“Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.”
– J.K. Rowling
It was tough being a thirteen-year-old. I couldn’t seem to do anything right. I was trying to navigate a new chapter in my life, all while prioritizing my friends over my parents (I never heard the end of it) and making sure my grades were up. And after whining about my insignificant problems, and drowning in teenage angst and the notion that the whole world was against me, I decided to get back into reading – not for any educational or literary purpose – but rather for escapism.
It was a world and there was no other word to describe it other than magical. Harry Potter – such an ordinary name with such extraordinary depth to it. I was carted to Hogwarts: School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and never felt more at home. Sure, reading about a kid with magical powers could be fun, but Harry Potter was so much more. Rowling built her world masterfully – and the fact that her detailed descriptions of the world crept up around me soundlessly made everything seem so much more real. I understood it perfectly – my imagination ran wild along with the plot and characters. I felt as though I was right there with them – fighting for a cause that mattered and being a part of something so meaningful, I could feel the magic of it within me.
Rowling doesn’t shy away from giving each character depth and dimension. It’s all that makes it so wonderful to read. Harry’s bravery, Hermoine’s intelligence, Ron’s loyalty, Voldemort’s twisted brilliance, Dumbledore’s wisdom, Snape’s hatred, and the other numerous characters whom she has outlined with such vivid detail, all entrapped me. The magical creatures, the spells, the houses, and all the other parts of the plot had me hooked.
Apart from the marvelous world-building – what makes Harry Potter so beloved to me is its courage to explore the more complex aspects of life. Love and fear – the two most complicated emotions are simplified and put into play. Love is sacrifice and fear can be overcome. The whole mess that is life was being navigated by not just me, but by Harry, Ron, and Hermione too.
Reading Harry Potter helped me psychologically. I felt more in control of myself, my actions, and my reactions. And every time the real world got me down, I could always return to Hogwarts. Harry Potter taught me about patience, endurance, and courage – three qualities that I have been able to use ever since.
Harry Potter is not only appealing to thirteen-year-olds but to all ages. Its timeless nature stems from the fact that our lives never really get simple and the same conflicts between love and fear grip us as we grow older. The answer to most questions can be found in Harry Potter – be it social or political. Harry Potter has taught me and continues to teach me to plow through adversity and use love as a guiding light through it all.
Today, I am an avid reader and have read and loved many other books – but the magic of Harry Potter remains. I am fairly certain that every Potterhead feels the same: no matter where our life takes us, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome us home.