Rereading Harry Potter

I grew up with Harry Potter but not like most of the people who call themselves hard-core fans.

I grew up watching the movies, the mere adaptations from the books. I enjoy the movies, I really do, and I loved having that time where I could enjoy them without criticizing them for what they excluded from the movie that was in the book. The movies tell the stories well without going into too much detail.

It wasn't until my freshman year of college that I decided that I should actually read the books, and gain a better perspective on the wizarding world of Harry Potter. I read the first during Christmas break, but it wasn't until March that I started reading the second Harry Potter-- I'm not sure why... But after reading the second book I couldn't stop. I wanted more. I craved that magic! I even caught up with my, then 12 year-old, little brother in the fourth book (which resulted in a major war over who got to read each day. Long story short, many doors were slammed, my mom yelled, and we had to sign a peace treaty.) I passed my little brother. Reading through Harry's teenage years and his angst. I experienced his liking for Cho Chang more fully than from what I'd seen on film. I learned more backstory about Lupin and Tonks. I grew to LOVE Harry Potter. Not just like him, but love.

But.

I read through them in such rapid succession that I cannot remember all of the details. I cannot remember more than what I originally saw in the Harry Potter movies. This is pretty common for me though, I do not have an excellent memory (just ask my husband.)

Now that I have graduated from college and am a mere substitute teacher I have quite a bit of time on my hands. I have noticed that the majority of teachers have the entirety of the Harry Potter series on their shelves, and it was just last week that I picked up "The Sorcerer's Stone" and started reading.

Upon completing the book this last weekend I watched the corresponding movie. This time I could point out how the storyline is different from the book, and mention details that have been excluded (like Peeves the Poltergeist and how Norbert is released) or simply changed (in the books, Seamus Finnigan isn't clumsy at all, it's all Neville.)

I finished "The Chamber of Secrets" just today and am going to watch that movie tonight. Here's to hoping I remember all the great details from the book forever.

To be continued....