So last night i finished my beloved Harry Potter series. Most of my friends have seen me devotedly lugging the book about to concerts during the last two weeks. It could not have come out at a worst time for i have had a show to go to almost every night for the last two weeks. I could be found hungrily reading about Harry, Ron and Hermione waiting for my train in the mornings, venturing out to see Ben Kweller, waiting for friends-anywhere and anytime i could find a free second. Last night i ran home from the Mercury Lounge to pack for Lollapalooza which i will be attending this weekend. Climbing into bed i made the decision to stay up and finish the book in private rather than in a crowded airport with my co-workers. I am very emotional when it comes to these books and almost always end up in tears during the last final pages. It started off as a magical world where wizards and witches learned about spells and magic yet slowly transforms into a sad story about a boy who loses all of his family as well as his most valued protector-everything yet his loyal friends. It was easy to become attached to the morality and lessons throughout each edition. J.K. cleverly leaves hints if you read carefully and closely. This book was no different and i couldnt stop crying for nearly the last four chapters. I am incredibly satisfied with the ending. J.K. Rowling is madly brilliant.
SPOILERS: All along i had assumed that Harry was one of the Horocrux's- since you never learn what the seventh one is and after you find out that both Harry and Lord Voldemort must die for Lord Voldemort to be defeated once and for all.
Some of the most enjoyable aspects of the final story was the character completion of Neville and Luna who became two of my favorite characters throughout the last few novels. You quickly learn not to under estimate Neville, even though he is clumsy with his spells and seems to be the wizard that everyone questions for his magical abilities. Neville truly proves himself as a hero as Harry storms out of the castle at the end to face Voldemort in the Forbidden Forest. Catching onto what Harry is up to Neville states, 'We're all going to keep fighting, Harry. You know that?"
Luna is introduced to us in the fifth book as a looney girl who sees imaginary creatures and marches to her own tune. She never questions helping Harry and is always willing to put her life on the line. Wildly fearless she is kidnapped from Hogwarts by the Death Eaters and tortured for information on Dumbledores Army, yet never gives in. She is a strong female character who added a valuable feature to the stories.
You learn how Snape was madly in love with Harry's mom Lily and how he has gone above and beyond to protect Harry out of this love. Throughout the stories you question Snape and his goals. Is he still a Death Eater, did he kill Dumbledore? Did he give away Harry's whereabouts in the opening of the book? I think some of J.K. Rowlings strongest storytelling comes about after Severus is killed by Voldemort and gives Harry his thoughts to read so that Harry can truly understand how to defeat the Dark Lord. You learn Dumbeldore was flawed and not the perfect Headmaster and Protector that Harry had always believed. He made mistakes and sought ever lasting life through the treasures of the Deathly Hallows, which is where the book gains its' name.
Just like Star Wars it is a battle of good vs. evil, but with a happy ending-which might upset most people. How she weaves such a story full of such compassionate, clever and colorful characters is still amazing to me. The thing that is most refreshing about these books that are supposedly 'childrens books' is that they center on important lessons such as loyalty, compassion, forgiveness, and most importantly love. Dumbledore explains to Harry how he is TRULY a better man due to his love and loyalty to his friends by continuing his search for the Horocruxs and not the Hallows. The defeat of Voldemort is satisfying as we see his madness crippled by his ignorance and complete lack of understanding of humanity. "That which Voldemort does not value, he takes no trouble to comprehend. Of house-elves and children's tales, of love, loyalty and innocence, Voldemort knows and understands nothing. Nothing. That they all have a power beyond his own, a power beyond the reach of any magic, is a truth that he has never grasped." I hope everyone who is reading the books enjoys the ending. I thought it was perfect. "Do not pitty the dead, Harry. Pitty the living, and above all, those who live without love. By returning, you may ensure that fewer souls are maimed, fewer families are torn apart. If that seems to you a worthy goal, then we say good-bye for the present."
Brooklynvegan also seems to like himself a little Harry Potter and goes through how Daniel Radcliff is a fan of the following tracks/artists.
Sigur Ros-Starálfur.mp3
Art Brut-Nag Nag Nag Nag.mp3
The Hold Steady-Your Little Hoodrat Friend.mp3
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