The Russian version of the seventh and final Harry Potter book is now on sale. The launch, coming three months after the world premiere of the English version, was scheduled for midnight sharp.

But the lateness of the hour, the freezing cold and rain failed to keep away fans eager to get their hands on a copy.

J.K. Rowling`s ``Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows`` is the fastest-selling book ever, with more than 11 million copies sold worldwide in the first 24 hours when the English-language editions hit the shelves in July.

The first six instalments of Harry Potter adventures combined have sold nine million in Russia. The printers have already shipped as many as 1.8 million copies of the final book and they are already planning to put out additional copies.

The Russian translation of the title ``Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows`` was chosen through an internet poll.
sections: Culture