Harry Potter Book 7 *SPOILERS*

[wendy46001]

I LOVED the line and shouted when i read it...but...in retrospect, I wish Neville had gotten Bellatrix and Ginny had gotten Nagini. As someone else mentioned, it seemed Ginny was set up in earlier books to be powerful for some reason and in the end she didn't get to play a major role. Seeing her go at that snake right after she thought Harry had died would have been awesome!

I'll agree about Ginny....wanted her to have a bigger part in the whole book....Why make her so powerful only to have them hold her back??.....Though i like Neville and the snake...he stood up for his friends like always....but Mrs. Weasley needed her revenge on someone...have to agree with JK on her lines...what else would a mother say

 

[WaltD4Me]

I wish the epilogue had been more thorough and at least mentioned everyone I cared about but she's left a lot wide open for the fan fiction writers. They can speculate and weave stories around those tidbits for years.

I have read JK comment that she enjoys reading some of the fan fiction so she probably won't mind a bit that she left plenty of room for people to do that.

I read a thread on another board about how the epilogue had been leaked on line and just about everyone said it had to be a fake, they all said there was no way that it was JK's writing...it was too cheesy and amatuer! Turns out it was real though. I bet they were all shocked when they read the epilogue in the book.

 

[moviegirl11]

I got mine and read it on Saturday. Took about 13 hours.

Was I the only one who thought the significance of Harry having his Mother's eyes had to do with the fact that he ultimately had to sacrifice himself like his Mother did for him?

I never thought about Snape wanting to see Lily's eyes as he was dying- so much more sad.

I think the significance of Harry having Lily's eyes had everything to do with Snape. Like you said, Snape wanted to look at those eyes and he did get one last look right before he died. His last words were "Look at me." It is nice to think that the last thing Snape saw was those eyes.

I think it was Harry's eyes that kept Snape on track. Whenever he felt frustrated by Harry or reminded of his hatred for James, he might've felt like walking away from the whole thing but it would have been Harry's eyes - Lily's eyes that reminded him of his purpose, of what he lost and of what he did.

 

[edcrbnsoul]

Maybe I'll start here this week:

Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. They were the last people you'd expect to be involved in anything strange or mysterious, because they just didn't hold with such nonsense.

and it might make it alot clearer as the stories unfold knowing the outcome and what these object he finds are really meant for now.

 

[Growin'upDisney]

I finished it last night. I agree that the epilogue was a bit cheesy. I liked that we saw them in the future, but wished we knew more about their lives, the lives of their friends, etc. I really think there should have been a chpater between the fight and the epilogue. It just leaves no closure with so many characters (a la the Sopranos ending) - like the Weasleys, Hagrid, Luna, etc.

I have a couple of questions:

Why did Dumbledore only have a year to live? I know he put the ring on and it had a spell/curse on it, but none of the other horcruxes had spells/curses cast upon them that led to death, did they? I was confused by that.

Doesn't it seem that in the epilogue Harry's own kids wonder why people are staring, and Ron makes up that it is about him. Are we supposed to think that Harry's own kids don't know that their father saved the entire wizarding world? Even if Harry and Ginny tried to keep it from the, other kids would surely be talking about it. Just doesn't make any sense.

I don't have the book in front of me, but the very last page also confused me. It said something about Albus looking around to see people staring and then Ron makes the comment. Was Albus looking out the window and Ron makes the comment as the train was moving? It really seemed that Albus was standing right next to them, how else would he know that eveyone was staring at them and not saying good-bye to their own parents. And wasn't Lily younger than Albus, but did it say she was on the train with Rose and Hugo. It was late, I need to reread that part.

I still don't get how Neville gets the Sword. So when the Sorting Hat is on fire on his head he manages to pull it out? If that is it, it certainly wasn't explained at all.

In the end, very good book. I new Harry wouldn't die. I was right that Snape was ultimately good, but wrong that Dubledore wasn't really dead (I just tought it was an elaborate faking of his own death). The movie will never do it justice.

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

I think the American edition cover is from the battle at the end. If you look at the whole picture, it is Voldemort and Harry reaching for something. I believe it is the wand that has just flown out of Voldemorts hand when Harry disarmed him. The background may throw people off but that is because we are all picturing the movie's great hall and for all we know this artist and JK herself may have had a little bit of a different picture.

I think you hit the nail on the head: The orange and gold represent the sunrise that is happening at the moment of the final duel, you can see figures in the background watching the battle, and you can see signs of destruction in the broken beams. I actually like this version of the Great Hall much more that the movie version.

I also like how the cover has a "crimson-and-gold" thing going - very Gryffindor.

BTW - can anyone explain the significance Harry's wand acting on it's own accord in the beginning (when they were leaving the Dursley's)? When it shot the gold flames at Voldemort? It wasn't because of the twin-core thing - V had Malfoy's wand at the time.

 

[LuvN~Travel]

Jumping in here - I finished the book late last night. Wow!

Like somebody else posted, I'm a little shaky on the whole wand thing. So Harry's wand couldn't be mended, but he managed to fix it in the end?

And while I"m on the wands, thank you to whoever posted about Draco disarming Dumbledore in book 6. So even though Draco didn't pick up Dumbledore's wand (one of the Hallows) after disarming him, the wand still "belonged" to Draco, even though Voldemort had it, correct? And when Harry disarmed Draco, even though Draco wasn't using the Hallow-wand, "ownership" of the Hallow-wand transferred to Harry since he disarmed the wand's rightful owner, right?

So in the fnal battle between Harry and Voldemort, V sent a killing curse at Harry and Harry just did a disarming curse at V, but since Harry's wand was stronger, that's why V's killing curse didn't work on Harry but bounced back. Did I understand it right? (It was late at night when I finished the book.)

After all the fighting at Hogwarts, I expected more from the battle between Harry and Voldemort - just one curse and it was over. Too easy. Almost like JKR realized that the book was getting too long and had to wrap it up fast.

The epilog was ok. I wish there had been more on the rebuilding of Hogwarts and burying of the dead. I kind of understand why she did the epilog - so that no other writer can try to continue the story.

I agree with those who think that Hagrid was supposed to die and JKR saved him in the end. Lupin and Tonks were just thrown in - they arrived at Hogwarts and the next time we see them, they're dead.

I really thought Snape was a bad guy - nice to be wrong! I'm glad for the penseive chapter - really explained Snape's actions.

Way to go, Mrs Weasley!! The swearing didn't bother me - she was filled with all kinds of emotions - Percy came back into the fold, Fred died, and now Bellatrix was going after Ginny. To me, her ouburst fit in perfectly.

I'm glad Ron and Hermoine ended up together. Wish she would have told us what happened to Luna.

And what about all that speculation that the prophecy could have also applied to Neville? I was kind of hoping to see more with Neville in this movie. He seems to have gone abruptly from bumbling and having trouble with spells to this take-charge, very capable wizard. What gives?

Ok, those are my initial thoughts. I'm sure as I digest more of the story, I'll have more to post.

I haven't finished reading all of the posts following this, but as to Neville I think a few things made the difference.
First the meetings of the DA group. He finally had someone who knew how to teach compassionately.
Second his new wand. He had used his dad's old wand until the ministry fights. Now he has his own, one that chose him.
And, I think his Gran really started treating him with more respect after the ministry fight.
These were all things he needed to give him more confidence in himself.
Kim

 

[Accentuate+]

Oh, and, so glad I found you all here. Have been dying to hear other's opinions and have the opportunity to discuss but my friend's are content to take their time reading it and the Potter sites are all locked down? So odd, i know it's to prevent spoilers but the books are out now, if you don't want to see spoilers don't go to Potter sites.

Anyway, glad to have found my people. Actually my people times two (Disney and Potter). Y'all can hang at my house anytime.

 

[moviegirl11]

I think you hit the nail on the head: The orange and gold represent the sunrise that is happening at the moment of the final duel, you can see figures in the background watching the battle, and you can see signs of destruction in the broken beams. I actually like this version of the Great Hall much more that the movie version.

I also like how the cover has a "crimson-and-gold" thing going - very Gryffindor.

BTW - can anyone explain the significance Harry's wand acting on it's own accord in the beginning (when they were leaving the Dursley's)? When it shot the gold flames at Voldemort? It wasn't because of the twin-core thing - V had Malfoy's wand at the time.

I believed that it was explained as the fact that Harry's wand recognized Voldemort as a mortal threat. Having "met" voldemort's wand it somehow used his own magic against him. Sort of like an auto-response. Didnt matter that Voldemort was using a different wand, I think Harry's wand responded to him and/or his magic which is why not only did harry not know how it happened but was also surprised to have performed a spell he'd never done or even heard of.

 

[Minniesnow]

I loved the book. But I felt there were alot of unanswered questions.
My thought is that HPDH was the best!!!!
~Emily~

 

[beckanoah]

, but as to Neville I think a few things made the difference.
First the meetings of the DA group. He finally had someone who knew how to teach compassionately.
Second his new wand. He had used his dad's old wand until the ministry fights. Now he has his own, one that chose him.
And, I think his Gran really started treating him with more respect after the ministry fight.
These were all things he needed to give him more confidence in himself.
Kim

I completely MISSED the fact about getting his own wand (difference wise it would make in his powers, that is) Good point!

 

[mickeyfan2]

When did V try to use the wand of which H was master against him? In the forest, at the final showdown, or both?

Both

 

[Plantlady]

Did I see misinformation or hasn't she always said that the last word of the last book was 'scar'.

I believe that she stated that years and years ago, but she recently put out a statement stating that she rewrote part of the ending, and the last word was no longer scar, but it would be close to the end.

I have a couple of questions:

Why did Dumbledore only have a year to live? I know he put the ring on and it had a spell/curse on it, but none of the other horcruxes had spells/curses cast upon them that led to death, did they? I was confused by that.

I think he tried to access the stone itself, and that is what hurt his hand. Snape said that the curse would slowly spread through his entire body. So, I don't think it was the fact that it was the horcrux hurt him, it was trying to capture the stone for that portion of the deathly hallows.

 

[Ride Junkie]

I think it was appropriate that one spell took out Voldemort.

I agree. I think it made the point that Voldemort was 'human', and could therefore be killed, which was what he feared most. I think it was really humiliating to him that he could be killed so easily.

I loved the memories of Snape. How sad to know what he went through to protect Lily's son. It truly broke my heart.

Ron and Hermione's kiss took my breath away.

Dobby dying & being buried was incredibly sad, and Fred's death was just devastating.

Neville becoming such a hero...brilliant.

I liked the epilogue; things turned out pretty much as I had hoped.

I only wish we had known some of what was going on at Hogwart's during the trio's time on the run.

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

I have another question - where was Crookshanks?

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

I've been thinking about poor Hedwig, and I really see now why JKR killed her early on. Where could she have gone during the book? Harry couldn't have sent or recieved anything by owl, because it would make him easier to track. They had to apparate to get around, so it would have been hard to take her with them everywhere. I think she was killed more out of convenience to the storyline than anything else.

I started re-reading Book 1 last night, but I can't decide if I want to go through the whole series again like I planned, or reread 7 again first.

I've been wondering, though- Did Lily ever love Snape? Or if not love, have romantic feelings for him? Or did she only ever see him as a friend?

I always sort of assumed that Snape loved Lily, but knowing that now, I really understand his hatred of Sirius in POA. He thought it was Sirius who betrayed the Potters, leading to Lily's death. No wonder he wanted him dead!

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

I have another question - where was Crookshanks?

Good question!

I'm wondering if Hermione sent him off to Australia with her parents, to protect him?

 

[WaltD4Me]

Originally Posted by futreWDI
I think the American edition cover is from the battle at the end. If you look at the whole picture, it is Voldemort and Harry reaching for something. I believe it is the wand that has just flown out of Voldemorts hand when Harry disarmed him. The background may throw people off but that is because we are all picturing the movie's great hall and for all we know this artist and JK herself may have had a little bit of a different picture.

I heard on the Mugglenet podcast yesterday that the American cover is actually supposed to be Harry in the Gringott's vault and the red eyes behind him are the dragon's. I'm not sure where they got this info though.

 

[MerryPoppins]

I think he tried to access the stone itself, and that is what hurt his hand. Snape said that the curse would slowly spread through his entire body. So, I don't think it was the fact that it was the horcrux hurt him, it was trying to capture the stone for that portion of the deathly hallows.

No, I disagree. I think it was a spell to protect the horcrux. Some of the horcruxes had powerful spells to protect most of them. The cup burned you and then multiplied, the locket had the liquid you had to drink. Not sure why the crown didn't.

It was when he put the ring on that it hurt him, I believe. After all, Harry "accessed" the stone and it didn't hurt him.

 

[teacherforhi]

I've been wondering, though- Did Lily ever love Snape? Or if not love, have romantic feelings for him? Or did she only ever see him as a friend?

I always sort of assumed that Snape loved Lily, but knowing that now, I really understand his hatred of Sirius in POA. He thought it was Sirius who betrayed the Potters, leading to Lily's death. No wonder he wanted him dead!

I don't think Lily loved Snape. I don't even think she particularly liked him after the Mudblood incident.

I hadn't even made the connection about his hate for Sirius! I think it was a double whammy...Sirius was James' best friend AND Sirius was supposed to be the Secret Keeper.