Book a place in line

Nearly 1.6 million copies of the final Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, have been pre-ordered online ahead of its release on 21 July.

According to online retailer Amazon, J. K. Rowling's seventh Potter book has become its most pre-ordered product. And UAE bookshops are feeling the effects too.

With more than 6,000 copies reserved in shops across the emirates, store managers say they are already preparing for the mad rush when the book officially hits the shelves at 3.01am on Saturday.

Around the world, demand has surpassed a previous record of 1.5 million copies ordered ahead of the release of The Half-Blood Prince.

Officially on sale at 12.01am UK time, fans in the UAE are being offered the chance to get their hands of a copy at the exact same moment in time in the Middle East - 3.01am.

Stores including Virgin, Jashanmal, Borders and Magrudy's all plan to brave the rush and open their doors in the middle of the night to quench the need of hardcore fans.

But if, like the rest of us, it will take a lot more than a few reams of bound paper to get you out of your bed at 2am, incentives are also being offered.

Borders, Mall of the Emirates: Doors open at 3.01am for a special launch.

"Dubai-based Potter fans can start unravelling the final mysteries of the series at the same time as the rest of the world," said group director Vivek Bahirwani.

Customers can expect to be treated to a Harry Potter theme party, with Harry Potter costumes, quizzes and store decorations setting the tone for the evening. Special entrance to the mall can be gained at parking Level 1, area T-Z. In a run-up to the event, Borders has also made this week a special Harry Potter activity week for children.

"Over the past 10 years the Harry Potter series has transformed the book retail industry worldwide," added Bahirwani. "We want Dubai to share in the excitement of this event."

Virgin Megastore, Mall of the Emirates: Doors open at 3.01am for a prize fest.

As if the rush to be one of the first to lay your hands on the latest instalment of the Harry Potter books wasn't already intense enough, Virgin Megastore adds another reason to queue.

The first 100 wizards to pick up their copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows at the store will get instant prizes; one of which is a trip for two to the UK aboard Virgin Atlantic, including a four-night stay at the Royal Horseguards Thistle, courtesy of Visit Britain, as well as 99 other instant prizes such as Dh50 gift vouchers and 10 per cent discount vouchers.

"Being one of the first 100 to get the final edition of the Harry Potter series is exciting enough, but to win a trip to London and stay in a castle-like hotel will certainly offer one Harry Potter fan a magical experience when they win the flight with us to London," said Andrew Fyfe, regional manager.

Those Potter fans whose body clocks won't let them attend the 3am release can still take advantage of Virgin Megastore's Dubai Summer Surprises offering when they buy Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows or any other of the store's wide selection of books, CDs, DVDs, games or Apple Mac products. Customers instantly get a Dh50 gift voucher with every purchase worth Dh350.

Magic at Magrudy's

Dig out your school uniform and get ready to walk the corridors of Hogwarts Academy along with Harry Potter and his classmates. Magrudy's is transforming Egypt Court at Ibn Battuta Mall into the famous school and registration starts at 3.01am sharp!

With more than 2,000 expected, the store has arranged performers, games and activities which will run through until the early hours of the morning. In the run up to the launch the store is also offering a free copy of the book, which can be collected at the Hogwarts party, to anyone who spends more than Dh250 in any single transaction.

Don't forget your broomstick and don't be late for class! Other Magrudy's shops opening at 3am include:

India's Harry Potter

Jashanmal in Abu Dhabi and Dubai: Potter fans will have a chance to meet India's answer to Harry Potter when the seventh instalment of the story is released on July 21.

He was like any other boy in his class until his professor told him that he resembled the J. K. Rowling character. And since then it has been an exciting journey for Dhaval Dave - the world's most uncanny wizard look-alike.

Dhaval, from Ahmedabad, will leave India for the first time to become the UAE's official Harry Potter look-alike for the weekend as a chief guest, courtesy of book store Jashanmal.
Have your picture taken with the closest thing to Harry Potter on Saturday, July 21 at:

Sunday, July 22 at: