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For many of us the Harry Potter books and movies have become almost a defining memory of our kids' growing-up years. Jules has already written about diving into the Potter universe in preparation for the first movie. My kids are a little older, and so we joined the throng when Harry Potter was still just a kidlit publishing phenomena.
I will always remember the magical time we had waiting for the arrival of Book 4. Our local chain bookstore (sadly recently closed) threw the most amazing midnight release party ever. There were magical plants on display, magical food to eat, potions for kids to mix, trivia questions to answer, and even a manager's husband dressed as Hagrid, with his large but gentle dog made up as Fluffy, with extra heads attached to his collar. I lent my pointy witches' hat to our friend Leah, and my kids came in their Hogwart's attire.
Most exciting, our entire homeschool book club was there. Through the years Harry Potter remained the only books that the kids had to buy, rather than borrow from the library, so that we could all read them as soon as they came out. Leah, her sister Tara and mother Barb hosted the Harry Potter book club meetings, complete with homemade board game and trading cards. Before the release of Book 7, they asked all the kids to write down their predictions for the end of the story and sealed them in a time capsule.
As the movies started arriving -- right around the time of my kids' birthdays -- we began throwing our own Harry Potter-themed parties.
Well, Thursday night was the Last Harry Potter party. At the bottom of the family costume box (which also serves as our coffee table) we found my younger son's robe, which obviously would be a bit short now, as well as his hand-painted green wand. My older son's blue and maroon robe was not to be found, however. The "fancy" wands we made in the Harry Potter classes held by another friend of ours were also missing.
Luckily, this week's party included a table for making your own wands, along with Potter-related treats like butterbeer (cream soda and butterscotch syrup) and pumpkin pasties which I quite liked. And the time capsule for Book 7 was opened, with all the kids predictions laid out. The nostalgia was overwhelming.
I debated whether to dress up for the movie. After all, the kids were well-grown -- they didn't even need me to accompany them to the midnight show, although I went for myself and sat a few rows back. (Thanks, kind and brave mom with five 12-year-olds who ended up sitting next to me, for keeping me company for the 90 minute wait for the show to start!) But I had a feeling something might be needed, and so I tucked something extra in the car. And sure enough, when we got there, the first thing I was asked was, "Where's your hat?"
On Thursday night, I presented my witch's hat to Leah, which she proudly wore to the Last Harry Potter movie. I thank our friends, and JK Rowling, for making Harry Potter such a wonderful part of childhood for my kids and many others.
