I finally finished reading the final installement of the Harry Potter series at 3am Monday morning. I had to finish, for I would be at work in a few hours (only had 4 hours sleep) and would need to discuss the matter with a few of the lads.
It answered questions, it was confusing in parts and while it was sad that the series has ended, there is a high sense of satisfaction about how the journey with JK Rowling has ended.
The structure of the seventh installement differed from the other books as we did not have the chronology of a year at Hogwarts and there was no mention of him playing quidditch. The dark nature of the book that was set from the beginning with the death of characters in the first few chapters.
My only complaint of the book was the second quarter of the book was going on slowly, particularly at the stage where the three amigo's were travelling from place to place trying to determine how to destroy the horcruxes.
But it is when we enter the second half of the book that things really heat up and the books gets moving. With the knowledge about how to destroy Voldermort, they set off and finally make their way to Hogwarts where the final showdown will occur.
At this part of the novel, the students of Hogwarts rally together along with the order of the Phoenix to take on the might of Voldermort and his forces. This was the more exciting part of the book, as it should have been.
The ending was what we had hoped for. We find out that Snape was working for Dumbledore all along and that he killed Dumbledore under the headmasters instructions (he was going to die anyway). We also find out that Snape was in love with Harry's mum from an early age which explains one of the reasons of his hatred for Harry's dad (jealosy anyone).
Although it took a loong long time, Ronand Hermoine finally get it on. There was a time in the mdidle of the book where I expected it to occur but thankfully it did not as we probably had to put up with some lovey dovey business between them for a while. Although frustrating it happened at the end of the book, it was a good time.
Finally at the end, Harry and Voldermort throw it down and after pages of explanation Harry kills Voldermort. But not before Harry himself is killed by Voldermort, does to some sort of after life where he meets Dumbledore who tells him why he had to die. This is where the authors threat that she was killing two of the MAJOR characters came to fruition.
There were some deaths to note. We lost Hedwig and Mad-Eye Moody at the start then Dobby who comes to Harry's rescue and during ther final battle we lose Fred, Tonks and Lupin.
We learn about Dumbledore's history and how events of the past can effect ones future in his case. We learn that not all the Dursely's hated Harry, his cousin dudley had some love/respect for him.
Rowling also gives us an epilogue set 19 years later where we find that they do have a happy ever after. Harry and Ginny have gotten married and have 3 children James, Albus Severus and Lily. Ron and Hermoine have two children Rose and Hugo and they meet at platform 9 and three-quarters to send their kids to Hogwarts. Neville remains a close friend and is now a professor at the school. We also find out that Draco and Harry have some form of a cordial relationship as they nod at the platform and that Harry is still famous.
The last words of the book read "The scar had not pained Harry for nineteen years. All was well."
JK Rowling has ended the story on a positive note showing that good and love triumps over sacrifice and death. It is pretty exvident that there won't be any future Harry Potter books, but who knows.
Who would have thought 10 years ago that boy wizard would rule the world???
