User blog comment:JoePlay/Wizarding World Giveaway/@comment-4171464-20110719211935

Harry Potter means much more to me than most people can really imagine. To others, Harry Potter truly is a wonderful series that has brought them great childhood happiness.. So on and so forth.

To me, Harry Potter is much greater than that.

I grew up in a terrible household, kind of like Snape. It was through my friends and their friends that I met growing up that I was able to develop much more maturely and happily than Severus was allowed.

I started off the Harry Potter series with the first film back in 2003. Though it came out earlier than that, I didn't have the privilege to see it in theaters. My family was completely all about "Wizards and Magic are slights against The Man Up Above". I was never truly able to enjoy the series. But as each film came out, I made some way to see them. Back in 2006 is when I actually started reading the series. Unlike the movies, the novels were so much more magical. So much more detailed. I was able to live out the journey with these characters. Jo Rowling made reading fun. With each Novel, the series became more mature. Rather than a "Children" book series, it actually grew older with me. I dealt with the problems that each of the characters were facing. Through the events taking place, to character betrayals, to love and loss, murder and death. This series made me understand that I am not alone. I particularly sympathize with Mr. Neville Longbottom. It took him some time to.. grow a backbone, and it did the same for me. The cruelties he faced growing up, I did as well.

To me, Harry Potter isn't simply "My Childhood". Harry Potter is a series of life lessons taught through the eyes and actions of various characters on screen and on paper. Reading this series, I have developed a new view on life. I have developed new relationships with people, and have even as of this year started work as a Chef at the local Children's Hospital. The series has taught me that through each and every dark corner you may go through on this earth, the light is there so long as you search for and turn it on. This is a series that I can very proudly say has helped in shaping my character today. From the people that I have met, to the things that I do. Harry Potter has shown me the true magic of simply being alive.