It’s the beginning of the end.

In the thirteen years since the first Harry Potter book was published, and the boy who lived and his story have become a global sensation. The world has anxiously awaited the release of every book and movie. Words like ‘Hogwarts’ and ‘butterbeer’ have found their way into the English language. And with the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1, the phenomenon is officially coming to an end.

Deathly Hallows chronicles Harry’s final transition from boy to man. And just as Harry moves on to bigger and better things, so do the Langley seniors.

Though the books came to a conclusion three years ago, Harry Potter has been kept alive through the movies. The final movie is set for release in June, the same month as graduation. So just how significant is this coincidence to seniors?

“We’ve grown up with these book and characters,” says senior Juliane North, “and we’re going through what he went through.”

Harry started off as a scrawny, awkward child, became an even more awkward preteen, experienced teenage angst at its most extreme (Order of the Phoenix, anyone?) and eventually became a man. Despite the fact that he was a boy wizard attending a school of magic, many similarities can be found between him and the average Langley student. And even though the senior year at Langley (hopefully) won’t be including sociopathic death eaters, narrow escapes from dungeons and an epic battle, the final chapter of the series does parallel the final chapter in their high school careers.

“My dad used to read me those books,” reminisces senior John Searight. “We grew up together.”

Senior Lara Bigotti also feels a personal tie to the end of the movies. “Harry Potter was a huge part of my life growing up, and I find the end really sad. But as we are moving on, so does he.”