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(KMOV) - At the stroke of midnight a frenzy erupted at bookstores around the nation.

Hundreds of people lined up at local bookstores for their chance to get their hands on a copy of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."

Some were so excited about the new release they actually took a seat in the store and began reading.

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling added to the magic Friday night in London.

She read aloud from the final book at its midnight release.

The reading took place before 500 children at London's Natural History Museum.

The series may be over, but expect the books to be on the literary landscape for years to come.

Book industry experts say Harry Potter's publisher could make up to $15 million just on the book alone, not to mention the book's tie-ins.

The Harry Potter series has also spanned five films, with two more to come. The films have grossed more than $4 billion globally.