July 15th, 2011

I am a Harry Potter fan. 

The first legit house-sorting quiz I took placed me in Slytherin. My then teenage heart would not accept it. So I tried to cheat my way into Gryffindor, but it put me into the annoyingly clever house of Ravenclaw. I took the quiz a few more times altering my responses like only-an-ambitious-Slytherin student would to finally get into the house where the brave of heart enter- Gryffindor. I bought a Gryffindor banner, crocheted a Gryffindor scarf, and ventured to the University of Minnesota where one pro (to the many pros) were the maroon and gold colors of the school. However, I was never one to refute my initial placement. Over the years, a Slytherin scarf, Bellatrix costume, and Green Bay Packers tie turned Slytherin would enter my HP medley of things. Hufflepuff house rarely crossed my mind until one day I referred to a few of my Microbiology students as Hufflepuff’s. [It was a compliment! They were the last ones to complete their lab work because they were hard-working, patient people who made me laugh. Easily my favorites.] I realized then, that the house values I embodied most were that of dear Hufflepuff! After two years of graduate school, the words of the sorting hat rang true in my heart.

“You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true,

And unafraid of toil”

What better virtues were there to attain? If one could master these, then the defining values of the other houses would surely follow! So why am I sharing this dated epiphany? Well, it is to simply establish my leading sentence to this post- I am a fan of all things Harry Potter-ish...

Which leads me to share a fanatical idea formed this Memorial Day weekend.

First off, some background info on the HP fandom. The mood of many Harry Potter fans is fluctuating like never before. For the most part, excitement chokes the above average fan to utter indistinguishable grunts when she (or he) watches the cast describe HP in one word. Another group of fans may periodically become wistful. Altogether, it is agreed upon in HP circles that to think about this final movie is bittersweet. It is the ending of a phenomenal saga. It is the end of our Peter Pan-like adventures. With the ending of this spectacular story in book and film, we are ending our trips to Neverland. What adventures lay beyond? Fortunately, my love of reading extends beyond HP. I have other interests and a career to keep me mind occupied. But what of the young 20-somethings that write so much more dramatically than I? (example to follow)

Last Thursday, while routinely visiting the website www.mugglenet.com, I stumbled across fan comments regarding the upcoming movie. One girl wrote, “I am going to the midnight showing with my best friend. We are going to stand and raise our wands as the credits roll.” I smiled and exclaimed to no one but myself, “These are the type of people I need to be watching the movie with!” There is no greater sign of respect that a wizard can offer than to stand and raise their wand for someone/something great. It happened at Dumbledore’s death. Why not for the HP movie finale? Thus the inception of my imaginary “chart of HP fealty” was formed.

An inadequate description to my “chart of HP fealty”

In years past, I have organized large HP movie mid-night gatherings. These were never meant to be events that required I coordinate with 16+ people, but the Hermione/Gryffindor in me roared to life lest a future fan was denied the opportunity to become one. So with an enthusiasm that rivals that of dear Dedalus Diggle, I utilized the adept skills of a Ravenclaw student to match HP outfits, meeting times, movie locations, stand-by lists, etc... It was a hoot and half for me and probably more so for others who observed my antics. This year, I would like the caliber of the group to be quite high. This movie is special. I think it will be worthy enough for a bunch of muggles to raise their non-magical wands as the credits roll. I’m entertaining the thought that this year people must prove they have an interest. I do not want to laugh, cry, gasp, and raise my wand alone in the wee hours of July 15^th.

So how will one prove he/she has an interest? Easy peezy. One must have more than 3 check marks to this never-ending list... or until I say so...

• o    Must have read books 1-7.
• o   Can display their knowledge in a friendly game of wizard duel as played by the mugglecast hosts
• o    Has listened to at least one mugglecast episode
• o   Brownie points to those who know the hosts names
• o    Prepared a meal/food mentioned in the HP books (I have an unofficial HP cookbook)
• o   Brownie points to those who bring it to an HP dinner party (it’s in the works)
• o    Loves Severus Snape/Alan Rickman
• o   Obtained a picture of oneself smiling at Platform 9 ¾
• o    Acquired a wand
• o   Again, extra points if you fashioned it yourself or are willing to make more
• o   Presented oneself at prior mid-night showings of HP or mid-night releases of the books
• o  ...extra points if you have dressed up!
• o   Choreographed a dance routine to an HP song
• o   Or have played the HP theme in a concert or had it as a ring-tone
• o   HP-related password
• o   Registered for PotterCon 2012
• o   Enthusiasm that rivals Dedalus Diggle

This list is exhaustive. I have not done all of them (80%) and there are many more things not included that I have done in the name of Harry Potter. What I love most about fellow Harry Potter fans are the diverse ways they have incorporated aspects of the book into their lives. This is why I can truly state what I once denied- I am a Harry Potter fan.