Thursday, October 30th 2008

By chryslyn pais

     I’m having an affair with Harry Potter. It’s true, really. At first, I was afraid to admit it to myself…but now I see it for what it really is.

     It all started innocently enough one summer afternoon. He called out my name from a lonesome bookshelf and reminded me that we never finished what we had started so many years ago. So I went along with it. Here and there we started to spend time together. He enthralled me with his stories and I did wonders for his stiff spine. It worked well. 

     As the school year had begun, I have found myself enjoying my time with Harry more and more. Every evening at the end of a long day, I hopped into bed for my nightly romp with the famous wizard. We always did it with the lights on. 

     Still, I tried to deny my love for him all the same. Citing the fact that the juvenile language provided a relief from textbooks and lecture notes or that it was my “comfort reading”, I always had an excuse for Harry, always a good reason for my so-called therapeutic reading.

     But alas, Harry and I headed down the road familiar to all behind-the-curtain lovers. From summer fling to infatuation to this – a full-blown complex and slightly tortuous love affair.

     Let me make it clear here – I am a huge nerd. I like school, I’m good at it and I enjoy learning. But this Potter boy has stolen me away from it all. My once beloved courseware and research work is wondering where I have been. I have not highlighted in so long. Instead, at all hours of the day, when I am not at school and work or asleep, I can be found clutching onto my latest adventure with Mr. Potter. 

     But this is a sight only to be found in my little student home, for this is indeed a private affair. Even on beautifully warm days, I simply won’t let Harry accompany me to the park or a bench in Westdale. Not even my favourite coffee shops know the likes of this relationship. No…that would be much too public. Harry and I only get together at my place.

     That’s the way we work best. I’m hoping that I will return to my monogamous academic reading relationship soon.. Literary adultery is positively draining. Days go by so quickly. Before you know it, it’s the end of the week and you’ve missed too many classes for what you once thought was just a silly children’s book.

     But term paper season is now upon us. Course readings are begging to be quoted in my soon-due assignments and journal articles certainly don’t find themselves. If ever there was an ideal time, this is my chance to get back in bed with peer-reviewed literature.

     Oh academia, you have never failed me before. Why did I ever stray? I can’t wait until we finally reunite. Right after this next chapter.