Harry Potter : Return To Hogwarts – A Visit To Nostalgia
“The boy who lived”. It was the year 2003, I was studying in class 6 at that time and Harry Potter and The Chambers of Secrets (the movie) just came out a few days before. All the newspapers at that time were giving reviews and printing big pictures in their front pages. This is how I first came to know about Harry Potter and all the madness it has already created in the world. So, I was very curious to know what this is all about.
Then one day in my class I saw a classmate of mine was reading Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone. So, I went up to him to see the book. (A side note here – The classmate I am talking about was the first boy in our class. I was an average student and we were not actually close. But because of our love towards Harry Potter we became friends, then best friends and till today we are best friends). And I took the book and started to flip the pages and the first thing that I read was the name of the first chapter “The Boy Who Lived”. From there on my connection with the books began.
“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one
remembers to turn on the light” Dumbledore said. In a world divided by fear and violence, J.K. Rowling gave us the magic we desperately needed. Growing up, I did not realize the important messages that were conveyed to children via the Harry Potter films and books. The more I grew up the more I am able to understand that. When I got to know that the twentieth anniversary of the Harry Potter films will be celebrated with a reunion of the cast, my heart rejoiced with all sorts of emotion.
I think we can all agree that once the Harry Potter theme music commenced, we were all transported back to the world of magic once again, starry-eyed and with anticipation. From the Hogwarts letter to the Platform 9 3⁄4, the starting was dripping with nostalgia.
All the directors were present to discuss the films. Chris Columbus gave the most insightful and detailed information, how he handled the children and made them deliver their dialogue properly. Alfonso Cuaron talked about the dark themes that were inculcated in the Prisoner of Azkaban. Mike Newell was the fireball. He did the Tri-Wizrard tournament to its glory. David Yates talked about how he took the films to a more mature and darker theme.
We all knew from the trailer that we would be able to see Dan, Rupert, and Emma chatting away happily. What was more beautiful here was the set-up. All three were seen chilling in what resembled the Griffindor common room. This made me cast my mind back to all the times the trio were seen talking in the common room to come up with the best plan.
I think all of us can agree that when Gary Oldman touched Daniel’s chest, it was a complete godfather-godson moment. As they chatted about the bond between Harry and Sirius and the significance of Sirius and Buckbeak flying away to freedom.
In the words of Emma Watson “There’s something about ‘Harry Potter’ that makes life richer, like when things get really dark and times are
really hard, stories give us places we can go, where we can rest, feel held.” The ending could not have been better, as the casting of the Patronus charm gave me goosebumps. The symbolic spell is all about casting away the sorrow and focusing on happiness, just like the Harry Potter books and movies help us to dispel our negative emotions and get immersed in the world of magic.
– Rahul Halder
