While this post isn’t actually going to be going up on the
day I’m writing it (9/1), I thought I’d write it anyway, just to talk about
some things.
Today, September 1st, is the day that in the
Harry Potter world, the young witches and wizards in J.K. Rowling’s beloved
world would be heading back to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on
the Hogwarts Express via Platform 9 and ¾ at precisely 11:00 am. Having been an extreme fan of the series
since I first received the books as a gift when I was eight years old, this day
has always had a special meaning to me.
While realistically, I know that this world doesn’t exist, there has
always been a part of me that has hoped I would get my own owl, inviting me to
attend Hogwarts, and learn magic and more importantly, become part of the world
that I have grown to adore.
If you have been reading my blog for a while now, you’ll now
that I studied abroad in London during the summer between my sophomore and
junior years in college. While I was
there, I took an hour and visited Platform 9 and ¾ in King’s Cross Station (I
mean come on, wouldn’t you?), and even better, I attended the final red carpet
premiere of Deathly Hallows Part 2 in Trafalgar Square. Yup, I was one of the ‘crazies’ in the square
screaming and crying listening to the trio and J.K.R. herself make those now
iconic speeches. I personally heard
J.K.R. say “Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home,” and even more
special, “no story lives unless someone wants to listen.”
This year, I’m also not going back to school. I’ve graduated college, and my entire
identity feels as if it has changed, now that I am no longer a ‘student.’ I suppose in some ways I will always be a
student, as we are always growing, learning, and evolving throughout our lives,
but I am no longer a formal classroom student, and currently have no plans for
grad school. But what does this have to
do with Harry Potter? It’s the beginning
of the ‘muggle’ school year. And now
that the ‘wizarding’ world school year has begun, where I am to turn? I will, obviously, continue to work at
Target, but for some reason, things suddenly seem drastically different
today.
The fact that I did not go back to JMU this past week for
classes has really hit me hard the past few days. I’ve quickly realized I’m ‘officially’ an
adult, with real responsibilities, student loans (with payments rapidly
approaching), and dwelling on it as opposed to making moves can be
anxiety-inducing. While my first instinct
today when I woke up was “well, it’s the first of September, time to reread
Harry Potter and head back to Hogwarts,” I’m not so sure it’s the best idea
anymore. Wouldn’t, in a way, that be
like reversing, and just delaying my progress towards my future? Believe me, I
don’t think there’s anything wrong with reading books, Harry Potter, or even
rereading a series if it’s something you like or love, but for me in my
specific situation, I’m just debating whether or not it’s the best move for me.
So here’s what I’ve decided to do. As much as it kills me to say this, and to
admit it out loud to you guys, I’ve decided to hold off on reading Potter. However, I decided I’m going to read the
books again starting in the New Year (2014).
I can last a few months; I’ve lasted this long without reading
them. In the meantime, I have plenty of
other books to read and get excited about – “Allegiant” comes out in October!!!
– and I will be plenty busy working and searching for jobs.
Harry Potter has been there for me ever since I first picked
up “Sorcerer’s Stone” at the young age of eight, and is still something that I
go back to. I still reference the books
and films. I still read fan fiction (yes
I am THAT person), still listen to WROCK, I still hope for a Marauder era book
from J.K.R., I still Tumblr search Harry Potter things all the time, and I
still follow all of the talented cast members.
That will never change, or at least I can’t imagine it changing any time
soon. Harry Potter is absolutely
something that I will introduce to my own children someday, so that they may
experience the ‘magic’ that I did. And I
hope that they love it as much as I do.
For now, this will work.
And when I do read the series again, perhaps I’ll blog or vlog about my
experiences with the books and movies.
Who knows? All that matters right
now is exactly what Rowling said at the premiere, “Hogwarts will always be
there to welcome you home.”
To listen to one of my favorite Wrock songs, click here:
