reported by Jordan Frantz, FictionFanatic.com

Fans have gotten together in Toronto, Canada in anticipation of the release of the final Harry Potter novel. Sixteen volunteers have created a Potter Party in Casa Loma (http://hp-casaloma.virgin-designs.net) for July 20th, which has many fans buzzing in excitement.

With Casa Loma being an actual castle built in the early 1900s, the location already gives the sense of a Canadian "wizard school." This was one of the main inspirations which triggered the event's organization.

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reported by Brian Scott, FictionFanatic.com

The Grey School of Wizardry has launched the 2007 Apprentice Wizard Essay Contest. The theme of this year's Contest is "Why I Want To Be A Wizard." The Contest is open to all aspiring Wizards between the ages of 11 and 17 years old (as of October 1, 2007). Contestants do not have to live in the United States of America; entries are welcome from all countries worldwide. The purpose of the Contest is to promote magickal scholarship in young people, and it is free to enter and submit an essay.

All Essays must be typed (not handwritten) in English, and be between 400 and 500 words long. Contest entries must be new, original, and unpublished essays. Essays will be judged on how well they fit the theme, how convincing they are, and the overall writing skill.

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