Fan Question of the Week: What minor character's backstory would you like to know more about and why?? (Submitted by Izumi, 19, from Japan)
I wouldn't particularly count Remus Lupin as a minor character, but I'd really like to know more about him. We only know bits and pieces of what is surely a fascinating history. How did he come to be a DADA professor? Other than turning into a great hairy beast once a month, what made him qualified for the position? What did he do after school and what made James and Sirius suspect him as the double-crosser? Lupin just strikes me as a character that has a lot more depth to him than what we see on the surface and I'd love to delve into it further.

How did you become a fan of Harry Potter?
I've always been quite the book nerd, so I'm not in the "I discovered the joy of reading with Harry Potter" sect. In late high school, my sister was given Philosopher's Stone as a birthday present and one day, when I was desperately searching for something new to read, I grabbed it on a whim. It took me until Hagrid told Harry he was a wizard in Chapter 4 before I was completely hooked. Now, I live my life muttering "Lumos" at light switches and embarrassing my husband by slyly dropping Harry-related topics into public conversations (such as: "He was working like a right little house-elf cleaning the stove").

What is your favorite Harry Potter book and movie?
Oooh - this is hard, it'd be like choosing children! There's something about every single book that I absolutely love. But, I'd have to say Prisoner of Azkaban is my favorite book. Jo really starts getting into the meat of the story here and I just love it. This book also introduces some of my favorite characters (Sirius and Lupin) and you start learning some of the backstory that is such an integral part of the tale. I think the chapters "Cat, Rat and Dog" and "Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs" change the setting for the entire rest of the series and set everything in motion. As far as the movies go, I loved Goblet of Fire. They were true to the darker turn the book made and that scene in the graveyard - it gives me chills. However, having watched the new Order of the Phoenix trailer (more than once), I think it will prove to be my favorite movie.

If you could be any character in the series, who would you be?
I think I'd have to say Ginny. She's fiercely loyal, smart, bold, and witty, and she has no problem standing up for people where others won't (I'm thinking Luna and Neville here). Plus, she's a Weasley - who wouldn't want that family!

What is one thing you would like to see happen in Book 7?
"Ron, I love you," "Hermione, I love you, too. Let's go get married and have lots of red-headed babies." Okay, so I'm a bit of a Ron and Hermione fan, so I'd like to see that relationship come to fruition. On a more serious note, I desperately want Harry to live. I just can't see him dying - what would be the point of the hero besting evil only to be barred from experiencing the world he fought to protect?

If you could change anything about the series, what would it be?
This is naïve, I know, but I would have liked Sirius to live. His life was just so sad; I would have liked him to be able to live as a free man. I know that would have never happened - that just wasn't his story and I know he died doing what he'd been itching to do. I just would have liked to see him happy. Saying all of that, I fully realize why he had to die, the same way I realize why Dumbledore had to die. It doesn't make it any easier, though.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
I cannot wait for the final book - I'm sure Jo has some great twists and turns awaiting us. There are so many questions that will (hopefully) be answered and I'm on pins and needles to see how she completes Harry's story. Also, July 13 cannot come fast enough! There are only so many times I can watch the trailer before going insane (and dragging others down with me who have to listen to me go on about it).

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