Earlier this month I completed a journey I’ve been on for nearly a year.

I finished the Harry Potter books.

When the Harry Potter craze began, I wasn’t into it. At all.

But last year I had the opportunity to take a Children’s Literature class. I was asked to choose a popular children’s book and analyze it. As I perused the used bookstore near my house I stumbled across a seven dollar copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. I decided to give it a try.

Over the last year I have eagerly anticipated the next part of story. Some of the books were read back to back. Others had months between them.

Why?

Because I set myself a limit.

Instead of heading out and buying the entire series, I promised myself I would only buy soft-cover editions for 7 dollars or less.

So I searched.

A few times I was lucky and found copies in excellent condition for even more excellent prices.

And then I finished the Half Blood Prince….. and I needed to know what happened next!

So I caved.

That’s right. I gave in to my adrenaline and I splurged and broke all the rules I had so enduringly kept for nearly a year.

I paid 12 dollars for a hardcover copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

That’s right – 12 dollars!

For a book that usually costs $24-30 new.

I felt guilty.

I really did.

But it was so exciting to read the end.

J.K. Rowling filled in some holes and even gave me a look at the adult lives of Harry and his friends. I laughed and I cried.

And now I’m at a loss.

The story was fun.

It was entertaining.

My journey lasted a year… and now what?

Are you like me? Do you feel a little bit bereft after finishing a series?

I miss the characters, the halls of Hogwarts, the school problems, the mysteries. As dark as the story became in the end, it was still innocent and childlike enough that I felt I could escape adult reality.

Now, I suppose, it’s time for a new journey.

Any suggestions?