Hundreds of wizards, magical folk and Muggles swarmed to local bookstores Friday night — all in the name of a now-famous boy wizard — Harry Potter.

The final installment of the bestselling series by J.K. Rowling, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” was released at 12 a.m. Saturday, and for these dedicated fans, it was an event not to be missed.

Booksellers gladly re-opened late Friday to host Potter parties for the faithful, most dressed as their favorite character from the seven-book series.

Cloaked in Hogwarts School robes, Christopher Schmidt, 10, of American Canyon arrived downtown at 5:30 p.m. so he could be first in line at the Bookends bookstore party, starting at 10 p.m. “I like the magical creatures,” said Schmidt. “Ron is my favorite.”

Bookends was packed with plenty of Muggles (non-magical folk) and those attired in pointy hats, capes and other wizard wear.

Sabrina Thomason, 11, observed a group of partygoers in a Bertie Botts Every Flavor Bean eating contest where blindfolded subjects had to guess flavors, including grass, dirt, blueberry and marshmallow. Watching the taste test, she predicted how the best-selling series might end. “It’s going to end with a battle,” she said. “Harry Potter might die.”

Marielle Grigsby, 16, came to Bookends in character with three pals, all wearing matching Gryffindor caps and wielding wands. “Harry Potter is my best friend,” said Grigsby. “I hope he wins because it would be sad to lose a friend.”

Sections of Bookends had been renamed for the night. The Forbidden Forest guarded the storage room where the cases of books were held. Divination featured face painting and card reading.

Bookends owner Alan Wastell said the book, “isn’t just a magical story. It’s the way J.K. Rowling is able to create this world — that’s the magic of story telling.”

Across town at Copperfield’s Books, a line of more than 250 people stretched out the front door and down the sidewalk. At 11 p.m., with a scream from the crowd, doors opened and the faithful filed in.

Visiting friends, Liz Hardesty of Dixon came to Copperfield’s dressed as Potter character Madam Rosmerta, the Hogsmeade barmaid.

“I’m here because I love the books and this is the last book.” She would normally have finished the book by the first day, she said, but “I have to work tomorrow.”

Since the series began 10 years ago, Potter fans have watched their beloved character grow up, many readers along with him. The crowd included lots of teenage readers, as well as moms and dads. “It’s good to see this many young people and parents,” said Copperfield’s assistant manager Heather McLaughlin. McLaughlin said they’d received their books on Thursday and “We’ve had them under lock and key since then.”

Just after Midnight, a cheer rose, and employees carefully opened cartons revealing the orange-covered book. Clutching their prizes, the new book owners made their way out of the crowded store.

Mollie King, 14, and mom, Iris, each bought a copy. Glancing at the first page, Mollie King said, “I’m excited to read more.”

“The saddest thing would be if Harry Potter loses his best friend Ron,” said Iris King. “I look forward to the next 24 hours when I do nothing but read the book.”

Wandering out into the parking lot, one or two new book owners shouted out half-hearted spoiler attempts, but no one could ruin the mood that night.

Melia Manter, 14, visiting from Virginia, summed it up best.

“Harry Potter is something for everyone to believe in.”