As the buzzing needle pushed into my skin, all I could think was, “I can’t believe I’m doing this.” But I did it – I got my first tattoo over Christmas vacation.
I’ve now ascended a special level of nerd-dom in getting my tattoo. I will forever have the Dark Mark, symbol of the Death Eaters from “Harry Potter,” on my left forearm.
Because it’s easy to see, I expected plenty of people to comment on it, at least asking what it is, or maybe recognizing it. But so far, only a few have said something. Usually it’s been my managers telling me I need to cover it up.
I have had a couple ask me if it’s real, because my tattoo does look like someone could have Sharpied it onto me. But those thick, black lines are real – I had to go through some pain to show off my love of the wizarding world.
Some people have told me it’s a cool design – a skull with a snake coming out of its mouth is pretty awesome – but I’m sure they think differently when I say it’s from “Harry Potter.”
I had to get my tattoo before the release of the final movie. The Dark Mark is something I had been planning to get for years, yet I was surprised when my sister said we should get an estimate on my tattoo. Even more surprising was that I went in to get an estimate and left with my tattoo. I suppose that was best because if I had been given time to think about it, I probably wouldn’t have gone through with it. I could easily have chickened out, but we were there and my sister was paying, so I figured why not?
I found out it’s true that when you get a tattoo, you start thinking about the next one. But one tattoo is enough for me right now. I know I won’t be like my sister, who has 19 and always wants more. But I’ve thought about getting a “Hello Kitty” face or nautical star for my best friend who died in 2006. If I don’t do that, then I might get the Japanese kanji character for “karasu,” which is “raven,” the meaning of my name.
I want my tattoos to have meaning. “Harry Potter” was my formative years. Since the age of 12, I’ve loved the magical world J.K. Rowling invented. My youngest brother may make fun of me for having a “Harry Potter” tattoo, but I love it. I’m willing to show it off to whoever asks, even if they haven’t read the series.
The only thing I don’t like about my tattoo is that I can’t actually call Voldemort when I touch it. But I can dream, can’t I?
BRENNA PETERS
[email protected]
