Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows
Oh man, so much to say.
HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS
So when I settled myself down yesterday morning with my newly bought book, a bowl of muesli and yoghurt, and a cup of tea, I had no idea what I was in store for. I'd, somehow, managed to remain spoiler-free for this book, except to hear that two main characters died. Other than thoughts of Horcruxes, no Hogwarts, and a final battle, my mind was literally a blank slate when it came to imagining a plot/storyline.
Maybe that's why I find myself adoring this one so much; no expectations. My favourite by far. And that's saying something, seeing as books 4, 5, and 6 have failed to knock Prisoner of Azkaban out of top spot for the past few years. But it didn't start out like that ...
GENERAL THOUGHTS
Hedwig! Moody! Dobby! Fred! LUPIN! (Oh, good Merlin, why did you have to kill my favourite character?!) Tonks! Snape! Colin Creevey! It was a wonder I could read at all for all the crying I was doing. I wanted to mention the main deaths as they occurred, to avoid fragmentation, but I just can't; they've upset me too much. Truth be told, I went and had a swig of Baileys when I found out Hedwig had died. It just seemed too soon. Too sudden. Too ... foreboding. [I bet everyone who got a free Hedwig doll at Borders is now clutching it tightly.]
But that's the tone JKR was trying to set for the book. That this wasn't something Harry could bluff, stumble, or luck his way out of. It was dark, and unfair, and heart-breaking. It was a war, after all. The continual and sudden reappearances of Death Eaters (and Voldemort) had my heart pounding each time. Thank Merlin for Apparition! So many times, I thought our trio were goners. The danger seemed more paramount at the beginning of the book, because it was so unexpected, but after the first few attacks, I started to suspect that everything was a Death Eater attempting to Curse them--that they weren't safe anywhere. I can't believe they stayed in Grimmauld Place as long as they did.
Courage vs cowardice was a strong theme in the book, naturally. All of the characters seemed to realise that this was the end and weren't afraid to fight for it. Well, except Mundungus. Lousy git. I loved the feel of camaraderie between our heroes; their strength and their unity. Even from little Kreacher (didn't he turn out to be a gem?). The sense of devotion is what won this book for me.
HALLOWS, NOT HORCRUXES
I found the Hallows storyline to be quite interesting and was frustrated, once again, with Hermione's refusal to believe the myth. In the end, I liked that it was Harry who came to the conclusion that he wouldn't pursue them; it's what separated him from Voldemort.
And Harry had one the whole time! My amazement at JKR's ability to secretly slip crucial information into a storyline continues. And I was so caught up in the story I didn't stop to think that, of course, Dumbledore would be the owner of the Elder Wand if he'd defeated Grindelwald all those years ago. When Gregorovitch's memory showed a young boy with blonde hair stealing the Wand, my first thought was actually of Lockhart; wouldn't be the first time he'd stolen something, would it?
The Resurrection Stone! When Lupin started talking about little Teddy and how sorry he was that he wouldn't know him, it was all I could do to keep from howling. I can't believe that Harry gave it up in the end. I would have thought he'd keep it for others to use; those who never had a chance to say goodbye or those, like him, who lost loved ones before they knew them. My first thought was of Teddy being able to talk to Lupin and Tonks. But then, the Stone was supposed to hold the dead in the mortal realm, wasn't it? Yet Dumbledore was eager to use it as soon as found it? And how then, was Harry able to let go of his loved ones? Was it because he'd given in to the idea of dying? That part was less clear for me.
Sidenote: when Hermione was reading "The Tale of Three Brothers" and it described the Resurrection Stone's power to see the dead as though through a "veil", did anyone else think of the veil through which Sirius had disappeared? I was fully expecting it to be explained in this book, but it went without a mention. Hopefully it will be in this mysterious "Book 8"?
As for the Horcruxes, JK, you sneaky imp--slipping the diadem of Ravenclaw into Book 6 so cleverly. The only other Horcrux that surprised me was Harry. Fans had long-speculated the theory of him being a Horcrux, but I dismissed it at nonsense, because I didn't think that Voldemort would voluntarily make someone he had to kill into something that contained a piece of his soul. But the fact that he involuntarily did it changed everything. Despite the fact that fans already guessed it, it's still a pretty clever piece of writing.
HARRY
Champion. Hero. The Boy Who Lived. I know many readers who aren't actually very fond of Harry, but he, Lupin, and Snape have always been my favourites. I actually didn't cry when Voldemort struck him with the Killing Curse, because I knew he wasn't dead. I've always known he wouldn't die. What a crap arse way that would have been to end the series. And there was all of the foreshadowing with Ginny. No way would there have been so much emphasis on their relationship if they weren't going to get back together.
The scene at King's Cross was interesting. What was the place, exactly? A sort of Limbo?
I loved that he was so much more mature in this book. Especially with his resolve to keep their mission a secret and not accept help. So determined, brave. My heart was clenching when he finished Snape's memories and resolved himself to what he had to do. In fact, my heart was clenching a lot for particular Harry moments in the book. The visit to his parents' graves at Godric Hollow springs to mind. Finding Lily's letter. Not being able to return to Grimmauld Place. Burying Mad-Eye's eye. Seeing the ghosts of his parents.
But the final battle was, naturally, his shining moment. When he faced Voldemort, defied him, knew he would win. Did win. I love you, Harry James Potter, with your eyes as green as a fresh pickled toad. You're my hero.
RON
Ah, ya Spattergroit git. Storming off like that, thinking Hermione and Harry were snogging *shakes head* It was interesting to see more of Ron's character, we really only ever get to see him as the dorky sidekick. I thought the idea that one of the trio would crumble under the pressure and leave was quite realistic. I couldn't help but think of Lord of the Rings when he spoke about how the locket was taking hold of him. But, of course, he redeemed himself. A true Gryffindor.
Harry: "He must've known you'd always want to come back."
The hug between he and Harry was touching, as was Hermione's threat to set enchanted birds on him again. And I was pretty impressed that he managed to speak Parseltongue to get into the Chamber of Secrets. Snaps.
HERMIONE
Awesomesauce. Being bookish and somewhat OCD, I've always had a soft spot for Hermione. I was so touched when she told Harry she'd sent her parents to Australia (quietly: yay!) and modified their memories, so that they would forget her.
When Bellatrix had her screaming under the Crucio Curse, I was shouting as much as Ron. I kept thinking of Neville's parents and I didn't want Hermione's brilliant brain to be ruined like that. And I was so afraid Fenrir was going to get her! All those threats about enjoying her skin, they were making me shudder.
And--finally--the kiss between her and Ron. About. Freakin'. Time. And all because of house elves.
SNAPE
Not evil. Most of us knew as much (high 5, youdreamer). My heart was aching for him in the Pensieve; in love with Lily Potter all these years.
Dumbledore: "All this time?"
Snape: "Always."
Her best friend. How he must have hated himself when he called her a Mudblood. No wonder he loathed Harry so much; to have the eyes of his beloved look at him from the face of his bully ... must have been like a stab to the heart. It tears me up inside to read his dying scene, when he asks Harry to look at him, so that the last thing he sees is Lily's eyes. Please give me a tissue box now.
When he was crying over Lily's letter in Grimmauld Place! Well, let's just say that I've had a secret crush on Snape for about the last seven years, and the Pensieve showed a lot of things I had only ever imagined that Snape would think or feel. My crush remains in tact. I thought it touching that Harry named one of his children after him. And I loved the insights into his relationship with Dumbledore. He remained true to him, right until the very end.
LUPIN AND TONKS
How about when Lupin sent Harry flying into a wall?! That was mad fun. Not because Harry deserved it (I rather think he was right to put Remus in his place), but because it was great to see him emotional in a way that we normally don't.
Tonks was wicked, as always. It was a pleasant surprise to find out that they were having a baby--and a metamorphagis at that. And making Harry the Godfather, so sweet.
The only thing I don't agree upon was their deaths. They just felt empty and pointless to me. To kill both of them, after they just had a baby? It felt as though JK was trying to force sadness upon us. Maybe I'd feel differently if we knew how they'd died. The emptiness of it is probably to do with the fact that we know nothing about their deaths. That, and Lupin is my favourite :(
[Sidenote: would have preferred it if Fenrir had been taken down by Lupin. Poetic justice and all that.]
GINNY
Go, you little red fire engine. I've always been for Harry/Ginny. Don't care who disagrees with me; I think they're great together. Although we didn't see too much of her in this book, I loved that Harry was continually thinking of her. Funniest lines?
Krum: "This girl is very nice-looking ... She is also a relative of yours?"
Harry: "Yeah, and she's seeing someone. Jealous type. Big bloke. You wouldn't want to cross him."
Plus, y'know, any smoochies are great. And she was still kicking butt with the DA back at Hogwarts, so she gets even more points for being awesome.
VOLDEMORT
Haha, how dumb are you? Didn't realise that your own soul was being destroyed or that you weren't the Wand's true master? Wanker. I hope they fed your body to the giant squid.
FRED AND GEORGE
Oh, Fred. It's been long-hypothesized that if a Weasley twin would die, it would be George, because he's the only Weasley child without an abbreviated name (I didn't say it was a good hypothesis). I know most people figured it would be OK if a twin died, because there'd still be another one, but I think it sucks a skrewt's blast-end. You can't have one Weasley twin without the other. You just can't. Personally, I think it seemed a pretty pointless death. In fact, when I first read it, I didn't believe it for what it was and had to re-read it several times. Would have liked to have seen more of George's reaction, though.
The ear humour was good. And their reunion with Percy.
DOBBY
My tears for the little elf were only rivaled by that of Hedwig, Lupin, and Snape. I don't know what about his death upset me so badly; I guess I didn't realise how much I adored the little critter. Or maybe it's because I saw him as the shining beacon of hope when he turned up at the Malfoys' to rescue everyone, when the situation seemed so grim, what with Hermione screaming under Bellatrix's Curse and all. I guess I thought his elvish magic would be a useful tool to Harry, but I should have realised that Harry wouldn't be receiving too much help in this book. I was crying the entire time Harry dug the grave.
Here lies Dobby, a Free Elf.
Oh man, I'm going to start tearing up all over again ...
DUMBLEDORE
I wasn't sure what to make of the continual reference to his past. In truth, I found them to be kind of a hindrance to the storyline. I knew that they were important, and interesting, but I was just eager to get on with the story; to get to the core of it all. It wasn't until he and Harry were talking at King's Cross that I really cared what it was all about. His appearance gave the story a sort of calm, and I realised my frustration with excerpts of his past came from the fact that he, himself, had not been recounting them. I think I'm so immersed in these books that I really won't believe anything that Rita Skeeter writes.
It was beautiful to have him in the story, finally. His absence was definitely felt throughout the book. I loved that he finally opened up and revealed everything to Harry; that he was able to speak to him as an equal. His tears over his sister, and his confession of his likeness to Voldemort, were saddening, but I loved that Harry set him right:
"Hallows, not Horcruxes."
Indeed.
NEVILLE
I love you, Neville Longbottom. And if I were in your Herbology class, I'd have no trouble giving you love.
What a champion. Seriously. Love everything about him. His willingness to fight, his devotion to Harry, his defense of others, his defiance to the Carrows ... it's all brilliant. I was so worried that old Voldie would kill him, but I should have realised that a Longbottom is tougher than that. I was cheering and whooping when he chopped Nagini's head off. And I had a private chortle over the fact that he was using plants to fight in the final battles. Play to your strengths.
MALFOYS
Relinquished allegiance to Voldie, eh? Well, that one was fairly predictable from the last book, what with Narcissa's forging of the Unbreakable Vow and Draco's mounting fear of failing Voldemort. Lucius seemed rather redundant to the storyline. Did anyone else think Draco was reluctant to give the trio up at Malfoy Manor? Who'd have thought? Although he didn't seem to care too much about giving Harry up when he cornered him in the Room of Requirement with Crabbe and Goyle. I liked that Harry didn't hesitate to save him from the Fiendfyre, though. And I had a good chuckle when Ron punched him, moments later, under the Invisibility Cloak:
"And that's the second time we've saved your life tonight, you two-faced bastard!"
I think the fact that he didn't become chummy with the trio at end was rather realistic. Sure, he owed them, but they were too different to ever be friends, really. Like Snape and Lily.
THE ORDER AND DUMBLEDORE'S ARMY
Thank Merlin that Hagrid didn't die! Was anyone else fearing that? When the spiders carried him away, I just thought: "No! Not another one!" It was slightly frustrating to read when he was carrying the not-dead Harry back to Hogwarts. I just wanted Harry to let him know that everything was OK.
Kingsley Shacklebot is as awesome as his name. So glad he was appointed Minister. Potterwatch was a good laugh. Luna Lovegood wins at life (was it just me, or did she have something with Dean towards the end?). McGonagall and the other teachers had me all warm with fondness; their fight with Snape was mad. But the DA made my heart soar. It was so great to have all of the old characters back. Oliver Wood! Yaaaaay!
RANDOM POINTS OF INTEREST
JKR: The dedication in the beginning was funky. Dudley: Surprisingly touching. I liked that at least one Dursley seemed to value Harry in the end. I wonder if he ever saw his relatives again. Wedding: Fun times. Good to see Krum again too. Muriel was a bitch, but good for a laugh. Umbridge: [insert swearing] I loathe that woman so much. It was great that Harry stole the eye back from her, but I would have liked to see her hit with a good stunning spell. Godrics Hollow: Loved the statue of Harry and his parents. Likewise with the sign at the front of his house. Bathilda: So obvious that it was a trap! Poor ol' Bathilda :( Taboo: Thought that was a pretty clever bit of magic. Hated that they had to keep saying "You-Know-Who", though. Wormtail: What a crazily sudden ending to this character. I was expecting much more from him. Especially with his shiny new hand. Oh well, serves him right. Griphook: Frickin' goblins. Don't really care for them at all. Aberforth: So different to his brother. Was a bit annoyed that he didn't agree with the idea of fighting to the end, no matter the odds. Found it hilarious that his patronus was a goat. Ravenclaw Common Room: Wicked fun. Loved the door, loved the decorations. House unity: Was pretty disappointed with Slytherins not jumping onto the Hogwarts bandwagon, but was overjoyed at the Raveclaws and Hufflepuffs jumping to Harry's defense. The Creevey brothers were pretty adorable. Poor Colin :( Hogwarts ghosts: Wowzers! What an interesting backstory. Crabbe: Ha-ha! Hogwartians: Cutest phrase ever. Sorting Hat: I hope it wasn't badly damaged! Molly vs Bellatrix: "NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!" Roffle! Best chick fight ever. The Epilogue: loved, loved, loved it. Don't care that it was cheesy. I love the cheese! "Albus Severus" and "Scorpius" are the worst names ever, though.
So much love for this book! I plan to re-read it and do a chapter-by-chapter summary, because there's too much info to cover, but I'm loaning my copy out, so it might take a while.
HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS
So when I settled myself down yesterday morning with my newly bought book, a bowl of muesli and yoghurt, and a cup of tea, I had no idea what I was in store for. I'd, somehow, managed to remain spoiler-free for this book, except to hear that two main characters died. Other than thoughts of Horcruxes, no Hogwarts, and a final battle, my mind was literally a blank slate when it came to imagining a plot/storyline.
Maybe that's why I find myself adoring this one so much; no expectations. My favourite by far. And that's saying something, seeing as books 4, 5, and 6 have failed to knock Prisoner of Azkaban out of top spot for the past few years. But it didn't start out like that ...
GENERAL THOUGHTS
Hedwig! Moody! Dobby! Fred! LUPIN! (Oh, good Merlin, why did you have to kill my favourite character?!) Tonks! Snape! Colin Creevey! It was a wonder I could read at all for all the crying I was doing. I wanted to mention the main deaths as they occurred, to avoid fragmentation, but I just can't; they've upset me too much. Truth be told, I went and had a swig of Baileys when I found out Hedwig had died. It just seemed too soon. Too sudden. Too ... foreboding. [I bet everyone who got a free Hedwig doll at Borders is now clutching it tightly.]
But that's the tone JKR was trying to set for the book. That this wasn't something Harry could bluff, stumble, or luck his way out of. It was dark, and unfair, and heart-breaking. It was a war, after all. The continual and sudden reappearances of Death Eaters (and Voldemort) had my heart pounding each time. Thank Merlin for Apparition! So many times, I thought our trio were goners. The danger seemed more paramount at the beginning of the book, because it was so unexpected, but after the first few attacks, I started to suspect that everything was a Death Eater attempting to Curse them--that they weren't safe anywhere. I can't believe they stayed in Grimmauld Place as long as they did.
Courage vs cowardice was a strong theme in the book, naturally. All of the characters seemed to realise that this was the end and weren't afraid to fight for it. Well, except Mundungus. Lousy git. I loved the feel of camaraderie between our heroes; their strength and their unity. Even from little Kreacher (didn't he turn out to be a gem?). The sense of devotion is what won this book for me.
HALLOWS, NOT HORCRUXES
I found the Hallows storyline to be quite interesting and was frustrated, once again, with Hermione's refusal to believe the myth. In the end, I liked that it was Harry who came to the conclusion that he wouldn't pursue them; it's what separated him from Voldemort.
And Harry had one the whole time! My amazement at JKR's ability to secretly slip crucial information into a storyline continues. And I was so caught up in the story I didn't stop to think that, of course, Dumbledore would be the owner of the Elder Wand if he'd defeated Grindelwald all those years ago. When Gregorovitch's memory showed a young boy with blonde hair stealing the Wand, my first thought was actually of Lockhart; wouldn't be the first time he'd stolen something, would it?
The Resurrection Stone! When Lupin started talking about little Teddy and how sorry he was that he wouldn't know him, it was all I could do to keep from howling. I can't believe that Harry gave it up in the end. I would have thought he'd keep it for others to use; those who never had a chance to say goodbye or those, like him, who lost loved ones before they knew them. My first thought was of Teddy being able to talk to Lupin and Tonks. But then, the Stone was supposed to hold the dead in the mortal realm, wasn't it? Yet Dumbledore was eager to use it as soon as found it? And how then, was Harry able to let go of his loved ones? Was it because he'd given in to the idea of dying? That part was less clear for me.
Sidenote: when Hermione was reading "The Tale of Three Brothers" and it described the Resurrection Stone's power to see the dead as though through a "veil", did anyone else think of the veil through which Sirius had disappeared? I was fully expecting it to be explained in this book, but it went without a mention. Hopefully it will be in this mysterious "Book 8"?
As for the Horcruxes, JK, you sneaky imp--slipping the diadem of Ravenclaw into Book 6 so cleverly. The only other Horcrux that surprised me was Harry. Fans had long-speculated the theory of him being a Horcrux, but I dismissed it at nonsense, because I didn't think that Voldemort would voluntarily make someone he had to kill into something that contained a piece of his soul. But the fact that he involuntarily did it changed everything. Despite the fact that fans already guessed it, it's still a pretty clever piece of writing.
HARRY
Champion. Hero. The Boy Who Lived. I know many readers who aren't actually very fond of Harry, but he, Lupin, and Snape have always been my favourites. I actually didn't cry when Voldemort struck him with the Killing Curse, because I knew he wasn't dead. I've always known he wouldn't die. What a crap arse way that would have been to end the series. And there was all of the foreshadowing with Ginny. No way would there have been so much emphasis on their relationship if they weren't going to get back together.
The scene at King's Cross was interesting. What was the place, exactly? A sort of Limbo?
I loved that he was so much more mature in this book. Especially with his resolve to keep their mission a secret and not accept help. So determined, brave. My heart was clenching when he finished Snape's memories and resolved himself to what he had to do. In fact, my heart was clenching a lot for particular Harry moments in the book. The visit to his parents' graves at Godric Hollow springs to mind. Finding Lily's letter. Not being able to return to Grimmauld Place. Burying Mad-Eye's eye. Seeing the ghosts of his parents.
But the final battle was, naturally, his shining moment. When he faced Voldemort, defied him, knew he would win. Did win. I love you, Harry James Potter, with your eyes as green as a fresh pickled toad. You're my hero.
RON
Ah, ya Spattergroit git. Storming off like that, thinking Hermione and Harry were snogging *shakes head* It was interesting to see more of Ron's character, we really only ever get to see him as the dorky sidekick. I thought the idea that one of the trio would crumble under the pressure and leave was quite realistic. I couldn't help but think of Lord of the Rings when he spoke about how the locket was taking hold of him. But, of course, he redeemed himself. A true Gryffindor.
Harry: "He must've known you'd always want to come back."
The hug between he and Harry was touching, as was Hermione's threat to set enchanted birds on him again. And I was pretty impressed that he managed to speak Parseltongue to get into the Chamber of Secrets. Snaps.
HERMIONE
Awesomesauce. Being bookish and somewhat OCD, I've always had a soft spot for Hermione. I was so touched when she told Harry she'd sent her parents to Australia (quietly: yay!) and modified their memories, so that they would forget her.
When Bellatrix had her screaming under the Crucio Curse, I was shouting as much as Ron. I kept thinking of Neville's parents and I didn't want Hermione's brilliant brain to be ruined like that. And I was so afraid Fenrir was going to get her! All those threats about enjoying her skin, they were making me shudder.
And--finally--the kiss between her and Ron. About. Freakin'. Time. And all because of house elves.
SNAPE
Not evil. Most of us knew as much (high 5, youdreamer). My heart was aching for him in the Pensieve; in love with Lily Potter all these years.
Dumbledore: "All this time?"
Snape: "Always."
Her best friend. How he must have hated himself when he called her a Mudblood. No wonder he loathed Harry so much; to have the eyes of his beloved look at him from the face of his bully ... must have been like a stab to the heart. It tears me up inside to read his dying scene, when he asks Harry to look at him, so that the last thing he sees is Lily's eyes. Please give me a tissue box now.
When he was crying over Lily's letter in Grimmauld Place! Well, let's just say that I've had a secret crush on Snape for about the last seven years, and the Pensieve showed a lot of things I had only ever imagined that Snape would think or feel. My crush remains in tact. I thought it touching that Harry named one of his children after him. And I loved the insights into his relationship with Dumbledore. He remained true to him, right until the very end.
LUPIN AND TONKS
How about when Lupin sent Harry flying into a wall?! That was mad fun. Not because Harry deserved it (I rather think he was right to put Remus in his place), but because it was great to see him emotional in a way that we normally don't.
Tonks was wicked, as always. It was a pleasant surprise to find out that they were having a baby--and a metamorphagis at that. And making Harry the Godfather, so sweet.
The only thing I don't agree upon was their deaths. They just felt empty and pointless to me. To kill both of them, after they just had a baby? It felt as though JK was trying to force sadness upon us. Maybe I'd feel differently if we knew how they'd died. The emptiness of it is probably to do with the fact that we know nothing about their deaths. That, and Lupin is my favourite :(
[Sidenote: would have preferred it if Fenrir had been taken down by Lupin. Poetic justice and all that.]
GINNY
Go, you little red fire engine. I've always been for Harry/Ginny. Don't care who disagrees with me; I think they're great together. Although we didn't see too much of her in this book, I loved that Harry was continually thinking of her. Funniest lines?
Krum: "This girl is very nice-looking ... She is also a relative of yours?"
Harry: "Yeah, and she's seeing someone. Jealous type. Big bloke. You wouldn't want to cross him."
Plus, y'know, any smoochies are great. And she was still kicking butt with the DA back at Hogwarts, so she gets even more points for being awesome.
VOLDEMORT
Haha, how dumb are you? Didn't realise that your own soul was being destroyed or that you weren't the Wand's true master? Wanker. I hope they fed your body to the giant squid.
FRED AND GEORGE
Oh, Fred. It's been long-hypothesized that if a Weasley twin would die, it would be George, because he's the only Weasley child without an abbreviated name (I didn't say it was a good hypothesis). I know most people figured it would be OK if a twin died, because there'd still be another one, but I think it sucks a skrewt's blast-end. You can't have one Weasley twin without the other. You just can't. Personally, I think it seemed a pretty pointless death. In fact, when I first read it, I didn't believe it for what it was and had to re-read it several times. Would have liked to have seen more of George's reaction, though.
The ear humour was good. And their reunion with Percy.
DOBBY
My tears for the little elf were only rivaled by that of Hedwig, Lupin, and Snape. I don't know what about his death upset me so badly; I guess I didn't realise how much I adored the little critter. Or maybe it's because I saw him as the shining beacon of hope when he turned up at the Malfoys' to rescue everyone, when the situation seemed so grim, what with Hermione screaming under Bellatrix's Curse and all. I guess I thought his elvish magic would be a useful tool to Harry, but I should have realised that Harry wouldn't be receiving too much help in this book. I was crying the entire time Harry dug the grave.
Here lies Dobby, a Free Elf.
Oh man, I'm going to start tearing up all over again ...
DUMBLEDORE
I wasn't sure what to make of the continual reference to his past. In truth, I found them to be kind of a hindrance to the storyline. I knew that they were important, and interesting, but I was just eager to get on with the story; to get to the core of it all. It wasn't until he and Harry were talking at King's Cross that I really cared what it was all about. His appearance gave the story a sort of calm, and I realised my frustration with excerpts of his past came from the fact that he, himself, had not been recounting them. I think I'm so immersed in these books that I really won't believe anything that Rita Skeeter writes.
It was beautiful to have him in the story, finally. His absence was definitely felt throughout the book. I loved that he finally opened up and revealed everything to Harry; that he was able to speak to him as an equal. His tears over his sister, and his confession of his likeness to Voldemort, were saddening, but I loved that Harry set him right:
"Hallows, not Horcruxes."
Indeed.
NEVILLE
I love you, Neville Longbottom. And if I were in your Herbology class, I'd have no trouble giving you love.
What a champion. Seriously. Love everything about him. His willingness to fight, his devotion to Harry, his defense of others, his defiance to the Carrows ... it's all brilliant. I was so worried that old Voldie would kill him, but I should have realised that a Longbottom is tougher than that. I was cheering and whooping when he chopped Nagini's head off. And I had a private chortle over the fact that he was using plants to fight in the final battles. Play to your strengths.
MALFOYS
Relinquished allegiance to Voldie, eh? Well, that one was fairly predictable from the last book, what with Narcissa's forging of the Unbreakable Vow and Draco's mounting fear of failing Voldemort. Lucius seemed rather redundant to the storyline. Did anyone else think Draco was reluctant to give the trio up at Malfoy Manor? Who'd have thought? Although he didn't seem to care too much about giving Harry up when he cornered him in the Room of Requirement with Crabbe and Goyle. I liked that Harry didn't hesitate to save him from the Fiendfyre, though. And I had a good chuckle when Ron punched him, moments later, under the Invisibility Cloak:
"And that's the second time we've saved your life tonight, you two-faced bastard!"
I think the fact that he didn't become chummy with the trio at end was rather realistic. Sure, he owed them, but they were too different to ever be friends, really. Like Snape and Lily.
THE ORDER AND DUMBLEDORE'S ARMY
Thank Merlin that Hagrid didn't die! Was anyone else fearing that? When the spiders carried him away, I just thought: "No! Not another one!" It was slightly frustrating to read when he was carrying the not-dead Harry back to Hogwarts. I just wanted Harry to let him know that everything was OK.
Kingsley Shacklebot is as awesome as his name. So glad he was appointed Minister. Potterwatch was a good laugh. Luna Lovegood wins at life (was it just me, or did she have something with Dean towards the end?). McGonagall and the other teachers had me all warm with fondness; their fight with Snape was mad. But the DA made my heart soar. It was so great to have all of the old characters back. Oliver Wood! Yaaaaay!
RANDOM POINTS OF INTEREST
So much love for this book! I plan to re-read it and do a chapter-by-chapter summary, because there's too much info to cover, but I'm loaning my copy out, so it might take a while.