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http://www.auburnpub.com/articles/2005/08/23/news/local_news/news06.txt

Harry Potter talk speculates on series' conclusion

By Sean Mills / Special to The Citizen
Tuesday, August 23, 2005 9:39 AM EDT

AUBURN - It took the Seymour Library's Barbara Stith three days to read "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling, but if she didn't have her two children to worry about, she would have read it in one.

On Monday night in the children's room of the library, she wanted to see just how many others in the city had become enthralled by the young boy wizard's latest adventure.

Stith had hoped to organize a group discussion of the various surprises and storylines in the book as well as predictions for the final story.

"This book seems to be one that lent itself to discussion," said Stith, who helps in the library with different programs and publicity. "Because I think we're so close to the end of the series that you can start thinking about how it's all going to wrap up."

Unfortunately for Stith, attendance was very sparse and only a few fans were eager to discuss the phenomenon. She wasn't disheartened, however, knowing that even Harry Potter cannot compete with a beautiful August night.

"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" is the sixth book in a series of seven about a young English boy and his adventures at Hogwart's School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. The Half-Blood Prince dealt with Harry and his mentor, Professor Dumbledore, discovering the secrets of the villainous Voldemort while dealing with Harry's suspicious rival Draco Malfoy.

The idea for a group discussion had developed after the success of a Harry Potter party hosted by the library before the release of the fifth book, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." More than 100 young people had attended two years ago, but the timing of the release this year did not fit into the library's schedule. So they decided upon a follow-up meeting.

"I don't think any of us know how it's really going to end," said Stith, who discovered the series when she was searching for books for her now-14-year-old son back when he was in early elementary school.

To prepare for the discussion, Stith searched magazine racks and Internet message boards for various hints and theories about the book. Her discussion questions ranged from who was or wasn't surprised by the death of a major character to the true allegiances of Potions Professor Snape.

The evening ended with a talk about the organizations and people in the world who view the witchcraft of Harry Potter as Satanic. One librarian discussed how some people view Harry Potter as an abomination yet love J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings."

"It's real people versus a totally made up land," said librarian Lisa Carr about the difference between the two fictional series.

By the end of the discussion, the only thing that was known for sure was that everyone would have to wait at least a few years before they would know anything else.

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