Harry Potter

So you've all read and watched Harry Potter right? Of course, you have! Who hasn't? It's the franchise that has captured the attention of the world. Even if you don't like the franchise, everyone has heard of it. With 12 academy award nominations and a total of $7.7 billion earned on the 7-book, 8-film, it's hard to ignore.

Harry, Ron and Hermione go through unimaginable circumstances that were somehow imagined and translated into fantastic literature by British national treasure, Joanne Rowling. Their story inspires many children, teens and adults over the world to live life to the fullest. Every child wants friends like Ron and Hermione, always by your side and there to help with everything, even when you are pushing them away.

This is basically just an appreciation post for Harry Potter and everything it has done for me and many others internationally. My dad first read these books to me when I was 3 or 4 and I honestly can't tell you when I first watched the films; It'd be before the books. I first read the books myself aged 9. Again, each novel took me on my own personal journey to Hogwarts and around all of the drama that surrounded the golden trio in their school years. This franchise has changed my life. I honestly believe I wouldn't be the person I am today if it wasn't for J.K Rowling and her wonderful imagination.

Joanne deserves all of the appreciation. Her bravery in sharing her story from potentially the scariest time of her life has helped so many others and allowed them to understand the way they're feeling and know that they're not alone. Her personification of depression with the dementors explains to anyone who hasn't suffered from the horrible mental illness what every day can feel like with it. It certainly helped me understand my depression when I was 15.

My inability to put these books (and films) down has lead me to know them almost word for word, which isn't something I try to hide. To this day, I still pick the books up every now and then, revisiting the past and my childhood. I wouldn't change them for the world.

Still confused about how '"Did you put your name in the goblet of fire?" Dumbledore said calmly' translate to utter chaos, or why my old friend Peeves never appears in the movies (David Yates? Chris Columbus? Mike Newell? Alfonso Cuarón?) but what can I say? The pure perfection of the literature makes up for it (Sort of).

Joanne, you have changed my life so much and I will be eternally grateful. And to Harry, Ron and Hermione, thanks for being there for me in the toughest of times.

"Light can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light" -Albus Dumbledore.

"We all must face the choice what is right and what is easy" -Albus Dumbledore.

"It's our choices that show who we really are far more than our abilities" -Albus Dumbledore.

We've all got light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we chose to act on, that's who we really are" -Sirius Black.

"It's important to remember that we all have magic inside us"- J.K. Rowling.

"Words are the most inexhaustible source of magic we have" -Albus Dumbledore.

"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live" -Albus Dumbledore.