Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Theme of Friendship

Making friends is arguably one of the best things about going to Hogwarts. Without friends, life can be pretty sad. Having someone to side with, to share with, and to study with – someone who has your back, and who needs you to cover his/hers – is huge. Yet for Harry Potter and some of the other characters who've been set apart by their magical abilities, making real friends is only possible at wizarding school. Wizard friends are lifesavers, literally: who else can you collaborate with to defeat three-headed dogs or evil overlords? By making friends, the characters get to work together, learn from each other, and accomplish more than they ever would have on their own.

Questions About Friendship

  1. Do you think Harry, Ron, and Hermione are friends with Neville? How would you describe their relationship?
  2. Why aren't Harry and Malfoy friends, really?
  3. How differently would things have turned out if Harry had ended up in Slytherin?
  4. Which character would you like to be friends with and why? Which character would you most like to have on your side?