When I was in the third grade, I read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone with my mom. From page one, I was hooked. I read all of the books in quick succession, and then I read them again. And again. And again. One time, I remember reading all of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (my favorite Harry Potter book) all in one night.

Now that I am 18 and a college student and trying my hardest to be an adult, one might think that my Harry Potter craze might have settled down. Nope! I’ve read more Harry Potter books and fan theories since arriving at college than I did all last year.

I love Harry Potter, and there are so many beautiful parts of the story. Here are my top eight favorite parts of the Harry Potter series.

1. The Mirror of Erised.

This scene in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is a beautifully written scene. It is really important to understanding Harry’s character and extremely important for understanding Dumbledore’s relationship with Harry.

2. Harry tricking Lucius Malfoy into setting Dobby free.

This is by far my favorite part of Harry Potter and Chamber of Secrets. Dobby is such a lovable character, and Harry, the hero of the seven book series, takes the time and energy to help someone thus showing how kind (and patient!) Harry Potter is. Also, anytime that a character has the chance to put one over on Lucius Malfoy, I’m gonna like it.

3. The fact that Hermione Granger has a time turner and uses it to go to class.

As a college student, I definitely want a time turner. So badly. So so badly. But the fact that Hermione Granger is given a time turner in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, actually follows all the rules that the school gives her and doesn’t say that she has a magical object that could potentially help them stop Voldemort, is just so classically Hermione. It is so important to understanding Hermione’s personality.

4. Mr. Weasley busting the Dursley’s fireplace open.

Legitimately one of the most humorous scenes in the series, but definitely the best in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Mr. Weasley busts down the electrical fireplace. The Dursley’s cower in fear. Dudley’s tongue grows out of his head due to a trick candy (courtesy of the twins, of course). There’s no deep, insightful reason for me to love this scene so much, but it is just so compelling… and funny!

5. All of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

I am emotionally incapable of picking one part of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix to be my favorite, so I’m going to say the whole book is the best part. If you want a narrower selection for the best part of the fifth book, then feel free to read it and pick your own!

6. When Hermione sets birds on Ron.

In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, we get to see the burgeoning feelings between Hermione and Ron. This is one of the first scenes where we see the building romantic tension between Hermione and Ron. I am fairly certain that many people can empathize with how Hermione felt at that moment, and it certainly was comical to envision little birds attacking Ron.

7. Severus Snape’s Memories.

In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, readers get a look at Snape’s life, and most importantly, the unending love he held for Lily Potter all of his life. I literally cry every time I read or watch this scene. Every. Single. Time.

8. But, the best part of the entire series, without a doubt, is when Hermione punches Draco.

Hermione punches Draco in the face. ‘Nuff said.