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18 Magical Ways "Harry Potter" Changed Your Life

Because the magic of Hogwarts never goes away.

We recently asked the BuzzFeed Community about the books that have gotten them through hard times, the books they would make required reading for the world, and the books they are most thankful for.

We got tons of incredible responses. But the one answer we received time and again was:

1. "Harry Potter taught me what it means to truly love something." —Alexa P., via Facebook

2. "Harry Potter helped me power through my mental breakdown." —Nikki D., via Facebook

3. "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince was a gift after my cancer surgery. I got my hours all turned around and was in bed reading in the middle of the night." —Hermetta P., via Facebook

4. "To be quite honest, Harry Potter got me through years of bullying in school." —Eduarda Q., via Facebook

5. “When I was coming out in college, I clung to the Harry Potter books like they were part of me. I’d be crying in my dorm, wishing I wasn’t gay, and the only thing that would get me out of that dark place was J.K. Rowling and her writing.” — Michael W.

6. "Harry Potter had enough magic to keep me afloat even in the darkest of times." —Kate Y., via Facebook

7. "I was recently unemployed for six months. I decided to re-read Harry Potter, for the fourth time, since I had the time. The books were more than just a story: They were a lifeline." —Tatiana H., via Facebook

8. "Without Harry Potter I wouldn't have grown to love books so much." —Zoe W., via Facebook

9. "Harry Potter was the first book that made me feel like a grown-up because of how thick they were." —CJ D-W, via Facebook

10. "For a young, nerdy, and opinionated girl, it was great having Hermione, Ginny, Luna, Mrs. Weasley, Tonks, and McGonagall. They were strong, they were real, they had their own voices and they didn't exist only as a way to advance Harry's plot." -- Rita G.

11. "Harry Potter was a major part of my childhood and it taught me how to deal with lots of things, like the death of my father when I was 15." —Jaimee D., via Facebook

12. "I get the urge to read Harry Potter when I've been feeling lonely. That's happened several times, especially at big points of transition." —writergirl1029

13. "I moved around a lot as a kid but I always knew I could call Hogwarts home!" —Anastasia C., via Facebook

14. "Being in the Harry Potter fandom since I was 12 has awarded me with some of my strongest friendships. When I moved to a new town and had no real friends around, they helped me keep my sanity." —Rita G., via Facebook

15. "I'm thankful for the Harry Potter series because it got me into fantasy fiction and mythology and folklore." —TonyaPenn

16. "Harry Potter made readers out of kids who didn't like to read. I am forever grateful for that." —Julie

17. "The Harry Potter series inspired and continues to inspire me to become the person I want to be. I had a strong connection with Ron because my family never could afford much and he was always embarrassed by it." —Rachel

18. "All of the Harry Potter books have changed the world. They've changed my world. I am a better person because Harry Potter exists." —Briizy

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