Ever since I picked up "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone" in middle school, I was transported to the magical world that J.K. Rowling created. Since then, I have read the series numerous times and even have memorized some of the dialogue in movies and some of the quotes in the books. My second-grade teacher introduced me to Harry Potter by playing the first movie in class. At that time, I was scared to watch the movie and read the books. However, I did go to all the midnight book premiers with my brother at Barnes and Nobles.

Harry Potter has become such a huge part of my life and has helped me make several friends in the past. The first conversation I ever had with my best friend was probably, “Do you like Harry Potter?” Besides helping me make lifelong friends, Harry Potter has taught me several life lessons that I think are very important.

1. Our choices and actions make us who we are.

“We've all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That's who we really are.” ~ Sirius Black, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix"

A prime example of this is Draco Malfoy. Throughout the series, he appears as the bully, always making fun of the Gryffindors. However, as the story progresses, we find out exactly why Draco is the way he is. In "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," Harry made Draco out to be the bad guy, always trying to stalk him almost to the point of obsession of Draco’s whereabouts. Draco was given the task to kill Dumbledore. However, he doesn’t go through with it because he isn’t a murderer. When Harry and friends were captured and brought to the Malfoy Manor, Draco didn’t sell out Harry and pretended that he didn’t know who he was. Harry probably would’ve died if Draco hadn’t done this small act of kindness. Even in the battle of Hogwarts, he threw his wand to Harry to help defeat Voldemort. Although his father pretty much forced him to choose the dark side, he eventually ended up going against his father and Voldemort. In the end, Draco is a good guy (Sorry I really love Draco Malfoy).

2. Human life is worth saving.

“We are all human, aren’t we? Every human life is worth the same, and worth saving.” ~ Kingsley Shacklebolt, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows"

I honestly think this quote is worth living by, especially in today’s society. No person’s life is worth more than someone else’s. We’re all human beings despite what we look like. We all deserve the same treatment. Whether someone is a pureblood or muggle-born doesn’t make you any different. Whether you practice a different religion than someone else doesn’t make your life better and worth more than theirs. We all come from the same ancestors and anatomically, we look alike. So why should we be treating someone differently based on their blood type or religion, or skin type? In the end, we’re all just human beings and deserve equal treatment despite whether a fearless dictator, such as Voldemort, approves of our existence. There is no need to go around labeling people with words such as “mudblood” or “terrorist” just because they are different than us. Because they’re not. They’re human beings too.

3. Don’t be afraid to be yourself.

“I am what I am an’ I’m not ashamed. ‘Never be ashamed,’ my ol’ dad used ter say, ‘there’s some who’ll hold it against you, but they’re not worth bothern’ with.’” ~ Hagrid, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"

Hagrid taught me it’s okay to be myself and to not be bothered with what other people say. Besides life isn’t all about trying to live up to everybody’s expectations. Life is better when you’re trying not to be like someone you’re not. It’s also less stressful when you’re not worrying about what everyone else thinks about you. If people don’t like who you are, that’s their problem. They’re the ones missing out.

4. Grow old, not up.

“Youth cannot know how age thinks and feels, but old men are guilty if they forget what it was to be young.” ~ Albus Dumbledore, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix"

This quote speaks to me. My parents always tell me to act my age and stop acting like a child. However, I think it’s better to act like a child. Of course, there is a time and place for everything, however, being a child at heart is the best thing ever. A child is passionate about so many things. They have a thirst for knowledge. Younger kids ask so many questions, such as, “Why is the sky blue?” However, the older we get, the less questions we ask. We’re not as creative or as imaginative. Every time Harry Potter comes on Freeform (ABC Family), my mom keeps asking me why I still watch it. Harry Potter is a huge part of my childhood and it’s not something I can easily forget. I will always know remember everything I have learned from Harry Potter and be able to spit out Harry Potter facts and trivia when it’s not needed. And I do believe that magic is real. It may not be in the form of waving a wand and casting a spell, but there are other forms of magic that exist. As long as this magic is real, so is my childhood.

5. Go to the library.

“When in doubt, go to the library.” ~ Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

I just included this because this is what I live by. I’m always in the library doing homework, reading a book, or just socializing. The library is simply a beautiful place.