User blog comment:JoePlay/Wizarding World Giveaway/@comment-4182006-20110721150451

I am a 13 year old. I may be young to have grown up with the Harry Potter series, but I have. I was an early reader. I started reading Harry Potter at the young age of 7. At that moment I fell in love with it. I had joined million of dedicated fans, muggles and wizards alike that day. I've stood in lines for the books, and the movies. Harry Potter has been more than a book for me. It was more than a movie. It was a place where I could escape into when I didn't want to be in the real world. It gave me the second chance that real life denied me. It has been my childhood; I've grown up with the characters. Hogwarts was my home. For me it's been a real world, it really has. I've cried over the deaths of what people would call "fictional characters," but for me they were friends. I've celebrated the happy moments with them, and cried over the bad ones. They've been there on those lonely days, they've been there with me through some really hard times. I've learned so much about life from just seven books. They've taught me the importance of bravery. I've learned that love will always triumph over evil in the end. They've taught me the importance of loyalty and friendship. I used to be scared of death, but after reading the last book I learned that I shouldn't fear death, but I should welcome it as a friend. As Albus Dumbledore had once said, “Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living, and, above all, those who live without love.” Harry taught me to be strong in even the most hopeless situations, Ron taught me to find the humor in the most serious moments. Hermione taught me that just because you're girl doesn't mean you have to be weak and vulnerable; you can be strong and powerful and still make a difference. The Weasley twins taught me to laugh often, Luna taught me to find the good in everyone no matter how bad their actions may be. The Weasleys taught me the importance of family and that money isn't always the source of happiness. These books, movies, characters, they've helped shape my life. Without them, I wouldn't be the person that I am today. This series has united a whole generation of children, as well as adults. Everyone's reminding me that it's all over, the last movie has come out and it's all over. But I refuse to accept this fact. As Sirius had once said, "The ones that love us never really leave us." I truly believe that Harry Potter will never leave me. I want to thank J.K. Rowling. Thank you for giving me a home. Thank you for giving me a magical childhood.