Since the release of “Deathly Hallows,” the fandom has died down considerably. There are fewer people in the chat rooms and fewer news stories to spark online chatter. The only remaining theories are inconsequential to the plot of the books and will all be answered in Rowling’s future Harry Potter encyclopedia. My life emptied, and I knew nothing would be the same.

It was no longer acceptable to dress up in my Harry Potter costume, and suddenly, oddly, I got weird looks for saying I listen to Harry Potter podcasts. I had gotten used to the constant theorizing and the endless wait for conclusion. There was now a hole where that curiosity used to be. I had time to explore and obsess about other book series (“Twilight”). I expanded my interests and explored other activities. I even had time to write my college essay about my love for the books. Certainly, these were positive ways to replace “Harry Potter,” but they weren’t very satisfying.

The “Harry Potter” series also fueled my love for reading and taught me how to better analyze books. Looking for hidden clues throughout the series prepared me for future English classes. “Harry Potter” has helped me in so many ways, but that still didn’t make up for the fact that it left me so empty when it ended. I’m not going to lie, I was a little mad at J.K. Rowling. Our relationship became akin to an addict and a callous supplier: I wanted more, and she wasn’t selling.

It is true that there are still three upcoming movies. Rowling’s “The Tales of Beetle the Bard,” a fictional children’s book of tales referenced in the seventh book, was released on Dec. 4. There is hope for the future encyclopedia, in which Rowling will reveal everything that she’s left out of the series, such as the various side characters’ middle names.

While these are all exciting future prospects, none of them can make up for the feeling that Harry’s journey is over. I will never again open a “Harry Potter” book for the first time, wondering who is going to make it out alive. There is no more anticipation or worry. There is just the comfort of beloved stories and old memories of past excitement, leaving me wondering whether, in retrospect, all of the emptiness is worthwhile. Whither away, Harry?