I’m Harry Potty!

My wizard collection is filled with over 3,000 items... so far!

My house may look ordinary, but it’s actually full of magic.

You see, I’m something of a Harry Potter super-fan.

In fact, you’ll probably find more broomsticks and wands in my house than in the whole of Hogwarts! It all started years earlier, when my late husband Simon bought me the first few books about the boy wizard. Tragically, Simon passed away in 2005 at just 39, from an undiagnosed hole in his heart. My grief was devastating. But Harry was always there to make me feel better. Whenever I was low, I could just pick up a book and be transported – or apparated as Harry might say – into author JK Rowling’s wonderful world of witches and wizards.

I often read the books to our son Brenden, who loved them, too.

So much so that, when we moved house, he asked if his room could be the cupboard under the stairs like Harry had!

Brenden grew out of his Harry Potter toys as he got older but, instead of finding new homes for them, I held on to them, got some more... I’d caught the collecting bug. Before you could say Voldemort, I’d amassed everything from wands, robes, posters, bags, books and games. Even cups and crockery. Turning to ebay in my quest for magical memorabilia, I bagged some rare items, such as a bust of Hogwarts caretaker Argus Filch and a script used by Dumbledore actor Michael Gambon.

My favourite item is an extremely rare golden egg that contains a small pewter dragon.

Despite my obsession, I never actually realised just how big my

collection was – until I met Martin, 41, in June 2015...

After Simon died, I focused on raising Brenden, never even considered meeting anyone else. But I knew Martin through friends and, after chatting and texting for a while, we became an item.

I hadn’t actually warned him about my love for all things Potter, so he was in for a shock…

‘Blimey!’ Martin said, walking into my living room, gawping at my collection. ‘Is it a lot?’ I asked, laughing. With his help, I logged my treasures – around 3,000 items.

Most of it is set up in my living room, but I have 10 more boxes worth of magical merchandise in the loft.

Martin even painted the living room red and yellow – the Gryffindor house colours – for me, and put up extra shelves so I could display more items.

Despite not being quite as potty about Potter as I am, Martin accompanied me to A Celebration of Harry Potter at Universal Studios, Florida.

Held every year, these events allow fans to meet and celebrate JK Rowling’s magical world.

The actors from the films turn up, too! Last year, I met Ron Weasley actor Rupert Grint – who was impressed I’d come all the way from Wales. And, this year, I got chatting to super-friendly Jason Isaacs, who plays Lucius Malfoy.

The character’s a baddie but Jason is so lovely, and even gave me a hug!

It’s my mission to get autographs from as many of the actors from the eight films as I can. So far I have 28 – including Maggie Smith, Warwick Davis and Evanna Lynch, who plays kooky Luna Lovegood.

I’m still holding out for Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson!

I’d also really love to meet JK Rowling herself, to thank her for creating the wonderful characters and stories that have become so precious to me in the last decade.

Brenden isn’t quite as into Potter as he was as a child, but he enjoys coming with me to fan events and studio tours.

It’s lovely to share something special together.

Harry Potter and his adventures led us through a very difficult time and, for that, I’ll always be grateful.

Harry may have saved the world from Lord Voldemort, but he also saved me and my family.

As if by magic...

Harry led us through a very difficult time…