Tumblr is a wonderful place and home to an incredible community of internet artists. One of my favorite internet artists named Isaiah Stephens did a series on Disney Princesses dressed up for Halloween, and he drew Princess Belle dressed as Hermione Granger. It was a picture that basically encapsulated two of my favorite fictional characters, so naturally I loved it.

I don't think the words "excited" or "thrilled" begin to describe how I felt when I first found out that Emma Watson was cast as Belle in the new live action adaptation of "Beauty and the Beast." The fact that Hermione Granger was literally playing Princess Belle filled my inner seven-year-old Disney-loving Harry Potter-obsessed heart with sheer joy.

I can't remember exactly when I realized Belle was "my girl," only that my dad always liked "Beauty and the Beast," and I used to watch it all the time, particularly when I was in first and second grade and used to get teased by the other kids at recess for bringing books out to read instead of playing sports.

This all happened around the time that I read "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" for the first time. I vividly remember being in the library as a first grader, and going up to the front desk to check out the book. The librarian thought it was too advanced for my age, but my mom just shook her head and assured this librarian that I was far beyond reading "The Magic Tree House" books. I immediately fell in love with the world of Harry Potter, and growing up with Hermione provided me with a character I could relate to: the hard working student and bookworm who proved to be a valuable asset and friend, and was respected for her "nerdiness," not bullied for it.

In short, to have these two life icons effectively combined excites me and I truly cannot wait to see Emma now bring Belle to life. Emma, seven year old Maddy truly thanks you.