Letters to the “Potter” Characters
It’s Letter Writing Day, so I thought I’d write some letters to just a few of the Harry Potter characters who have inspired me over the years.
To Harry: The first thing I need to say is thank you. Thank you for letting me follow you along on your journey, letting me get swooped up in the magic and wonder that make up your world. I don’t think I’ve looked at the world the same way since. I like to think that I’ve grown up with you. Also, thank you for being a hero. When I first started following you on your journey at six years old, I was rather shy, but as I watched your battles, I came to realize just how important bravery was, and how very much I wanted to be brave too. You showed me how to get there.
To Ron: Before I get into anything else, I am extremely jealous that your family has a flying car. Yes, I know you don’t have it anymore, but the fact that you ever did is still extremely cool, but time to move on. To be absolutely honest, there were times reading the books where I got mad at you. I couldn’t understand why you were fighting with Harry and Hermione over what I saw as petty reasons. However, as I got older, I came to realize a valuable lesson in your actions, that friends were never going to be perfect, that we’d fight and get mad at each other, but that one fight wouldn’t ruin a friendship so long as they came back afterward. That’s what you taught me: that it’s okay to not always be the perfect friend, so long as you make sure to keep coming back and apologizing.
To Hermione: As a kid, I could rarely be seen without a book in hand and my hair was a constant frizzy, curly, tangled mess. So I suppose it’s no real surprise that I saw myself in you right away. You were the best kind of role model, intelligent and brave. I also completely related to your desire to learn as much magic as possible. I wanted to be you, really, which I supposed I partly succeeded at through cosplay. As I got older, I didn’t lose the books or the uncontrollable hair, nor my admiration for you. While I have, sadly, become resigned to the reality that I’ll never be able learn magic like you, I still strive to be just as intelligent and brave as you are.
To Fred and George: I don’t think I ever really got over Fred’s death, which is why this letter is addressed to both of you. I refuse to accept it as canon. It just seems too cruel to separate twins. But enough speaking of sad things, what I love the most about the two of you is the way you make me laugh. There are several reasons the fifth book is my favorite, but one of them is definitely all the fantastic pranks you pulled on Umbridge. Rereading was especially satisfying and seeing her getting her comeuppance while I was in middle school and had a particularly nasty math teacher with a strong resemblance to Umbridge. It was fun to imagine what you two would have made of her.
To Luna: When I was kid, I used to go hunting for faeries in the bushes at school. I would chatter excitedly to anyone and everyone about all the potential faerie sightings I’d had. I was absolutely considered that slightly weird girl who believed in imaginary creatures. So reading about you was a delight. Finally, a character just as odd as I was, and the best part of it was that you didn’t need to change. No, instead you were complete comfortable in your own skin, no matter what anyone else said about you. For me, it was easier to remember to be proud of who I am when I remembered you.
