After a sad or a stressed out day, I often resort to
a select few ways to unwind: watching a random episode of F.R.I.E.N.D.S (a full
season to recover from a particularly bad bout), a quick shopping trip, a long
shopping trip, a coffee at Aromas or reading a chapter from the Harry Potter
books! I have been a devote Harry Potter fan since almost 10 years now. I must
have watched its movies so many times that I am sure that if you may mute it, I
could say aloud the whole of its dialogues! Many of us, I know, have been held similarly
spellbound by J.K.Rowling’s spells. Today I wish to tell you though of some
amazing realizations that have struck me, reflecting over these amazing books:
#1: We are never truly alone: I remember I
was reading the graveyard scene of the GoF climax; Harry takes a short respite
behind a marble stone in his duel with Voldermort and feels like the end has
come. I realised how lonely Harry
feels..and then it struck me- so profoundly- I still remember the philosophical
gratification from the thought...’he is not alone! He can never be alone! Rowling
is with him! She is guiding his every move.’ Extending the analogy I thought of
how God must be with us the same way, writing our destinies. Just as J.K. is
always with each and every character of the book at each and every moment so
must there be someone with each and every one of us even at the seemingly
loneliest times. This enlightening thought still reassures me on the worst of
my days.
#2: Boy-girl friendships
are often misunderstood: (This realization has come to me often even
otherwise) but I guess the first time was in Order of Phoenix; Harry and Cho go
out on a date on Valentine’s Day and
Harry also has to meet Hermione there and Cho gets very upset about it. Even
Ron doubts their relationship! But it is after all not so hard to believe, as
Ron and Hermione did indeed tranceed their friendship into love. And yet Harry
and Hermione’s friendship remained so pure and truthful till the end. So the
bottom line I learnt was that it is not rare that one may find a soulmate in
our best friend but it is also equally possible to find the dearest of an
endearing friendship between a girl and a guy.
#3: Everything
happens for a reason: I guess the climax of each of the seven parts most
resoundingly shouts this thought in your brain! Thats what every good book
must!.. But I guess this feeling was strongest on reading the disastrous
decision of Harry and Hermoine to visit the Godric’s Hollow in HP7. Even the tragedies
happen only for the ultimate good. I always have forced myself to remember this
truth everytime life has seemed harsh!...everything happens for a reason, not
one word of that damn series is a waste of ink! If it’s not a happy ending then
it’s not the end yet! All good and bad things happen for a reason (and a good
one at that).
#4: It is okay to not
know all the ‘hows’: HP 7- when Ron openly revolts against Harry for being
miserably out of answers on their plans. And yet it all unravels slowly, there
shines a way, just as it always does. You dont have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.
#5: Even a heartless
villain loves his alma mater: Where else could the last unfound Horcrux
be found?..Ofcourse in the Hogwarts! The only thing (living or otherwise) that
mellowed even a soul less man’s heart!.. Oh dear Mr. Reader! I am so so going
to miss my IIT soon!
We all know these truths, but it is quite another pleasure
when they swoop down on you on their own; more so, at a very young and an
impressionable age. Ofcourse there is so much more we all have learnt from HP; the
good guy beats the bad guy (moral of the story), love conquers all, impossibly
bad days pass, to overcome our fears, to believe in a happy ending and ofcourse
how to find a little magic in this muggle world of ours (by reading Harry
Potter!)
