Twenty years since Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was published has already rolled around the corner. It's insane how long these books have been around, giving hope and breathing magic into people's lives.
These books, and later films have impacted all of us in several different ways. They've helped us get through the "darkest of times" and taught us about the importance of friendship and paving your own path in life.
We turned to you, asking people at WoP to share the highlights of their time as Potterheads.
Lexie Clearwater
The highlight of my life must have been reading the books together with my dad. We would go to the release party. Me a tiny girl dressed as a witch and my dad with a cloak and wizard hat too would stand in line with me for hours and then we read the book. both using a different bookmark. We still are major fans and he bought me all 4 anniversary hard-covers to celebrate our tradition. But now my almost 7yr old niece is joining in too. Harry Potter brings people together and I've met so many nice people through the different WoP sites and some of them truelly are irl friends now too.
Niall Donoghue
Meeting amazing people and being able to share something in common with them. I've made fantastic friends through being a potterhead and it all started when I first watched Harry Potter because I was bored one evening!
Lyra Copeland
The highlight of my time as a Potterhead, was having my first ever World of Potter meet up last night. The Harry Potter world has introduced me to so many amazing people and for that I am forever grateful.
Harry Potter has brought me so many new experiences, new friends and a new aspect on how to live my life to the best quality.
Fletcher Kasselworth
Making new friends.
Merilyn Hunt
The tears. Definetly. It sounds strange when I put it like that, but when reading and watching Harry Potter you didn't just cry in sadness. You cried in joy, in love for each character, in nostalgia of the memories each and every single moment in that Harry Potter world.
Katrina Brook
I guess I would have to say this whole last year, is when I have started to get into Harry Potter the most. I mean I always loved it, but I reread basically all the books, I have started collecting them all as well as the cinimatic guides, basically any Harry Potter book. But one day when in early February when I was stumbling through Facebook, I found a little pop up that took me to the WoP facebook page. I then got on and made an account. If I didn't find WoP I would not have met all my friends I have now, and not to mention, potterhead friends! I have also become even more of a Harry otter person now. I would not trade that moment for anything.
Ariabelle Blackwolf
I'd say a highlight of mine being a Potterhead was going to the Warner Bros Studio Tour in London for my birthday a couple years back, and being allowed to push open the Great Hall doors to start the tour, do a broomstick experience, and just see everything that went into the films and books of my childhood.
Megan Louise
I've visited The Wizarding World of Harry Potter a couple of times in Orlando, Florida. Getting to ride on the Hogwarts Express from Kings Cross Station to Hogsmeade was pretty amazing. Riding a cart through Gringotts and flying around Hogwarts are two of the other attractions which are great, and the whole place is very authentic.
I've also visited Warner Bro's Studios here in the UK, so looking around all the sets and things was really fun. There's lots to see and look at there.
Archie Everston
My Highlight was when I was 11 years old, my mom made me a gigantic Snitch cake, and she somehow managed to fit something on the inside, to play on that "it opens at the close effect" so I had tickets to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter :) It was amazing and all my freinds at my party loved it, since all my freinds love Harry Potter.
Without these books, World of Potter wouldn't exist; this amazing community that's been built up wouldn't be here. We've not only learned so much from Harry Potter, but have also gained friendships that will last a lifetime on WoP.
Thank you for sending in all of your wonderful memories and thoughts on these books. Happy 20th Birthday Harry Potter, and thank you J.K. Rowling for sharing this magical world with us.
Feel free to comment some of your favourite Potter-related memories and as always, we look forward to seeing you with our next post!