Harry Potter is the best fictional world

No other fantasy world comes close in terms of nostalgia and wholesomeness

Hogwarts castle is an absolute staple of the fictional world of Harry Potter. It is a majestic and recognizable landscape, and also holds some of the most whimsical moments of the series, such as the Christmas dinners and the classes. 

Photo courtesy of Hogwarts Legacy (2023) Official Youtube Channel/Wikimedia Commons

After many, many years of reading countless books, we have come to the conclusion that Harry Potter is the best fictional world. Whether it be the magical Christmas dinners or the whimsical Hogwarts castle, the world is deeply entrancing to both viewers and readers. 

Even now, it is so easy to become lost in the deeply nostalgic world of Harry Potter. When I am in need of comfort, I find myself turning on one of the many glorious Harry Potter  movies and losing myself in the magical world. Ron, Hermione, and Harry have always had a friendship that I wish to be a part of, and they truly are one of the most iconic trios throughout fiction. They have their issues like any other friend group, but something about the way they handle each other's trauma and development heals me. 

Not only does Ron, Hermione, and Harry’s friendship stand out, but I also find the genuine relationships of so many of the other Harry Potter characters to be unmatched by any other fictional world. The magical realm of places like Hogwarts, The Burrow, or Diagon Alley are built on the foundation of people that occupy these places. For example, there is comfort in knowing that as you enter a scene in The Burrow, you are bound to feel an abundance of love and care from Molly and Arthur Weasley—and also giggle over whatever tricks Fred and George currently have up their sleeve. 

Hogwarts has the same charming effect as it is a school that stands out from any other. I seriously do not think I would mind going to class if I got to garden with Professor Sprout, read tea leaves with Professor Trelawney, learn how to ride a broomstick with Madam Hooch, or hang out with Hagrid and his magical creatures. No matter what the students are doing, each day at Hogwarts seems to be filled with engaging learning and lots of energy. I envy the family-like community the school possesses as the students create connections with their professors, each other, and even the ghosts that haunt the school or the people in the paintings on the wall.

If you still need more convincing that Harry Potter is the best fictional world, look no further than the magic of it all. Each wizard/witch is equipped with a wand that chooses them and is best suited to help them cast spells. Every wand is different and unique, which is why Harry and Voldemort having “brother wands” is such a prominent plotline throughout the novels. Their wands do not correctly cast spells against each other, which is why Voldemort begins to search for different wands such as the Elder Wand. Those who choose to use a wand that has not chosen them will find that their spell casting is significantly weaker.

As Harry Potter  spans across seven novels and eight films, the main characters age from 11 to 18, allowing us to feel like we are in this fictional world growing up right alongside them. This gives the series a nostalgic appeal as we get to experience the characters evolving and changing over the course of such fundamental teen years. Even if we are unfamiliar with living in a world of magic, we are able to connect and relate to the characters as they navigate experiences with family, friends, romantic interests, and their own identities. This is why Harry Potter  is not just about magic; it is about the overall human experience. 

Personally, no matter what age or however long it has been, when I step back into the fantasy world of Harry Potter, I feel an intimate sense of homecoming and belonging. The world is full of aesthetics that I would want to be a part of. It does not get better than dark academia, candlelit rooms, floating pumpkins, snowy holidays, four poster beds, flying owls, and a night sky above you while you sit at a table with your best friends and an incredible feast.