happen during that phase. Harry first expressed his interest in becoming an Auror during his fifth year at Hogwarts, and as revealed by Rowling a few years later, Harry achieved this and even went on to become Head of the Auror Office and later Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
Although becoming an Auror fits with Harry’s interests, skills, and experience, he would have probably been even better at a slightly different job that was also linked to the dark arts.
Harry Potter Should Have Been Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts
Aurors investigate crimes related to the Dark Arts and hunt down and capture Dark Wizards – it’s a job that deals with high-risk situations and that requires academic excellence, as well as a specific level of skills. In short, it’s not easy to become an Auror, and Harry knew that. However, those who fought in the final battle of the Second Wizarding War were allowed to become Aurors without getting their N.E.W.T.s (a subject-specific exam to help witches and wizards pursue certain careers after graduation), as surviving the battle was more than enough proof that they had the skills and character required. Along with his friend Ron Weasley, Harry helped reform and revolutionize the Auror Department and the rest of the Ministry of Magic. But as much as being an Auror suits Harry, he could have also been an amazing professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Harry had previously demonstrated he had the patience and talent to teach. During his fifth year at Hogwarts, he trained a group of students – self-named Dumbledore’s Army – in practical defensive magic. Under his tutelage, all members of Dumbledore’s Army gained a lot of skills, especially Neville Longbottom and the Creevey brothers. Harry’s experience not only with other professors but with the Dark Arts as they were would have also made him the professor Hogwarts so needed on the subject – who better than the boy who lived to teach generations of young wizards how to defend themselves against dark creatures, wizards, curses, hexes, and more?
Although his job as Head of the Auror Office gave him the opportunity to deliver Defense Against the Dark Arts lectures at Hogwarts, he would have had a bigger impact on students as full-time teacher. Or, maybe, if not a career change, he could have had a side-job as professor at Hogwarts – just a thought. Although J.K. Rowling is constantly changing Harry Potter canon, a career change for Harry probably won’t happen, but it’s something to keep in mind when revisiting the books and films.
Next: Harry Potter Theory: Wizards & Muggles Had A War (& We Won)
