It was a hot, boring summer night that seemed never ending, I was lying on the couch in the living room with my mother and brother. My mother was watching Indian movies and shows, my brother doing work on his laptop, and then there was me– restless, tossing and turning, bored out of my mind. Everyone was occupied with their own things, meanwhile I had nothing to do. I grew frustrated and began whining to my family about how bored I was. My brother became fed up with these whines, and scolded me to “go read a book or something”. “Read a book? Ew”, I thought. I’ve never been into books or reading, the thought of it only bore me more. My brother pointed at the large bookshelf in our living room, saying “we have a whole bookshelf of Harry Potter books, go read them”. 

To me, reading felt more like a chore that I had to endure that had no purpose, rather than entertainment. However, I reluctantly gave in. I had nothing better to do, why not just read a couple pages and see what it is about. Little did I know, I was about to be immersed in a whole other world. From the moment I read the first chapter, reading about Harry hiding under the staircase, and Hagrid taking him away to Hogwarts, I immediately fell in love. With every word I read, I felt it coming to life and feeling myself escaping reality and being transported into the wizarding world. I wasn’t reading it–I was living in it. I felt as if I was there with Harry, Ron, and Hermione, throughout their various adventures from being in the Forbidden Forest, going back in time using the time turner to save Sirius Black, to the end when they finally are able to defeat Voldemort. I felt as if I’ve grown up along with the characters through each book, from when they first attended Hogwarts to finishing school and moving on with life. I’ve learned all the lessons with them through each book, seeing their different phases they’ve gone through. For the first time ever, I found myself captivated by a book. I didn’t just enjoy reading Harry Potter, it became a lifelong obsession. A part of my identity. Being a slytherin is something I hold pride in, and helps me understand more about myself, shaping me to be who I am today. 

I realized that reading wasn’t just a boring chore, it was a portal to other worlds. I finally understood why people enjoyed reading, why these books were made. I began to notice all the parallels between the wizarding world and the real world, such as themes of evil and good, knowledge, friendship, family, power, and countless others. It’s not only about escaping to a fantasy world, but also about understanding this world that we live in. Seeing how muggle born wizards and witches were seen as mudbloods reminded me of the racism that we experience in our own lives as well. Harry Potter has made me realize how reading is life changing, seeing how Hermione was constantly using books and knowledge as a source of power, inspiring me to do the same. Literacy is a way to grow, understand the world, and is an important skill.

I never thought that a book could change so much about my outlook on life. A simple act transformed into a journey of personal growth, allowing me to appreciate the value of literacy and the doors that it can open.