Harry Potter. It's ending.
I'm just going to come out and say this: if you weren't part of the Harry Potter movement, you missed one of the most important and generation-defining events of a lifetime. I feel bad for you.
Seriously, these books and these movies aren't just books and movies. This isn't just a story. This is something that has made people who they are. A story about strength and about love and about loyalty and courage in a world where all of those qualities seem useless against an unstoppable evil. That's how the world is today, though. We forget the power of love and friendship and Harry Potter supported those ideals all through our childhoods. All through our lives. We grew as Harry grew. We struggled as he struggled. Our stories were different from his, but they were so much the same as well. Anyone who underestimates that does themselves a great disservice.
It isn't just a craze. It isn't just something limited to nutty fans. It's a community, a whole story built around those who love it. This story has changed us and made us who we are. It's a part of us. I know it's a part of me. I think that people underestimate the real power of a story. Something like this, something that really connects with people on such a deep and strong and emotional level leaves a lasting imprint, and not just on individuals but on an entire society...something like this shifts the future because it defines the people who will create that future. Our generation will always remember these books and these movies because they made us this way. And those who didn't read them and didn't watch them and didn't like them...well, that's part of who they are as well. And that matters.
Hogwarts was a home, a home that was always there. The characters faced seemingly insurmountable challenges but they still struggled and fought and refused to be defeated, even when it was impossible to go on, even when there was no hope. The message that there is always a reason to keep fighting is ingrained in my mind and on my heart, just as it is for all of us who love this story. It really is this big of a deal. It really is bittersweet and you will see people expressing that. It's because Harry and Ron and Hermione and Dean and Neville and Seamus and Luna and Fred and George and so, so many more characters were my friends. I learned alongside them. Dumbledore was my teacher. I can honestly say that parts of who I am are because of his character.
It IS just this important. It will always be this important. It's not just a story. It never was.
"Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home." -J.K. Rowling
This is my favourite ever.
ReplyDeleteThank you. *cries*
ReplyDeleteOh goodness gracious me. I can't believe it's OVER.
ReplyDeleteHarry Potter has been in my life for EVER. And now..it's ending.
But it's not! It never will! Not as long as we still write fanfiction, as long as we reread the books, as long as we hum Hedwig's Theme while walking down the street, as long as we're OMG SO OBSESSED that people think we're NUTS. 'Cause you know what? We are nuts. And we always will be. And forever and ever and ever, Hogwarts will be part of that us.
This describes exactly how I'm feeling! I started crying yesterday because I couldn't beleive it was almost all over, and I don't even cry for things that happen for real in my life very often. And it's because it really is more than just a story! You are so incredibly right
ReplyDeletei've been reading your blog for the past few days, and i just saw this post and went "oh no, i HOPE she doesn't make fun of this." and you didnt. :) you're awesome. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mr. Potter.
ReplyDeleteI concur *sob*
ReplyDeleteI have read all of your posts and this one is my favorite. Hands down. Could not have been said any better. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou're a wise woman, Megan. I am so glad my sons (15 and 21 now) got to grow up in a world with Harry Potter and his friends. And that I got to be a part of it too, as it reaffirmed my beliefs and hopes for the triumph of love and friendship over evil and greed. Thank goodness I can always reread the books and rewatch the movies to give me a lift when the world just seems too dark.
ReplyDeleteOMG! That's exactly how I feel about Twilight!!
ReplyDelete...BHAHAHAHA! Sorry, I couldn't help it :P
Best.Post.Ever
ReplyDeleteI was SOBBING when the..thing happened to..Fred..like literally just sitting there sobbing :/ Ohhhhh..now it's over.. :(
ReplyDeleteSo the movie was good. It was worth the money I paid for it. I may have been crying during 62% of the film's running time and I may have, snuffling, accepted a tissue from the kind people sitting in front of me.
ReplyDeleteBUT.
The emotional pull was strongly drawn from my experience with the books, and I felt that several things from the books were left short by (sometimes understandably necessary) changes in the movie.
The final movie was a good tribute to the books. I liked it. It was neat to see the characters play out the ending on-screen, even if different and with sub-book storytelling...
Now if you'll excuse me, I have seven books to go re-read. ;)
I miss it.
ReplyDeleteI miss it so much.
ReplyDeleteIt's so true! The last ten years of my life have been completely immersed with Harry Potter (ages 8 to 18) and I find myself using it for examples and comparisons and witty lines and sad moments all the time. My saddest thought is that my children, (who will be forced to read the books) will NEVER understand the excitement of waiting for the next book to come out and not knowing how it will end and who will die and crying over the deaths of Sirius and Dumbldore and Dobby. They will most likely know the general story before and it's such a shame. I remember when the first movie came out, I got the giant cardboard 3d poster from the movie store and kept it in my room for a YEAR. I think I've seen that one at least 300 times and can tell you what line it's up to from about 3 seconds of musical score. Harry and his friends and enemies and everyone ever mentioned are such a part of me that it's so hard to think that the next generation will never appreciate it the way I do.
ReplyDeleteThe movie was great, and I bawled, but thankfully the emptiness I feel is actually nothing like the giant hole I had after the last book.
Anywho, that was a long rant. Glad to know that across the world, there are so many who feel like I do and understand the enormity of Harry Potter and it's impact on us.
So true, so very true.
ReplyDeleteAmen, sist-ah.
ReplyDeleteHarry Potter is and will forever be a part of all of us. Whether we were in line at 10:30 to see it at midnight or we accidentally walked into the wrong theater when we really wanted to see crazy stupid love. Either way.