User blog comment:JoePlay/Wizarding World Giveaway/@comment-4158174-20110717040225

"What Does Harry Potter Mean to You" For starters, I always felt like I was on the outside looking in, never really fitting in anywhere, but always had a spark in me, much like the young Harry as he was growing up with the Dursleys. When I received the first book as a gift from a teacher nearly 12 years ago, I was a little reluctant as I wasn't as young as most of the other fans who started reading the series. As soon as I had finished the chapter, my reluctance had all but vanished and I found myself finishing the Sorcerer's Stone in less than a day. The characters were so well-rounded and easy to relate to. That always makes for good reading; when you feel how real their emotions are as they are close to your own. It makes you feel like you're never alone and you're one with the story.

As the series grew, I saw myself as a person grow as well. We all struggle with ourselves and Harry taught me that no matter what happens, you must not lose sight of yourself, some things are bigger than us, to distinguish the right from the wrong. Also, it doesn't matter where you come from, what your background is. Everyone has a chance to save themselves from a terrible past, rise up from the ashes and be the bigger person, especially through self-sacrifice, like my favorite character, Snape. Harry and company have kept my already close-knit family even closer, and I hope to pass down the lessons I've learned to my children. Harry Potter IS my world. As long as we keep the story alive since the series has ended, it will never die. It's up to us as the readers and fans to pass along the values, and that truly is magic.