It is HER story (The JK Rowling debacle)

 am probably going to get a lot of flack for saying this, but I believe J.K. Rowling has every right to say whatever she wants about her books. To many, this might seem like a blind fan supporting everything she does, but to be honest, it is not. I consider myself a writer, and there are many times I read my old stories and feel like I could have gone a different way. Even though it is done and dusted, it is still my story. Without me, these stories wouldn't have gotten to anyone else.

Similarly, Harry Potter is JKR's story. The entire wizarding world is something she came up with. Harry, Ron and Hermione are probably like her own children. Even though she told it a particular way once, doesn't mean she can't regret it or feel like it could have gone another way. She has the right to feel that way, and in my humble opinion, she has every right to talk about it too.

One of the major debates by people is that by saying that Hermione should have ended up with Ron, it is a statement that puts down the character of Ron. I have seen many internet forums where people talk about Ron's severe self esteem issues and how he has always felt second best in his life. Then they go onto say how 'getting' Hermione had made him feel very good and as if he was finally worth something. A supporting argument was how a Harry-Hermione ending would be too bad because Harry couldn't 'have everything'.

What I find problematic about both the above statements is that they are reducing the role of Hermione Granger, the brightest witch of her age to a mere prop that a male character 'gets'. Her choice is completely taken away from her. While making such statements, people are forgetting Hermione's role in the books is not a prize, not to improve Ron's self esteem or 'complete' Harry.

In doing so, they are stripping away what her character stood for, and making it about her romantic choices. While Harry Potter did deal with the concept of love, it has always been beyond that. I have reread the books a multiple times, and yet I haven't felt intrigued or enticed by any of the love stories – except perhaps the tragic love story between Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks, but that is a story for another day. The books majorly dealt with bravery, FRIENDSHP, loyalty, courage and the strength to fight for what you believe in.

Hermione has been an emobodiement of all of the above. She erased her parent's memories, sent them to Australia, made them forget her, all so that they could be safe. She didn't think twice of doing that in order to save her family and help Harry, her best friend. She is also extremely intelligent, someone without whom Harry or Ron wouldn't have lasted. Like almost EVERYONE in the books has stated, she is the brightest witch of her age, and instead of focusing on that, people are focusing on her love life. I simply do not understand it.

Hermione had a huge role in saving the wizarding world. She fought bravely and strongly. Even after Ron left Harry, she did not. She stood by him through thick and thin, and always did what was right, even though some of those choices fell into the 'tough love' category. Through every bit of hardship she faced, she was loyal, unflinchingly so. So why can't people start talking about this?

I have never been a fan of the Ron/Hermione pairing. Despite reading the books so many times, that is one thing I could never get into (along with the Harry/Ginny pairing). To me, the two were simply incompatible and wouldn't have lasted in the long run. A lot of their relationship seemed forced to me. Especially how insensitive they have been to each others needs over the years. I just didn't see it working out. So naturally, I was happy to hear that Rowling had acknowledged that. She had said that she had them end up together for very personal reasons, and not because of any literary value. I completely understand this, because I have been there.

While writing something a while ago, I had a plan in my mind. Character A and B had to end up together, while A, B and C were to be friends. As I wrote the story, I felt a tug between B and C, a natural chemistry which I conveniently ignored to follow the idea that was set in my mind. A and B. After I finished writing, I realized that I wasn't very happy with the outcome. Though the story had come out well, I had refused to listen to what the characters wanted to do, and stuck to my original outcome. I ignored the very natural chemistry between B and C, and made sure there was nothing romantic between them. I didn't go back and change it, but the thought always stayed with me.

Now this doesn't mean that I necessarily agree with Rowling's thought that Harry and Hermione was suited for each other. I find their relationship way too platonic for anything romantic to happen. In fact, I love the Hermione/Independence pairing or if she had to be with a man, it would be a much reformed, equally intelligent Draco Malfoy. Yes, I am sucker for the bad boy turns good because the good girl inspires him kind of stories. Anyway, that is not the point. The point is, as a writer, when one is stuck with a few predetermined plots in mind, it is difficult to deter it. Sometimes the characters take life of their own and decide to go their own way, and it's a little difficult to stop them. But sometimes there are a few arcs we so desperately want to write, that it might not come out the way it should.

And it is okay to feel regret over it. It totally is.

So what I am ultimately saying is, that at the end of the day, Rowling is the creator of Harry Potter. Those are her books, her stories. She is allowed to feel regret for any arc she created. She is allowed to express it. Those are her books, and instead of complaining and whining about it, one should learn to be thankful and grateful for the woman who gave us all of it.

Also, people need to focus on other aspects of Hermione Granger's life, as she is the best character on Harry Potter, and should not be defined by her romantic choices.

And yes. Stop with the mockery and jibes at Queen Rowling. As Hagrid told the Dursleys, do not insult J.K. Rowling in front of me. Unless you want to grow a pig tail, that is. Then, you may do so. By all means.  

The Reading Life

Somebody once asked me why I read as much as I do. At first, I was appalled at having being asked that question, because to me, reading was an absolute necessity in life. What is life without books that keep you up all night? I never understood why certain people dismiss reading as a 'boring activity' or said that they didn't want to be 'nerdy'. What is 'nerdy' about getting going on adventures and journeys without moving an inch? What is so boring about characters that eventually become your friends? In my opinion, nothing.

As I was reading a book the other day, one of the characters had said a quote that stuck with me, and resonated deeply within me. He said 'I read to know that I am not alone'. And then it made all the sense in the world to me. While reading was one of my favourite pleasurable activities, there had always been something more to it. It wasn't just a hobby or something that I did. All my life, I have felt like I don't belong anywhere. I was the odd one out. Always. And after reading that quote, it just made complete sense.

Reading gave me the wholeness, the sense of identity and belonging that I have always craved for. In so many ways, it taught me to be okay with myself and gave me the confidence and self assurance that I have today. When I read a book, the characters become my friends. I bask in their glory, I laugh when they are happy and cry when they are unhappy. They aren't just fictional characters. They are my friends, the best ones that I have ever had.

The deaths of my favourite fictional characters affect me as much as a real person's does. In fact, after I read about Finnick Odair's death, I simply went numb and into shock, so much that I didn't even eat. That was a year ago, but even recently, I had woken up at three am and cried because I remembered it.

To most, I would be sounding like someone who needs a reality check, but I think I am doing completely fine like this. As much as the angst and pain in books hurt me, the happiness and good things make my heart beat faster. I have found myself feeling inexplicably happy, laughing until by ribs ache after reading something deliciously wonderful or bone tickling funny. These books represent life to me. They have the good times and the bad times, but ultimately, it is a journey. A journey that I would love to live to the fullest.

When I am talking about books, I cannot ignore J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. That book has shaped my life in the truest sense. It has been so influential in my life and the decisions that I make that I simply cannot hear anything against it. Her books shaped my childhood. They taught me the true meaning of friendship, bravery, loyalty, courage, love and family. It was the right guide for me at such a tender age, and I am so grateful for it. Even now, I feel so happy to learn more information about the Potter world, anything that Queen Rowling graciously provides for us. It is larger than life for me, and I will always hold it up in high regards.

Okay. Enough with the heavy duty stuff. In simple words, reading is fun. You get to fight evil wizards, take down a totalitarian government, be related to Greek and Roman Gods, protect your vampire best friend, all by simply turning a few pages. Isn't that fascinating? Once you read a good book, you aren't the same. The experiences that the characters go through never leave you. They become a part of you, as if it is something you have experienced. And in many ways, you have. Not getting to do all of that, having to live a...err...mundane life – now that seems awfully boring to me.

So next time you go around insulting people who read, or call them insane things like 'boring' (if there's one thing I am not, it is boring), remember that you are the one at a loss here. By refusing to open your mind and absorb various experiences, you are the one stuck with a boring life. I would rather be off saving the world from Lord Voldemort than shopping anyday.