Failure means a stripping away of the inessential.

I did not set out to convert anyone to Christianity.

Lockhart'll sign anything if it stands still long enough.

I think I've really exhausted the magical. It was a lot of fun, but I've put it behind me for the time being.

Get off me,” Harry spat, throwing Pettigrew’s hands off him in disgust. “I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing it because — I don’t reckon my dad would’ve wanted them to become killers — just for you.

As he followed Bill back to the others a wry though came to him, born no doubt of the wine he had drunk. He seemed set on course to become just as reckless a godfather to Teddy Lupin as Sirius Black had been to him.

I'm sure that I'll never have another success like Harry Potter for the rest of my life, no matter how many books I write, and no matter whether they're good or bad.