Bruce Becker, 4, reads Harry Potter at Books-A-Million in Sterling.

Photo: Cydney Cappello, LoudounExtra.com

Beth Little of Ashburn checks out the selection while waiting for the midnight release at Books-A-Million in Sterling.

Photo: Cydney Cappello, LoudounExtra.com

A line of Harry Potter fans await the midnight release at Books-A-Million in Sterling.

Photo: Cydney Cappello, LoudounExtra.com

Kevin Jefferson, 18, and Anita Leechor, 18, read a book while waiting for the midnight release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" at Books-A-Million in Sterling.

Photo: Cydney Cappello, LoudounExtra.com

Brandon Yates, 8, reads a book, waiting for the midnight release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" at Books-A-Million in Sterling.

Photo: Cydney Cappello, LoudounExtra.com

A rat is part of the store's live animals exhibit before the release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" at Books-A-Million in Sterling.

Photo: Cydney Cappello, LoudounExtra.com

From left: Samantha Strasser, 15, and Kathleen Nelson, 16, discuss Harry Potter at Books-A-Million in Sterling.

Photo: Cydney Cappello, LoudounExtra.com

Live reptiles were on display at Books-A-Million in Sterling before the release of the final Harry Potter book.

Photo: Cydney Cappello, LoudounExtra.com

Jeanne Anderegg, dressed as Mad-Eye Moody, a character in the Harry Potter series, and her daughter at Books-A-Million in Sterling.

Photo: Cydney Cappello, LoudounExtra.com

Live owls were on display at Books-A-Million in Sterling the night the final Harry Potter book was released.

Photo: Cydney Cappello, LoudounExtra.com

One fan dressed as a witch reads a book while waiting for the midnight release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" at Books-A-Million in Sterling.

Photo: Jinae West, LoudounExtra.com

Outside at Books-A-Million in Sterling before the final Harry Potter book is released.

Photo: Cydney Cappello, LoudounExtra.com

A group of children waiting for the final Harry Potter book to be released sit around an arts and crafts table at Books-A-Million in Sterling.

Photo: Jinae West, LoudounExtra.com

"I'm in my seventh childhood, you see," Jo Ann Webster said at a Books-A-Million in Sterling, "I had to do something to celebrate Harry Potter, so I just made up this shirt."

Photo: Jinae West, LoudounExtra.com

Customers wait for the midnight release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" at Books-A-Million in Sterling.

Photo: Jinae West, LoudounExtra.com

The Harry Potter costume contest finalists at Books-A-Million in Sterling.

Photo: Jinae West, LoudounExtra.com

A man dressed as a dementor, a fictional creature that drains happiness, lurks behind an employee at Books-A-Million in Sterling.

Photo: Jinae West, LoudounExtra.com

A snake was part of the store's live reptiles exhibit at Books-A-Million in Sterling before the release of the final Harry Potter book.

Photo: Jinae West, LoudounExtra.com

A participant in the Harry Potter costume contest entertains the crowd at Books-A-Million in Sterling.

Photo: Jinae West, LoudounExtra.com

A Harry Potter look-a-like stands above the crowd at Books-A-Million in Sterling during a costume contest at the store.

Photo: Jinae West, LoudounExtra.com