Deathly Hallows Reactions *Spoilers*

[misshoneychurch88]

So seeing as there is not so much a trickling, but a flood of spoilers for the book, I thought I'd start a thread to discuss them/the book when we all read it. I'm guessing at least a couple of people here have read some, thus in the interest of self preservation, Talk amongst yourselves. Harry Potter, Deathly Hallows, Barbra Striesand, Discuss!

In all seriousness though, I know Im trying really hard to not read spoilers, and there are others who are as well, so don't be a spoilsport, cause I will come to whereever you are and personally kill you where you sleep.

...ok maybe not, but please be nice

[MinervaMcGonagall]

I've read some because I just couldn't wait. Also, it was kind of hard to avoid them on MuggleNet. I believe some of them as many people have predicted it for months now. However, some I just cant believe JKR would do.

[Pingpongfreak]

Being the impatient person I am, I read some spoilers, some that were not true and some that I hope aren't true but somewhere in the back of my mind I know they are...and it sounds like a really heavy book. And if those spoilers are correct, then not only am I sad, but I'm a little bit angry, actually. Only about one little thing though...gah. Oh well.

[beMMADfabulous]

DO NOT READ THIS POST IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BE SPOILED!!!!!!!












I just read that JK said that Albus Dumbledore was probably in love at some point in his life, though we shouldn't read too much into it.

Oh well... I still have the MMAD hope, despite the books.

[MinervaMcGonagall]

pingpongfreak said:

Being the impatient person I am, I read some spoilers, some that were not true and some that I hope aren't true but somewhere in the back of my mind I know they are...and it sounds like a really heavy book. And if those spoilers are correct, then not only am I sad, but I'm a little bit angry, actually. Only about one little thing though...gah. Oh well.

I know. I am praying to god that this certain one is not true. HOwever, it's nice to know I am not the only one who can't resist temptation.

What the F%$&!!! Snape is the Headmaster!!!!

[StormAngel]

ahh... yah... Sighs. But all well, ends well I suppose. Lol. I'm not spoiling this for anyone.

[Pingpongfreak]

SO MY BROTHER HAS PUT THE BOOK IN HIS SAFE UNTIL I RE-READ HBP AND I'M SOOO PISSED!!

Ahh. Oh well. Yes Snape iis headmaster! Ok, so the spoiler I heard isn't true. Good.

[laundry basket]

Ahh beware the crazy, freaky, no-way spoilers!











NOT ONE ADMM TIDBIT.

Not one.

There was nothing on ANY teachers being married. Nada. Zip. And that is not right. But I did enjoy Min in the few bits she was in. Especially when she thought Harry was dead and she screamed. That bit will always have my lurrve.

But on the whole, the book was good ... ish. I lost track in a lot of places about what was happening and who was speaking and such. There were a bunch of battle scenes where I was like, "Whaaat?"

And the DEATHS.

Moody, Dobby, Fred, Lupin, Tonks

Five dead people ... actually, probably more than that. But that is just the 5 we know about. Arrrrg.

I suppose I'm finished with the "omigodnoeffinway" rant. For now I'll probably take some time to let it sink again, and convince myself it wasn't some freakish fanfic ...

[revolutionaryetude]

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None of the information, in the book, squashed our ship. I think that Jk does have some explaining to do about the professors. Slight shipper moment when Harry tales McGonagall that he is under Dumbledore's orders. She immediatly slips into action and realy doesn't ask quesitons.

Beefs
Did not tell us if professors are married
What Harry Parents did or any of Harry's family.
No information on Dumbledore after the defeat on Grindlewald.
Not much McGonagall, but the bits she was in were quite dramatic.
No Fawkes

[misshoneychurch88]

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So did anyone else get flashes of Bedknobs and Broomsticks at the end?

I knew we probably weren't going to get too much of Min in this one, that it was most tlikely going to focus on the trio, but damn she got some cool bits. I loved her trying to Kill Snape(a shippy moment one might say). While it wasn't confirmed, I think there is still much hope

and MW at the end "NOT MY DAUGHTER YOU BITCH" OMG that was awsome

Overall, that was great, I cried several times(for Hedwig, Fred, Remus, Tonks and when I thought Harry was dead), and literally jumped off my bed when Harry cursed the Deatheater for spitting on Min(kinda fell in love with him there). I also had several moments of hysterics, like Sprout and Neville running around with earmuffs and mandrakes. I'm happy and in mourning

[Apocalypticat]

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I just finished, and I have to say I'm euphoric. I felt physically sick for much of the book (due to the Dumbles nastiness) and there were a bit midway where I felt it sagged a tad, but good God, it lived up to a lot of my expectations. My theory about Harry being a Horcrux was right, so some smugness there!

And Albus Severus Potter! I could scream with happiness! I love the HP/AD relationship!

No ADMM, but like Revolutionaryetude said, there's nowt to directly contradict it! I admit I did remove my ADMM filter before opening the book; I wanted to enjoy it with any shippy angst.

I also confess I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of deaths and the whole 'war' atmosphere. I'd previously thought that Jo made the impact of the conflict somewhat less than it could have been, though book 7 definitely serves as a crescendo!

I loved the convo at 'King's Cross.' A surreal, beautiful moment. Poor Dumbles made me want to hug him!

EDIT: Just one question from a confused fan! I was a tad lost when the final confrontation happened. Am I right in saying that Harry was bluffing that Draco's wand was the Elder?

[Nerweniel]

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As I am delusional and all, I did see a tiny little bit of a hint in the direction of AD/MM... when Albus told Harry not to pity him, he said "Don't pity the dead, pity the living, and those who live without love." or something like that... uhm... I deduced from this that he must have lived WITH love, and who else ;D....?

Sorry, rabid shipper here .

Also, Minerva simply ruled. I loved her in this book, I mean, I always do, but seriously... she was sublime and brave and very "in charge" and snarky and brave and great. Ohhh.

[Rachel]

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I loved it, although I wish there hadn't been so many deaths.
Disappointed at the lack of confirmation for ADMM,but oh my God Min was great!!!!!
I loved her lines "They're supposed to be,you blithering idiot!" and "CHARGE!" They made me laugh so much, and I loved the way she took total charge of everything and more or less led the battle.
I couldn't believe what I was reading when that Death Eater spat at her,and I loved it when Harry cursed him.And her shock at him appearing was great.
I also loved her reaction when Harry said he was acting on Dumbledore's orders.

[angeldust]

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I thought it was.... GREAT! I just finished reading like literally 5 minutes ago. Minerva.... my god I was so worried she wasn't going to turn up at all yet she arrived and she's never been better! 'We duel to kill' her speech made my spine tingle she was at her best in this soo definately. I always picked out some nice shippy moments.

I wasn't all to sure of the final 19 years later chapter at the end until I read it for a second time and it was well corny but stunning none the less. Ok maybe i'm just desperate but I saw SOOO much Voldie / Bella in this one - his scream at the end her sitting by his side when all else had gone. Hopeless shipper how I love JK for not destorying AD/MM and Bella/Voldie.

I was so shocked at how many deaths there were. I thought Dobby's was the most emotional promptly followed by Mad Eye and Freds and ohh tonks and remus` baby!! *sits here utterly flabergated* I loved the Dumbley / Harry scene the only thing that could have ever improved that for me would have been 'tell Minerva I love her!'. Right I definately need to go and calm myself. And I totally agree with everyone Harry rushing to Minerva's defense when the death eater spat at her was brilliant. Oh and Snape/Lilly gosh i've been saying that would never happen for years... how wrong I was thought that was a stunning side line and now I offically have reinstalled my love of Professor Snape.

[laundry basket]

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I agree, the scene where Harry curses the Death Eater who spat on Min was wonderous. And, there was some point where Harry was talking to her about magically protecting the school against Voldemort, and she said, "Well, we teachers are pretty good at magic," or something along those lines. I loved that

"King's Cross" was so emotional and wonderful and I honestly did love it. But like angeldust said, the only thing that could have made it better was Albus mentioning Min. Ah, well. At least there's nothing to contradict us Which is always good. We will continue waving our shippy flag in peace, whilst those Harmony and Dramione and God knows what else battle to the death or something.

[EloquentPhoenix]

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From the book, though it never said Albus and Min weren't together with the amount of Dumbledore in it and her never even mentioned...

In my heart they will always be together, in my head I'm not so sure. I'm not sure whether my love for them is mainly in my heart or in my head. It's worrying. We need to write to JKR.

My whole reaction to the whole book will surface soon enough, I just needed to share the ADMM with you guys.

[kankulex]

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Well... I finally have finished it too, and I have to admit, that I found myself being reminded of some Fanfics. There were so many happenings in the book which I seem to have read somewhere in a FF story here on the board or elsewhere.

I also was really scared and a bit frustrated at the book at times cause it really seemed to show Dumbledore as a Dark Wizard... but fortunately it all turned out well. I SO loved the scene at "King's Cross"! And also the truth about Severus was just hearthwrenching!
I'm SO glad he is good after all... *sigh*

[misshoneychurch88]

ok I think we can stop with the spoiler space, seeing as there's a huge warning at hte top of the page I'm so glad Snape turned out good, and not just because I won a bet.

There were two things I was pretty dissapointed with. One, obviously no ADMM, but hey we can go on imagining this way, and two I wasn't crazt about the 19 years later chapter. It was cute, but I wanted to know soooooooo much more about hte resolution and what happened to people, and we kinda got nothing that we couldn't have guessed already. I dunno, mybe we should compile a big list of questions to send to Jo in the hopes that she could answer some of them. Not just ADMM either, like What does Harry end up doing for a living? I want answers!

[MMADfan]

SPOILERS
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SPOILERS

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SPOILERS
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Was anyone else disappointed in the "epilogue" for the 19 years later? I found it very flat -- it read like very typical fanfiction (not that there's anything wrong with that) -- and I was disappointed that it only focussed on a few of the characters and their multiple (and, to me, somewhat annoying) offspring.

I also had very mixed emotions about the way Dumbledore was presented in the book. I had no doubt that "all would be well" in the end, but I felt that, despite JKR trying to show shades of gray and that everyone has the potential to do bad things, etc., Dumbledore was still only portrayed in black and white, no matter what it was we were learning about him or who we were learning it from. I was somewhat more satisfied with the "King's Cross" scene, but still not 100% (nothing there addressed Snape's accusation of AD preparing Harry like a pig for slaughter, or some such thing, which to me was crucial -- I would like to have some hint that Albus believed that Harry would not die despite being a Horcrux, just as Harry was able to get the Philosopher's Stone because he didn't want to use it -- that Albus believed or hoped there'd be some "trick" at the end that would save Harry -- that wasn't addressed at all).

Anyway, I expected to give the book 5 out of 10 stars, but I give it 6.75 out of 10, mostly because of the Valiant Minerva scenes toward the end. I love Minerva.

The two deaths that bothered me most: Hedwig -- she was a helpless victim, and Lupin (even though as the last of the Marauders, it was logical), because I liked him. I did think he behaved kind of like an idiot sometimes, of course, but I guess he was supposed to. I wasn't happy with Dobby's death, but at least he died heroically. Too bad the twins are separated by death now, too . . . .

I'm glad that Snape turned out to be on Harry's side, but he was supposed to be taking care of the students for Dumbledore, and he let the Death Eaters torture them. That was pretty hideous. And that the other teachers remained at the school . . . I wish that JKR had gone into that more -- how it remained open and why certain teachers stayed. I imagine that they figured that if the Ministry was going to open the school, they could minimize the damage and be there to help in the future, but still -- it seemed like it needed some explanation.

[alter.ego.alana]

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Okay, JKR MADE that quote about the Hogwarts professors having spouses, so where are they, hm?
And why give us the bit of information that Min started teaching in December if you don't explain WHY?
*huffs*

Minerva was completely fabulous in this book, though. Wish there was more of her. And hey, at least our ship wasn't squashed - there is still plenty of room for ADMM. =)

[Apocalypticat]

mmadfan said:

(nothing there addressed Snape's accusation of AD preparing Harry like a pig for slaughter, or some such thing, which to me was crucial -- I would like to have some hint that Albus believed that Harry would not die despite being a Horcrux, just as Harry was able to get the Philosopher's Stone because he didn't want to use it

I confess to having imbibed some alcohol, so I can't make myself currently point out the particulars, but I was troubled by this at the time and read the chapter again. I DID find a way of reading which suggested that DD did suspect some way; after all, he explained calmly that Harry as a Horcrux could not die whilst Volders lived! I interpreted the bald explanation to Sev as a kind of simplification to win some of Sev's limited sympathy for Harry - strong possibility that he would die. Methinks that DD thought it 50-50. Ah. Well as detailed as particulars as I can manage atm!

If that makes any sense at all!

*staggers off*

[MMADfan]

apocalypticat said:

mmadfan said:

(nothing there addressed Snape's accusation of AD preparing Harry like a pig for slaughter, or some such thing, which to me was crucial -- I would like to have some hint that Albus believed that Harry would not die despite being a Horcrux, just as Harry was able to get the Philosopher's Stone because he didn't want to use it

I confess to having imbibed some alcohol, so I can't make myself currently point out the particulars, but I was troubled by this at the time and read the chapter again. I DID find a way of reading which suggested that DD did suspect some way; after all, he explained calmly that Harry as a Horcrux could not die whilst Volders lived! I interpreted the bald explanation to Sev as a kind of simplification to win some of Sev's limited sympathy for Harry - strong possibility that he would die. Methinks that DD thought it 50-50. Ah. Well as detailed as particulars as I can manage atm!

If that makes any sense at all!

*staggers off*

Yes, it did . . . and I guess I'll have to be content with that. I did read it the same way you did, but I wish that there had been something more explicit . . . . But what about Nagini??? It's all very odd . . . .

[Pingpongfreak]

I was extremely upset with Hedwig's death. More so than any of them, actually...because Hedwig was ALWAYS there, even when no one else was. You know? I mean, that was the end of the "nice reader" mode, because after that, I was like OH HELL NO. I was an angry reader the rest of the book. Ugh I'm such a sucker for animals. I cried. =[

[revolutionaryetude]

I think that the Dumbledore at the the begining of the book, through the allegations and writings, shows how people's lives, through misinformation & past prejudices, can be twisted to make them seem different from appearently thought. Dumbledore was regarded, in life, as the greatest wizard of the age, a real gentlemen, and friend. In death his character was desecrated by misinformation and the chosing and disregarding of the all the facts. Also, Dumbledore's enigmatic personal life lead to more of these rumors. I thought that it was strange that J.K. did not mention anything about his personal life after 1945. It was a though he really did keep that too himself, even from her.

Dumbledore and his sister shows, I believe, how people twist things to make them more comfortable for themselves to handle. Abeforth didn't like that Dumbledore was a briliiant student, head boy, and quite frankly everything else. Abeforth reminds me of the younger brother who usually strives to be everything their older brother is not. So, when his mother died and Albus took care of his sister, it would never be enough for Abeforth. Albus would never provide adequate care for Abeforth's beloved sister. Abeforth would always see all of Albus's weaknesses as a young care giver, not atributed to his age and his general misgivings, but as a man who could not let his mad sister get in the way of glory. All of Abeforth's opinions and memories were twisted to keep this fact true to himself.

Ironically, Severus Snape was scorned and dispised throughout his life, and yet he was exahnerated after his death. Could this have been a point the J.K. was trying to tell us. Not all things are what they seem, and idle speculation can be the most dangerous weapon.

I think Dumbledore not telling his closest friends and confidences (ex. Minerva McGonagall) about Snape's allegience to Dumbledore was a smart idea, not because of Voldemort's suporters finding out, but because I think that Dumbledore's allies, out of their love for Dumbledore, would have killed Snape, eventually. I realize Dumbledore knew that Snape would have to eventually kill him. I don't know why, but I feel that Dumbledore had an inkling that Snape in a bad enough time would essentially, "pull the plug". Something that would not have gone over well by Dumbledore's friends.

The zeal and passion McGonagall went after Snape was almost unmatched, and it suprisingly had the same type of feel Harry and Snapes ecounter had. She even yelled at him and called him coward. Now, Harry loved Dumbledore, so assume Mnerva's feeling were equally as strong.

[misshoneychurch88]

I dunno, it kinda seemed to me like Albus wanted him to come to terms with it himself, and that he could only be shown after everything. Also I think it really falls into the category of GREY, to raise a child knowing there was a great possibility that he would simply have to be slaughtered in order to save all of the wizarding world. I guess t didn't bother me as much since, to me at least, the wizarding world is something worth doing anything and everything to save. I think he hoped he wouldn't have to die, but knew that he needed to do something

...ok I don't know how much snese that made, I've had three hours of sleep since yesterday morning...I'll clarify tomorrow

[Drake]

Just read it. I loved it. And can't form coherent sentences, so, yep.

Dumbledore's backstory= sexy shit. Really sexy shit. And his sister is win. And his family is win. And the Grindlewald thing is win. And the fact that he now has grey areas is win.

Grindlewald/Albus dynamic= Cool shit.

Rita Skeeter= Bitch.

Mickey G= Much arse kickeriness. Why was she not Headmistress? This would piss me off, except that

Sevvie= My new lover. JUST CLOSE YOUR EYES AND PRETEND THAT I AM LILY, MY LOVE!!!!

Speakating of this:

The Severus/Lily= Ha. Knew it.

Grey Lady/Bloody Baron= I am their new fanbase. Plus Nick for added love triangular triangles!

Bella/Voldie= YES!!! SO MANY SHIPPER MOMENTS!!! SO MANY OF THEM!!!!

The epilogue= WTF? That was the one thing I did not love. It seemed so drab and flat. "And they all lived happily ever after?" Are you JOKING? (JMO. I'm sure it was brilliant from an objective PoV, and wanted them all to die. But the kids' names? Very fanfic, IMAO.)

'Tis all.

EDIT: Well, actually, the epilogue wasn't ALL I hated. Mickey G had only around five pages, and that sucked too.

[MMADfan]

lemonykittens said:

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Dude. Dumbledore's backstory= sexy shit.

Rita Skeeter= Bitch.

'Tis all.

DH didn't kill my muse, but my Muse did consider revising my Dumbledore timeline and his personal history for "Resolving a Misunderstanding," but in the end, I decided not to. There are some parallels -- like my AD meets and befriends Grindelwald while he was on his youthful travels after Dervilia's death (that's a RaM character), until Albus breaks with him over philosophical differences, and RaM-Grindelwald does kill one of RaM-AD's close relatives (not a sister -- my RaM-AD doesn't have a sister), and there's the whole struggle with the lure-of-power thing going on with both RaM-Albus (you see a shadow of it in AAoL, too) and the "real" JKR-Albus, but I just couldn't see how to change my RaM-Dumbledore's history to match DH and still have the Albus-Minerva relationship develop the way I have it in my outline (which has been around in detailed form for months). It will be odd, no doubt, but I hope it won't be confusing to my readers -- there are similarities (predictable possibilities for Dumbledore's past) between the two versions (the canon version and the RaM version), but they aren't the same. I guess just having an "AU" reminder at the beginning of a chapter whenever the subject of Albus's past comes up will have to do. There's a chapter coming up relatively soon (well, given that this story has over 600 pages so far, it seems soon!) in which Albus tells Minerva more about his past, and it ain't the one we hear in DH. I do wish I had finished RaM before the book came out!!! <*lets out a self-pitying wail*>

Oh, well. I suppose that canon AD does have an interesting back-story, and I agree 100% that Rita Skeeter is a bitch of the worst sort, but I do wish I had finished RaM before DH came out! Blah!!!! I guess I'll just ignore it.

[gingerrose]

I loved it. I just loved it. I loved how Hermione stood by Harry the entire time. Some of those scenes were incredible. I also loved the Snape/Lily thing.
I cried at Dobby's tombstone. He WAS a free elf, in more ways than simple lack of enslavement.
I think Hedwig's death was perfect. Quick, accidental, and totally pointless. Anyone who has had first-hand experience with war (which I have, unfortunately) knows that this sort of death is all too common. Very realistic.
Neville kicked ASS! He totally came into his own. I was so proud of him.
Mrs. Weasley killing Bellatrix! Right on! And I think the use of the word "bitch" was totally appropriate.
I really liked it.

[dianahawthorne]

This was the absolute best book in the series!! I do wish that J.K. Rowling had included more about Minerva, but all in all, this was the perfect way to end the series. I do wonder if Minerva became Headmistress after Snape...