Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I is premiering in the U.S. on November 19th, and it is absolutely breaking my heart that I will not get to see the movie on its opening night. Why, you might ask? Well, you know I'm going to tell you.

I have seen every Harry Potter movie on the day of its release. All six thus far. Even when I was on semester abroad, and I almost forgot about it because the French release was over a month later... then I happened to be in London, breathing J.K. Rowling's English air, and realized I could see the movie in a local theatre. And I did.

My husband J has already decided to see the film without me, and I'm a little pissed about it. Couldn't he wait a few weeks until I'm home, as it is sure to linger in theaters for a while? Apparently not. But I digress.

I've been an avid fan of all things Potter for nearly a decade now. I started reading the books as the fourth one was about to be published, when I noticed during my shifts at the public library that these things were flying off the shelves! I read the first four in four days, and from then on I was hooked. I attended a midnight release party for the fifth book and bawled my eyes out as I read the last one. I am an adult version of Hermione Granger, my favorite character. I insisted that I spend part of my most recent vacation at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park, drinking butterbeer. I adore the movies, despite their inaccuracies. Sometimes I even play the theme music in my iTunes to get myself pumped about the next movie release. It's sick, but wonderful. I get goosebumps when I hear that intro. The release of the last two films, as the final book has been published, is the beginning of the end of my Harry Potter journey, a long farewell that I have been avoiding but have to make right.

I am distraught. Secretly, if you asked me whether I would rather be home for Thanksgiving or get to see Harry Potter on November 19th, I'd choose Harry. Thanksgiving comes around every year, but something this epic doesn't. I am beside myself wishing I was going to be able to see this sooner than later. Call me crazy, because I most decidedly am.

Instead, I will be dragging J to see this multiple times in theatre in December, and in IMAX if I can find one nearby. Or perhaps I will punish him instead by going to see it without him... because no one comes between me and my Potter.

Always,

Aubrey