What if Hogwarts were my school

I'd Rather Be at Hogwarts!

Whether you're a high schooler or you're in middle school, I'm pretty sure your school life is as mundane as mine was. This very reason makes me wonder, had things been different, and had I been a “Hogwarts” student? Ah! Even thinking of it makes me want to visit that magical wonderland full of possibilities, wonder, and everything a person can dream of! ‘Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry’ is surely a special school, and has a special place in our hearts; that magnificent castle is to die for!

Imagine waking up one day and your parents telling you that you're actually a witch/wizard, and everything that has happened so far in your life was a dream? At least I would be ecstatic, for sure! And what's even more joyous an experience would be, to turn an 11year old once again, and get accepted at ‘Hogwarts’. Thinking about it already makes me feel giddy inside.

Turning 11year old and receiving my first Hogwarts Acceptance Letter, sealed with the renowned red Hogwarts seal, embossed in which are the animals of the four prestigious Hogwarts houses;  I'd be crying happy tears for hours, maybe even days.

Taking a trip to the breathtaking  ‘Diagon Alley’ can never be tiresome, especially if I have to do school shopping for my first term, along with other 11 year olds, bubbling with newfound energy and boisterous happiness, making my way through the ever-busy and bustling streets of ‘Diagon’. 

Going to ‘Ollivander's’ to receive my first ever wand, made meticulously to precision by experienced wandmakers, and feeling the rush of magic coursing through my veins. It's an ethereal feeling altogether! Then, the smell of the wide variety of books, parchment paper, and copious amounts of quills, are sure to tantalize someone's inner nerd. And speaking of school, the exhilarating feeling of getting our robes fitted from ‘Madam Malkins Robes for All Occasions’ can never be forgotten.  Also, if you want your very own ‘Hedwig’, ‘Eeylops Owl Emporium' is the destination.

While browsing through the bustling streets of ‘Diagon', you better Beware! You don't want to go wandering off to the infamous ‘Knockturn Alley’, where the sorcerers practice and devote an awful lot of shops to ‘Dark Arts’. Just a friendly reminder there!

The wait till September 1st is a rather nightmarish experience, I'd say. Each countless second passed in anticipation, albeit is worth it and pays off! Reaching ‘King’s Cross' station, and passing through the brick wall between platforms 9 and 10, where the aesthetic Platform 9¾ awaits. It's a dreamy experience. The magnificent Red and Black ‘Hogwarts Express ‘ leaves exactly at 11:00 a.m., and someone better not be late; because I'm pretty sure not many of us are as fortunate to have a ‘Flying Car'!

As the boats approach the Grand and Magnificent ‘Hogwarts Castle’, illuminated by candles and torches, it's a sight to behold! An unmatched, unparalleled beauty.

Entering ‘Hogwarts’, and getting sorted into one of the four noble houses, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, or, Hufflepuff, while bubbling in anticipation, is one hell of an experience. And the ‘Hogwarts’ Students know what a real Grand Feast is, from starters to the main course to desserts, you name it. Classes at ‘Hogwarts’, although challenging, can never be monotonous, especially if you have friends like Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who always got your back, no matter what. 

‘Hogwarts’ has a variety of classes to choose from. Potions, Transfiguration, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, Flying Classes, Divination, Charms, Astronomy, Muggle Studies, Care of Magical Creatures; ‘Hogwarts’ has a subject for every student, to determine and pursue their abilities in the truest forms. Speaking of classes, how can we forget our favorite teachers? From ‘strict’ and ‘motherly’ Professor McGonagall, to ‘serious’ and ‘intimidating’ skilled potions master Professor Snape, and there are so many more amazing and brilliant professors at ‘Hogwarts’, who excel in their respective fields. And how can we forget our ‘ever-charming’ and ‘beloved’ Werewolf, Professor Lupin?

 While we're mentioning our professors, it'd be a sin to not mention the epitome of ‘wisdom’ and ‘knowledge’, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. With a twinkle in his eyes, he illuminates every place he goes to. From learning to the master casting of spells to learn to defend ourselves, to learning to transfigure, there are uncountable possibilities and scopes, to bring out the best in a witch/wizard, and making them capable of facing every phase of life and overcome them.

Being a ‘Hogwarts’ Student has numerous positive aspects, but, everything has both positive and negative aspects, and it would be wrong not to take them in accord.  Albeit, the negative sides seem to occupy the shorter end of the stick, we can't neglect them altogether, right? At ‘Hogwarts’, you always need to watch your back, for the looming threats of terrible mishaps never really leave you. It's always lurking there, somewhere.

Moreover, fear of dark witch/wizard(s) always persists, and who knows, maybe there's another Dark Lord in the making? Gotta be careful there! And speaking of danger, can we deny the vast possibilities of terrible mishaps, when ‘Forbidden Forest' is right there? Most certainly not!  Then, there's the feeling of homesickness, which most students might go through during their 7 years long student life at ‘Hogwarts’. The moving stairs of ‘Hogwarts’ can prove perilous too if you aren't paying enough attention. Albeit, there's not much, that our most loved Mediwitch Madam Pomfrey, cannot fix! So, students don't need to be so anxious. But, speaking for myself, I'd say ‘Hogwarts’ ain't for the faint-hearted folks.

Regardless of some of these negative sides, we can't argue that ‘Hogwarts’ is a place full of endless possibilities, opportunities, knowledge, and wisdom.  The friendships you build here, you build them for life! And friendships are one of the strongest bonds to ever exist.

Needless to say, one thing we can all swear by is: ‘Being a student of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is the experience of a lifetime!’

Author : Arshia Mazumder