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Community Corner

Wizards and Muggles Rub Elbows in Eagan at Final Harry Potter Premiere

More than two hours before the midnight premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Eagan's Regal Cinemas was filling with Harry Potter fans.

Excited Potter fans started arriving at the Eagan movie theater Thursday night hours before the midnight premiere of the eighth and final Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows; Part 2.

But just beneath the buzz of excitement, the costumes and the long-planned-for festivities was a sense of sadness. "It's the end of my childhood," said Hanna Johnson of Burnsville, who dressed for the event as a Golden Snitch.

Loren Standal of Eagan, who has been a Harry Potter Fan since kindergarten, spent the week watching the first seven Harry Potter movies and making costumes with several friends. They finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 - and their Harry Potter cupcakes - shortly before arriving for the final movie. 

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"I don't want it to be over," Standal said.

The friends intend to have a yearly party on July 31, Harry's birthday.

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For many attending the premiere, Harry Potter has been around the whole their whole lives. For others, Potter has been a large part of their children's lives. 

Neal Anderson has read all seven books in the J.K. Rowling series and has taken his children to midnight premieres since the second movie. 

Amy Gutorske is "sad, sad, sad" that the series - which has been running since 1997, when the first book went on sale - has come to an end.

"My kids have grown up with it," she said. She has enjoyed sharing in their excitement over the years. 

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