Speculation marks countdown as fans await Potter's fate

  • Willow Nero
  • Posted: Friday, July 20, 2007 12:01 a.m.
    UPDATED: Thursday, March 22, 2012 1:29 p.m.
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Celebrations like this one (held at the Barnes and Noble store in West Ashley prior to the 2003 release of
Wade Spees /The Post and Courier/FILECelebrations like this one (held at the Barnes and Noble store in West Ashley prior to the 2003 release of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix") will get underway later today in anticipation of the midnight release of the final book in the series,

A Whomping Willow began to take form on one wall of the Books-a-Million in Northwoods Mall, while back in the storeroom, a wizard winked from his collectible card in a discarded Chocolate Frog wrapper.

One day before the official midnight release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," Potter-mania was back in the Lowcountry with eerie apprehension hanging over those thirsty to see if Hogwarts will reopen, where the horcruxes are hidden and whether J.K. Rowling has killed off her young hero.

Susanne Best, co-manager of Books-a-Million in Northwoods Mall, said she's aware that the book has been leaked on the Internet but, luckily, no one has come by her store to spoil the ending for others. More common, she said, are readers speculating about the series' ending.

Jesse Kunze, a 10-year-old from Wando, hasn't looked at any spoilers and will wait to have his biggest question answered when he gets the book.

"I hope Harry doesn't die, but I think he might," he said.

The answer to the question is being kept behind spells more powerful than Alohomora, the spell that unlocks doors. Booksellers have been careful not to spill details on how many books they will receive or when the delivery comes.

"It's pretty hush-hush. It's very secure," Evan Wiskoff, manager of the Northwoods Barnes & Noble Booksellers said.

In the meantime, Kunze was content flipping through a copy of one of Potter's textbooks, "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," at the Northwoods store.

As for the Midnight Magic party Friday, Kunze may or may not wear his Quidditch robes in the costume contest, but he was fully aware that others find the release party much more serious.

"'Star Wars' was important, but yeah, I think it's bigger than that," Kunze said.

At Captain Lou's Comics and Toys in West Ashley, owner Mike Campbell will not be unveiling Rowling's newest book Saturday, but he did say the series has reached the same hype as much of his merchandise.

"It's definitely achieved that cult status," Campbell said.

He said he's heard rumors portending the creation of a Harry Potter comic book, which could spark a larger fan legacy like the 500-plus Star Wars action figures, some of which he carries.

Others have been working to convince Rowling to continue the bewitching book series whether it be through grown-up Potter novels or books starring his close friends.

Reach Willow Nero at wnero@postandcourier.com.