Harry Potter and the Lure of Liquor

J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books have amazed and entertained children and adults for almost a decade. In the sixth book Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, readers found Harry dealing with unrequited love, suspensions of Draco Malfoy and secretly intrigued with his tattered Potion's book. The tale also found Harry involved with more adult issues such as drinking and alcoholism.

Early Indications

Alcohol has been a part of the wizarding world just as much as it is in the Muggle World. Harry first encountered other wizards in the Leaky Cauldron, a pub, on his way to Diagon Alley. While in Madam Malkim's, he heard rumors about his new friend Hagrid, being a drunk. After encountering Fluffy, Norbert and Bain, the Centaur, he learns that Hagrid, after getting drunk in a pub revealed a dangerous secret.

Alcoholism

While it seems like a harsh term, alcoholism is a real problem. The condition is defined as consumption of alcohol to the point of physical or mental impairment. Consuming alcohol to the point of passing out, physical illness, or aggressive behavior is a clear indication of a drinking problem.

Half Blood Prince and Alcohol

Whether you have watched the movie or read the book, the Harry Potter's World is rich with magic as well as liquors. In the movie, viewers see Hermoine tipsy after consuming butterbeers, Ron drinking mead in celebration of his birthday, and Harry kicking back drinks with Hagrid and Slughorn. In the book, Slughorn offers liquors are gifts, drinks regularly and finds himself sharing a drunken sleep with Hagrid.

Cultural Considerations

While in the United States, the legal drinking age is 21 years of age; however, in England, teens 16 years of age are allowed to drink alcohol in public as long as they are accompanied by a parent. Otherwise, eighteen is the legal drinking age. In Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Harry and his friends are between 16 to 17 years of age. However, prior to their sixth year, they had tasted butterbeer, craved fire whiskey and heard of oak matured mead.

As Harry Potter reaches maturity, he and his friends will be tempted. And, Rowling has created likeable characters with issues. However, before judgment is passed on Hagrid and the other adults in Harry Potter, remember that views about drinking are very different in other parts of the world.