The End of an Era

With great anticipation, and with a little sadness, Hannah and I (along with Hannah's friend Greta) stood in line just before midnight on July 15 to see the final installment of the Harry Potter series, The Deathly Hollows - Part II. Even the moon cooperated in the event by being full and bright. Little Harry, whom we first met in ten years ago, is all grown up now. While his friends at Hogwarts have been refining their magical talents and enjoying the frivolity of adolescence, Harry has grown up far too fast. The fate of the magical world rests squarely on his shoulders. The series is really a messiah story, as Harry is faced with a decision to lay down his life for his fellow wizards. With the support of his parents and others who have preceded him in death, Harry does so willingly. Of all the movies, this final chapter was without a doubt my favorite. I may need to see this one again just to relish it fully.

Hannah was only three years old when young Daniel Radcliffe rose to stardom as he portrayed 11-year-old Harry Potter in the very first of the series in 2001. But since then, she has watched every movie, first on VHS tapes and now on DVD. We have all the books (I'm reading them now after the fact.) I can't recall how many birthday parties and sleepovers have involved Harry Potter, or how many times we have re-watched the movies. There is no doubt that the Harry Potter series will be remembered as some of the iconic movies of her childhood, and Harry's story will told and retold for years to come. It will be interesting to see how high school English classes and college literature courses address the Harry Potter books. Will Harry be viewed as a religious metaphor? Will the "Ministry of Magic" become an allegory for modern government? Or will we simply remember this as a fantasy-filled children's story?

And so this tribute seems fitting, as we bid farewell to Harry, Hermoine, Ron, Dumbledore, Snape, Hagrid, and a host of other lovable characters. And, of course, Lord Voldemort. We won't miss him at all.

2001

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2005

2007

2010