ings CSS tno «re to ut k,” be said, and affectionately squished @ cheek of Estha's bottom. Tight plums in drainpipes. And beige and poincy shoes, “You mustn't waste it,” he said. “Think of all the poor people who have nothing to eat or drink. You're a lucky rich boy, with porketmunay and a grandmother's factory co inherit. You should Thank God char you have no worries. Now finish your drink” ‘And so, behind che Refreshments Counter, in the Abhilash ‘Talkies Princess Circle lobby, in the hall with Kerala's fist 70mm CinemaScope screen, Esthappen Yako finished his free bottle of fizzed, lemon-favored fear. His lemontoolemon, too cold. Too sweet. The fizz. came up his nose. He would be given another botele soon (free, fzzed fear). But he didn't know that yet. He held his sticky Other Hand away from his body. Tt wasn't supposed (0 touch anything When Estha finished his drink, the Orangedrink Lemondrink Man said, “Finished? Goodboy.” He took the empty bottle and the flattened straw, and sent Estha back into The Sound of asic, Back inside the hairoil darkness, Estha held his Other Hand care- fally (upwards, as though he was holding an imagined orange). He slid past the Audience (their legs moving thiswayandchat), past Baby Kochamma, past Rahel (still tilted back), past Ammo (still an- noyed). Estha sat down, sill holding his sticky orange. ‘And there was Baron von Clapp-Trapp. Christopher Plummer Arrogant. Hardhearced. With a mouth like a slit, And a steelshril police whistle. A captain with seven children. Clean children, like & + packet of peppermints. He pretended not ro love them, but he did. He loved them, He loved her (Julie Andrews), she loved him, they loved che children, the children loved them. They all loved each other. They were clean, white children, and their beds were soft with Ei, Der. Downs. “The house they lived in had a lake and gardens, a wide stairease, white doors and windows, and curtains with Rowers. | “The clean white children, even the big ones, were scared of the- PONCE Tredatnly Hallows: Sms HON, CHAPTER SIX “Ginny's probably left a speck of dust on a poxy napkin ring,” said Ron. “I dunno why the Delacours have got to come two days before the wedding,” “Fleur's sister's a bridesmaid, she needs to be here for the rehearsal. - and she’s too young to come on her own,” said Hermione, as she pored indecisively over Break with a Banshee. “Well, guests aren’t going to help Mum’s stress levels,” said Ron. “What we really need to decide,” said Hermione, tossing Defensiv: Magical Theory into the bin without a second glance and picki up An Appraisal of Magical Education in Europe, “is where we'te . going after we leave here. I know you-said you wanted to go to Godric’s Hollow first, Harry, and I understand why, bur.....well. . shouldn’t. we make-the-Horeruxes-our-priotity?” _ “If we knew where any of the Horcruxes were, 'd agree with you. said Harry, who did not believe that Hermione really understood his desire to return to Godric’s Hollow. His parents’ graves were only part of the attraction: He had a strong, though inexplicable, feeling that the place held answers for him. Pethaps it was simply because it was there that he had survived Voldemort’s Killing Curse; now that — he was facing the challenge of repeating the feat, Harry was draws. to the place where it had happened, wanting to understand. “Don’t you think there's a possibility that Voldemore’s a watch on Godric’s Hollow?” Hermione asked. “He might’ you to go back and visit your parents’ graves once you're wherever you like?” This had not occurred to Harry. While he struggled 9 counterargument, Ron spoke up, evidently following his f thought. *100*Mina ee , ( 4 tcl = {tis SitBoettes fo Pion? y Pattee. | Feuk’s ot ondtsr Aoreroxes a agree fh 7 (Dont you Mi Nk {ieee a possibiity lst haF volaemoet's’ (—— know you Said fou want to: Bs een N fs Oui Ve. NN eo} we | SHOU WE eam ih ASUNFESIICEd: CONIC 4B GO ASK Alice Tive got to get out of the cesspool! Its sucking me own and drowning mel I've got to get the hell ont of here while I still can. Tomorrow! Tomorrow for surel After the goddamned rain stops! @ ‘Who the hell cares? At last the goddamned rain ‘has stopped! The sky is as bine as it was ever meant to be, which I gather. is unusual for this avea, Doris and I are both going to cut out of this asinine assed place. There's going to be a rally in Southern California. Wow! Here we comel @ Ym actually and literally and completely sick to my stomach. I want to puke all over the shitty world, ‘Most of the way down we rode with # big fat assed, baby screwing truck driver who picked us op ‘and got his kicks by physically hurting Doris and ‘watching her cry. When he stopped for gas we both ‘sneaked out even though he had threatened ws. ‘Man, what 2 mother ... We finally got another ‘ide with some of our kind and while they shared their prass with us it must have been some home grown stuf, because it was so fuckin weak it could ‘barely get us off terra firm. @ ‘The ‘ally itself was great, acid and booze and” pot a free as the air. Even now colors are stillshe yanqned ak}