"I am not worried, Harry," said Dumbledore, his voice a little stronger despite the freezing water. "I am with you."
~J.K. Rowling
* When the Harry Potter books were still in their early years, I thought it was absolutely ridiculous that everyone was fawning over a series that sounded like a stupid children's story. Wizarding school? Seriously? You're a grown person, come on!
* I could have bought Goblet of Fire (it must have been close to the release date, because it was plastered all over the shop windows) or found Platform 9 3/4 when I was in London for my high school graduation trip in 2000, but I was still busy thinking it sounded stupid and being gobsmacked that it was such an international sensation. Harry Potter? That's that wizard book, right? Where's Prince William?
* I didn't start reading the books until after I saw the first movie, and realized, holy shit, this Harry Potter business is SPECTACULAR! Tell me more, J.K. Rowling.
* I don't care what J.K. says, I will never give up hope that she has more stories to tell about the Potterverse.
"Part of me will be glad when it's over. Family life will become more normal. [But] I'll be so sad to think I'll never write a Harry-Ron-Hermione sentence again."
~J.K. Rowling
* Even though I saw the movie first, I love the books with the fire of a thousand suns. The movies, maybe only seven hundred and fifty suns.
* I bought a wand.
* I still really wish Harry and Hermione had ended up together. I find Ginny to be absolutely insufferable.
* I would make a terrible Gryffindor, but then I figure if Neville Longbottom can do it... even so, I think I'd be much happier in Ravenclaw.
* Some of my happiest hours were the reading marathons that would begin the moment a new Harry Potter was delivered on my doorstep (on the release date natch) and only ending when I read the final words of the book hours later.
"It's just hard," Harry said finally, in a low voice, "to realize he won't write me again."
~J.K. Rowling
* I cry every time I hear the introductory Harry Potter theme in the theater.
* I am crying while I am writing this.
* I feel that from a pop culture standpoint, I'll be completely lost once I see the seventh movie. I've devoted the past ten years of my life to these stories and characters, and have yet to find another fictional world that captures my imagination and heart in the same way. The witches, wizards, and muggles of the Harry Potter series have become real to me in a way that precious few fictional characters ever have before.
* I can't wait to introduce this series to my children someday.
* A long and beautiful chapter in my life is closing, and I wish I knew the spell to bring it all back again.
"Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”
~Albus Dumbledore, J.K. Rowling
"When I'm 80 years old and sitting in my rocking chair, I'll be reading Harry Potter, and my family will say to me, 'After all this time?' And I will say, 'Always.'"
~Attributed to Alan Rickman, source unknown
I've always liked the movies...but the books? Reading the final book was much sadder for me than seeing the final movie will be. Oh, and I agree about Harry & Hermione...I still wish they would have gotten together!
Posted by: Abby | July 15, 2011 at 03:15 PM
Ah, but the beauty is that the books are totally rereadable! I could see myself reading the series every couple of years, indefinitely.
Have you every read the Percy Jackson series? It might ease the pain of the ending Potter Era.
Posted by: Mowenackie | July 15, 2011 at 03:32 PM
I'm so glad I'm not alone on Harry and Hermione! Just about everyone gives me crazy looks for that one ;)
Posted by: Angela Noelle | July 15, 2011 at 03:38 PM
Oh yes, I've already reread them many times, and will into the future, but that doesn't stop me from wanting mooooooore!!! ;)
Posted by: Angela Noelle | July 15, 2011 at 03:38 PM
This post makes me happy. I absolutely adore Harry Potter. I am so sad it's over. I went last night (or should I say this morning) to see the final movie and I was not disappointed. It was fabulous. I cried so much.
I can't say I agree about the Harry and Hermione thing but I'm also not a huge fan of Ginny either. I do love that after so much time Ron and Hermione finally get together.
I love your quote from Alan Rickman. That's exactly how I feel about this series. My daughter enjoys the movies-what I allow her to see. I can't wait until she is old enough to really understand and appreciate the beauty and magic of the Potter world.
I want more Harry Potter!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Solange | July 15, 2011 at 05:20 PM
I love the Harry Potter series and can't wait to see the final movie. But I know it will be sad for it to be over. I think I will always be drawn to the books and the movies.
Posted by: Megan C. | July 15, 2011 at 05:27 PM
I totally teared up reading this post. I am so sad to see this end. I was one of the people who, like you, made total fun of HP and the people who read it back in jr. high. On a shopping trip with my parents I covertly picked up book 1 and 2 (hoping beyond hope that none of my friends saw me *gasp*) and immediately regreted not reading them earlier. I cannot for the life of me remember if I saw the first movie before reading the books, but it doesnt really matter because I was in love the moment I started reading/watching.
I really need to round up all my books, and display them somewhere. These books are no doubt my first nursery decor, and will be a part of my childs life, and I cannot wait to see their little faces light up with the magic that is HP. Thank you for this post, it's wonderful.
Natalie
Posted by: [email protected] | July 15, 2011 at 07:20 PM
I started crying when I woke up this morning and realized it was the last time I would ever wake up with Harry Potter anxiety. I am so sad.
Posted by: Brittany | July 15, 2011 at 08:09 PM
You definitely are not alone. (But sadly I myself am woefully behind the curve.) The young guy who works at the bookstore that runs the summer reading group I lead told me very excitedly yesterday that he was going to the midnight showing after work. That was really cute. I'll bet he had a blast.
Posted by: Kate P | July 16, 2011 at 05:24 AM
Some of the worst sunburns of my life resulted from spending an entire afternoon at the beach devouring the books. :-)
I sobbed the entire way through the movie last night. It was brilliant.
Posted by: Stevie | July 17, 2011 at 01:36 AM
I adore Harry Potter. Such a special series, so many lessons & great characters. Love.
Posted by: Amy --- Just A Titch | July 17, 2011 at 08:43 PM
i love the movies and somehow have still not read the books yet, but i know once i start i'll be hooked and totally in love.
Posted by: katelin | July 19, 2011 at 01:00 AM
I have not yet seen the last movie, and while it was not deliberate (out-of-town, other plans), part of me is putting it off. Your post reminded me of pre-ordering whichever book came out in 2005 for my sister and myself. I didn't know at that point that I would be at home recovering from neck surgery and theoretically able to purchase it earlier in the day. I think the mailman must have been so SICK AND TIRED of delivering all the books. He should have brought ours to the door, but instead decided to CRAM them into the mailbox (probably with a crowbar and WD-40). Due to my neck pain and arm weakness from the surgery, I literally was unable to get the damned things out of the mailbox. The neighbors weren't home, and I may or may not have sat on the curb and cried. My sister came by after work and it took her several minutes to finally free them.
If I feel this way as an adult, I can't imagine the kids who were the age of Hermione, Harry, and Ron. Sigh.
Posted by: sophie | July 19, 2011 at 10:02 PM
I remember when my mom told me about the books, right before Prisoner of Azkhaban came out, and I was initially skeptical. Two days after she gave me the first two books I was hooked. I want to do a massive book 1-7 re-read soon. It's interesting because I love the books and I love the movies but I love them as separate things (because obviously there are differences between them). I've been listening to the soundtracks practically non-stop at work.
Posted by: garden state prep | July 22, 2011 at 10:10 PM