The Westwood Village Barnes & Noble heated up like a cauldron Friday night. The "Magical Madness Party" began at 6 p.m. As the witching hour approached, over 700 Harry Potter enthusiasts, about a quarter of whom were dressed in Potter-themed garb, queued up to get their copy of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," the seventh, and final Harry Potter book.

Customers who ordered their 795-page, $21-dollar tome in advance, in some cases, six months ago, were rewarded with a gold wrist band, and a place in the front of the line. Those who did not pre-order wore blue wrist bands, and had to wait until about 300 gold banded customers made their purchase. It was just 15 minutes past midnight when the first 200 had been served. The line moved fast, and it seemed as though author J. K. Rowling was giving Bill Gates a run for his money.

The first three in line won their coveted spot with a store-sponsored trivia contest and scavenger hunt a month ago. The winner did not show, which bumped youngsters, Henri Bernard, of West Seattle, and John Paul, of Burien, to first and second in line respectively. Bernard says he likes the "Chrestomanci" fantasy series by author, Dianna Wynne Jones, in addition to Harry Potter.

Paul, who was comparing Potter trivia with Bernard, says he had not read her yet. Of the Potter series, he says he loves book two, the "Chamber of Secrets." He wore a black cape to the event, and a "Time-Turner" necklace, which appears in "The Prisoner of Azkaban," and allows for time travel. It seemed to work, as he and his dad sailed out the front door just two minutes past midnight with book in tow.

The "Magical Madness Party" featured specialty drinks at the coffee bar including "Goblin's Juice," "Troll Goo," and "Wizard's Poison," a colorful concoction of strawberries and cream, with sugar-specled "purple magic" added.

In the children's section, helper Cori Leininger, this night was "Cortus Aerelius, professor of potions." "You start with red cabbage juice, and poor in vinegar, and the potion turns pink," said the professor. "If you combine baking soda to the cabbage juice, the liquid turns blue. Laundry detergent makes green."

Bill Preusser volunteered at the "magical creatures" table where children combined imagination with Play-Doh. Dragons seemed the popular theme, many with polka-dots.

Robin Ennis-Cantwell, Community Relations Store Manager, seemed to be in three places at once, overseeing activities, and making sure the midnight mayhem was relatively orderly. "We'll stay open until the last customer gets their book," she said, adding, "Then it's the employees turn."

Over the intercom it was announced, "When you buy your book, please don't give away the ending." Two teen-aged girls sporting blue wrist bands were nearing the front of the line when one asked the other, "How long will it take you to read it?" Her friend responded, "Depends how good it is."

Steve Shay may be reached at wseditor@robinsonnewscom