Why We Bother with “Potter”
Writing for MuggleNet takes a lot of time. It takes a lot of effort too. It’s hard to come up with each sentence, hard to figure out a topic that won’t put someone up in arms. This isn’t an easy job. So why do I, and everyone else here, do it?
The answer to why we dedicate so much of our lives to a fantasy novel written 20 years ago is as simple as it is complicated. It’s a matter of abundant feelings boiled down into one.
I’ve grown up with Harry Potter. I’ve watched the movies with my family for as long as I can remember. The books came quickly after, as soon as I was able to read them.
Much of my childhood was spent finding any excuse to put on a Potter-related costume:
November 20, 2010 – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1
My talents include beating anyone and everyone at Potter trivia, and, well, that’s about it.
Essentially, Harry Potter is a huge part of me. Not by coincidence, however. It takes more than just a normal book to infiltrate a person in such a way.
My experience, at least among my covolunteers on this site, is unique. As the youngest member of our staff, I was quite literally raised with these books. They played a role in teaching me morals, showing me what bravery is, and explaining how to stand up to bullies, or those lacking noses.
Whenever I’m struggling, I can open Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and be reminded that not all is wrong in the world.
I can’t really imagine my life without these books. And although we all have different backgrounds and different reasons Potter is special to us, that’s what it comes down to.
MuggleNet gives an opportunity for us behind-the-scenes folk to work with the series that we love. It also provides all of you a chance never to lose the magic. Even though the last Potter movie came out nearly a decade ago, we’re still here today. I’m writing this piece, and you’re reading it.
Classic literature never truly dies, but it’s hard to argue that any other story has maintained such a following as Potter has. Not only are there about a hundred lunatics behind this site, but there are also millions more who read all that we produce.
We continue to argue over which characters, books, and Hogwarts Houses are the best. We compare Potter with today’s pop culture, and we read every one of J.K. Rowling’s tweets. We refuse to acknowledge the fact that we are obsessing over what is essentially a children’s book.
We still bother with Potter.
And that’s what makes all of this special. That’s why I, and all of us, put hours into creating content for MuggleNet. That’s why you spend hours scrolling through it. None of us can imagine our lives without the fun, the laughter, the sadness, and the magic that Harry Potter has given us.
Thank you for helping to keep this fandom alive.
