Ask any Potterhead, and most will tell you with great passion that J.K. Rowling’s books are better than the movies that came from it. Because as is natural with book-to-movie-adaptations, the movies left out beloved scenes from the source material, while some even changed how things turn out, much to the disappointment of readers.
To remedy this, Harry Potter fan artist Katie Knudson decided to draw some of these fan-favourite scenes from the book, following the exact dialogue and representing emotions as close as possible to what J.K. Rowling wrote.
J.K. Rowling would probably be proud of the resulting comics, as they are gorgeous recreations which perfectly capture the impactful moments that fans have always wanted to see. It’s a heartwarming reminder of why we came to love these characters, and why the books captured out hearts in first place.
Luna’s Unyielding Kindness
Knudson was first inspired by this scene to start drawing comics, highlighting the important, yet often forgotten character development moments.
In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry struggled through his fifth year at Hogwarts, as many refused to believe him when he said that Voldemort had returned, instead painting him as a liar, and an attention-seeker.
As Harry was walking with Ron and Hermoine, Luna Lovegood emerges looking exactly how the book describes, with “a smudge of earth on her nose, and her hair tied in a knot on the top of her head”, wearing a pair of orange radish earrings. In front of many others, she outright proclaims her belief in Harry, and despite his awkward response, her support would’ve meant a great deal to him.
Neville’s Hidden Story
Until later in the series, Neville Longbottom was the shy, clumsy boy that we somehow always felt sorry for. This scene from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was heartwrenching, as we finally get a glimpse of Neville’s parents when he visits them in the hospital with his grandmother.
Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Hermoine bump into them as they were there to see Gilderoy Lockhart. Harry already knew of this, but the rest are shocked to learn that Neville’s parents were tortured to insanity by Voldemort’s followers.
Neville shows a blend of both shame at his friends discovering his parents, but he also keeps the sweet wrapper his frail mother gives him, so it’s complicated. To learn of what Neville had to go through growing up, masking this horrific tragedy, makes us see him in a whole new light, and the look on his friends’ faces in the comic’s last frame says it all.
Hermoine’s Unexpected Smack
You wouldn’t normally expect Hermoine to resort to physical violence, as she’d much rather resolve things with her words instead. That’s why this bit came as quite a surprise, but it’s also very much of a “Hell yeah!” moment as the insufferable Malfoy gets what he deserves.
In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Hagrid is distraught after Buckbeak is sentenced for execution, and Hermoine absolutely will not stand for Draco Malfoy’s snide comments. She gives him a whopping slap across the face as she stands up for her friend, and Malfoy ends up backing off meekly instead of retaliating.
This scene did make it into the movie but was rewritten into a punch instead.
It’s also worth noting that Knudson chose to draw Hermoine as a black character. Since the book has no mention of character ethnicities, she wanted to show more diversity, which ended up being especially apt when Noma Dumezweni was later cast as Hermoine in the play The Cursed Child!
Harry and Ginny’s Big Moment
The first kiss Harry and Ginny Weasley shared in the movie was so serious, and fans were furious as their first kiss in the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was an exhilarating moment in the Gryffindor common room in front of the whole house. While everyone was celebrating Gryffindor’s Quidditch victory, Ginny ran to hug Harry, who gives her a kiss without a second thought.
Everyone is stunned into silence, and both Dean Thomas (Ginny’s ex) and Romilda Vane, who has an obsessive crush on Harry, are furious. But the best part is the “Oh well, if you must” look of approval from Ron, an important moment for Harry as he’s overjoyed and relieved to get that from his best friend.
Luna’s Infectious Excitement
This scene is also from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, where Luna once again shows her kindness towards Hermoine by comforting her, her keen observance, and brutal honesty about how she feels. The way she beams in the comic after Harry invites her to Slughorn’s party gives us all sorts of warm fuzzy feelings.
Having struggled with making friends in the past due to her eccentricities, she is genuinely excited to be invited by Harry and even adorably asks if she should dye her eyebrow yellow like his, which was actually caused by an accident in Transfigurations class.
Luna’s Relentless Honesty
It’s not hard to guess that Luna might be one of the artists’ favourite characters, as here’s a third Luna comic from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince as well. She reflects fondly on D.A. (Dumbledore’s Army), the secret group formed by Harry, Hermione and Ron to teach fellow students Defence Against the Dark Arts following Dolores Umbridge’s refusal to give proper lessons.
“It was like having friends,” she says, and it makes us want to give her a big hug.
This honesty leaves Harry and Neville speechless, as J.K. Rowling wrote that the things Luna often says “make Harry feel a squirming mixture of pity and embarrassment.”
McGonagall’s Fierce Support
Professor McGonagall supporting Harry against Dolores Umbridge was a glorious moment in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Initially, she was neutral about Harry’s goal of becoming an Auror, giving him general remarks in his career advice session.
But irked by Umbridge’s constant insults and interruptions, she stands up, towering over Umbridge and gives her the smackdown that she will do whatever she can to help Potter become an Auror. Her stern facial expressions here filled with impatience like she can no longer stand any more of Umbridge’s nonsense is pure gold.
Harry did end up becoming an Auror, so McGonagall’s insistence on Harry’s success was right after all. Goes to show that having someone believe in you can go a long way.
Hermoine and Ron’s Beautiful Kiss
Hermione and Ron first kiss scene was not given justice in the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows film. In the book, this was such a defining moment for Ron’s character and their relationship. Ron had always been immature, and it has stood in the way of the two of them as he didn’t seem to care for Hermione’s interests.
But this scene shows Ron growing up, expressing concern for the house elves instead of his usual apathy. The house elves are important to Hermione, being the founder of S.P.E.W (Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare), so this touched Hermione beyond words and was a huge milestone in their relationship.
Knudson plans to work on more comics, which you can find on her Tumblr blog, and you can also support her work through her Patreon page.
Joyce is a language nerd whose idea of a good time includes speed-solving Rubik’s cubes and binging Netflix, all fuelled by drinking many, many mugs of tea.
Edwin Teo
