‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’ opens in L.A.

From left, Camille Soroudi, 18, Gaby Witte, 18, and London Venturelli, 19, dressed as Hogwarts students for the movie’s opening.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

His T-shirt gives him away. Among fans gathered at CityWalk is a “muggle” -- meaning a non-magical person in the world of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Courtney Ortiz,18, is dressed as the character Dumbledore. She and friends from Long Beach cavort outside the CityWalk theater prior to the midnight showing.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Lauren Poissant, 19, came as Hagrid.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Ian Nelson, 16, at CityWalk.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

The latest Harry Potter film was worth the wait for fans who gathered early and noshed while waiting in line at CityWalk.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Zachary Burch, 18, left, goes for a Ravenclaw look, and Madison Meyer, 12, dressed as Fred Weasly.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Harry Potter fans queue up at CityWalk.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Lauren Berger, showing her tickets, is among a teeming crowd at Grauman’s Chinese Theater.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

In Hollywood, Harry Potter fans wait at Grauman’s for the showing of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.”  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Harry Potter fans are reflected in the doors at Grauman’s Chinese Theater.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)