How It All Began......

There are millions of Harry Potter fans throughout the world.  Everyone's love of the story had to start somewhere.  Here's how mine began.

I first read the books in maybe fourth or fifth grade.  My mom and my brother started reading them first, and my brother had brought the first book to read on a long car trip.  When he fell asleep, I decided to pick up the book and start reading.  I went on to finish the books before my mom and brother did. 

Sure, I enjoyed the books, but I didn't love them.  I read them just for fun and didn't really speculate about who would die next or whether Snape was good or bad.  I also didn't see all the movies, only the first three or so.  I didn't even want to see Half-Blood Prince when it was in theaters because I didn't want to watch Dumbledore's death.

Fast forward to November 19, 2010.  A date I remember well, because not only was it the premiere date of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1, it is the birthday of one of my good friends who passed away from cancer.  She was a Potter fan, and her parents had invited me, my mom, and my brother to go see the movie.  Of course, we went.

I loved that movie.  I thought it was so awesome.  Some people don't seem to like the movies that much, but I really enjoy them.  I ended up watching all the movies that I didn't see before.  Deathly Hallows - Part 1 and possibly some influence from one of my friends who is Potter-obsessed got me more into Harry Potter.

My love of Harry Potter continued to grow. I went to see the midnight premiere of Deathly Hallows - Part 2 with my mom, brother, and some of our friends.  I started a Harry Potter Facebook page that I admin with two of my friends.  Of course, I began writing this blog.  I also write fanfiction and wish I was a good artist so I could draw fan art.  I talk about Harry Potter with my friends and play Hogwarts with my cousins.  There's just so much fun stuff you can do with the world of Harry Potter.

There you have it!  That's how I became a fan of Harry Potter.  And I'm so glad I did.  I honestly don't know what I'd do with my free time if I didn't.

Romione vs. Dramione

When it comes to shipping, I have a minor conflict.  I'm torn between a canon and a non-canon ship.  Those would be Romione (Ron/Hermione) and Dramione (Draco/Hermione).  I honestly don't know which one I like better.

First is Romione.  Ron and Hermione became friends in the first book, and eventually they became more than just friends.  Yes, they had their arguments, but what friends haven't?  Their friendship always came through in the end.

You could tell they were meant to be together.  How Ron disliked Viktor Krum in year four, and Hermione disliked Lavender Brown in year six.  How Hermione was upset when Ron left her and Harry in Deathly Hallows.  How, later on in that book, Ron was in distress during Hermione's torture.  You could go on and on.

There's no other way to put it; they're just so perfect together.  Some might say that Hermione deserved better than Ron.  Why?  Why isn't he good enough for her?  They loved each other, and that's what matters.

Next is Dramione.  When I first heard about this ship, I hated it (I may have mentioned this before).  I didn't think it would work.  The more I thought about it, however, the more I liked it.  Now, I think it would work.

I honestly don't know how to describe it.  The only way I can think of would be to compare it to Lily and James Potter, who didn't like each other in school and then ended up getting married.  The same could happen with Draco and Hermione.

I don't believe that Draco was that bad of a person.  Okay, so he was a bully in school, but again, so was James.  Draco sort of redeemed himself in Deathly Hallows, and I think he could've turned out all right.  There really isn't anything in the books that could suggest them being together, but I've seen other ships that are the same way (like Fred/Hermione, I have nothing against it but where did it come from?).  I can't explain this ship any other way than that IT WOULD WORK!  Just think about it for a moment.

There you have it.  Ron and Draco, two very different people, but both people that I think could end up with Hermione.  Who do I like better?  I don't know.  I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to choose.

'Battle of Hogwarts' Documentary Review

May 2, 1998 - a day that will forever be remembered in wizarding history.  It was a day of triumph and tragedy, a day of love, friendship, courage, strength, and perseverance.  It was a day that would change people's lives.

It was the day of the Battle of Hogwarts.

Fast forward twenty years after the battle, and you'll have the setting of the fan-made documentary 'The Battle of Hogwarts'.  The website myhogwarts.co.uk held a showing of this film to commemorate the anniversary of the battle.  Curious to see what it was about, I decided to watch.

'The Battle of Hogwarts' was short (under an hour long) but sweet.  It included several interviews with people who were involved in the battle.  Some characters, such as Luna and Ginny, were people we know; others weren't recognizable (at least to me).  The trio of Harry, Ron, and Hermione wasn't included in the documentary.

I really enjoyed this film.  Seeing how they imagined the characters' lives in the future was interesting.  Though it didn't really include much other than the interviews, I was intrigued and didn't want to miss a word they said.  They included several perspectives, from Dean Thomas to a remorseful former Death Eater.  There was even a touch of humor in one spot.

One bit of confusion for me was with Harry.  They said he had become an Auror, yet later before Ginny's interview they said that the two had moved to a house in the Muggle world.  This didn't seem to make sense to me.

Otherwise, though, 'The Battle of Hogwarts' was an enjoyable documentary.  It is definitely a must-see for any Harry Potter fan.