Wizards and witches whizzed around town, wielding wands and watching magic all over State College as Barnes & Noble Booksellers and Webster's Bookstore opened their doors for the release of the final installment of the Harry Potter series Friday night.

What may have seemed like a scene from one of J.K Rowling's now famous books became a reality at the Midnight Magic Party at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 365 Benner Pike.

The party started at 8:30 p.m. Friday and featured several magical activities to build anticipation of the midnight release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

"We have two magicians, face painting, palm and tarot readings and activity pages," said Lynn Nasal, community relations manager for Barnes & Noble.

Nasal said the crowd included everyone "from little ones up to adults. Everyone loves Harry." She added that she expected 1,000 to 1,500 people to attend the party.

State College resident Evan Edwards, one of the attendees, was dressed as the half-giant Hagrid, towering over most of the others.

Edwards, a four-year fan of Harry Potter, said he planned on reading the seventh book the same way he read the sixth -- sitting at Denny's, 1860 N. Atherton St., all night.

"I'm going to read it in a day," he said. "I don't think I have a choice."

Mark Ballora, a Penn State associate professor of integrative art and music technology, was decked out in his wizard robes, performing theatric readings from the previous Harry Potter books with the help of the audience.

"I'm always a wizard, but I can't tell anyone that. I'm just glad the Ministry of Magic let me out tonight," Ballora said with a grin.

Another employee, dressed as Professor Snape, asked trivia questions while playing a shell game with young wizards, giving an especially hard time to those who said they were members of the Gryffindor house.

At 11 p.m., the activities ended as anxious fans began to wait in their assigned locations.

Those with pre-reserved books lined up first in front of the registers, while other customers were put in groups, waiting patiently to be brought up to the checkout.

Twelve-year-old State College resident Colin Mueller was the first in line for the highly anticipated book.

"I've been a fan since I was three," Mueller said.

As Mueller happily waited at the front of the line, he said his biggest concern was not whether Harry dies.

"I really hope love will conquer over all and the good will rule over evil," he said. "I think J.K. Rowling's books are inspiring."

While waiting in line, Mueller was offered $200 for his wristband marking his pre-order; however, he refused the payoff.

At the stroke of midnight, cheers erupted as the 12 cashiers frantically began selling books as fast as they could unpack them.

People were ushered out of the store as soon as they got their books. The store was filled to capacity throughout the event, and hundreds of people waited outside to enter and buy their books well after midnight.

As one girl left the store with the new book in hand, she turned back to the crowd of waiting customers and shouted: "Long live Harry!"

Webster's Bookstore, 128 S. Allen St., began its Harry Potter book release party at 10 p.m.
As guests arrived at the party they were asked to 'sort' themselves into the four houses of Hogwarts.

Catherine Meyers (graduate-sociology) sorted herself into one house and her dog, Tigger, into another.

"He's in Gryffindor, but I'm in Ravenclaw," she said. "We still get along."

During the party, tea and coffee was sold at the coffee counter -- renamed The Three Broomsticks after the series' fictional bar -- and free cupcakes, vegetables and dip and pumpkin juice were available for the about 30 to 40 attendees.

Webster's sold out all 75 of its pre-ordered copies before the party even began.

Costume contest winner Mara Modest (senior-bioengineering and integrative arts) dressed as Professor Trelawny in a floral headband, green housecoat, shoes and costume jewelry, received a free copy of the book.

Brian Tuttle (graduate-acoustics) was a runner-up in the costume contest.

"With a mustache, I'd be a perfect Bartimus Crouch," he said, carrying a briefcase while dressed in a black suit and hat. "I had the bowler, so I went with a ministry official."