THE world’s most famous boy wizard will take his last bow tonight when the final instalment in the Harry Potter series goes on sale. Its release marks the end of months of speculation and near breathless anticipation among the veritable legion of eager fans desperate to learn of their hero’s fate.

Unlike previous releases, this year Bermudian fans will be among the first to get their hands on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows<$>.

“It came as quite a shock to us,” said Hannah Willmott, of the Bermuda Book Store. “You might remember two ‘Harry Potters’ ago we thought we could sell it at 8 o’clock Bermuda time — but at the last minute Bloomsbury (the British publisher) called us and raised a big stink so we gave in.

“But there’s a complete about-face this year. We’re allowed to sell it at midnight British time, which of course is 8 o’clock Bermuda time!”

Well, 8.01 to be precise.

Tonight — in keeping with tradition — the Book Store will hold a ‘Hogwarts School Fair’ on Queen Street from .m. The Harry Potter<$> release party — named after the school where Harry and friends receive magical education — has become a summer fixture across the world.

Two years ago, the Belco fire and blackout could not dissuade nearly 200 fans from descending on Hamilton at the witching hour for a copy of the much-coveted title.

This year, with the earlier release, Ms Willmott expects even bigger crowds.

“I think we’ll probably have more kids showing up to the party. But I’m really hoping people won’t pick up the book and disappear.”

But trying to entertain Harry Potter fans with the final book in hand might be a tall order.

The last book in the series of seven — Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince — was released two years ago to much fanfare. Its surprising conclusion exposed the mysteries of Harry’s past, foreshadowed his troubled future and posed vexing questions that author J.K. Rowling has promised to answer in Deathly Hallows.

To those unfamiliar with the wildly popular franchise, each book in the series covers the length of one year at a boarding school for wizards. It is, at heart, a coming of age story featuring a classic confrontation between good and evil as well as elements of the hero’s quest — a tradition as old as storytelling itself.

But the simple fantasy and escapism of these novels has found wide appeal and a massive audience. Unsurprisingly, Harry Potter is as much the darling of executives as readers. Indeed, the Harry Potter movie franchise has been every bit as successful as the books.

Although the success of Harry Potter owes rather more to its marketing than its literary merits, there is little sign of Potter-fatigue, even after nine years of the boy wizard.

In fact, if the sell-out crowds at Little Theatre this week for the latest film adaptation are any guide, the enthusiasm has only grown. Of the 400 copies of Deathly Hallows on sale tonight, the Book Store had received 320 pre-orders by Tuesday.

Doubtless there are those who dread the endless Potter merchandise and advertisements. There are even some conservative Christians who denounce the series and its author as heretic. Yet, there are far more who will be sad to see Harry Potter go.

As for Ms Willmott, she says she’ll miss the release parties, but is glad for what Harry Potter has done for reading.

“I love the whole atmosphere of it, I think I’m going to start doing pirate parties in the future. Harry Potter is fun, but I’m happy it’s getting people in to reading. They come in after reading it and we can recommend all the other wonderful books out there. And there are so many of those.”

Ms Rowling has said it is “unlikely” she will return to the Harry Potter saga, so tonight should be a last farewell to Harry and his adventures.

That is, of course, until next year’s film.