Harry Potter.
I could probably devote a separate blog to this phenomenon by itself, but for now, this will have to do.
Harry Potter was my childhood. The characters were so real to me, Hogwarts was never a place of fantasy in my mind, and the existence of magic was never something I questioned. As an adult, I still feel very much the same. Of course, I now know that hanging out at King's Cross station will not guarantee a run-in with an actual wizard-in-training. I understand that as many times as I look it up on Google Maps, the location of Hogwarts will not be revealed to me. However, I am convinced that magic is real, although perhaps not in the manner it is written about in books.
I believe that magic is an untouchable quality within each of us that enables us to do incredible things. Maybe things that we were told couldn't be done. Things we tell ourselves we will never do. Even things that never occurred to anyone, but take place all the same. Impossible things happen all the time.
As my son grows older, it is so important to me that he grows up with a rampant imagination, and a healthy belief in things most grown-ups will tell him are only make-believe.
Please don't mistake my views as childish or naive. I have experienced reality, and live a part of this world as much as anyone else. I also believe in rational decisions, and keeping a clean house. I believe in working a job I don't like to help support my family, and I believe in education very much. I just don't understand why or when it was decided that believing in fantastic things is a useless endeavor.
But back to my dear Harry.
Now as splendid as the movies are, I am first and foremost a fan of the books (which are better than the movies, as books do tend to be) being as they were my first introduction to the wizarding world. So please keep in mind that if you read parts of this post that sound unfamiliar, run to the nearest bookstore near you and educate yourself.
Joanne Rowling (fondly known as J.K. Rowling) set out to write a series of "children's" books. At least, that is what her publishers assumed after the first installment. However, these books proceeded down a much darker, more adult path. They needed to. Even in tales of magic and enchantment, there must be a rationality within. Things have to make sense.
And we are dealing with issues not all grown-ups I know can wrap their head around. Abuse, racism, sexism, prejudices of all kinds, war, death, sacrifice, the fickleness of fame, mental health, inner demons, competition, evil, remorse, temptation, selfless love...
There is a depth in the Harry Potter books that I believe will never be seen again.
Because after a childhood of abuse and neglect, after experiencing so much death and turmoil, did we really expect Harry to persist with a smile on his face? He had every right be get angry every now and then. And Ron? What normal teenage boy would not have jealousy issues with a famous friend? I probably would have left too if I had been camping for months without progress. Hermione? Is it so surprising she struggles with self esteem, that she is always looking to prove herself? It takes some time for her to grow into the self assured, no-nonsense heroine we all love in the end.
Even the most seemingly irrelevant characters contribute so much to the story. Madame Pomfrey, for example. Can we all take a moment to appreciate how awesome she is? The castle can come under attack, students can lose bones, become petrified, drink a botched potion, and she keeps a level head and takes care of it. No complaints, so questions asked. Pomfrey is a boss.
I can revisit these books over and over again and take away something new. Every time.
Also, Voldemort's progression as a villain is this beautiful tragedy. He was basically raised in similar conditions to Harry, and yet, his humanity was more of a hindrance than a help. Evil is ultimately a choice we make for ourselves. To use our situations to drive us to both extremes.
We see examples of how acutely choices affect our character, literally, everywhere in these books. Another example is the Malfoy family and the Weasley family. Both pureblood, but separated by class. The Malfoys being very wealthy, and of course, the Weasleys being quite poor. And yet... who do we love more? Arthur and Molly chose to keep love over status within their home. Something we can learn from. What's really important? Happiness or money?
"No story lives unless someone wants to listen. 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"
J.K. Rowling
