- An enormous crowd of wizardly types thronged Platform 9 ¾ at Sydney’s Central Station early this morning, as well as a few Muggles tagging along for the show. The Ministry of Magic provided entertainment by jugglers, fire-eaters and harpists, while sundry robed dignitaries greatly resembling Professors from Hogwarts took time from their busy schedule to be there.
- The fire-twirlers and jugglers amuse the crowd (especially when they drop things for the news cameras). Watching bright shiny things is one way to wake up at 7am on a wet, grey morning.
The crowd was well-behaved while it waited, as we had been warned that anyone who pushed or shoved would be sent to write notes for Lockhart (on an endless basis!)
- Gleebooks chose its shopfront trademark font for the signs, disappointing some picky picky HP purists (overheard muttering that it wasn’t like the movie). But the Glebe landmark bookshop did such a good job making so many kids excited and happy that they deserved to make it absolutely clear that Gleebooks was behind it all.
- The Harry Potter merchandise display of earlier books by JK Rowling and other books on Pottermania tantalised those awaiting the lifting of the worldwide embargo at 9:01 Sydney time.
- All Aboard! The 3801 Steam Train Society provided the train and carriage attendants for the trip.
- … and off she goes at 7:30 am
- The van arrives with the books while the train is on its journey. The Phoenix is uncaged! The boxes await 9:01 Sydney time.
- Roger, proud Platform 9¾-guard, event manager and all-round ringmaster, takes a break while awaiting the mayhem when the train comes back.
- 8:40am The Gleewarts Express returns, full of happy kids replete with chocolate frogs and jelly beans, eager to sort into their Houses to await the uncrating of the books.
- The wait gives the news crews a chance to talk to all the wizardly folk.
- (With neckwear like this, you just know that turban belongs to someone in Slytherin.)
- Our kids ended up in Ravenclaw.(Yes, it was rather windy on the platform)
- The waiting dragged a bit, enlivened by the Gleebooks Green-cloaks and their HP quiz, but everybody was watching the clock …9:00 and all is well!… 9:01 at last!
- 9:20am- Success!
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – got it!
