(a caution of word : It's just those days where I wish I go to Hogwarts)
The coldness of this winter month surely contributed to the lazy nights as I felt safe and sound at three in the morning, under two layers of blanket where an overloaded exaggeration covered up my head as I witness my all-time favorite movies from this 13-inch screen. Divine.
Given the fact that it's always been impossible for me to either watch one Harry Potter movie without watching all of them or to read a Harry Potter book without reading all of them, the Harry Potter movie and reading marathon have always been my cup of tea. And will "always" be. My eyes were the most splendid body part of the week as I get to witness all the Harry Potter movies in the past 12 years in a week. This took me back to my childhood days.
I remember watching the first Harry Potter movie exactly 12 years ago, in this very month back in 2001 when I was 9 years old. I could still remember Frank Sinatra's Can't Take My Eyes Off of You being played in the small break in the middle of the movie. Yes, cinemas in Indonesia used to give a small break in the middle of the movies. I didn't quite understand the movie because obviously I couldn't really speak English. Let alone english, I couldn't even speak my own language, bahasa Indonesia that well. Regardless of my assumption by just observing their body language, I was truly amazed by the movie. It's like I've never seen anything like it before. To me, it was something new. Including the almighty British accent.
I then moved to the land of pyramids and eventually watch the the third, fourth and the fifth movie there. I remember having all the 13 posters of the third movie I got from a Harry Potter edition magazine hung on the wall of my room in that apartment in Mohandessin street. Not to mention, the action figure of Harry in the gryffindor quidditch uniform on his nimbus 2000 that stood on my lamp table right next to my bed. That was when I started to read the series. My mother got me the first three books from this second hand bookstore in Ma'adi. There were all in french. I must say I was quite disappointed they weren't in english. As I recall, my french skills became a potentially problematic issue as my english got better. Even so, I'd consider myself a fool if I didn't read the book just because I didn't want to read Voldemort's complication in french.
Going back to Indonesia and transferred to a new high school in the first year, fresh air must have been very difficult to come by as I incontrovertibly gave my all on my academics and the wearisome adaptations. Even Harry Potter and the Half-Blood prince couldn't mess up my relationship with my A-level Biology book. I couldn't help but indulge the countless fascinating scientific terms in that 20mm thick book. How could I possibly missed Harry Potter and the Half-Blood prince? (believe me, I've been asking myself that question for years). Silly of me. It took me long enough to finally watch the sixth movie which I watched at home when it came out in the TV. It actually felt weird watching a harry potter movie that I haven't watched in the cinema first, in TV. Not to repeat the silliness of mine again, I certainly made sure that I had to watch the seventh movie in the cinema. And so, I did.
Moving to Korea, I got to use a smart phone which gives loads privileges. I then finally read all the series in english using the pdf reader. I desperately need to get all the books. In english. Seriously. I watched the last movie two years ago in my first year here. It was very emotional. I couldn't possibly think of a better ending than the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2. I just hate to go with the fact that I won't be looking forward to another Harry Potter movie or book. However, as J.K Rowling stated that whether you come back by page, or by the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home is indeed true. At least that's what I feel. If I am amazed at anything, it is at how crazy that I can re-watch all the movies again and again and still have the reactions like I've never seen it. Even though I basically mouth to their lines. And I do take pride in it. As for the books, I just wish I could read the books for the first time again.
The greatest thing about these books is the life lessons I get that I never could have dreamed of. They are basically relevant in our lives that we never could have imagined.
-- Dumbledore taught me that sometimes we must pick between what is right and what is easy. And he also taught me the existence of life beyond death.
-- Hagrid taught me to be loyal to those who are loyal to you.
-- Snape taught me to be brave. To fight for a true love.
-- Lupin taught me that no matter how bad things get, there's always a way to survive.
-- Sirius taught me that your family does not define who you are.
-- Voldemort taught me that the things you fear the most are the things you understand the least.
-- Arthur taught me that to follow your dream is far more important than following the crowd.
-- Molly taught me that I can always rely on my mother.
-- Narcissa taught me that family always come first.
-- Luna taught me that being myself is more interesting that being someone else.
-- Neville taught me that standing up to your friends is harder than standing up to your own enemy.
-- Malfoy taught me that everyone has feelings and that we never really grow up until we face an impossible task.
-- Hermione taught me that cleverness is far more important than looks.
-- Ron taught me that a true friend stays with you until the end.
-- Harry taught me that we must fight as though everyone depends on us and that anything can happen if you really fight for it.
Last but not least, I learned that people can be really bad in this world, but as long as there are people willing to fight for what is right, and to fight for love, the world can still be a nice place.
Eight movies, seven books, there I was, somewhere in that magical world, away from the world I am living in. Harry has always been my childhood hero. A one of a kind hero. Growing up with Harry, Ron and Hermione is anything I could ask for a proper childhood. In some way, Harry Potter will always own a place in one's heart. And by all means, there is no necessarily need for further endearment.
For a moment, or maybe way longer than a moment, I really wish Harry Potter's world does exist.
There will be nothing quite like Harry Potter again.
Thank you J.K Rowling, for giving me such a magical childhood.
