The entry in which I can't stop writing about Harry.
Nevermind that I just got back from a trip to Hawaii with my husband's family and was on a plane ALL DAY Friday, all I could think about was getting home to read that book. I knew I had it coming in the mail Saturday and could not wait until 3 or 4 p.m. for it to arrive. So I went to Target around 10 (after getting to bed at 2:30 a.m. the night before because of aforementioned flight from Kona) and had to stop from literally running to the HP book display. I was teary eyed as I held it and nearly ran to the cashier to plunk down another 18 bucks or so. I did not care that I would have two copies at my home. Not one bit. I sat in my car in the Target parking lot and read about 100 pages in one hour and realized I better get home although my husband and kids knew very well what I was up to. I finished reading at about 1 a.m. and that is with about 2 hours of taking care of kids here and there. Thank God it was a Saturday and Mike was home otherwise I would have gone insane. Anyway, here are some of my thoughts. I'll post pics and crap about the Hawaii trip tomorrow or something.
LOVED
*I loved JKR's quotes by Aeschylus and William Penn right off the bat. I loved that she offed someone in the first chapter--albeit someone we hardly knew--and had someone else imprisoned and screaming in Malfoy's dungeon while said teacher is killed off. We knew JKR wasn't messing around and there would be hell to pay in this book. I was surprised at how wishy-washy the Malfoys ultimately became, and how uncomfortable they were with Voldy camping out at their house, although I loved the scene where Narcissa lies for Harry because all she wants to know is if Draco is alive.
*Loved the fact that she made the kids what they were for most of the book: bungling teenagers that were fighting amongst themselves about food and loyalties and their disappointments in each other and wondering why the hell didn't Harry have a plan? It was realistic and their frustrations at trying to make a go of saving the wizarding world without any help were really well portrayed.
*That Moody died in battle. That's what he would have wanted and we all know it. Bit of a shock though. Plus the seven Harrys idea was too cool. And Voldy can fly! Holy crap! But I like when JKR keeps giving him these new powers because he should be constantly changing and bettering himself at being able to kick ass.
*That she didn't make R/Hr a big kissy fest. She handled their relationship perfectly and how Hermione comes to respect him more and more--FINALLY Ron is not the idiot he is always being portrayed as. He had a cool scene with the locket demolition. How did those two get out of the Chamber of Secrets at the end though?
*Probably one of my favorite scenes is that creepy as hell one in Bathilda Bagshot's house. I mean, holy crap, she turns into Nagini, who is writhing and trashing the hell out of the place while Harry and Hermoine are literally jumping across furniture out a window while they apparate in midair to escape!! All the while Harry is experiencing Voldemort's memory of his parent's death. It was just too much to take in and it was one of the few scenes I had to read over just to fully appreciate it.
*I'm glad Harry finally got a handle on the mind connection thing. It was about time he used that to his advantage.
*Riding a dragon out of Gringotts!
*That Dumbledore wasn't this perfect character we all believed him to be, and Aberforth was cool, esp. to let half the wizarding world traipse through his pub. And feed them.
*Neville and his kickassery!! And his Gran as well.
*OMG MOLLY WEASLEY. I loved her even more than ever. I just wanted to see her battle Umbridge for good measure. Neville probably shoulda been the one of dispose of Bellatrix, but Molly was so awesome in that scene.
*I loved how Harry never got a moments peace: at the wedding, at Godric's Hollow, at the Lovegoods, there were all these epic battle scenes all the time. Just how I thought it would be.
*The final scene was just perfect, Harry was not afraid, he knew he was meant for that moment. And he had already died once, how bad could it be again??? By then we knew he wasn't going anywhere though. Thank the Lord he wasn't killed off.
*I was just sobbing when Sirius and his parents came back to escort him to his "death" and he wanted his Mom to stay close. Sobbing.
Poor brave Harry.
I WISHED WE HAD MORE OF:
*Fawkes. I thought he would be back to escort Harry on his excursions.
*At least write a little about the scene where Lupin and Tonks die, geez. That was so undescriptive.
*Closure than that silly epilogue. What was the world like now that Voldy was gone?? It was very sweet and set up millions of fanfics about all the kids, but was too much of a pink polka-dot bow on the top of everything for me. Harry getting an ovation from all the headmasters in DD's office was probably better closure.
*Umbridge going DOWN. I hope something heinous happened to that beeotch.
*Hedwig. :( She went so quick in the story, that was such a huge surprise. And I guess Harry lost his Firebolt during that scene, too?
And R.I.P. Fred O_________o. That was so sudden, and after Percy and he had reconciled! I was never a big fan of Dobby, but that death was tough as well. I could just see Harry digging away at his little grave. *sob*
Overall guys, I loved it. JKR touched on all the major themes running through all the books so well, and gave so many characters their just due (Neville), I am still reeling and have tons more to say, I just need to still digest and re-read a lot of it again. And again. Hope you all read it soon so we can discuss.