The Pledge of Silence: Walmart Pledges to Keep Quiet About New Harry Potter Ending

July 21st marks the release of the latest Harry Potter installment, Deathly Hallows, the last of J.K. Rowling's best selling series.

The internet is abuzz with speculations of this final installment, and what the last chapter holds.

While many contemplate, millions of others make a pledge to keep the silence, a pledge led by Wal-Mart.

Wal-Mart's Pledge to Harry Potter Fans

There's plenty of excitement brewing,
As the final chapter draws near;
But hearing the story's end from others,
Is what magicals and muggles all fear;
So at Wal-Mart worldwide we've decided,
To make a pledge to our customers that's clear,
We'll keep silent on what we discover July 21,
So you buy without fear of reveal here.

In an interesting marketing strategy Wal-Mart released a statement, July 9th, that their associates have made this pledge so that loyal Potter fans can buy their books on the day of release without worry of being told, or over hearing, the ending.

Wal-Mart expects that sells will be highest in cities within Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Florida, Hawaii, Missouri, Texas, Utah and Virginia, and will be giving out free earplugs to those fans who truly wish the silence to be kept.

They are taking this pledge in the UK, Canada, Puerto Rico, and other countries as well as they expect July 21st to be the biggest Read-a-thon on record as fans flock to stores around the world.

24 hour Wal-Mart locations are also planning Potter Parties on Friday, July 20th, with special entertainment. They are encouraging fans and associates to dress up in their Harry Potter attire, and will sort fans into Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, or Hufflepuff with color bands to ensure a place in line for the book, though there is no guarantee they will get a book.

Others prepair for Deadly Hallows as well.

Scholastic will be holding an outdoor street celebration in New York, at Scholastic headquarters in New York City (Mercer St. between Prince and Spring), on Friday, July 20th, to last until the following day.

They plan a press conference at 8am the 21st, and have a 20-foot high moving Whomping Willow, and entertained with activities and entertainment including: fire-eaters, face-painting, wand-making, magicians, jugglers and stilt- walkers.

The seven week national tour of the Deathly Hallows Knight Bus, a replica of the "violently purple" triple-decker bus from the Harry Potter books, will arrive at Scholastic at 557 Broadway at 8 a.m. for the press conference and will remain from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m where fans can make recordings of their thoughts on Harry Potter to later be viewed on the website.

Many other smaller, quieter, parties are planned by local book clubs, book stores, meet ups, and groups. To find one near you try meetup.com or your favorite local book store.