A few short hours ago, I watched the movie that was the finale to one of the greatest works of literature I have ever experienced. Even though I am no longer a child, I still find comfort, adventure and enjoyment in your pages. As an adult, the lessons that I learned are perhaps even more important than they were when we first became friends.
We were first introduced while I was visiting my Aunt Jennifer across the country. I was around 13 at the time, when my mom had bought Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets for me. I started it on the plane, and finished late one night while listening to the pounding Georgia rain. I was thrown head first into a wonderful world that I could never have before imagined. Despite missing the first part of the story I was instantly inthralled. While there, my Aunt took me to a bookstore so I could get the the first book, because I was dying to know what happened.
This obsession for lack of a better term continues still. For more than a decade now I have been almost continually counting down to the next book or movie release date. I remember the day the third book came out, I was a the book store when it opened, and the sales lady didn't know what Harry Potter was, I had to wander the shelves until I found it by myself. How times have changed. I have not missed a midnight premier of a book or movie. (Except for a small problem incurred at the opening of the 3rd movie which was remedied after an all nighter, a small catnap and the first matinée the next morning.)At this last premier, I was teased slightly for wearing my Gryffindor tie all day at work, but for Harry… its worth it.
I am now on my second and in some instances third and forth copies of the books, because I cannot seem to leave them on my shelf. They come everywhere with me, in my backpack, purse, and car, to the lake, to the cabin, in bed, at the grocery store, at the dinner table, everywhere. I was in the middle of the Goblet of fire, and trying to get ready and read in the shower at the same time, it was not one of my most brilliant ideas. But somehow you have become so engrained in my life, that I cannot imagine it without you.
When we met, I was at one of the most confusing stages of life. Leaving childhood, and becoming a teenager was not the smoothest of transitions as my mother can attest. Like Harry and his first experience with the Sorting Hat, I didn't feel good enough to do or be anything special. But as I got to know the young wizards of Harry Potter, they showed me what it meant to be honest and brave and true. Even though I didn't know who I was, I knew who I wanted to become.
As we grew up together, the Harry Potter books became one of the most reliable friends in my life. While doing homework all through Grade School, I would take "Harry Potter Breaks" which unfortunately led to more than a few late nights.
During a particularly difficult couple of years in High School, you were one of the things that helped get me through. After long days of seminary, then school, and after coming home to family obligations and homework, I often curled up with one of the books and read myself to sleep. The adventures and struggles in your world made my problems seem more manageable. My personal world might have been holding on by a thread, but at least I didn't have to deal with a man like Voldemort on top of everything.
Once in collage, I started floundering again. I knew what others expected of me, but I didn't really know what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. And then because of my deep and abiding love of books, I sort of fell into begin an English Major. For me, this was like finding my "House". Here were the people who loved the same things that I did, and treasured knowledge and the written word even when it wasn't necessarily "cool". The "Dragon Lady", a professor who was scarily like McGonagall, lead me to friends I still treasure even years later and despite the hundreds of miles in between us.
These same friends helped me survive other dreaded classes that we nicknamed "potions" and professors whom we called "Bins". Harry Potter marathons were joyful and listening to the audio books made cleaning our apartment and cooking meals not only enjoyable, but something to look foreword to.
Harry, you are one of those characters, who had all of the makings of a good friend. You are brave even when afraid, and loyal, and fiercely protective of all of those who fall into your care. You taught me that even if I feel completely inadequate, with hard work (and the occasional help of "Sheer dumb luck") anything, even defeating one of the most evil men of all time, is possible.
I learned from Ron, how to rebound. You make mistakes all of the time, and have the "emotional range of a tea spoon", but still we love you. You might get mad, or fed up with the drama, but you always come back, and are always there when you are needed the most. While Harry and Hermione were arguing over Horcruxes and Hallows, you took the lead, keeping the group going.
Hermione, you and I have a lot in common. From our incurably bushy hair to a love of books that boarders on obsessive. You taught me that it is ok to love learning, even when it gets us labeled as Nerds. From one bushy-haired, bookworm to another, Thank you. Thank you for teaching me that being myself is a wonderful thing.
Oh Neville, you seem to be one of the characters that I gravitated to the most. Despite being a pronounced bibliophile like Hermione, I never felt part of the "In Crowd". Rather I lived on the perimeter and watched. Like you, growing up I was a bit chubby and a bit awkward. But you inspired me, because of all of the characters I think you grew the most. Yes, Harry defeated He Who Must Not Be Named, Ron matured, and Hermione blossomed. But you, you took your insecurities and inadequacies and became their equal.
It started in the DA when you were so determined to learn all that you could. When the announcement of the Death Eaters escape from prison came, you did not hide like some fully trained wizards did. You began pushing yourself, and working harder than anyone in the DA. And then when Harry needed friends the most, you were there to brave the Department of Mysteries, and the fight that waited… eventually facing the woman who was the very reason you grew up without your parents.
When the Trio didn't return to Hogwarts in your 7th year, you stepped up and became the leader that the rest of the students could look up to in their time of need. You stood up to the Carrows, even though you knew there would be dire consequences. And even though their punishments were often painful, you stood true, not only because it was the right thing to do, but because it would make it easier for others to follow your example. Despite everything, you became a leader. Someone who others could aspire to be. Someone who made even the fiercest of grandmothers proud. In the words of Dudley, 'We had to write an essay about our hero at school, Mr. Longbottom*, and I wrote about you." (*slight name change)
Neville, you are the unsung Hero. You were brave when you could have hid, loyal when you could have run, and defied the status quo when it would have been easier to give in. You are truly deserving of the Sword of Gryffindor.
Finally, thank you Ms. Rowling. Thank you for being someone I wanted to be when I grew up. And now that I am "Up", I hope I can somehow do for others what you have done for me. I don't know how yet, but someday I will try to help someone see the good in the world and in themselves just like I learned from you.
