A Harry discussion thread (if you've finished the book)- Spoilers!

[sophia jane]

Okay. So I finished the book last night about midnight, and I really want to talk about it.
What did you think? Did you love it or hate it? Where do you see the series going now?


Personally I thought it was a good book, but it didn't seem as good as some of the previous books. Like in Book 5, there is such a huge sense of Harry's anger and frustration, but in Book 6, except for him searching for answers, I didn't really get much about how he was feeling.
I was pretty disappointed about Dumbledore. And while I've always disliked Snape, I find it really disappointing that he ended up being a traitor, especially since Dumbledore believed in him all along.
I was also pretty surprised that she set up book 7 so that it won't take place at Hogwarts- a very interesting development.

So-other thoughts? Can't wait to hear.

SJ

 

[logophile]

Here I am!
Bood finished.

Ready to discuss!

 

[sophia jane]

Yes let's. We can't possibly be the only people who have finished the book!

What did you think?

SJ

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

I was very upset with the ending and actually felt a bit betrayed. Okay, so maybe Dumbledore had to die for Harry to be able to fight Voldemort alone, but why couldn't she have waited until the 7th book and given us a little bit more warning? I mean, honestly, hasn't Harry suffered enough loss already?

I also don't know what to think about Snape being the killer. Over on the official Potter forum there's alot of talk of people thinking that Dumbledore knew all along that he must die, and he sacrificed himself to save Harry and Draco. The pleading at the end was not begging for his life but begging for Snape to kill him. The anger and revulsion on Snape's face was not for Dumbledore but for the atrocious act he had to commit. They seem to think it's all part of some grand plan Dumbledore had.

Whether they are even close to right or full of bull will only be known when the 7th and final book is released. All I can say is this: If Rowling kills off Harry, I will not read anything else she ever writes.

 

[sophia jane]

I also don't know what to think about Snape being the killer. Over on the official Potter forum there's alot of talk of people thinking that Dumbledore knew all along that he must die, and he sacrificed himself to save Harry and Draco. The pleading at the end was not begging for his life but begging for Snape to kill him. The anger and revulsion on Snape's face was not for Dumbledore but for the atrocious act he had to commit. They seem to think it's all part of some grand plan Dumbledore had.

Whether they are even close to right or full of bull will only be known when the 7th and final book is released. All I can say is this: If Rowling kills off Harry, I will not read anything else she ever writes.

I thought about this too with Snape. But then what was with his unbreakable vow to Narcissa? That's the thing that stumped me.

Also, I had heard that she might do more than seven books. Anyone else hear this? Or is it for sure only going to be the seven?

SJ

 

[logophile]

I was also shocked. I never liked Snape, and always thought that Dumbledore was turning a blind on things, but he pulled it off the other times.

I don't think it was part of Dumbledore's plan. I think Snape tricked him.

Now - will Hogwarts really close? And if it doesn't, are Harry, Ron and Hermione really all going to leave without graduating?

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

I thought about this too with Snape. But then what was with his unbreakable vow to Narcissa? That's the thing that stumped me.

Also, I had heard that she might do more than seven books. Anyone else hear this? Or is it for sure only going to be the seven?

SJ

On her website, she says she is only doing 7.

On the Unbreakable Vow thing... if Draco failed and Snape did not do the job for him, then Draco would be killed by Voldemort. Maybe the only reason he did it was to save an innocent (all be it, messed up and mostly mean) boy. I thought it interesting that Rowling made Draco seem a bit more vulnerable (of course, we've already known he was a coward.)



There were hints that Dumbledore knew exactly what was going on with Draco, so it could very well be that Snape took the vow in order to save Draco's life. <shrug> Dumbledore always wants to believe in the good of people. I just hate to think that he was so wrong about someone that he got himself killed. Would Rowling really do that to a character who had always been so strong and knowing?

Oh, and throughout the whole series, Dumbledore has hinted that he has knowledge about Snape that makes his faith in him unshakable.

 

[sophia jane]

Now - will Hogwarts really close? And if it doesn't, are Harry, Ron and Hermione really all going to leave without graduating?

The thing that bothers me about this is that Harry really wanted to be an Auror. Now I know that his battle with Voldermont is more important than that and he has to find the other Horcruxes, but still... seems kinda impulsive to say he won't be back. And then for Ron and Hermione (of all people Hermione!) to say they'll join him- it's a noble thing for them to join Harry and of course, it makes for great plot, but it seemed a little unbelieavable.

 

[logophile]

There were hints that Dumbledore knew exactly what was going on with Draco, so it could very well be that Snape took the vow in order to save Draco's life. <shrug> Dumbledore always wants to believe in the good of people. I just hate to think that he was so wrong about someone that he got himself killed. Would Rowling really do that to a character who had always been so strong and knowing?

Ah, but there were several mentions made of Dumbledore's old age, failing quickness, etc. Also, he spent even more time in this book talking about love being the greatest defense of them all. Maybe his generous ability to love blinded him to Snape's nastiness in the end.

I don't think that Harry's gut instincts have been wrong very often, even though it's rare that anyone believes what he has to say. Harry's never trusted Snape... something to ponder.

 

[sophia jane]

On her website, she says she is only doing 7.

On the Unbreakable Vow thing... if Draco failed and Snape did not do the job for him, then Draco would be killed by Voldemort. Maybe the only reason he did it was to save an innocent (all be it, messed up and mostly mean) boy. I thought it interesting that Rowling made Draco seem a bit more vulnerable (of course, we've already known he was a coward.)



There were hints that Dumbledore knew exactly what was going on with Draco, so it could very well be that Snape took the vow in order to save Draco's life. <shrug> Dumbledore always wants to believe in the good of people. I just hate to think that he was so wrong about someone that he got himself killed. Would Rowling really do that to a character who had always been so strong and knowing?

Oh, and throughout the whole series, Dumbledore has hinted that he has knowledge about Snape that makes his faith in him unshakable.

See that's what bugs me-if Dumbledore's faith in him was unshakable then either Dumbledore was hugely wrong, which would bother me for his character, or Snape did kill him as part of a bigger plan.

It seems hard to believe she'll be able to wrap everything up in one book. There's alot left to deal with.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

The thing that bothers me about this is that Harry really wanted to be an Auror. Now I know that his battle with Voldermont is more important than that and he has to find the other Horcruxes, but still... seems kinda impulsive to say he won't be back. And then for Ron and Hermione (of all people Hermione!) to say they'll join him- it's a noble thing for them to join Harry and of course, it makes for great plot, but it seemed a little unbelieavable.

Well at the ending of the book, they weren't even sure that Hogwarts will be open for their 7th year. I think they have to end up back at Hogwarts somehow, or the book just wouldn't be the same. I know the whole focus has been on Harry eventually facing Voldemort, but it's also been about his schooling and his friendships. I'm not surprised that Ron and Hermione vowed to go with him, but from the last couple of lines of the book, it makes it sound like Harry is planning on giving them the slip.

Obviously, the 7th book will definitely not be the same if Ron and Hermione aren't with Harry. They've always been with him to help.

 

[sophia jane]

Ah, but there were several mentions made of Dumbledore's old age, failing quickness, etc. Also, he spent even more time in this book talking about love being the greatest defense of them all. Maybe his generous ability to love blinded him to Snape's nastiness in the end.

I don't think that Harry's gut instincts have been wrong very often, even though it's rare that anyone believes what he has to say. Harry's never trusted Snape... something to ponder.

This is true. And the evidence that Dumbledore did give for Snape being good was really weak (so what if he feigned remorse! everyone knew he hated James and Lily).
I thought it was interesting (and disappointing) to find out that Snape was the half blood prince.

SJ

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Ah, but there were several mentions made of Dumbledore's old age, failing quickness, etc. Also, he spent even more time in this book talking about love being the greatest defense of them all. Maybe his generous ability to love blinded him to Snape's nastiness in the end.

I don't think that Harry's gut instincts have been wrong very often, even though it's rare that anyone believes what he has to say. Harry's never trusted Snape... something to ponder.

Maybe so, it just seems a very bad way for Rowling to have Dumbledore die. Not real true to her fans if that ends up being the case. (Which is why I've heard rumors that she won't kill off Harry... because her fans would revolt, lol.)

Harry's never had much reason to trust Snape, though Snape has gotten him out of a few scrapes. Snape was biased against Harry from the beginning just because of his father.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

It seems hard to believe she'll be able to wrap everything up in one book. There's alot left to deal with.

Yeah, I thought that too. With the hint that Hogwarts might not reopen, I thought it gave her the leeway to go past 7 books, but then I went to her website and saw where she said that 7 would be the final book. She already knows what is going to happen (said she's had the entire story in her head for years) so I guess she knows she can get it all into one book (and supposedly one smaller than OOP because I've heard she said that was and would be the largest book... but that could just be a rumor.)

 

[logophile]

I wouldn't be surprised to see him hook up with Lupin and perhaps Tonks for a portion of the next journey. Remembering that Rowling employs classic literary tradtion, it wouldn't surprise me if he ditched all but one in the end, much like Frodo did as he grew closer to Mordor.

Ron and Hermione need to fall in love and keep Ginny safe so that she's there waiting for Harry when he comes back.

By the way - am I the only one who was a tad distracted by the typos?

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

I wouldn't be surprised to see him hook up with Lupin and perhaps Tonks for a portion of the next journey. Remembering that Rowling employs classic literary tradtion, it wouldn't surprise me if he ditched all but one in the end, much like Frodo did as he grew closer to Mordor.

Ron and Hermione need to fall in love and keep Ginny safe so that she's there waiting for Harry when he comes back.

By the way - am I the only one who was a tad distracted by the typos?

lol, I didn't notice any typos.

Love is supposed to be Harry's greatest weapon. How can he draw on that weapon when the three people he loves most are not with him?

Was anyone else bothered by the fact that Ron, Harry, and Hermione didn't have near as much to do with Hagrid this book? It's almost as if they deserted him.

 

[logophile]

I remember three typos off the top of my head. In one place she used the word "site" instead of "sight." In another she forgot an open quotation mark, and in one other she used the word "unwonted" instead of "unwanted." But such is life...

Yeah, they said they'd go with him, and I believe them - but let's remember that in books 1, 2, and 4 Harry went into his last battles with help, but has to fight his own fight when it comes down to it. In book 3, he really only has the help of Fawkes and in 5, it was a free for all, with Dumbledore coming to his aid against Voldemort. Yes, Love is Harry's greatest weapon, but he has the ability (and the responsibility) to do the final bit of work himself.

 

[amicus]

"... I thought it gave her the leeway to go past 7 books, but then I went to her website and saw where she said that 7 would be the final book. She already knows what is going to happen (said she's had the entire story in her head for years) so I guess she knows she can get it all into one book..."

Rowling was interviewed on NBC last night and confirmed the above, that this is the final volume and the she has had the ending in mind for many years.

An interesting point was made when the interviewer asked her, with appropriate apologies, "Have you shared the plot of the final volume with anyone else, on the chance, god forbid, that you were run over by a bus..."

Rowling said she had not shared it with anyone and would not, as she did not want to even imagine someone else completing the series in her absence.

She said also that it would be a great relief to have the series completed after so long a time span and that she would be sorry of others missed Harry and friends, but that she has had enough of them.

amicus...

 

[Dar~]

unwonted is a British thing. In many British written novels you will see "as he was wont to do" orsome such.

I was saddened deeply by Dumbledore's death, and actually have a small sense of unreality about it. I almost wonder if the Argument overheard between snape and dumbledore was about dumbledore telling Snape to kill him. (or to pretend to kill him?) He had to fulfill the Unbreakable oath and maybe Dumbledore already knew that the horocrux wasn't real but that what happend had to for the continuation of things????

I also think Harry and Ginny was a cool thing. It was a bit surprising to see all the "snogging" but they are 16 and I know what I was doing at 16. Ron and Hermione need to get past the bullshit and hook up.

I didn't like the new Potions teacher at all, but I do understand his role. I also wonder who will be the next Defense against Dark Arts teacher.

I don't think Hogwarts will close unless they plan to close all the schools. Voldemort willfollow the students whereever he has to to kill or use Ron and HErmione as bait. I truly think they are both intelligent to have stayed. Wow! alot happened in this book.

 

[logophile]

unwonted is a British thing. In many British written novels you will see "as he was wont to do" orsome such.

Yes, I know about "wont" and the accompanying unwont, which means unusual or not customary. But the meaning in that sentence actually seemed to be undesirable - as in unwanted. Anyway - I think there was one more two. At the very beginning either Harry's glasses or his window had "fug" on it instead of "fog." Again just a mild distraction. Just interesting.

Yes, there is a lot in this book. I couldn't believe that Harry broke it off with Ginny so fast. I thought they would at least have the summer together. But I guess if he wants to start his hunt right away, it makes a little sense.

 

[Lovepotion69]

I finished the book last night. I hate to say it, but I wasn't that impressed by this book. A lot happened, but it didn't give me the same feeling as previous books. Not sure what it was.

Ok, I HAVE to be stupid and ask; is there both a Ministery OF Magic as well as FOR magic??? I kept getting annoyed by that.

It's really sad that Dumbledore's dead, but I always did believe she would kill off someone important. Snape I'm not surprised about at all. Dumbledore wasn't a fool and probably kept a strict eye on him, but still believed the best.

Harry and Ginny, I admit I wasn't prepaired for that one! And with Ron...I kept thinking "the guy acting as Ron in the movies will have an interesting film shoot. He'll spend tons of times snogging another actress!" lol And yes Ron and Herminone need to get together!

I also agree with Dar, I wasn't keen on the new potions teacher. Boring character.

I'm really looking forward to the next book now. So many things happened in this one and I'm dying to find out how it will all end.

 

[CharleyH]

I saw Harry Potter fans on TV news! YOU ARE ALL FREAKS!!!

 

[logophile]

I saw Harry Potter fans on TV news! YOU ARE ALL FREAKS!!!

Thanks for noticin'!

 

[LeahLo519]

I cried...and cried, and cried and cried and cried. The part where Dumbledore was pleading with Snape because he trusted him all those years...and how the bastard killed him anyways almost made me sick to my stomach. Seriously, J.K. Rowling really is a genius to be able to invoke that much emotion...even from a softy like me. Anywho, I thought the whole thing was a sad and depressing (but exceptional) book and I plan on re-reading it again soon to catch all of the stuff I probably missed.

Did anyone else wonder why random people would give Harry the letters from Dumbledore and Hagrid? It probably doesn't mean anything, but I thought it was kinda strange.

 

[logophile]

Did anyone else wonder why random people would give Harry the letters from Dumbledore and Hagrid? It probably doesn't mean anything, but I thought it was kinda strange.

I figured it was so that there wouldn't be a trail. If no one person did it twice, maybe no one would get suspicious?