It’s been 20 years since the first ‘Harry Potter’ movie was released. For the people who grew up on these movies and books, just the thought itself ages us. To imagine that 20 years ago, we were sitting in the theater watching Harry Potter taking his first steps into the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is monumental. The infamous child actors are now in their 30s, and our nostalgia is at its full range. The reunion was heartwarming to say the least, tugging at every bit of child-like comfort and wrapping it around us.

The incredible film brought back memories from elementary school when we’d crowd around each other in the classroom, eager to discuss the newest addition to the series. Although we couldn’t completely comprehend J.K. Rowling’s incredible storytelling abilities, we’d bury ourselves in the books, reading and rereading until the next one was released. Of course, Harry Potter is one of the few films in which the movie was very close to the book, a rare but pleasant occurrence.

That’s what made it so special, to see the world from the books fly onto our screens, the same—if not better—than we’d imagined it. The looming castle with its ever-changing staircases and bewitched ceiling that reflected the outside sky. The “Potterheads” of the world circled in close to watch the magic unfold in front of our eyes, almost two decades and countless trips to the bookstore later.

This film is exactly what the fans wanted—a satisfying close to the over 10 years of production. As viewers, we weren’t able to see the behind-the-scenes or feel how the actors felt as they filmed our favorite scenes. We were simply immersed in the ease of the movies and seeing our favorite characters being brought to life. Through this reunion, audiences were able to hear the raw emotions that flowed from the actors themselves as they reflected on the decade of production they spent together.

In between the behind-the-scenes flashback shots with the cast, the directors for each movie were interviewed about their interpretation of the books and how they could make them come alive.

Director Chris Colombus, who directed the first three movies in the series, gushed over how meaningful it was to be back at Hogwarts with the cast who grew up under his wing. Reminiscing about how difficult it was to contain and direct dozens of 11 and 12-year-olds, the audience couldn’t help but smile at this mundane memory. We all were a bunch of misfits when we were younger and seeing the actors who brought ‘Harry Potter’ to life in the same light was humbling and meaningful.

The filming, music and special effects were phenomenal, as they were for all the previous eight films. For one hour and 42 minutes, the reunion special panned between replays, interviews with the grown actors and smooth narration. The perfect balance to the film was the in-between transitions, with the narrator explaining which “chapter” of the Harry Potter process the audience would see next.

Another interesting aspect of the film was that it showed the budding friendship and relationships between the actors. Contrary to the fact that Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger hated each other on screen, the pair was actually great friends and continue to be to this day. The beginning of the special focuses on Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy, scooping Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger, into a tight, familiar embrace. The pair explained how their friendship grew throughout the years on set. Watson even said that she had a crush on Felton during the filming of the fourth movie, something that had been speculated for years. Yet, the pair share a mutual platonic love, much to the dismay of many Draco-Hermione shippers.

Because many of the original actors have passed, such as Alan Rickman, who played Severus Snape in all eight films, the entire cast could not be reunited. Rightfully so, a moving scene was dedicated to them, most certainly bringing tears to the eyes of most people. The actors who dutifully brought to life our favorite characters deserve nothing less.

The ending of the special strikes a soft spot in all of our hearts, ending our childhood with the closure it needed. It’s a bittersweet moment, seeing our childhood icons all grown up, with kids and careers outside the film industry. Almost like a rite of passage, we know that our time in the Harry Potter universe is over, but it is cautiously handed down to the next generation. The generation that will take the magic of Harry Potter onto bigger and better things.