While you're waiting for the Potter finale

In this image released by Warner Bros. Emma Watson, Rupert... — In this image released by Warner Bros. Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe are shown in a scene from "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2." Read our review here. Credit: AP

By SYLVIA E. KING-COHENsylvia.king-cohen@newsday.comJuly 8, 2011

Midnight, Thursday -- that's when "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2," the eighth and final movie in the popular series will open. As fans of all ages tick down the minutes for the final reunion with Harry and the gang on the big screen, here are a few ways to fill the time:

1. WATCH 'HALLOWS, PART 1'

You'll want to get reacquainted with exactly what Harry, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley and He-Who-Cannot-Be-Named were doing at the end of the last movie. Brush up this week by watching "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1" again. The movie is available on DVD, but watching with a crowd of fellow "Potter" lovers is far more festive.

To that end, the Town of Babylon is hosting an outdoor screening of "Hallows Part 1" at 8:30 p.m. tonight (rain date Tuesday) on the Town Hall Lawn in Lindenhurst. Admission is free -- bring your own blankets and chairs -- and picnicking is encouraged (631-893-2100, townofbabylon.com).

On Thursday, select AMC Loews movie theaters are screening "Hallows Part 1" at 9 p.m. -- you'll stay in your seats for midnight debut of "Part 2." Admission is $20, which includes both films -- you'll want to buy your tickets far in advance. Participating theaters include Huntington (631-425-7682), Roosevelt Field (516-741-4008), Westbury (516-745-6937) and Levittown (516-731-5422).

2. LEARN 'POTTER' MAGIC

Tricky Business, the magic and balloon shop in East Meadow, is giving Muggles (that's non-wizarding folk) a lesson in casting spells like Harry at two free one-hour workshops today. "We're going to teach them how to do magic tricks using everyday objects around their house," says owner and magician John Reid. Six tricks will be taught, including linking paper clips, mind-reading and making things "float." Participants will receive a wand.

Workshops start at 2:30 and 4:30 today at the store (2590 Hempstead Tpke., East Meadow). Call ahead to reserve a spot (516-520-4004, trickybiz.com).

3. TEST YOUR 'POTTER' TRIVIA

On Wednesday, Lindenhurst Memorial Library is hosting a free viewing party of "Hallows Part 1" that kicks off at 2 p.m. with a round of trivia before the screening. The event is open to ages 17 and younger, no registration required, free admission tickets available in the children's room starting at 1:45 p.m. (631-957-7755, lmlonline.org).

Meanwhile, Port Jefferson Library cardholders are invited to the teen department's "Pandemonium" bash at 3 p.m. Thursday that includes trivia, wand-making and a screening of "Hallows Part 1" (631-509-5707, pjteen.org).

"These kids have grown up with Harry," says Erin Schaarschmidt, head of the Teen Center. "We just didn't want the kids to have such a big letdown with the end of the movies."