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Harry fans brave rain as books arrive

20.07.07 Graeme Neill

Hundreds of Harry Potter fans have been braving torrential rain to queue outside bookstores in a bid to be first to get their hands on a copy of the latest book. People were queuing as early as Wednesday outside Waterstone's in Piccadilly, and by early today (Friday), there was a huge queue snaking around the side of the store. The branch received its first delivery of the book at around 10.45am, to cheers from costumed fans.

Practically everyone who turned up was in fancy dress. Most were clad in wizards' capes, with some choosing the Hogwarts school uniform. One man carried a sign reading "My girlfriend made me come here".

Eighteen year olds Katrina and Madison, from Michigan, were backpacking across Europe but decided to return to London for the book's release. They started queuing outside the branch at 2am on Friday morning. "It's been a lot of fun. People have been changing costumes and singing songs. The insanity has made it worth queuing in the rain."

Both were surprised to hear that some stores in the US had broken the embargo on the book. However, they agreed that so long as no one spoilt what happened for the fans, they were not worried about other people buying it first.

They were also not worried that they could buy the book elsewhere for cheaper. "It's worth it for this," said Katrina. "Harry Potter has become much more than a book. It's also the culture around it, which is why this is so fun."

Monique Cornish, 22, an Australian living in Finsbury Park, agreed saying that she did not mind paying more for the book. "People are lining up here for the experience," she said. "It's all about being able to talk to all the other Harry Potter geeks and enjoying the costumes. Queuing is part of the fun."

waterstone's harry potter Bloomsbury

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