My Hogwarts journey started way back in 2001. The commercials for Sorcerer's Stone were playing every other minute on every channel. I wanted to see the movie but I can't remember begging and pleading with my parents to take me to the theater like I did with the other films. I was in third grade at the time and, believe it or not, had no interest in reading. My third grade teacher, who was one of my favorites from childhood, told us one day we would begin reading a story together. She pulled out her copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and started reading. From that moment on I was hooked. I went and saw the movie twice in theaters. I explained to my mom everything that was happening at Hogwarts. I played wizard's chess during indoor recess with my then best friend Nick. I laugh hysterically at his brilliant (brilliant for a 7 year old) impression of Snape in Harry's first potions class, "Mr. Potter. Our. New. Celebrity." But even with that obsession, I didn't go on to read the second book. I still didn't like reading.
I didn't continue on with the series until 4th grade. That is when the literature bug bit me. I began to read anything I could get my hands on and one day Chamber of Secrets fell into my hands. I remember reading it and not being as engaged in this story. Maybe it was because I wasn't experiencing it with my friends (Nick had moved away by then) but I didn't fall in love. Again, I stopped reading the books.
Until the next year. In 5th grade I had one of my favorite english teachers to date. He made reading fun, even school reading. He allowed us to pick our own books, didn't matter what they were, for our individual reading. Some how, I found Prisoner of Azkaban. And it all ends here. This is where I became obsessed. I remember finishing Goblet of Fire later that year, closing the book and wanting more. I went and devoured Order of the Phoenix, and was distraught; the next book wasn't out yet, and wouldn't be out for a while.
This is when I started looking up Harry Potter on the internet. I found Mugglenet (which I still visit today) and found forums (which I never posted on but stalked endlessly). It was always on my mind. I loved all the actors from the movies and wished I could have played Hermione, hey I have the hair.
For the Half-Blood Prince release I went to the midnight release party. It was brilliant. I wished I could do this for hours, running around the out door shopping center, pretending I was in Diagon Alley, getting sorted (they just handed you a pin, but you got to put on the shorting hat!) But the best part was being around all the fans.
From then on, my obsession knew no bounds. I've been to midnight releases of both books and movies. I listen to podcasts dedicated to the Boy who lived. I have t-shirts and ties. I've visited the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and cried because it was like I was living my childhood dream. I stayed up until 5 am talking with other Potter fans to gain early access into the elusive Pottermore (I regret nothing, you may call me GalleonRose56)
Harry Potter has changed me in so many ways. I've grown up with these characters; they've taught me lessons that no one in my real life has. People who say this fandom is over, you're dead wrong. I saw that last night. I was up talking to people from all over the world, supporting each other, people who have never met before, who have one thing in common.
"Of course it's happening inside your head harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?"
It's real for us.
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