{babes} 'Beginning of the end' at London premiere of 'Harry Potter'

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LONDON — It was fitting that the premiere for the darkest movie in the Harry Potter series would take place on a bone-chilling, rainy night.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 is the penultimate film, covering roughly the first half of J.K. Rowling's final book in the stupendously popular series of novels. The book was divided into two films. This one comes out Nov. 19, and the last film will be in theaters July 15.

In Leicester Square, where the film premiered, there was much talk about this night ushering in "the beginning of the end."

Daniel Radcliffe, who plays Harry, said he'd heard the phrase too many times. But he remains awed by the number and diversity of fans.

"It's incredible, after 10 years of this, that the franchise still has the power to pack Leicester Square," Radcliffe said amid a wall of cheering sounds.

Adds Emma Watson, who plays Hermione Granger: "The adrenaline you get from the crowd, it's like being at the top of a roller coaster."

Some die-hard fans had camped out as long as 30 hours just to catch a glimpse of the stars they have been watching for nearly a decade. Some were lucky enough to shake the hands of Radcliffe, Watson and Rupert Grint, who plays Ron Weasley. Some even had their books autographed by Rowling.

Beckie Brooks of Essex had shared chairs and a tent with fellow fanatics.

"It's like a community with an imaginary campfire," said Brooks.

A pair of 20-year-old Americans studying abroad said they felt compelled to join the crowd, estimated at 7,000 people, because they had grown up with the books and movies.

"It was something I felt I had to do," said Ali Labelle of Orange, Calif.

"I just wish it was better weather," said Ian Lausa. "I can't feel my feet right now. But I just keep telling myself it's going to be worth it."

The two laughed at the previous night's experience: "Except for getting harassed by drunk people last night who tried to sit on our tent, thinking it was a couch, it's been fun," said LaBelle.

And the bitter cold did not seem to affect their collective vocal chords. The air was filled with intermittent piercing screams for nearly three hours — some launched by the sight of the movie trailer that played continuously or the sight of people in Death Eater costumes.

And finally, the screaming became deafening when the first star arrived on the scene — Grint.

Homemade signs read "Accio, Grint," in reference to a spell in the books that is meant to beckon. Another hand-lettered poster read: "Is that a Wand in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?"

Grint was indeed happy, making his way around the crowd a few times and shaking hands with a broad smile.

"Ron has a lot going on in his head this time," Grint said of his character. "He's kind of jealous and paranoid. And you never really see him get this aggressive. It's a nice change."

Watson looked glamorous with her hair cut in a chic pixie style and sporting a vintage, short, black lace dress with feathers by Rafael Lopez for Atelier Mayer. The Brown University student spoke of longing to perform on London's nearby West End (Leicester Square is where half-price tickets are famously sold for plays and musicals) and dropped a hint about her favorite sequence in the movie: a dancing scene that is not in the book.

Julie Walters, who plays Molly Weasley, the mother of the Weasley brood, sounded similar to her maternal character.

"It's fantastic to see them grow up," Walters said.

Tom Felton, who plays the evil Draco Malfoy, looked tanned and relaxed, radically different from his pale, surly alter ego.

"This is the most intense story of the series," he said, adding that Draco "certainly feels like he's out of his depth. Lord Voldemort's in his house, and he's not the most pleasant houseguest."

Indeed, the worst was saved for last. Ralph Fiennes, who plays the evil Voldemort, was the final star to show up on the red carpet.

Imelda Staunton showed up in the signature pink color of her unctuously sinister character, Dolores Umbridge, and Helena Bonham Carter, who plays the malicious Bellatrix Lestrange, had her hair tousled wildly, with a small red bow askew.

Non-Potter celebs in attendance included Kick-Ass actress Chloe Moretz, Lisa Marie Presley and many of the stars of Britain's ultra-popular musical competition reality show, X Factor.

As the crowds cheered non-stop, Bonnie Wright, who plays Ginny Weasley, addressed the huddled masses of fans: "We're making these movies for you."

The first premiere of the series took place in the same venue, Leicester Square's Odeon Theater, almost exactly nine years ago, when the lead actors were ages 11-13. The final film wrapped in July.

"We're kind of adults now," Grint said. "I'm going to miss Hogwarts. It's kind of sad."

Says Watson: "There will be a hole in my heart, which will need to be filled with something else."