Welcome to the Fandom

I've always considered myself a Harry Potter fan, ever since my introduction to the books around first grade by my neighbors across the street. No stranger to magic, I simply switched from fairies to witches. As I read and became more involved in the series, I found myself casting spells and adopting a Hermione Granger-like composure - believable enough as I was a "gifted and talented" nerd doing classwork from grades ahead of me - to the point of dressing up as her for Halloween in third grade (a picture of which I have somewhere and if I find it, will certainly post). Even though I was one of the first of my classmates to know anything about the series, Harry Potter soon became common knowledge and a bonding subject. Yet the majority of my peers and friends never seemed quite as invested as I was. Which brings me to now. But before I proceed, some further background information:

I'm a really lucky kid. I've never been outright bullied. I've been teased a bit, particularly in the third grade but after looking back at photos, I probably deserved it because my fashion choices at that time were horrific. We're talking high-water jeans, fuzzy shirts or polyester halter tops, huge purple sweatshirts with bears on them and bandanas to complete the look. Not exactly vogue. But aside from that tangent, I've always been reasonably well-liked, perhaps because I was book-smart enough to help people with their homework or nice enough to avoid enemies or just odd enough for no one to consider me a threat. That said I almost always felt like an outcast (and still do sometimes to be honest). Even if I had friends who liked me and activities that I loved, I never fit in. And this brings me back on track. Harry Potter was there through it all. The fifth book came, Luna Lovegood was introduced and I never looked back.

I've also always been a fan by myself. I never went to midnight book releases or movie premieres (generally because the 'rents didn't want me out that late) and I knew nothing about the fandom until this past year. However, this doesn't mean I wasn't as hardcore of a fan. When Deathly Hallows came out I holed myself up in my dog's crate and refused to sleep or emerge for food until I'd finished. I read the series again and again. I cried at the sad parts, laughed at the happy parts and became emotionally attached to each character. Yet for some reason I didn't "belong" in the immediate fandom because I didn't go to the premieres. I wasn't "allowed" to be Luna because my hair wasn't blonde enough (although she is technically described as having dirty blonde hair in the books, so there) and I couldn't be Hermione because I was too odd to be as practical as she was supposed to be and because, let's face it, everyone always wanted to be Hermione. In other words, I was still an outcast in what should have been a home.
Still I've always had other interests. I'm a pretty flighty person in that I need many things to hold my attention yet at the same time I'm passionate about all of them. Another one of these interests was musical theatre. Therefore, last year after I finally came across the gigantic, enormous, world-spanning Harry Potter fandom that the Internet and YouTube holds, I just happened to find a video encouraging people to audition for The Final Battle days before auditions closed. It being Winter Break and me being really freaking bored figured, "hey. I might as well take a chance and audition." So I recorded my (horrible quality) audition on Christmas Eve and sent it in for the hell of it. Surprise, surprise I got in. Which took me from being a bystander to this fandom of people far cooler than me to right smack dab in the middle of it all. And that's where this story really begins.

LeakyCon 2011. My official introduction to the Harry Potter fandom.

Since I went so in depth with my backstory, I won't plague you with a minute by minute report of my time at LeakyCon but I will detail some of the highlights.*

Wednesday:
TFB rehearsal. I was beyond nervous to meet the cast and crew and absolutely terrified that people wouldn't like me or my portrayal of Luna, but I had no reason to fear. Everyone was nice and welcoming and THERE WERE DINOSAURS TO BE COLORED WITH GLITTER CRAYONS!!! This of course made everything better. 
Opening festivities were a blast. It was seriously unreal for fandom-famous people who I'd only seen on my computer screen come to life. And that proposal onstage? Adorable!
Open at the Close. My first time ever at the WWoHP was brilliant. From Londa and I embarrasing ourselves in front of AJ Holmes to Rachel and Richie's hilarious Southern impressions to the Forbidden Journey where we ran through line dueling and all took pictures with our heads stuck in the pensieve, it was the best way imaginable to visit Hogwarts.

Thursday:
6am rehearsals are no fun. They just aren't. But waiting in line for movie tickets with the cast IS surprisingly enjoyable. Wait, what? LineCon can actually be fun? Apparently so when you're surrounded with awesome people like the TFB cast.
Saw Finding Hogwarts, Potions Master's Corner and Potter Puppet Pals (ahhh the classics. Mysterious Ticking Noise used to be my ringtone) before a second TFB rehearsal. Then onto the movie...
Deathly Hallows Part 2. The experience cannot be adequately described. Still, seeing that movie with a theatre-full of serious HP fans made up for all the midnight releases and premieres I'd missed prior. The emotion in the theatre was astounding and I felt I could release my emotions (mainly in the form of ugly sobs and whimpers of "nooooo") without restraint because I knew Madeline and Shauna (who were on either side of me, holding my hands at parts of the movie and convulsing in sobs as ugly as mine for the rest) and everyone else seeing the film wouldn't judge me (except for those rude-ass people saying "shhhhh." Guys, I was cuh-rying, don't interrupt me). Alan Rickman was amazing...post about The Prince's Tale to come. Matthew Lewis was a badass Neville <3 and obviously Voldemort and Draco are awkward as hell.
Wizard Rock. Oh my, my first wizard rock show ever and The Remus Lupins last ever. It was an experience for sure.

Friday:
The Final Battle. It's the day of the show, y'all. And it was ever so fun besides my flub during my solo (always happens to me -.- ). But really, thank you SO MUCH to the cast, crew and creators of the show, it was a phenomenal experience and I love you all so so so very much!
Pottermore is going to suck up all my time on the Internet. I'm terrified about what house I'll be sorted into but very excited beyond that.
Nerdfighter Gathering. Again, a first. Kinda long for someone as exhausted as I was but Hank Green is very entertaining!
MY BODY IS READY. That was a badass conversation. So much laughing over that infamous screencap with Katie, J.P., Richie, Rachel and Sequoia!
More Wizard Rock, some spying on Evanna Lynch and Scarlett and some purchasing of merchandise. Yet I missed Evanna playing bass during Harry and the Potters *cries*.

Saturday:
The Warlock's Hairy Heart was amazing!! I was so impressed by everyone's performances and with so little rehearsal. Madeline and I are now desperate to cover Trust This Man.
Starkid. First time seeing them in action was very cool though Starkid fans really freak me out. At least I got to sit in front of Lauren Lopez (totally my idol) for the picture!
The Potter Kids were adorable. I hadn't realized they were so young! Loved the Q&A with everyone. Also I love Evanna. End of story.
I got to have dinner and hang out with four fab girls I met that week: Madeline, Shauna, Sarah and Kelly <3  I love you all!
And while I'm addressing more specific groups of people, it was awesome to meet The Hogwarts Sextet (Sunny, Rachel, J.P. and Cole...oh, and Thomas whenever he shows up haha) in person and I am so glad that we are continuing the channel!!
The Yule Ball or technically The Esther Earl Rocking Charity Ball was the most fun I have ever had at a dance. School dances and parties only ever seem to allow for grinding or fist-pumping and I am not a fan of either of those moves. But wizard parties are not like that at all. We accept any and all dance moves, especially way old school or cheesy moves like the twist, sprinkler and swim. I probably danced in every style possible to every genre from every time period of Muggle music and I certainly had the best time of my life doing so. Highlight songs: Everytime We Touch (shoutout to my friends in KY), Pokemon theme song, Ghostbusters (in which we yelled "HARRY POTTER" after "Who ya gonna call?" - utter brilliance TFB cast, utter brilliance) and Total Eclipse of the Heart x3.

Sunday: was goodbye. I'd rather pretend that didn't happen and that I'm still at LeakyCon. Let me stay in this alternate reality for a bit, because I really don't want to continue to face Post-Final Battle/Leaky/Potter Depression.**



MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THIS POST. As interesting and delightful as LeakyCon was, the best thing about it was the introduction to the fandom and all of its wonderful people. It's a place where you can be whoever you truly are and you're accepted and embraced for being true to yourself. It's a place where because of the interest we share in this one amazing series (Thank you JK Rowling) you can instantly click with other people and become lifelong friends. And most importantly it's a place where imagination is valued, magic is real and love will prevail. So keep on partying for ever because this day will never end. I love all of you and thank you so much for making LeakyCon such a beautiful experience and for welcoming me into the fandom <3



One last highlight that I must share. Snape and I had a staring while walking quickly contest and I WON! Luna prevails, bitches. Can I add that to special skills or accomplishments on my resume? Seriously though.

*Ok, just kidding. This is still pretty long. My bad.
**This is a legitimate illness and can be life-threatening if contact is not maintained with Harry Potter friends. So if you don't want to watch me wither away and die, be at The Final Circus in 5 years. Thanks =D


Geez I'm a sentimental child. Regular posting resumes sometime.