User blog comment:JoePlay/Wizarding World Giveaway/@comment-4150032-20110715093831

I am happy to say that I have spent 2/3 of my life anticipating the release of either a book or a movie in the Harry Potter series. The world of Harry Potter has taught me countless lessons about life, dealing with both the good and bad aspects of it. By providing a lovely story filled with wonderful characters, J.K. Rowling has inspired those who cherish the series as I do to be good people, following in the footsteps of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. I know that throughout my life, I will always consider the Harry Potter series to be a major aspect of my childhood, having grown up loving the books alongside my friends, family, and the rest of the world. Hardcore Potter fans can be found in all walks of life, and non-Harry Potter fans are pretty much in the minority. Harry Potter's message resonates with people everywhere. This is one of the characteristics of the series that means the most to me. With my friends and family, Harry Potter discussions last for hours, and my mom, brother and I have a tradition of attending the midnight release of every book or movie that is released in the series. In the past, my community has held entire festivals dedicated to a Harry Potter book release, complete with shop windows decorated, people dressed up, and Harry Potter themed scavenger hunts. Local book stores would be teeming with fans bouncing off of the walls at the excitement of a new book. At my school, Harry Potter is a huge deal. Last November, in celebration of Deathly Hallows Part 1, we had Harry Potter day. Students from every different clique, sports team, club, and classroom was unified in their love of Harry Potter on this day, and it was a wonderful feeling to be among a family created by the shared love of such a powerfully marvelous series. And it was fun to see everyone dressed up and running around with brooms and lightning bolts on their foreheads, too. Tonight, I attended the midnight premier of Deathly Hallows Part 2. I felt at home with the hundreds of other fans at the cinema, knowing that the series held special meaning to all of the other people present and that they have as many fond and convivial memories associated with Harry Potter as I did. Harry Potter should be taught in schools, because it is much more that just a series of books or movies. Like many other kids, I was devastated when I didn't receive my letter of acceptance to Hogwarts on my 11th birthday, and wish I could reach for a butterbeer after a cold winter's afternoon. But despite these disappointments, the Harry Potter world is more real to me than many parts of my own world.

I just wish it all didn't have to end!