Wild About Harry

I have been on a Harry Potter reading marathon since early summer.  After I read the third book, years ago, I decided I would wait to read the rest until the whole series was out, and I could read them straight through. 

So back in June I re-read book three, and then I began reading the new stuff.

And you know, if you are a Harry Potter junkie like I am, that the thrilling stories and lovable characters will get so much into your head that you start identifying with them just a leetle too much, sometimes.  I have dreamed about them two of the last three nights.

This was evidenced to me the other night, when I collapsed on the couch after a long day, and I realized that the remote control was across the room.  And I AM NOT KIDDING EVEN ONE BIT when I tell you that my initial thought was to shout, "Accio remote!"

I should probably get out a little more. 

Last night I finally finished the last book in the series, a feat I accomplished with the help of a great deal of caffeine and a very large box of Kleenex.

If you have never read the series, please do not read any further.  I'm serious.  Big time spoilers ahead, because I HAVE TO DISCUSS THIS. 

*scrolling down now*

*still scrolling*

Seriously, you've been warned.

*humming and tapping my foot*

Nice weather we're having, isn't it?

*still scrolling*

Last warning.

You still here?  Okay.  Let's talk.

I know I'm arriving a little late at this party.  Much of the Potter-loving world has already hashed and re-hashed this book.  But you know what?  I HAVE to talk about this book, because OH MY WORD.  That last one absolutely wore me out. 

Just as Rowling promised, all the ends were tied up so neatly (in my opinion), and all the major questions were answered.  There were still a few things I wondered about, though (and this will be totally stream-of-consciousness, because my mind and heart are still racing).

Even though we caught another glimpse of Petunia Dursley in the Pensieve, I couldn't help but find myself wanting to know how and where the Dursleys wound up.  All along, I suspected the series would end with Petunia somehow re-entering the magic world and giving her life for Harry.  I guess something in me needs the bad guys to become good guys.  I wonder what happened to Dudley?

I'm totally not bragging here (actually, yes I am), but I saw the Snape thing coming.  At the start of this last book, I even went on record with Hubs (who read it before me), saying, "I KNOW Snape is still a good guy."  That was very satisfying, and when we learned that Harry's middle son had the middle name of Severus...well, a big sob got caught in my throat.

Speaking of sobs, the scene where Harry finally got to talk to his parents in the woods, just before he thought he was dying...was that the most heart-wrenching thing you've ever read?  I positively howled, and books almost never make me cry. 

And, I think I may have missed this--who ended up raising Teddy Lupin?  Was it Bill and Fleur? 

And then--oh, then--there was The Kiss.  When Hermione planted that big one on Ron I nearly came right out of my skin.  And I also nearly woke up Hubs and planted a big one on him in celebration, but since it was 1 am, I restrained myself.

Do you think there's any chance for another series?  Maybe Harry as an adult?  Or little Albus and his friends?  I know, probably not.  A girl can hope.

I know I'm leaving out a dozen observations that were coursing through my brain last night.  I was so eager to find out what happened that I probably read it too fast.  I'm actually thinking about re-reading more slowly, so I can pick up on everything I missed last time.

Go ahead--fire away in the comments section and share your favorite and best thoughts about that wonderful world of Harry.  I don't know when I've been so sad to see a book--and series--end.

Comments

[Marta]

Oh agreed. So wonderful. Realizing that Snape had looked out for Harry because of his mother...*sob*! I also finished in the wee hours and was beside myself when Harry tells his son, "He was the bravest man I've ever known."
Seriously, the woman deserves every penny she's earned.

[SUMMER]

Harry Potter is one of the books that are cleverly written. I was hooked on it since the first book came out. I, too cried on that last book. I can't wait for the movies to come out. :)

[Tammy]

Never read a single page never mind the series.I was sad last year when the Series of Unfortunate Events ended!!

[Sarah DeSalvo]

LOL at the "accio remote"!!! I didn't read your spoilers, because I live overseas and so far have only been able to obtain through Book 5. I guess I'll have to wait until I can get back to the States or get someone to send me the last 2 to satisfy my Harry Potter need... but I went through the first 5 in a matter of about 2 weeks or so. I also was dreaming Harry Potter characters, but I never had any of the charms pop into my head during the day!

[AmyR]

I LOVED the Harry Potter series so much! every since book 1, our family buys one, I read it - then my husband, then my middle son and then the oldest (he gave them up at book 3 - too long : ). And on the last one - I thought I would explode waiting for each of them to get done to talk about it! I did the SAME thing about Snape - I knew he was good and kept telling my guys too! I cried over the last one and that's unusual for me. We were wondering what Harry ended up having as a job - I couldn't find any hint toward that.

[Susan G.]

I saw the Snape thing coming too!! My sister teased me for over a year for believing Snape wasn't all bad. Boy, did I cry when Harry saw his parents, Lupin, and Sirius in the forest. And Fred?? My heart went out to poor George. {Yes I know they are not real people, but...) I also would love to know what happened to the Dursleys.
J.K. Rowling said in interviews after the book came out that Teddy Lupin was raised by Tonks' mother. She also has said she will write an encyclopedia of the wizarding world.
Take a look at the Harry Potter Lexicon at hp-lexicon.org. It has everything in the Harry Potter books. Including stuff like differences in the British and the US versions, word count. J.K. Rowling has admitted to using to check facts while writing her books!

[April]

You know a series of books is good when you miss the characters. I find myself wondering what Harry is up to? How are his kids doing in school?

The whole series is such a great example of good and evil. I can't wait for my kids are old enough to read and discuss the books.

[girlymama]

Seriously - HOW did you get anything else done whle you were reading? I read the whole last book straight through without even stopping to feed my family.

I sobbed when Dobby died. I never even liked Dobby - found him rather annoying - but I was sooo upset when he died. And the Weasley's mourning Fred - more tissues.

For the ultimate closure, check out this article where Rowlings tells you about what happens to everyone after the book - its fantastic! I wished it had all been in the book - like LOTR with its 17 endings ;-)
http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/books/07/30/potters.afterlife.ap/index.html

[Beth @ The Natural Mommy]

Oh. My. Goodness, I am glad you are going through this with me! I just finished reading the last book out loud to my husband (IN IT'S ENTIRETY - I started on a whim and then he wouldn't let me stop (the last part of the book I read for FOUR STRAIGHT HOURS until 2am!)

We are both going through horrible Harry Potter withdrawal. We so desperately want more. It's like losing a best friend, brother, and an arm all at once!

We are now watching the movies and it is SO FUN to watch that first movie and see Ginny and scream out "You're going to marry Harry Potter!" and not so fun to see Fred and George and know they won't both survive the series. Oh, and seeing Ron and Hermione bicker and know by the end they'll be "snogging" - I get so tickled!

I wonder how long I'll be able to go before I have to re-read the entire series.

But yes, having the Potter kids go through something like this in their own series? PLEASE?! PLEASE J.K. ROWLING?! OH PRETTY PLEASE?!

[nicole]

I've been re-reading the series myself. I'll be picking up book 7 from my mom tomorrow to give it another go. Overall, I think book 6 was the best of the series. I think it showed the struggles Harry was facing in a much more complex way and that the story itself was more challenging to the reader. In Book 7, I really did not think for a minute that Ron would abandon Harry and Hermione for the final quest. It was just a matter of time. I also knew she would not kill the big 3, but I thought it was all tied up a little too neatly. Where was the challenge in accepting the end? Sometimes the good guys lose, or sustain more losses. I was very glad Snape turned out to still be good--I really liked his tortured character. Rowling does an excellent job of making the reader angry at him, but still wanting him to be all right.
I think there will be another series. The final lines of the book leave it way too open. I mean, "All was well with the world" or whatever is begging for trouble. So, perhaps it will be the littles that the new series is about.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the whole series. I will certainly go back and read them many more times over the years. I wish the movies were better though.

[CarrieZ]

And poor Hedwig!

I want Hermione's purse in a big way. Wouldn't that just be the ultimate solution for keeping up with two kids under 5?

[Prisca]

I'm so happy for you! And sad at the same time. It was such a relief for me when I finished the books up, but then the finality of it settled in. I was let down for several days afterward (I had waited in line at midnight for the last book). The good news is that Harry and friends will always be available to you again via the wonderful books. The bad news is that it still DOES feel incomplete. Have you checked out the great websites for Potter fans? The Leaky Cauldron etc.? Also, some of those sites published Rowlings much more detailed discussions of life after book 7 for her characters. I predict you'll find solace in her interviews. She really had a VERY developed sense of what will happen to H, H, R, etc. Thank goodness for Rowling!!!

[Heidi]

I was a little disappointed that we didn't find out more about the characters' futures at the end. All we found out, really, was that they married and had kids, which was important to show that they had truly succeeded, long-term, by defeating Voldemort, but I would have liked more. It would have been nice to see how George carried on, for example. Or to know where they lived, what their jobs were -- I had a hard time seeing Hermione as just a mother, when I pictured her going on to crusade for elf rights or something. She was so ambitious and passionate all through the series, that I was surprised not to find out how she channeled that energy in her adult years. But reading the CNN article that Girlymama posted helped. :)

One of my favorite parts was that Neville and the DA carried on a secret rebellion at Hogwart's. I kind of wish we could have seen more of that somehow instead of wandering around aimlessly in the woods with H, R & H for so long. I was happy to see the return of so many Hogwart's alumni for the final battle too. And I loved that Neville got some glory! He's one of my favorites, so I was pleased to see him grow up into a capable wizard.

I also really enjoyed the Dumbledore backstory. He had been portrayed as so wise, so nearly-flawless throughout the series that it was a relief to have some humanity finally given to him.

I finished reading the book in August and I still get tears in my eyes when I think of certain parts of it. I was so sad to see the series end.

[GiftGuru]

Sister, ok, seriously and truly....the Harry Potter phenomenon is truly fabulous. I have read every book, seen every movie. The last book was bittersweet, so anticipated, yet there are no more after this.So sad. It was good to find out that Snape was actually good. I had been wondering for years. Then to know that Ginny is Harry's main squeeze...it's too cute !!!
LONG LIVE HARRY !!!!!

[Emily R]

I cried when Fred died. I bawled when I found out about little Albus's middle name. Where did Luna end up? Someone told me once that JKR had posted somewhere more details about the wrap-up, but I can't remember where. I want to start from 1 and go all through, but the Snape thing being settled will take out some of the glee and discovery, I'm afraid.

[Lisa]

I *heart* the Harry Potter series. My two big issues with book 7 is:
1) House Unity had been preached forever. It's not who you were born as, but the choices you make. Yet in the end, the only "good" Slytherin was Snape. So basically your future as a good-for-nothing-evil lot is decided when you are 11? As a mom to four (and a woman in my *ahem* 40s), I know that 11/12 year olds are not set in stone. Bad kids can become good young adults and vice-versa.
2) The epilogue was just...lacking. On the surface it was too tidy, too shallow. Yet something seemed dark about it. I could not figure it out until I read this - http://tkp.livejournal.com/70244.html#cutid1 - In terms of prejudices, little has changed from book 1 to book 7...

[Suzanne]

Here's the J.K. Rowling interviews that are a must read:

Leaky Cauldron Web Chat Transcript:
Leaky Cauldron Web Chat Transcript

Dateline NBC Interview:
NBC Interview

[Vidhya]

Oh, how I bawled my eyes out reading the last book!( It was at 3 in the morning!!!) Finishing the laast book was like loosing a good frnd!!! Cant help from wanting more of HP.

JKR should probably write somehting on HP's children. Reading the afterlife of HP has given me some peace!! *sniff*sniff*

[Shauna]

Such a great ending to a great series! (Unlike the Series of Unfortunate Events, I must add, which unfortunately had a lame ending that seemed thrown together.) I heard that Rowling's next project will be an encyclopedia of the series. I just read an interesting interview with her earlier this week as she discussed the Christian themes in the series, especially the last book.

[Jeni]

I agree wholeheartedly with everything you said! I'm a weirdo, too, because I feel like I actually KNOW these people. And I knew Snape was really good, too - otherwise why all the trust from Albus?

I wish it could all continue...I miss them already.

[Summer]

Yeah I cried several times reading the last book. With Dobby's death and Harry walking to his death. That scene was crazy emotional. It was a fantastic read. Did not disappoint.

[Danielle T.]

The thing that killed me the most was Snape's death, when he begged Harry to look directly into his eyes. He wanted his light sight to be that of Lily's eyes! Even now it makes me tear up!

[Danielle T.]

That should've been his LAST sight. I had tears in my eyes and didn't see my mistake!

[Cassi]

I also loved the series, but wanted to know so much more about their futures. I hope she does do a series on the younger ones. Or even a book of short stories involving some of the side characters. I love Fred and George. Oh how I cried when he died!

[Jessica]

I too felt bummed that the whole series is over now. Have you seen this clip? Its a Harry Potter intervention that is pretty funny. *warning* there is a bad word toward the beginning, in case there are little ears around your computer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmnyWlQDnns

[Staci]

My predictions:

J.K. Rowling, I think, means what she says when she says the series is done. The "vibes" I get through the interviews I see and read are that she's the type that sticks to her guns. And it's not like she's hurting for money right now, either.

But, when she dies *someone* is going to manage to get her will overturned and then, after a huge flood of publicity, someone is going to saddle the world with a mediocre Harry Potter sequel. Remember the sequel to Gone with the Wind? Like that.

I probably won't live to see it, though, since Rowling is only a few years older than I am.

[Michelle]

Okay, I know there is some sort of 12-step program out there for those trying to sort out their feelings concerning the series coming to an end. If you haven't experienced withdrawl yet...you will. I think it's like step 2. That would be after the exhilaration phase which is, I believe, step 1.

The Dursley thing has bugged me the most. That was a storyline that I desperately wanted to be resolved. We were given vague tidbits, but I wanted more. Kinda like a Pringle. I too, thought Petunia would do something "heroic" for Harry. But alas, 'twas not to be.

Totally bawled when Fred died. I literally sat with my mouth open and my hand planted firmly over it when that one happened. Did-not-see-it-coming-AT-ALL!! I was soooo beyond sad. How could she break up the Weasley twins?? It's a travesty. I mean, after the whole swamp ordeal and flying out of the school in opposition to Umbridge in Book 5 (which completely cracked me up)? How could she? I also wished she had elaborated on what happened with George.

I also loved the fact that Harry killed He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named without using some sort of complicated magic. The fact that he outwitted Voldemort with his brain and not magic (ok, not totally,but still..) was ever so awesome in a totally non-magical sense.

I could go on forever about this. I'm telling you...it is a 12-step program.

[Lindsey]

JK Rowling is planning on writing a Harry Potter Encyclopedia where she'll answer all the little things that didn't make it into the books, like back-stories on smaller characters and such. I'm REALLY excited for it! There's a podcast called MuggleCast which is all about Harry Potter discussion. Check it out sometime, they're really interesting and funny. They raise a lot of good points.

[Shannon]

The Harry Potter series IS amazing, I have been a loyal fan since it all started, and it is really depressing now that it's over. The series has spanned like, half my life...so its a big ending for me.

However, it IS the end. There will be no new Potter series, at least none written by Rowling herself. There will be however a Harry Potter Encyclopedia. This book will have the sum of all the wizard world information, and more info on character backgrounds, and what happened after the end of book 7. It wont be out for a while though because Rowling said that she needs a LONG break after the 7 book series.

At least there are still the movies to look forward to!!!

[Not the Queen]

I feel the exact same way about the books!

Check out these websites for some more information:

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/19959323/
http://entertainment.msn.com/news/article.aspx?news=270634&GT1=10150

[FeeFiFoto]

After finishing Book 7 I went back to Book 6 and alternated between them for a while so I could get a better handle on what was what.

I've been watching Goblet of Fire while walking my treadmill and I noticed the Deathly Hallows symbol in Dumbledore's office. Look for the scene where Dumbledore returns to his office just after Harry has emerged from his first (accidental) encounter with the Pensieve and you'll see a large glass pyramid on a shelf.

[Simply Sandy]

I knew after I finished it that I would have to read it again to catch all the details I missed while rushing through it. Oh, and I might as well do the previous one too, since my brain simply could not remember the sequence of events. Is it age? My husband and I look at each other at the beginning of every new season of our fave sci-fi show, and so help me, I can't remember half of the plot points. On the bright side, at least I get to experience it all over again, just like it was the first time!

[Ann]

Alright fine, I will fess up....I'm a huge Harry Potter dork. Every time a new book came out I re-read the previous ones and then read the new one. As soon as I finished HP 7, I then immediately started reading it out loud to my husband. And then I've been trying to wait an appropriate amount of time before re-reading the whole series, since I just re-read them all again in May to be ready for book 7. And I can no longer wait, I just finished 1,2,3 and am now reading 4, why? Because I'm a super dork, that's why! And I just can't let go. And so after reading the comments and links, I've just spent an hour jumping around reading "extras". Hehe, long live the obsession!

[Jennifer]

I think you probably have a good shot at reading some fan fiction, but I doubt Rowling will continue the series.

I've started reading HP number 1 with my six year old, and he's enjoying it a lot! I also want to now go through & read the whole series & see how much more I pick up. A lot of characters from book 7 were actually introduced in book 1!

[Melissa]

I usually lurk here... but you've posted about Harry Potter and I just can't stop myself! :) I loved these books! Isn't it amazing how we get wrapped up in these things? I have to admit that I probably cried the hardest when Dobby died. How weird is that? He was so loving and unselfish... JKR certainly has a way of drawing you into the stories! I thought Snape was good too... loved the part right before he died where he asked Harry to look at him so that the last thing he saw before he died was Lily's eyes! Okay! Enough! I'm gonna make myself cry again ;)

[Melessa, Mommy of Four]

I loved these books so much and yes, large amounts of Kleenex were definitely in order for Book 7. Just before the last book came out, I posted to my blog that Ms. Rowling could do ANYTHING to any of the characters as long as she left my precious Weasley twins alone. That didn't work out too well for me (or them). I'm not sure I can do this justice in a paragraph, but I LOVED Hermione's 'little black bag' that literally held everything. I was glad Harry finally saw his parents' graves and where he lived as a baby. I enjoyed the moment between Harry and "Big D" and really wish Rowling had elaborated on what happened when the Dementors had Dudley in Book 5. I'm disappointed in Aunt Petunia never loving Harry-I thought she would come through for him in the end. And I do wonder what happened to the family once they no longer needed wizarding protection.

I liked seeing all sides of Dumbledore. I liked how it was Neville who took up where Harry, Ron, and Hermione left off at Hogwarts and I thought I wanted it to be him to kill Bellatrix and avenge his parents UNTIL Molly Weasley handled it so well herself. (And Neville took care of Nagini.) I've always been partial to poor Neville, so it was great to see him shine.

I loved that the Ron/Hermione kiss came because Ron was thinking about the house elves. I loved Ron joking about being "very famous" at the train station and finally being OK with who he was and who Harry was.

And I sobbed while Harry was in the forest with his parents and Sirius and again with Dumbledore in the station "just because it's a dream, doesn't mean it isn't real." Snape's "look at me" as he was dying tore my heart out, and I just KNEW he loved Lily even though they seemed to disprove that in earlier books. Can you imagine what a life he had from her death until his? I'm tearing up right now just writing about it.

And finally, I'm glad Harry got to be 'the boy who lived' for real. That he got to grow up to marry Ginny and have a family of his own. Some might argue that the package was a little to "neat," but sometimes I like my books and movies to do that for me because real life rarely ever allows for that. I'm glad you enjoyed the books-goodness knows I love them too.

[Karen]

So yeah. I don't know if there's much left to say other than I loved them and it took me DAYS to stop thinking about them after I read the last one. I am a little sad about how neatly she wrapped it all up in the end. Probably because I didn't want it to end at all.

[Kristen]

Well, seeing's how it's been about 3 months since I read the book (it's amazing how much you can forget in that amount of time) it's hard to remember the finer details.

However, I will say that my favoritest, favorite part of the book was where Snape was redeemed. I was like you....always knew there was a good guy in him.

I was just a leetle disappointed in the ending--seemed a little anti-climactic for me--his duel with Voldemort.

But all in all--the best series of books I've ever read. None will ever compare. I'd been wishing that she would do a series with the gang all working for the ministry of magic or something, but the way she left it, I don't see that happening.

And the "accio remote" thing?! ROFL! You don't know how many times I did those spells in my head while reading those books....if only.....

[Shalee]

Oh girl, I need this talk because I too read it late AND I successfully avoided all the hoopla about it. Whew. But then it was too late to discuss it with anyone. Bummer.

I too am a HP fan. I love the imagery, the foreshadowing, the humor and the plot lines. I mainly loved it because I've watched my girl go from a read along with Mom and Dad to a "Don't talk to me! I'm reading!" girl. She devoured #5 and is starting the sixth book. (One book for each grade level.) I'll be rereading them for years to come.

Snape: I'm going to be brutally honest in a "I'm not really all that" way. I called Snape's role way back in Book 4. Dumbledore's wisdom and "almost-all-knowing" abilities made it a shoe-in for me. As I read the 5th, 6th and 7th book, they seemed to support my theories all the more. But I loved how she tried to leave the reader guessing.

I cried bucket, BUCKETS, over Dobby. He wasn't my favorite character by any means, but he had a true heart that remained faithful to Harry despite all the ups and downs. It was just so sad to watch him go the way he did.

Fred (didn't expect that one), Lupin, Tonks, Colin, etc. they all made me blubber too. I should have bought stock in Kleenex for the amount of crying I had over their deaths. Tonks' mother was still alive, so I would imagine that Teddy would be raised by her.

Harry's death made me cry, but seeing as there were still 80 pages left, I knew something was going to happen. I couldn't end that way. But I loved that Harry was able to gather support from those he loved and missed the most. And it didn't go by me that he made the biggest sacrifice - dying for those who needed him. The way that sacrifice extended love and protection to all the others was a beautiful scene, which of course, as a Christian, I see as a nod to Christ. She may not have meant it that way, but the beauty of reading is that I can interpret it as I see fit. :)

I loved the dual at the end with Mrs. Weasley and Bellatrix. Such a mama bear move! Could have done without the cussing, but the scene was brilliant.

The fact that Harry/Ron/Hermione deigned to save Draco multiple times was uplifting and inspiring. Rowling kept bringing around the idea of helping your fellow man and, even better, your arch enemy.

I personally loved the ending. I thought it was appropriate that not all the details of their lives were given. The point was that Harry was finally allowed to have the private/love-filled life he had been denied having for the previous 17 years. The fact that they showed Ron and Hermione as a happily married couple and Harry and Ginny as a happily married couple made the ending so much more bearable. I like it all the more that all the children were raised to not know about Harry's stardom, evident by the fact that Albus had to ask why everyone was staring at them. It appeared that Harry's kids had the sense of normalcy that Harry never had.

I don't want it to go on and on. I want it to stop so that it ends on a high and doesn't limp out like some over-exhausted show that doesn't know when to quit.

My questions as to the ending were these: Did Hermione continue on her path to be the greatest witch of all time and what career did Harry eventually choose? I would imagine that he had all sorts of doors open to him after Voldemort was killed.

[Shalee]

Good night nurse! I hadn't realized that I had written so much!

Sorry Shannon!

[Erin Morgan]

I'm so glad to know that there are other people out there like me! Staying up all night to read, reading way to fast to catch all the details, crying and cheering... oh, I love those books! I did not see the Snape thing coming - a total surprise to me. I think Rowling is a total genius - the whole series is beyond words.

[ABC]

I also knew Snape was good all along... he just had to be. I loved how it ended even though some people didn't like the idea of Harry and Ron, etc. being married. I'm sappy and love a happy ending.

[Kristin]

I'm not reading all 40 some comments before me so sorry if I repeat stuff.

"Accio remote." I have totally had those thoughts. "Accio keys." And I think it would be really handy to learn the spells to clean my house and cook dinner and with a wave of my wand, wash and put away the dishes.

I loved the line and I am totally paraphrasing that says something like How do muggles live without magic?

I hate the movies, so far, but will still see them all. They just aren't getting it.

I read books 1 - 7 in a matter of 3 weeks, not much got done around my house! But, I did read 1 - 3 as we drove from Minnesota to Connecticut so I got a good jump start.

[Megan]

I read all 7 books in August. Talk about getting nothing else done.

Just yesterday my C7 was looking for her math book (had been looking for 15 minutes) - I got frustrated and said, "Come ON, C7! It didn't just disapparate!"

Um, so, yes. I understand.

[Melissa]

I cried when Dobby died and the other death that bothered me the most was Fred. The book was awesome. I think there will be more. I just can't see it not happening. There's too much good material there!

[Heather - loving our homeschool]

I love, love, love these books as well!! I read the first 4 or 5 all in a row. Then I had to wait for book 6 to come out and told my husband that I missed Hermione, Harry & Ron! It was like being with good friends every day for so long and then *poof* they're gone! I can't wait until my kiddos are old enough to read these books!

[Ewokgirl]

I was also convinced all along that Snape was good. I trusted Dumbledore's judgement too much to think otherwise.

Personally, I don't want any more books about Harry, and I certainly don't want any spin-offs. I think this series is perfect as is, and to add anything to it would be to just ride the coattails of its popularity. I prefer to have a bit left to the imagination.

Oh, and I have to add that I'm more prone to attempt to use the Force for remotes, as opposed to the Accio spell. Regardless, though, neither has ever worked for me. Bummer.

[Heidi]

Harry has a son????? Wait, 3 sons????? Yes, I'm one of those people who hasn't read book 7 (or book 6) yet, and I read the spoilers anyway. This will help me read the book straight through instead of skipping ahead because I can't stand the suspense. And yes, that's very funny about the remote. Don't you wish you could cook the way Mrs. Weasley does?

[Lila]

De-lurking to chirp in and remember how wonderful this read was. My big boys read it in English, my girls are waiting feverishly for the Hebrew translation. We have all the books in English and Hebrew.

Like everybody else, I began re-reading the series in May. I can't wait to re-read it again, now having the last one under my belt. Rowling is an amazing writer - she really kept those arches going, from book to book.

I cried for Dobby. I understood the goblins. And Shalee, I found Molly's word to Bellatrix very powerful - what else could have forced such a word from her mouth but Bellatrix' attempt to kill her child? I always loved Molly and Arthur and the one thing I need is such a worry clock in my kitchen! I think Rowling knew what she did when she stripped Molly of all decorum and showed the bare maternal instinct jump to the fore.

I found the death of both Lupin and Tonks very sad / I loved those two.

And I still think Snape might have been a bit nicer to Harry or let him sense somehow that there is a motivation for his terrible treatment of the poor boy. So I loved to see Snape restored to the good side - but still... I'm glad Harry could forgive him for his former nastiness.

I loved loved loved Neville and his gran. Loved the ghosts and Dumbledore reduced to human dimensions and loved the courage of Rowling to confront us with the terrible image of Voldemort's wounded soul.

I cried when we stood at Lily's and James' grave. I hope he returned there to see the place under better circumstances.

I loved Hermione's pride in Ron and Ginny's attitude all the way. I accepted that death is death and tragedy is tragedy - like Neville's parents. No cheap comfort here but courage and honesty.

I feel Rowlign has built characters who will stay with us forever. We discuss them at home as if they were friends - which they are. My children will always remember they grew up with Harry Potter and were part of this magical mania. My boys became readers thanks to JKR.

Oh and I was so happy to read here how many women like me, dignified rulers of homes and mothers of many ;-) cried over a glassy/eyed house elf and a mischief maker with red hair. Would you have believed it ten years ago???...

And thank you so much for all the wonderful links. Off to read and re-inundate (is there such a word??) in the wonderful world of Harry Potter.

[An Ordinary Mom]

I was going to post the J.K. Rowling interviews were you find out more about the characters, but it looks like someone already took care of that for me.

I believe Teddy's grandparents are raising him.

I very rarely reread books, but after seeing the 5th movie this summer, I started the series over. I thought it would take me awhile, but I am nearly done with book 7 and it hasn't even been 2 months!

Glad to have an excuse to talk about Potter!

[An Ordinary Mom]

Deep in my heart, I always knew Snape was good.

[Kandy]

I agree with everything you posted...the one thing I was upset was that she didn't explain why Snape tried to kill Harry with the avra kadavra curse at the end of book 6. It would have been simple to have the pensieve show him deliberately missing, and just doing it to "look good" in front of the other Death Eaters.

And...I was FURIOUS that she killed Fred. Gah!!

I believe I saw where Rowling said she wouldn't write any more books about Harry...but I could easily see another series in the same world, maybe even featuring the kids of Harry and gang...or maybe have them do cameos.

Great post :)

[Laura]

Oh, I am so glad I'm not the only 30-something-year old Christian woman who loves the Harry Potter books!

I bawled throughout the book, from Hedwig dying all the way through to the very end... with short non-crying jags in between.

I cried, sobbing, when Harry opened the Snitch and his parents and Sirius & Lupin were with him. Oh, also when he was at their grave and found himself crying, and Hermione made the wreath to lay at their grave...

Fred, oh, Fred - I cannot believe she did that to the twins! That was absolutely shocking!

I was rather miffed with Dumbledore, being such a protector, when he was actually saving a lamb for slaughter. I know, I KNOW, he had to do it - but it still bugs me, you know?

One of my favorite lines in the whole entire book was when Mrs. Weasley screamed that obsenity at Bellatrix - that will be a classic line, like Rhett Butler's line in Gone with the Wind.

I, too, wish she would have said what happened to the Dursley's. I know that Teddy Lupin was raised by his grandma - I think that was suggested/hinted at in the epilogue.

I agree with the commenter above, that the series will continue after Rowling passes away - someone will run with it. My thought is that there will be a series to fill-in the years between teh final chapter of Book 7 & the epilogue, because you know the Death Eaters aren't going to just go away quietly.

Just my two cents - I can't wait to start over again with Book 1, and read through again - but that will have to wait until the kidlets are older and I have more time. (Like when they are married!)

[Laura]

Oooh - me again - just had an amazing thought for another series - maybe a Slitherin (Draco???) waits until he is old and gray, discovers the secret of the Deathly Hallows, and begins a quest to find the 3 hallows - but time is running out, because he and Harry are the same age, and he has to do it before Harry dies... getting goosebumps just thinking about it! Or maybe I'm just in withdrawel, LOL!

[Suzanne M]

I'm with you! It was engrossing. I also loved reading about the new and improved Kreacher. I cried (along with everyone else) about Hedwig, Dobby, Tonks, Lupin, and Fred....I wish there was another one coming!

[Katie (your neighbor!)]

i know how you feel about feeling so sad...it's like you don't really want to let them go!! i was one of the millions to buy it at midnight...read through the night and had it finished the next afternoon. as much as i desperately wanted to savor the whole thing...i just blazed through it. (sigh). I think it's about time to start re-reading!

[kelly]

ohmygosh, I'm SO glad you wrote this!! I feel guilty I'm so into Harry Potter - much worse than I've ever been into any soap opera or tv show. It is just an outstanding series of books! I hope SO bad that she will decide to write one more book "The Nineteen Years". I want to go to Harry & Ginny & Ron & Hermoine's weddings, see the kids be born, see Harry & All his friends finish out their last year at Hogwarts and play Quidditch some more, and see what they do for a living now!

And see who took care of Teddy Lupin.

And see the village of Hogsmead reborn.

And see Percy join with George at the joke shop.

I have read the final book 3 times (so far!) The first time was a speed read because I was dying to know. I sobbed like it was real life when Hedwig died, when Ron smashed the Horcrux and then he and Harry embraced, at the cemetary in Godric's Hollow, well, the whole scene in Godric's Hollow, and final scene when he walks into the forest with his parents, and the scene where Neville breaks free from Voldemorts spell and kills the snake....I could go on and on and on. And so much humor thrown in! The mental picture of Professor McGonogal herding stampeding school desks down the corridor with her skirts and hair flying, Luna (enough said) and finally Harry finishing Voldemort with the very spell that Lupin scorned him for using. This will truly make a fantastic movie, and I hope they will film the entire story, even if they have to do what they used to in the old days, have a 4 hour movie with an intermission in the middle.

And one of the best lines was when Mrs. Weasley screamed "you b" at Bellatrix and went after her with fire! Almost as good as when she got her!

[peppylady]

Hi Sharon I enjoy your blog very much and every Friday I do a thing called a Friendly Friday and your one of my V.I.B (Very Important Blogger) if you get chance stop by.

Oh yes if anyone want to vote for me in the fall photo contest stop on over and there links over on my blog.

[Jenni]

Oh, I'm so sorry that it's over! But I saw the Snape thing coming too. And I'm so happy she obliged me! I cried too. It was splendid. But Fred!! When Fred died! Auuuugh!!! I mean, I knew she had to kill of some people, but wah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I never use myriad exclamation points. But this is the only case that warrants it.

I don't think she'll write more from Hogwarts. To be honest, I would think she must be absolutely SICK of the HP phenomenon and it would not surprise me a bit if she wrote something comPLETELY different now. Ten years is a long time to write about one thing.

[Anne]

I loved the series too. Opening the front cover of the last book was really hard because I knew that once it was read, the series would be over and I'd never experience the "magic" of a Potter book again. I was also worried about who would live and who would die. Once Hedwig went in about chapter 2, all bets were off and ANYBODY was up for the final eviction. Wept buckets over Dobby. Didn't see that one coming at all. So disappointed that Remus and Tonks both died thus leaving another orphan just like Harry. Loved Mrs Weasley doing Bellatrix in!! Thought it was marvellous that Harry defeated Voldemort with his signature spell. I know a lot of people didn't like the epilogue, but I did. It brought the story full circle and it brought the underlying theme of the series full circle, too. It's our choices that determine who and what we are. Voldemort chose and received his reward. Harry chose, too and ended up "bringing balance to the Force"...then he passes this knowledge onto his son, Albus. It's our choices that make us what we are. Loved the books!!

[Linda]

I told my kids (ages 27, 25, and 21), all of whom live out of town, that if anything happened to Mrs. Weasley they would all have to come home to help me mourn. Fortunately, Mrs. W. rocked my world when she killed Bellatrix. I was reading outside on the patio this summer the day after the book came out, and I cheered outloud when Mrs. W. did her thing. Our neighbor, who was weeding his garden, asked if I was okay! That was one great moment for moms.

[Vicky]

I love HP too! And my biggest question when it was all done was "But what happened to the Dursleys?!?!?!" She made such a big deal about their departure, you'd think she'd bring them back somehow :) Other than that, book 7 brought lots of closure to lots of questions.

I sobbed from the middle of Snapes memory in the penseive until the Dumbledore train station. And Fred, oh Fred... :(

This last week, I started thinking, "I miss Harry Potter." So I've decided to re-read book 7. I waited 3 whole months; isn't that enough????

Thanks for this trip down memory lane! Great summary and review!

[JCK]

Oh...to be able to enthrall readers like she has all of us. What a gift J.K. Rowling has... such an imagination. And how many children has she turned on to reading because of these fabulous stories?

[Laura]

I'm back one more time - I just saw this on yahoo and thought other Potter fans may be as surprised as I was to see this article about Dumbledore:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071020/ap_on_en_ot/books_harry_potter

[Katie]

I too cried through the end of this last one. I couldn't wait for someone else to mourn Fred with me. Why Fred? And when Percy finally came back. And Severous as a middle name. Although my son and I laugh about what a mouthful Albus Serverous is. I love Neville and how he turned out so great. I waited about a week and reread it. I loved it even more the second time

[Tooz]

I didn't read this post, since I haven't yet read the book, but I wanted to tip you off that Dumbledore has been "outed". It never ceases to amaze me how someone can take something wonderful like children's literature and put a spin on it that has no place in childhood.

[oh amanda]

I can't believe you made it this long without hearing spoilers! I was one of the crazies who went at midnight and had it read w/in 12 hours! *sigh* There's just too much to say about it. But the main thing is that I AM SATISFIED. I thought I would miss Harry. But JKR really wrapped it up well. Here's my thoughts, if you're interested:
http://ohamanda.com/?p=246

[ken]

I am very upset that one of the characters is gay and when Ms. Rowlings announced that at a press con. she was met with applause! To think she led the whole Christian community on and made millions of dollars while pushing the "gay" agenda on us is appalling. Satan must be laughing his head off! Was this her whole purpose to begin with? Where is the outrage from good Christian people? We are destroying the whole concept of family and doing nothing about it.

[New Diva on the Blog]

I loved Harry as well and the last book was so wonderful. I have never cried that hard at a book either. I really thought my heart might break right then and there in the woods with Harry!

I just read Ken's comment and I have to say that although I was surprised by the revelatation it did not leave me feeling that a "gay agenda" was being pushed on me. I still think that the messages of having faith and that love over hate wins every time are timeless and true.

[Susan]

check this article out!!!!!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7053982.stm

love ya... rsd

[Grace]

I've read all but one of the books and that one I listened to on tape during a vacation trip. I loved each of them! I actually put off reading the last one for a few weeks knowing that when it was done, it was done, there would be no more Harry Potter ever again. I truly feel that part of my family has moved far away and I'll never see them again. I'm thinking about starting back at the beginning and reading them all again.

As for the whole "gay thing". I personally am unclear as to why she made Dumbledore's intimate life even an issue. It has no bearing on the story line whatsoever. However, I definitely don't feel as if some "gay agenda" has been pushed on me. They are still wonderful books!

[Chelsea]

I was really hoping that Neville's parents would be come out of their mental state once Voldemort had died, kind of like a curse being lifted.

I love the Potter books, in part because the charms and curses almost always derive from Latin. Yes, I'm a total geek.

[aubrey]

I LOVED all these books. And bawled at the end. I've read them numerous times and will one day be excited to read them with my kids (after I have kids and they are old enough). Today, though, I was reading on the news and am TOTALLY annoyed that Rowling would decide to make Dumbledore gay. What is the point??!!!?? It just seems stupid. And leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It just came out of left field. I have often defended these books as being almost christian in their themes, themes of good vs. evil, of sacrifice and defeat of death. I have even wondered if SHE was a Christian. And maybe she is. But making Dumbledore gay is just dumb. Anyway....I just needed a place to vent after reading the news. Sorry it had to be as a comment on your post. :)

[Darlene]

I didn't read them, but my husband read all of them this summer because my son wanted to read them. He was totally hooked and it's so funny to sit in the van and listen to them talk about all of this stuff that I have NO CLUE about!
My point is, you are not the only one that was late getting to the party! :)

[Jenny]

I howled when Dobby died and Harry dug his grve... bawled when Fred was killed but the part where I completely lost it was when Snape was dying, and he said to Harry "Look at me" I was such a mess. And I felt so deeply when it was discovered that Colin Creevey snuck back in to fight and died.

Unresolved issues... I actually wanted to know what George did with his life without Fred, what happened to Luna (Loved her so much), and what happened to the Dursleys; I thought it would be interesting for Dudly to have a child go to Hogwarts.

[Brandi]

I had that same ache in my heart when I finished the HP series that I had when I finished the Anne of Green Gables series and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I just wanted them to keep going and going like the Energizer Bunny!!

[Cheryl]

You MUST get the books on CD. They are fantastic!! Jim Dale reads the books and the voices he does for the characters make them mesmorizing. I've read all of the books and love to listen to them again and again. Your children may even like listening in the car. Although, I'm not sure the books are appropriate for younger children.
Go, go go to your library and check out the books on CD!!!!!

[JCK]

I have LOVED the Harry Potter series! I was devastated when Dumbledore was killed at the end of the last book. I was quite pissy about it - stomped around for days. This last book really wrapped it up beautifully. As for Dumbledore being Gay...who cares. The books are pure magic!

[Tammy]

Oh, I utterly love Harry Potter. The series is magical (no pun intended), beautifully written, and have given me so much to talk to kids about, not to mention other wise adults. :) Book six is my favorite of all - watching Harry pick up the mantle of leadership was terrific. And when Dumbledore said, "I'm not worried Harry, I'm with you," as they left the cave, I had a lump in my throat. The tranformation was complete and the torch was passed. Love, love, Love them!

I have to second the people who have touted the books on CD. I borrowed them from my library and burned them to my iPod, for continual Harryness. Jim Dale is as brilliant with voices as JK Rowling is with words. The perfect complement to the story.

And, like others, I was sad to see it end so abruptly. Yes, we got the view of 19 years later, but I wanted to know what happened immediately after the Battle of Hogwarts. What was Fred's funeral like? Did Ollivander reopen his shop? Who raised Teddy? So, I whipped out my trusty keyboard/pen and began to write.

And for the first time (gulp) I have posted it online. It's only five chapters long, and those trusted few I've shared it with have been extremely complimentary. So I'd like to share it with you, Shannon. You share so much of yourself with us, and maybe my view of Harry will return a bit of the favor.

The first two chapters are posted at www.circlingtheglobe.com and the rest will be up shortly.

Thanks for letting me share my Harry love!
Tammy

[Sydney]

Great blog. I am going to make this your 80th comment so here I go. I loooooove Harry potter and have read them a lot. But who hasn’t? I agree with you about Aunt Petunia but I always got the sense that she loved Harry even though she didn't show it. Okay if you guessed the whole Snape thing I totally guessed that Harry had a Horcrux in his soul and I have witnesses! I bald my eyes out when Harry realized he had to die I couldn't read it I thought that there would be no more Harry potter and he's like a part of me. But I sucked it up and read it anyways….after my cousin calmed me down and told it would be alright. The bad part about that was that we had like 3 men over putting in new windows while I sat on the couch crying....
Oh and I positively screamed when Ron and Hermione kissed! Ron is my favorite character in the books because he is so easy to love and understand. And I have been waiting for him and Hermione to get together.

Question: did you here that stupid news that J.K. Rowling said that Dumbledore was gay? Ya. Apparently she said it at a press conference or something and if it's true...I’m really bothered. I don't have anything against gay people but I'm sorry it ruins my whole perception of Dumbledore completely. And even if it is true why would she just say after the books are done "Oh, ya and Dumbledore is gay just so you know."
So I'm just going to ignore and it and of think of the Dumbledore I knew.

J.K. Rowling said that she would also probably write up a book talking about what happened to people in the book that she didn't explain. Like the head master of Hogwarts and the jobs of Harry, Ron and Hermione (which was actually head of arors, and law enforcement of the ministry of magic) and if dean and Luna got together. Stuff like that. Another thing and then I'll be done but I'm sorry I have always hated Dobby in the books but I was really sad when he died.
Teddy was raised my Harry and Ginny. Well I could talk about this all day, as I'm sure you've noticed. But comment back and tell me what you think. If you want.

~Lover of Harry Potter

P.S.
I try to do spells all the time too. if I was a wizard, I'd be obese!

[One Hot Mama]

I had to scroll down because I'm only just finishing the Goblet of Fire. I too wanted to read them all in succession. But you made me laugh about the Harry Potter dreams. I have done the same thing for the past few weeks and it is so crazy! It's like being in love with a soap star or something. YOu have to keep telling yourself, it's fiction you crazy nut! I dreamed about the Triwizard tournament under the lake taking place in my bathroom the other night. I was too ashamed to tell anyone haha