Let’s face it: for many of us, there’s only one thing on our minds this week: the release of the final Harry Potter film. I’m not ashamed to say that I’m a huge fan—and not just because the series has a definite queer sensibility, what with its themes of social justice, author J.K. Rowling’s admission that Dumbledore was gay, a short-haired Quidditch coach, and the fact that Rowling owns a copy of Radclyffe Hall’s lesbian classic, The Well of Loneliness (seen just to the side of her head on the dust jacket of the U.K. adult edition). I also love the series for its rich world- and character-building, and for Rowling’s ability to take well-worn themes (vid., Tolkien; Star Wars; much of the Western canon of fairy tales) and turn them into something completely fresh. Now that’s transfiguration!
Here’s a look back at the series:
What’s your favorite Harry Potter character or moment?