Final Harry Potter book has audiences spellbound

J.K. Rowling casts a spell on audiences of all ages through her captivating tale about a young wizard in her "Harry Potter" series. Elementary school readers are lining up to buy her books, as well as teenagers and adults. For anyone who first thought this was a series for children, Rowling has proved herself to be a writer for people of all ages.

"You would think at first that it is just a kid's book, but it is probably the best writing I have ever read. I like the fact that Rowling can keep up our interests and keep us guessing about what is going to happen at the end," said Kelsey Voelkel, a Texas State University student and 21 year-old Harry Potter fan.

"I like how Rowling's writing is so unique and creative. I honestly thought that the book series would flop, but after I read the first book, I couldn't help but get the second book and then the third and so on," said Voelkel. "I like how such creative writing can keep me going back and re-reading some of the books. I've never read anything else like 'Harry Potter.'"

Rowling has completed six books and the seventh and final book is expected to be released mid-to late 2007, although this has not been officially announced yet. Throughout the series, Rowling has mentioned that the number seven has magical properties, so the theory of the release date being July 7, 2007 has gained momentum in the past year.

Though there are many rumors surrounding book seven, there are a few things Harry Potter fans can be sure of: Harry will turn 17 and be allowed to perform magic outside of school; Harry and friends will be in their seventh year, although we don't know for sure if Hogwarts will be open; seventh-years will take the NEWTs, which is supposed to be the most difficult wizarding test. Of course, die-hard fans know that even though these seem sure to happen, with Harry Potter, it's anybody's guess.

There are also some interesting rumors that Rowling herself has responded to. Some of these rumors are that Aunt Petunia will begin exhibiting magical tendencies, Snape was hiding under the Invisibility Cloak the night the Potters died, and that Harry is a Metamorphmagus. All rumors have been denied by Rowling.

So far, the only piece of information Rowling has confirmed is that two characters will die during the final confrontation with the evil dark wizard, Lord Voldemort, a.k.a "You-Know-Who." She also mentioned in an interview that the doomed characters will likely be main characters.

This has sparked a whirlwind of hypothesizing among readers. Online, readers can find sites devoted to predicting who will die. An MSN article shows that odds are currently in favor of Harry and Voldemort, although Severus Snape, a former Hogwarts professor, may have a high chance of dying as well.

Besides the pending deaths of two characters, Rowling has revealed little else. There are boundless amounts of information on the Web with rumors, ideas and discussions about what will happen in the upcoming book. For now, all fans can do is wonder and ready themselves for the final chapter in the series, which is sure to not disappoint.