User blog comment:JoePlay/Wizarding World Giveaway/@comment-4139656-20110712144734

What does Harry Potter mean to me? Everything. I started reading this books when I was 6, and I remember that day like it was yesterday. Harry Potter gave me friends: not only did I make all kinds of friends as I got older just from our mutual love of the series, but it also gave me friends on paper. Harry, Ron, and Hermione never judged me for the way I acted, they never made me pick sides, they never got mad at me when I did better on a test or when I wouldn't let them copy my schoolwork. I related to three fictional 11 year olds than I did to kids my own age, and whenever I was sad, angry, happy, or just confused, I would pick up a book and be transported to Hogwarts, where everything was okay. It taught me many lessons, such as love defeats all and to stick by your friends no matter what. It's taught me that evil does exist in the world, and that one person can change the lives of many. It's taught me that reading is an amazing thing that can never be understood until you pick up a good book. It taught me that magic really does exist: the magic of imagination, friendship, family, and the courage to take on your adversaries. In the past year with the release of the last two movies, it's also taught me how to "let go" in a way, as the release of Part 2 on Friday means the ending of my childhood. These books and movies have changed my life in such a way, I don't think I'd be the person I am today if I hadn't read them. They mean the absolute world to me.