WHEW, that was quite a ride!
I loved when I came across things that I had figured out beforehand (like the tiara in the room of requirement), but on some things, I was SO far off! (I was thinking that Hogwarts itself might be a horcrux, and would have to go the way of Sunnydale!)
I think it's funny that most of the debates about the book have been if Harry would live or die- who knew we were all right, either way?
I liked the epilogue (the name Albus Severus made me cry, I've always been a loyal Snape supporter), but I wish it had told more. I figured Neville would end up as herbology teacher, but it never said what Harry's job is now! I get skipping so far ahead, but I feel like we missed out on so much. Did Harry raise his godson? We needed a chapter a little like Dumbledore's funeral- a chance to say goodbye, in between the end of the war and the distant future.
I'm so proud of Neville, and it looks like his grandma finally is, too.
I really didn't like the death of Lupin & Tonks. Dobby's I understand- it was noble, and Harry's grief for him helped in various ways. Mad Eye's death made it clear from the start that this wasn't going to be an easy fight. But Lupin and Tonks almost seem to have just been tossed in to add to the count of losses. The very thing that Harry got mad at Lupin for- a child having to grow up without their parents- ended up coming about anyway.
I'm so glad we learned more about Dumbledore's family! I cracked up watching OOTP movie last week when they showed a brief shot of Dumbledore's brother and a goat in the Hog's Head, but I found it hilarious that his patronus is a goat, too! That man loves some goats!
I thought the doe patronus was Ginny. I would have never guessed it was Snape.
Oh, Snape! I think he's one of my favorite characters ever. I wish he hadn't died like that. It's interesting that his love protected Harry almost as much as Lily's. And how interesting that his Worst Memory wasn't his worst because of the humiliaton factor, but because it was when he truly lost Lily.