Wizard of words

Fans of Harry Potter books partied late, at least for wee readers, and lined up early to buy the lastest installment.

By ALINE MENDELSOHN

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 9, 2000

[Times photo: Lisa DeJong] Courtney Fields, 5, reaches for a copy of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire at the Barnes & Noble store in St. Petersburg.

Until Friday night, Carson O'Rorke had never worn pantyhose on his head -- or anywhere else, for that matter.

But to celebrate the release of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the St. Petersburg 9-year-old was decked out in black as a "Dementor" character from the hugely popular children's book series, wearing a hooded gown from a Halloween Scream costume, his mom's leather gloves and sheer black pantyhose over his face.

The outfit, designed by his 11-year-old sister, was good enough to win the Harry Potter costume contest at St. Petersburg's Barnes & Noble bookstore, and more importantly, ensured him a free copy of the coveted book.

He was one of thousands who showed up at bookstore parties around the bay area, and around the country, awaiting the 12:01 a.m. Saturday release of the fourth installment in the series, whose sales are making publishing history.

Barnes & Noble at Tyrone attracted about 400 people and sold out of books before 1 a.m. Across the street, Borders Books & Music was out of its stock of 500 books, which included 100 reserved copies, by 12:30 a.m. In Tampa, the Carrollwood Barnes & Noble said it sold more than 200 books in an hour.

To cater to devotees of the books about the adventures of a teenage wizard, Tyrone's Barnes & Noble transformed into another world. The cafe turned into the Leaky Cauldron, serving specialties such as a Smooth Harry (a smoothie), a Frighten-ccino (cappuccino) and Licorice Wands (Twizzlers).

Along the aisles walked numerous Harry Potter look-alikes and fans with sorcerer hats sliding over their foreheads.

Helen Hua, a seventh-grader at Southside Fundamental Middle School, wore a white canvas owl costume. At the beginning of the evening, she felt slightly self-conscious, as if she couldn't believe it herself: "I'm wearing feathers."

Making a big deal over a book was certainly something different for 12-year-old Win Stephen. Before Harry Potter, Win, who has a learning disability, was a reluctant reader, said his mother, Teresa Stephen of St. Petersburg.

On the other hand, Charles Robinson, an avid reader, received the books by British author J.K. Rowling for Christmas and finished them by early January. The books have gotten him in trouble: More than once he has been caught late at night buried under the covers reading with a flashlight.

Almost everyone agreed on why the books are so appealing, why they could bring people out at midnight for the opportunity to be the first to pay $25.95:

"They're an escape, and the good wins in the end," said Boo Ehrsam, a Pinellas Park artist who was one of the adults at the party.

Other adults, such as Richard Jewell of St. Petersburg, have been oblivious to the phenomenon. Amid the excitement, he sat reading quietly at a table. Before Friday, he had never heard of Harry Potter. "I didn't know there were this many kids in St. Pete," he said.

Harry mania continued to draw crowds Saturday. Josh Beckwith roused his mother at 5:45 a.m. to be the first in line at Border's Books and Music in South Tampa. The 14-year-old boy from Seminole Heights arrived at 6:40 a.m., nearly 90 minutes before the store opened.

"We thought there would be a huge line," Beckwith said. "We did not reserve a copy, and we did not think we would get one."

Others began arriving shortly after 7 a.m. When the store opened at 8 a.m., an hour earlier than normal, Beckwith happily purchased one of the first copies. Hundreds followed quickly, ending months of secrecy and hype surrounding what will soon be one of the biggest-selling books of all time.

In St. Petersburg on Friday night, as the magic hour neared, the children became more excited and their parents more exhausted. For some Harry fans, sleep wasn't in the cards even when the store closed.

Said Robert Foreman, a red-haired, freckle-faced 12-year-old who bore striking resemblance to book character Ron Weasley: "I'm pulling an all-nighter."

- Times staff writer Michael Sandler contributed to this report.

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