Throughout the Harry Potter series bullies are introduced not only in the non-magical world but also at Hogwarts. With the harassment and belittlement that happens between student interactions, J.K. Rowling’s idea for incorporating this was to uncover character development, which we see with Luna Lovegood. In addition, to how bullies arise connects to symbolic interactionism where the world functions based on the common meanings people give to things and are derived through social interactions with others. Since, Hogwarts four founders Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin, have divided students by grouping them based on qualities and placing them in the appropriate house. With each house valuing different traits their common means to divide and put a symbol to a lot of these characters range from good to bad.
When considering specific characters and their greatest weakness. One unique personality we are introduced to is Luna Lovegood in Order of the Phoenix. Teased and ignored by many other students, Luna is found to be a victim of bullying. With her eccentric behavior that many are not used to, students see her as odd and use language such as “Looney Lovegood” to introduce her strange behavior. Her first interaction with Harry, Ginny, and Neville on the Hogwarts Express begins with Neville and Ginny being aware of her persona, as Ginny mentions in Chapter 10 in Order of the Phoenix, there being room in one of the seating areas, Neville says, “there’s only Loony Lovegood in here” as Ginny points out, “Don’t be silly, she’s all right”. Harry having no idea who she is, Neville tells Harry that Luna is odd and ditzy, from that conversation right off the bat Harry does not want to be seen with her because of the reputation he has built. With Harry already judging her, his attitude towards her comes off rude and is an issue because like many of the other students who bully, Harry is following what others are doing. Here we can see that Harry being bullied not only from his cousin, Dudley Dursley and Draco Malfoy, he too is being the bully to someone else. Including Neville Longbottom, being weak and clumsy, he too is another victim of being bullied and is also seen as being a bully to Luna.
Lunas majestic character is very important in the series, despite her being different than everyone else, her role in the series and interaction with Harry changes when being involved in the Defence Against the Dark Arts group, also known as Dumbledore’s Army where she helps Harry summon the Patronus spell. Luna is also there to comfort Harry while he holds a deceased Dobby after being rescued, this proves that Harry has grown a passion for Luna. She is also one of the first to witness Harry’s final defeat of Lord Voldemort and was the first to congratulate him. With so much happening in Hogwarts Luna’s character grows on many others and is able to prove a lot of people wrong.