<h2>For the thrills</h2>
I first learned of Harry Potter during a family trip to the United States of America in 2019. Since then, I have read the entire series multiple times. I enjoy the plot, and the characters. You can picture it happening in front of your eyes. The magic and thrill make it so fun to read.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jul/Aditya-Anand_e.jpg" alt="Aaditya Anand picks a wand during his trip to Tokyo" width="1280" height="720" /> Aaditya Anand picks a wand during his trip to Tokyo
My favourite moment: In Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Harry and Dumbledore travel to the secret cave to locate Salazar Slytherin&rsquo;s locket. It is such a thrilling moment in the story.
Treasured possession: I had visited the Harry Potter World in Tokyo in 2025, and at that time I picked up a wand because it is the wizard&rsquo;s most powerful companion. &nbsp;
Aaditya Anand, 14, student, Chembur
<h2>Marauder&rsquo;s tale</h2>
My brother introduced me to the movies. I could not believe how grand it was. It was more of a visual experience. After the second watch, I understood the story better. Later, I read all the books and fell in love with them.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jul/Marauders-map_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
My favourite moment: The Marauder&rsquo;s Map. I remember getting together with my friends to make a map of our school. We would even look for portals. It was a silly, but beautiful memory.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jul/Pritha-Vashisht_e.jpg" alt="" />
Treasured possession: I am not a collector. But I still have my old house colours from school that we named after the Hogwarts houses, if that counts.
Pritha Vashishth, 25, media professional, Juhu
<h2>A muggle&rsquo;s dream</h2>
The first time I read it was in 2011. I would imagine getting enrolled in a school like Hogwarts as a muggle. It felt relatable. We had houses in school just the same as Gryffindor or Hufflepuff.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jul/Muriel-Dias-2_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
My favourite moment: The sorting hat ceremony. The hat tells Harry that he would accomplish great things in Slytherin. But he makes the choice to be in the same house as his friends, much like me.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jul/Muriel-Dias_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
Treasured possession: My favourite possession was a keychain shaped like the golden snitch.
Muriel Dias, 38, Vasai, travel vlogger
<h2>Childhood memory</h2>
My dad gifted me the first three books after my 10th grade boards in 2003. I remember being excited for the sixth book, and staying up all night to read it. When my mom finally came to my room, I was weeping bitterly because Dumbledore had died.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jul/Nisha-Nair-Gupta_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
Harry Potter is a part of my childhood. The character development, the many relationships, and vulnerabilities shaped my attitudes towards life.&nbsp;
My favourite moment: When Hermione becomes friends with Harry and Ron. The line goes, loosely, certain experiences make it nearly impossible not to become friends, and defeating a 12-foot-mountain troll together counts as one.
Treasured possession: In 2024, I was in London to present a paper. I stayed on for one more day just to visit King&rsquo;s Cross station at 11 am. That&rsquo;s the time when the train to Hogwarts departs on platform 9 &frac34;. It was a thrill to do the countdown with other Potterheads in cloaks and scarves.
Nisha Nair Gupta, 41, architect, Andheri
<h2>Surviving exams</h2>
I was never much of a reader, but the movies that changed it. We had our final board exams of my final year, when Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows came out. I remember I had my theory exam the next day, which I had not prepared well for, and I went for the film.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jul/Sanket-Mehta_e.jpg" alt="Sanket Mehta (in green) with his family during the trip to Japan" width="1280" height="720" /> Sanket Mehta (in green) with his family during the trip to Japan
My favourite moment: My favourite moments were the games of Quidditch. It is one of the most innovative adaptations of a sport on screen.
Treasured possession: I am not much of a collector, but I did pick up a few bookmarks during my visit to the Harry Potter World in Tokyo.
Dr Sanket Mehta, 43, dentist, Matunga

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For the thrills

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Harry Potter's Birthday: Mumbaikars reveal why they will be life-long fans

For the thrills

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