Harry Potter: What it truly means to go back to Hogwarts
Warner Bros, Harry Potter
Harry Potter fans are a lot of things — excitable, eccentric, wonderful, amazing, but above all, dedicated. We all know, deep, deep down in our hearts, that there is no Kings Cross and that it is just a story.
But that doesn’t matter to Harry Potter fans. The fans have made a book series an entire culture. A culture that treats September 1st as a holiday, because that’s when so many adventures that shaped their lives began. Even though it’s fictional, it doesn’t matter. The adventures that started on September 1st shaped so many children’s childhoods, and so many children’s personalities, that the Harry Potter world stops today.
Just for a few examples, take a look at Kings Cross, an actual railroad station in London.
To those with us at King's Cross, and those joining us from all over the world, we wish you a safe and happy journey #BackToHogwarts pic.twitter.com/wAo7B157Zj
— Wizarding World (@wizardingworld) September 1, 2017
It boggles my mind, truly, how amazing the fans are of Harry Potter. The hashtag #19yearslater is trending on Twitter, both theme parks are celebrating, as is the Cursed Child cast in London. The Harry Potter fandom literally stops today.
Why does the 9/1 really matter to Harry Potter fans?
To people outside the fandom, this could seem really weird. It’s just the beginning of a school year. July 31st makes sense, even May 2nd makes sense, the day that Voldemort was defeated. But September 1st is a very normal day.
But it’s a day that allows us, the fans, to sit back and remember. We close our eyes and remember everything that makes it all feel so special to us. Rachel pointed out her favorite 9 3/4 moment earlier today, and Denise made a special post, just for today. It’s because it reminds us of a different time and place where things were okay.
It reminds us that there are thousands, if not millions, of fans out there who understand us just a bit better than other people. That we’re not alone. When we feel by ourselves, we can open a Harry Potter book and begin an adventure.
And guess when those adventures start? September 1st.
Next: Favorite 9 3/4 moment in Harry Potter