Dear Ms. Rowling,
I read my first Harry Potter book in fifth grade. At that time, only the first four were out and I devoured them in less than a week. My parents actually didn’t believe I could read them so fast so they quizzed me on what happened in them. Since then, I went to every midnight movie and book premiere and every Harry Potter-themed anything that happened near me.
From the moment I read the first book, it was more to me than a story. It was an escape. It was an entire world I could jump into whenever the real world got a little too overwhelming for me. Which, unfortunately, was a lot. From troubles at school to troubles at home, reading these books and existing alongside these characters was my haven. It was the only time I felt truly happy and safe.
The best thing was that these people (characters) weren’t perfect. Harry is an egomaniac with a hero complex, Ron is insecure and jealous, and Hermione is self-assured and bossy. I could find flaws in each character that was introduced; that’s what made them so real. They are all three dimensional complex characters that I felt myself relating to more than the people I knew in real life. The way Hogwarts and Hogsmead and every minute aspect of this world was described was so vivid, when I closed my eyes I could literally picture it. The movies coming out alongside the books helped a little in that department (even though I actually have some issues with the directing of certain parts of the movies -- I feel that they should have called me in as a consultant.)
Another incredible aspect of these books was the community it created around reading. For the first time, I felt connected to complete strangers. My friends and I shared an interest in something that was bigger than us. It was like a religious experience. Imagine if they came out with a sequel to the Bible: the book release party would probably be only a little more crowded than the Deathly Hallows release party -- but it probably wouldn’t have as many fun activities.
I feel so grateful that these books were a part of my life. I had to wait and speculate for each new one to come out. I was able to theorize and compare ideas with other people who were waiting in anticipation like me. (As a side note, I completely called who R.A.B. was before the seventh book came out, so I’m kind of a big deal.) Growing up with these stories and literally growing up with the characters was an indescribable experience. The tension between Ron and Hermione, Harry’s nervousness to ask Cho to the Yule Ball, Neville feeling inadequate -- these were all things that were happening to me in some ways. One would think relating to wizards would be hard, but you made it so easy. They were kids too, but they just happened to be magical.
You created a whole world for me and so many other people to dive into, headfirst. Thank you, so much. Even though I am now firmly living in the real world, Harry Potter will always be there for me if, and when, the real world gets to be a little too much for me. And I have a permanent reminder of that on my hip (in the form of a tattoo).
Love,
Maria
P.S. Please consider writing a book about Ron and Hermione’s wedding. They had to do it for half Muggles and half Wizards, and there would be so many fights between Mrs. Weasley and literally everybody. Just consider it. Thanks.
