A Fan Still

This is the longest I have waited to see a new Harry Potter movie. Three and a half days. This is the first movie release since the last book, Deathly Hallows, and I wondered if I would be as keen about it as I have been in the past. I no longer check the Leaky Cauldron daily; nor do I listen to every PotterCast as soon as it comes out. I decided I was okay with the idea of just being calm and grown-up about the whole scenario after years of serious fan behavior. Ms. Rowling had moved on. So could I. Surely

Nevertheless, when Wednesday of opening week arrived, I detected euphoric-like feelings occurring off-and-on throughout the day. Did this have anything to do with my having finally got my car repaired so that I was no longer embarrassed to drive it and no longer worried sick that it might quit on me at any time? Or, was it simply because we were relatively smoothly meeting our monthly deadline at work? OR, could it have something to do with the Half-Blood Prince being in theatres across the country and beyond? Perhaps it was a combination of several factors that caused my heart to lighten and my transformation into a slightly bubbly, albeit what some would describe "middle-aged", person. It's a mystery.

I saw the latest installment of the HP movies yesterday afternoon with a good friend (who is, thankfully, quite a fan). I had not been able to refrain from reading reviews, checking box office estimates daily, and listening three times to the latest PotterCast episode in which the faithful podcasters expounded enthusiastically on the great merits of the movie they had just witnessed. So. My Harry Potter inner fan was fully awake and functioning, although I tried to be subtle about it. There are after all so few people in my daily sphere who would understand.

I thoroughly enjoyed the sixth movie and intend to see it again as soon as may be. For now, I think one of the best parts was the vulnerable Dumbledore drinking the potion scene; not as heart-wrenching as the scene in the book, but revealing at last a different side of the Movie-Dumbledore.

As the credits rolled, and we were rising to leave, I looked around the half-full auditorium. In that moment, I really wished I had been able to go to a post-midnight opening. The energy is exhilaratingly cozy, and the air is swirling with anticipatory vibes at those shows. Ah, well. A special effort will likely be made by yours truly to attend those first showings for Deathly Hallows. One and Two.

I really love the Harry Potter story. A fan I am still.