sharing the world of Harry Potter

Reading Harry Potter to the girls produces some interesting opportunities. The latest one is from book 4. On the eve of the third task the champions are allowed a day of visits from their families prior to entering the maze. To his surprise Harry finds that Mrs. Weasley and Bill have returned to their alma mater to be family for him. As they tour the grounds Mrs. Weasley ascertains that the painting of the fat lady is still guarding the entrance to Gryffindor. She recalls a stern lecture from the fat lady when she returned to the dorms at 04:00. She explains that she was out for a walk with Mr. Weasley.

That provided another point for me to stop reading and talk with the girls. I pointed out that I had brought my prom date back to her mom at 04:00, and that we had not received any lectures, stern or not. I said that the Harry Potter books were not about magic, but about things that really happen to people. My elder daughter disagreed and spoke of riding around on brooms and other adventures. I stood my ground and said that was what happened in the books, but not what they were about.