Meet 7 Southern California muggles still under the spell of Harry Potter

 The 7 Southern California muggles who are  still under the spell of Harry Potter

 The keeping of the secrets ends tonight.

Harry Potter fans around the world are rejoicing in their Hermione costumes, their round glasses, their Gryffindor colors as a new book and play will be unveiled overnight.

 “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” a two-part play that was endorsed, but not written, by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling will go on sale in book form for a suggested retail price of $29.99 at 12:01 Sunday morning.
The play, which has been getting rave reviews, officially opens today at the Palace Theatre in London’s West End. It takes up the story of Harry Potter as a father, 19 years after the end of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.” It was written by playwright Jack Thorne, and it introduces Harry’s son, Albus, who is about to enter Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The nerdiest of the nerdy fans have waited for years for more Harry. The last book was released in 2007. The last movie was released in 2011. There’s enough pent-up longing to fill Hogwarts’ Great Hall.
Childhoods will be relived tonight.
There are bookstore parties, dress-up meetups, movie marathons and even an event that begins at Union Station in Los Angeles — on a platform marked 9 3/4, just like in the first book — and ends at The Grove.
Here’s a sampling of the excitement Potter fans are feeling around Southern California:

She’s got seven Harry Potter-related events to hit this weekend.
“I’m pretty sure I’m in two places at once sometimes,” she said, suggesting that a little wizardry of her own may be in order. “Harry Potter has been part of my life since I was Harry’s age in the first book (11). The books gave me strength in my own life.”
Aiani, who works in marketing in Woodland Hills, also writes, produces and acts in “Nerder Mysteries,” which feature Potter-type characters and raise money for Rowling’s children’s charity Lumos. She once got a letter from Rowling: “Keep fighting. You’re inspirational. With love and admiration, Jo.”

She has those words tattooed on her arm.
“The new story is for the new generation,” Aiani said. “It is for the parents and their children.”
And she’s going to Whimsic Alley in Los Angeles for tea on Sunday to cap the weekend.
“You have to do it,” she said.
He once won a Harry Potter dress-up contest by simply wearing the clothes he wears to work every day — sweater, button-up shirt, tie.
“I’m one of the few people who dress like Arthur Weasley (Ron’s dad),” said Blumberg, who works in planning and development for the Orange County Fire Authority. “I can wear my normal clothes and win first prize.”

Blumberg plans to buy the book at midnight.
“I want to see what is happening in the wizarding world,” he said. “The popularity doesn’t come from Harry Potter himself. It comes from Harry Potter and his friends that figure out how to save the day. It’s underdog stories. I hope someday I’ll get a chance to see the play.”
On Monday, he leaves for his other nerdy pursuit — the Star Trek convention in Las Vegas.
Sometimes, kids change priorities.
Breen was one of the biggest Harry Potter fans for years and years. She organized meetups and conventions. She would dress up as Hermione Granger. Then she had Lily (named for Harry Potter’s mother) more than three years ago, and Samantha last year.

“I’m no longer a Gryffindor,” said Breen, a stay-at-home mom and yoga instructor. “I’m a Ravenclaw. I’ve changed. I’m fighting smarter, not harder.”
This weekend, she plans to miss the parties and wait until Sunday to go pick up the book.
“I’m going to have to read it in snatches — because kids,” she said.
She’s happy to have Harry back in her life. Her back still hurts from an old Quidditch injury.
“We thought Harry Potter was gone from our lives,” she said. “I haven’t dressed up for five years. But now, we can immerse ourselves in the story a bit longer.

“Growing up is really rough on this hobby.”
She’s been planning this party for two months. Wannier works at the Flintridge Bookstore and Coffeehouse in La Cañada Flintridge, where they have candles and brooms ready for a big party tonight.
Her twin sister, Rae, is flying in from Berkeley to attend.
“I credit my sister with getting me started,” Wannier said. “She could recite the entire first chapter of the first book word for word.”
How excited is she?
“Is there a scale that goes large enough to measure?” Wannier said.

She said she will not sleep tonight. “I’ll be reading,” she said. “J.K. Rowling is one of the best world-builders ever. She can make you smile with her details. She has great characters for both old and young.”
She’s a fan of the Harry Potter movies.
Williams is a collector of Harry Potter stuff, like posters and costumes and props. She even has a script signed by the stars.
“I’m running out of room in my bedroom,” she said. “I couldn’t walk so I had to put it all in boxes.”

She is “definitely” excited about this weekend, but “I wish I was in London.”
She can’t wait to see what happens with Hermione, who was a white girl in the movies, but is black in the stage play.
“When I heard about the black Hermione, I thought, go for it,” she said. “It doesn’t matter if her character is pink, blue, red or purple.”
She is heading to Wal-Mart.
At midnight, Barber will be at the store near her Murrieta home to get her hands on the “Cursed Child.” By that time, she will have seen all eight Harry Potter movies, as she launched a marathon Friday night. That’s about 17 hours of movie-watching.

“I went to all the movie releases at midnight,” she said. “This is a continuation of my childhood.”
She doesn’t know what to expect from the grown-up Harry Potter.
“It’s kind of making me nervous,” she said. “I’m wondering how they grew up, and how they’re raising their children.”
One skill she has not mastered in her years as a Harry Potter fan is Quidditch beer pong.
“I didn’t play well,” said Haslett, who is hosting a costume party at the Frugal Frigate bookstore in Redlands at 9 tonight. (Beer pong will not be played.)

“We’re going to be total kids tonight,” she said. “We’ve got a costume contest, a trivia contest and we’re going to make some wands.”
How excited is she about this week? “On a scale of 1 to 10, I’m at 9 3/4,” she said. “Get it?”
Now that she’s an adult, she’s learned the love for Harry Potter spans all generations.
“Everyone can find a bond with one character at any point of your life,” she said. “You want to believe there’s a little magic left in the world.”
All the Harry Potter fans, as they plan to get reaquainted with their favorite story tonight, should remember the words of Albus Dumbledore:

“Let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure.”
Barnes & Noble stores will host a “Harry Potter Countdown to Midnight Party.” Call your local store for details.
Flintridge Bookstore and Coffeehouse will host a book launch party beginning at 10 tonight. 1010 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada Flintridge; 818-790-0717
Frugal Frigate bookstore is hosting a costume party, trivia contest and wand-making beginning at 9 tonight. 9 N. Sixth St., Redlands; 909-793-0740