If there's one character in the Harry Potter series that I most identify with, it's the brilliant, inimitable Hermione Granger. From her bushy hair, large front teeth, and bossy demeanor in the first book to the actress (Emma Watson) that played her in the films and grew into a kick-ass woman, Hermione is a character that is both inspiring and intimidating – "You're a little scary sometimes, you know that? Brilliant, but scary," as Ron puts it...

We each have our own favorite characters in the Harry Potter series – and one of the best parts about the series is how many characters there are to choose from. Sure, there's the Big 3 (Harry, Ron, and Hermione), but there are all kinds of secondary and tertiary characters you might find intriguing or interesting – or think you'd be BFFs with in real life...

In Harry Potter's life, there are a number of "bad guys" and villains – there's his cousin Dudley first, then Professor Snape, and later the biggest baddie of all, He Who Must Not Be Named. There's also another character in there, who walks the line between good and bad, making us as readers ponder questions like nature versus nurture and if people can truly change or save themselves. That character is, of course, Draco Malfoy...

What is it that makes candles so magical? As I'm writing this story, I'm burning one of my favorite candles, enjoying the flickering light and warm aroma that emanates from it... Maybe, like music, candles are "a magic beyond all we do here...."