I still remember the day my brother, who is forever the wise elder to me, handed me a book and said, "Isha, you have to read this. It's got magic, friendship, and… trust me, you’ll love it." He was an avid reader , so naturally love everything, I was skeptical first—how could a book about a boy wizard capture my attention? But, being the obedient little sister that I was, I gave in. And boy I, was glad I did.
From the moment I opened Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, I was hooked into the J.K. Rowling's magical world and suddenly, I was transported to Hogwarts, wandering the halls with Harry, Hermione, and Ron. It wasn’t just a book series it became a portal into a world that made me feel at home, even on days when the real world felt overwhelming.
As I grew older, I realized that Harry Potter was more than just a fun, fantasy-filled adventure. The characters began to feel like friends who always showed up when I needed them most. Harry’s resilience in the face of loss mirrored my own struggles. His journey through pain and hardship, while still finding hope and light, resonated deeply with me. Hermione's relentless pursuit of knowledge reminded me to stay curious, and Ron, well, Ron’s loyalty and awkward charm felt like a reflection of my own imperfect but real. Each of these characters showed me something about myself and how to face life with courage.
But for me, the magic of Harry Potter went far beyond entertainment. it became an emotional lifeline. In 2015, when I lost my father, I found unexpected strength in Harry’s story. If Harry could survive without both his parents, I could survive without my father. trust me it was no comparison but a connection to the world of magic. His journey made me realize that love doesn’t disappear with loss—it lives on in our hearts, shaping us and giving us strength. It was this fictional world, with its mix of fantasy and human connection, that gave me comfort when reality became too hard to handle.
One character who always held a special place in my heart was Sirius Black. He was more than just Harry’s godfather, he was the embodiment of freedom, rebellion, and loyalty. His fiercely protective nature and willingness to break the rules for those he loved made him stand out. Sirius was the father figure Harry never had, and in many ways, I found myself wishing I had someone like him in my life—a cool, adventurous godfather with whom I could share my secrets, escape the mundane, and feel understood. He was flawed, sure, but his imperfections only made him more relatable. His unwavering love for Harry, despite the world turning against him, taught me the importance of family beyond blood ties. In Sirius, I saw the kind of bond. Always wished and searched for a confidant who would stand by me through thick and thin, ready to battle the world with a mischievous grin.
And then there’s the wonderful world of escapism. Life has its ups and downs, and when things got tough, I would retreat to Hogwarts. It became my safe haven, a place where I could forget the world for a while and just be in a universe where magic was real, friendships were unbreakable, and good always found a way to win. Re-reading the books or watching the films was like curling up with a warm blanket on a rainy day. It was pure comfort. Even now, when life gets a bit too chaotic, a little trip to Hogwarts always does the trick.
For me, Harry Potter is no longer just a story. It’s an emotion, a part of who I am. It’s the series that taught me resilience, the power of friendship, and the importance of finding light even in the darkest of times. I may have started reading it because of my brother’s insistence, but now it’s a part of my identity, woven into the fabric of my life.
But what about you?
Do you have a series that’s more than just a story? One that became a source of comfort, hope, or even an emotional anchor? Let me know your favorite, because we all need a little magic in our lives, right?
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