Potter D-Day has arrived -- here's the hows, wheres
D-Day (or should we say H.P.-Day?) arrives at 12:01 a.m. Saturday. It’s then that avid Harry Potter fans will get their first peek at “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows,” the final chapter in the opus of the boy wizard and his school days at Hogwarts.
Fans must be prepared, so here’s a synposis of J.K. Rowling’s last book released two years ago, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” and a few questions that will hopefully be answered in the seventh tome.
The seventh and final book in the "Harry Potter" series goes on sale at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.
File photo
Dumbledore himself comes to get Harry when it’s time for him to return to the wizarding world, the first clue that this year is going to be different. Still struggling with Sirius’ death, Harry jumps at the chance that Dumbledore offers to find out more about Voldemort and how to defeat him. Life at Hogwarts is hectic as well — Harry is captain of his Quidditch team, and finds himself with strong romantic feelings for Ginny, Ron’s younger sister.
He has suspicions about some of the people around him, suspicions he can’t really get anyone else to share, even after a couple of near-deaths. Finally, he and Dumbledore figure out that Voldemort has split his soul into pieces, and the only way to kill him is to destroy those pieces. They go after one of the pieces, a trip that severely weakens Dumbledore, and return to find the school under attack.
During the attack, Dumbledore is killed, and the book ends with Harry and friends wondering if Hogwarts can even go on without him. Harry is determined to carry on the work that he and Dumbledore started.
So, will the new book answer these questions?
Just who is R.A.B.? Fans already have put forth the theory that R.A.B. is Sirius Black’s brother Regulus, who is thought to be dead. Is he? Or could he have been in hiding all this time?
What happened to that Horcrux? And is the Horcrux that strange, unopenable locket Harry and friends found at 12 Grimmauld Place in Book 5 — “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”? If so, will there be some connection to Mundungus Fletcher, who apparently has been stealing stuff from the house?
What role will Dumbledore play? Yes, yes, we know that Dumbledore is dead. And Rowling has said she means REALLY dead, no unexpected returns a la Gandalf here. But does that mean he’s out for the count? The dead have made their presence felt in the other books, so what does that mean for Dumbledore?
What is the deal with Snape? Good guy? Bad guy? Good guy playing bad guy? Was a good guy but returned to Voldemort’s side? Never really left Voldemort’s side? What?
What’s up with Aunt Petunia? Harry’s non-magical aunt (a Muggle) has always been mean to him, and ashamed of her magical sister (Harry’s mom), but understands more than she has ever let on about the danger Voldemort represents. Rowling has hinted she has a role to play in the last book. What will it be?
Who is going to die? Rowling has said she killed off two major characters. Who will they be?
From Gannett News Service and The Associated Press
Want to go to a Harry Potter event tonight or Saturday? Here are a few options...
Westfield Chicago Ridge Mall
12:01 a.m. Saturday, book goes on sale at at Borders Express store;
11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturday, magic performances outside the Borders Express store;
12:30 p.m. Harry Potter Look-a-Like contest.
Information: (708) 499-0840.
Westfield Louis-Joliet Mall, Joliet
9:30 tonight, Grand Hallows Ball at the Borders Express store. Event will include “wizard” activities, a Potter spelling bee and the Great Snape Debate. Patrons can dress in ball attire or as their favorite book character;
12:01 a.m. Saturday, book goes on sale at the Borders Express store;
10 a.m. Saturday, The Harry Potter Magic & Illusion Show, starring Terry Murphy, outside Borders Express.
Information: (815) 439-1000.
Westfield Southlake, Merrillville, Ind.
9 tonight, extended mall hours and kid-friendly activities until midnight. Free gift bags at the concierge center, while supplies last;
9:30 tonight, magic show outside upper level of Carson, Pirie, Scott store;
9:30 tonight, Grand Hallows Ball at the Borders Express store. Events will include “wizard” activities, a Potter spelling bee and the Great Snape Debate. Patrons can dress in ball attire or as their favorite book character;
12:01 a.m. Saturday, book goes on sale at Borders Express. Free limited edition poster while supplies last.
Information: (219) 738-2260.
Borders
All Borders stores will be holding Grand Hallows Ball parties, starting at 9 tonight. Events will include “wizard” activities, a Potter spelling bee and the Great Snape Debate. Patrons can dress in ball attire or as their favorite book character.
In addition to the Borders Express stores listed in the mall locations above, Borders in the Southland are located at:
15260 S. La Grange Road, Orland Park, (708) 460-7566;
4824 W. 211th St., Matteson, (708) 679-1835;
2210 W. 95th St., Chicago, (773) 445-5471.
Barnes & Noble
The Barnes & Noble store at Orland Park Place, just off La Grange Road, will hold a Midnight Magic Party starting at 9 tonight. Events will include a costume contest, an outsmart-the-wizard contest, a photo frame craft project, and a jelly bean guessing contest. Books go on sale at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.
Information: (708) 226-9092.
Witchy Wearables
The Witchy Wearables store at Glista’s Plaza, 147th Street and Kilbourn Avenue in Midlothian, will hold an outdoor party from 6 to midnight tonight.
Events will include Dumbledore’s Amazing Maze, magic tricks, adult and children’s costume contests, raffles, coloring, magic wand crafts, classes taught by Professor Sprout, Professor Snape, Hagrid and Madame Trelawney, readings, face painting, craft vendors, hot dogs, drinks and snacks. Magicians Jeff Blake and Clare Ashley will perform at 10 p.m. Nonperishable food for Together We Cope will be collected.
The book goes on sale at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.
Information: (708) 389-1313.