I didn’t cry a single time when I first read this book, but the second time I was blubbering all over the place. Poor Dobby. 🙁

I’m always sad to finish too – but happy for Harry. I grew up reading these books too, and poor Harry really gets put through the wringer, so it’s nice to see him all settled down and happy with his life. And AMEN to your thing about Tonks & Lupin. I was sad enough when we saw more minor characters had died, like Colin Creevey, but I agree with you – we should have seen (at least one of) them die.

It’s such a sad feeling… I feel like a part of me has died; I too grew up with the books from middle school to college. I know they’ll always be there to re-read, but it’s still incredibly depressing when I go to the last page.

As for me, I’m not as critical of the last book as others seem to be. I loved it, more than any other, simply because so, so much happens! One thing that bothered me, though, was the deaths of Tonks and Lupin — not that they died, because the fact that they leave an orphan and Harry is its godfather is incredibly sad, touching, and also connects this second-coming of Voldemort with the first — but because it was offscreen. They weren’t the biggest of characters, but they were arguably some of the more important Order of the Phoenix members and I was fond of each of them and definitely feel like their duels should have been in the novel. They deserve that much.

I really, really love this series… even though it does have to end, every time it does, it feels like an enormous stab in the heart.

I know what you mean – it’s not so much that J.K. Rowling’s writing is so fantastic, but her imagination really really is. I’m glad I got to have the experience of growing up with these books, and waiting for each successive one to come out. It was so much fun! As for the movies, I think they’re not all that amazing, generally, but I like them because in bits, they are exactly how I imagined the books, and those bits are wonderful.

but I am looking forward to the film and the final battle of Hogwarts. Should be great.

And yes I was right about Snape as well and fought his corner against lots of doubters….I love being right too.

Thanks! Do read it again – I’m always surprised when I read each book at how much it takes me back to the first time I ever read that one. All except for Chamber of Secrets, which I remember buying but not reading. My vivid memory of that is reading it to my younger sister, because I had such a good time doing Lockhart’s voice!

Well, of course it’s not my call who she kills. I was just sad, and I think she could have achieved the same effect while making me less sad. Which is, of course, the entire purpose of her writing career. 😛