Itย’s going to be a bittersweet night as kids get ready for the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the last of the seven-book series by J.K. Rowling. Children all over the city are waiting for the stroke of midnight, which is when the book officially goes on sale. To count down those last few hours, local bookstores are pulling out all the stops. Blue Willow Bookshop will have a graduation party complete with a commencement parade, diplomas, Aurors vs. Dementors tag, ย“horcruxย” relay races, photos, food and, of course, lots of costumes. Blue Willowย’s Katie Oย’Sullivan says, ย“One of the best costumes Iย’ve seen was when one of the adults came as a firebolt [racing broom]. Weย’ve also had a really good Professor Sprout, but my favorite character so far is still my dad. Heย’s been a Dementor for many, many years. Heย’s scared numerous small children.ย”

Brazos Books is having a Harry read-a-thon; Barnes & Noble is hosting a Midnight Magic party; and at Borders/Walden Books, thereย’ll be a Grand Hallows Ball. Expect costumed characters, treats, games, trivia contests and prizes at each affair. So dust off your wand and get ready for lots of debate ย— does Harry die or not? (The Blue Willow Bookshop staff is split, but Brazos Books booksellers say a definite ย“Yes!ย”) Is Snape good or not? (Split vote again.) Will Malfoy redeem himself? (A rousing and unanimous ย“No!ย”)

This article appears in Jul 19-25, 2007.