Two years ago, when "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" came out, we were in Ennis, Ireland.

Although we had pre-ordered the book back in the U.S., there was a little bookstore around the corner from our hotel that was opening at 7:30 a.m. to sell the book. We decided that since we were there, we would get a copy of the British version to read on the plane back to the U.S.

About the time the bookstore was to open, I snuck over from breakfast, figuring there would be a big line. There was a church and a bank next door to the hotel with a small alleyway leading to the bookstore parking lot. When I got there, there was no line. I walked in and there was still no line. I figured I had the wrong day.

The clerk at the children's counter said, "Oh, you've come through the back. Everyone's out front with Dumbledore."

The bookstore had two entrances, one on the parking lot and one on the main street. The street entrance was the main entrance, where everyone was waiting for the doors to open. The bookstore had hired a magician to entertain everyone while they waited and while the store was open, nobody wanted to miss his magic tricks.

So, I bought my copy and was given a paperback copy of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" as well as a bag of goodies. I left via the same door, the first in Ennis (and Colorado Springs) to have my copy of the sixth installment of Harry Potter.

This time around, since it is the final Harry Potter book, my family decided to go to one of the many Harry Potter book parties. My wife dressed as Sybil Trelawney, telling fortunes along the way. We never did decide exactly who I was. My daughter decided to be just herself.

There were a lot more "Muggles" than we anticipated, however, there were a fair share of Hermiones, Harrys and Bellatrix Lestranges. Unfortunately, we got there a bit late, so we were "Green B" and didn't get our book until about 1:30 a.m. But we enjoyed the crowd and are enjoying our book.