'Harry Potter' hysteria ignites after news of final book's release date

July 21, 2007, will mark the end of an era for freshman Scott Lillard.\n"I've been a 'Harry Potter' fan since seventh grade," Lillard said.\nThe last book in the "Harry Potter" series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," will be released this July to the joy and sorrow of many.\nAuthor J.K. Rowling announced the release date Feb. 1 on her Web site.\n"I can hardly believe that I've finally written the ending I've been planning for so many years," Rowling said on JKRowling.com.\nMelissa Anelli, founder of the popular "Harry Potter" fan site The Leaky Cauldron, was shocked to find out the release date.\n"We actually had a few e-mails from people who work in publishing, the night before, (who) had been contacted by Scholastic about an impending big announcement." Anelli said in an e-mail interview.\nShe has mixed emotions about the ending of the series.\n"I feel elated that I get to be part of this period of literary history," Anelli said. "I feel horribly sad that this period is ending. I feel like someone who's been given a wonderful gift, but someone who also knows that it's the last gift she'll get."\nThe news is bittersweet for David Oldenkamp, the international studies librarian at the Herman B Wells Library.\n"I am sad that this is the last book," he said, "but then again, I don't want more books just for the sake of more books."\nWith the release of each book, "Harry Potter" fans celebrate in different ways.\nMidnight parties on the release date are popular among fans. Jav Williams of the Borders Books, Music, Movies and Cafe in Bloomington said they will be having a midnight release party. \n"I want to a go to a midnight party," Oldenkamp said. "I think it would be cool to have one here at the library."\nFans from across the nation have already created a midnight-release event on Facebook with 21,367 confirmed guests, as of press time.\nAnelli and the volunteers of The Leaky Cauldron have celebrated the release dates differently,\n"We've never had a big party because we've always been so busy," Anelli said. "For book five, I really didn't think Leaky would explode the way it has; it was still a manageable hobby then. I just had some friends at my house and we read it together. For book six, Jo (Rowling) brought me to Scotland to read the book and interview her. ... For book seven, as long as I get that book and I'm with my friends, the world is as it should be."\nPredictions of Harry's fate have varied among fans.\n"I expect Harry to go after Voldemort, and given the more tragic turn the series has taken so far I'm not sure whether he'll survive." Lillard said.\nOldenkamp believes Harry will survive.\n"I think Harry will defeat Voldemort in a grand battle," he said. "I also think that Snape will come over to Harry's side. And I don't think Harry, Ron or Hermione will die."\nAnelli also believes that Harry will defeat Voldemort and predicts romance for certain characters.\n"Harry will live, Voldemort will die, Ron and Hermione will finally get together and we'll close the book happy." Anelli said.\nEven though the release date is still months away, bookstores have already begun taking pre-orders, selling the books at deep discounts.\nReports that the book will sell for $65 are only referring to a deluxe edition.\nEven with the series coming to a close, Oldenkamp said he is not discouraged.\n"This has inspired so many kids to read and write their own stories," he said. "I've been able to take kids from 'Harry Potter' or C.S. Lewis if they are younger, or J.R.R. Tolkien if they are older."