Magical Family Memories
"Don't worry, you're just as sane as I am." - Luna Lovegood
It might not come as a surprise that, as a millennial, my all time favorite series I read as a child is the Harry Potter series. Harry Potter brings back so many memories, which is extra special to me as I had a very bad concussion in 2009 that made me lose a lot of my childhood memories. One of the core memories left after that concussion is all things Harry Potter.
The first memory I have of reading Harry Potter is riding in the back of the car heading to Disney World with my grandma and aunt, reading The Goblet of Fire. As the day turned into night I kept straining to read each page using the blips of light from the passing street lights. I couldn’t put the book down and had to have it finished as soon as possible.
Harry Potter is also the only book/series that me, my mom, and my dad all read and loved. It became a family affair. We would wait in line for the midnight showing of each new movie. I can remember standing in line next to the character cut outs, waiting for the doors to open. Harry Potter has been so special to us as a family that we all got matching Harry Potter tattoos that I created. The design incorporates Hedwig, a book for Hermione, the snitch, the stars from the book pages, a phoenix, and “Mischief Managed”. Now I have a permanent reminder of my love for Harry Potter and all that it taught me.
But what about the Harry Potter series makes it so special? To me, it goes beyond the nostalgia that comes along with rereading the series. I remember reading about Hermione for the first time and seeing myself in a character. I LOVED school and loved making schedules and plans (still do honestly). I loved seeing how she did not hide her intelligence and was so confident, but was still able to express her femininity. I loved the friendships and how strong they were despite their challenges. Each friend - Ron, Hermione, Neville, Luna, Ginny, etc. - brought something so unique to the group. The way those friendships highlighted each person’s differences and strengths, but still showed how together they make a cohesive and close group helped me choose friends both as a child and as an adult.
Another aspect of the series I love is that every time I read Harry Potter, I found something new. Even to this day, I can find little things I forgot about or just never understood before. Harry Potter also fed the sense of adventure I craved as a child growing up in a small town in Alabama. It was comforting to know that while there was always an adventure, and that they’re going to succeed, you never know how it’s going to happen. It’s a wonderful escape from reality whether you’re 12 or 30.
I still love to reread Harry Potter when I’m in a reading funk or just need a comfort read. No matter where I left off in the series during my last reread I always start back at the beginning with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. I love being reintroduced to the wizarding world and reliving that excitement. Do you have a favorite book in the Harry Potter series? If so, tell me which one it is and what you love about it below!
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