Fan Focus: Kat – June 8, 2003

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KAT
Age 17 – USA

I know not many people (other than those who are reading this) understand why so many adore Harry; and I’m not expecting most to do so. But allow me to say this….I love Harry Potter. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. My love for Harry Potter is just more than a love for the books, but for everything it stands for. Courage, loyalty, honesty, and just being who you are, are just a few of the things brought forth from the stories. Harry Potter provides a wonderful place for people to escape to; a place where you don’t have to have the best things or be someone else in order to fit in. These books stand for so much more and I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who knows whereof I speak. I’m 17, planning to become an actress (due to Harry Potter <grins madly>) and I will forever be in love with “that world” so cleverly hidden from us Muggles….<winks>

How and when did you get into Harry Potter?

My thing was (and partially still is) The Lord of The Rings, and I thought as far as fantasy stories were concerned, that was the top thing. That was it. In fact, because so many people were trying to compare Lord of The Rings and Harry Potter, I had given up on playing stupid, and I just started undermining Harry Potter. While doing so I started to do a little comparing and I finally came to the conclusion that because I had never read them, nor had I really given the movie (Harry Potter) a fair chance, I had no argument to back The Lord of The Rings while making Harry Potter look bad. In fact, I am one of the shameful few who sent e-mails to websites harassing them for comparing the two (not this site, though — I think those people who have written to Mugglenet have the attention span of oh say negative 8 minutes, if that).

Anyway, I needed to find out what was so amazing about Harry Potter. So with a bowed head I asked my friend who adored Harry if I could borrow the books. Her expression watching the “die-hard LOTR fan” asking for the books that I was so determined to rid the planet of was nothing compared to the dropped jaws of my family when I walked through the door with all four books in my arms. I’m sure they were waiting for me to say something along the lines of “bonfire outback tonight”, or to hear my tribal screams from the bedroom as the pages fluttered around the room. Pages did flutter, but it was fluttering of a different sort. Thank goodness it was Christmas break when I brought them home, because if the kids in my classes had seen me with them I would have been laughed at (or so I thought). Sighing deeply on a Saturday morning, after a semi-pleasant dream, I stirred momentarily before reaching over and grabbing the first book. I ran my fingers over the hardback cover and mumbled to myself about how tacky the diamond-cut design was. I flipped to the first page of the first chapter, The Boy Who Lived, and read slightly aloud the fateful words…… “Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal…..”, and from that point on I was hooked.

Which Harry Potter book is your favorite?

I’d have to say Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. For some reason its story line caught me (as do they all), but more so I loved learning about other wizarding schools. I loved all the creatures and places brought to life in the book, but most of all I loved the famous trio and everything they went through (except poor Harry at the end <sniffle>) I have a feeling as soon as June 21 roles around Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix will be my new favorite. <grins>

What character can you relate to most?

Hmm. That’s another toughie. I’d have to say Hedwig. I’m no where near as smart as Hermione, nor am I as funny as Ron (although I’ve been told that if I were to be one of them, it would be Ron) and to imply that I am as brave as Harry would be insulting to his character. I’d say I’m more like Hedwig because I am very loyal to my friends, if they want something done I do it as soon and as best as I can. I hate being caged (not literal) for too long. I “yearn” for wings or to fly. I have odd ways of showing I care for people and I sometimes get annoyed with those less experienced than me in some areas… (example: Pig — Ron’s small owl). But lastly, I would love to be beside Harry through all of his adventures and to be part of that world even if I couldn’t be human.

What do you think of the inevitable boy/girl stuff coming in book 5?

I don’t mind. In fact, I find it quite real. How can you have teenagers without crushes, boyfriends and girlfriends? Besides, I’m content with almost anything and everything Rowling writes (except people getting killed). Just as long as it stays realistic….er….as realistic as these kinds of stories can be. ; )

Who do you think Harry will “hook up” with in book 5? What about Ron?

Hmmm. It’s hard to say about Harry. I’m actually hoping it’s a Muggle. Or maybe someone we haven’t met yet. I would really like to see him with a different person. I mean, Cho — maybe, but I just don’t think she’d treat him like a boyfriend, but more like a glass object. Let it be someone who won’t think he’s going to die any moment because of a dark lord. <sighs> The waiting is so tedious. Ron on the other hand, I have a feeling — how I ever got it one may never know, ha — that Ron will hook up with Hermione. They seem right for each other but I wonder how Harry will take it. Hmmm.

What character do you think will die in book 5?

I daresay either Hagrid or Harry. I know it sounds odd, but Harry could very well die. Although Dumbledore has said that once someone is dead, they can’t come back; I say this because these books have been known to throw some pretty odd balls every now and then. <shrugs> We shall see. I just hope it’s no one who is a parental figure to Harry….such as Hagrid. <bites nails>

Which school house would you want to be in? Do you think the Sorting Hat would place you in that house?

As if there was a doubt….Gryffindor! I have a feeling that the sorting hat would place me there because I am loyal to my friends and I’m not completely devoid of bravery. Although I’m not the brightest of the pack, I do have values that are in Gryffindor.

Do you have any interesting HP stories to share?

Well the night Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets came out was the night of my Ring Dance and the group I was to be going with (also huge Harry Potter fans) along with myself had no intentions of missing it. So we reserved tickets for the 11:20 showing, seeing as it was such a late show we figured no one would really be there. Yeah, right. We left the dance and headed to the theater, all dressed in evening gowns, men in tuxes, hair professionally done and glittery. As we walked in I was surprised to see how crowded such a late showing was for such small children. Well as we walked in all of the small kids saw us dolled-up and getting out of limos; I guess they thought we were there for opening night and we were in the movie (you know, stars) so even before we walked through the doors we were being asked for autographs and such. It was quite a night.

Do you have anything else you’d like to add? Maybe a theory you’ve concocted, a shout-out?

I have no theories that have not already been stated but I can say this; anything we have in store is well worth the wait. We love you J.K Rowling! I want to shout out to my fellow Potter geeks; Autumn, Samantha, Kaci, Brandy and Diane. Autumn is the friend who lent me the books to read in the first place…<points finger> It’s all her fault! And to Samantha, heh heh, oh yes Harry look alike winner. And to the rest of you *coughKacicough*, conversations wouldn’t be quite as energetic without you guys. Also to lovey dovey Zach who has tagged along on my adoration for Harry Potter. Love to all.