This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Business & Tech

Harry Potter Buffs Show Up Hogwarts-Style in Commack

Midnight screening a time for fun and reflection.

The final film in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, brought out characters from all around the area to the Commack Multiplex on Thursday night in preparation for the film's debut. 

It was a grand finale that was 10 years in the making, and many who attended the sold-out midnight showing came early and dressed in style. Hogwarts-style, that is. It was also a time for those who had grown up with the series to reflect on its lasting impact.

Jocelyn Aptowitz, of Islip, and Kelsey Christianson, of Hauppauge, arrived at the theater at 1 p.m., and passed the time talking about their favorites.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

“I’ve read all the books since second grade. No one will ever write such a unique idea ,” said Aptowitz, who wore a ‘time turner’ around her neck, a device that enabled time travel in the magical world of Harry Potter.

Of the myriad of characters who populated J.K. Rowling’s books,  Bellatrix Lestrange was her all-time favorite.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

She has attended all the midnight showings, said Christianson, who was decked out in a colorful gold tee shirt saluting the Gryffindor House of the Hogwarts School of  Witchcraft and Wizardry.  

Her favorite character is Dobby, the house elf, and she found the books so mesmerizing that she didn’t want to put them down, Christianson indicated.

The girls were eventually joined by three friends, and passed the time watching previous Harry Potter films on a laptop, and munching on free popcorn.

Zona Smith, of Hauppauge, said that it was the first time that she had attended one of the much heralded midnight showings.

“I want to see how the vision in my head comes to life on screen, how it plays out. Even though you know the basics, it’s different on the screen," Smith said in anticipation.

“I’ve grown up with Harry Potter,” Smith said,  adding that she came away with “life lessons” that she will carry with her into adulthood.

Aria Guisti, of Hauppauge, who wore a dark robe, white shirt and tie, swirled a magic wand. Her favorite character is Draco Malfoy and she’s read each book twice.

What impressed her most was the characters’ “freedom to do what they want given the restraints of their world.”

Guisti recently returned from a visit to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida.

“I got the wand, the robe, the tie. It was a dream come true,” Guisti exclaimed.

Sarah Vredenburgh, of Northport, who sported a scarf that declared her a member of the Gryffindor House, said that her heart belongs to the core characters, including Harry, Ron and Hermione.

She looks forward to seeing the film because they portray the story so well, she explained.

Taylor Monahan and Samantha Sellick of East Northport watched previous films in preparation for the big night.

“My dad used to read the books to me,” said Sellick whose favorites were Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?