The Harry Potter Reunion, which aired on January 1, 2022, featured the familiar faces of one of the most well-known franchises in the world. The cast sat down and reminisced about their days of filming, the bonds they formed, and the overall success and happiness that their work has given them. Not only did the main trio reunite, but actors of other well loved characters came back together as well, including Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley), Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), and everyone’s favorite twin duo, James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley). 

With the happiness came the bittersweet when the cast took a moment to remember the members of the “family” who have passed. Those present took a moment to remember Richard Harris (Albus Dumbledore), Helen McCrory (Narcissa Malfoy), and Alan Rickman (Severus Snape) and the wonderful laughs and memories they shared with them on set. It was enough to bring a tear to anyone’s eye, whether a fan or not. 

For fans, the reunion as a whole is like a blanket of nostalgia. A highlight moment from the special was Helena Bonham-Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange) and Daniel Radcliffe’s (Harry Potter) exploration of the Gringotts Wizarding Bank, finding the animatronic goblin bank tellers still behind their desks. The moment brings back the magic of the entire franchise not only to the audience but to the actors. It is these moments shared between the cast at the reunion that make the audience fall right back in love with Harry Potter and the wonderful things that have come from it. 

Of course, fans are still questioning the absence of many at the reunion. Certain actors including David Thewlis (Remus Lupin), Michael Gambon (Albus Dumbledore), Robert Pattinson (Cedric Diggory), Maggie Smith (Minerva McGonagall). Thewlis took a very lighthearted, humorous approach to explain to fans why he was not present at the reunion, taking to his Instagram and referring to an old post of a photo of a Remus Lupin action figure with comically large feet in his caption as the reason. While the true reason is unknown, fans still wish to have seen the reunion of Remus Lupin and Sirius Black (Gary Oldman). 

Many fans are truly questioning the absence of J.K Rowling, the author and whimsical mind behind the series. It has been reported that an invitation was extended to Rowling to participate, but was ultimately declined by her team. Sources close to Rowling reported that her previous comments in regards to the trans community did not influence the team’s decision. 

Overall, those who were present at the reunion focused on the physical filming of the movies as well as the emotions following the conclusion of filming. It brought back happy memories, bittersweet tears, and a general feeling of home to fans and cast alike.