Wow! What a week! I was able to get my Marvel Monday’s up on time this week so I’m hoping I can get a perfect score this week and get this post up on time too! (I’m even starting to write this at our favorite local restaurant as we wait for our food).
I thought about the next fandom that I wanted to feature and I knew in an instant what it had to be: Harry Potter.
Going back to the beginning, when I was in the 6th grade, my mom bought a book at the Scholastic book fair that she’d been volunteering at. It was Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Now I’m ashamed to say it sat on our kitchen counter for some time, even though I was an avid reader. It wasn’t until my best friend (and next door neighbor, whom I shared a name with), said she’d read the first three and really liked them (if you’re reading this Jessica, thank you!) Needless to say I was hooked and my friend thankfully loaned me the next two books.
That summer, the 4th book was coming out. I didn’t yet know about midnight parties, but I did make sure to preorder a copy at Media Play (R.I.P). I went the day it came out to pick up my copy, tagging along with my friend Cal. Much happiness ensued and I gobbled that book up (and you can tell too as it’s not in the best condition).
To say I was obsessed would be an understatement. I reread the books enough times that my parents told me I couldn’t read Order of the Phoenix until I finished the Book of Mormon (I’m Mormon and grew up in a Mormon family). So, when I got the book at the midnight release, my brothers got to read it before me. Thankfully, and miraculously, I wasn’t spoiled. I still look back and don’t know how that happened. The rest of the midnight releases, I didn’t have to wait.
We met Gilderoy Lockheart at the 7th book release
Of course I drank the movies up and saw them all in theaters, including the later ones at midnight showings.
The movies brought my magical world to life in a way I’d never imagined! During these years I also frequented Mugglenet.com, a fan site with Harry Potter news and a way to connect with other fans. The world of Harry Potter is so vast!
I always considered myself a Gryffindor, even though I could have probably been put into Ravenclaw for my love of reading. In 2011, J.K. Rowling announced she was working on a website called Pottermore. An interactive companion website to the books. The best part was, you could get sorted!
Pottermore said they were going to open up beta spots to fans, but you had to find the magical quill on the internet at the right time and on the right site. They would put up clues with a question that you had to answer before being taken to where you could find the quill. Thankfully, I was able to sign up the first night (there were 7 nights). I then had to wait until they started opening up the site to the beta testers.
I was lucky enough to get in on the first day. It was torture waiting when I heard that other people were getting in, but then I got my email late at night. Others had to wait weeks to get in.
I stayed up late so that I could finally know my house and I’m proud to say that I got into the house I always identified with, Gryffindor!
Sean didn’t join as a beta tester, but when it finally went public for everyone, he got sorted as well. When the screen showed Gryffindor, I think it’s safe to say that I was more proud of my husband than I was of myself! We are a Gryffindor family! When we have our own house in the future, I want to make our living room like the Gryffindor common room. Thank goodness our couch and rug work great for it already!
I’m sure you’re wondering if I’ve been able to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Well, the answer is no. I haven’t. I had to leave Florida before it opened up (I was really upset), and I haven’t been back since. Thankfully they are building one in Hollywood, which is closer to us, and we will go there when we go to California next year! I’ll finally be able to feel like I’m going “home”, have butterbeer, and visit the Hogwarts castle! You can do that too and join me by booking your Southern California Vacation Package with Get Away Today, the next best thing to the Hogwarts Express that we have in the Muggle world! (And don’t forget to use my $10 off coupon code: TwoGeeks )
Lately, I’ve felt like my love of Harry Potter has been renewed. I read an article on Mugglenet that was about babywearing and Harry Potter themed carriers. I joined the group S.P.E.W. (Society for Potter-Enthusiastic Wrappers), and bought a beautiful wrap from Natibaby called Indivisibility Cloak. I’ve loved being able to connect with other Potter loving moms around the world.
There’s so much about Harry Potter that you can get involved in. Just like I’ve mentioned above, there are fansites, theme parks, Facebook pages, and more! Of course I can’t forget cosplay! I have a full Gryffindor student uniform. My mother in law has a great Madame Hooch cosplay, and a wonderful Professor Mcgonagall cosplay too! I made my own robes and got a fairly screen accurate patch (from a super sketchy website that I can no longer find). I even have a sweater made by the company who made the ones in the movies.
One thing that I’d like to do is join or start a Quidditch league. I got to play a little bit at a Harry Potter party we had recently with my in laws. It’s a fun sport and I think it’s the one I was born to play (and I’m not a sporty person!). It’s also a great work out too!
Harry Potter is one of my favorite and long time fandoms. It’s one that I can’t wait to share with little Ms. Marvel (okay I’ve already started as you can tell from the first photo). Now if only I can get Sean to read them.
Have you read the Harry Potter books or only seen the movies? When did you first get the Potter bug? Do you have a favorite character? (I had a crush on Ron, but I love Hermione).
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