Harry Potter 7 **SPOILERS**

[youngfrankenstein]

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*No peeking sneaky people! I just finished it last night at 10:30. I laughed, I cried....wonderful book!

[MaggieMay]

I'm still on page 291, I am loving it so far...not going to rush through it though.

[Luanne]

We got two copies (pre-ordered) on Saturday. I had finished one by that evening and older dd finished the other later (she got a later start than I did). Dh and younger dd are reading them now. I already want to go back and re-read it. :bcb_bigsm

[Medb48]

I've decided to re-read the beginning books before reading this last one. I'm tryiing to prolong the inevitable. :bcb_cry:

[Bulldog]

Finished it last night. I to laughed and cried. Hurry up and finish reading people I need to discuss and DW hasn't finished it yet!!! I did the read and I am going to get the book on CD this weekend to listen to the narration. I don't know if any of you have listened to the audio book versions but they are awesome. The fellow who reads them has a voice for every character and is simply fanatastic. I get them at the library and can usually get through them on my drive to and from work in about a week or so.

[MaggieMay]

I just finished chapter 17....don't tell me what happens lol

[Luanne]

You know, the title of this thread does say Spoilers. So I would think if you didn't want to know what happens, you wouldn't even open it up. :bcb_grin

So, for those who have finished the book, what did you think? I won't post my thoughts just yet, so that those who don't want to know won't keep sneaking in here.

[Luanne]

Okay, starting the SPOILERS, so read so further if you don't want to know....















Okay, dh was right. Snape was a good guy all along. I love the book and I'm sad it's the last one. But I was happy the way it ended, although I was actually almost prepared for Harry to die. I really need to go back and re-read it though because I think there are things I missed.

[kimmibear]

I'm really glad Snape ended up being a good guy. Interesting to find out all that info about Dumbledore too. I kind of was eh about the way it ended though...I felt like it was too happy an ending for how dark the book was, too neat an ending. But then again it is a children's book, so I guess that makes sense. It seems like JK did a great job of bringing all the old stuff to a close and wrapping up all the loose ends though, which I'm greatly appreciative. I hate when series end w/ a ton of questions.

[Luanne]

I agree. I almost thought the ending was too fast. I mean so much was explained in Snape's memories, and then the epilogue, while satisfying still left a lot of questions. I mean, what is everyone, except Neville doing? What happened to Luna? Who is the headmaster at Hogwarts (I'm thinking McGonagal, but maybe not). :bcb_grin I'll admit, I'm HP obsessed.

[kimmibear]

haha i think we all a little hp obsessed in a way. I agree that it went too fast. This BIG 6 9/10 book build up for the final battle...I guess I was just like...that's it? I wanted more from the final battle scene than I got. I think that's the part that left me kind of eh at the end. I had my hopes up for something bigger.

[Luanne]

We saw the newest movie after I'd finished reading book #7. Kind of sad, since I knew what would happen to some of the characters. It was a very Potter weekend, :bcb_grin .

[youngfrankenstein]

What was the creature whimpering on the floor in "Kings Cross"?


Frank, we always get the audio books from the library. I NEED Jim Dale to read each book to me after I've read it. He is so good!!! If anyone has read the books but not listened, I would do it!

I did cry when Harry "turned himself in". For some reason I thought Neville would be the suprise one who "had to die" in the end. Guess I was wrong!

[youngfrankenstein]

BTW, I was a little suprised at the patronus abilities. It seems tacked on that they were used for communication and stuff...maybe it's me!

[Luanne]

What was the creature whimpering on the floor in "Kings Cross"?
I read somewhere that someone thought it was Voldemort. I'm going to have to re-read the book. I'm already forgetting too much. :bcb_huh:

[hle82]

I read somewhere that someone thought it was Voldemort. I'm going to have to re-read the book. I'm already forgetting too much. :bcb_huh:

Yes, it was that part of Voldemort's soul that was inside of Harry-- which made him the 7th horcrux (from when Voldemort cast the ava kedavra(sp) when HP was a baby).

[nancyny]

I turned off radio, tv, newspapers, and the internet (yes even BCB) for several days to avoid spoilers. Good thing too, because every review I have read told me more than I wanted to know before I read the book.

Frank, same deal in my house. I got the book in the mail Saturday (I'm the one that ordered it and paid for it, I get it first). I finished it Sunday afternoon. Dd (14) has it now. Dh is next. When we are ALL done, we can talk.

I was also glad that my faith in Snape was not misplaced. But there for a while I was not so sure!

I will have to re-read when my turn comes around again, so I can get some of the details straight.

Given the buildup in book 6, I never would have guessed there would be another whole quest line in book 7. But I did expect J. K. Rowling to have more imagination than all of the speculators put together.

The epilogue is such a contrast to the whole rest of the series, it almost doesn't fit! But it does emphasize, I guess, how dark the world had become and how bright "normal" must seem after it's all over. I wonder what professions they all chose, what they're up to, how Harry adjusted to life without this evil hanging over him all the time.

[Luanne]

I wonder what professions they all chose, what they're up to, how Harry adjusted to life without this evil hanging over him all the time.
Yeah, yeah, enquiring minds want to know! :bcb_grin

I guess we could make up our own.

Neville - professor at Hogwarts (we know this). I "think" he's married to Luna.
Ron - taken over for his father at the Ministry in Muggle stuff (remember he's now gotten a driver's license)
Hermione - surprised she's not a professor. I'm going to have to think about this one.

Hmmm, I'm obviously going to have to think about this more. Any body have any ideas?

[youngfrankenstein]

Harry-an auror? Still some bad guys out there.

I thought the epilouge was nice. You can leave a little up in the air. You just know everyone is happy.

For some reason I cried when he was talking one on one with little Albus Serverus.:bcb_cry:

[Bulldog]

Ok, I have the greatest wife ever. She started reading the book the day I finished(I tend to be a quicker reader) so last night when I got home she had bought me a surprise-the book on CD! So I am now listening to it after having had read it. Jim Dale, as always, really brings an already incredible story to life.

My only negative on the whole thing was like some of you have said the epilogue. It was a tad sugary but it did tie up some questions but most of them were obvious ones, relationships basically. I had assumed that Neville was going to be the classmate that became a teacher. I think we all pretty much knew about Ron and Hermione and if he survived Harry and Ginny. The only thing I didn't get, which I will listen for now that I have the CD's is who the character was that had not shown any magical ability until late in life. JK stated in an interview that it would happen and I didn't see it. My thought was Mrs. Figg was going to have to use magic and it would burst forth, but I must have missed something.

I was very pleased with the Snape storyline. I also liked the little speech Harry gave to his son about being sorted and his name. Very touching.

I like what she did with the Voldemorte side of Harry in King's Cross. Reminds me of the description of Voldemorte in the beginning of GOF with Barty Crouch, Jr, Nagini and Wormtail.

I liked that we had one more book/adventure wrap up with Dumbledore. Every book has ended with this and I really wanted another even if it was to be with him on the "other side of the veil"

I dare anyone to admit they didn't tear up when Dobby died!! I dare you!! I know I did.

How cool was it that Kreature brought in the House Elves to help! I have the picture of hundreds of them in tea towels racing in with kitchen cutlery to help turn the tide!! Unbelievably fantastic!!

My opinions on other characters, or those I wish she had mentioned in the final chapter. This in no way reduced the enjoyment of the story or the series in general, I have been a huge fan since having discovered Harry 7 years ago through my mother who is a reading teacher. I will continue to read the series over and over and when my children are older I will share the stories with them as well.

-Does George continue with Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes?

-Obviously Bill and Fleur survive to have a daughter that was "snogging" Teddy Tonks. But what about Charlie and Percy not much mention of them after Fred dies?

-What relationship does Teddy Tonks have with Harry? Harry is his godfather. Are they as close as Harry was with Sirius? Teddy we have to assume was being raised by Andromeda, Tonks' mother. There is a serious similarity between Teddy and Harry and Neville(orphan being raised by other family). If there are ever any more Hogwarts stories I think Teddy would be a great character to center around(shameless appeal to JK, please please, please with Splenda on top!!!!)

-Luna, one of my favorite characters, my thoughts is she takes over The Quibbler from her father

-Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas-did they survive the Battle of Hogwarts?

-Professor McGonagal-New Headmistress? Or if she "retired" who would have taken over? If she is headmistress who is now head of Gryffindor House?

-The Malfoys, what happened? They were all sullen after Voldemorte was killed but they still helped him. In my opinion they should have had to do time in Azkaban. Obviously Draco never repented, seen by his reaction running through Hogwarts saying he was a Deatheater. To Azkaban with all of them I say. I know Draco shows later but he is a git and deserved Azkaban.

-On the question of Harry's job. I see him either being in the Auror office or living comfortably on the money that was left to him by his parents. Maybe filling in from time to time or being an adjunct professor in Defense Against the Dark Arts. And being a complete pain in the butt to Delores Umbridge anyway he could!!

Well I'm off to continue the CD's. . .

[kimmibear]

FYI JK told Today that she will probably write an HP "Encyclopedia" in the next years to come that will not only go over all the characters, but include the where are they now for the ones not included in the eplogue in the book.

[Luanne]

My only negative on the whole thing was like some of you have said the epilogue. It was a tad sugary but it did tie up some questions but most of them were obvious ones, relationships basically.
I think the epilogue might have also been written, and geared towards, JK Rawlings younger readers. I know my 16 year old dd loved the ending epilogue, dh didn't care for the epilogue

I dare anyone to admit they didn't tear up when Dobby died!! I dare you!! I know I did.**/quote]
Yep, this one got me.

[quote]How cool was it that Kreature brought in the House Elves to help! I have the picture of hundreds of them in tea towels racing in with kitchen cutlery to help turn the tide!! Unbelievably fantastic!! I have to go back and re-read the last couple of chapters. For some reason the whole battle is really fuzzy.

-What relationship does Teddy Tonks have with Harry? Harry is his godfather. Are they as close as Harry was with Sirius? Harry makes a comment about Teddy being at their house at least 4 times a week for dinner, so I'm assuming they have a close relationship.

-Luna, one of my favorite characters, my thoughts is she takes over The Quibbler from her fatherYes, definitely a favorite. And I love the actress they had play her in the last movie. I still think it would have been nice if she and Neville ended up together.

-Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas-did they survive the Battle of Hogwarts?I think so. Since they mentioned Colin Creevy was killed, I would think that any other character that we'd known through all of the books would have been mentioned as well if they hadn't made it.

-Professor McGonagal-New Headmistress? Sure hope so.

I've also read about the encyclopedia that JK is writing. I can hardly wait. :bcb_bigsm

[kimmibear]

Headmistress isn't McGonagall. From today show interview with JK again...

"Hogwarts, for example, has a new headmaster (“McGonagall was really getting on a bit”), and Rowling said she can see Harry going back to give the “odd talk” on Defense Against the Dark Arts. That class, by the way, is now led by a permanent professor, since Voldemort’s death broke the jinx that didn’t allow a teacher to remain in the position for more than a year."

Here's the link to the interview...http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19935372/

And the actress who played Luna was excellent! I loved her!

[youngfrankenstein]

Help me out-so The Elder Wand belonged to Draco because he took it from Dumbledore in the last book? He never killed him but he "over powered" him and that made it his? It took me awhile to get that.

[mrss]

Here's another link with more info from JK Rowling: Author gives details on events after the book’s final epilogue (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19959323/)

[Luanne]

Thanks for that link.

You know what I think is so wonderful. There have been Harry Potter threads that have popped up on just about every place I post. I post a lot on a timeshare information board and there is an active posting there, there is another one on collegeconfidential (where I just started doing some posting). Harry Potter reaches across all areas and has universal appeal. The 7th book was a major topic of discussion at our dinner table last night. I love it!

[Bulldog]

Help me out-so The Elder Wand belonged to Draco because he took it from Dumbledore in the last book? He never killed him but he "over powered" him and that made it his? It took me awhile to get that.
Yep that is the way I understood it. Apparently the wand chose Draco when he was able to take it from Dumbledore. Since Draco gave it to Voldemorte he hadn't "won" it so it did not want to serve him. Then Harry took it from Voldemorte having defeated the real master who was in fact Draco. It took me a minute on that one as well. It kind of unfolded like an Agatha Christie novel.