Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix opened on 12 July 2007.
The rebellion begins! Lord Voldemort is back, but the Ministry of Magic tries to keep a lid on the truth – including appointing a new, power-hungry Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts. Ron and Hermione convince Harry to secretly train students for the wizarding war ahead. A terrifying showdown between good and evil awaits
A line of 100 or so eager fans trailed from the store into the station's cavernous arrival hall and contained an equal smattering of children, parents and Potter-mad adults. Entertainers dressed in multicolored capes and magical sorting hats juggled and performed tricks for delighted youngsters, and a painter created Harry Potter scars and glasses on the children's faces.
"She has made a hero of somebody who could have become a victim," said Gillian Hammerton. Like Harry, she was orphaned at an early age. "It's marvelous for someone to have empathy with how a child can feel when they are not in the bosom of a family," she said.
As Harry's daring exploits against the evil Lord Voldemort burst upon the waiting world, bookstore owners appeared as excited as their customers.
"It is like a concentrated burst of Christmas," said Wayne Winstone, children's books director for Ottakar's bookshop, which had 77,000 advance orders nationwide.
The book was being launched in Australia, South Africa and New Zealand at the same time as in Britain. And a Paris branch of WH Smith held a special late-night opening with a magician performing tricks and staff dressed as wizards.
