Second Chances

I met you a few years ago, and honestly, I was not very impressed.  Perhaps it was because you were popular, and everyone wanted a go at you.  And I do mean everyone - moms, kids, teens, elders, probably dads when they were alone.  I didn't understand all the hype, really, but I tried you out for the sake of being a part of something.  I gave up on you not even halfway through, but now, in the clarity that post-college life brings (haha), I would like to give you a second chance.  Now that you are more mature, successful, and complete, I think it's worth a shot.  I'm talking to you, Harry Potter.  I read about your first three years at Hogwarts over the course of a winter break when I was in college a few years back.  Both of my younger siblings were obsessed, and you came highly recommended.  Not all of your books were published at this point, which is possibly why I had little desire to see you through your teenage years.  Also, and don't judge me here, I may have been a bit snobbish about my reading-for-pleasure list (I'm at a University where I read classic literature and discuss it over lattes at the local coffee shop with people who make their own clothes and steal toilet paper from college bathrooms).  So, a part of this post comes in the form of an apology: I may have judged you too soon, Harry, and I'm sorry for that.  What brought about my change of heart, you ask?  Well, that's a good question, and I think I can attribute it to two things.  One, I have been reading a lot of non-fiction and memoirs recently, and some of it's been disappointing.  Two, I took a break in that drab phase to read The Hunger Games, which, like your story, stemmed from a very basic and fantastic idea.  I lost myself in those books, especially the first and the second, and I can't find anything to replace the Rue-sized hole left in the atrium of my heart reserved for fictional characters.  I hope you can help me.  I also remember being quite fond of your friends, especially Hermoine, whose name I pronounced entirely wrong in my head until I saw the movies.  Ah, speaking of which, I have seen all eight movies, and I really loved the last couple.  I hope you don't think this is cheating.  You should know that I always defend books versus their movie versions on principal.  So here we are.  Just two people, getting to know each other.  Want to hang out?  I know this great local coffee shop in town...