Harry Potter Finale Released

21 July 2007

7am

Popular, Causeway Pt, Singapore

I've never got up so early for work ever but at 5.30am, my body clock woke me up. Today's the day to find out the long anticipated ending of Harry Potter's 7th and Final saga.

As planned, at 7.10am, I reached Popular bookstore and the bloody queue was already on the roll. There were already more than 60 people in front of me.

> 80% of them were kids/teenagers with thick glasses.

> 10% of them were adults with thick glasses buying for their kids.

> The remaining 10% were adults with thick glasses stuck in adolescent fantasies and I'm one of them!

The Bloody Queue at 7.10am

You would think Popular bookstore is popular with their generosity to keep us air-conditioned while queuing for their overpriced books but nope, they don't care that we were all drenched in our own sweat and fanning ourselves with flyers. What was worse, either the heat got to me or I was still half asleep, there were 2 Qs and I got into the longer Q without realizing. The promotional discount vouchers were all useless as it's only applicable for some non-selling books. Not applicable for magazines, best sellers, books on promotions, new release...basically, I could only use it for cook books or soduku books!!

Luckily, this is the last Harry Potter book cos I'm never ordering from Popular again.

After 40 agonizing minutes, I finally got my copy, with the feeling of satisfaction,excitement, anticipation and while trying to control the temptation of taking the book out from the bag and started reading, I just managed to put my hand inside the bag to touch the book whilst sped walking back home. To keep me calm and happy that the book was indeed REAL.

TA DA!!!! I got it at 7.40am before the Sun is fully up!

Kid's UK version. Front and back, in my hand

Left:-The silver doe, guess whose Patronus? U'll be surprised.

Right:- Hogwart's crest.

The thickness is roughly the same as The Half Blood Prince, if not, thinner. I was a little disappointed and "I could finish it by Sunday", I thought to myself. However, as I began reading, I slowed myself down to really enjoy and capture every single detail of the plot. It was just too precious to end it and I wish I could go on reading.

Last nite, I knew I would finish but I couldn't go to work the next day if I knew that there's no more Harry Potter left. It'll be the last of Hermione, Ron, Harry, Snape, the Weasleys, Hagrid, centeurs, Voldemort, Quidditch, Hogwarts, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaws, Slyterins....the list goes on. I would feel a huge part of me which was strongly influenced for the past years since the Philosopher's Stone is missing.

As incredible as the 1st book, the final one is equally exciting if not better. I shall update more when I reluctantly savour the final bit of it tonight. To be continued....