Harry Potter and the Just How Deathly Are We Talking?

By Gazelle Emami

While it’s the most highly anticipated event of the summer, the release of the seventh and final installment in the Harry Potter series on July 21 is hardly just another summer spectacle. Twelve years ago, J.K. Rowling was scribbling away in cafes, creating one of the most widely beloved characters of all time. Now, about a decade since Harry Potter and the Sorceror’s Stone’s release, we’ve finally hit the end of this larger-than-life reading marathon. And Harry deserves a little glory to usher in his final stand. deathly hallows1.jpg

With the build-up reaching its final, condensed moments, the Bay Area is swarming with Harry Potter release parties the night before—because trying to sleep on the eve of a Harry Potter release is worse than Christmas Eve when you’re five. Fortunately, Harry Potter is better than Santa and can be in our hands at the stroke of midnight. What follows is a list of many midnight parties around the Bay Area. It is at these parties that readers will devotedly sport colors that pledge their allegiance to Gryffindor or Slytherin, boast their knowledge in trivia games, and raise their glasses of Butterbeer in support of our favorite hero, all just hours before the gratifying sound of ripping cardboard signals the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I wouldn’t be surprised if the world just implodes in anticipation. Do I sound a little like a crazed fan? Maybe because I am.

As someone who takes her Potter seriously, I implore you—once you have that book clasped tightly in your fingers, get the fuck out of that bookstore and run like hell to a quiet, well-lit place. You don’t want some soulless excuse for a human being showing up at your bookstore to do a drive-by spoiler and ruin what you’ve waited so long for. If it happened during Book 6, we must take extra precautions for Book 7. Earplugs, headphones—do what you’ve got to do.

In those 784 pages, anything can happen. And once the last page has been turned, the whole world could be in mourning. Such moments don’t come around very often. And whether or not you’re a fan, that’s kind of exciting, isn’t it?

Barnes & Noble Story time, trivia, children's crafts, prizes, costume contest. Hosted by Jim Dale, narrator of the Harry Potter Audiobooks. 7 p.m. 2550 Taylor St., San Francisco. (415) 292-6762.

Bird & Beckett Books and Records Costumes, read-alouds. 8:30 p.m. 2788 Diamond St., San Francisco. (415) 586-3733.

Book Passage Games, refreshments, costumes. 9 p.m. 51 Tamal Vista Blvd, San Francisco Ferry Building. (415) 927-0960.

Books Inc. Sorting-hat, magic potion station, slithering snacks, creepy crafts, trivia. 11 p.m. 2275 Market St., San Francisco. (415) 864-6777. (See other Books Inc. locations for varied party activities.)

The Booksmith Games, prizes. 11 p.m. 1644 Haight Street, San Francisco. (415) 863-8688.

Borderlands Books 10 p.m. 866 Valencia Street, San Francisco. (415) 824-8203.

Borders’ “Grand Hallows Ball” Wizardly activities, fantastical games, giveaways. 9:30 p.m. 400 Post Street, San Francisco. (415) 399-1633.

Cody’s Books Prophesizing, butterbeer, treats, browsing, music. 10 p.m. 1730 Fourth Street, Berkeley. (510) 559-9500.

Diesel’s “Harry Potter Graduation Party” Games, prizes, costumes, food, puppets, singing a capella. 10 p.m. 5433 College Ave., Oakland. (510) 653-9965.

A Great Good Place for Books Costume contest, trivia, light refreshments. 10 p.m. 6120 LaSalle Ave., Oakland. (510) 339-8210.

Green Apple Books Tricks Gnome, balloon animals, magic tricks, snacks. 10:30 p.m. 506 Clement St., San Francisco. (415) 387-2376.

Modern Times Bookstore Wizards, goodies, glitter and midnight countdown. 11 p.m. 888 Valencia St., San Francisco. (415) 282-9246.

Moe's Books Refreshments, contests, entertainment." 10 p.m. 2476 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley. (510) 849-2087.

Mrs. Dalloway’s Refreshments. Costume party. Dress as your favorite character and receive 15 percent off "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." 11:30 p.m. 2904 College Ave., Berkeley. (510) 704-8222.

Oakland Public Library Costumes. Live bands. Wizard hats and wands crafts with MOCHA artists. Raffle. 8 p.m. Main Library, 125 14th Street (enter through the Children’s Room on Oak street), Oakland. (510) 238-3615.

Pegasus & Pendragon Books Refreshments, sorting hat, activities. 2349 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 649-1320. (See other Pegasus locations for varied party activities.)

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