We've done it! Last night Stephen and I finished reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows aloud to each other, though Steve had to do most of the reading, tears were sliding down my cheeks for the last two hours, stealing my breath. It was absolutely fantastic! She truly surpassed herself... !!!PLOT SPOILER WARNING!!!
Though there were elements we had hoped and predicted I was amazed at how she broadened the story, the fast moving pace of the entire book and the absolutely monumental Hogwarts Battle and ending. It actually exceeded my expectations.
You may remember a few weeks back I made some predictions about the book. I thought it might be fun to recap them and see how close I got:
Prediction 1
We will find out what happened in the 24hours between the Potter's death and Harry's injury and Dumbledore's delivery of Harry to the Dursleys. My prediction is Harry will return to Godrick's Hollow and with a surviving time turner will return to the night of his parents death and have to watch without intervening so the future wasn't changed (ala Back to the Future) and then he'll meet with Dumbledore in the missing 24hours.
Alas, though this would have been a most intrigueing story we are none the wiser about the missing 24 hours. Oh well, the book doesn't lack anything for it.
Prediction 2
Harry's scar is a horcrux. If he is not a horcrux then he's something very closely connected which is how he has enjoyed so many of Voldemort's powers and insight into his mind. This does raise the ineresting point that Harry will have to kill him self, the ultimate sacrifice to completely destroy Voldemort.
I was right! I was right! Fantastically done, the long slow walk to death, his ghostly companions, the matrix like meeting with Dumbledore at Kings Cross and the inevitable rise to victory. Very well done, I was truly blown away and I was expecting it.
Prediction 3
Wormtail will sacrifice himself to save Harry to repay his life debt.
Not entirely correct but he did betray a hesitation and died at his own hand. What a fantastic death.
Prediction 4
Snape is grey, both good and bad. He loved Harry's mother Lilliy but hated his father James. He isn't faithful to Voldemort or Dumbledore as he wants power for himself, but out of love for Lilly he will protect Harry, he may even be the one to murder Voldemort as Rowling has made murder the most horrendous thing anyone can do so does she really want her 17 year old hero to take a life?
Nearly right, I enjoyed the tail of the Prince immensly. He only sought power at a young age but he did love Lily!
Prediction 5
Harry will go beyond the viel in the ministry of magic and will see Sirius.
I knew the theme of the dead arrising would be in this book but I have to confess I was swayed by the miss-leading US cover. Much prefer the UK one as I am assuing the US one is supposed to be in hogwarts??? Lord knows.
Prediction 6
Harry and Ginny will get married and have lots of babies, as will Ron and Hermione.
Yay! I was right! Long live Rose, James, Albus and Teddy!
My other highlights included Neville's rebellion, Kreacher's redemption, the Hallow mythology, the complexity of Dumbledore's motivation and Ron and Hermione's long awaited kiss. What a triumphant ending! Mrs Rowlng, you have truly surpassed yourself. Thank you for this story. xc