Harry Potter survives final story

For months, speculation had raged among Rowling fans about which major characters, perhaps including Potter himself, might meet their demise to conclude the seven-book series.

The Harry Potter saga has apparently closed with a magical finale.

In the novel released at 23.00 GMT Friday in Europe, Africa and Asia and due hours later in the western hemisphere, author JK Rowling has let the title character survive the last instalment of his dangerous adventures.

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows sees the schoolboy wizard triumph in a final battle over evil.

For months, speculation had raged among Rowling fans about which major characters, perhaps including Potter himself, might meet their demise to conclude the seven-book series.

Several million copies of the Deathly Hallows are expected to be sold within a day of its official release.