First off, how did you become a Harry Potter fan?
In the 6th grade lots of people were reading book 1. We had a list going in English class who had read it and I became determined to add my name to the list. I had a hard time getting through the first book...there is so much back story to get through. But the end of the book really picks up and after I finished the first book I flew through the 2nd and 3rd -- which were also out at the time—in less than a week. And from then on I've been to every midnight release and every opening day for the movies.

How are you feeling now that the series is over?
It's still a little sad but I still find things to look forward to: the remaining films, an encyclopedia, and the opportunity to pass these books on to my future children and students.

In Chapter 1 of HBP, the Muggle Prime Minister is told about the existence of the Wizarding World. How do you think you would react to news of a magic world?
Honestly I think I would be skeptical at first. It would take some pretty intricate spells to get me to believe...maybe I'd request a Patronus Charm. If they were about to prove it though I would be so psyched...and then a little sad because that means I'm a muggle.

Before being told who the Half-Blood Prince was, what did you think about the title?
I was a little confused because I never thought of the Wizarding World as having any form of royalty...I need to think outside the box a little more.

Draco is pressured to follow in his parents footsteps. Do you think that he truly believes in the way of the Death Eaters or has he simply been influenced by his upbringing?
I think we can see that he was taught to hate in his home, but that he never felt as passionate about the Death Eater cause as his parents.

From the trailers we have seen thus far, it seems as though the movie won't focus too much on Harry's Potions Book. How do you think the lack of "Half-Blood Prince" scenes will hurt the movie?
It might. The movies have always left things out but I learn to appreciate what they do have and the way the filmmakers have decided to tell the story. They can't have cut out the story line completely. But no, I'm not going to judge the movie based on what we're hearing right now. I'm going to wait and take it for what it is. Yes, I'll grumble and moan when my favorite one-liner is butchered, but I'll survive.

What about the exclusion of The Gaunts and Voldemort's past? Bill & Fleur? Dumbledore's Funeral?
Of these three, the absence of the Gaunts' story bothers me the most. Their story was so interesting and so unsettling when I read it, and still is each time I re-read. Poor Merope. But also, why wouldn't they pay tribute to Dumbledore in the film?

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Also on my resume as a member of the HP fandom: midnight book releases for books 4-7 (dressed up for all of them, of course). Went to NYC to see the stars at the PoA premiere. Wrote a research paper on Harry Potter's appeal for adult readers. Went to King's Cross in London (see picture). Owns British editions of books 1 and 7. Included my fanaticism in a stand up comedy routine. And later this week I'm headed to Chicago for the Exibition! Thanks to Mugglenet...I've been visiting the site for ages!

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