Goodbye Harry Potter, We'll Miss You!

They've been attending the special midnight screenings of Harry Potter movies for years, but Friday's premiere of the last Harry Potter movie was bittersweet for one trio of Palm Harbor area teens.

"It was basically our childhood. We literally spent half our lives with these books and movies, so to have it come to an end is going to be really sad. But, at least the books are still there, we can go back and revisit them anytime we want," said 19 year-old Kelsey McKeon of Palm Harbor as she stood outside the theater.

McKeon and her pals, 19 year-old Kaitlyn Lynch of Tarpon Springs and 19 year-old Breanna Cabaniss of Palm Harbor showed up at the theater late Thursday night, so they could be among the first to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 at 12:01 a.m. Friday.

The teens have seen every Harry Potter flick beginning with the first, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, which premiered 10 years ago. 

"I'm kind of sad because the thing's ending, but I'm happy at the same time because I can always go back and read and re-read and re-read," said Cabaniss, who was wearing a Potter t-shirt.

Muvico management let fans attending the Potter midnight showings into the two theaters at 9:30 p.m. Some showed up in costume, others wore pajamas or brought blankets. All were excited to see what was to become of Harry.

Said Lynch, "Since I read all the books, it kind of feels like the end of an era. I grew up with them and its sort of like the end of my childhood, but it's always a part of you."

• If you plan on seeing Harry Potter this weekend, the staff at Palm Harbor's Muvico 10 theater says you can buy tickets online or at the box office. 
• The movie will be showing on three screens all weekend. 
• The theater expects a big crowd on Saturday night. 
• The noon showings this weekend are expected to be the least busy.
• More details are on Muvico's website.
• Vote for your favorite Harry Potter movie in our