The Harry Potter (HP) books have been around my whole life. The first one came out the year I was born. Now in the year 2016, in which I turn 19, I have finally decided to finally embark on the fifteen part journey comprised of seven books and eight movie, I am finally becoming familiar with Harry Potter. In other words, I am finally becoming a normal human being.
In January of 2015, I was lucky enough to go to Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade in Universal Studios in Florida. Being a major and loyal Disney fan, I was grumbling about our day at Universal, but I’ll admit that Harry Potter World was absolutely amazing. I started to become more and more curious as to what different Wizarding things were. I had successfully avoided watching any of the movies or reading any of the books at that point.
Fast forward to December 2015. I finally finished my first semester of college, and with this month long break, I decided it was a perfect time to get sucked into the world of wizards. As Christmas passed, I descended into the wormhole of Harry Potter fandom.
[Spoilers below]
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
The First Book
I start reading the first book on December 23rd, 2015. The Dursley’s are rotten people and I get flashbacks to the Wormwoods a la Matilda. I'm bored by the lack of magic and stop on page 22 to enjoy the holiday festivities. Six days later, I pick up the book again, begrudgingly as I’ve run out of things to do and then, it gets good. I reach Chapter 17 and I have to flip back through the book to find out who this Quirrell fellow is. Somehow, he just didn't seem relevant before that very moment.
The First movie
“Oh my goodness the movie looks just like Harry Potter World! Oh, wow! I went there! And there!...They are so little and cute! Little first years, aww”
Rowling 1, Unsuspecting Reader 0.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
My thoughts
"Duh this chamber of secrets "legend" is real. Oh my God, what is the monster? Maybe it's a sphinx or a griffin? Think mythological creatures. Uh, harpie? Oh, it's a snake. Huh? Wait, it's in the bathroom. The whole time? Wait, Tom is Voldemort? What? I thought he was a good guy. Man, oh man."
Rowling 2, Clueless Reader 0.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
My Thoughts
Oh gosh, Sirius is definitely Voldemort's number two. I remember hearing about this guy vaguely. He's definitely bad. What's Snape issue with Lupin? Interesting, his name is Remus and Lupin. That's very Roman and wolf-y. Probably doesn't mean anything though. Oh, okay, I see. The Rat? This whole time. Wow. It's happening again. My mind is being blown.
Rowling 3, Reader who Should've-Seen-It-Coming 0
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
My Thoughts
Yes! Harry! Go for Cho! Diversity! No! Cedric, don't steal her! Oh no, wait! Don't die either though! Also, this whole tournament seems really not safe and not up to regulation.
Why is Edward the Vampire also a wizard. My dislike for Twilight is tainting this casting choice. Also they changed the whole Dobby/Neville gillyweed thing. Stop changing things! The books are perfect!
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
My Thoughts
Dolores, I hate you. At this point, cue Lizzie McGuire This is what nightmares are made of. Hey now!
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
The half-blood prince is James? Lily? It must be someone who Harry has a good bond with. Oh! Maybe Sirius!
Oh, Snape. Wow, I suck at this.
Rowling 4, Reader-Who-Is-Really-Bad-At-This-Plot-Twist-Thing 0.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
My Thoughts
Wait, this whole thing is about Alchemy? Is this like The 39 Clues, again? Or is it more like the "The Name of this Book is Secret" series? Why is everyone so into goddamn alchemy? That Deathly Hallows sign isn't even new, it's just a ripoff of the Alchemy symbol for the philosopher's stone. △⃒⃘
Did Harry die or is he in the Hallows as the master and can choose? Also, no offense, but naming your kids people's names in random combination is kinda strange. And sounds real weird. But appreciate the sentence.
Why throw the wand into the chasm? The book had it much better and makes Harry seem so much smarter and more thoughtful.
I went on to watch AVPM, AVPS and AVPSY (Lauren Lopez as Draco Malfoy is the FUNNIEST thing I have ever seen on stage) as well as all the behind the scenes documentaries and got myself a Pottermore account and Hogwarts Alumni shirt. Consider me hooked.
I think
for my college graduation I’m asking for another trip to Orlando, but this
time, I’ll be just as excited for Universal as Disney.
