User blog comment:JoePlay/Wizarding World Giveaway/@comment-4142976-20110713150420

What can I say? I grew up with Harry. I was fortunate to be living in England when the series came out and Christmas of 1998 my parents bought me the first two books. Though I didn't start reading them until a year later, Harry Potter brought magic to my life. I was so disappointed when I moved to America a year later because when I turned eleven a few years later, I could never get my acceptance letter to Hogwarts. It wasn't until my eighth grade that my obsession truly kicked in. I met my best friend who also shared my obsession. While I wanted to marry Sirius Black (and chased a boy I liked the whole year who reminded me of him because of his long hair) my best friend would have married James Potter if she could have. Moving on to high school was difficult but re-reading the series has helped me through a lot. In tenth grade I dressed up in my Hogwarts uniform and with the permission of my teacher beforehand, pretended the door was locked in the classroom. Getting the attention from my fellow classmates, I pulled out my homemade wand and said "Alohomora" and a friend on the outside opened the door magically for me. For the rest of high school, I was known throughout my graduating class as "that obsessed Harry Potter girl" but in a good way. Though I just finished my first year of university, Harry has been there for me in the most important way. I had a hard time adjusting and whenever I was having a bad day, I would stop what I was doing and grabbed a Harry Potter book. To date I've read the whole series eight times. Harry has been there for me at my worst just as I have been there for him from fighting off a troll in the girls bathroom, making his way through the maze of the Triwizard tournament, to fighting Lord Voldemort for the last time at the Battle of Hogwarts. What I love about Harry Potter is that no matter how many times you read it, you always go through something different. It took reading Deathly Hallows five times for me to finally forgive Snape and to understand that he gave his life to protecting Harry. I love each character, they're my best friends. Every time I pick up a book, I immerse myself in a world I so desperately wish to enter. The series is an emotional rollercoaster and I feel for Harry who lost all the father figures in his life (from Sirius to Dumbledore to Lupin), who spends his years at Hogwarts knowing that in the end it all comes down to him and Voldemort. Only one can live while the other survives. I feel for all those who lost someone they loved. But most importantly, the series is a celebration of life. For those who fought to live in a better world, for those who loved, for love is what truly conquers all. Harry gave his life to protect the ones he loved and I think there's no better message out there. Harry Potter is my life and if I was ever fortunate enough to meet him, I feel like there would be nothing I could say, that I would have to hug me tight (sorry Ginny) and let him know how much I appreciate everything he's been through.