'Draco Malfoy' Makes Magical Appearance At Hollywood Palms

There were kids dressed like wizards, teenage girls shreiking in delight, and 20-somethings feeling nostalgic about saying goodbye to the wizarding world that engulfed many a late night reading about their latest adventures.

About 2,000 of these loyal Harry Potter fans braved the heat, humidity and, at some times, rain, at the  to meet Tom Felton, aka, Draco Malfoy of the famed Harry Potter movie series. Felton appeared at the Hollywood Palms and Hollywood Blvd in Woodridge all weekend in conjunction with the premiere of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2, the final Potter movie.

Througout the day, a line wrapped around the movie theater like Lord Voldemort's pet snake, Nagini. But the fans didn't seem to mind.

Tiffany Croisant, 30, of Rockford, arrived around noon to see the movie for the fifth time this week, then hit the line to meet Felton. Around 3:30 p.m., she was near the end of the line, but brought a book to read to pass the time, along with a friend. 

She also waited five hours in line in the blazing sun at Hollywood Blvd on Friday to meet Felton and planned on returning there again Sunday to see him  at his final appearance.

"I came all the way out here for Tom," Croisant said. "He is one of my favorites. I've always really liked his character and I like him as an actor. He comes across as  really nice in his interviews. I am sad the books and movies are coming to an end ... nothing will be able to take the series place but I am always looking for something new to read."

Cheska Banez, 14, let out a near ear-piercing squeal when she saw Felton from afar, jumping up and down and holding on to her friend, Hannah Sian, 13.

"I am here for Tom Felton, he is my favorite along with Rupert [Grint], who plays Ron," said Banez, visibly shaking and letting out another squeal. "I am totally freaking out! He has that whole bad boy thing going on and he is really hot and talented."

Samantha Pinto, 19 and a student at Lake Forest College, came with her friend Anna Naditz to have copies of the their Potter books signed.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity especially since he is from London and  may not be here again," reported Pinto after viewing the movie. "The movie was fabulous ... the best one in the Harry Potter series by far. We are sad it's over. It was part of our childhood growing up."

Francesca Lewis, 14 of Oswego, got in line at 9:30 a.m, and waited until 2:30 p.m. to meet Felton. Unfortunately, when she had her picture taken with him, her eyes were closed. Upset and teary eyed with the outcome, the staff at the Hollywood Palm quickly swooped in to make her day by whisking her back to the front of the line for a retake.

According to Angelique Barthel, director of marketing and public relations for Hollywood Palms and Hollywood Blvd, the theaters were expecting between 5,500 and 6,000 fans to show up for the Felton meet and greet at the the theaters over the course of the weekend.

"The theaters do special celebrity appearances about once a month and, by far, this is the largest turn out," Barthel said. "These events take a lot of planning and work and I have to say the guests and fans are always great."