Dressed in robes and armed with wands, fans gathered around Athens on Friday night to purchase the new J. K. Rowling release, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
It's the best (thing) of all summer
said teenager Fiona Delahay, working on a Potter-themed crossword in the Athens Book Center.
Young witch-in-training Abigal Gillespie agreed: On a scale of excitement, she chose 10.
Leading up to the midnight release, Athens Book Center was absolutely full with nearly 150 guests, employee Kosia Oshiro said. The Book center provided the guests with wands for decorating, word games, a costume contest and a badge accounting for each of the four houses or schools, from the series. Gryffindor, Oshiro noted, was most common, with Slytherin in second. Meanwhile, children and adults alike listened to a reading of the final chapter of the previous book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Another large crowd gathered at Little Professor Book Center -about 70 people, co-owner Rich Purdy said.
I've been excited since December local fan Kyle McKenzie said.
While they waited, guests snacked from a table piled with Harry Potter-shaped cookies, many of which were hand decorated.
When the registers opened at midnight, advanced adult wizard Jon Boring held up the first purchase and said, First in Athens!
Next door at Follett's, an even-larger crowd of almost 120 people grabbed free Potter posters and bookmarks, as well as refreshments and pizza.
Hermione and Harry, more often known as MaryAnn and Jarred Bowers, were dressed convincingly for a new year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Their mother Addison was just as excited as they were.
Follett's manager Todd Wood said the turnout was better than expected. Last time (this happened)
we had pizza left over
he said, nodding at the 10 empty pizza boxes. Next time we'll have to order more.
It's fun
he said. We can't make an event out of every book sale.
Ohio University student Megan Nelson, waiting in Little Professor, noted the occasion as well. I don't often come out in the middle of the night to buy a book. She said she hoped to read the book in two days.
Boone Christiansen, an avid young reader, planned on starting the book soon, too -maybe tonight.
I'll be done in 3 1/2 hours. Time me
said cloaked adult wizard Jason Akbar in Athens Book Center.
For an after-party, Perks offered free coffee and played the Harry Potter movie soundtracks. Drink choices included Dumbledore's Brew
Dragon's Blood and Muggle's Decaf.
It's for the community
employee Veronica Bagnole said of the free-coffee party. People will have the caffeine needed to stay up and read.
17
