Until the very end..

To be honest, I was a late bloomer into the wonderful world of Harry Potter. My first introduction to it was thanks to an amazing teacher who read the first book aloud to us in a quirky British accent. I do however, remember the first moment I picked up Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and began to read it. I read the entire book in one day. My young middle school aged self was hooked from the first page. I had no idea at the time, but clutching that book in my hand, I was really holding on to a cultural phenomenon. The Harry Potter story is not just about a boy with magical powers. It is a coming to age story filled with messages of equality, of love, and the true magic of friendship. I cannot think of any other series of book that has impacted an entire generation such as Harry Potter. Twilight, maybe, there is a true following there, but in content, message, and film adaptations, it will never be was Harry Potter was...is. It feels as if it's been forever since I picked up that first book..forever since I heard they were making the series into movies (something I doubted would ever live up to the books, but has in so many ways)..forever since I was first introduced to a very magical boy and his special group of friends.  Harry Potter fans have been blessed with seven amazing books and eight incredible films. We have more than enough to hold on to as the end of the era arrives. I find myself sad that this chapter of Harry Potter is coming to a close but more than anything I find myself lucky. Lucky to have been apart of the first generation of kids to be introduced to this amazing story and moreover lucky to have the books safely kept on a book shelf so that I may pass them on someday to my nephews so that they too can be lost in the magical world of Hogwarts. I wonder now what the next stage of it will be. Pottermore? I think we're all waiting to see just how that turns out..but until then..I have my books, my movies, my memories, and a few Rupert Grint screen savers and just like "Jo" said Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.


Mischief managed.....for now ;)