Potter Fans React at Midnight Showing of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2'

On Friday, July 15, 2011, fans had already been waiting in line for hours to view the final chapter in a film franchise that had filled their lives for the past ten years. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" would bring the series to a close and those in line were more than prepared to discuss their excitement and also how it all ended.

"I've been waiting for this moment for ten years even though I really didn't want it to come because that meant it would be over." - Maggie Grace, 19, Metairie, LA

"My tickets have been bought and in my possession for over two weeks. There was no way I was going to let there be a single chance of missing this." - Jackson Laborde, 32, New Orleans, LA

"Harry Potter is a way of life." - Todd Russo, 33, Houston, TX

"Originally I was going to come dressed up as Dobby the House Elf, but thought maybe no-one was going to be in costume. How wrong I as." - Connor Greene, 22, Mandeville, LA

"Now if only other movie franchises knew how to stay worth-seeing over multiple sequels like Harry Potter does." - Martin Marks, 24, Biloxi, MS

"This isn't an ending. It really is only the beginning because true Potter fans will keep reliving it the rest of their lives." - Kelly Brook, 39, New Orleans, LA

After the midnight showing had ended and the first wave of fans exited the doors, many stayed around in the lobby and outside to discuss what had just happened before their eyes. Some were smiling and laughing while others literally had tears streaming down their face.

"Why...why does it have to be over?" - Sherry Simpson, 14, Marrero, LA

"That was just bittersweet. No other way to put it. Deathly Hallows is a fitting ending to a great story, but what now?" - Drew Vieira, 43, Metairie, LA

"Yeah it was great and all, but I hate that things from the book were left out. Guess you can't have an 800 page script though." - Aaron Booth, 27, Baton Rouge, LA

"Best one yet. No doubt, it was a great way to end it all." - Max Halt, 20, Diamondhead, MS

"What amazes me is that the theater was packed with people of all ages yet no-one said a word. You could just feel the respect in the room for Harry Potter." - Sharon Brown, 37, Kenner, LA

There is no mistaking that this is truly the end of an era and one that many fans are both happy and sad over. Whether or not author J.K. Rowling ever produces more in the life of Harry Potter remains to be seen, but "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" brings a fitting ending if this did indeed end it all.