I know that it’s been five years since the last "Harry Potter" movie came out. I know that the more low-key fans are growing up and chilling out about the franchise. I know that kids born any time after 2011 will never see a "Harry Potter" movie in theaters, unless it’s some kind of special weekend or marathon. I know all this and I’m still going to write about "Harry Potter." It’s my job as a super fan to make sure that this franchise never dies out. So to keep the flame burning bright, here’s my list of top eight facts all "Harry Potter" fan know to be true.
1. Hermione Granger was a total badass.
I’m not going to go off on a feminist rant or anything, but watching the movies recently, I realized just how useful Hermione was to the main trio. A lot of the adventures they go on just wouldn’t have been possible without her bravery and knowledge. While each of them are important in their own way, Hermione is definitely leading the pack.
2. The spells were amazing AND memorable.
Even with it being almost eight years since I last read a "Harry Potter" book, I still remember the spells by heart, especially the three Unforgivable Curses. I don’t think any of us will forget the “wingardium leviosa” lesson Hermione taught Ron in the first movie. “It’s wingardium leviOsa, not wingardium leviosA!”
3. We now know what Butterbeer is.
This strange, foreign drink was an anomaly for most of us American viewers, who had no idea what anyone meant in the books or movies when people were drinking Butterbeer. Were these eleven-year-olds drinking beer in a kid’s movie? Did the beer have butter in it? Eventually, we all just accepted that it would be part of the Harry Potter world forever, and we better get used to hearing about it.
4. Everyone in the world can be divided up into four distinct categories: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin.
Just as I’m sure you did, I took dozens of online quizzes when I was younger to see what House I’d be sorted into if I received my acceptance letter to Hogwarts. A lot of us hoped for Gryffindor, and with our three heroes all being sorted into that House, who wouldn’t hope for that?
5. The Forbidden Forest isn’t really forbidden.
Throughout the movie, Harry, Ron, and Hermione go into the Forbidden Forest more times than they go into Hogwarts. Well, that’s not true, but for a place where students aren’t supposed roam, they’re roaming there a lot.
6. There were several main characters who died in the movies and each one tore your heart out a little more.
When Hedwig died, it made us all realize that no one was safe in "Harry Potter." When Dumbledore died, we wondered if J.K. Rowling was trying to make us suicidal. Three major characters died in the eighth movie, and it made grown men cry like babies. So, thanks, J.K.
7. Maggie Smith is one of the world’s most precious actors.
Professor McGonagall was one of the only positive adult role models Harry had throughout his young life. She taught him to be responsible, accountable, and brave. She protected him when he needed it and she always stood by her beliefs, even if it put her in danger.
8. You’ll never forget the Harry Potter books or movies as long as you live.
If you grew up with HP, it’s a staple of your childhood, and there’s little chance that you’ll forget about it. Chances are you’ll still be quoting it when you have kids of your own. You’ll probably show it to your kids before they’re old enough to understand it and that’s OK. They’ll grow up loving it too.
"Harry Potter" is franchise that should never die off. While it has its problems, like its lack of diversity in race and sexual orientation of its characters, it also provides some great role models for kids, while also keeping us infatuated with this world of wizards and spells. This will always be a big part of our childhoods, and we’ll always love it.
