Fan Focus: Danae – November 27, 2011

DANAE

Age 16, New Zealand

 
First off, how did you become a Harry Potter fan?

I first saw the movie with my parents and my older brother and younger sister. We saw it in the cinema because my brother had been given the first book for his 11th birthday. I’ll always remember sitting there as a young 7-year-old, covering my eyes because I was so afraid of Voldemort on the back of Quirrell’s head! After that scare it took me a while to become interested again but, once a friend showed me Chamber of Secrets at a sleepover a couple of years later, there was no going back!

Deathly Hallows – Part 2!! Loved it? Hated it? Thoughts?

Fantastic! Even now that the initial hype is over, I’m still convinced it’s one of the best films yet! It was such a great send off and I truly believe the filmmakers and everyone involved did what they believed to be best. I also think that overall the film was made to such a great standard that I don’t see how anyone could not love it!! Even if they didn’t answer a few things; *cough* What happened to Wormtail? *cough*

Now that all eight films are out, how to feel about the movie series as a whole? Favorite? Least favorite?

I take back what I said about Part 2 being one of the best. I think it is the best. There is just something about that film that resonates with me. Perhaps because it is the last one. Whatever it is, I can’t quite seem to articulate it, but that’s fine. I really just thoroughly enjoyed watching it. More so than any of the others. Prisoner of Azkaban is still my least favorite though. I found the pacing horrible, even if one of my favorite characters was introduced (Lupin). Maybe that’s just me though.

If you could have one prop from any of the eight films, what would you choose and why?

I would choose the Sorting Hat. It would be a great fashion statement! Besides that though, it was Harry’s first real experience and Hogwarts. His sorting. It is such a unique item as well. It’s very distinctive and there really is nothing else like it in the books or films. It’s a shame it wouldn’t be able to actually sort me though. I guess that’s what Pottermore is for!

We just got a sneak peek at the Harry Potter Studio Tour in London, which opens March 31, 2012. Do you plan on going, and if so, what are you excited to see?

I live in New Zealand. So it’s pretty safe to say I won’t be going. Yet. I do live in hope though. I think I’d just be excited to see where a piece of my childhood was created really. As cliche as it sounds, it’s been a life-changing 10 years for me. Of course, the Great Hall set is going to be incredible. I always thought the Great Hall really encompassed everything Hogwarts is, a place to come together. To learn, share, and just be yourself. It would be fantastic to see.

Pottermore! Are you in? If so, tell us about your experience. If you’re not in, what are you looking forward to most?

I was lucky enough to be one of the million beta testers for Pottermore. I got on very quickly as well! My username is DawnKey and I was sorted into Slytherin. I was initially surprised but, I realized that it really is the right fit for me. The sorting really is amazing. It’s something I’ve talked to my friends about a lot and they all agree. We all feel we’ve been accurately sorted. My wand is Ebony, Phoenix feather core, 12 and 1/2 in. Surprisingly swishy, which made me laugh. Again, when I read about it it just felt like a good fit. So far my only complaints are the time it takes for potions to brew (my first potion attempt took an hour and a half), and that dueling is still down. Oh, and of course that we have to wait for Chamber of Secrets! Overall, the experience is really amazing and the artwork is phenomenal! A must experience for sure!

Two AMAZING events just happened the weekend of November 12th; The Harry Potter Home Entertainment Celebration in Orlando, and the Muggle Quidditch World Cup in New York City! Did you attend either event? If not, which would you have attended if you could’ve, and why?

Again, I live in New Zealand. I would LOVE to see the Quidditch World Cup though~ I think the power of the fandom really shows through in Quidditch. We took something that was fictional and seemed impossible to alter for our world’s limitations, and yet, here we are. The result is incredible as well! If my school had a Quidditch team I would try out quicker than you could say “snitch.” However, a Harry Potter Home Entertainment Celebrations would also be an amazing atmosphere! How can one person choose? I’ve never been to a specifically Harry Potter related event. I do hope to one day though.

Do you have anything else you’d like to add? Maybe a theory you still believe to be true, a shout-out, praise for yours truly?

Well, first of all, I have to thank MuggleNet obviously, for all they’ve done for the fandom! Also, thanks to my friends for putting up with my, at times, extremely obsessive behavior. Mostly though, I wanted to say that it’s been a hell of a ride. Even though it’s not really over! Harry Potter is more than a book or movie series. It’s like a family. That’s what I feel when I meet a fellow fan. We are comrades of shared interest. I plan to pass these stories on to my children one day hopefully and will never forget the wonderful memories that have been created as a result of this series. I even have plans for a Deathly Hallows tattoo at some point! *shhh*