Recently, my son decided to watch the Harry Potter movies. I’d loved the books, but he was never interested. He preferred Star Wars or things that showed you how to make things. But for no clear reason, he said a few weeks ago, “I might watch a Harry Potter. Maybe.”

He watched the first one on a Thursday night. By Sunday night he’d watched all eight, and he wants to listen to the audio books next.

As a book, I shall always believe the books better than the movies. While I understand some changes made in the film, cutting out Dursley scenes, let’s say, others, of course, annoyed me. Having Cho ratting out Harry’s secret defense class comes to mind.

If you liked the books and the films, what changes annoyed you?

Now my son’s questions help me see all the things left out of the films. I look forward to when I can afford the audio books and he can get more answers to his questions.

All that said, I enjoy the movies. I like the kids. I love the casting. Maggie Smith and Alan Rickman are always fun to see. I loved Evanna Lynch and Robbie Coltrane. If I love the cast, I can forgive a movie most anything anyway.

My son likes seeing the kids grow up and he likes the music, especially the music in the last film, in the Battle of Hogwarts. He loves Fred and George. He and I both like when Fred and George get back at Umbridge and send magical fireworks through the school. My favorite film might be the third, but that is my son’s least favorite. My favorite scenes tend to be ones that reveal the friendship between Harry, Ron, and Hermione…and any scene with Luna.

I’m not an anti-hero kind of person. Yes, I want to like the protagonist of a story. Half the time I feel I have to justify this, but the other half of the time I shrug. Give me Harry, Ron, and Hermione, the Doctor and his companions, and Captain Kirk and Spock.

Well, that’s an issue for another day.

So, while my son discovers the world of Harry Potter, the wizarding world is on my mind. And I’m eyeing my action figure shelf thinking at the very least I need a Hermione over there.