An Author, ‘Cursed’ to Read Harry Potter

Among the Harry Potter Books, there is only one I vow not to reread annually*– and that is The Cursed Child. Not because it is bad. It only means the end of a childhood I have nursed for a long time.

Some readers have developed the ‘habit’ of reading the last chapters of novels before the first ones to somehow get an idea whether they are worthy to be read. Unfortunately, despite being unable to pass the Marshmallow test when I was in Elementary, I am not one of those people who spoil-in every sense of the word-themselves this way. Knowing that novels don’t always have linear plots, I have always wanted to know how everything starts because without it I won’t be able to fully grasp the story.

A number of young readers, those who were born in the era where vampires are cool, werewolves are handsome and living in a dystopian world looks very inviting, may have just started their journey upon reading The Cursed Child. After all, it is the period when a good book is determined by checking the bestsellers-list, seeing the movie version, or simply seeing what the person next to you is reading. Since Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has made a noise – such a noise it was too, particularly for Potterheads – I am pretty sure that many of the aforementioned readers have gotten their hands on the book to know why it is so popular and perhaps started reading the first books after.

I started reading Harry Potter when I was in High School. For reference, see my previous essay here. I have been constantly rereading the books every year, something that has been a point of jest for my family and even my friends. My best friend even found this photo in Facebook and constantly reminded me about it for days:

And The Cursed Child happened.

It did not come as a surprise to me when J.K. Rowling announced that Harry Potter’s era is over. Maybe it was just me. Or maybe it was also felt by those who have grown up with Harry that it was time to say goodbye. Every page I turned sounded like it had a final note to it, that there was no going back. How he got a job in the Ministry, when he proposed or married Ginny, when he attended Ron and Hermione’s wedding were not there as if I was being forced to accept that after he defeated Voldemort, Harry somehow just magically grew older, had a wife, and learned how to be a father while protecting the magical world. I was supposed to be contented as Harry and his friends-including Draco Malfoy- were seemingly satisfied.

I will say goodbye then to Harry Potter-his story has ended so is my fantasy of reading him in Quidditch robes and leading England in the world cup. I will bid Hermione farewell along with my dreams of seeing her name on volumes of books in Hogwart’s library. I will be waving my handkerchief at Ron and the ideas of him playing chess against business-wizards in Gringots.

But I will never say goodbye to Hogwarts and the other possible stories behind its magnificent oak doors.

If my theory proves to be true, that J.K. Rowling is like Voldemort with 7+ horcruxes, then I can say, I am Harry Potter, the recipient of a figment of her soul. Contrary to Harry Potter, I don’t have the willingness to destroy this connection with my Voldemort but continue to nourish it until I can make my own fantasy world.