Harry Potter Mania

I’m a fan. I’ve been a fan since the second book came out and thought it would be fun to go to a HP midnight party, as it was the last book and I would never have another chance.

It was very fun!

My two friends and I set out to Harvard Square, rather disappointed we didn’t the Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff scarves that I crocheted a few years back, since they are stuffed in a box somewhere, waiting to be shipped here.

We quickly got over our disappointment as we entered Harvard Square, just in time to listen to a rock band called Draco and the Malfoys. Those of you who haven’t heard of them, this band was created in response to the books and another band: Harry and the Potters, who also played that night. We laughed at the crazy lyrics and sometimes sang along, though we didn’t feel inclined to dance and kick, as our costumed neighbors did. My favorite song was when “Draco” sang: “I love my mom. I love my dad. And we all hate YOU! (Harry Potter)”

Other songs incorporated Dumbledore and Dobby…I liked that one as well, though it was too repetitive.

When Harry and the Potters came on the crowd roared. Almost everyone was singing along. There were songs of friendship, battle, and mischievousness. My favorite song was one about Dumbledore. Less rock and more feeling.

We listened, laughed, sang along, had some free nachos and beverages, avoided the news crew, and looked at the clever costumes. The best, by far, was a little girl dressed as a snitch. I wish I had taken a picture!

For the second HP party we crashed a Borders. Smart people. They were one of the very few places accepting customers into the store even if they did not have a reservation. We had free cake, pastries, and drinks. We picked a spot close to where they would hand out the books depending on the color of your wrist-band; we waited and watched.

The ten second countdown to midnight was one of the loudest and most enthusiastic ones I have heard in my life. Even New Year’s countdowns have never been so lively. The first to receive a copy was a woman who had waited in line for who knows how long. She was photographed and given a 3-foot-long HP poster, ready to hang. After that, it was pandemonium. People squealed, tittered, giggled, exclaimed ‘oh my God!’, blinded everyone with flash photography, and stumbled their way to get their copy. Some got visibly stressed as the apparently last box was opened and the books were handed out. This was followed by visible relief as the next boxes were wheeled in from the warehouse. The stress levels soared again as one woman took no less than seven copies of the book. Others followed her example and took two, three, five, or more copies.

By the time we got our copies, it was 12:30 am. The staff was frazzled, capes askew, wigs forgotten in a corner, jumpy at the slightest disturbance; they spoke loudly with eyes rolling around at no spot in particular, and the cashiers panicked if presented with a purchase other than Harry Potter.

It was an unforgettable experience.

Later that morning I had to go to work. Bleary-eyed but content, I carried my new copy to a bagel shop to read and eat. I was in for a shock. Newspapers everywhere had Harry Potter stories and displayed their spoilers on the ending. I decided I had to take drastic measures. I had not waited so many years for someone to ruin the ending.

No TV. (not a problem since I don’t have one)

No radio. (not a problem)

No newspapers. (this was the hard part)

No kidding. A couple of days later and with a heavy heart I put the book down, mourned the death of my favorite character, and picked up newspapers again. Now that my eyes were free to look around, not a day passes that I don’t see someone reading the book. The buses, trains, and subways are full of people from all ages lost in Potter’s world. I can only hope that they avoid all spoilers and truly enjoy the journey.

I can only hope more people are inspired to read after the Harry Potter mania.