Where will you be at the witching hour on Friday night? Here's a list of midnight Harry Potter parties around South Africa... so grab your broom, your spells and your friends (or parents!) and head on down to your closest bookstore to experience the magic.

Cape Town:

• Exclusive Books at Cavendish Square:
Starting at 10.30 pm on Friday 15th July there will be magicians, fancy dress competition for the best Harry Potter character, prizes, quizzes and a treasure hunt.

A big clock will mark off the minutes to 1am while visuals from the Harry Potter movies will play on a large TV screen. At 1am a gong will sound, the book will appear in Exclusive Books and the frantic fans will fill the store.

• Wordsworth Bookstores around the Western Cape will be holding fancy dress parties and parades from between 11pm and midnight, with some even inviting magicians for extra fantasy. The participating branches are: Somerset Mall, Gardens Centre, Waterfront, Longbeach, Tableview and St Georges Square in George.
• Exclusive Books at Somerset Mall:
Live entertainment, live radio broadcasts, dress up competition, lucky draws. Exclusive Books will sell the book at 1am in the courtyard and until such time will have the more than 100 boxes of books guarded by security.

• Exclusive Books at Tygervalley:
Also live entertainment starting at 10pm, the book will go on sale at 1am.

Johannesburg:

• Exclusive Books at Montecasino:
Step inside and watch the magical world of 'Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince' come to life. Privet drive, Hogwarts School, the forbidden forest are all there waiting to be experienced by you.

It's an enchanting 20-minute ride filled with mystical elements JK Rowling has made us love: a Sorting Hat and live monster books, talking tables and wands from Olivanders! We'll be open for a midnight party on Friday 15 July, new book will go on sale at 01.01am on Saturday.

• Estoril at Fourways Mall:
The official launch on the 16th starts at 11am and continues through the night - with a whole lot of events.

The following CNA stores nationwide will be open for midnight launch parties as well:

Gauteng: Menlyn, East Rand Mall, Sandton, Cresta, Fourways, Killarney Mall, Clearwater, Rosebank, Hyde Park, Westgate, Centurion, Brooklyn, Benoni Lakeside Mall, Hatfield.

KZN: Eastgate, Pavillion, Gateway, Woodlands, Midlands Mall, Musgrave Other: Lowveld/Nelspruit.

Cape Town: Victoria Wharf, Canal Walk, Tyger Valley, Somerset Mall, Vincent Park, Walmer Park, Greenacres, Mimosa Mall, Cavendish Square.