If you have finished Harry Potter . . .

[Cassie Jones (1gr8muggle)]

I promise I won't put any spoilers here. I just wondered who has finished Harry Potter, and if anyone wants to discuss anything.

It's easy to do without ruining the fun for anyone. Just type what you want to say, highlight the text, and change it to the color white. Then those of us who are finished can highlight the text and read it.

See here . . . highlight the space below:

If you have finished reading the last Harry Potter book and have something to share, I'd love to hear what you thought!

And PUH-LEEZE don't post ANYTHING about the book unless you make the text white. Even if you think it's an insignificant point.

[estir_bune]

Oh wow what a great book! I picked it up on Saturday evening and finished it Sunday!

There are a few chapters that I want to re read, but I don't know about you but for me it was one giant thrill ride! Twisting and turning all the way through! Just when I'd think I had something figured out, I read a few more pages, only to discover that I was WRONG!

didn't you just love the battle at Hogwarts? And I will have to say that I was never prouder that I named my daughter Molly than when Molly Weasley took on, and whipped_______ ! I was a bit surprised at the deaths that left the new born boy Teddy alone... glad to see reference of him in the epilogue. I also loved the comment made by Harry at the end "he was probably the bravest man I ever knew."


I really loved this book! Just wish it could continue!

[Steph]

Awesome text idea, Cassie!!!

I finished it and have been dying to have someone to talk to about.

Some of my absolute favorite parts - finding out the truth about Snape. I just KNEW it!!!! And Molly at the end was perfect!!!!!! Hearing the first and middle name of the son in the epilogue about broke my heart, but it, too, was perfect!!!! And I cried the hardest when Harry went to Dumbledore's office at the very end and the reaction of all of the headmasters and especially Dumbledore. And I was soooo thrilled that she included an epilogue! I had told my daughter that I really hoped she showed us the future and was thrilled that she did!!!

[estir_bune]

I agree with Steph...

I cried quite a bit with this book too! Tissues are a must in certain parts...
The death of _____ was so heart wrenching... the physical digging of the grave... the marker.

I too loved the response to Harry from the former headmasters portraits! AWESOME AWESOME!

[Cassie Jones (1gr8muggle)]

I loved every single page of this book. Now that I'm finished, I'm going to listen to the audiobook. It's just not complete for me until I hear Jim Dale as all the characters. He is just wonderful.

Some of my favorite parts (if I can get my head around them all):

• The opening action sequence with the 7 Harrys - very clever, and the intensity seemed to come out of NOWHERE!
• All of the backstory on Dumbledore was completely unexpected. I love that he had a brother, and that HE is the one who came to the kids' rescue.
• I was reading in front of DH, so I couldn't cry, but it was REALLY hard to hold it back many times. Probably the most emotional part for me was when he held the resurrection stone in the forest.
• I never doubted Snape.
• Neville was awesome.
• I was surprised to see Percy. I'd honestly forgotten about him.
• I liked that so many people were involved in destroying the Horcruxes, and not just Harry. Strength in friends, and all.
• I loved the idea of all the loyal students in the room of requirement ready to fight with him. I don't know why, but I wasn't expecting that huge battle in Hogwarts.
• Snape's memories - that part had me absolutely riveted. Just wonderfully done.
• Just plain proud of Harry.

The part I'm on the fence about:
I was surprised to find these scriptures in the book: "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." (1 Cor 15:26) and "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matt 6:21). I'm still not sure how I feel about that. It's weird to see scripture quoted in a fantasy book because obviously no credit can be given. I'm not one of those "HP is satanic" people - that argument is just plain silly. LOL

The part I'm not keen on:
I know the books have gotten more and more mature with each volume, but there seemed to be a lot of swearing in this one. I may sound like a prude, but the books are so well-written and the characters so well-developed, that I really wouldn't think they would be "less" realistic if they didn't cuss. I was particularly bugged that they kept saying "effing," bas**** and that Molly screamed b**** in capital letters. You can all laugh at me, but I just didn't find it necessary. LOL

Okay, I realized as I typed this that I can't bring up nearly the examples of why I loved this as I should. Time to start listening!

[estir_bune]

I wasn't annoyed so much by the swearing... I guess when Molly let loose I could so totally feel her pain. She just lost a son, and now this woman was going after her daughter... I would have said a lot worse if I were in those very shoes.

Neville! OM Gosh! Wasn't that tremendous! He grew into such a valiant young man!

[TayTay]

I finished reading it at 1:00 last night... for the last two hours, my heart was racing, I had so much adrenaline pumping that I couldn't sleep!
I can't even begin to appreciate what a brilliant writer and artist she is... how can someone weave a tale, years long, with so many varied characters - all tied together in history, family, honor, or friendship? I feel so lost now that it is over...
I kept thinking all along, how could Dumbledore have been so wrong about Snape and to find out the truth,,, I was so proud of Snape...
What an honor for Harry to name his son after him....


more later....

[Cassie Jones (1gr8muggle)]

Originally Posted by 1gr8muggle

The part I'm on the fence about:
I was surprised to find these scriptures in the book: "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." (1 Cor 15:26) and "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matt 6:21). I'm still not sure how I feel about that. It's weird to see scripture quoted in a fantasy book because obviously no credit can be given. I'm not one of those "HP is satanic" people - that argument is just plain silly. LOL

Okay, the more I've thought about this, the more I think it's kinda cool. I think I was just surprised by it (I KNOW I wasn't offended by it.) I think it's a great bit of a conversation starter for kids & their parents.

[FlowerGirl]

Cassie, I completely agree with everything you said! Although I didn't realise those were scriptures. Interesting. I also noticed the swearing and thought it seemed out of character. Ron's was ok, because he was a teenager getting older, but a lot of times it just seemed silly.

This was the only book I cried in -- when Harry was holding the stone and walking into the forest, I lost it!! My favorite chapter by far. I thought it was all very well written and overall I think she did an excellent job tying up all the loose ends. Loved knowing about Dumbledore's past and also that he was already cursed before Snape had killed him.

I loved what Neville had evolved into. Kind of Lord of the Flies-ish And I really liked that he cut the head off the snake. I knew Snape had to be good -- even if he did hate Harry. I kind of thought he might die physically trying to save him, that way Harry would have known, but I guess I'm not the author

I was surprised and disappointed at the deaths of Lupin and especially Tonks. We didn't even have a scene where we saw them battling (maybe it was cut??) they just ended up dead with a new baby left behind. Kind of like Harry I suppose, but I think Tonks' death at least was not necessary. And Dobby -- SNIFF! Would have liked to see Luna reunited with her father too! I always wanted Harry and Luna to get together!! LOL!

The only part I did NOT like was the epilogue! I thought it was extremely sappy -- everyone marrying each other and living happily ever after and all having kids the same ages (with the stupidest names ever!). And I wanted to know what Harry went on to do -- Neville was herbology professor but what about the rest? I fully expected Harry to be doing something at Hogwarts.

I'm sad it's over now though. I've been reading the books aloud to my boys so tonight we start Half-Blood Prince then I get to re-read Deathly Hallows with them

[FlowerGirl]

Oh, and I forgot to say that this is so cool -- like a secret code

[Steph]

Oh, Cassie, I totally agree with you on the cussing!!! I especially didn't like Molly swearing at Belletrix and knowing that my 9-yo dd was just a chapter or so behind me. I get that it showed emotion and that Molly was obviously extremely upset, but it's still a kids' book and I would have enjoyed it more without the cussing.

[cedarhil]

Hi. Thought I would finally join this discussion. I finshed a bit ago and I am so thriilled all came to a happy ending. You know, there is so much discussion about wizardry and how dangerous the HP seris to read, but it is all well, Rowling put that all to rest now. These books proved that wizards and humans engage in their own wars, they fight them in their own ways and there is always the hope of a happily ever after.
The most emotional time for me was at the point in the forest when he met again with his parents.
I do have another comment that pertains to something Harry said when he was last speaking to Voldemort. He said that He died So the others could live. And he did come back to life after he'd died. I thought about Jesus here. I just had to stop reading ( as I did so often in this book) and think about the relationship.
I also have a few questions
Who was the crying child in the hallows?
Where did Harry finally put the elder wand? Couldn't understand that one.
I know it was in the book somewhere But I guess I missed it, " Why did voldemoret want to kill Lilly in the first place?"
How did Neville get the sword from the goblin?
What was in the ressurection stone?[

[cedarhil]

Hi. Now I can finally join this discussion. I finshed a bit ago and I am so hriilled all came to a happy ending. You know, there is so much discussion about wizardry and how dangerous the HP seris to read, but it is all well, Rowling put that all to rest now. These books proved that wizards and humans engage in their own wars, they fight them in their own ways and there is always the hope of a happily ever after.
The most emotional time for me was at the point in the forest when he met again with his parents.
I do have another comment that pertains to something Harry said when he was last speaking to Voldemort. He said that He died So the others could live. And he did come back to life after he'd died. I thought about Jesus here. I just had to stop reading ( as I did so often in this book) and think about the relationship.
I also have a few questions
Who was the crying child in the hallows?
Where did Harry finally put the elder wand? Couldn't understand that one.
I know it was in the book somewhere But I guess I missed it, " Why did voldemoret want to kill Lilly in the first place?"
How did Neville get the sword from the goblin?
What was in the ressurection stone?

[Cassie Jones (1gr8muggle)]

Well, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one, Stacy & Steph. I was beginning to feel like a goodie-goodie. I KNOW the characters are older, and I KNOW someone might say those things (or worse) in those situations, but nobody reading these books would have noticed their absence. I can't imagine anyone saying, "Wow, those books are great, but she REALLY should have had those characters cussing. That would have made the book SO much better." LOL

I have some questions. Keep in mind that I've read/listened to every book at least three times (except this last one).

Have we ever heard of Aberforth before? I don't recall him. Did the author ever hint at his description as the bartender in past books?

What do you think those bullies did to Ariana that made Dumbledore's dad kill 'em?

Was the thing crying in the corner when Harry & Dumbledore spoke at the end supposed to be the part of Voldemort's soul dying?

And Stacy, about the epilogue . . . I didn't find it sappy, but that's only because I always want authors to tell us what happens to the characters in the future. I was a bit surprised that she didn't mention what they were all doing. Was Harry an auror, or what? Do they not NEED aurors since Voldemort's gone?

I'm almost wishing there had been a summation paragraph about everyone, like they do in movies sometimes, kwim? Something just stated matter of factly, rather then in a narrative. But, I think she just wanted to write that final chapter where everyone was just happy and there was no danger lurking.

Okay, enough for now . . . love to hear what you think about the questions I've asked.

[Cassie Jones (1gr8muggle)]

Originally Posted by cedarhil

Who was the crying child in the hallows?

I asked that too . . . I'm thinking it was Voldemort's soul.

Originally Posted by cedarhil

Where did Harry finally put the elder wand? Couldn't understand that one.

I wondered the same thing. But Harry says "I'm putting the Elder Wand back where it came from." And it came from Dumbledore's tomb. Creepy he has to do that, eh?

Originally Posted by cedarhil

I know it was in the book somewhere But I guess I missed it, " Why did voldemoret want to kill Lilly in the first place?"

I don't think he really cared much about Lily, he knew that there was a prophecy about a boy born at the end of July that would be his equal, and it was between Neville and Harry. I think Snape is the one that tipped him off about Harry, but he didn't realize he'd lose Lily in the process. That's why he was so remorseful to Dumbledore in the memory Harry saw.

Originally Posted by cedarhil

How did Neville get the sword from the goblin?

Neville didn't get the sword from the Goblin. He pulled it from the Sorting Hat "as only a TRUE Gryffindor can."

Originally Posted by cedarhil

What was in the ressurection stone?

The Resurrection Stone was one of the three Deathly Hallows. It was the stone in the Horcrux ring that Dumbledore took from Tom Riddle's uncle in book 6. Remember, it made his hand die. He hid it in the snitch, and Harry got it out at the end because Dumbledore told him it would "open at the close."

[cedarhil]

I got a message that I wasn't signed in after I sent the message once. After I dulpicated it into another reply, I found that the first one had sent after all.

Cassie, I too wondered who was crying, Don't know.
I assumed Ariana was raped. "Set upon" , I really don't know for sure.

I don't think the swearing was offensive. This was a violent book, and for Sweet Mrs. Weasley to say that word, really made me chuckle. I thought, You go girl! It was a word that could be used to show the determination she had.
I just loved the book and I too will read it many times again.

[Cassie Jones (1gr8muggle)]

Originally Posted by cedarhil

Cassie, I too wondered who was crying, Don't know.
I assumed Ariana was raped. "Set upon" , I really don't know for sure.

That thought occurred to me because of how violently her father reacted, but that would be pretty rough. She was 6. Maybe they just tortured her and drove her mad.

[cedarhil]

I had in my mind that the snitch was the actual resurrection stone.
But then I knew better than that. You see, I will need to read it again to get all things straight.
Ahhh I do remember about Why LIlly was killed.
I am too overwhelmed about all that has happened. I will think about this book for days!!!

[cedarhil]

I thought all along that Neville would die in Harry's Place.
But...... The last horcrux being inside Harry was something I had predicted after book six. Did anyone else think that?
I thought that he would die but just the part that Voldemort controlled.

[Cassie Jones (1gr8muggle)]

You know, I'm not one for always trying to figure things out, so I didn't guess about the Horcruxes at all. I knew how many there were, but I never tried to figure them out. But apparently, everyone in the world had already figured out that Harry was, based on what I've read elsewhere.

[hyperstarre]

Originally Posted by cedarhil

I thought all along that Neville would die in Harry's Place.
But...... The last horcrux being inside Harry was something I had predicted after book six. Did anyone else think that?
I thought that he would die but just the part that Voldemort controlled.

that theory was something i heard a couple of times before the book was released...but i wasn't sure. so when i read that part i was like "OMG!"

i'm still trying to digest the book. hehe.

[FlowerGirl]

I wasn't so much offended by the swearing, just surprised, as it wasn't like that in the other books. So it seemed out of character to me.

And I also think the creature in the hallows was the 'horcrux' or bit of Voldemeort's soul that was released from Harry.

OK, now I can't remember everything that was asked because of all the white text. LOL!

What does everyone else think about Tonks dying? I want to be able to justify it in my mind

[FlowerGirl]

Just have to add here...my son just walked in and I showed him the white text and he said, "Oh cool, kind of like the Marauder's map"

[Cassie Jones (1gr8muggle)]

Hee-hee, Stacy. Your son's cool in my book.

I wasn't "offended" by the cursing, it just didn't need it. I think the Lupin/Tonks deaths were to give a special connection between Harry & Teddy. And to make you cry. Poor Mrs. Tonks. She lost her daughter, husband, & SIL!

Nobody's mentioned Fred dying yet. I was sad for the Weasleys. Everyone in that family suffered to some extent.

[katrinak]

Ok...I couldn't help myself. haven't read it but couldn't resist peaking.

and all I can say is oh my I can't believe fred died...know I have to catch up on the entire series...since I'm embarrassed to say I stopped with the 2nd...

[FlowerGirl]

I agree with the Harry/Teddy connection, but in the epilogue it didn't seem like Harry had raised Teddy or anything like that. And not like his mother (Tonks) died trying to save him. KWIM? Just seemed unnecessary. But Fred, yes -- I wondered if perhaps one of the twins might die and the ear thing -- I thought that might be it. But then I started thinking maybe it would be Mr. Weasley. I had a feeling a Weasley might die. There are so many of them. LOL!

And Dobby -- have we mentioned Dobby? I can see why he died, and in the eyes of a house-elf, particularly Dobby's, he probably died happy knowing he saved Harry Potter's life

So the stone in the ring -- do you think it was just the stone when Harry got it? Or was it still a ring? I thought it was just a stone and it had broke in two and he dropped the pieces. But I was reading fast to get to the end at that point! Must re-read!!

[Steph]

Well, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one, Stacy & Steph. I was beginning to feel like a goodie-goodie. I KNOW the characters are older, and I KNOW someone might say those things (or worse) in those situations, but nobody reading these books would have noticed their absence. I can't imagine anyone saying, "Wow, those books are great, but she REALLY should have had those characters cussing. That would have made the book SO much better." LOL

I have some questions. Keep in mind that I've read/listened to every book at least three times (except this last one).

Have we ever heard of Aberforth before? I don't recall him. Did the author ever hint at his description as the bartender in past books?

What do you think those bullies did to Ariana that made Dumbledore's dad kill 'em?

Was the thing crying in the corner when Harry & Dumbledore spoke at the end supposed to be the part of Voldemort's soul dying?

And Stacy, about the epilogue . . . I didn't find it sappy, but that's only because I always want authors to tell us what happens to the characters in the future. I was a bit surprised that she didn't mention what they were all doing. Was Harry an auror, or what? Do they not NEED aurors since Voldemort's gone?

I'm almost wishing there had been a summation paragraph about everyone, like they do in movies sometimes, kwim? Something just stated matter of factly, rather then in a narrative. But, I think she just wanted to write that final chapter where everyone was just happy and there was no danger lurking.

Okay, enough for now . . . love to hear what you think about the questions I've asked.__________________

Cassie - I've read all the books numerous times and I didn't remember Aberforth but my 9 yo daughter says Dumbledore has mentioned him in a couple of books before. She was surprised that he was the bartender but knew that he existed.

The bullies - well, my first thought was rape, too, but I think she was too young. I think they just tortured her. At least it makes me feel better to think that.

The baby-like thing in the corner has been bothering me, too, but I was reading so fast at that point that I'm just not sure what it was. I've already started rereading it so maybe I'll figure it out at the end. I'm not sure about it being Voldemort's soul - could be, but it just feels weird to me.

And maybe I'm in the minority, but I loved the epilogue!!!!! I didn't really care about their careers, although it was so cool to hear about Neville and to know that Percy had stayed within the fold and was at Hogwarts - oh, and that Hagrid was still at Hogwarts!!! - but honestly, I liked the way she wrapped it all up! And I liked the way that there's a bit of a way for her to ever go back to it and fill in the gaps for us if she wants to!

[cedarhil]

I told my daughter this evening that after reading this book, I didn't feel sad for Harry and I didn't feel that I wanted more. I'm usually not ready to let the characters go, sorta like I would my own kids. But now that I know they are married and have their own families, I can say " its time for it to end and you've earned your happiness"

[estir_bune]

Did I skip over who became headmaster after Snape? I always thought McGonagall should be in line... There is mention of Professor Longbottom but who is headmaster? Time to re read!

[Cassie Jones (1gr8muggle)]

I don't think they ever said who was headmaster.