Wizard-in-training nabs first 'Deathly Hallows'

Courtesy photo THE FIRST COPY sold in Jasper of J.K. Rowlings "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" went to Tanner Casey, 10, who stood in line with mom Cynthia Jones for hours.

Tanner Casey spirited the first available copy of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" out of the Jasper Wal-Mart minutes after midnight July 21.

Worldwide web sources report the book sold 8.3 million copies in the first 24-hours. It is the seventh, and last, in the magical Harry Potter series by English author J.K. Rowling.

Casey is the 10-year-old son of Cynthia Jones of Jasper. During the school year he lives in Arlington, but spends his summers here.

They were first in line when Wal-Mart brought in the load of books, wrapped in black paper and held back until the witching hour.

By midnight, Jones said the line stretched from customer service all the way to the grocery department.

People weary from standing in line cheered when the paper was whisked away and Casey bought the first book. He also won a decorated Harry Potter cake.

Rowling's books have followed three students through the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry into adulthood. More than 325 million books translated into 64 languages have been sold, and the five moves have, so far, earned more than $4 billion dollars.

"Getting to buy the first copy here is the highlight of Tanner's summer," Jones said.