To be honest, the most predominant fandom in my life is probably Harry Potter. I have Christmas ornaments, graphic tees, figurines, posters, collectibles, and the books in several editions. I even have two Harry Potter related tattoos. One of them is the words Expecto Patronum in J.K. Rowling’s handwriting. I think what is most special about it is the fact that I got it done in Edinburgh, not long after I visited the Harry Potter Studios near London. To cast an Expecto Patronum, you need to draw energy from your happiest memory. I think mine is visiting is the studios. Even as I am writing this, I feel the giddiness I felt that day.

A long time ago, when I was much younger, I dreamt I would visit all of the Harry Potter related destination. So, I did. I booked a trip to the UK. I would spend several days on my own and then jump in an organised tour of the north of England and Scotland. While in London, the hotel I stayed in had a view of King’s Cross station. I saw the Harry Potter and the Curse Child play. And on Halloween, the day Harry’s parents died, I visited the studios. It was everything I had imagined and more. The butterbeer was delicious and the cupboard under the stairs as small as it felt. It was a dream come true. I took so many pictures and bought so many things.

Getting the tattoo in the city in which Harry Potter was written was the cherry on the Harry Potter cake for me. I was both making one of my childhood dreams come true and I was marking a new beginning in my life. Starting a new program and opening myself to new experiences. This trip was the most inspiring I even took.