One of many Harry Potter fans who came to Borders dressed as characters from the series

Harry Potter mania was alive at Borders in Silver Spring, MD, on Friday night. I encountered the entire clan of wizards and goblins. There was joyous merriment, face painting and plenty to eat.

Fans of Harry waited patiently in line all evening, and as each minute went by the group began to swell to a loud crescendo.

On the stroke of midnight everyone snapped to attention, and one by one we went into the store to claim the treasure: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the gold at the end of the rainbow.