Printed on the pages of millions of unopened copies of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" is the fate of a young wizard adored by devout multitudes worldwide.

At midnight tonight, however, Harry Potter's much-anticipated destiny will no longer be a mystery.

That's when the seventh and final book in J.K. Rowling's best-selling fantasy series will be released in bookstores across the United States and Europe. Ardent followers of the magical story will learn who wins in the battle of good versus evil — Harry or the depraved Lord Voldemort.

Speculation has surrounded the conclusion of the series since its inception in 1998, and some of Rowling's more recent disclosures have furthered the furor. On a British talk show in 2006 she alluded to the deaths of two main characters, inciting many fans to hone in on their divination skills to predict which of their fictional friends will meet their demise.

The million-galleon question remains: Will it be Harry?

Local enthusiasts are intensely thoughtful about their forecasting. Matthew Hirschi, 13, adamantly believes that Harry Potter will not be fatally injured. "I wouldn't like it at all. I think the whole series would be ruined," he says.

Dressed as Draco Malfoy, Hirschi shared his conjectures after attending a Harry Potter costume party last week. Casey Kitchens, 12, was dressed as Harry and insisted on speaking in a British accent when saying he neither wants nor anticipates, the death of his favorite character.

Other devotees are more trusting of Rowling's judgment. Lacey Bowen, 20, feels confident that whatever happens, "(Rowling) won't let us down. ... Even if (Harry) ended up dying."

Some readers go so far as to anticipate just how the hero will perish. Angie Pitts, who described herself as "the biggest Harry Potter fan in the world," says, "Sadly ... I think that part of Voldemort is in (Harry) and he has to kill himself to fully kill Voldemort."

A member of a Sugarhouse Harry Potter book club, 11-year-old Davis Pratt certainly follows the series but doesn't necessarily crave a happy ending. Although he says he's come to expect one through his intense study. Pratt estimates that he's read books one, two and three nine times each; books four and five seven times each; and book six twice — forming a strong basis for his prediction. "Like most people, I don't think Harry will die," he says.

Rumors maintain that Rowling might do away with the much-loved character in order to prevent other writers from continuing the storyline and leeching off the series' success. While she agrees it would be a business-conscious move, Kathy Okelberry says she hopes Rowling doesn't take that route.