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Lula Hussein

College Comp

Braided Essay

My Only True Love

Life before Harry Potter is all a blur now. Seriously, I can’t remember anything

before the first day I saw the Chamber of Secrets. If you don’t know what that is or what

it means, you aren’t worthy enough to partake in the epicness of the Harry Potter life.

Maybe I’m exaggerating a bit, but not by much.

It all started on my friend’s tenth birthday seven years ago. I was also ten years

old at the time, so I was older. Not that it matters. Anyway, we were having the typical

small party with games and food shpele. I can remember every detail of that day even

though I can barely remember when assignments are due in all my classes. She then

asked the question that would change my life forever.

“Wanna watch Harry Potter?”

“What’s that?” I replied.

How dare I hesitate to watch the most majestic fictional series ever written?

“It’s a movie about wizards.” She said calmly.

How was she calm then?! If an idiot came up to me asking what Harry Potter was,

I would walk away in shame for their empty life.

“I guess.”

Even though I am ashamed to admit those two words, it happened. In a sick twisted

way, I’m happy with the attitude I gave back.

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“SLYTHERIN OVER POWERS ALL!”

This is the phrase the crowd chanted over and over. The crowd waiting in

line for The Half Blood Prince was ridiculous. They really went all out with

everything. And I thought I was a true Harry Potter fan. I was nothing compared to

those people. I was embarrassed to share the same movie theater as them.

Embarrassed for myself, I should say. Who was I to wear jeans and a shirt? I

wasn’t dedicated. Dumbledore would be ashamed of me.

I was excited for the movie though. I couldn’t sleep for nights before.

There is nothing that could’ve prepared me for the chaos that went on that day. I

walked in the theater innocently after just watching I Love You Beth Cooper. That

movie was trash compared to Harry Potter. I decided to get comfortable with the

theater before, and the fact that I had nothing better to do than watch movies

with my little sister. I have friends, I swear.

I walked out of the theater, and I saw muggles everywhere. They were

dressed in cloaks and had wands. And yes, some of them were battling. Those are

the people I should have as friends. Wait, I already have friends . . .

Watching a Harry Potter movie isn’t like watching a movie where

a vampire falls in love with some pale helpless girl. No, it’s much more

than that. You have to really focus. Anyone can understand the
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meaning of a vampire movie that is kiddy pool deep. There is so much

detail in the movies. If you turn away for even a millisecond, you’ll miss

the part that holds the whole movie together. In the Half Blood Prince,

you would miss Bellatrix scurry quickly past Harry and miss the whole

meaning of the cornfield scene. The whole movie holds the movie

together. If that makes sense? Follow these steps and you’re on your

way to a mind-blowing experience with the one and only, Harry Potter.

The movie started and I was really confused as to what was going on. Just to be

clear, we were watching the second movie.

Just because she saw the first movie doesn’t mean I did at the time.

Excuse my bitterness. My jaw dropped in awe throughout the whole movie. I

could’ve sworn I drooled a little bit when Rupert Grint showed up on the screen. Red

heads aren’t usually my preference, but I can make an exception.

My friend, notice I can’t recall her name but I can remember every detail of

Harry’s fragile brown hair, was running around eating cake like a fool while the

Chamber of Secrets was being opened.

I don’t understand how she didn’t want to pee her pants with excitement.

I could barely breathe while she was having a jolly ol’ time at her pathetic

birthday party. I think I slowly shunned her after that. I’m not a bad person, I swear.
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They were in groups lined up to the door waiting for the movie to start. The

time then was 9:45 p.m. They were over two hours early for the premier. I planned

on going home before the movie started.

How could they show me up?

I had to stick around to show that I loved Harry Potter just as much.

I ran into the bathroom trying to hide myself before the movie. I had to get

some serious wizard gear.

“I look like Nevel compared to Harry Potter right now,” I growled at my

sister.

I was cranky due to the fact that I had such little time to get prepared.

“So what?” she replied. “You look fine.”

Fine? Did she just say FINE?!

“Look Hanan, fine isn’t going to cut it. Just because you have no hope of

getting accepted into Hogwarts, doesn’t mean I don’t.”

I don’t regret my tone of voice, she deserved it.

Fine. My Aunt Ashtray.

We quickly ran out of the theater and headed for the mall across the street.

She was running so slow.

“I’m going to leave you behind and accept the charges of child endangerment

later.” I sarcastically said to her.

No wait, I wasn’t being sarcastic.

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“My ankle hurts!” she cried.

“I sincerely apologize if it looks like I care right now, because I don’t.”

I’m not this snappy all the time, only when Harry Potter is involved.

In order to pick the perfect day to watch Harry Potter, examine

your schedule and make sure you don’t have any homework due the

next day. It might be to your advantage to watch it on a weekend so

that you have a full three days to soak up every detail.

From my experience, I’ve come to a conclusion that it is best to

watch the movies alone. Unless you have a friend that appreciates the

brilliance of the movie as much as you do, don’t invite them. You don’t

need pessimists. Make it a one-man party. If your parents aren’t home,

that’s an even bigger bonus. This way you can yell things at the

television and imitate the spells. But in all reality, you aren’t alone. You

have Harry!

When the movie ended and the credits rolled, I couldn’t believe I had to admit I

was a . . . a . . . Muggle. After seven years, I am still in the process of accepting the fact

that Hogwarts doesn’t actually exist. Does Stephanie Meyer even exist? She must not

because what kind of cold-hearted genius would play with the minds of the innocent?
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I’m never going to get my admission letter to Hogwarts. I will never experience opening

the red seal on the edge of the envelope just teasing to be opened. The official Hogwarts

label won’t be something my eyes will ever be graced with. I won’t get to open the

vertical scroll. Sigh.

We finally reached the mall four hours later. More like ten minutes, but

detail was irrelevant at the time.

I was scurrying around the mall trying to find the nearest toy store. I

grabbed the first cloak I saw and the most unique wand I could see. We dashed out

of the mall trying to make it back in time before we were the last ‘fans’ to show up.

Everyone laughs at those people. I was running and trying to put on my gear at the

same time. It was a disaster, and my hair looked a birds’ nest, but it was so worth

it.

Before watching the movie, it is key to practice your British

accent. Not only will you sound more articulate, but you will also be

able to relate to the movie better. Don’t hesitate to try talking like that

for a few days to really make sure you have it down. People at school,

and even your parents will be impressed. If someone asks why you are

talking like that just make up a story about how you want to go to
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Hogwarts one day and they won’t let you in if you don’t have an accent.

They will believe you and they will think of you as a driven person.

To start off, you should be dressed the part. To be one with the

characters you have to look like them. Go to your local mall and go into

the nearest toy store you see. Don’t be embarrassed if all of the kids

are younger than you are, at least they have good taste. Ask where you

can find the magic section. Pick out the best cape that fits your body

type. Not too short, not too long. Next, you have to get a wand. Look

for the most beat up one and get it. It gives it an antique, used feeling.

Like you do magic everyday.

From that day on, I became obsessed with the magic of Hogwarts. I lived,

breathed, and dreamt Harry Potter. My life became filled with fantasy and magestical

creatures. I wish I could buy a cloak. Preferable an invisibility cloak so I can question

Stephanie Meyer as to if she is really human or not. She can’t be. Someone who can

come up with such detailed, mind-blowing, art doesn’t come from the planet Earth. I

would even settle for a wand. But my mom won’t let me. She hates Harry Potter with a

passion. I don’t see how she can hate something that is the very reason I live. I take that

back. I’m not that obsessed. Only a little. Twitch.

The extent of my love for the world of magic is obvious, but the reason why is so

much deeper than that. Might I add that I have only read the first book? I still hang my

head in shame for that. When I have time I will read the rest of them. The movies are
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enough though. I still catch the essence of Hogwarts. Stephanie Meyer is a genius. It is

on my bucket list to meet her one day and just observe how she is. She is brilliant.

We walked in and saw an even bigger crowd of people waiting. They were

multiplying like rabbits. No really, the couple in the corner was being way too PG-13.

We tried to be sneaky and budge someone towards the middle of the line. It’s a

good thing that couple wasn’t paying attention.

I was gasping for air. I felt a sigh of relief when we successfully snagged a

spot. As I observed the crowd again, I noticed some people had fallen asleep. My

bitterness was still present so I decided to throw my empty wand box at them. The

pathetic girl quickly wiped the drool from the side of her mouth in hopes that no

one saw. Some fan.

After another hour the theater doors were finally open and I was pushing

people left and right.

Where did my sister go? I thought. Maybe I pushed her along the way. Oh

well.

I breathed a sigh of relief as the previews started. I successfully created

the perfect wardrobe and still managed to make it on time without looking like that

drooling girl. When I went home that night, I made a calendar for a count down to

Deathly Hollows Part 1.

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The best time to watch a Harry Potter movie is at night. When it’s

dark and gloomy. Don’t worry, The Malfoy Clan isn’t going to creep up

behind you. Put on your cape with your wand in hand and be confident.

To really get you in the mood, you can even practice spells. Ignore your

parents’ call to the psychiatrist. If you loosen up and do a few jumping

jacks right before, you’ll be really pumped.

Before watching the Harry Potter movie you chose, always watch

the ones that came before it. Don’t be like those Harry Potter fans that

skip around and watch whichever one they feel like. It’s just not right.

There is a reason the books are all about one thousand pages long.

There is vital information in there, and you’ll be missing out on it if you

haven’t seen or read them. Start with the Sorcerer’s Stone if you have

to. To really be spontaneous, just watch them all in one sitting! It

would only take you one thousand and forty eight minutes, or

seventeen hours and forty-five minutes. Who needs food, a shower, or

sleep? Ignore the stench that smells like week-old milk. It would be

worth it.

I don’t know if it is the detail in the movies that I love so much, or if it’s the

closeness of Hermione, Ron, and Harry’s friendship. I think it’s all of it. They put so
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much meaning into the walls and the talking paintings. That’s probably why I’m still so

fooled that it’s real. One day I’ll spot a mischievous wizard flying a car in the sky and

I’ll convince him to take me with him. It’ll happen. I know it will.

One day I will meet Draco and join the Slitherin clan. I’ll join the Quittich team

and be the hero that catches the Snitch. During my first few naïve years of watching

Harry Potter, I wanted to join Gryffindor. After a while I realized it wouldn’t be as fun

as being invited into Slytherin.

I have it all planned out, me and Ronald are going to live a secret life that is

forbidden considering our teams hate each other, but that’s what will make it special.

Maybe I’ve given it too much thought. I just like to be aware of my future.

Moving on to actually watching the movie. You shouldn’t take

bathroom breaks or anything that would distract you from what you

have already watched. Your mind will start to wander to other things

that are not as important. Don’t let your mind trick itself into thinking it

is beneficial too decipher whether Bella is going to pick Edward or

Jacob. Who cares when the last time you ate was? You are on a

mission here, don’t forget that. You should always take notes in order

to have something to read during history class. You wouldn’t be

learning anything anyway. Watching the movie more than once is

always a plus. Then you would be sure you know every word and every

head turn. Reality isn’t as interesting so you wouldn’t be missing much.

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It’s hard to find people who share the same burning passion for Harry Potter

that I possess. Most people scoff at the thought and say it’s stupid because it isn’t real,

but that’s what makes it real. There’s no creativity left in the world. I think my mom

lacks that imagination aspect. She doesn’t appreciate the fact that it was all written

from scratch in a brain that can never be understood. How Meyer came up with the

word Horcrux, I will have to wonder that forever.

To wrap it all up, you should imitate the facial expressions and

gestures they do in the movie. You will really get the overall essence of

it. Remember to always watch it alone, develop a British accent, dress

to impress, and don’t take breaks. You will have the ultimate Harry

Potter experience if you do so.

The day Harry and I met eyes, I knew it would be an everlasting friendship. He

is the only person that understands. I know Hogwarts is real, and I won’t stop until I

find it. Snape can’t even stop me. Or, dare I say it . . . The Dark Lord. Lord, Lord . . .

VOLDEMORT. Don’t tell Dumbledore I said it.