But what if Hogwarts really does exist?

Posted on by Ellen Gregory

Hogwarts

Last year, I gave my nine year old niece the first Harry Potter book for her birthday. She wasn’t much of a bookworm… in fact, she preferred books on science or the natural world. Nonetheless, I decided to impose my love of Harry Potter on her and crossed my fingers that she would like it.

To my great delight, she loved it. She devoured Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and then immediately read it again. Following that, books 2 and 3 were borrowed and consumed. She hasn’t been permitted to read book 4 yet, but that’s only caused her to turn to the myriad other fantasy and adventure novels available for middle-grade readers. Almost overnight she turned into a bookworm.

Kudos to me, I think!

Last weekend, she and I sat down to a Harry Potter movie marathon of the first three movies. (She’s only allowed to watch each movie once she’s read the corresponding book — and to her credit she agrees with her mother’s ruling on this, because, having seen the first movie already, she’s already aware that the books are vastly superior and give her much more scope for the imagination.)

It was wonderful to sit with her and watch the films (which I’ve seen many times) with her for the first time — to experience her wonder, and calm her disquiet when she couldn’t quite remember what happened, and answer questions such as: “But what if Hogwarts really does exist? After all, we’re muggles, so how do we know it doesn’t?”

How easy it is to forget what it was like to be not-quite-ten with a keen imagination and love of far-away places… when we wanted so desperately for something to be real, we could almost persuade ourselves it was.

I’ve decided we’re going to have a Harry Potter Reading Club within the family, so all we adults have an excuse to re-read the books one at a time and discuss them together over afternoon tea…

In return for being a Harry Potter kindred spirit, I’ve also been inducted into the world of Pottermore — JK Rowling’s interactive web site for Harry fans. Here, one re-lives each book, chapter by chapter, collecting objects for one’s trunk, and attending Hogwarts as a student.

We get a shopping list in Diagon Alley, and with our budget of 500 galleons go shopping for all the school things we might need — including choosing a pet (I’ve got a black devilcat – heh) and being matched to a wand (sycamore with dragon heart string) — and then it’s off to Hogwarts to be sorted into a House (Gryffindor – huzzah!).

At the moment, I’m stuck in my first potions class, trying to figure out how to successfully make a potion within the time limit. It’s actually quite hard! You can earn house points and have ‘friends’ and leave messages on message boards etc — it’s kind of like facebook at Hogwarts. My user name is HazelDragon19664 — come play with me!

No wonder kids could almost be persuaded to believe Hogwarts might actually be real!

Have you ever wanted something so badly you’ve almost convinced yourself it’s happened? If Hogwarts really did exist, would you want to attend as a student? (I reckon I’d go back to high school just for the fun of it!)

 

31 thoughts on “But what if Hogwarts really does exist?”

  4. How fun for both you and your niece! I’d totally go back to school if I could attend Hogwarts. The closest I’ll ever get is by going to the Universal Studios World of Harry Potter theme park in Florida. Since the 12 y.o. and I are reading book 4 right now, I’ll have to check out Pottermore and see if she’s interested in doing that with me. We’ll be sure to find you if we do! 🙂

    Like

    Reply

  6. Hogwatts IS real … While you’re reading the books anyway. How delightful that you and Tami both get to experience the adventure again through the wonder of another’s first time. I applaud JK Rowling for getting so many reluctant readers hooked on reading! I have yet to go to the Hogwarts in Florida, but one day…hopefully soon. 😉

    Like

    Reply
  7. Pingback: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince | Rafferty's Rules

    1. Oh no, that would be bad! Never fear, that’s not the case — although I can see how my comment was misinterpreted… I merely meant she can only see the movie after she’s read the book. Sorry for the confusion — and thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. Pingback: Blog highlights from 2013 | Ellen Gregory

  10. Found this post after reading your latest D&D entry. Funny world, as I was just introduced to Pottermore by some kids (mine)… Wand is yew with phoenix feather core. House…Gryffindor…duh!

    Like

    Reply

    1. You’d better tell me your Hogwarts name, Simone! I’m still HazelDragon19664 but haven’t dropped by in a while. I did manage to finally make it through potions class, though!!

      Like

      Reply

  11. Ha, such a newbie at Hogwarts that I had to search through my emails to look my name up…It is LightStar17843. I’ve reached the rebel stage of life and haven’t been to any classes yet. Congrats on making it through potions!!

    Like

    Reply
  13. Pingback: Community Post: Which Hogwarts House Were You Almost Sorted Into? | SOCIOSCENE
  14. Pingback: Community Post: Which Hogwarts House Were You Almost Sorted Into? | Additional Money Cashback
  15. Pingback: Community Post: Which Hogwarts House Were You Almost Sorted Into? | BULLETNOVA
  16. Pingback: Community Post: Which Hogwarts House Were You Almost Sorted Into?Fun at Work | Fun at Work
  17. Pingback: Community Post: Which Hogwarts House Were You Almost Sorted Into? | Site Demo 365 Daily Buzz
  18. Pingback: Community Post: Which Hogwarts House Were You Almost Sorted Into? – THAT SH!T CRAY
  19. Pingback: Community Post: Which Hogwarts House Were You Almost Sorted Into? | ViralBeb
  20. Pingback: Community Post: Which Hogwarts House Were You Almost Sorted Into? – Enjoying Life and Happiness

I'd love to hear from you...