Photo of my copy!

No spoilers here.

I took part in the madness that was the release of the 7th Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I have been to every Midnight Madness Harry Potter book release since Goblet of Fire. This one by far outdid them all.

I went with my by biggest Harry Potter fan friend. We meant to the night off at a street fair In Soho, but when we arrived, there was a huge line just to get in. We decided to skip it and go right to the B & N in Union Square, where we had reserved copies. Starting from 5:00, they had events such as face-painting, wand-making, owl petting, and a rather unimpressive magic show. I was surrounded by Harrys and Dumbledores, as well as some more original costumes. After a while, we decided to head out for a quick drink and some theorizing.

Continue for costume photos and Harry Potter geek theories..

My friend tried to convince me that Harry Potter is a horcrux. Theories of other horcruxes included: the locket, briefly mentioned among the Black’s possessions in the 5th book, possibly smuggled from the house in the 6th. Something Bellatrix had, based on her conversation with Narcissa in the 6th book.

We also theorized on R.A.B. I stuck with Regulus Black. The letter was written to the “Dark Lord”, a phrase Harry specifically has said only Death Eaters use. My friend thinks this is too obvious an explanation. But I think it needs to be someone we already know and Sirius’ brother has been repeatedly mention, something Rowling usually has a reason for doing…

We went back to the bookstore at 10, where a mad line had already formed. We made our way through the crowd by holding our golden wristbands high in the air. There was a countdown in the store to midnight, as if it was New Years Eve. People loudly cheered when the time came. The store manager stood on top of a table and directed her staff like a military general, making sure people with the appropriate wristbands formed the appropriate lines. As soon as our reserved copies reached our hands, we rushed to share a cab home to Astoria.

Anyway, I won’t say anything about what I learned in my all night reading fest. And now I need to go and read my book.