User blog comment:JoePlay/Wizarding World Giveaway/@comment-4141268-20110713004403

I was 6 years old when my dad started reading The Sorcerer's Stone to me. Every night we read the books together until I started reading them on my own. I was in third grade when I wore an elaborate Hermione costume to the Midnight Premiere of the Order of the Phoenix, and have gone to every book and movie midnight premiere in full-Potter-garb sense. When the last book was released, my family bought three copies so that we could figure out how the story ended without being hindered by our other family members. After staying in my room, laughing and crying as I turned the pages, only leaving to eat every so often, I finished The Deathly Hallows in two days. I am now 17 years old. I'm slowly coming to the realization that I'll soon be leaving the comforts of home and going out into the real world. Growing up as a geeky muggle isn't all that different from growing up as a bespectacled and lightning-scared wizard. In two days, I'll watch 17-year-old Harry -the boy who lead the battle of good and evil, loved, suffered, and lived- finally grow up.

Ms. Rowling has tied in many clever and insightful motifs and themes along with creating real characters and gripping adventures. But despite all that, Harry Potter will remain in my memory as a story about growing up. For Harry and for myself.