Confessions of a Harry Potter Fan

[KathyK]

Hey all,

Spent yesterday reading.  Slept a really loong time last night to 
make up for not sleeping at all the previous night.  Loved HBP.

For OoP, I did the midnight party thing at a local Barnes and 
Noble.  It was a blast.  I thought I might do it again this time but 
it turns out I had to work until 11pm on Friday and there was no way 
I'd reach Barnes and Noble from work by midnight.  

So I reserved my copies instead at the Waldenbooks where my best 
friend works.  They opened at 6 am on Saturday.  Surely I could wait 
six hours from its release to get my hands on a copy.  It's been 
*two years.*  Six hours is Nothing.  Heh.

The plan was to get out of work, and hang around until it was time 
to leave.  I would never wake up in time to get my book if I went to 
sleep.  My friends, though, had no such dilemma.  I spoke with them 
briefly as I left work.  They decided to get a few hours in before 
leaving for Waldenbooks.  "Fine," I said.  "Be that way."  The pouty 
response had no effect and off they were to dreamland.

What was a girl to do with five hours on her own the night of the 
HBP release?  Sit home, read some more of OoP?  Catch up on my 
lagging correspondence?  Watch a movie?  Start the laundry?  The 
possibilities were endless, yet none appealed.  I began by obeying 
my grumbling stomach, and headed for Stop & Shop by my workplace.

The inside the double doors read, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood 
Prince Party  11pm-1am."  I promptly ignored the sign and began 
meandering the aisles.  I chose my supper, and stocked up on some 
munchies for the Big Read.  My meandering kept me as far away as I 
could from the center aisles, where a small crowd had gathered, some 
dressed like the HP characters.  I was not interested in a midnight 
release.  I would get my copies in due time.  

If only it were so simple.  If only I had willpower.  As I stood in 
line to pay for my goodies, my eyes lingered long on the Main 
Event.  There was cake and food, a woman dressed as McGonagall, her 
son as Sirius Black...and in the center aisle, a large pile of boxes 
covered with a tarp and chains, the bottom confirming what I knew 
had to be: Boxes marked "Harry Potter."  

The internal struggle began as I started scanning items (Stupid, 
self-checkout.  Hadn't even realized I was in one of those lines.  I 
generally don't use them on principle.  But I was *distracted.*).  

"Come, on, Kathy.  Let's just pay for this stuff and get out of 
here.  You'll have the book in a few short hours."

"Yeah, but, it's right *there.*  I can *see* the boxes.  There 
aren't many people here.  I would have it so soon."

"Yes, but you reserved it elsewhere.  And besides, aren't you 
joining your friends later.  It's not really fair if you've already 
started reading.  Will you be able to keep your mouth shut about 
what you've learned?  Not likely, you bigmouth."

"I won't tell them I got one here.  I won't tell them I started it.  
Promise!"

"Still, it's not right."

"Ooh!  and I only reserved *three* copies at Waldenbooks.  I need 
four.  Remember?  I forgot to get one for cousin Kalin.  I promised 
her months ago!  Then I won't have to worry about a shortage at the 
other store."

"You've got a point..."

I knew I'd broken through.  "And," I pressed on, "*Buying* the book 
doesn't necessarily mean I'll start *reading* it.  Knowing I have it 
could be enough to satiate the compulsion."

This was weak and I knew it, but it was what I really wanted.  Sense 
and fairness died as I put my groceries into the car and turned 
right around back into Stop & Shop.  I waited twenty minutes.  One 
of the managers removed the chains and tarp and all waiting inched 
forward as the boxes were open and books were distributed.  I 
grabbed my copy and paid immediately.  Guilt-ridden yet pleased, I 
left the store and drove home.

Even at home I fought myself before cracking the book.  Just four 
more hours until Waldenbooks.  I could wait.  And there was that new 
factor, preventing me starting on HBP immediately:  Having this book 
means there's only one more left.  Once I've read it, this will 
happen only once more.  

That last thought, more than the Guilty Purchase, stopped me opening 
the book...for another hour. <g>  I got through Chapter Six before I 
left for my real book party.  

I tucked my copy under my bedcovers, disposed of the receipt that 
might betray my midnight visit, and did the Waldenbooks party.  I 
almost slipped once, something I'd learned from the new book, but 
caught myself.  When my friend began reading the first chapter on 
our way home, I tried to react as if this were the first time.  I 
think I got away with it!  Hee!  

The only problem, of course, will occur when I forget I did that, 
and blab my own secret.  It's bound to happen.  I really am no good 
at keeping my own secrets.  

KathyK, just wanting to share