Muggles snap up latest Potter tome

By now, millions of Muggles worldwide finally know the fate of Harry Potter, but hours before the seventh — and final — book in the wildly popular series hit the shelves, people were gathering to give their beloved boy wizard a proper send off.

Despite no longer having a storefront up and running due to renovations this summer, Bestsellers Café owners Rob and Marianne Dilman were busy behind a makeshift counter at ERA Andrew Realty Friday afternoon preparing for the onslaught of Potter fans expected to attend a farewell party for J.K. Rowling’s literary sensation.

“This one felt weird,” said Rob Dilman, who spent a day last week sitting out on the sidewalk in front of ERA’s 12 High St. office waiting for “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” to arrive. “Before, the driver could call the store and we would be waiting, but this time, it was a lot different because we don’t have the store so we were a lot more anxious because they arrived on the street amid all the construction.”

But even with a change in venue for the Potter release, Dilman said there was more excitement this time around.

“There’s a lot more energy with this book,” he said, stacking Potter-style glasses that were quickly snatched up by kids and adults alike. “This time around, it’s really more of a party than a book store handing out a book.”

An admitted Harry Potter fan himself, Dilman said he was looking forward to finding out how the series ended. And so was John Veneziano, owner of ERA Andrew Realty.

“We are huge fans,” he said. “I’m excited about anything that keeps kids reading.”

Veneziano said his office was truly pleased to help the Dilmans sponsor the July 20 event, which was also a fundraiser for the Medford Family Network.

“My office has become more than a place to sell books,” Veneziano said Friday evening. “It’s become a community event and it’s taken on a life of its own.”

With a crew of volunteers, ERA Andrew Realty’s downstairs was transformed from an ordinary function room to the magical world of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Descending through Platform 9 3/4, visitors were greeted with creepy bats, wanted photos of Sirius Black and those famous red and gold Gryffindor colors, among other spectacles.

Dressed in colorful costumes, both volunteers and guests mingled at face painting, games, coloring and other stations designed to keep the youngest Harry Potter fans happy. Other amusements, such as storytelling and activities, were available for older fans attending the adult portion of the evening.

But on Friday afternoon, hours before witches and wizards arrived, Marie Cassidy sat quietly cutting name badges for kids, featuring the names of all four of Hogwarts houses: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff.

“This is a truly amazing coming together of the community,” the executive director of the MFN said. “The enthusiasm is wonderful. It just seemed that when we came up with ideas, one idea generated and other about how we could make it work and it’s become such an exciting event.”

Cassidy said the $5 Bestsellers will give to the network for every Potter book sold is badly needed. Although the network’s budget was level funded this year, she added, costs have increased.

“But this is tremendous in terms of helping us keep playgroups and parenting classes going,” she said. “It’s helping keep our programs cost free to all the Medford public schools and the community at large.”

And was she excited about the final installment? Cassidy admitted that while she’s not a Potter fan, she did purchase a set of books from Bestsellers with the intention of seeing what all the fuss was about before book seven hit the stands. Then something happened.

“One of the dual language teachers at MHS was looking for some material to energize her students and enthrall them,” she said. “I thought the books would do that so I donated the whole thing.”

Cassidy, who dressed up as Harry Potter two years ago when “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” was released, wasn’t in costume this year. But many were, including all three of the Burke girls.

Sheila Burke, whose entire family attended the party, said she was excited about getting her hands on the book.

“Our two younger ones can’t read yet,” Sheila Burke said. “But me and the 9-year-old are huge fans.”

She added she would be back when the clock struck midnight to make the big purchase.

“Cullen wants to stay up until midnight so we’ll be back later,” she said. “We just love Rob [Dilman] and so we wanted to come out tonight and support him.”

Cullen Burke, dressed as a Hogwarts student, said she was a fan of Hermione Granger’s, one of Harry Potter’s best pals, and of ghost Moaning Myrtle. And, she added, she was counting down the days until the book arrived.

Friday’s youngster fest ended with a magic show by Medford’s own Magic Man himself, Dan Bybell, who entertained a crowded room full of kids and parents.

Although not a Potter fan himself, Bybell said his wife and daughter were and both would be attending the second half of the evening.

Bybell, who has been doing magic for 40 years, added he tried to put in Harry Potter-related magic touches here and there in his act. And his fans were grateful.

“The kids really enjoyed the magic show,” said Cassidy, as the evening drew to a close for the younger fans. “It’s been a wonderful, amazing turnout and the enthusiasm by everyone was beyond belief. The kids were dressed up and it really looked like Halloween in Medford Square. I guess you could say the magic really begins here tonight.”