Harry Potter
Jul. 17th, 2005 02:50 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
auntiemeeshI finished Harry Potter a little bit ago. Spoilers follow.
Don't forget, I warned you. Here there be Spoilers!
Before I even looked at the book, I figured Dumbledore was doomed. He was Harry's strongest and staunchest ally and therefore, he needed to be removed before Harry could face Voldemort, as when it comes right down to it, Harry has to do that alone. I think having decided that made it much less of a shock when it finally happened. All the clues were there in the book, confirming it for me. He had been so close with his information and this time around, he's suddenly telling Harry almost everything. Certainly Dumbledore knew about Malfoy's plot and didn't really expect him to pull it off, but I think he knew it was very likely that someone would come to finish the job off. Why he continued to put such faith in Snape, I really don't know. I suppose it's at least vaguely possible that Snape is pulling a double double-cross, doing his best to make Voldemort believe that Snape isn't working for Dumbledore, and that D. had told him to go ahead and make the Unbreakable Vow, despite the consequences for himself. After all, he knows that Harry is the one who has to finish the game, and maybe he felt that Harry was ready to be on his own, but that is rather more of a stretch than I am willing to take without much more proof.
I never did figure out on my own who the Half-Blood Prince was, until Snape revealed himself. I'm a bit disappointed in myself really, because I should have seen it coming, but I didn't. Still, I at least wasn't surprised when he killed Dumbledore. He'd reached a point where he had to openly declare for one side or the other, Dumbledore was weak and there were rather a lot of Death Eaters standing about feeling their muscles. It would have taken a man of much stronger character than Snape's to decide to go against Voldemort at that moment.
This book had a bit less of the angst and driven feel to it than did Order of the Phoenix or even Goblet of Fire, with very little in the way of real drama most of the year. It was sort of 'sit around and wait for the end to come.' And when the end did come, it was almost anti-climactic. However, what it served to do was put Harry in the position he needed to be in, knowing what he needed to do and having a plan (even if it does seem a bit half-baked).
I was very entertained by the teenageriness of everyone in this book. They've all reached that age where it doesn't really matter how many other terribly serious things are going on; hormones are swooping through their bodies at a frightening speed and they are helpless prisoners of their own bodies. I loved the description of the great roaring dragon in Harry's chest when he saw Ginny kissing Dean, and how much he debated with himself about whether Ron would mind or not. I also loved the tension between Ron and Hermione. If it was easy between the two of them, then it wouldn't be worth it at all.
I do wonder how the last book will play out. Harry is trying to leave Ginny behind and she understands why, but I don't see her just going home and sitting on her hands waiting for Harry to kill or be killed. She may not be allowed to travel with him, but I bet she finds a way to help, whether he likes it or not. The same with Luna and Neville. Dean and Seamus may get dropped, but it will be interesting to see. And of course, if Ron and Hermione really do hook up, then their togetherness might be rather painful for Harry, without Ginny at his side.
I also wonder who will be left standing at the end of book seven. Any ideas on who R.A.B. is?
That's all.
Don't forget, I warned you. Here there be Spoilers!
Before I even looked at the book, I figured Dumbledore was doomed. He was Harry's strongest and staunchest ally and therefore, he needed to be removed before Harry could face Voldemort, as when it comes right down to it, Harry has to do that alone. I think having decided that made it much less of a shock when it finally happened. All the clues were there in the book, confirming it for me. He had been so close with his information and this time around, he's suddenly telling Harry almost everything. Certainly Dumbledore knew about Malfoy's plot and didn't really expect him to pull it off, but I think he knew it was very likely that someone would come to finish the job off. Why he continued to put such faith in Snape, I really don't know. I suppose it's at least vaguely possible that Snape is pulling a double double-cross, doing his best to make Voldemort believe that Snape isn't working for Dumbledore, and that D. had told him to go ahead and make the Unbreakable Vow, despite the consequences for himself. After all, he knows that Harry is the one who has to finish the game, and maybe he felt that Harry was ready to be on his own, but that is rather more of a stretch than I am willing to take without much more proof.
I never did figure out on my own who the Half-Blood Prince was, until Snape revealed himself. I'm a bit disappointed in myself really, because I should have seen it coming, but I didn't. Still, I at least wasn't surprised when he killed Dumbledore. He'd reached a point where he had to openly declare for one side or the other, Dumbledore was weak and there were rather a lot of Death Eaters standing about feeling their muscles. It would have taken a man of much stronger character than Snape's to decide to go against Voldemort at that moment.
This book had a bit less of the angst and driven feel to it than did Order of the Phoenix or even Goblet of Fire, with very little in the way of real drama most of the year. It was sort of 'sit around and wait for the end to come.' And when the end did come, it was almost anti-climactic. However, what it served to do was put Harry in the position he needed to be in, knowing what he needed to do and having a plan (even if it does seem a bit half-baked).
I was very entertained by the teenageriness of everyone in this book. They've all reached that age where it doesn't really matter how many other terribly serious things are going on; hormones are swooping through their bodies at a frightening speed and they are helpless prisoners of their own bodies. I loved the description of the great roaring dragon in Harry's chest when he saw Ginny kissing Dean, and how much he debated with himself about whether Ron would mind or not. I also loved the tension between Ron and Hermione. If it was easy between the two of them, then it wouldn't be worth it at all.
I do wonder how the last book will play out. Harry is trying to leave Ginny behind and she understands why, but I don't see her just going home and sitting on her hands waiting for Harry to kill or be killed. She may not be allowed to travel with him, but I bet she finds a way to help, whether he likes it or not. The same with Luna and Neville. Dean and Seamus may get dropped, but it will be interesting to see. And of course, if Ron and Hermione really do hook up, then their togetherness might be rather painful for Harry, without Ginny at his side.
I also wonder who will be left standing at the end of book seven. Any ideas on who R.A.B. is?
That's all.
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no subject
Date: 2005-07-17 12:37 pm (UTC)Best theory I've heard so far about R.A.B. is Regulus Black, Sirius' brother who was killed.
no subject
Date: 2005-07-18 04:45 pm (UTC)Ooh, I like that. It would be kinda cool to redeem at least one of Sirius Black's family members.
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Date: 2005-07-18 01:11 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-07-18 04:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-07-18 05:56 pm (UTC)And Dumbledore's reappearance, while seemingly cliche, actually feeds into the stereotype (in the classic sense of the word) so I don't think I would find it disappointing. Actually, after all the hints JKR dropped, I would be disappointed if he does not reappear in some form.
The morning after...
Good theory dreamflower02 re: Regulus Black!
Already can't wait for #7! Does anybody *really* believe that JK Rowling will end the series with the next book?
Re: The morning after...
Date: 2005-07-18 04:51 pm (UTC)I don't know. She's had the story so carefully plotted out all along, knowing what has to happen in each chapter, and she's always sworn that the story ends at the end of book seven. I kind of think she's going to end it very definitively. I don't necessarily expect it, but I wouldn't be entirely surprised if she ended the final showdown between Harry and Voldemort with Harry winning and then dying. Just so that there couldn't be anything more afterwards.
Late reply, but just finished it today
Date: 2005-07-23 07:04 pm (UTC)I disagree. I think Snape is still a good guy. He's deep, deep undercover, and Dumbledore knew that Snape being trusted by Voldemort was more important than his own life. In the death scene, Dumbledore never begs until Snape gets there. I think he's begging Snape to go through with it, not to spare him.
It's left intentionally ambiguous, but I'm putting my money on Snape as a double agent.