Mad About Harry Potter: An Evening of Magic at The Annapolis Bookstore

The theatrical release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is less than a week away, and local Harry Potter fans geared up for the final movie in the series by registering for a Potter-themed event in Annapolis.

A group of J.K. Rowling fans were gathered outside The Annapolis Bookstore, which had been transformed into Hogwarts—the famous school for wizards and witches, just before 6 p.m. Saturday. Despite the July heat, some of the youngest wore full costumes, including a long, hooded Ravenclaw robe and those signature round glasses, neckties, and matching black and maroon robes made famous by Harry Potter.

There was just one problem. Much like an act of magical mischief, a swath of historic Annapolis experienced a blackout, and the bookstore was left in the dark and without air conditioning.

It was close to the witching hour, the—start time for the event dubbed “Hogwarts Comes to Maryland Avenue”—and the witches and warlocks inside were busily making adjustments to the lack of electricity, lighting candles and moving some dungeon (basement) props above ground. Meanwhile, the sold-out event’s queued-up-crowd swelled as muggles with no reservations arrived, hoping to squeeze in.

J.K. Rowling fever was in the air.

The festivities began with a sorting ceremony outside on the back porch, where the new Hogwarts students took turns sitting on a stool and having a sorting hat placed on their heads. The sorting hat, which is alive and can talk and read minds, took a moment to contemplate each individual student and then loudly announced for all to hear the wearer’s thoughts, which often included favorite color, book or sport. The hat also assigned them to specific school houses: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin.

The Hogwarts academy newcomers received badges with their respective houses to wear. Students were then divided into groups, such as unicorns and dragons, and one group member was appointed prefect and was tasked with keeping the group on a schedule of various Hogwarts activities.

At around 6:30, to everyone’s relief, the power returned, and the evening’s lessons could unfold as originally planned.

Outside in the backyard garden, a group of about 10 students were silently bent over tables and holding pencils, filling in preprinted quizzes.

“They’re being tested on the 'History of Magic', based on information in the Harry Potter books, of course,” Janice Holmes, co-owner of The Annapolis Bookstore, said. She served as Mistress of the Ceremonies and Muggle Liason for the Ministry of Magic.

“Just look at them,” she said regarding their intent focus on the task before them. “The amazing thing is how the books engage people, not just kids. About a third of the people who registered for tonight are over the age of 21, and half of the people are over 16.”

That Rowling’s books resonate with an older crowd isn’t surprising—a 21-year-old would have been aged seven when Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, the first in the series, was released.

“I read the book to my oldest son when he was 13,” Holmes recalled. “He was enchanted, so I appreciate how these kids feel about Rowling.”
The inspiration for the event was making connections, she indicated: “It’s all about community building.”

Annapolis resident Cat Mahone, a parent of two students attending Hogwarts, said of her sons Tyler and Conner and the Harry Potter series, “They live for it. They are ready to go see the new movie as soon as it comes out. Tyler has read all of the books, and some more than once.”

Wendy Shepard of Pasadena said that she brought “her two boys, identical twins, aged 10” because currently “they are reading the books.” She added, “I’m surprised at how many adults are here.”

A mystical class was led by Professor Trelawney, who shared the secrets of divination with students gathered around a table. The lesson included exercising the imagination to read tealeaves, and each student received a teacup that held leaves and hot water. They went to work writing down letters they saw, as well as the names of objects.

Meanwhile, in the shadowy, candlelit dungeon, Professor Snape, with his dark hair and clothes and even darker demeanor, ruled over a group of students in his typically shabby and snide fashion. He drilled them on vocabulary and magic skills and tested their capabilities in magic by using a variety of objects, including rope, fire, and a deck of cards.

“You know how to protect an object, but do you know to prevent a mortal enemy from learning that your object is protected?” he asked the students.

The students said no.

“You brew a potion so that the mortal enemy doesn’t know that it’s protected.” He used a balloon to demonstrate how, and he then taught a lesson in transfiguration.

Hogwarts on Maryland Avenue ended with students patronizing the Leaky Cauldron, which some might recognize as the bookstore’s café, where students enjoyed pumpkin juice and butterbeer, drinks that appear in the books, as well as cauldron cupcakes. According to co-owners Mary Adams and Janice Holmes, about 50 completed the Hogwarts curriculum, with about 25 parents observing.

“They all loved it,” Holmes noted. “There was one little girl who was so timid when she arrived. She wouldn’t leave her mother’s side or let go of her hand in the beginning. But when she was eating her cauldron cake she announced, ‘I’m bold, I’m proud of myself. I’m Gryffindor!’ That something like this can do that for a child is so rewarding.”

The celebration of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows:Part 2 will continue at The Annapolis Bookstore with trivia and butterbeer on the day on the movie’s release (July 15.) Call (410) 280-2339 for details. The Annapolis Bookstore is located at 35 Maryland Avenue.