SPOILERS: Deaths & Epilouge Rant

[sabine69]

OK, first let me say I am totally cheesed off at JKR.

DEATHS: Fred? She kills off FRED? She is on my list. If she needed to kill off one of the Weasley boys, it would have been much better plot to kill off Percy because he had just reunited with the family. She killed off one of her most vibrant creations and for what, when she could have killed off Percy or even Charlie. Also, Remus & Tonks? Why? That was just not necessary. There were plenty of other characters who had not just had babies that could have died. I don't know about you, but if I were Tonks even a battle at Hogwarts could not have taken me away from my new baby, even if my husband were fighting there and especially if he was fighting there because I would not want my baby to be orphaned. That being said, I would have liked to see Harry & Ginny raise Teddy because Sirius wasn't able to step in as Harry's godfather and it would have given some nice balance. As it is, Tonks' mother was left with a baby to raise after being widowed and losing her only child (I think Dora was their only but I could be wrong). Now, I'm sure Teddy brought a lot of joy into her life and it's obvious that he spent a lot of time with Harry, Ginny & the kids but still... I didn't like it!

EPILOUGE: WTF? OK, it was nice to know the names that everyone gave their children but there was so much more she could have included with just a few keystrokes. Such as ... did Harry & Ginny live at 12 Grimmauld Place? Did Harry become an auror and work for the ministry? What did Hermione do for work? I wanted to know so much more than the romantic hookups.

Sorry for the rant ... I know I'm not a billionaire author like JKR so I probably shouldn't say anything but I was really disappointed and "Peeved" (pun intended).

:read:

[jgk]

I too felt that the epilogue just wasn't enough information. In interviews JKR mentioned that she does intend to write a Harry Potter encyclopedia that will have all sorts of bits and pieces that she had written but not included in book 7. A lot of back stories of characters and things like what Harry and Ginny and the others did after book 7. I think there will be a huge audience waiting and lining up to read this as well.

[Catstrack]

What a journey these books have taken us on! :-)

I was satisfied with the epilogue. Harry's story had already been told in the unfolding series and what he wanted most he received. A family.

Although I was surprised at many of the individuals who died, but JK had already said to expect deaths of major characters. I hated to see them fall, but I do think it was part of the reality of the struggle of the battle of good vs. evil. The introspect that JK was making that war is not pretty, but sometimes it's necessary even when the sacrifice is great.

Percy coming around against the Dark Lord and corrupt Ministry was only redemption for him, but the other Weasley's had dedicated themselves to the fight so early on that Percy being killed off would not have the same impact ...or point of sacrifice that Fred did.

Shocked I was, too....with Tonks and Remus! But they, as all who fought against Voldermort knew that a horrible life lay ahead for all (including their child) once Voldermort and the Death Eaters claimed absolute power. They were willing to lay down their lives for their child just like James and Lily did for Harry.

A few years ago I saw an interview with JK and she said that she never intended these books to be a series of simple children's stories. They were set up by publishers as such and certainly children of all ages have enjoyed them, but it's very clear to (especially adults) that these books are much much more. Complex issues that include loss, friendship, courage, dispair, joy, life and death and many things inbetween.

A brilliant series of books that many will enjoy for a long time. :-)

[mtj]

I think Rowling overdid it with the deaths. The ones I was cheesed off about were Dobby and Hedgewig. Why? People dying in battle is one thing, but those two were just trophy deaths. I'm reading a lot of readers who are saying the same thing. Too many deaths in this one. I was not happy about Tonks and Lupin either. Great book, too many deaths.

[ELANA]

LOL. i loved your rant. Love how we get so into this world.

Personally, tho I loved, adored, worshiped the final book. I like that there was a randomness to the deaths, just like life. Also, I'm not sure she is totally done with the story. She said in many interviews that she already misses writing in that world, so I have a feeling things will be revisited one day... LOVED it, tho. I reread it and saw so much more in it than I did the first time. Truly a tour de force. I'm in awe of her brain.

[dylanangel75]

Hey I was just glad that Harry, Hermoine, Hagrid and Ron were not killed. I was NOT happy to see Ron and Hermoine hook up only because Harry and Hermoine were a better choice.

[Peaceseeker34]

Granted all of us felt some pain with this last book. Myself, I picked up the blasted book several times and put it back down just to save the frustration of having no more HP books - I waited until the last possible minute to complete it. It seems that JKR felt this same pain and just simply finished the book and the series leaving more to our imaginations that many might have liked in order to end this chapter in her own life. I believe this is reflected in her choice of the epilogue versus depicting HP with some grand future at the Ministry (e.g. family can be grand pursuit as mirrored in authors life). Although, I was tickled (being a long time Snape fan) that his virtue was demonstrated in the end. Such a complex character but everyone held me as sinister until they finished this last book. Yes, the intricacy of her writing is amazing. The books are suggested to be from automatic writing??

[ELANA]

I have heard from a lot of people that Harry and Hermione were a better choice, but I never saw it that way. Ron and Hermione had the chemistry all along, imo. They were so adorable in book 4 I think when Ron was so jealous of Hermione going out with the quidditch player. Harry and Hermione never had a spark, imo.

Can anyone explain the theory of why Harry and Hermione were a better match? Is it just because she's the lead girl and he's the lead male?

[dylanangel75]

He did start to notice her say to speak in book 6. I don't know what it is. I just see them as a better match. I guess thinking of Harry with Ron's little sister is kinda gross to me.

[lillies]

i would have liked more info in the epilogue too. however with that said, it would probably be too long if JKR had included all the details that we want.
as for harry's godson, harry would have been kind of young to be taking care of him so soon after remus and tonks died.

[mtj]

It had to be Ron and Hermione. If Rowling paired up Harry and Hermoine, there would have been no one to pair Ron with. I think the major purpose of the Ginny Weasley character was to provide a love interest for Harry.
I think the epilogue was brief because somewhere, in the corner of her mind, Rowling is considering writing about these characters again.

[hdewey]

Yes I agree. Ron and Hermione are and should be the couple. I think anyone with the talent Rowling has would be aprehensive about ending this spectacular series.