By: Amanda Bream
Bark! Voice of the Bulldogs
Editor-in-Chief

On Jan. 1st, New Years day, Harry Potter fans across the world flipped when HBO released Harry Potter 20th anniversary: Return to Hogwarts.
Harry Potter is one of the most beloved movie series of the 21st century. Harry Potter has definitely become a household name around the world.
“I first watched Harry Potter when I was 12 and I thought it was cool because of the use of magic and witchcraft. My sister and I would watch it together which was nice,” senior, Erick Barahona said.
When Harry potter first came out there was an abundance of merchandise being sold. Things such as video games, figurines, T-shirts and more.
“I remember that the video games were extremely popular. I myself bought one and played it for a while. It was fun having my friends watch Harry Potter for the first time too,” Barahona said.
The HBO special announcement took the world by storm and many people began to anticipate the release. There was a lot of confusion on what the special would look like though.
“To be honest, I thought that the special was going to be another movie or a short look into Harry Potter and his family. It was interesting when it was announced that it was an interview,” Barahona said.
Throughout the special, the actors talked about the behind the scenes and how the movies affected them as people. These actors and actresses grew up with these movies.
“The fame thing had finally hit home in a big way,” Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger, said during the HBO special.
Watson also shared that she felt lonely. Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley, stated that he felt he had lost his identity when filming the movies.
“I struggle to remember life before it. I think I lost myself a bit along the way. With the fame, you’re almost being the character even when you’re not in character. From the moment I got the part, my life completely change” Grint said.
There were a lot of heartfelt moments and laughter throughout the special and it felt as though it ended too soon.
“I would like to see another Harry Potter movie come to life where you see all the adults come back and fight their kids or some evil wizard. Maybe we could follow their children through Hogwarts,” Barahone said.