The seventh and final “Harry Potter” book is scheduled to be released 12:01 a.m. Saturday.

The final novel, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” has 784 pages, and Scholastic plans to ship 12 million books for the release day.

In Ames, there are several book premiere parties Friday night where fans can enjoy wizardly activities prior to buying the new book at midnight.

At Borders Books & Music, 1200 S. Duff Ave., there will be a “Grand Hallows Ball.” People are encouraged to come dressed in ball attire or as their favorite character and enjoy a night of magic before the midnight madness.

Marissa Myhre, book manager at Hastings Books Music & Video, 620 Lincoln Way, said they are enlisting help from various students and departments at Iowa State to assist the night of July 20.

Hastings is planning a potions class in which ISU chemistry students will help children make a basic “potion.” There will be plants from Reiman Gardens for the herbology class, and live owls from Veterinary Medicine will be on hand from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

In addition, they will have a shrieking house, an assortment of hats and lots of butterbeer and pumpkin soda.

The Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave., is also having a “Harry Potter” party featuring activities and snacks the evening before the final release. There will also be a costume contest, so attendees are encouraged to wear their best costumes.

People of all ages read the book series, and there are several discussion forums on Web sites where fans are debating what may happen in the final book.

Over the past 10 years, “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling has been questioned several times about content to be revealed in upcoming books. One thing fans do is try and decipher what she means in her quotes.

Ever since the series began, people have wondered why they are so popular.

Derek Adams, Borders employee, said he didn’t start reading the “Harry Potter” series until college.

“It was a cultural phenomena. I had to see what all the fuss was about,” he said.

Adams said he likes the books because they are well planned out.

“You can tell Rowling had details in mind when she was writing.”

Since 1998, millions have been held spellbound by “Harry Potter.” Rowling has kept her fans in suspense book after book, always hinting at more to come in the next novel, keeping readers eager for more.

After the book comes out on July 21, many fans and marketing professionals wonder what will happen regarding the popular status of Harry Potter.

Myhre said the series will “absolutely become a classic.”

“I don’t think we’ve ever seen phenomena like this,” Myhre said regarding the popularity of Harry Potter.

Myhre said customers are still buying the first six books and she knows some customers have been waiting until all of the books were released to even begin reading the series.

She is confident people will continue to buy the “Harry Potter” books years after the seventh book is released this summer.

“This phenomenon will keep on going,” Myhre said.

Scholastic has sold more than 353 million copies of “Harry Potter” books worldwide so far.

Children around the world have caught the seductive spell of Harry Potter and just as many adults are equally captivated. Rowling’s books, about an ordinary child who turned out to be very special, have captured the fantasy of adults and children alike.

Kelsey Hayne, sophomore in communication studies, said she reads “Harry Potter” because it’s magical and a place where she would like to live.

If all goes according to plan, “the boy who lived” will never die in the hearts of “Harry Potter” fans. It is not yet known what will happen in the final book, but whatever the outcome, Harry Potter will be around for many more years to come.