Our generation grew up with Harry Potter. It's a wonderful land of magic and wizards what kid wouldn't love it? Someone of us are more invested than others, and those hardcore fans will relate to these things.
1. We aren't all in Gryffindor.
Every Harry Potter fan chooses what house they think they belong to, and most chose Gryffindor because it's portrayed as "the best." Hardcore fans know where they really belong and aren't afraid to show it. The wise in Ravenclaw, kind in Hufflepuff, the sneaky in Slytherin and the proud in Gryffindor.
2. Snape is the real MVP.
In the first movies Snape is portrayed as a villain, but we later discover the heart breaking truth: Snape wasn't an awful man or a criminal. He lost the woman he loved, and she died because the people protecting her were weak. No wonder he was so bitter, but he has the best intentions. He watched over Harry and protected him as much as he could. Snape's death is a tearjerker. Alan Rickman played him beautifully, may he rest in peace.
3. Dudley wasn't that bad.
Sure, he sucked. He was a spoiled bully. But we get a glimpse of hope from him as Harry leaves his aunt and uncle's home and Dudley tells him, "I don't think you're a waste of space, you saved my life." It's an awkward moment and it doesn't make up for everything he's done, but it shows he has a heart.
4. Draco was a little pathetic, but not evil.
He was a coward, and he couldn't actually kill anyone. Draco was a confused little boy just looking for approval from his father. He wasn't a good guy, he was a total jerk and conspired with Voldemort, but he wasn't evil. In the end he walked away, and on the bell tower he choked.
5. Maggie Smith is freaking badass.
Maggie Smith portrays Professor McGonagall, and when filming the final movies Maggie was in her late 70s and going under treatment for breast cancer. Doctors and producers told her she didn't have to film, but she refused and gave an amazing performance. No one could have better suited Minerva McGonagall.
6. Peeves should have been in the movies.
We know that Hogwarts is filled with poltergeists (or ghosts), and the books include a special one named Peeves. He causes trouble throughout the school by pulling pranks, which was especially funny when was pulling them on Umbridge. He was also a key factor in helping defeat Voldemort at The Battle of Hogwarts. Including him the movies would have made them a thousand times better.
7. Umbridge is public enemy number one.
Yes, Voldemort is technically the worst bad guy, but Dolores Umbridge is a different kind of evil. With her pink fluff and kitties she seems innocent, but she has sadistic ways of punishing people for breaking her absurd rules. She purposely targets those less fortunate than her and eventually spends time in Azkaban for her treatment of Muggle-Borns. Not a soul in the Wizarding World trusts her, and that says something.
8. Halloween was where it started.
Halloween was the night the James and Lily Potter were betrayed and murdered. Although we know they weren't real, it's still a sad day. The whole series is based on this loss, and if Peter Petigrew hadn't given away their location that day, we wouldn't have a story.
9. Mourning character deaths is too real.
Speaking of dying, every time a character dies it's another shot to the heart. Even the death of Harry's poor owl Hedwig causes a few tears to leak out. Fred Weasley was personally tragic for me. J.K. Rowling admitted she cried when writing Fred's death scene.
10. Anything Rowling says becomes true.
A few years ago J.K. Rowling revealed that Dumbledore was a homosexual, and although it wasn't in the books it made sense and we all accepted it. If she Tweeted one day that Harry was actually a mental patient we'd all believe it. Her word is law.
11. That feeling when you finished the last book.
For those of us who felt connected to the series and felt as though we were a part of the adventure, there's a sense of peace and sorrow when we close that last book. The adventure is over, at least for now. It's not all bad though. "All was well."
