When I was young, my dad showed me a movie. There was magic, villains, and beauty beyond compare. A band of misfits trumped evil and saved the day. I was enchanted beyond belief and soon found out there were books behind the movie.
That movie was "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."
Throughout the years that followed, I found great excitement in waiting for each new book and movie. I found out my house, picked favorite characters, and learned everything I could about the wizarding world.
The "Harry Potter" craze is a very personal experience for a lot of people.
J. K. Rowling certainly broke genre boundaries with her series, which won over the hearts of the young and old alike, proving that you only have to be young at heart to enjoy what's defined as a children's book. This, of course, opened the door for a lot of new Young Adult books being marketed for both young and old. She also inspired countless youths who were bullied, friendless, or devoid of hope. She showed children that there is always hope for a brighter future, and there is always a friend to find.
I think our generation can connect so well with the "Harry Potter" series because the characters grew up along with us. We aged as they did, and we faced the same trials: puberty, first loves, family troubles, getting picked on. Of course, none of us had to fight a dark wizard, but you can see the relatability nonetheless.
We all rooted for Ron and Hermione to get together, and cried when Dobby died. We wondered, together, over the true allegiance of Severus Snape, and we waited for Voldemort to make his return.
Even the people who weren't big readers could be "Harry Potter" fans. The exciting movies and memorabilia made it easy to immerse yourself in the culture of "Harry Potter"'s world of magic. And it's a craze that has lasted, despite the fact that the last official book in the series came out nine years ago, and the last movie came out five years ago. Millions mourned the end of the "Harry Potter" series, but true fans kept it alive in their hearts, and through mediums such as the Pottermore website, spin-off books such as "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," and fan-written stories.
Every generation has their big craze, and ours was perhaps "Harry Potter." It broke down all clique boundaries. Nerds and popular people alike could get joy from it. It didn't matter who you were; it brought people together.
Now, with the recent release of "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," we can relive our childhood and adults can continue to love the craze that aged with them. Even if it's not the continuation fans have long hoped for, it's a small piece of what we love that we can enjoy, to continue the flame of passion started so many years ago, and to light that spark in a whole new generation.
