A month of Harry Potter

So, if you have been following me on Instagram, you would have known from my updates, my obsession with Harry Potter the past one month. Yes, I was on a reading marathon on a staple diet of Harry and friends. Harry has been such an important part of my childhood and it was only recently that I decided I should go back and do a re-read of all the books once again. 

Now, the thing about re-reading this series after so many years is that it almost feels like visiting Hogwarts for the first time. And go ahead, judge me. But I don't think one is ever too old for Harry Potter. JK Rowling literally saved me from a lot of tumultuous teenage years and she did it again for me now. In reading Harry, I found myself healing once again. 

There were two things I hated when I read Harry for the first time. One is that I couldn't read it in the chronological order. I still remember the first book that I got my hands on from my school library was Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, which is the third part. That was how my love affair started and I went back and forth reading the books that I managed to get. It was quite difficult as there were only few copies in the library and everyone wanted to read it! So if you waited to read it in the order, you might as well have been waiting forever. 

The next thing I hated back then was the long wait before the next book came out. I was so impatient and of course, the stunning cliffhangers Rowling left at the end of each book has left me frustrated many a time. It has been on my mind for some time now that I wanted to do a reading marathon of Harry Potter. Go back and read all the books in the order. But of course, I didn't have all the books and had started off with the Goblet of Fire for this time. Imagine my delight when I was gifted all seven books in this gorgeous edition! I was in seventh heaven. 

I spent many days and nights immersed in these books, leaving me little time to do anything else. Not that I'm complaining. If you are a Potterhead, you know the magic the books will always have over you, no matter how old you get. This time, however, I went one step ahead and downloaded all the movies as well, watching it side by side as I completed each book. Best of both worlds, I tell you. 

Last night, as I turned the last page of Deathly Hallows, I felt something akin to an intense grief, a loss. I cried for Snape, the unsung hero, the half blood prince. And to think I spent so many years hating him. I wish I didn't have to leave Harry, Ron and Hermione there on platform nine and three quarters. I wish I could continue my journey to Hogwarts. But as we all know, all good things must come to an end. I have read somewhere that if you really want something, if you wish for it with all your heart, the universe has a way of bringing it to you. Yes, a new Harry Potter book is coming out on 31st July, on Harry's and Rowling's birthday! I'm so excited and can't wait to read what Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has in store for us. July 31st, come already!