User blog comment:JoePlay/Wizarding World Giveaway/@comment-4161670-20110717230837

Harry Potter, to me, of course means a great deal. He has been one of my best childhood friends, starting from the part when I was in the first grade and was scared to death seeing Voldemort on the back of Professor Quirrell's head. He is a hero to me, seeing as how he not only made Quirrell turn to ashes, but also is a hero on a much deeper level. Harry had to go through his childhood, before he even went to Hogwarts, orphaned, hated and alone. And then he went through Hogwarts and fought everything that came his way. Sure, he needed help along the way, with Ron, Hermione, Fawkes and a whole ton of other people, but no one would be anywhere without the help of others. Throughout the entire series all he did was help others! He formed Dumbledore's Army, beat the Basilisk, killed Voldemort and so much more. His perseverance inspired in me, at a young age, to keep trying, especially as the first Harry Potter book that I read was the fifth (and the longest) book, the Order of the Pheonix. It literally took me all summer, but I figured if Harry could still try to live his life as good and normal as he could, being the Boy Who Lived and all, then I could finish all of those 870 pages of brilliance. Also, he provided for me a safe haven, whenever I felt sad, I could go with him to Hogwarts, and learn about a world far different from my own. I could listen to Hermione ramble and Ron goof around. It was my little comforting bubble, and I was very sad when it all ended, especially after the midnight movie this year. It seemed very surreal to see him so old, with his own children since I just about grew up with him. I am very sad to see the series end, but am happy to see the world expand in Pottermore later this year. In one sentence, Harry Potter means many things to me: friendship, growing up, persistence, benevolence and wonder.