If there’s anything in the world I stand by, it’s Harry Potter.
Nothing else in the world has been with me through thick and thin since I was 7, except the idea of the magical world of Hogwarts that consisted of flying brooms, a troll in a dungeon, owls that carry mail, and wands.
I would not be doing myself justice if I didn’t write (several) entries on it. Heck, it even deserves its own category on my blog. I wanted to make a Harry Potter blog or something many, many times but I never found the time to.
The day Harry Potter crossed paths with me; nothing was the same ever again. Millions of actions and decisions I have made were based on Harry Potter. From the first book to the last movie, I had a long ten year journey. But it’s still not over to me. It never will be.
It’s not just an obsession. It’s a relationship I have with the series. When I was a child, I always wanted to be a writer. I wanted to publish and be a famous author or write for magazines and be recognized. I secretly used to write fanfiction, but I don’t let my friends know, since it’s quite embarrassing. (Actually, I AM trying to finish the stories I started, but time is so limited!) I enjoy the thrill of reading people’s reviews on my work, no matter how good or bad, because someone actually took the time to read my writing and criticize me.
However as I grew older, I knew I couldn’t be a writer, it was too hard and I was a coward. It’s not easy to make money by being an author. I read many books that I would read once, but not digest them. I didn’t want to be an author who wrote mediocre books.
I have read the first book, Harry Potter and the Philsopher’s Stone at least fifty, sixty times. It’s a paperback, the corner is crinkled, the spine is bent. And the 99.9% of my other books are in store bought mint condition.
I can literally write a book about this book, but with limited time, I’d like to go over my three favourite scenes.
The Keeper of The Keys – This is where Harry meets Hagrid for the first friend, his first friend in the magical world. Hagrid is his mentor, his friend, his teacher. Hagrid is one of the most important characters to me in the book, because he’s always there for Harry, even though he’s sometimes a bit of a blunder.Harry receives his letter from Hogwarts. At that moment, his whole life changed.
“Harry- yer a wizard.
The Journey from Platform Nine and Three Quarters – I CANNOT wait to see this when I go to London next year and feel the walls that Daniel Radcliffe/Harry Potter touched. In this chapter- Harry Potter meets his best friends to be- Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. This is the first time Harry has someone to share things to, this is the first time he befriends someone. This is the first time someone cares about him! I loved this scene in the movie as well, because they were adorable! Ron and his candy and his rat, Scabbers (AKA Peter Pettigrew,) Harry and his awkwardness, and Hermione being the know-it-all.
Also, one of the most iconic Harry Potter candy is introduced here- Bertie Bott’s Every Flavoured Beans. I’ve had them before. It’s disgusting. Do not try soap and grass flavoured jelly beans. Or pepper.
My favorite part was Ron trying to turn his rat yellow. After reading the third book, I realized it was foreshadowing, since Scabbers was actually an animagus, not a rat- which could be a reason why Ron’s spell didn’t work (of course, his brothers taught him the spell which means it was probably a trick in the first place.)
“Sunshine, daises, butter mellow. Turn this stupid fat rat yellow!”
The Mirror of Erised – This is one of the most beautiful chapters in the book- excellently executed by J.K. Rowling. Harry “meets” his parents for his first time when he looks into the Mirror of Erised. He sees them smiling at him- and Harry is overcome with joy and sadness. Harry grows a desire to keep visiting this mirror nightly, to see his parents. I also love the dialogue between Harry and Dumbledore- where he tells Harry to stay away from the mirror, because “”it does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.”
J.K. Rowling is a genius- because “erised” spelled backwards is “desire.” Also, inscribed on the frame of the mirror are the words ” Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi.” which is ” I show not your face but your heart’s desire.” backwards. So original. I wish I could take a peep inside the author’s head.
I would love to see this mirror, I’m not so sure what my heart’s desire is.
“The happiest man on earth would look into the mirror and see only himself, exactly how he is.“- Dumbledore
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was the biggest change in my life. The book is captivating, its adventurous, and I developed a dream to go to Hogwarts. J.K Rowling touches all parts of life in this book- the importance of family, education, the difference between good and evil, the necessity of friendship, and more… All my life lessons can be learned from Harry Potter.
