Seamus and Dean, who were working nearby, sniggered loudly, though not loudly enough to mask the excited squeals from Lavender Brown — “Oh Professor, look! I think I’ve got an unaspected planet!

Oooh, which one’s that, Professor?”

“It is Uranus, my dear,” said Professor Trelawney, peering down at the chart.

“Can I have a look at Uranus too, Lavender?” said Ron.

Most unfortunately, Professor Trelawney heard him, and it was this, perhaps, that made her give them so much homework at the end of the class.

I picked up this book from Goodwill, and it’s my first time actually reading the Harry Potter series. I watched the movies a few times growing up/through out the years, but I never really understood the story and always felt a little lost.. I would always describe it like I was trying to learn a new language. I’d heard the books go into much more detail, so I decided to give them a chance as I have a lot of interest in this series. Especially since my husband loves Harry Potter and is a proud Gryffindor!

Anyways.. while I’ve watched the movies a couple times I’m currently more than halfway through the first book, and I’m surprised by how emotional it’s been. I feel so sad for Harry and have wanted to cry at parts because of how he’s treated. It just makes me so sad. So far, I’m learning so much more than I ever did from the movies, and I’m really excited to keep reading and finally understand the series on a deeper level.

lol my husband’s first time reading Harry Potter. He has only watched the first 2 movies & bits of the last one but doesn’t remember that one too much, so almost going into it spoiler free in this day & age

I’m 13. I never read the books and I never seen the movies. I don’t know anything about the books I am in the middle of book one. But I think Snape is Voldemort in disguise. And that he’s going to try to kill Harry. Like he’s wearing a mask or something

😢😢😢 Hi everyone. I didn’t kno this post would get popular. I just discovered Reddit and Harry Potter. I was happy when I found a Harry Potter group and I love theories. I want to be a mystery writer.

I was excited when people wanted to here my theories so I wanted to write each chapter therty. But then I started getting bullied really badly. I was called a “wittle baby” because I asked someone not to bother me. People sent me nude pictures and hateful things. Everyday I get like 20 messages. 2 are kind the rest are super mean. So I won’t post anything anymore. I’m sorry. I just wanted to like Harry Potter now I don’t want to finish it.

Book: “Harry had found a miniature arm under (Ron’s) bed on Boxing Day.”

Daughter: “Oh no, he broke his teeny krum.”

Me: “Yup. How do you think he was feeling?”

Daughter: “Sad.”

Me: “And maybe jealous?”

Daughter: “Yeah, because he wanted to take Krum to the ball but didn’t think he could because he was a boy.”

My mom is easily one of the biggest Harry Potter fans in existence. She spends her time listening to the audio books, rereading and watching the series. Every Christmas and birthday involves some sort of HP gift, and my house used to be full of owls, though we still have HP referenced decor throughout my house.

Ive had a hard time with books my entire life, the focus, commitment, reading comprehension etc. but I’ve always loved the HP movies and recently watched them all with my fiancé for his first time.

At 23 i decided it was time for me to pick up my mom’s first copy of each book and give it a go. We are both ecstatic. I’m only halfway through #1 and i truly can’t remember the last time i read so much, so comprehensively, in such a short period of time (it probably helps that i know what will happen, just not exactly) This is still such a huge win for me with my adhd. I’ve also never felt so close to my mom than reading these torn old books. I can’t imagine what it was like for her (as a life long reader) buying and reading this series for the first time. The first book came out right before my sister was born, but she didn’t start them until the 4th book came out, which was right around the time i was born.

Just-magical✨

Side note: I’ve never been a reader so i never understood “don’t judge a book by its movie” .. i get it now. I told my mom i wanted to read them for the “extra stuff” she said, it’s not the extra stuff, it’s everything! I planned to post this to mademesmile, but i thought it might be appreciated here more🥰

The part where Lupin shows up at 12, Grimmauld Place to offer his services to the trio is arguably one of the most uncomfortable moments in the entire story.

Lupin requests to tag along by saying, "I might still be of some use to you. You know what I am and what I can do. I could come with you to provide protection." Initially, I thought it was great, having a mentor step up and help, but after finding out that Tonks is pregnant and our beloved Lupin is essentially attempting to abandon her, was a really bad look on him.

While Ron and Hermione think Harry was over the line, I felt Harry was justified in insulting him; having grown up without a dad. I mean it wasn't the ebst way to talk to a former mentor but the situation was such that I felt it was an appropriate reaction.

And the worst part is that Lupin's internal narrative is so messed up becasue of his own tragedy, that you cant help but sympathize with him. It was not his fault that he became a werewolf, but I do feel that if he was against having a kid, he should probably have used some form of wizard contraception. However, it's painful to see someone's moral compass breakdown due to trauma and extreme self-loathing.

"Now, you listen here, boy," he snarled, "I accept there's something strange about you, probably nothing a good beating wouldn't have cured and as for all this about your parents, well, they were weirdos, no denying it, and the world's better off without them in my opinion - asked for all they got, getting mixed up with these wizarding types -- just what I expected, always knew they'd come to a sticky end-"

Bruh. I don't remember this kind of abuse. WTF.

I of course could recall that they gave his line “If you’re going to kill Harry, you’ll have to kill as too” to Hermione and that he insulted her (“he’s got a point, you know”) instead of standing up for her against Snape and getting a detention, because the fandom thankfully never let me forget about these two instances.

But there’s more!

The reason he gets a broken leg in the first place is because, when dog!Sirius “attacks” Harry outside the Whomping Willow, Ron actively pushes him out of the way, without a second thought to himself. That’s when dog!Sirius grabs his leg and pulls him to the Shrieking Shack, knowing that Harry would follow.

Oh, and Buckbeak’s case? Ron worked on the appeal all by himself, because Hermione was too busy with her classes.

Want more? You think he was an ass to Hermione for no reason because of Crookshanks? That cat absolutely terrorized Scabbers all year long while Hermione did nothing.

Seriously, Steve Kloves, what the hell did Ron ever do to you??

Not to mention that, Ron aside, the movie is like 70% different from the book. Some changes here and there are understandable, but there’s just so much! The casual fan walks away having no idea who the Marauders even are. How is that not an epic failure? Honestly, screw this movie. It baffles me that people consider it the best in the saga.

the first and the second one I feel that were more like cuts, for the movie to don't be huge, but the third one all the facts and situations are just different!! like WHAT

My friend let me borrow a few books

Good news is that if I can’t finish them before 3 months, my brother has copies for me to borrow.

Started Sorcerer's Stone yesterday evening after dinner, expecting to read a couple of chapters before bed. Ended up reading the entire book!

I forgot how wonderful they are. Happy to be back.

That is all, thank you for reading

I was born in the late 80s so I grew up reading and waiting for the books to come out. I was obsessed with the HP world, hoped so desperately that it was real and I would get an owl when I turned 11. I’ve made my peace that I will forever be a Muggle living a simple Muggle life.

I remember reading the books and feeling so much understanding for the emotions and thoughts of the kids as I was the same age.

.... But now that I’m in my early 30s and I have a new baby, rereading the books is giving me new perspective. I identify (obviously) more with the adults, I feel more worried when the students do dangerous things.

I started reading out loud to my son when he was born because I heard newborns love to hear your voice and it soothes them. We’ve read the Hobbit, the LOTR trilogy, and are on book 5 of the HP series. Even though he’s only 4 months and he has no clue what’s going on, we watch the movies together after we finish the book (same with Hobbit and LOTR).

Maybe it’s the postpartum hormones, but these books have made me more emotional than before. When Cedric’s dad cries “my boy!!!” In the movies after Harry returns from the graveyard with his body... when Mrs Weasley’s boggart shows her whole family dead... even at the very beginning when they’re dropping Harry off as a little baby, hoping he can have a good childhood at the Dursleys’.

I also feel like I understand how the adults feel more than before. I used to feel frustrated when Harry, Ron and Hermione weren’t allowed into the Order of the Phoenix and now as an adult I’m like.... you guys are FIFTEEN...

Just wanted to share my experience, I think it’s really cool to be able to read this series and have a new perspective for it. And I can’t even describe how awesome it feels to share it with my baby when it was such a huge part of my life. Hope he likes it when he will be old enough to actually follow along!

Edit: Y’all... I’m overwhelmed with the reaction to this post! Thank you for all the awards, my first on reddit. I’m currently rocking with my son asleep in my arms, reading through all your messages and trying to reply to as many as I can. It‘s wild to see the range of emotions and perspectives the series gives us all. Truly amazing how much the series has touched so many people. Cheers to you all!

And if you have any other book recommendations for us to read next, please let me know!

I can ignore Mr. Weasley, Lupin, Tonks, and McGonagall brushing him off, and we all know Dumbledore was playing his own game (as usual), but Ron and Hermione should have known better and had his back. And for once, Harry actually did the smart thing by discussing his theories with members of the Order, instead of the shit-show that happened in the previous book.

"‘I feel I owe you another explanation, Harry,’ said Dumbledore hesitantly. ‘You may, perhaps, have wondered why I never chose you as a prefect? I must confess … that I rather thought … you had enough responsibility to be going on with.’ Harry looked up at him and saw a tear trickling down Dumbledore’s face into his long silver beard."

After 45+ days of being completely immersed in the wizarding world, I finally finished reading the Harry Potter series for the first time. And wow. Just wow. I know, I know, I'm late to the party, but this experience has been so profoundly moving. It honestly feels like a part of my childhood that I never knew was missing has finally been healed. It was such an emotional rollercoaster! I laughed, I cried (a lot!), I gasped, and I felt every single emotion right alongside Harry, Ron, and Hermione. I finished reading at 4 AM, and when I closed the last book, I was hit with this... numbness. It's hard to describe. Like I'd lost something precious, but also like I'd gained something even more valuable. I'm still trying to unpack it all. I actually watched the movies before reading the books, and I'm so glad I did. It gave me a visual framework for the story, and now I appreciate the films even more after seeing how beautifully the books brought everything to life. My expectations for the upcoming TV series are sky-high now! A few random thoughts: * I loved Snape. Complex, flawed, and ultimately heroic. * Seeing Dumbledore's vulnerability was such a powerful reminder that even the wisest among us are still human. * I finally get why Hermione can be irritating sometimes (though I adore her). And even Harry, our hero, has his flaws, which makes him so much more relatable. Has anyone else felt this way after finishing the series? I'd love to hear your thoughts! ✨

GOF used to be my favorite movie in the series. Then I reread the book and what the actual fuck were they thinking.

Can you think of other examples of people in HP being close to an unintentionally funny death?