finished the book last night
First off, I'd like to say that even though I'm now calling this my favorite that I've loved Dumbledore ever since the first book, he's always been my favorite character. His death hit me harder than Sirius and I was crying until I had finished reading.
JKR had warned us about this, saying that it was "a very intense book" and also this:
Book six does what I wanted it do do, even if nobody likes it (and some won't). I know it will remain one of my favorites of the series." - Movie Magic
To me this book was really shocking, so much that I felt as if I were suffering from severe motion sickness afterwards. This is my new favorite because of how intense and real it is, because it shows us that even though Jo loves Dumbledore probably more than any of us, she's still telling the story and while it remains in her control as the writer, at the same time it isn't. Get it? That's very realistic, and to me the book was very emotional and touching. However I know that I'm going to be very upset about his death for a while.
On a lighter note, how do you feel about the shipping, eh? Ron/Hermione, ha! They didn't actually start going out yet, but there were huge, obvious moments when they expressed their feelings for each other (who could forget that wonderful Herbology lesson, Harry ducking out of sight to give Ron and Hermione a chance to "talk") and the whole Ron/Lavender/Hermione love triangle. They were just trying to make each other jealous. I've been a R/Hr shipper ever since I read CoS for the first time, and for all you other long-time R/Hr-ers...We told them so! *wink* Hope Jo actually hooks them up in the next book. *high five*
Harry/Ginny ^_^ My second OTP. I'm so glad this happened. Even though I had firmly stood behind this ship, I still had doubt knowing we were nearing the end of the series and still nothing had happened. How silly I was! Always have faith in Jo. Been shipping them since the very first book! (I was inspired when I read about her being at King's Cross, tugging on her mother and pointing at Harry. how cute) I was a little disappointed when Harry said they couldn't date anymore though I perfectly understood. But who knows, maybe they won't break up? Ginny said she really didn't care about Voldemort and then it was sort of left like that. Even if they do break up, I'm sure they'll still have feelings for each other, so how do they escape that? Force themselves? This makes me concerned about Ginny dying in the next book.
Oh, and I now hate Snape as much as I hate Voldemort. Burn in hell you scum. I just used to think he was misunderstood..
Any thoughts on R.A.B.?