A Perfect Excuse to Re-Read “Harry Potter” (as if anyone needs one)

Prepare to squeal, fellow Potterheads: publishers just released new images from the upcoming illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. I haven’t seen Potter art this captivating since the demise of art dungeon.net (I practically wallpapered my college dorm with Marta’s beautiful fan art).

As someone who still misses the anticipation and joy of the original series, having these illustrated editions to look forward to restores a flicker of the old magic, eagerly awaiting the next installment. The book is scheduled for release on October 6.  In the meantime, feast your eyes on teaser images like this one at Hypable. Seriously, I can almost smell the pumpkins.

If you want to keep the Hogwarts Nostalgia Express rolling, check out this panegyric to the understated awesomeness of Ginny Weasley, my frontrunner for the Most Under-appreciated/Under-utilized Contemporary Heroine award. Of all the fantastic characters in that series, she was the one who most often surprised and delighted me with unexpected badassery. One fateful night, just after The Half-Blood Prince came out and I’d stayed up late to read it, my mom poked her head into my room.

“Goodnight, Ginny,” she said from the doorway.

“Ginny?” I giggled, peering over the pages. “I thought I was Hermione?” She’d called me that before in homage to my bossy intelligence and neurotic academic habits.

Mom shook her head. “No, I think you’re more like Ginny. You’re feisty and funny and athletic. And you’re not afraid to make trouble.”

Ever since then, I’ve felt a special affection for Ms. Weasley. We rebel redheads must stick together!