Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Harry Potter and the Midnight Show
by Sarah Rowen
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I am a Harry Potter fanatic, plain and simple. Throughout my years as a crazed fan, I was deprived of the opportunity to attend a midnight premiere of one of the movies. That changed on July 15, 2011. Everything about the experience was fascinating—from the costumes, to the reactions from other fans, to the conclusion of the Potter film series.
Taking in the Midnight Show
To get good seats, my father and I arrived at the theater around 11 o'clock, and it was the best decision we made all night. The theatre was packed with Hermiones, Rons, Harrys, Lunas, and quite a few Voldemorts. Just looking at the costumes was a form of entertainment.
We found seats in the theatre 41 minutes before the film was scheduled to start, and whether I enjoyed the movie or the wait more is questionable. While my father went to get snacks, I did some serious people watching. The people in front of me had packed candy that was to be eaten at pre-determined times during the movie: the butterscotch was a galleon to be eaten at Gringotts, the cinnamon mint was for Fiendfyre to be eaten in the Room of Requirement when Crabbe starts the fire, and the Jolly Ranchers when Voldemort was killed because everyone's just so jolly. The people sitting next to me were finishing up rereading the book for about the 17th time. Another woman, probably about 25 years old, was dressed as Tonks and exclaimed that the movie marked the end of her childhood. Although I'm only 15, I share her sentiment.
Reaction to the Final Film
The movie itself was wonderful. The experience was punctuated by clapping and cheering at pivotal moments, such as when Hermione and Ron kiss, during Mrs. Weasley's attack on Bellatrix, and above all, the defeat of Voldemort. I and many of the people surrounding me cried when Remus, Tonks, and Fred died. The worst tears though came when Snape's memories tell Harry that he must die to defeat Voldemort. Even though we knew how the battle ends, it was almost impossible to watch Harry say goodbye to Ron and Hermione for what he thought would be the last time.
There was a long pause after the final shot of the last battle, which made everyone wonder; would the 19 years later segment be included? Fortunately, it was though, it had been abbreviated. After the train leaves King Cross we get one last look at Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny before the credits roll. Never again will we see another new Harry Potter book or wait endlessly for the newest movie to premiere, watching the trailer hundreds of times. We will never know what Harry's wedding was like or what his occupation will be. We'll never know what the 19 years between the final battle and Albus Severus going off to school for the first time were like. After 14 years of Harry Potter, the wait is over and just like the wise woman dressed as Tonks stated, I feel like a large part of my childhood has ended.
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