a sick obsession.

I have a problem. 

Well, it's not really a problem, but more of an...addiction. I'm addicted to a lot of things. Facebook, ch131, several tv shows, marriage, the list goes on. 

But one thing will always be in my heart stronger than the others...and that is:

My love affair with HP began when "The Sorcerer's Stone" came out in 1998. 

This book opened my eyes to another world.

Wizards, Goblins, Giants, Spells, Potions, Good vs. Evil, Magical Creatures, Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Quidditch, Butter Beer, Voldemort, the Lightning Bolt Scar, Mail Delivery by Owl, Sorting Hat...the list is endless. 

I fell in love with this magical place Ms. Rowling dreamt up, and KNEW it was the world I belonged in. I WAITED, and WAITED till the day I turned 11......

....Alas, I didn't receive my owl. 

I was crushed.

Wait...maybe Dumbledore would hand-deliver it to me? Maybe Hagrid would burst in at any moment, turning my little sister into a pig and telling my mom and dad that I didn't belong in the Muggle world, and that I needed to come with him; off we'd ride on his flying motorcycle. Off and away to Hogwarts, and there I could begin my proper, magical educaion.

Yes, that HAD to be what was going to happen.

Well, I've come to the realization that my owl is stuck in a storm over the Atlantic Ocean...like it has been for the past 6 years.

It'll come, It'll come.

As the books continued on, movies started coming out.

They only made my dreams seem to be closer to reality.

Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint soon became my idols. I wanted to BE them. I wanted to have their life. To live in the world of Harry Potter and get paid for it? Nothing could top that. 

The cast only gets better:

Maggie Wright, Alan Rickman, Richard Harris (replaced by Sir Michael Gambon), Robbie Coltrane, Helena Bonham Carter, Gary Oldman, Emma Thompson, Ralph Fiennes, the list goes on...

I have so much I want to say about Harry Potter...I can't organize my thoughts.

Summarizing the books from start to finish would be good, because then I could mention each and every one of my favorite parts, but then this post would be about....a bajillion pages long. I've read each book (multiple times) and each time I reread, I realize my love for the story has grown even more. 

I just read through everything I've typed so far, and I think some people would think I'm crazy...but I'm not alone. My friends and I have had many emotional discussions about Harry Potter--what we love, what we hate, how we feel about certain characters or events that take place in the book. It's like an epidemic. An epidemic of magic.

My friends and I often argue about favorite characters. I have a lot of favorites.

Sirius Black

strong, courageous, caring, loyal, godfather, determined, good

 Dumbledore

I can't even think of where to start with this one. He is...like my grandfather. I know, I know, he's a fictional character, but I know him. His pure goodness, strength, valor, dignity, humility, compassion, power, and wisdom combine to make...well, the greatest wizard of all time. He is the only one Voldemort fears. Tom Riddle should be scared...no one wants to be on this guy's bad side.

 Lupin & Tonks

They're in love. She is openly in love with Lupin and wants the whole world to know--no inhibitions. Lupin loves her, but in a silent way. He loves her so much and wants her to be safe, and he knows that by being with him, she is in danger. What a lovely couple! They complement each other so well. They are both strong, determined, stubborn, and have to get their way, which makes for some great interactions. 

 Ginny

I identify with Ginny the most out of any Harry Potter character, so naturally she is one of my favorites. She is smart (obviously just like me), witty (again...me), determined, dedicated, naturally talented (doy), in love with harry (holler), she was awkward for a while (me from age 7-15), but after she grows into her looks and her personality, she is DYNAMITE.

Just like me.

Hagrid

Hagrid is the lovable teddybear. He's just the cute innocent giant that loves Harry, Ron and Hermione so much. His love for magical creatures is great, as well. I cried with him when he says, "Buckbeak's been sentenced to death!" in the third movie. Gets me every time. He loves Dumbledore and is forever loyal to him. He means well, but messes up all the time. 

But, it all works out in the end, and everyone loves Hagrid--how can you not??

 Bellatrix Lestrange

I know what you're thinking...Bellatrix Lestrange? She's the character I love to hate. She is so EVIL that she is good. Do you know what I mean? Her love for Voldemort is sickening, yet so interesting. How can someone love something so....bad? She kills Sirius and goes skipping about the Ministry of Magic yelling, "I killed Sirius Black, I killed Sirius Black!!!" What a deranged woman. But she's so awesome at the same time. 

She was my the result I got on the facebook "Which Harry Potter Villain Are You?" quiz.

Hoooooolllller.

I love Harry Potter because in each book, the plot thickens, and more deep, dark details to the story are revealed. I wanted to re-read all of the books before the 7th movie came out (16 days, by the way), but I don't have the time. Lame, eh? Math takes over my life. Anyway....I am SO excited for the release of the 7th movie, and I am rereading the 7th book as I type. Well not as I type, but you get the idea. 

My plan for the midnight premiere:

1. Take a nap

2. Dress up (as Ginny, of course)

3. Leave with my friends in enough time to get to the theater a couple hours early

4. Wait in line

5. Converse with other Potter fanatics

6. Get good seats once let into the theater 

7. Talk about favorite Potter moments

8. Get giddy with excitement minutes before the movie begins

9. Scream/cry once the movie begins

10. Watch intently

11. Come out of the movie forever changed

I love Harry Potter more than I love my mom!

okay...not more, but almost as much. 

and that's a lot.

"i must be the one to KILL harry potter, and i shall be."

          --Lord Voldemort 

*shudder*