‘Potter’ series to conclude July 21

The world will know this summer which “Harry Potter” characters die in the seventh – and author J.K. Rowling says, final – installment of the wildly popular book series.

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” will be released July 21.

Spells won’t get fans the book any faster, but some retailers were already cashing in on Thursday.

Moments after Scholastic announced the release date, online retailer Amazon.com sent out mailings offering pre-orders for the book for $18.89.

Although the company did not release sales figures, Amazon reported seven hours later that it had already pre-sold twice as many copies of the new book as it did during the entire first day it offered Rowling’s sixth book, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.”

The Spokane Valley Barnes and Noble didn’t wait for a specific release date to start pre-selling the book. Department manager Kent Roberts said the store started taking orders a few weeks ago, knowing a date would soon be announced.

Spokane “Harry Potter” enthusiast Sue Pace said she will buy the final book as soon as possible.

“We are so all over it,” said Pace, speaking for her family and friends.

As for which characters will die in the new book, Pace only hopes one of them won’t be Harry.

“I don’t think he’s going to die. I don’t think she will kill him,” Pace said. “She can’t.”