St. Helens Book Shop Celebrates Release of 7th Potter Book

July 21, 2007

Last weekend I stepped into the flames of the Floo network and found myself in the midst of Diagon Ally.  The real Diagon Ally, thanks to the efforts of the St. Helens Bookshop (SHBS) and volunteers. 

Diagon Ally was packed with Harrys and Hermiones; Rons and witches; Hagrids and Dumbledores; even a few muggles showed up, all waiting for the seventh and final Harry Potter book to be released.  According to Luanne Kreutzer, owner of SHBS, over 200 people showed up.  St. Helen-ites weren’t the only people celebrating that night; eight-point-something-or-other million people bought Deathly Hallows within the first 24 hours of its release. 

Do you detect some sorcery going on here?  I do—nothing but magic could sell so many books!

But before we tip off the Ministry’s Improper Use of Magic Department, remember that there were many adult witches and wizards there as well.  In fact, I think some of us “adults” were more excited about the release of Deathly Hallows than the kids, which is the beauty of J.K. Rowling’s epic: it appeals to all ages, allowing underage wizards to challenge their reading skills, while letting the fully grown to dabble in their imagination.

Inside Flourish and Blotts (a.k.a. SHBS), Potter fans were treated to fantastic visions from the book: Hedwig, Harry’s delivery owl, the Weasley’s clock, and even a glimpse of Hogwarts itself.  Professor Trelawny was there telling fortunes to the curious. 

At TinkerTime Preschool, wizards could make their own wands with Ollivander, and first-year students visited the Sorting Hat to find their house at Hogwarts.

Quidditch fans were not to be disappointed: brooms in hand, they competed in the Tri-Wizard Tournament, battling bludgers, throwing quaffles, and finally, catching the golden snitch.

The Leaky Cauldron (a.k.a. Fresh Start Café), dispensed drinks all night, and at the Daily Prophet’s office next door, front-page photos were taken, courtesy of Creekside Studios. 

Remember to donate socks to S.P.E.W. (Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare).  Bring them to the Bookshop, and Dobby will take care to distribute them to elves in need. 

With so many parties to choose from that night, I’m glad to have celebrated with our very own St. Helens Bookshop.  The bookstore and community members did a fantastic job, and truly made it a night to remember.