Deathly Hallows
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SPOILERS!
SPOILERS!
SPOILERS!
I'm sure by now that there are reactions all over the web about this final installment in the Harry Potter series. I'm going to add one more to the pile and offer mine for what it's worth.
First, I must talk about Snape. I am so glad that JKR finally clued in the rest of the world that Snape was Dumbledore's man through and through. In the end he turned out to be the bravest character (and possibly the most honorable) in the entire series.
I have to say that most everything that I thought would happen in regards to Snape's character did happen. When I read about the Doe Patronus, I KNEW it was Snape's. I just thought that it had to be his because we didn't know what his was, and it was the match to Harry's stag, which makes sense because Harry's is supposed to be his father and Snape's of course was Lily. I just knew that he loved Lily Potter and she was the reason he did anything in his life. I didn't realize that they would have been friends when they were younger, but I think it makes a lot of sense. I felt so sad for him after reading "The Prince's Tale" because his love and sacrifice was never really appreciated while he was living.
I knew after reading book 6 that Snape would die in book 7. There was of course the tiny hope that he would somehow survive, but ultimately I knew he would be killed. That's why I cried so much two years ago, why I threw that awful book across the room and why I was so prepared for reading his terrible death in book 7. I have to confess that when I read of his death, I looked to the next page without crying, though I did feel extremely sad and my heart was indeed very heavy. Honestly, I wanted to know all the answers to the questions I've been asking since I saw Chamber of Secrets. I thought his death scene was handled ok, especially Snape requesting Harry to look at him before he died-- I think it was to see Lily's eyes once more. I was satisfied by what I read in that chapter, but it made me angrier than ever at Dumbledore.
I don't know how all of you felt-- but reading book 7 made me not like Dumbledore. I noticed that Harry had come to terms with it by the end of the book, but I was not won over. I was really pissed when Dumbledore said, "Poor Severus..." and that was it. He took extreme advantage of Snape's love for Lily. Yes, Snape said he'd do anything and he made good on his promise, but as I read that revealing chapter I kept thinking of Dumbledore, "What a bastard." Maybe I'm out of line? I dunno, I just didn't forgive Dumbledore his flaws the way that Harry forgave him. That's the one thing I didn't think that JKR did convincingly enough. Hah, perhaps I'm just taking my anger about Snape's death out on her.
Overall, I thought Deathly Hallows was a fitting end to the series. I wasn't spoiled when I read the book and actually think I enjoyed it more not knowing what was going to happen next. I was very, very glad that the trio survived. Though she killed so many! When Hedwig bought it so early in the book, I knew she wasn't going to pull any punches. I think I was most shocked about Dobby. I just didn't expect him to die. I also couldn't believe she killed Fred. Poor, poor George. I can't imagine how awful it would be to lose a twin. She really went whole hog on the Tonks/Lupin ship and though I'm not particularly fond of it to begin with, I was surprised that she axed them both. I really liked Lupin. And Bellatrix met a fitting end at the surprising hand of Mrs. Weasley! Of course there's so much, I'm sure I'm forgetting something.
This was quite an action-packed book. I was glad to see both Hermione and Ron step up to the plate. I was of course going crazy that more than halfway through the book they'd only managed to find one Horcrux and still hadn't destroyed it yet! I missed the other students though and again, the DA members. I'm glad that Neville really came into his own and how awesome was it that he got to destroy the last Horcrux? Oh, and Narcissa really was the one who allowed Voledmort to fall wasn't she? If she had said that Harry was alive, then Harry wouldn't have made it to that final duel.
Oh, and one more thing: Albus Severus? Oh yeah, I was happy! Especially after what Harry said to his young son and his fears about being sorted.
Gosh, there's so much to talk about, I'm sure that I'll have more to say later. But I'd love to hear from anyone on the final book. What did you guys think?