I walked into the theater with mixed emotions. Finally – FINALLY – I was going to see the last Harry Potter movie.

!!!!!!!

But it is the last Harry Potter movie, and that is no cause for joy.

It was a great movie. A fabulous movie. Although to be fair, unless the movie makers strayed too far from the books or one of the three main actors had been replaced, I was bound to like it. As my friend Anna said, “I love those characters so much I could watch them just standing around.” Which is pretty much what Part 1 of this final series was like when I saw it last year. But I was ok with it, because it was Harry Potter.

During tonight’s movie, I cried. I didn’t think I would cry because I’m not a huge movie crier, but I cried. Although I must say, I was most saddened not by the on-screen deaths, but by the closing frame. As the theater lights came up and the credits began, a sadness crept in. I just love the Harry Potter series and I am sad the ride is over.

But then I remembered there is some light at the end of this tunnel. One day, a few years from now, Camille will be ready to begin reading Harry Potter. I’ll read the books with her. I’ll watch the movies with her. And by experiencing this with her, the journey will be fresh for me again.

Something to look forward to.