I didn’t get through the entire Harry Potter series until I was a senior in high school. This wasn’t because I didn’t love the first four when I read them as a child; it was more because I have always been a very lazy individual – the type who would love to have magic to help her everyday.

This is something I’ve contemplated a lot since I finally finished reading the books and seeing all the movies – just how useful it would have been if I had gotten my Hogwarts letter at 11 years old. I could use spells such as Accio every single time I lose my keys, I could use Alohomora to unlock my door when I’ve got too much stuff in my hands to get to my keys, and I think we all could have used the Confundo charm to bewitch our teachers to forget we didn’t turn something in. I could go on, but I think I’ve made my point.

I shared the Harry Potter series with my little brother, my only sibling who would listen to me; I’ll share them with my nephew from the day he is born, and I’ll eventually share them with my kids, whenever that day comes.

The Harry Potter stories have stuck with me. I fell in love with the characters and the world from the first page of the first book and will stick with it until the final scene of the final movie.