Earlier in the evening we had the chance to turn the tables on the hosts of The Leaky Cauldron’s PotterCast, in Naperville for the countdown to the release of the final Harry Potter book. They shared their thoughts on the legacy of Harry Potter, their plans to read "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" and why it’s not so bad to be a Hufflepuff.
Sue Upton, 43, lives in Detroit and is a site editor at The Leaky Cauldron. John Noe, 22, is a student at Miami International University of Art and Design and the Web site’s designer. Melissa Anelli, 27, of New York City is a site editor and is writing a book about Harry Potter fandom.
On what the last book means to the Harry Potter legacy
Noe: “No one will be able to read the books the same way again….When people cry, it won’t so much because of the ending, but for the really hardcore Harry Potter fans, it’s become a community – I almost want to say a lifestyle. So many people met so many friends through this, and they’re crying thinking it’s going to be over. But I don’t think it’s going to be over."
Upton: “Don’t say that. I’ve met my three best friends. Oh, my God, you’re going to make me cry.”
Anelli: “We read the book more than for the ending, and each time we go back and read, it’s for more than just the ending. We enjoy our favorite scenes and spend time with our favorite characters, and that leads people to recommend the books to other people, and if that happens, it will live on forever.”
On their plans for reading the last book
Anelli: “I’m trying to split it up over 24 hours, but you always want to keep going.”
Upton: “See, I’m a very emotional person, so when something distressing happens I may need to get up and walk around.”
Noe: “I’ll force myself to stop and feel everything. I have family on the East Coast and friends in London, and I’ve coordinated times with all of them to stop and talk about it. I want to take at least that long to have that kind of fun.”
On what houses they would be sorted into
Noe: “I’m a Slytherin. I’m a big fan of the color green. That’s the only reason. But I’m a Slytherin.”
Anelli: “If I actually went to Hogwarts at 10 or 11, I’d be a Ravenclaw, but today I’m a Gryffindor. I asked (J.K. Rowling) if the Sorting Hat was ever wrong, and she said no. And I said, 'Well, that seems to imply that the voice is in your own head,' and she said, 'Exactly.'”
Upton: “My head says Hufflepuff.”
Noe: “But in the book they’re like the leftovers.”
Upton: “Hufflepuffs are hardworking and loyal.”
Noe: “She also says they’re the party house.”
Upton: “Well, they’re the party house too. Hufflepuffs enjoy life.”
PotterCast's first discussion of the book will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at Naperville North High School, 899 N. Mill St. Tickets are $5, or $3 with proof of purchase from Anderson's Bookshop.
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