Potter devotee cries on stand

A Harry Potter fan who wants to publish an encyclopedic guide to the wildly popular fantasy novels broke down and cried on the witness stand Tuesday as he faced off in federal court against his idol, J.K. Rowling.

The British author sued Steven Vander Ark’s publisher, RDR Books, last year, claiming that their “Harry Potter Lexicon” -- based on Vander Ark’s fan website -- infringed on her copyright.

Vander Ark wiped away tears when he was asked to reflect on what the case had done to his relationship with the community of Harry Potter fans. “It’s been . . . it’s been,” he stammered, choking on his words, “it’s been difficult because there has been a lot of criticism, obviously, and that was never the intention.”

Rowling and Warner Bros. are trying to prevent publication of the “Harry Potter Lexicon,” which Vander Ark and Michigan-based RDR had sought to publish last fall.

Its release was delayed pending the outcome of the suit.