Charles EstherGrowing up, Harry Potter was more than just a series of books to me.
It was a magical world where anything felt possible.
From the moment I picked up Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, I was hooked.
I stood in line for midnight book releases.
I debated theories with friends for hours.
I found comfort, inspiration, and even a sense of belonging through the characters and their journeys.
But today, as an adult fan, my relationship with J.K. Rowling — the woman who created this beloved universe — is complicated.
If anything, it is painful.
And frankly, disappointment feels too small a word to capture it.
The Magic Rowling Gave Us
J.K. Rowling built a world that encouraged courage, loyalty, and fighting for what is right.
She gave us Hermione Granger, a brilliant, bossy, unstoppable girl who made me believe my intelligence was powerful.
She gave us Harry, who faced impossible odds but never gave up.
She gave us Dumbledore’s wisdom about love being the greatest magic of all.
The books weren’t just entertainment — they were lifelines.
They taught us empathy, resilience, and the strength of unity.
They made millions of people feel seen, valued, and capable of changing the world for the better.
That is why what came next feels so devastating.
The Growing Controversy
Over the past few years, Rowling has made numerous public statements about gender identity that have hurt and alienated many fans, particularly those in the LGBTQ+ community.
Rather than listening with empathy or clarifying her intent in a way that promotes inclusion, she has doubled down.
She has published lengthy essays defending her views and has continued to post controversial opinions on social media.
Each time this happens, it feels like a fresh wound for fans who once saw her as a champion of the marginalized.
Many of us are left grappling with how the same person who created a story about acceptance could be so unwilling to practice it in real life.
The Struggle to Separate Art from Artist
The debate over whether you can separate the art from the artist is not new.
But with Rowling, it feels deeply personal.
Harry Potter was not just a series of stories — it shaped who I am.
It helped me survive tough times and inspired me to believe in kindness above all else.
Now, revisiting the books feels complicated.
Can I still love Hogwarts when the creator of it holds views that harm the very values it once stood for?
Can I still recommend the series to younger readers without feeling like I am betraying people I care about?
There are no easy answers.
And that uncertainty is painful.
A Need for Accountability
Loving someone’s work doesn’t mean excusing their actions.
Being grateful for the magic Rowling gave us doesn’t mean turning a blind eye when she uses her platform in ways that cause harm.
Accountability matters — even for people we once idolized.
It is important to say Rowling’s legacy is forever changed.
Not because fans are too sensitive, but because words have real-world impacts.
Especially when you have millions of followers hanging onto your every post.
The Magic Was Ours Too
One thing that has helped me reconcile my feelings is remembering that Harry Potter belongs to us too.
The readers who loved it.
The communities that built safe spaces around it.
The friendships formed through it.
The lessons learned from it.
Rowling may have created the world, but we gave it life.
And we can choose to carry forward the values of kindness, courage, and love — even if we feel betrayed by the author.
Moving Forward with Hope
We do not have to abandon what Harry Potter meant to us.
But we can acknowledge our disappointment.
We can listen to the voices Rowling’s comments have hurt.
We can choose to support writers and creators who build inclusive worlds without hurting others in the process.
In the end, the magic was never just about spells and potions.
It was about people choosing love over fear, time and time again.
That is a legacy worth keeping — even if the creator lost sight of it.
