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Harry Potter wait is over

21/07/2007

The unbearable wait is finally over for Harry Potter fans worldwide, who this morning got their hands on the seventh and final book in the much-loved literary series.

Seven months after the title was confirmed and more than a decade after the first book's publication date, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was unleashed on the Muggle world at midnight today.

Hundreds of fans eager to be the first to get their hands on the book across the UK began queuing outside shops several days ago.

And booksellers and supermarkets all over the country reported massive queues forming as the midnight release date approached.

JK Rowling's book series is reportedly the third best-selling of all time with Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone – the first book published – selling more than 100 million copies alone.

The author was at the Natural History Museum in London last night to read excerpts of the new book to Potter maniacs. On her website she wrote "All the secrets I have been carrying around for so long will be yours, too.

"Within hours you will know what happens to Harry, Ron, Hermione and the rest in their final adventure.

"Those who guessed correctly will be vindicated, and those who guessed wrongly will not, I hope, be too disappointed!"

The movie adaptations of the books, the fifth of which – Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – is in cinemas now, have made $3.5 billion (£1.7 billion) at the global box office.

Rumour has been rife as to which characters will survive the Deathly Hallows, while several spoilers have emerged on the internet as the book's release date approaches.

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