Fan Focus: Caroline – October 3, 2010

16-year-old Caroline from the United Kingdom

First off, how did you become a Harry Potter fan?

I first read the books when I was 7 because everyone at school used to play ‘Harry Potter‘ games and I didn’t know the story. Somehow I always ended up as Snape which when I first read the books I thought was a great insult, but now I’m really happy about that! I remember I was always obsessed with the books even long after everyone else got bored of the games and so the phase never really died and I think I may have become more obsessed since then when I have found other friends with the same obsession!

It has been over three years since Deathly Hallows came out and we found out how the series ended. Do you have the same reaction to the ending now, as you did then?

I do! I still cry at the deaths and I still talk to people about their reaction to the ending of the series with the Harry/Ginny relationship and their kids, although mostly that can end up with me arguing with myself. Every time I reread Deathly Hallows I jump on something I hadn’t noticed before and will normally run around the house telling everyone about my new discovery… that apparently I also mentioned last year!

The Deathly Hallows split was announced last month. If you read the spoiler, what do you think? Where would YOU split the movie?

I hadn’t really thought about where I’d split the two films so I was very surprised when I found out where the split would be. I hate to admit it but I can remember running to fetch my Deathly Hallows book just to check whether that meant Dobby’s death would be in part 1 or part 2. I think it was a good place to split the two films and I think both films will end up very different but both totally awesome!

Did you watch the Deathly Hallows trailer? If so, thoughts? If not, why not?

I loved it. I couldn’t stay awake until it was released because it was in the middle of the night where I live but the first thing I checked in the morning was for the trailer on Mugglenet! I think I watched it five times in the morning and then showed it to a few people on my phone on the way to school… I loved it and it was all I could talk about all day to people! Apparently I was quite scary when people confessed they hadn’t seen it but I was surprised how many people at my school had!

Deathly Hallows: Part 1 is now less than two months away. How are you feeling, knowing that this movie marks the beginning of the end?

I’ve been counting down to the day and organising lots of Harry Potter parties with my friends as we reach the run-up to the beginning of the end. I haven’t been too upset about the fact this is the second last film because I know I still have part 2 mid next year although the story then will probably be very different! I will turn into a wreck and not want to see it and face the fact the films are over… I will probably be completely hyper in the next few weeks as we reach less than 50 days, less than 40 days, less than 30 days but I’m just very excited and trying not to dwell too much on the fact this is the last book.

Are you doing anything fun: having a party, dressing up, etc., for the big premiere of Part 1?

Definitely! I haven’t planned all the finer details but since this is the last book then Deathly Hallows will be celebrated in style with my friends! I hope to watch all 6 of the previous films in the day or weekend before Part 1 and then have a party with butterbeer, horcrux destroying and duels! Dressing up will be hilarious for me as I will fight with myself about who to go as until the day and then go full out in some crazy costume only the most obsessed fans will fully understand!

Is there a particular scene that you are looking forward to the most? One that you are dreading?

I’m dreading the beginning actually because I think when Hedwig dies I will probably realise just how bad the film is going to be! After having an evacuation of the cinema due to flooding from my tears then I think I will be able to cope with the other deaths but the first one is going to hurt just because I know what’s coming! I’m really looking forward to the fight between Ron and Harry! From the trailer, I thought that scene looked very good and although I may want to scream at them both I know I will love that scene.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I think I had a theory before The Half-Blood Prince that involved Snape and Harry and Dumbledore in some weird weird time warp… although I can’t remember the details because my brain seems to have blocked them from shame and embarrassment! I also always insisted that Snape was evil and can remember having arguments with my mum who even after Half-Blood Prince still believed he was good. And the day Deathly Hallows came out I was sat behind my mum who was working in the shop while reading and remember her demanding not to tell her what happens while I sat there crying!