The Resurgence Of Harry Potter And The Wizzarding World

I can remember back in 2011, when the final Harry Potter movie was coming out, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Everyone wondered what would happen and what would become of the fandom…People basically went through withdrawals because the final book and movies were out. One person on my favorite Harry Potter podcast(Hogwarts Radio), at least at the time stated, she went into Deathly Hallows a child and came out an adult. So profound was the end of this profound series that, her feeling and Post Potter Depression as people called the absence of no more new Potter material, was shared by many…Basically everyone felt a profound let down…

I had uncertain feelings at the time, because I was actually only at the beginning of my own Potter journey…I had just seen the movies for the first time, because in my deeply religious background I wouldn’t have seen them…and was too old to have read them in school…My parents might have kept them from me anyway…But sometime after my mother’s passing I “discovered” and saw Harry’s world for the first time and haven’t looked back! My dad supports my passion now and I know my mom would get why I love Potter if she were still alive…And I find it interesting that loss is such an integral part of the series and played such a big role in shaping JK and the series…and in turn impacted me greatly because of my own…But it impacted me for a great many reasons, some of which I’ve written about on this site and which I won’t be writing about here today…So that’s a little background on my Potter journey…I myself did not feel the profound loss that everyone else did till six years later. Because that’s when I finally finished the last book Deathly Hallows and the whole series for the first time! I only finished it six years later because I stopped to read other books along the way…But I’m grateful I did because I got to experience what a lot of others did at the end of years of reading these books…profound sadness, gratefulness and catharsis. I like many others who actually had to wait on the books to come out to read them, even though I did not, I felt as though I had lived with these characters and always had them and another story, or book or adventure to come back too. I knew I would never stop learning from HP…because I never had and every time I watched the movies which was frequently…(especially on Freeform lol.) I learned or got something new from them. And that has continued pretty much every time I see them…”But I would miss the train ride in, and the pranks pulled by the twins and though it’s no where I have been, I keep on smiling from the times I had with them…” So profound was the end of Potter there were songs like the one I just quoted about it, by Oliver Boyd and the Remembralls, actually called End of an Era. I even had a post on this blog called End of a Potter Era…It was all about how the magic would never end and for me it was a lot easier to believe and say because I had seen all the movies but hadn’t finished the books yet…And then…

It hit me like a ton of bricks once I had and I cried after finishing Hallows and probably would have cried more, if I hadn’t been in shock and it was early morning when I finished it so I was kinda sleep deprived, but non the less there was still catharsis. I am one of the ones that likes Deathly Hallows and feels like Ministry of Magic sings in one of their songs that it was “the perfect ending.” Harry himself had never wanted an extraordinary life, though he ended up living one…He had just wanted a real life and a good one with love in it…so when he finally got to live that life in peace, it was what he had wanted all along, so he was at peace then…he actually had lived an extraordinary life again, but the normal one was just as special to him, if not more because he had not had it growing up…It was a triumph as well…and when the scar wasn’t paining him anymore, it demonstrated that and truly, All Was Well. But for me and others there would be no more new lessons and wise quotes from Dumbledore…no more nemesis Draco…no more Dumbledore period, and no more Fred,(which I haven’t forgiven JK fully for yet) and Mad Eye, and Hedgewig and Remus, and Snape who at least died and sacrificed himself for noble reasons, and Remus and Tonk’s. There would be no more journeys with the trio or laughter with the twins…But then…

Cut to now…7 years later and look where we are…We all thought Harry and the Wizzarding World was done, but JK wasn’t finished and was like not so fast! Lol…(Aging myself with that phrase…😉) From Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, now on broadway, the second Fantastic Beasts film which looks amazing, by the way, (and the beasts in movie 1 were amazing too, JK’s imagination is truly limitless) and now new Pottermore,🙄 ugh, and two new games, including Hogwarts Mystery(❤️), the magic and this world isn’t over! Harry’s story may be complete but we can always revisit it by “page or by screen” like JK once said, and there’s so much more to explore in this world! More of Dumbledore’s story that we get to see! More Newt etc! And now with CC on Broadway and being the thing to see, I mean wow! ❤️ And my fave new Potter thing is Hogwarts Mystery! I was just playing the game today and it really makes you feel like your at Hogwarts! I was exploring the grounds and finding some hidden Easter eggs…energy spots! Love!

It’s hard to believe we all even felt like it would all end ever, really…at least now! It seems ridiculous or ridikulous! 😉 But yeah Harry Potter forever! And here’s to the magic never ending and lasting forever and Always!⚡️Till next time! Mischief Managed!

Hogwarts Mystery

Today I’m back! And I’m writing about Hogwarts Mystery! The game is awesome! I love the visuals and storyline and the choose your own adventure style! There are draw backs of course in u have to wait for energy to be renewed at times, for several minutes, before u can proceed or for hours before a task unlocks! But it does seem like a small price or rather maybe a significant one to literally pay (u can pay to renew your energy or be forced to wait awhile) but the rewards to me exceed the sacrifices!

And here’s why…You get your Hogwarts Letter, with your name on it! And to see and move about Hogwarts castle, (and there are energy spots where you can renew yours…even though I can’t remember where they are!) Lol! You get to get sorted and CHOOSE, yes I said CHOOSE your house! So you get the house you’ve always wanted and you get to see your common room! You get an interactive story game, instead of just doing spells and brewing potions! And you get to see some older characters and all the main teachers, including Snape being Snape, but towards you, instead of Harry, and Hagrid is there too! And Dumbledore of course! It was smart of the game makers to set the story after Harry’s birth, but before his story at Hogwarts! It’s still part of the world we know but we get our own adventure in that world! And I also love that we have our own nemesis there at Hogwarts…our own Draco Malfoy, if you will! It makes the game really interesting and true to life and school…and will teach young kids how to deal with bullying and lets everyone make good choices…And I love how the choices you make determine your story. And I also love that it is a mystery game and there is one to solve I think…Where it leads, who knows? 😏😉

All in all even with its issues the game is amazing and wonderful! You really feel like your apart of this world! It is very immersive in the best way! I love it and can’t wait to keep playing and go back…to Hogwarts, of course!⭐️⭐️⭐️(⭐️)❤️ I would highly recommend it, if your not already playing and you probably are! Hope you enjoyed my two cents about the game! Feel free to leave a comment! Till next time…see you at Hogwarts! Mischief Managed! ⚡️❤️

Harry Potter Is Back!

Harry Potter or the wizarding world is Back, in a BIG way! Just saw Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, last night and in the end it was only after I saw it, and thought about it that i realized how great it was! It taught two really great lessons, one about worrying: “I’ve always believed that worrying makes you suffer twice.”Newt Scamander says this in the movie and how true is that?! And a lot of times we worry about something and it never even happens…The second lesson I will get too in a later post. But Fantastic Beasts comes on the heels of Cursed Child, and so this has been a very big year for potterheads and those who love magic and JK’s world that she created. And I for one am SO glad! It’s so good to have the magic, wonderment, lessons back and a whole new world to explore! JK never ceases to amaze me with her imagination and her world and the lessons she teaches through her stories. Fantastic Beasts is no different. Haven’t read Cursed Child yet as I am currently reading Deathly Hallows…but can’t wait too! To JK I would say thank you if I could for all the magic, lessons and everything good she’s put into this world if I ever got to meet her, among other things…but now if I could tweet her something or say it briefly, I’d just say, Welcome Back, or thank you, we love you and Welcome Home.⚡❤

Proud to be a Hufflepuff

I know I haven’t written in a long time…but today I’m writing about something that means a lot to me. For a long time I knew or thought I was or identified with the Hufflepuff House,but wasn’t proud or happy about it.I always wanted to be a Gryffindor (and do have some Gryffindor traits,but more Hufflepuff ones)and because of the treatment of the Hufflepuff House,I was ashamed to be considered apart of it…until today! I know now and perhaps knew before, I shouldn’t be ashamed,but that’s tough when your hero(Harry Potter) is apart of another House,considered the bravest one,and everyone always makes fun of your house. 😦 It was actually a negative comment that caused me to realise how great the house is and in turn myself, at least because of the Hufflepuff traits. There was a quote from Hufflepuff that’s on my twitter @gobletecho184 that essentially says,that it’s not about what happens to you,it’s in how you react to it that matters.And a comment or response to the tweet said something like,isn’t that like Hufflepuff to always turn things around and see the brighter side of things? While this may or may not be true,if it is,(and it’s more likely than not that it is)What is wrong with that?! What is wrong with seeing the brighter side of things and trying to see a positive side of things? More than being a glass half full kind of person,I now prefer to think in terms of yes looking or focusing on the positive, and subscribing to the idea that in life there is always something to celebrate…no matter the circumstances.After all “Happiness can always be found if one only remembers to turn on the light.” That quote really is the essence of a Hufflepuff.To see the beauty where others may only see difficulty and tragedy and to bring this perspective to others,to help them in difficult times. And don’t we all,doesn’t everyone need that from time to time?! That is what a Hufflepuff does and what it means to be a Puff at it’s core. We are also the ones to often keep the peace and yes perhaps Talk and use Dialogue first to solve a problem,Before rushing into battle like my beloved Gryffindors. But what’s wrong with that?! Sometimes that is what is needed,rather than to be rash and thinking about things, not just acting is important too! And like the Bible says, “Blessed are the peacemakers…Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth…”In the Bible being meek doesn’t mean weak,it means like gentle,caring,and that’s not weak!And we need as many of those people as possible! As for Ms. Hufflepuff “taking all the rest…”this isn’t a sign of weakness but strength!How many people would be willing to do this?! All the other houses were selective,which is one thing…however that also can be a bad thing,because it means rejecting people and isn’t being inclusive a great quality,and not a weakness? As for the most famous traits…since when is being “patient and unafraid of toil” bad?! Being hard working is one trait everyone should have!Patience is tough,but “a virtue” and everyone wishes they had more!Being loyal is one of the best traits and without those who are just, what hope does the world have?! Also the symbol of the Hufflepuff House is a badger.Most think this is funny or represents weakness. Actually badgers are know for their ferociousness and Hufflepuffs are very brave similar to Gryffindors.We may seek peace first,but aren’t afraid to fight for what’s right and be brave when necessary!That’s nothing to be ashamed of! So it’s time that other Hogwarts Houses start treating this House with respect!After all,all of the houses are needed for Hogwarts to exist and have harmony and since we are “only as strong as we are united”…Let’s be that!But now I don’t care!I am not ashamed to be in this house anymore for all these reasons.I’m finally proud to be a Hufflepuff! 😉 ❤

What Harry Potter’s Really About

Harry Potter brings to mind many things when someone brings him up. Boy wizard,magic etc.,and for those who are still anti-Potter, something bad or to be made fun of. To me Harry is definitely not bad nor to be made fun of. But he is also not just a magical wizard. To categorize Harry and his world as just that would really be missing nearly everything that they’re really about. Harry Potter is about love, and friendship and bravery and hardship and loss and evil and overcoming those final three. Quite simply Harry Potter is about Life! To me Harry’s story is both a Christ-like journey and a Christian allegory. But it is also a story that Christian undertones or not,anyone if they’re open to it, can relate too. You don’t have to be a Christian to get powerful,even for some,life altering or saving lessons from it. If you give Harry a chance all this will prove itself true. If you do not you miss out. (In my opinion). There are things in life that are evil and Harry Potter’s not one of them! Quite the opposite! There’s so much good,life affirming even Christian things there and in this case, as sometimes in others, it really pays to have an open mind. I didn’t at first. I thought Harry Potter was almost evil because it includes witchcraft. I could not have been more wrong! The lessons I learned from it will stay with me forever! And a little magic,which is how I think of it, never hurt anyone! Harry is about fighting inner and outer demons and how to, plus actually overcome them. It teaches love in the face of evil and hatred. It teaches the power of friendship. It teaches courage in the face of great danger and that there are worse fates than death; such as a life lived without love,friendship and something worth fighting for! Light is stronger than darkness and is always there, always!Greatness and goodness are defined by our choices,not our abilities or any personal darkness we struggle to overcome! Harry Potter is ultimately about and teaches, love conquers all! Love wins in the end! And what is better than that?!

What HP taught me, from AVPSY(among other things)

Why I’m Excited About Pottermore Again

Pottermore. When it was first announced there was excitement equal to what usually accompanies the latest Apple technological release, meaning the anticipation was HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! After all the last Harry Potter movie was about to come out, and there would be no more new HP material or oriented things coming out, until J.K. Rowling (whom I now know likes to be called Jo) announced Pottermore. Everyone was really happy about it too, to say the least.(Well that’s actually the understatement of this century so far! ;))  I stayed up late or all night, as I think documented on this blog, just to gain early access to Pottermore. As a newer HP fan, I was desperate, as I think were many others for more, frankly ANYMORE of Harry Potter (material) I could get. I envisioned Pottermore (which I may not have talked about before) to be an extension of the films. I guess I was just expecting a really visual experience (and the films were fresh on my mind) and not something as grounded in the books as what Pottermore ended up being. And what Pottermore ended up being, was actually what Jo promised,just not what many people envisioned. lol. ;P Well as you may know (if you’ve read this blog before) I got into the Pottermore beta,one of the lucky few, and I was feeling Amazing because I had rarely won anything before, let alone to get to try out something as big as this before anyone else! And then…I got on Pottermore, after waiting for, at least/or for actually, TWO MONTHS! Needless to say I wasn’t very happy with Pottermore at that point, or rather with how the site was being handled. 😦 But I then I was so excited to get on the site, that really overrode my initial anger and frustration. That was UNTIL…..I got on the site! 

Once I got on Pottermore, I was really frustrated and quite frankly BORED with it, because after I had finished book 1, there was only potions and dueling to do on the site for fun and that got old. It got tough boiling the same potions over and over again….especially because there were no new potions and I had yet to master dueling anyway…and even if I had, that would have gotten old too. So I was just really upset with Pottermore and nearly questioning Jo’s vision for the site or at least the execution of her vision by those in charge of the site. I mean if the site was only for children, then say so and let us know…But if it could or was supposed to be enjoyed by anyone, then some things would need to change. And that was the way I had been feeling before now…..

Now, is after the addition of the book, Chamber of Secrets to Pottermore, specifically chapters 5-11. The people behind Pottermore have added games to the site and just recently new potions. I was frustrated with the de-gnoming game at first, but now, I have to admit I really actually, kind of like it! LOL! And even though trying to catch the pixies can be annoying at times, it’s still entertaining and kind of funny and very true to the movie and the way I think the pixies would behave. And to me that’s actually kind of a feat and really awesome that they could capture the actual behavior of the pixies in 2D, without the benefits of 3D and what a film production would have at it’s disposal. Maybe it’s not that hard to program,(I don’t know, not having programmed anything since I was in grade school) but they captured the essence of a great moment in the story. Pottermore’s not so boring anymore and is just more magical. I was unimpressed with a floating car in chapter 1 and I believe 5 of Chamber of Secrets, until I realized the car could, as it should, FLY! They actually created the moment, as each specific part of a chapter is called, so it would look like it’s flying! It may not seem like a big deal to some, but the moments in book 1, were so simplistic and very nearly boring at least after your first time through, and most importantly so non-interactive that it was just like,is that all there is……? But after the addition of some of these new moments and a much more interactive experience including new (albeit much harder) potions, my hope is renewed as far as the potential for this site. I feel like it could be great, again, as I did once, in the very beginning. If Pottermore keeps this up, the end of Chamber of Secrets and/or the other books, could be great. And that’s why I’m excited about Pottermore again.

Mischief Managed: the Harry Potter Retrospective

This is the best retrospective Harry Potter video I’ve seen. It’s a must see for Potterheads. ❤ It includes footage from and is a retrospective of all eight films, put together really beautifully in the end.

Harry Potter and Christianity

Harry Potter and Christianity,two things that at least for some don’t mix. But I wanted to write my assessment of the debate. Harry Potter is definitely not a tale specifically or really about Christianity. It is about a wizard with magical powers and makes no mention of God except that Harry wonders in the final book or movie if in fact his parents would be in a church at Christmastime.

But all that said, Harry Potter is not a saga devoid of morality. In fact it teaches a  lot of great morals and lessons and to this Christian at least, though it may be unpopular or seem not possible at least, there are in fact Christian parallels.

Harry Potter himself would be the Christly figure in the potter saga. But it is only a parallel because unlike Christ, Harry is flawed. But like Christ He does in fact die and comes back to life to save his people and the world from his enemy, the evil, satan like voldemort. Another parallel for a Christian might be to compare Harry to a Christian hero, who fights or struggles with the darkness within, as Christians struggle with sin and the evil,and also darkness without as we struggle with satan, and Harry struggles with voldemort. “The world isn’t divided into good people and death eaters(or bad). We all have light and dark inside of us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That’s who we really are.” This is a quote from Harry’s family friend Sirius. It speaks very much to the fact that as Christians we all have the Light inside us(for us Christ) as well as sin and like for all humanity, it is that which we choose to live by that determines who we really are and our eternal destiny.

The books and movies in the saga are also dominated by other great values such as friendship, bravery, loyalty and most importantly love. Harry’s mother’s love saves him in the beginning and love is described as the the only real magic and that it will always win in the end.

As for the witchcraft debate, I think I look at the magic in the story as magic or power and not something evil. There is dark magic(evil or the bad kind of power) in the story, but there is a distinction made between good and evil and the good and the bad. But that said again, this is not a specifically Christian story. There are parallels and good morals taught,I will emphasize that. But this is just my humble opinion and is subject to change if I come to think otherwise and I definitely welcome comments. But if nothing else it is something to think about and ponder because we do want to be careful what we put in our spirits,etc. (I will add that I think there are definitely positive aspects to Harry Potter if nothing else, even if you disagree with me on the parallels, or if I was wrong about them.)  Well that’s my thoughts on Harry Potter. God Bless and hopefully I’ll write again soon. Thanks for reading.

Magic Radio an HP Podcast(My First HP Podcast) (Hope You Like :))

Click on the html and you will be able to hear the podcast.
http://elovelaughlive.podomatic.com/embed/frame/posting/2012-03-01T19_06_18-08_00?json_url=http%3A%2F%2Felovelaughlive.podomatic.com%2Fentry%2Fembed_params%2F2012-03-01T19_06_18-08_00%3Fcolor%3Df8ae06%26autoPlay%3Dfalse%26facebook%3Dtrue%26height%3D85%26minicast%3Dfalse%26objembed%3D0%26width%3D300