I recently finished reading the original Harry Potter series, and I would say my journey through the wizard world was well worth my time. After having stood the test of time, these books can truly be enjoyed by anyone at any age.

As I read, I was impressed by the complexity of the imaginary world that was being developed in each book. From the very first book, it was clear that Rowling had a vision for her entire wizard universe. I loved how she continued to reveal various pieces of backstory until the final book when everything comes together. Each book is an essential piece of the rich narrative Rowling intended to create. There is no book that stands alone, instead, all are highly interconnected. The series is like a huge puzzle, and readers are provided with new pieces through each adventure.

Of course, everyone who reads Harry Potter imagines themselves as part of the wizard world and as a Hogwarts student representing one of the four houses. It may not be the most popular house, but I would definitely fit in as a Hufflepuff. This is because I also value hard work, dedication, patience, loyalty and fair play. I wouldn’t mind being a Ravenclaw and wish I were brave enough to be a Gryffindor!

As far as characters, I am most like Hermione. In school, I was always the one who had books with me and started studying in advance. Sometime I would bite off more than I could chew with school, but I just put my head down and I made it through. In the final book, Hermione has a magic bag carrying almost everything she and her friends could need in a dire situation. Like Hermione, I always try to expect the unexpected, especially when away from home.

The character that was the most intriguing to me was Snape. It was interesting how he continually walked the line between being a good guy and a bad guy. I felt that his character was very realistic, since we ourselves are neither all good nor all bad. His struggles as a young man and as an adult are relatable and humanizing. Just like with Dumbledore, Harry doesn’t learn the truth about Snape until after he dies, realizing how little he knew about the man that he judged so harshly.

I truly enjoyed all the books and can’t say that I had one favorite. One of my favorite scenes is at the end of The Prisoner of Azkaban when Harry sees himself creating his father’s Patronus. At first, his thinks he has seen the ghost of his father creating the image of a silver stag. After using the Time Turner, Harry realizes that he was the one protecting himself. Even when in grave danger, the spirits of Harry’s parents are always by his side.

Clearly, the Harry Potter books normalize the practice of witchcraft, which is specifically spoken against throughout the Bible. However, one of my friends mentioned that Harry Potter also provides a metaphor for Christianity. In some ways, Dumbledore is like God, Harry is like Jesus, and Voldemort is like Satan. Upon finishing the series, I found the conclusion of the book to be one of the main conclusions in the Bible: we don’t need to fear death.

In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, two Bible verses are quoted directly. The first, which can be found on the Dumbledore family graves, reads “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:21). This comes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, where he exhorts listeners to lay up treasure in heaven, rather than on earth.

The second verse can be found on the Potter family graves and says, “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” (1 Cor. 15:26). The context of this verse is Jesus’ victory over death through his crucifixion and resurrection. Rowling could have written anything on the headstones of some of her most important characters, and she chose these specific verses.

From the chapter “King’s Cross Station”, Rowling alludes to a place like heaven, where Harry is reunited with Dumbledore, who has died. Throughout the series, her focus is more on earthly life than on life in heaven. However, sacrificial love is one of the strongest themes in all of the Harry Potter books.

Right after Snape dies, Harry discovers that he must be willing to die in order to destroy Voldemort. The scene can be compared to Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, the night before he was crucified. By willingly embracing his fate, Harry Potter was able to conquer death, therefore truly becoming “the boy who lived.”

“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  (1 Cor. 15:55-57)

^“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:12-13)