Broadneck 'Harry Potter' Fans Prepare for the Last Hurrah

All across the country, fans are breaking out their wands, robes, and broomsticks in preparation for an upcoming event that signifies the end of an era: the midnight premiere of the last Harry Potter movie: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two.

Local fans of the literary and theatrical series and those across the entire world have taken over the Internet. Facebook groups have been formed, encouraging members to change their profile pictures to scenes from the movie. Costumes are being advertised to wear to the premiere. Potter watching parties are taking place. And fan sites are being updated by the minute.

J.K Rowling, creator of the Potter series, recently announced an extensive addition to the Potter fandom: "Pottermore," an interactive website designed to give the fans a new way of enjoying the books.

According to , the theaters at Westfield Annapolis mall sold out the midnight premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 last week and newly scheduled midnight showings at the Harbour Center theaters are selling fast.

Why all the hype and excitement? Readers who aren’t fans of the books might not understand the passion of the “Potterheads,” as readers are called. It is an emotional time for everyone involved in the series, but particularly the teen fans who grew up over the years eagerly devouring each new edition of the book and movie premiere throughout their childhood.

A new generation of readers was created by the vivid and intense magical world of young Harry Potter, a boy wizard who was the ultimate enemy of the darkest villain of all time.

The series came out in the late 1990's, just as today's teens were learning how to read, and the talking paintings, invisibility cloaks, magical creatures, and turbo broom traveling, along with masterful storytelling, unforgettable characters, and the triumph of good over evil brought the power of the written word into the hearts of young people worldwide.

Donita Peria, a student at who is planning on attending the premiere in Annapolis on Thursday night, says of the series, “It was the first book I remember reading.”

Sara Cochran, another Broadneck teen, said, "I love the series because it is basically the novels I grew up with; it was the first novel I read and it's stayed with me all my life."

For many readers, Harry Potter was the beginning of their love for reading, and now, as the final movie is released, it seems to some like their childhood is ending along with it.

No matter what their age, all Harry Potter fans are sad to see the series come to a close. 

“Harry Potter has been something different, an escape from the ordinary for all ages,” said Broadneck teen Becca Tucker.

The fans aren’t the only ones taking it hard. Actress Emma Watson, who, starting at the age of 11, has played a leading role as Hermione Granger in all of the eight movies, was crying along with Rowling herself during the final premiere in London just a few days ago.

She and the millions of other Potter fans can take comfort in the words of creator Rowling who said, “Whether you come back by page or by the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.”