"We're live here at Trafalgar Square for the premiere of the most awaited film in the biggest movie franchise in the world, [Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]!" the female host announced excitedly, her voice rising above the roar of the crowd. "I'm Robin Myers, your host tonight. Let's meet some of our fans and see what they think."
The camera followed as Robin weaved through the tightly packed crowd, stopping in front of a small group pressed against the barricades, their faces painted and scarves wrapped tightly around their necks.
"Hi! Who are you, and how long have you been here?" she asked, holding the microphone out.
"I'm Riley!" the girl in the middle said eagerly. "I've been here for four days now. Harry Potter is my life. I grew up with the series, and just the thought of it ending makes me tear up. But I couldn't miss this. I had to be here in person."
Robin smiled warmly and nodded before turning to the boy standing beside her. "What about you?"
"I'm Tom, and I've been here for two days," he said. "Before I became a Harry Potter fan, I became a Troy Armitage fan. I watched [Billy Elliot] as a kid and ended up seeing it ten times in the cinema. That made me check out his other films, including Harry Potter, and it's been a magical experience so far. I've deliberately avoided reading the books and kept my experience exclusive to the movies, so I've got no idea what's gonna happen tonight."
"Ooh," Robin said appreciatively. "A rare person who doesn't know how the series ends. Good for you, Tom. I'm sure Troy and the whole team have made a movie that's even better than the books."
She moved on, interviewing more fans as the camera cut between excited faces, handmade signs, and glowing wands. People from different countries were present on the scene. She interviewed people from Sweden, France, Switzerland, the US, and one even from Brazil. Each person had their own story, some about growing up with Harry Potter, others about discovering HP through Troy's other movies or music, and a few who were devoted fans of Emma Watson or Jamie Bell. Those voices were fewer and farther between, but just as passionate.
"It's finally time for the actors' arrival," Robin announced as she took her place on the red carpet. The camera on her turned off, and another near the grand entrance flickered on, its lens fixed on the towering archway designed to resemble the gates of Hogwarts.
Robin took a brief breath, momentarily overwhelmed by the sheer scale of it all. Trafalgar Square had been transformed into a sprawling Hogwarts-themed spectacle, complete with banners, enchanted lighting effects, and a carpet that seemed to stretch endlessly. This was, without question, the biggest film premiere ever held in the UK. She could only imagine how much Warner Bros must have spent to make the night look this spectacular.
"And we have our first star arrival," Robin announced, her excitement returning instantly, "Jamie Bell, who played Ron Weasley, Harry's best friend and arguably the most lovable member of the trio!"
The crowd erupted the moment Jamie stepped into view, cheers echoing across the square.
That was only the beginning. One by one, the rest of the cast began to arrive, each appearance met with deafening applause. Warwick Davis, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Tom Felton, Matthew Lewis, Imogen Poots, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Gary Oldman, David Thewlis, Julie Walters, Jason Isaacs, Evanna Lynch, Miriam Margolyes, Natalia Tena, and Imelda Staunton followed in a steady stream.
Even actors who weren't part of the final film made appearances. Ian Hart, Henry Cavill, and Kenneth Branagh were all invited, along with both past directors, Chris Columbus and Rian Johnson, turning the premiere into a full celebration of the franchise's legacy.
All in all, it was an absolutely stacked event, with everyone who had ever been a part of Harry Potter invited to the final major moment of the series.
A long-time fan herself, Robin had landed what felt like the best possible assignment. She was getting to interview every single one of them, soaking in behind-the-scenes stories and once-in-a-lifetime reactions.
By the end of it all, only two people were yet to arrive. Troy Armitage and J.K. Rowling.
Eventually, they did.
The door of another limousine swung open, and Troy Armitage stepped out, dressed in an immaculate tuxedo that fit him perfectly. The moment he appeared, a wave of pure frenzy rippled through the crowd. Cheers turned into screams as he gave a brief wave before turning back to the car and offering his hand to his date for the night.
Joanne K. Rowling emerged beside him, looking stunning in a flowing green gown that caught the light as she stood. Cameras flashed nonstop as Troy and Joanne posed together, their arms entwined.
The crowd completely lost it. Shouts, cheers, and screams blended into a deafening wall of sound. After a few moments, they separated and began signing autographs, moving carefully along the barricades. Multiple security guards stayed close at all times, watching every step and making sure no one attempted anything reckless.
After what felt like an eternity, the two reunited, linking arms once more before continuing down the red carpet toward where Robin waited eagerly.
"Troy! Jo! Congratulations on the movie!" she greeted them enthusiastically.
"Thank you!" Troy replied with a warm smile.
"It's finally ending," Robin said. "How do you feel?"
"I feel like my childhood's finally over," Troy answered with a bittersweet smile. "As far as I can remember, Harry Potter's been my life. I fell in love with the first novel when I was eight. Even before I was cast as Harry, in my head, I already was Harry. I acted out every scene, every line, imagining myself as him, and I guess I manifested it in a way. The last decade's been a roller coaster, and it wouldn't have been possible without this amazing lady standing beside me who wrote this beautiful book series."
"Thank you, Troy," Joanne said, gratitude clear in her voice before turning to Robin.
"Watching my characters come to life all those years ago was incredibly emotional for me. As a writer, seeing your imagination brought into the real world always feels special. But there was something different about Harry Potter. Chris Columbus, Rian Johnson, and Alfonso Cuarón did such wonderful work on these films that I couldn't have asked for better people to adapt my story. Then there's Steve Kloves, Eric Roth, and the entire team at Warner Bros, who worked tirelessly to keep the movies as true to my vision as possible."
She then turned toward Troy, her expression softening. "Just like the seven books, there are seven main characters in my story, played by seven of the most talented young actors I could've ever hoped for. Troy, Emma, Jamie, Tom, Matthew, Imogen, and Evanna. They're the soul of this series. If they hadn't carried the first film on their tiny shoulders all those years ago, we wouldn't be standing here today. And while I don't want to single anyone out too much, this man beside me has been the face of my stories for so long that I can't help being a little partial."
"Everything Troy does is amazing in its own right, but watching him in Deathly Hallows overwhelmed me with emotion in a way I didn't think was possible for my own story. Thank you, Troy, for playing Harry with such sincerity for so many years."
Robin could see just how deeply Joanne's words had affected him. Troy stood there, barely holding back tears, his composure hanging by a thread. In a strange way, it was sweet to see the biggest star in the world so openly vulnerable. He didn't say anything in response. Instead, he stepped forward and hugged the author tightly, gratitude written all over his face.
Soon after, Emma and Jamie joined them on the carpet, and together the four of them posed for several more iconic photographs. The one that stuck with Robin the most was a wide shot of Harry, Ron, and Hermione standing shoulder to shoulder, facing an endless sea of fans stretching across the heart of Trafalgar Square.
"Troy's already posted that photo on his Instagram and Twitter," her cameraman said once the event finally wound down, turning his phone toward her. "The premiere's trending on both platforms, and on YouTube too, where it was streamed live."
"Of course it is," Robin replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Which it was. "Troy practically owns those platforms. But even if he didn't, this film's a worldwide phenomenon. I wouldn't be surprised if it earns as much as [Avatar]."
The cameraman shot her a disbelieving look. "That movie made three billion dollars."
"And it didn't even have six films building suspense," Robin pointed out. "The six Harry Potter films have already made seven billion combined, and every one of them leads to this. With a $300M budget, it's the most expensive film ever made. I'm hearing they went all out on the visuals and the 3D, which is why the release got delayed by a year. If it's even half as good as the book, I'll watch it at least five times before it leaves theaters. I just know it."
The cameraman shook his head, amused. "You're one of those hardcore Potheads, aren't you?"
"I am," Robin said proudly. "Now come on. We've got a premiere to attend."
(Break)
Rod Meyer scanned the packed media room, taking in the sheer scale of it all. Nearly every major critic and reporter in the world was present. From Britain and across the EU, to Americans, Canadians, Mexicans, Brazilians, Australians, and even journalists from China, India, and Russia. It felt like every corner of the globe had sent someone to cover the premiere of [Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows].
"Have you ever seen anything this grand?" Isabel, his colleague from the New York Post, asked, awe clear in her voice. "Because I haven't."
Rod shook his head slowly. "Consider this a once-in-a-lifetime event. Studios don't pour this much money into a single premiere unless they're absolutely confident about the returns. No franchise has ever delivered six consecutive blockbusters like Harry Potter has. Even without all this spectacle, the film would've been a guaranteed hit. But the publicity alone from tonight will more than justify the cost."
"I'll say," Isabel agreed. "I'm still amazed they're running three simultaneous screenings."
Rod couldn't deny it. Warner Bros had hired three massive movie theaters in the surrounding area, each equipped with the latest 3D technology to deliver the best possible viewing experience. One screening was reserved for the full cast and crew, along with their families and close friends. Another was designated for reporters and critics. The third was for the fans who'd been waiting for days right there at Trafalgar Square. That wasn't something most studios would ever do.
Even then, plenty of fans would leave disappointed. Thousands were still waiting outside, but only a few hundred would get the chance to watch the film before the rest of the world.
It didn't take long for the event coordinator to arrive and usher the critics toward their assigned theater.
On the way, Rod caught sight of the entire cast gathered together for a massive group photo. Troy, Emma, and Jamie stood at the center alongside J.K. Rowling, Steve Kloves, and several other key figures. The rest of the cast fanned out around them, the younger actors crouching in front while the older ones stood behind. What struck Rod most was how genuinely happy they all looked. Just watching from a distance made him feel like he'd missed out on something rare, a shared experience only the cast truly understood.
He shook off the stray thought and picked up his pace, eager to secure better seats.
After what felt like a long wait, Rod was handed a pair of 3D glasses, and at last, the movie began.
It opened on a bleak note, setting a somber tone for the lives of Harry, Hermione, and Ron.
Ron sat reading a newspaper, its front page showing the Minister of Magic, portrayed by Bill Nighy, walking through the Ministry. In the background, a radio murmured on, the Minister's voice assuring the public that everything was under control.
The first thing Rod noticed was how impressive the 3D looked. Images seemed to leap off the screen, giving the illusion that events were unfolding right in front of him. The second thing was the mood. The film felt darker and heavier than anything that had come before. Not just in color palette, but in spirit. There was a deep melancholy hanging over every frame.
As the Minister's speech continued, the scene shifted to Hermione standing alone in her childhood home. She stared at an old photograph of herself as a child, smiling between her parents. A tear slipped down her cheek as she carefully put the photo frame into a small beaded bag slung over her shoulder, a bag that clearly shouldn't have been able to hold something that size.
She took a steadying breath and walked toward her parents with quiet resolve. The camera lingered on her wand, a silent warning of what was coming.
Moments later, she raised it, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Obliviate."
The couple stood frozen for a moment before the woman turned to Hermione with a polite, unfamiliar smile. "Who are you, love? Are you perhaps lost?"
Hermione choked back a sob, barely managing to hide her tears, before nodding. "Yeah. Sorry."
As she stepped out of the house, she glanced down the hallway one last time. The photographs where she'd once appeared were already beginning to fade, her image slowly dissolving until there was nothing left of her presence.
"Alfonso Cuarón just showed his signature style again," Rod murmured to Isabel. "If you noticed, that entire sequence, from Hermione's room to her walking out, was done in a single uninterrupted take."
"I did," she replied dryly. "I may be young, but I am a film critic too, you know."
Before Rod could respond, the film cut back to Harry, now at his Muggle relatives' home.
He watched as they packed up their belongings and prepared to leave. Before they did, Harry confronted his aunt one final time, telling her exactly how he felt about the years of mistreatment he'd endured.
Petunia had no defense to offer. She could only choke back a guilty sob. Dudley, surprisingly, found a measure of redemption. He paused before leaving and offered Harry a handshake, then drove away with his parents, leaving Harry behind with Remus and Tonks.
Tonks shared the good news about their upcoming marriage, and Harry's face lit up at first, only for that happiness to dim when he realized their union was technically illegal because of Remus's condition as a werewolf and the ministry's archaic and discriminatory laws.
One thing Rod immediately appreciated about the film was how sharply it was edited whenever the director wasn't opting for extended takes. The pacing felt crisp and engaging. Slow editing often lost audiences, but Alfonso Cuarón leaned the other way entirely. Or perhaps it was simply necessary to fit the entirety of the book's story into a single film.
The scene transitioned to Severus Snape standing before Malfoy Manor. With a casual flick of his wand, he dismantled the layered wards guarding the estate, clearing a path for himself. The effortless display of magic stood out vividly in 3D, giving his movements an added sense of weight and authority.
Inside, the Death Eaters were gathered for a meeting of Voldemort's inner circle. Voldemort appeared as horrifying as ever, noseless and serpentine. His pale skin, traced with visible red veins, and his blood-red eyes made him a truly menacing presence. Ralph Fiennes was completely immersed in the role, yet the actor who commanded the scene the most was Alan Rickman as Severus Snape.
Having read the book, Rod knew exactly the dilemma Snape faced and the constant strain of living as a double spy. Alan Rickman conveyed it flawlessly. As Voldemort paced behind him, the camera lingered on Snape's face, capturing a brief flicker of doubt and pain before it vanished behind a carefully constructed mask of neutrality.
He didn't flinch when his former colleague, Charity Burbage, begged for her life. He didn't react when she was killed by Voldemort's pet snake, Nagini.
It was only the beginning, but Rod already knew, from the sheer quality of those opening minutes, that this was going to be one of the best films of the year. Undoubtedly.
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AN: I'm so sorry for the lack of updates these past few weeks. I had exams, and I was so busy with everything that I didn't have time to post here. Now that I'm free of that, I'll be posting more frequently here.