7 Essays Every Harry Potter Fan Needs To Read

For those of us who will always call Hogwarts home and Hermione our patronus.

1. "The Harry Potter Fandom Is At A Crossroads" by Alanna Bennett

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The world of Harry Potter won't stop growing. But as the franchise struggles to evolve with the times and live up to the tenets of the original series, the devotion of its legendary fandom is showing major signs of fatigue.

2. "How Harry Potter Fanfiction Helped Me Discover My Sexuality" by Chelsey Pippin

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Between the lines of one-shots and slashfics from The Wizarding World, I found a primer on sexuality, politics, and life itself.

3. "10 Years Later, My Immortal Is Still The Best Fanfiction Of All Time" by Mathilda Gregory

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A decade on, Tara Gilesbie's epic fanfic tale is a glorious mess that we should keep celebrating.

4. "How Hermione Granger Became The Big Sister I Never Had" by Ellie Bate

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At 22, Hermione is still teaching me some of the most important lessons I'll ever learn.

5. "How Online Fandom Gave Me A Place to Call Home" by Alwyn Hamilton

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Growing up between two languages and cultures, I felt like an outsider. But when my love of reading brought me online, I found connections all over the world.

6. "Can The Harry Potter Fandom Survive A New Canon?" by Mathilda Gregory

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In finding alternative pasts, presents, and futures for the magical characters that defined a decade, we've been able to heal wounds that new canon might open back up again.

7. "How Falling in Love With Harry Potter Shaped My Life" by Chelsey Pippin

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Twenty years ago, a publisher put a silly-looking book out into the world. Two years later, I fell in love with it.

And some very important bonus material:

What a "Racebent" Hermione Really Represents by Alanna Bennett

Here's What It's Like to Watch Harry Potter For The First Time by Dan Dalton

32 Things Harry Potter Taught Us About Love by Chelsey Pippin

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