“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2,” was released on Friday, and for many fans of the Harry Potter franchise, it marked the end of arguably the most influential series in their life.

Rachel Karn, who is starting her senior year in high school at Pickerington High School in the fall, said the release of the last movie is the end of her childhood.

“It’s something that’s been there the whole time,” Karn said. “Like a companion. And now it’s over.”

Karn went to Gateway Film Center with her family for the midnight showing of the movie. They were the first ones in line for the movie, arriving at the theater at 3:30 p.m., more than eight hours before the movie started.

Gateway Film Center showed the film on seven screens at 12:01 a.m. Friday morning, all of which sold out.

At the AMC Lennox Town Center 24, several employees confirmed that fans of the movie had lined up, and set up camp, as early as 5:30 a.m.

As with Gateway Film Center, all 21 screens at AMC Lennox Town Center 24 showing the film at 12:01 a.m. Friday morning were sold out as well.

Harry Potter fans at the theaters were dressed up in everything from a simple Harry Potter costume to an elaborate homemade golden snitch costume.

Andrew Grimmett, a third-year in education, dressed up as Harry Potter, complete with a replica of the Elder Wand. Grimmett said that while he is sad the movies are over, he hopes the magic lives on.

“It’s bittersweet,” Grimmett said. “I hope that the feeling never leaves and future generations feel the magic.”

Jenna Glass and her friend Crystal Morse dressed as Ron Weasley and Harry Potter respectively for the midnight showing of the movie at Gateway Film Center.

“Harry Potter has been such a big part of my life, and I’m sad to see it end,” Glass said.

Meredith Miller, a fourth-year in zoology, arrived at the South Campus Gateway at 7:30 p.m., and said she was disappointed the series was coming to a close.

“It’s been going on since I was 8 years old,” Miller said. “And I’m a little sad that it’s over.”

Jackie Brousseau, a third-year in political science, arrived at the Gateway around 8 p.m., and has been to every midnight showing since the release of “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.”

“I’ve kind of grown up with Harry Potter since I’ve been reading them since I was 10,” Brousseau said. “So I wanted to come early and get a really good seat to see the last movie.”

Brousseau added that in addition to this being her fifth midnight release of the movie, she went to every midnight release of the novels.

Natalie Thomas, a fourth-year in exercise physiology, decided to get to the theater early to get really good seats for the conclusion of the movie.

“We grew up with it, we’re the same age as all the stars,” Thomas said. “It started when we were in first grade so I figured for the last one, might as well go all out.”

Some of the costumes at the release were elaborate, like Glass and Morse’s costumes. They recently went to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla., and purchased authentic Gryffindor robes for their costumes.

Other costumes just made sense.

“I’m a ginger, so I had a ready made costume,” said T.J. Oliver, a third-year in chemical engineering. Oliver dressed up as George Weasley, one of the Weasley twins. The only thing he needed to purchase was an old jacket, something he didn’t already have.

“Goodwill of course,” he said of where he bought it.

Ryan Book contributed to this story.