LONDON - Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling said Tuesday she was sad but relieved to have completed the final book in her young wizard saga as she greeted excited fans at the European premiere of the latest movie in the series.
Hundreds of fans - dozens had camped overnight to secure a spot in front of a London cinema - waved flags, placards and scarves as Rowling and actors arrived at the capital's Leicester Square.
The seventh and final book in the Harry Potter series is to be published worldwide July 21.
"Finishing it was very, very emotional. It was a combination of relief and sadness really," Rowling said at the European premiere of the fifth movie, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix."
Details of her latest book are secret guarded from even her own family, Rowling said. Fans pleaded for clues, seeking to learn the answer to the most hotly anticipated plot twist: Will Harry die?
"It's been a hell of a month. I'll want to know what the people in my house think of it," she said.
London's Leicester Square was transformed for the film premiere, draped in green and gold to imitate the film's Ministry of Magic.
Asked what plans she had for the near future Rowling said: "I'm looking forward to going on holiday."
Stars of the movie at Tuesday's premiere included lead actors Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson.
"We're a big gang," said Watson, who plays bookish know-it-all Hermione Grainger. "We call it the Harry Potter family."
Radcliffe, who stars as Potter, said the newest film was darker than the previous four, presenting him with a new acting challenge.
"They're more challenging but that's what makes them more exciting for me as an actor," Radcliffe said. "That's a lot more fun to do than just the action side of things."
Fan Janice Brophy, 20, said she had camped in the square since early Tuesday morning to be sure of a spot close to the cinema.
"To be here, in the inner sanctum of the Ministry of Magic is amazing," said Brophy. "I'm such a big fan. To be here and to see them in the flesh is surreal."
The movie opens in the United States on July 11 and in Britain the following day.
Rowling's final wizard book "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," has already racked up 1.6 million in pre-order sales, said online retailer Amazon.com.
