Fan Focus: Laurie – August 8, 2010

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LAURIE
Age 16 – England

First off, how did you become a Harry Potter fan?

Firstly, let me just thank you prefusely for this amazing honour! I first became a Harry Potter fan when I was nine years old. As I said in my application, I was waiting for my ridiculously slow computer to load in my parents’ bedroom, and to pass the time I used to read my dad’s books, which were on his bedside table. I picked up Goblet of Fire, and, BAM! – My life changed forever! I don’t think my parents knew what had hit them!

It has been over three years since Deathly Hallows came out and we found out how the series ended. Do you have the same reaction to the ending now, as you did then?

When I first read Deathly Hallows, I was in a state of combined shock, happiness, and extreme exhaustion. I had been to a midnight release party at a bookshop, and when I got home, I didn’t go to bed – I read the book all the rest of the night and the whole next day. I hardly even ate anything! When I read Voldemort ‘killing’ Harry with the Killing Curse, I sat and cried for about half an hour, scared to read on. I was absolutely hysterical, thinking he was dead, and my state of tiredness did not help matters. I absolutely love the chapter with Dumbledore at King’s Cross near the end, but I had to read it twice the first time, because I scarcely let myself believe that there was a slight chance that Harry was not doomed. And when Voldemort died, well – there were more tears, needless to say. In fact, I cried my way through most of the book. Now, when I read it, as I have done many times, the tears do not flow unless I am feeling down and reading the book for comfort. I know lots of people hate the epilogue, but I actually really like it! I think it was completely necessary for J.K. Rowling to include it and I don’t think the book would be right without it. But when I reach the bottom of page 564 (British edition), I always find my heart beating really fast, and I sit and wonder what would have happened if Harry had died. I still have the same comforted feeling whenever I finish it, and I don’t think the series will ever fail to give me that feeling.

Deathly Hallows: Part 1 was screened in Chicago to a very lucky audience, including some MuggleNet staff members! If you read the reviews, what did you think? If you didn’t read them, why not?

I nearly had a heart attack when I saw this! I was sooo jealous! And I read every single review – I could never stop myself, I don’t know how people stop themselves from watching trailers and things. I think the film sounds absolutely amazing – I don’t think the films are ever as good as the books, but I love them anyway just because they’re Harry Potter. SPOLIER – I think the whole thing with Hermione erasing herself from her parents memories sounds brilliant, and I can’t wait to see Kingsley’s Patronus at Bill and Fleur’s wedding. The only thing I was disappointed about was the fact that the reviews didn’t mention anything about when Voldemort recalls attacking the Potters on Halloween, just after Godric’s Hollow (at least I don’t think they did, I could be mistaken). I think this is possibly my favourite part of the book, and I’ll be gutted if it’s not included.

The Deathly Hallows movie split was announced this month via Entertainment Weekly. If you read the spoiler, what do you think? Where would YOU split the movie?

I loved the way they just slipped it in – ‘oh, by the way, the split’s here!’ I absolutely love where the split is, I think WB really got it right. I was terrified they’d get it completely wrong. I think it’s going to be visually spectacular, SPOILER – when Voldemort shoots all the lightning into the air, and the audience will be left shocked and emotional after Dobby’s death … it’s going to be just brilliant. Originally, I thought it would be just before they get to Malfoy Manor, but I’m pleased it’s not. That’s another of my favourite parts and I don’t think I could wait until next year to see it on the big screen! And I think if I had the chance to choose the split, it would probably be where it is now, or the film would end with Dobby dying, the last words of the film being ‘Harry … Potter …’ I think that would be brilliant!

WWoHP had it’s 1,000,000th visitor this month – already! Have you visited the park, or have plans to? What were/are you most excited to see/visit?

I haven’t visited the park yet, and I doubt I will be any time soon. I am from North-East England, and my Mam and little sister don’t like long flights, so we can’t go on holiday to Florida. However, I plan to go as soon as I have the chance, and enough money! I am so excited already, and it will probably be a few years before I get to go! However, one of my best friends has just been on holiday to Florida, and went to the park – she got VIP tickets and everything. She’s a Harry Potter fan too, and she says she has loads of photos for me, so I can’t wait to see them! I think it will be the topic of our conversation for a good few weeks! When I do eventually get to go, I am most excited about visiting Ollivander’s, and tasting Butterbeer! Just being there will make me faint I think! Imagine my disappointment if I really did faint and got carted away before I even entered!

Harry Potter: The Exhibition announced that it’s final US stop was going to be Seattle! If you’ve made it to the exhibition, what did you think? If not, are you excited for the Seattle stop?

I was really excited about The Exhibition when I first heard about it, but it’s been in America since it started, (at least I think it has) and even when it does come to England, I doubt it will come near to where I live. We in the North East tend to get forgotten quite often! However, if I do ever get a chance to go, I’m sure it will join all the other Harry Potter events as one of the best moments of my entire life!

OMG! Emma cut her hair off! Love it, or dislike it?

I don’t dislike her hair, I actually quite like it, but I have to say, I much preffered her long style. She was very English rose before, and it suited her. Now she looks much more edgy, which also suits her – she looks beautiful both ways.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I love Mugglenet’s Fan of the Week! I am very shocked to have been honoured with this title, and I think you do a brilliant job with it. As for theories, I love to think that when the Dursleys were in hiding during the events of the seventh book, that they were hiding at Auntie Muriel’s while the Weasleys were there. I don’t know why, but I would have loved to see Mrs Weasley’s reaction to Aunt Petunia, and I would love to see what she would say to her regarding Harry’s upbringing. And I think it would be utterly hilarious to see Dudley living under the same roof as Fred and George! However, I also think it would be very enlightening for them to live with a household under immediate threat from Voldemort, and for them to understand more what Harry has to do, and is doing. For example, I think it would be a massive shock for them to see Harry’s face on the front of every newspaper, with ‘Undesirable Number One’ tacked to it. And, lastly – sorry to make anyone angry – but I think if one of the twins was going to die, it should have been George. Fred was my favourite twin, and it was a massive shock to me that JKR killed him off. I hate to say it, and I feel horrible, but I would have much preffered it if George had died. Fred was much funnier, he had some amazing one liners. I know lots of people will disagree, but that’s my opinion. Finally, thank you very much again for this amazing opportunity to voice my opinions and thoughts on the most amazing piece of literature ever written – our beloved Harry Potter!