One of J.K. Rowling's favourite 'Harry Potter' moments is a line you may have forgotten

*Deep breaths*
 By 
Sam Haysom
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

LONDON -- Choosing a favourite moment from the Harry Potter books is a tough ask.

There are just so many, right? Dumbledore dueling Voldemort... Neville lopping the head off Nagini... Snape meeting Harry's eyes for one last time. How do you single out favourite moments from a series that is so jam-packed full of brilliant bits?

When I re-read the books recently one of the parts that struck me the hardest was a line of dialogue I'd almost forgotten about.

It turns out Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda feels the same way.

In a series of tweets posted on Thursday, Miranda highlighted some of the pop culture events that have left their biggest mark on him.

After shouting out the likes of Michael Jackson, David Bowie and Shakira, Miranda moved on to Harry Potter.

How well do you remember that moment?

It takes place at the end of Chapter Twenty-Six in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, as Harry is helping a badly injured Dumbledore from the cave in which Voldemort concealed one of his Horcruxes.

I'm not going to waffle on about it too much here -- I already did that in another article I wrote recently (scroll to point number 11 on the list) -- but there's no doubt that it is a truly beautiful exchange.

On Thursday morning, Rowling responded to Miranda.

Dumbledore may have been gone now for almost two decades, but his legacy lives on.

Mashable Image
Sam Haysom

Sam Haysom is the Deputy UK Editor for Mashable. He covers entertainment and online culture, and writes horror fiction in his spare time.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
J.K. Rowling controversy explained
J.K. Rowling with a broken heart behind her in the colors of the trans pride flag. Behind her is a collage of her transphobic posts.

Harry Potter gets 'Heated Rivalry' treatment in 'SNL' sketch
Two wizards from harry potter riding a broom stick

I can't get excited over the HBO 'Harry Potter' teaser
Dominic McLaughlin in "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone."

DreamWorks' 'Forgotten Island' trailer teases spectacular Filipino-inspired '90s adventure
Jo and Raissa in 'Forgotten Island.'

'Pillion' review: Harry Melling accepts Alexander Skarsgård as his biker daddy in an A24 crowd-pleaser
Henry Melling and Alexander Skarsgård in "Pillion."

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

Google launches Gemma 4, a new open-source model: How to try it
Google Gemma

NYT Strands hints, answers for April 3, 2026
A game being played on a smartphone.

What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!