Finding out what happens next
What We Miss: The expectation of the story’s next step. With Rowling’s series following a very obvious plot trajectory, half the fun was trying to figure out what was just around the corner.
Why We Miss It: The suspense of not knowing was almost as fun as the finding out.
Watching the kids grow up
What We Miss: Seeing Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint becoming actors before our very eyes as they take their characters from wee nippers to young adults.
Why We Miss It: It rarely happens on the big screen (or at least not within the confines of a single franchise), which is exactly what made it special.
Watching talent interviews
What We Miss: Seeing Radcliffe, Gary Oldman and the like chatting about their characters in the build up to the release of the latest Harry Potter movie.
Why We Miss It: Seeing the actors themselves talk about the characters was always fascinating, and gave us an insight into how they went about playing them.
Seeing the relationships develop
What We Miss: Will Hermione and Ron ever stop fighting long enough to realise they fancy each other? Will Harry and Ginny end up together? Was Dumbledore diddling Snape in the stockroom? All questions we eagerly awaited the answers to (alright, except for the last one).
Why We Miss It: It was like watching a magical soap opera.
The music
What We Miss: John Williams’ twinkling theme music. Completely unforgettably and pivotal in creating a suitably whimsical, moody atmosphere in the films.
Why We Miss It: That tingling feeling you get when the theme tune blares out over the opening scenes of the movie. It’s not often you get that feeling.
Harry, Hermione and Ron
What We Miss: Obviously. The central trio of heroes whose adventures were our entertainment.
Why We Miss It: That banter and interplay between the franchise’s three leads gave the films a believable hook on which to hang the fantastical storylines. Sure, Harry’s the hero, but he’d be nothing without his friends.
Therell never be anything like it again
What We Miss: Seven books. Eight films. Barely any casting changes unless absolutely necessary. The Harry Potter films were branded a phenomenon and rightly so – they’re a massive achievement.
Why We Miss It: It’s unlikely that something of this scale will be put together so completely again for a very long time.
The Weasleys
What We Miss: Molly Weasley, husband Arthur and their brood of children – including Harry’s best mate Ron. They’re all ginger. And adorable.
Why We Miss It: They’re a ragtag bunch who continually argue, but their affection for one another is quite clear. Is it too old to be adopted by them?
Snape and Harrys arguments
What We Miss: Snape and Mr Potter never saw eye to eye, and their ‘rub each other up the wrong way’ friction was always a source of much painful entertainment in the franchise.
Why We Miss It: It created friction in the films, and the chemistry between Rickman and Radcliffe was always sparky.
The Gryffindor common room
What We Miss: A cosy little corner of Hogwarts, where all the very best witches and wizards make their home.
Why We Miss It: It was a common room befitting of the valiant souls who belonged to Gryffindor house. We want to snuggle down on the sofa and read a good book by the firelight.
Magical maladies
What We Miss: Magic’s a tricky thing, and there were numerous times throughout the books/films where we were shown it doesn’t always work out according to plan. Like Harry’s bendy, bone-less arm, Hermione’s cat-face…
Why We Miss It: They were hilarious! (Mostly because they weren't happening to us.)
The start of a school year
What We Miss: Those opening scenes when everybody travels to Hogwarts for the start of a new year, certain that it’s going to contain the requisite mystery and adventure.
Why We Miss It: It was something relatable that we could associate with – that ‘back to school’ feeling. Though if it had been Hogwarts we’d been returning to, we probably wouldn’t have complained so much.
