Why would Harry Potter become an auror?

Question

Having seen JKR's interview where she expands on everyones future, I would like to know why would Harry become an auror? Having been through so much, and having defeated Voldermort, I would have thought that would be the last thing he would want to do? I thought he would have been a famous seeker. Also, becoming an auror runs the risk that he will loose power over the elder wand??????

Ok, more to the point, an Auror is a very dangerous job, and he runs the risk of being "defeated" (even if he is Harry Potter!) and he very clearly states that he doesnt want the elder wand to fall into anybody elses hands. I think an auror is the wrong way to go about that and i think it's possibly a error on JK's behalf.

Answer 1

I disagree with the comment that becoming an Auror was an error by JK Rowling. Aside from Quidditch, Defense against the Dark Arts was Harry's strength because of his courage, bravery, and his desire to save others from all forms of evil.

He taught so many students in the D.A., taught them magic beyond N.E.W.T. level material (ie patronuses that many adult wizards can't manage!!) and prepared them to survive a war with some of the most feared Death Eaters. This assurance of his ability and strength against the Dark Arts would have encouraged him to prepare future generations of Aurors and prevent another coup d'etat by evil powers.

Yes, he wishes to end the line of the Elder wand, but we must remember that "wandlore" is more complicated than anyone knows - perhaps returning it to Dumbledore's grave freed him from the responsibility of being as paranoid as Mad-Eye was (thinking everyone was going to disarm or kill him), or perhaps being an Auror in a newly governed/ revamped Ministry of Magic would put him in the position to oversee others rather than fight dark magic in person. Maybe dark magic like Voldemort's ended with his death, meaning Harry didn't risk losing his wand as an auror (ie. the darkest characters are like Mundungus) or maybe people are able to win back their wands. Not many people even know about the Deathly Hallows so why would they try to steal his wand? Would people try to disarm rather than stun, immobilize, etc when attempting to escape capture? (We know that Harry's signature move was a disarming spell, which is unusual in dangerous situations. Since this was explicitly stated in the seventh book, maybe no dark wizard or witch would try to disarm an auror - Forbidden curses are more likely).

We won't know for sure unless/until JK Rowling decides to publish more details.

Your question about how and why anyone would pursue a career of an auror after all the trouble with Voldemort is valid, but as Hermione has said time and time again, Harry has so many accomplishments, thinks calmly in the face of danger, and has talent that book-smarts can't rival. In a new world order after Voldemort, who better to lead a department against dark magic than Harry Potter?!

Besides, with Ginny on an all-witch quidditch team, I think JK Rowling had enough professional quidditch players. Also, with all the fame involved in professional quidditch (remember Krum?), Harry would have no hope of living a happy, normal wizard life that he saw in the Weasley household - what Harry truly desired. How does an Auror fit this? After Voldemort, he can handle a day job :)

Thanks for the interesting question!

Answer 2

Well, I thought he would have made a good DADA teacher. Heck, fifth year he became the DADA teacher for anyone actually intrested in learning anything in the course, which Umbridge certainly wasn't actually teaching. With everything he learned in his first four years, so much of the fifth year teaching those in the DA, and his experiences fighting Voldemort and the Death Eaters, you'd think he'd really know what he was talking about and that his students would really pay attention.

But I could see him as an auror to now that everything is said and done and Rowling said July 30th that that was what he became. I mean Hermione did point out in the fifth book that Harry's got a thing for saving people. And we know just because Voldemort was defeated doesn't mean there's no more dark witches and wizards in the world. Or that there never be anymore. Didn't Grindelwald preceed Voldemort as the chief Dark Wizard threat before Dumbledore defeated him?

So naturally Harry's gonna want to be someplace where he can keep others safe.

Answer 3

Whether JKR made an error on making Harry an Auror wouldn't matter I think. The series ended with the 7th Book. Additional info from JKR would come as bonuses for us fans.

But yes, you have a point there especially with the Elder Wand bit. But remember he told Dumbledore's portrait that he would put it back to where it came from, meaning Dumbledore's grave. So I don't think there'd be a wizard as evil as Voldemort who would desecrate Dumbledore's tomb again just to get the Elder Wand. And I don't think he'd be better off as a famous Seeker. I think with Kingsley as the new Minister, the Auror job once again held his interest again.

Answer 4

Actually, I quite agree with you. I think the Auror Job was for someone who was seeking the dangerous life, the lurking spies and the dark stuff - and Harry's practically been there, done that!
So why would he go on to do something he has suffered so much. And no, Harry Potter is not this guy who likes to find trouble (trouble ususlly finds him, remember?) and he always liked a normal life away from the Dark Arts. And he always enjoyed Quidditch.

Nah, I think the person who asked this question was right - Why would Harry Potter become an auror?

And I think his own answer is the best: "It was an error on JK's behalf!"

Answer 5

Harry had expressed an interest to be an auror since the 5th book when he discussed careers with Professor McGonagall. Also, Harry is the master of Elder Wand however he doesn't use it, he returned it to Dumbledore's tomb.

Answer 6

I would think it's because it's the only thing he could do. But it might be because he loves the Dark Arts. in the third book, he could produce a full patronus, which some adults could not even achieve. It might also be because if he was a seeker, he would have even MORE fame. It would be because he was a good seeker and because he was harry potter.

Answer 7

I imagine because he was viewed as the "expert" from that point on. What else could be more dangerous then hunting down and killing Voldemort : )

Answer 8

Come on, those things aren't important to Harry! He's a hero, remember?

Answer 9

Isnt that what he wanted to be? Pax - C

Answer 10

It was an error.