It wasn’t until a few months ago that I started to refer to myself as a “Potterhead”. It wasn’t that I was embarrassed or ashamed; it was more that I never thought I really qualified for the title. The reason being I didn’t consider myself a “die hard” or “hardcore” fan. But I realized that sometimes people stray from where they call home and having grown up with Harry Potter, I’ve had the time to stray. Luckily "The Cursed Child" has given me that reminder that “Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home."
Dear J.K. Rowling,
I am a 22-year-old college student, and as far back as second grade, Harry Potter has been such an important and special part of my life. At the beginning, Harry Potter meant spending quality time with my parents after school and work. My mom would read the book in all types of voices for all of the characters. With her voices and your remarkably complex, yet relatable descriptions, the Harry Potter series came alive.
After I read the third book, I stopped reading them. It wasn’t that I lost interest, I just had a lot of trouble with reading. My love for the wizarding world didn’t fade by any stretch. I saw every movie in the timeliest manner possible for an elementary school kid, and eventually as I got older I started going to the midnight premiers.
I’ve been on various Harry Potter fan pages and blogs, and many people relate to the characters in the series. Some have either been neglected or abused by their families, following in the shadows of their older siblings or bullied by their peers in school. Fortunately, I don’t relate to any of the listed.
I have suffered from depression, though, and although Harry Potters’ story isn’t the most comedic one out there, I was (and still) able to find peace when exposed to anything Harry Potter. What outweighs the dark times is the apparent presence of love and friendship.
During one of the hardest times in my life, I had decided to isolate myself from my friends. It was then that I had turned to the wizarding world. I purchased Harry Potter themed Legos. They took a while to build, but it was worth it because it helped a lot with my mental health. It may sound silly, but it’s true.
Harry Potter has also taught me a lot about living a life worth living. Harry had so much power through his story. In the end, in his possession were all three of the deathly hallows. He easily could have ruled the wizarding world. Especially with the elder wand. What does he do? He breaks it in half. He taught me that even though you may have the power to rule the world in the palm of your hand, being humble and staying true to your friends is more important and fulfilling than power could ever be.
The whole reason I am writing this article, is because I need and want to thank you. There are so many ways that the wizarding world you have created has impacted me. From keeping me company during my dark days, to teaching me lessons about life. You have also shown all of your fans that you truly care by being active on social media and keeping up with Pottermore. You have given us an alternate world to go to when the world we live in gets us down. And although we've cried uncontrollably when so many of our favorite characters died, I assure you we are thankful you brought them into our lives at all.
Thank you, and remember;
after all this time, Hogwarts has been our home... Always.
