Last Monday night we has our 3rd monthly HP meeting (it was supposed to be March, but I was moving and awful) to discuss Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. We felt really strongly about this one – its not my favorite, but several people expressed that it WAS their favorite. I really liked the ending in the Whomping Willow – teachers and students risking their lives together and against one another for the common good in some intense magical drama and personal issues!!! It’s kind of my jam. The rest of the book? Meh. Well, as “meh” as J.K. Rowling gets, which is still leagues above and beyond most YA Fiction.

We made Harry Potter themed mugs (Pinterest + Dollar Store Mugs + Sharpies + My Oven) using this tutorial.

We took Buzzfeed quizzes about our Patronus, our happy thoughts, and our Boggarts. This book really emphasizes realizing who you are deep down, forming your identity, knowing your strengths and weaknesses, etc. It was really fun to take the quizzes and compare our answers.

I’m an otter, like Hermione because I AM HER. Not as smart. Not as brave. Not as pure. But maybe even more of a know-it-all. Definitely more of a smartass.

We had many treats, some even themed! Kellie and Erica brought Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans and Nicole made Golden Snitch Cake Balls!

Aaaaaaaaand that’s about where the Harry Potter theme stopped. We spent the majority of the evening getting to know one another, as most people had never met before. It was awesome to see people from different spheres and compartments of my life coming together and just CONNECTING.

Not everyone, just a small group of the ladies – we had the biggest turnout yet!

I’m still thinking about some of the discussions we had – compassion, loving others, birth control, The Church, doctrinal doubts, mean girls, exes, kids, work and the merits of 30 Rock.

Sometimes you need to just bare your soul to people you just met. You know? There’s something so brave about that kind of vulnerability. The kind of brave that speaks to the soul of others – especially others who really need it.

Feeling incredibly grateful for these amazing ladies and the truth that is Harry Potter. Amen.

P.S. I have everyone’s mugs ready to go and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire questions will be posted this week! Thanks for your patience!