David Yates has spent six years immersed in the world of Harry Potter, and now he's taking his victory lap. When I entered the room for our interview he very politely asked if he could take a picture of me, for an assembly of journalist photos he's making to commemorate his last-ever Potter press tour (hopefully he won't just burn all our faces with glee, though I wouldn't blame him if he did). As the director of the final four Harry Potter films Yates knows this world as well as anyone, and as a very devoted fan of the series I took the opportunity to ask him all the detailed questions-- specific changes made between the book and the movie, specific decisions made by the filmmakers, and yes, why on earth this thing is in 3D.

Yates is remarkably soft-spoken for a man who's spent the last six years directing teenagers, and answered all my questions in a measured but enthusiastic way that suggested he might not be so sorry to leave this behind after all. Check out our 16-minute conversation below, and as if you even needed a reminder, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is in theaters today.