The day the 2nd movie, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, was shown on the big screen that I transformed myself into a Harry Potter fanatic. Yes, I know. I’m a bit late but I never have the regrets to become one of the Potterheads. If I can still remember, it was in 2002 (and I haven’t read any of the books that time), that I’ve indulged to watching JK Rowling’s creation with my eldest sister, Pauline, in Davao City when I was still in college.
College! Yes. Please.
I was new then to the already phenomenal and I can say, the world’s most successful literature of all time. I have no idea who Harry Potter was, why he became a wizard (again, I haven’t read the book or even saw the first movie), and who are these unknown actors I am watching. Well, except for Dame Maggie Smith who played this witch teacher. I already saw her from Sister Act movies with Whoopi Goldberg.
If you’re not aware of that, here’s her picture from Sister Act (as Reverend Mother), and Harry Potter (Professor Minerva McGonagall).
And I have three simple reasons why I’ve got attracted to the Harry Potter movies: his round eyeglasses, the scar on his forehead, and… QUIDDITCH!
Quidditch is that broomstick sport, by the way. And I think JK Rowling came up with the name from the three (3) balls being used to play the game: Quaffle, Bludger, and Snitch. I am not quite sure but here’s how the game looks like in the movies.
Ah! It’s bringing back the memories.
And to be honest with you, I have watched Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets movie… seven (7) times! Don’t stare at me like that!
After watching the movie, I started collecting Harry Potter memorabilia (click here for the photo)and of course, bought the first four (4) books at once. Hello, school allowance!
Those are all mine and I still have them well kept in the Room of Requirements (Harry Potter fans can relate to this; if you don’t, learn about it here.) So, yeah. Bought the four books at once and if let’s say, each book cost around ₱350, that’s ₱1,400 in total. Ka-ching!
Some of the items that I have collected were given as gifts on my birthday, on Christmas, and on special occasions like a “Thank You” token from a friend, or “I bought you this because I know you really love Harry Potter.”
Well, thank you very much indeed.
Notable things I really love from the collection:
1) The complete Harry Potter books;
2) School supplies (backpacks, notebooks, envelopes, notepads, etc.);
3) Sticker albums from both the 2nd and 3rd movies;
4) A Harry Potter UNO cards; and
5) A Harry Potter Parker Pen (Limited Edition).
And a lot more.
Moving forward, before the publication of the last and final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, I wrote my own version of the 7th book in 2003. I had it posted on K-Zone (the familiar kids’ magazine), but their forum shut down.
I was able to write and finish my fan-fiction book, Harry Potter and the Mystery of the Scroll Keeper, for more than a year (to be exact July 1, 2004). Like JK Rowling, who started to write the first book while she’s riding a train from work, I wrote few paragraphs of my fan-fiction book riding a bus going back to Davao for school, from a short vacation back home after celebrating my father’s birthday.
Nice!
My own version contains 41 chapters, 777 pages, printed and bound. I lost the soft copy since my old PC got busted.
The cover of my Harry Potter book.
Actually, I am currently in the works to re-write everything, and you can check my work on Wattpad. And I would apologize in advance because I’m kind of slow in doing it back again but hopefully, if you like to read it, just click the link below:
Harry Potter and the Mystery of the Scroll Keeper (Wattpad)
I really love to tease you with an excerpt from Chapter 1: Going back to Hogwarts
FLASH.
He saw the white-haired man blocking an attacker from the other side of the road. He was panting, finding a place to hide and be safe.
Something hit the white-haired man’s right shoulder. It felt it was burning as his eyes went watery even the rain had stopped pouring. He looked like (he’s got) a prickling pain.
The boy’s vision of that white-haired man was starting to get weaker again, and the flashes of light covering his already blinded sight. He was like vacuumed away and the last thing he clearly saw was that irritating light and the shadow of that man. Until he realized he was on top of his bed, his face was hit by the sunlight from the very opened window.
Is it good?
One special thing about the real 7th book is that it was published on July 21, 2007. It was my 24th birthday. I pre-reserved it months before the release date and lined up early in the morning at National Bookstore to get my copy. I bought it for hardbound (my other Harry Potter books are all paperback). And the sleeve is orange, my favorite color.
Hail JK Rowling. You are awesome.
Even though the books and movies are over, I still love the idea that JK Rowling was able to have her work published (the first book was rejected by publishers many times) and never gave up to share the magic of Harry Potter to everyone.
To end this story, before graduating college, I met this old man who creates customized rubber stamps. So, without hesitations, I have let the old man create Harry Potter-inspired rubber stamps. And everything is still alive.
I know you wanted to have your own, too. I can tell.
So, I’m a happy Harry Potter fan for sure. How about you? Do you love reading the books and watching the Harry Potter movies?
Let me know by sharing your thoughts on the comment box.
Wingardium Leviosa!
Oh! Did you know that the printed script book of Original West End Production’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts I & II is now available for pre-order? Check here.
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