Harshi Pannala Q4 #2 - Still Crying Over Draco

Today after the CAASP testing, I found myself instinctively drawing the sorting hat from Harry Potter. At first, I was just doodling random squiggly lines and somehow it began to resemble a famous symbol from what I can only describe as one of the best franchises ever. 

Photo Credits: Unique Travel Photo
From the second I saw the scene where the Hogwarts Express blares and makes its way through the green fields, with its steam emitting high above and reaching the clouds, I knew the movie was not just another movie. This would live with me forever. Words genuinely cannot express my love for the eight-part movie series. My friend says the books are better and my response is this: yes, the books are great but I could never in a million years have imagined the world to look even a fraction as cool as the movie portrayed it as. Just know while you are reading this I am going through 50 emotions while replaying the major scenes from each movie. I cannot be crying at 7:53 PM thinking of Draco’s character arc.

This franchise has infiltrated my memories to such an extent that my reality has been altered. I have woken up genuinely worried about being late for my potions class numerous times. When I realize that it was all a facade and the frightening class taught by Professor Snape is replaced by that dreaded history class my heart drops. Not because I dislike the life I live, because that is far from the truth, but because those vivid memories are fake. Like, what do you mean I don’t have a pet owl named Dorothy? The events that J.K. Rowling so masterfully crafted act as my history lessons. But it’s a delusion that I have fed. The obsession that began in my six-year-old self has blossomed into this alternate reality that I resonate with deeply but can never truly exist. Or perhaps it cannot exist in the way I wanted it to.

After watching and adoring the Harry Potter movies my perception of this muggle world has changed—I mean I don’t totally remember my life before the age of six, but let’s pretend I do. The train whistles sound more dramatic. When the class goes silent, the fluorescent lights turn into floating candles. It has allowed me to romanticize this very real life I live. So while I may never get that letter with the red wax seal I’ve been able to incorporate magic into my life a little more.

Comments

  1. Romir SApril 6, 2026 at 8:48 PM

    Harshi, I can’t stress how fast I clicked on your blog after seeing the image you chose. I, too, love Harry Potter. To start, I think I’ll ask the most basic question: what House are you? I’m pretty sure I’m Slytherin.

    Also, quick tangent but, I want to say that this year’s CAASP tests have been lowkey hard. Last year, and in the past, the mcq has always been quick but no, not this year. This may also be because I used to neglect the way-too-long passages lol.

    OK. The part where you say “the movie was not just another movie” is so real. I think the whole Harry Potter saga is something so beautiful, and I can’t imagine it any other way than the way it is. I’d agree with your friend in their perspective that the books are better; I think they offer explanations and delve into details we can’t find in the movies, but I still like how the movies tangify the books’ contents.

    I will also say my second favorite character is Draco, or lwk Ron. IDK, it’s hard to choose. I like Snape the most. He’s so tuff. I definitely relate in thinking about how I’d spend my time as a wizard—after sulking that I’m just a sad little Muggle. Can proudly say I’ve been Harry Potter for Halloween not once, not twice, but thrice.


    This has motivated me to resume my rereading that I started during summer.
    Thank you for reminding me of this beautiful, beautiful series. That was amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lara Reyes-TerryApril 8, 2026 at 8:22 PM

    Hands down, your blog was insanely nostalgic! I will say though, as soon as I saw your blog title, the little Draco fanboy came out of me for a second, I haven’t felt that part of me for years so thank you for that brief flashback. The feeling of being disoriented after dreaming and your brain being populated with seemingly nonexistent memories is super relatable. I remember that on my 10th birthday, I was thinking how exciting it was to finally reach the double digits, and I was confused about why 13 would be the next milestone when I would be waiting for the Hogwarts letter after I turned 11. Your blog also reminded me about this one article I saw (that I cannot find unfortunately) that discussed a theory that our dreams are actually our experiences in an alternate reality. Obviously, maybe not the most believable claim, but I think in a way it validates the experiences you described in the blog! If you feel strongly enough about something, the idea that you can immerse yourself in that world because of your passion is kind of cool. And sort of unrelated, but have you heard about the plans to renew the movie series?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Harshi PannalaApril 14, 2026 at 8:35 AM

      I did hear about the remake of the movies. At first, I was kind of put off by the idea since I don't like disturbing something so perfect. However after thinking about it, I'm okay with it since it's just another way to introduce the awesome story to more people.

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