Harry Potter Fans Mark the End of an Era at Midnight Showing

Wizards, muggles and fans of all kinds came out to celebrate the last Harry Potter premier knowing that along with Harry, their journey was ending. 

"I'm really excited, but at the same time it's bittersweet," said Emma Harckham, 16, from Katonah, who arrived dressed as Luna Lovegood.

"It's the end of an era," she said. 

Harckham was with her two friends Jake Shippe, 16, from Katonah and Amanda Ko, 15, from South Salem, the former dressed as Severus Snape, and the latter decked out as Cho Chang. 

People started arriving at The Bedford Playhouse on 633 Old Post Rd., between 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. just to get a good seat. The theater was close to packed at least an hour before the movie was to begin.

'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2' is the eighth and final installment of the Harry Potter series. 

Collectively, the movie go-ers were upset knowing this would be their last midnight showing, Recent graduates felt a special connection as they compared their years of school with the on-screen wizards. 

"We had seven years of middle school and high school, and there's seven years of Hogwarts," says Mandy Godel, 17 from Mount Kisco, donning her Gryffindor house scarf.   

Last night's movie premiere brought families together, as costumed groups of siblings and parents and children walked into the movie  theater together. 

"I'm going to miss all of the magic," said Stephanie Ingraldi, 11, of Katonah. 

With her sisters, Christina, 15, and Jacqueline, 17, by her side—all in matching Harry Potter t-shirts—they were giddy with excitement. 

"We're the Harry Potter generation," said Christina. 

Parking lots were packed and quiet by 11:30 p.m. with film goers tucked into the theater well before the 12:01 a.m. start time.

"I'm going to miss everything," says Emily Ivey, 16 of Bedford, dressed at Harry's owl, Hedwig, "especially being able to see what happens next," she added.  

"These are the best movies made out of books, says Cassidy Harris, 18, of Bedford, "I'm probably going to cry the whole time," she says. 

Editor's note: This story originally said Jake Shippe was dressed as Harry Potter and Amanda Ko was dressed as Hermione Granger; they were actually dressed as Severus Snape and Cho Chang. The copy has been corrected and we regret the error.