The first major novel that I ever read was in third grade, and it was Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. I was hooked after the first chapter. I read later and later past my bedtime until finally the book was finished. I read each installment with a growing love for the wizarding world of Harry Potter. “Expecto Patronum!” and “Wingardium Leviosa” were often heard from our backyard growing up. My sister and I could be found every afternoon waving around small twigs, that we would claim to our wands, while concocting potions for Professor Snape.

When Halloween rolled around, two small figures dressed in black robes and witches hats could be seen sprinting down street after street, yelling spells for all the neighbors to hear. If a young child comes down with the flu, a student usually plops down in front of the T.V. with a steaming mug of chicken noodle soup. When I came down with the flu, you would find me up in my bed listening to Harry Potter on an audio tape, and a box of tissues beside me. The years passed, and the rest of the world seemed to catch the Harry Potter bug as well. Movies and memorabilia soon made its way into every young teenager’s home. My three favorite friends from Hogwarts were suddenly famous world-wide.

Every July I looked forward to the new Harry Potter movie premiere, buying tickets in advance for the midnight showings, and rereading the latest book to make sure I had my facts right. One of my friends was so excited for the final movie she knitted herself a Gryffindor scarf to wear to the showing. When the final movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2, debuted last July, I had a bittersweet feeling. I had been so immersed in Harry Potter for basically all of my life, and suddenly my number one source of entertainment was gone in the course of a two hour movie.

Even though the decade of Harry Potter is over, I am looking forward to more literary work by J.K Rowling, as well as watching the actors of Harry Potter evolve, even though in my heart they will always be Harry, Ron and Hermione.