FROM HOGWARTS TO HERE🪄

HOW THE WIZARDING WORLD SENDS US A WARNING

May 09, 2025

Fever Dreams and Revelations

I’m outing myself today—I am a Harry Potter fan. Admittedly, it took me a while, and I do not wear robes and carry a wand, so all is still good and healthy. Despite my love for reading, I assumed these were just children’s books. At some point, someone gifted me the first volume (which appeared in 1997). I ignored it until I needed something to pass the time. And then it happened: I was hooked. So hooked that I began pre-ordering the new releases to devour them the moment they hit the shelves. Admittedly, I found some of the later books a bit long-winded, and they ended with The Deathly Hallows in 2007. If you have never read the books or watched the films, this post might sound like gibberish to you.

A few weeks ago, while battling a nasty bout of the flu, I decided to escape reality with a full Harry Potter film marathon. What started as a cozy distraction quickly transformed into something eerily enlightening. Of course, I had seen the parallels before, yet as Order of the Phoenix (published in 2003) played out before my feverish eyes, I found myself gripped by a strange sense of déjà vu. Had I seen this before? Not in fiction, but in real life?

The Ministry of Magic, once a symbol of governance and order, morphs into a shadowy force of control, surveillance, and denial. Truth becomes treason, dissent becomes dangerous, and the greatest threat is not Voldemort, but the Ministry's refusal to name him.

Rowling, whether she meant to or not, seems almost prophetic. Her portrayal of a collapsing democracy under the weight of fear and control mirrors developments we now witness in big parts of Europe, especially in Germany. The tools of suppression in the wizarding world—educational decrees, propaganda, and public shaming—are not as fictional as they once seemed. The lines between magical metaphor and political reality are disturbingly blurred.

The Ministry of Magic: From Governance to Control

In Order of the Phoenix, Cornelius Fudge, the Minister for Magic, is so afraid of the truth—that Voldemort has returned—that he chooses a policy of complete denial.

“You have been told that a certain dark wizard has returned from the dead. This is a lie.”— Cornelius Fudge

Rather than prepare for the danger, he suppresses information, discredits witnesses, and installs Dolores Umbridge—the bureaucratic toad-like tyranny in pink—at Hogwarts to enforce the Ministry's narrative.

Fudge’s choice to bury his head in the sand about the truth of Voldemort’s return mirrors a troubling trend we see today. Governments, when faced with difficult truths, sometimes choose to manipulate the narrative or ignore the reality of dangerous situations. This avoidance, or even denial, of uncomfortable truths can be seen in modern political situations, where leaders downplay or distort pressing issues to maintain power or popularity.

In the case of Germany and parts of Europe, the way some political leaders downplay growing challenges—whether from extremism, illegal immigration, or economic instability—could be compared to Fudge’s refusal to acknowledge the return of Voldemort. Governments often rely on the suppression of dissent to control public opinion, even though these actions may have dire consequences in the long term. The Ministry's refusal to confront the reality of Voldemort’s rise is similar to how some political leaders today avoid addressing uncomfortable realities, often at the expense of democratic principles.

This authoritarian turn is disturbingly familiar. In Germany today, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) recently escalated its classification of the right-wing party AfD to a "confirmed right-wing extremist" group. While many may welcome this move as a stance against hate and radicalism, others worry it could mark a dangerous precedent of state surveillance against political opposition. As Reuters reports, "The move allows Germany's domestic intelligence agency to use additional intelligence-gathering tools such as phone and email surveillance against the party."

Is this a step toward accountability? Or the beginning of a Ministry-style crackdown where any unwanted narrative is quietly erased under the guise of protection?

Considering that the AFD has long surpassed the CSU/CSU party in surveys, the latter must be assumed.

Media Manipulation: The Daily Prophet and Modern Journalism

In Rowling's world, The Daily Prophet becomes a propaganda machine, parroting the Ministry's denials and vilifying Harry Potter as well as Albus Dumbledore. The Ministry, fearing the truth, uses the media to shape the narrative, making it easier for them to control the public’s perception, claiming that Dumbledore wants all the power to himself and framing him as some kind of power-hungy dictator — sound familiar?

The media’s role in perpetuating lies or manipulating information has a direct parallel in our world, particularly with the increasing tendency of some media outlets to cater to political interests rather than hold power accountable. In the books, the Ministry uses the Daily Prophet to suppress the truth and spin their narrative, painting Harry and others as paranoid and delusional. This is eerily similar to how certain media outlets today downplay or obscure political issues that challenge the status quo, manipulating public opinion to support those in power.

In modern politics, we see how media outlets can be weaponised to suppress uncomfortable truths or create false narratives. Just as The Daily Prophet chooses to ignore or misrepresent the reality of Voldemort’s return, media platforms today may align with political agendas, framing dissenting voices as “fake news” , “disinformation”, “misinformation”, or silencing criticism in the name of unity or stability. This manipulation of the media can have serious consequences for democracy, as it becomes harder for citizens to discern the truth and make informed decisions.

The Civil Liberties Union for Europe recently warned that media freedom and pluralism are in "an existential battle" in many EU states. According to The Guardian, this includes Germany, where "increased government influence on public broadcasters, the growing concentration of media ownership, and economic pressures are limiting the scope of investigative journalism." Just as the Prophet spins its tale, so too do modern outlets sometimes become reluctant to challenge the status quo, fearful of political or economic consequences.

Educational Decrees and the Policing of Thought

One of the most chilling elements of Order of the Phoenix is the imposition of Educational Decrees. As the Ministry gains more control, it begins to enforce rules that limit students' ability to think freely and express themselves. Under Dolores Umbridge’s iron fist, Hogwarts students are forced to abandon critical thinking in favour of blind obedience, and dissent is punished.

This is not just a fictional concept. In many countries today, we see the rise of similar restrictions on free expression, both in schools and in public discourse. In an effort to protect national unity or maintain order, certain governments and organisations seek to control what can be said and who can say it. Educational systems are often the first to feel the weight of this suppression, with policies that limit teachers' and students' ability to discuss sensitive or controversial topics. The argument is often made that such restrictions are necessary to protect students from harmful ideas, but in reality, they serve the sole purpose to stifle intellectual growth and creativity.

In Germany, for instance, certain speech regulations restrict the types of discourse that can occur in schools, universities, and public forums. While these laws are supposedly designed to protect individuals from harmful rhetoric, they also raise concerns about government overreach and the potential for self-censorship. By limiting open discussion, these laws can create an environment where fear of punishment suppresses the free exchange of ideas, much like the educational decrees imposed by Umbridge at Hogwarts.

This creeping authoritarianism feels familiar. In our world, it may not be plaques on a wall, but bureaucratic regulations, restrictions on expression, and educational policies that quietly reshape what can and cannot be discussed in classrooms and universities—more often than not without the knowledge of the parents.

When Umbridge says, "Progress for the sake of progress must be discouraged," she echoes real-life attitudes that suppress reform, discourage critical thought, and label dissenters as dangerous agitators.

Suppressing Dissent: From Hogwarts to the Bundestag

In the world of Harry Potter, Harry, Hermione, and their friends take a stand against the Ministry by forming Dumbledore's Army. They choose to resist the forces of control and repression by secretly teaching each other the defence skills they need to fight back. This grassroots rebellion is a response to the Ministry's denial of the truth and the oppressive policies it enforces.

In the real world, dissent often takes different forms, but it is still vital. Whether it is through civil disobedience, protest, or simply standing up for what is right in the face of overwhelming opposition, individuals have the power to resist systems of control. In Germany, for instance, the rise of political movements that challenge the status quo and call for greater transparency in government is a modern parallel to the resistance movements in Harry Potter. These movements may not always be popular, but they serve an important function in maintaining the democratic principles that underpin society.

However, dissent in our world can sometimes be met with swift and harsh punishment, as we see in the case of political parties or individuals who challenge the government’s position on sensitive issues. In Germany, some groups face surveillance or legal consequences simply for holding certain views or expressing their opposition to government policies. While such measures are often justified as protecting national security or public order, they also have the potential to stifle free speech and restrict democratic freedoms. In this way, the actions of the Ministry of Magic in suppressing dissent parallel the real-world challenges faced by those who resist oppressive political regimes.

In real life, dissent rarely takes the form of secret armies, but the principle remains. Who gets to speak freely, who is allowed to organise, and who is labeled a threat? When governmental power expands too far into the realm of opposition politics, questions arise. Even if one opposes a party's views, should they be silenced through state power?

Again, Reuters captures the unease: "The AfD's ranking allows for greater surveillance, including the use of informants." While few would equate a political party to Harry and friends in a broom closet, the broader question remains: what is the line between national security and the erosion of democracy?

Hope in the Shadows: Magic, Muggles, and Meaning

Despite overwhelming odds, the Harry Potter series is ultimately about hope. When all institutions fail, when the Ministry falls, when even Hogwarts feels unsafe, it is the courage of individuals that carries the story forward.

Neville Longbottom, once shy and forgotten, becomes a symbol of resistance. His iconic moment, standing alone against Voldemort's army and declaring that "people die every day" but that their deaths matter, reminds us of the power of conviction.

We may not have magic wands or a secret society at Hogwarts, but we do have our voices, values, and vision for a better future. The hope that what Neville embodies is not a hope in magical salvation, but in the power of individual action and resilience. As we face the political and social challenges of our own time, it is vital that we draw strength from this example. Like Harry, Hermione, and Neville, we must stand firm in our belief that truth, justice, and freedom matter, even when the forces of control seem overwhelming.

In the end, hope comes not from expecting a perfect world, but from our willingness to fight for it, to speak out when necessary, and to believe that even in the darkest of times, change is possible.

🎶My Song for you

I chose this amazing version of I See Fire by the incredibly talented Ed Sheeran…

For more good music, go to this Spotify playlist where you can find all the songs from the Change & Evolve Letters!

📚My Poem for you

Is by John Donne (1572—1631)

The Apparition

Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published

When by thy scorn, O murd'ress, I am dead
         And that thou think'st thee free
From all solicitation from me,
Then shall my ghost come to thy bed,
And thee, feign'd vestal, in worse arms shall see;
Then thy sick taper will begin to wink,
And he, whose thou art then, being tir'd before,
Will, if thou stir, or pinch to wake him, think
         Thou call'st for more,
And in false sleep will from thee shrink;
And then, poor aspen wretch, neglected thou
Bath'd in a cold quicksilver sweat wilt lie
         A verier ghost than I.
What I will say, I will not tell thee now,
Lest that preserve thee; and since my love is spent,
I'had rather thou shouldst painfully repent,
Than by my threat'nings rest still innocent.