2016 has been an exciting year for Potterheads. Harry Potter fans gained the eighth installment of the book series that has captivated millions for almost two decades, and if that wasn’t enough, in a little over two weeks the newest movie from the wizarding world hits the big screens.

A few weeks back, someone asked me why I still had such a fascination with those “children’s books.” I couldn’t believe that anyone could possibly utter those words.

I grew up with Harry Potter. My mom read every book out loud to my brother and me, and I remember the day she smiled and shook her head as I tried to fit The Order of the Phoenix into my little second grade backpack. My teachers gave me sorting hat quizzes to take when I was finished with my work in class, and I made up games to quiz the rest of my friends on the name of every single character ever mentioned in JK Rowling’s magical creation. I was hooked.

As I got older, my passion didn’t fade. I watched all the Harry Potter movies, played Harry Potter video games, and built Harry Potter Legos and puzzles. For Christmas, my parents gave me a replica of Hermione’s wand and some of her other movie props. My family purchased Harry Potter Scene-It for fun and I dominated, reigning undefeated over all of them since I was able to quote half the movies word for word.

There were always people who thought it was a little funny, or nerdy. I laughed and continued dreaming of my Hogwarts letter, because Harry Potter was my childhood and I don’t think I was quite ready to let go of it yet.

I’m a junior in high school now. I’ve accepted that my Hogwarts letter isn’t coming. But I haven’t let go of the magic that Hogwarts still holds. At the premiere of the eighth (and at the time final) movie, JK Rowling said “The stories we love best do live in us forever. So whether you come back by page or by the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.” I think I live by that. Whether I’m sad, happy, angry, lonely, or just feeling lost, I can open up a Harry Potter book. I can turn on one of the movies. Every time I do, I’m transported, but to someplace familiar. Someplace I love.

That’s why I will never stop being excited when we get to see new parts of the incredible, wonderful wizarding world. That’s why I will never not be “nerdy” or “childish,” no matter how anybody else views the special place that these books have in my heart. The new additions might not be the same, but how could they be? How could anything match the original magic? I don’t think it can, but I’m happy to return for a while.

You can ask me all you want, “Really? It still means that much? After all this time?”

And I will not hesitate to answer “Always.”