Harry Potter #7: (SPOILERS APLENTY): Now that you've read it...

[DeadlyAccurate]

@merrily

I didn’t care for the human-type cursing, damn and bitch, etc. – it just seemed out of place, and I don’t remember any in the previous books.

It was there in the earlier books (as early as 2 or 3, IIRC). I distinctly remember damn and hell, and probably piss off. Also several times as the kids grew older were there mentions of rude hand gestures.

I loved Mrs. Weasley’s “NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!” because it showed how absolutely at the end of her rope she was. This was a woman you know does not normally use foul language. But she’d just seen her dead son’s body and watched a killing curse just miss her youngest child and only daughter. This was a woman who was pissed. LeStrange didn’t stand a chance against her.

[OttoDaFe]

@rocking chair

<snip>

i’m thinking mr dumbledore’s fasination with goats occured after some sort of magical sdmb hazing ritual.

<snip>

If I were a wizard, I think I’d want my Patronus to be a squid.

[NajaNivea]

@Hentor the Barbarian

(Although to me, the whole idea of the ability to detect underage magic and the ability to detect the Taboo word makes me wonder why it’s so very hard to find someone on the run. Surely if you can know when and where a certain word is spoken, you can find a person?)

You know, I wondered why the most powerful dark wizard in a century didn’t have some kind of motion detection spell that would show Harry & Co approaching in the tunnel three feet to their right. A crate over the entrance was the best they could do for security?

[NajaNivea]

@whiterabbit

There’s one thing about the books that irritates me the most: Hagrid. Sorry, people, but he irritates me more and more as the books go on. I reread the last couple in the last few days before getting this one, and he flat-out pissed me off, even though he certainly doesn’t deserve some of the treatment he gets from Ministry sorts.

So why on Earth, right at the beginning, would they send the real harry off with HIM??? In so many ways he’s a blundering incompetent. Stupid, stupid, stupid!

Oh, man, I love Hagrid.

[NajaNivea]

@Diceman

I’ll admit that I was a slightly saddened to find out that Stan Shunpike really is a Death Eater. Plus, there’s a good chance he died in that fight.

Nah, he’s imperioused, as someone else mentioned. That’s why Harry just disarms him, he didn’t want to hurt Stan because Stan wasn’t acting of his own accord. Remember? That’s how the DEs realize it’s the real Harry.

@snowblindfrog

On page 59 it says that Harry pointed his wand at the falling sidecar and yelled Confringo! and the sidecar exploded. (presumably with Hedwig still in it) Poor Hedwig, not only did she die…but she got blown up too. :0(

I dunno, I thought it was quite nice–something like a Viking funeral for his friend, he didn’t want them profaning her body and such.

@Aguecheek

1. This is the first we’ve heard of a “trace” on underage wizards. If it is indeed the case that the trace is attached to the underage wizard him/herself rather than his/her general vicinity, then the Ministry should have known way back in Azkaban that it’d been Dobby that was throwing those spells around, not Harry.

No, it’s not. It’s explained in book 2 and again in book 5. This is the first time we’ve heard the term “trace” as the name for it, but the concept was definitely there. The trace is attached to the underage wizard, but doesn’t detect their magic specifically, just magic performed in the close proximity. That’s why they’re able to do magic at The Burrow, such as cleaning off the handkerchief or whatever it was–the trace detects the magic but there are legit adults around performing magic too, and the Ministry can’t differentiate, so they’re okay. It’s really only a concern when they’re out on their own.

[Weirddave]

@Arnold Winkelried

slitterst, I believe you’re right. That would explain all the gushing by Hermione - Ron was so wonderful! He was amazing! etc.

No, I don’t think so. AFAICT, it would have been their first time. Who is wonderful and amazing their first time, after all?
Also, did anyone except me wish Harry had said “I’m your huckleberry” at the end as he decloaked to face Voldy for the final battle?

No, I didn’t think so.

[susan]

If I were a wizard, I think I’d want my Patronus to be a squid.

Mine is a flying spaghetti monster.

[susan]

If I were a wizard, I think I’d want my Patronus to be a squid.

Mine is a flying spaghetti monster.

[kaylasdad99]

@Arnold Winkelried

Yes, ditto to what ivylass said. He is described with a “strangely blank” countenance in that scene.

Just to confirm: the “huge mistake” Dumbledore mentions that it is possible for him to make, because a clever person’s errors are bigger than a regular person’s blunders, was trying to reunite the Deathly Hallows, and in particular putting on Marvolo’s ring in an attempt to use the Resurrection Stone, instead of immediately destroying the horcrux hidden inside that ring. Right?

As I understand it (from Snape’s Exposition Fairy potion), he DID immediately destroy the Horcrux, and without harm to himself.

And then, he put the ring on to try to use the Deathstone for its intended purpose. THAT (again, AIUI) was what triggered the curse Voldemort had placed on the ring.

I was about to say that I thought the curse-triggering removed the resurrection properties of the ring, but then I realized that Harry did summon their virtue as he entered the Forest. I suspect Dumbledore wore the ring for a period of time to make absolutely certain the curse that made him a terminal case was completely drained away, and would not be able to harm Harry when it came time for him to put it on.

Anyone want to speculate that Dumbledore deliberately activated the curse upon himself (for Harry’s later protection), and merely allowed Snape to believe that he had blundered? It would be consistent with Dumbledore’s need-to-know approach to security.

[Dewey_Finn]

Regarding the rumor that someone was spared from dying in the book, J.K. Rowling was interviewed by Meredith Vieira for the Today show, and she said, “Mr. Weasley, he was the person who got a reprieve. When I sketched out the books, Mr. Weasley was due to die in Book Five.” She’s also going to publish an encyclopedia of the wizarding world, providing more detail on the character’s past and futures.

[Dob]

Finished last night… wow. So many thoughts, and so many of the already said. I will miss this series. It’s like having a best friend move away. Yeah, you will write to each other at first, maybe call a few times, but sooner or later you will realise that six months have passed and you haven’t talked at all

One of the cool things I liked in this book is that she finally showed that the wizarding world wasn’t all a bunch of idiots. People outside of DE’s and OOP’s could actually perform magic and fight. I liked that part. Watching the teachers and the very school itself stand up and fight was the best part for me. Very good stuff!!

[oft_wears_hats]

Finished this morning. A tad disappointed, but all in all it was a solid ending to a great series. I vote for no continuations, ever. I’m all for a handful of sidebooks like Fantastic Beats, but no more main story books.

I thought the epilogue was a bit lacking. She had been advertising it as an explanation of what happened to the surviving characters. I had kind of expected a Harry did this and Hermoine did that and Hagrid did this, which I admit is a sloppy way to write, but she basically only told us:
• Harry is alive, his scar has not hurt since Voldemort’s downfall. He is married to Ginny and has three children, two named after his parents and one named after his mentors.
• Ron and Hermoine are alive and married, they have two children.
• Neville is alive and teaching Herbology at Hogwarts.
• Draco is alive and has one son.
• Lupin and Tonks’ son is alive and well. He practically lives with the Potters.

What about Luna? The rest of the Weasleys? Hagrid? The other Hogwarts professors? I honestly expected at least Luna and Hagrid to be included in the epilogue.

I found myself getting a bit annoyed with Hagrid this time, as well. I was nervous when he wasn’t moving at the start of the “Fallen Warrior” chapter, though. Also, you can’t beat him throwing that bastard MacNair into the wall. I’d been waiting for that since Book Three.

When Voldemort was flying from place to place, and finally to Hogwarts, to check on the horcruxes, did anyone else envision it similar to Neo flying around in The Matrix sequels? You know, fixed camera, V facing front with his cape fluttering behind him (sunglasses optional), with the landscape whizzing by? It was hard to keep a straight face at those parts even though I knew that Death incarnate was speeding toward our heroes.

I also had to stifle a laugh when I read the line “Dark Lord with the Deathstick.” I know “Deathstick” is supposed to be scary and it does sound like a unique item in Diablo II, but hearing it paired with Dark Lord, the alliteration plus “stick” was too much for me.

Two of the most shocking moments for me:
• Harry breaking his wand. I really felt for Harry there. I mean, that was *his *wand, it was the first true confirmation of his status as a wizard, he survived a duel with Voldemort with it, he kicked Death Eater ass with it. And then it breaks, in an accident. Total bummer.
• Ron’s private duel with the locket. I was so scared that it was going to take control of him. I was so proud of him when he destroyed it.

Dobby’s death made me get misty eyed, specifically when Harry wrote his epitaph. Harry visiting Godric’s Hollow and seeing his old house preserved as a monument, complete with encouragement written on the sign was very touching, as well.

So what happened with Voldemort exactly? I kind of got the feeling that as the horcruxes were destroyed the soul pieces are also destroyed. But what about the pieces that resided inside of humans? Harry did see the writhing bit of soul in King’s Cross. Did the central bit of V’s soul that still resided in his body also end up writhing in agony on the floor of King’s Cross? Harry himself does suggest strongly that V’s death would result in that.

[RachelChristine]

Gah! I was so excited to be the first to post that it was Mr. Weasley who was supposed to die and got reprieved, and wouldn’t you know that the last post contains that nugget.

Other than that, everyone has pretty much said what I thought. I wished a few Slytherins had turned. Fred’s death affected me the most, with Tonks & Lupin a close second (though I often wondered about either of them being an imposter), hoped to see Luna & Dean together after their little hand hold, and I’m still not sure how I feel about Snape’s redemption, but liked the little scene with Albus Severus. Loved that Lily called him Sev though! Really thought the epilogue was cheesy and love the idea of the Wizarding Cards.

[Guinastasia]

One thing my mother pointed out-Harry never really mourned Hedwig. I will say that Rowling dropped the ball on that.

[cmkeller]

Yeah, forgot to mention in my post - I’d love for Hagrid to have ended up marrying Madame Maxime. Was also a bit surprised not to see her at Fleur’s wedding to Bill.

[Sampiro]

My main disappointment was no final-roundup of the Death Eaters. I’d love to have seen the Malfoys taken into custody (Draco full-pardon, of course, but arrest him at least; Narcissa some sort of house-arrest thing, and Lucius life-in-Azkaban [because the fact he didn’t participate in the final battle didn’t wipe clean the fact he’d been a right bloody bastard before]). Also wanted to see Fenrir get killed (which would supposedly break his bloodline and thus stop Teddy from possibly becoming a werepuppy).

I’d also love to see Umbridge arrested. Since she’s not a Death Eater and “was only folloving orders” she couldn’t be imprisoned probably, but at least destroy her career, break her wand, and put her in Azkaban for three weeks on tax evasion or something. (Wonderful if vindictive would have been to see her wandlessly begging.)

When I saw the movie HP&T[P-or-S]S I was surprised at how much the goblins resembled the Nazi caricatures of Jews. Going with that theory, their portrayal in this book when compared to vicious anti-Semitic stereotypes would have made Mel Gibson proud. Hopefully it’s just me.

I was disappointed that Neville was Herbology Professor at Hogwarts. It’s an okay job I suppose, and she’d mentioned he excelled at it, but he became such a kick-ass it made me hope he’d be an auror or at least Deputy Minister. I also LOVED his grandma (and while I loved Molly’s “You Bitch” line as much as others, I assumed Gran would be the one to take out the bitch who destroyed her son and da.-in-law). I wasn’t at all surprised that no Mrs. Neville was mentioned as he too much resembles Stephen Fry to be straight.

Nice seeing that Slughorn really was one of the good guys even if his House was not. Also nice seeing flaky Trelawney kicking ass. I couldn’t figure why the centaurs decided to join in when it was a lost cause, though.

The Purgatory Station was a bit cheesy but ultimately okay. I’d have had everything but the plan of what to do now erased from Harry’s memory when it was over.

Question: Is there a reason that a good-guy can’t use the Avada Kadavra when battling a Death Eater? It would seem alright to kill in self-defense. I’m sure this has been mentioned in other books but I’m not recalling it.

Overall I thought it was a worthy close to the series but not the best book at all.
Worst fault was too slow during the hiding parts (plus their lack of knowledge of any major character but Voldemort during those scenes, while great at creating isolation, did slow it a bit) and too many "but… but…"s during the GREAT GRINGOTT’S ROBBERY and the “put the locket in a pocket [and give a flagon to the dragon]” bit. Best was the entire Battle of Hogwarts (I so hope Maggie Smith holds out long enough to kick some serious cinematic ass in a couple of years) and Harry’s Comitatus of Corpses (though I wondered why Fred and Tonks weren’t among them) going with him to the (Pen)Ultimate Showdown with Voldemort.

Linguistic note: anybody else notice this difference in UK and US English- that Rowling ends sentences with “done” that we’d end a word earlier at “have/had”? Example: “This wand worked better than his last wand had done” or “He handled the situation differently than his dad would have done”. A little difference I wasn’t familiar with.

(ps- I think Albus and Gellert were having themselves a time up their on BrokeWitch Mountain

[Guinastasia]

@Sampiro

When I saw the movie HP&T[P-or-S]S I was surprised at how much the goblins resembled the Nazi caricatures of Jews. Going with that theory, their portrayal in this book when compared to vicious anti-Semitic stereotypes would have made Mel Gibson proud. Hopefully it’s just me.

I didn’t see it. Yeah, they have big noses, but they’re kinda pointed, and they have wrinkled up faces and pointy ears.

Unless you mean their attitudes, but aren’t goblins supposed to be greedy-little trolls? I was thinking of them more like Smeagol/Gollum in LOTR.

[Arnold_Winkelried]

@Sampiro

Also wanted to see Fenrir get killed (which would supposedly break his bloodline and thus stop Teddy from possibly becoming a werepuppy).

I thought Fenrir was killed by Trelawney dropping a crystal ball on his head.

[oft_wears_hats]

Another thing: If the Elder Wand recognized Harry as its master, and thusly would not attack him (hence the rebounding AK curse and Voldemort’s death), why did it work on him the first time in the forest? Wasn’t Voldemort using the Elder Wand then? I know it’s convenient and necessary for the bit of his soul to be removed from Harry’s body, but shouldn’t the Elder Wand have refused to kill Harry?

Or was it the Expelliarmus that Harry cast coupled with the fact that he was the recognized master of the Elder Wand that enabled Voldemort’s curse to bounce back to him? Kind of like a more dangerous Priori Incantatem.

One of my friends said all the loose ends are tied up but there’s still plenty to noodle over. For this I’m quite glad; debating HP canon with friends is a treasured pastime of mine. Thanks JKR!

[RickJay]

@Guinastasia

One thing my mother pointed out-Harry never really mourned Hedwig. I will say that Rowling dropped the ball on that.

1. He was a little bit preoccupied.

2. Not everyone spends a lot of time busted up over losing a pet bird. Some people get over that sort of thing pretty quickly.