The Ten Moments That Made Me a ‘Harry Potter’ Fan

Annlyel reveals the top ten moments that attracted her to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter…

Before I was a major Star Wars fan I was a Harry Potter fan. As a child, I would watch Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets nearly every day because it was so amazing. My parents knew I loved Harry Potter so they took me to see Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in the movie theaters and while I remember it mainly because it was so frightening it was still an amazing experience. But as the film’s themes got older and I remained a child I wasn’t able to keep up with the movies. My parents, however, did get me the books to read and I absolutely loved them. In fact, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was the first novel I was able to finish in two weeks.

I had all of the books except for the two Deathly Hallows novels and they were all so fascinating to read. After finishing the books that’s when I ultimately became a Star Wars fan. It wasn’t until half a decade later when I reacquainted myself with the magical franchise that I realized just how amazing the franchise was as I finally watched all of the movies. And now I can say I fully understand the story and my love for Harry Potter movies have grown even more. But it’s always those special moments in these films that keep me coming back for more.

So, on that note, here are the ten moments that have made me a Harry Potter fan.

10. The Magic Tent House

As the movies go on and on there are fewer things that surprise you but the magic tent that turns out to actually be a perfectly roomy living space during the duration of the Quidditch World Cup is so amazing that I can’t help but wear the same elated expression Harry has. As Harry said at that moment, “I love magic.”

9. A Well-Deserved Balloon Aunt

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is my favorite Harry Potter movie because of highly enjoyable scenes like this. Harry’s Uncle’s sister was so rotten and seeing Harry, in his anger, inflate her into a balloon is so brilliant that it makes me smile every time. As Harry said, “She deserved what she got” and I loved every second of it.

8. Harry Swallowing That Snitch To Win the Quidditch Match

Quidditch just may be one of the coolest fictional creations of all time and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone really highlights the magical splendour of this incredibly fictional game. And the way Harry wins the match for the Gryffindor team (infamously swallowing the Snitch) is so bizarre but amazing at the same time. I love the part when he’s standing with the Snitch raised high, a grin on his face, and his fellow Gryffindors chanting, “Go, go Gryffindor!” In fact, I’m getting chills just thinking about it.

6. The Magic Bus

One of the reasons why the Harry Potter series is such a compelling franchise is because of the incredible magical changes to everyday things around us…like a bus. That bus with the chatty shrunken head and the thinning qualities is so cool that it’s easily one of my favorite scenes in the movie. Especially when it keeps coming to a screeching halt and Harry hits that front window. Hilarious!

5. The Torrent of Hogwarts Invitations

Harry’s foul Uncle tried to keep him from going to Hogwarts by not allowing him to read the invitations sent to him by Hogwarts but magic is much more powerful than stubborn Muggles. As the house was bombarded by invitations and Harry reaches for the invitations with that unadulterated grin of happiness on his face I can’t help but feel just as happy as him.

4. Turning Back Time

Time travel isn’t something you often see in films and the use of time travel in Prisoner of Azkaban is as magical a plot device as I’ve ever seen before. It’s not only incredibly useful and awesome in context with the movie but the music composed by the legendary John Williams for the time-travel sequence is amazing.

3. Seeing Ollivander’s Wand Shop for the First Time

There are so many magical moments in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone but one scene that has always mystified me is when Harry obtains his wand. Ollivander is such an eerily magical character when he speaks to Harry as if he’s known him his whole life while helping him discover his wand. All of the dusty boxes stacked up to the ceiling fill with my eyes with wonder and it’s why I can proudly say I own a wand (and wand box) of my own from my visit to Universal Studios a few years ago. (I treasure that souvenir.)

3. Snape’s Secret Love for Harry Potter Revealed

The main reason why Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is such an amazing finale is because of the shocking revelation that Snape was secretly Harry’s guardian angel throughout the entire series. And to find out that Dumbledore was really just using Harry and didn’t care that much about him is simply stunning. This scene nearly brings me to tears every time because it’s such a powerful revelation and that’s why I had to place it on this list.

2. Dumbledore and Voldemort’s Epic Duel

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is a very enjoyable film through and through but that duel between legendary wizards Dumbledore and Voldemort is ridiculously awesome! While there is a lot of cool magic presented in the eight films there isn’t a lot of real-deal combative magic highlighted and so this duel is a tiny speck of the impressive spectacle of the power of, well, powerful wizards. It’s pretty awesome to watch.

1. The Ending of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

The first instalment in the Harry Potter series is magical from beginning to end but the final scene is a pure recipe for happiness. Between the emotional moment between Hagrid and Harry before he boards the Hogwarts Express and John Williams’ chill-inducing score this scene nearly brings me to tears every time I watch it.

So, these are the ten moments in the Harry Potter franchise that have made me the fan that I am today. There are many other wondrous occurrences in the series that urges me to return to these magical movies time and time again but these ten moments have a very special place in my heart.

The Future of the Force. The future of pop culture writing.

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Annlyel James

Annlyel James is a Senior Correspondent of The Future of the Force. She is passionate about Star Wars and Marvel but loves a wide variety of movie genres. Aside from her role with Future of the Force she also writes for her blog: annlyelonline. Follow her on Twitter where she channels the Force frequently!