SUBMITTED BY Neville Longbottom

May 29, 2002 — Potter fans around America waited eagerly at their favorite store Monday night for the DVD/Video release of Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone. The Atlanta Journal and Constitution has one girl's story.

What does a true "Harry Potter" fan say when handed a plastic black-and-white magician's wand? "Hallelujah! I forgot mine!" Courtney Bailey, 23, of Carrollton spoke just those words as she led a small pack of Potteraniacs late Monday night awaiting a limited supply of free DVDs and other handouts at the Blockbuster Video at Rivermont Station in Alpharetta.

The event, including free pizza, jelly beans and special appearances by a one-eyed great horned owl and a screech owl from Chattahoochee Nature Center, marked the DVD and video debut of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." The free wand completed Bailey's black get-up, a head-to-toe sorceress' ensemble that included a tall wizard's hat she had purchased at Six Flags Over Georgia.

"My friend in Virginia is going to be so jealous," Bailey said as she waited at the head of a line for one of 25 free "Potter" DVDs the Blockbuster store handed out at the stroke of midnight. Bailey had arrived at the store at 5:15 p.m. (it took her 90 minutes to drive from Carrollton to Alpharetta). She said she's seen the movie at a theater 15 to 20 times.

Her only problem with the film version? Said Bailey: "It certainly doesn't have enough Severus Snape in it."

Thanks to Squirk!