Hello!
It is crazy to think I have had this site up for two years now. I will keep it up and as an update, it is time to reread the series once more! I might not do the 1 chapter a day thing again, but I will post and update when I can. This time around, I am reading the British edition of the books! I am looking forward to the new discoveries and differences this time around!
Josh
I know I am a day late in posting this, but I needed some time to collect my thoughts and make sure I knew what I wanted to say.
Alan Rickman passed away yesterday, January 14, 2016. Most of us know him as the actor who portrayed Severus Snape, arguably the most dynamic character in the entire Harry Potter series. I never met or knew Alan Rickman, but I was a fan of him and his work, from his other acting roles and the fact he was a graphic designer, like I am, before he entered into the realm of movies. From all of the accounts of those who knew him, they describe him as a kind, wonderful, and sincere man, who was a joy to be around. For that, the world lost a great man, actor, and person, who should be remembered….
…Always.
Hello!
It has been a few days since my last post, and I have been working on something magical to add on to this blog site, to hopefully make it more than what it is. More details to come soon with that.
But, more importantly, I am extremely honored to have been nominated for the Liebster Award by a fantastic blogger, Francesca Smith (A Smith’s World), and I humbly accept this nomination. As a result, I will answer a few questions that were given to me, and hope to share more about myself, and the purpose of this blog.
Questions
Thank you again for the nomination, and as always thank you for reading! Please feel free to comment!
Well, I finished the books a few day earlier so that I would be able to finish before my birthday. I am going to answer my final questions as my final review. I just want to thank everyone for following and your views and comments! It helped make this who experience great! I would love to expand this, and make it into something like a MuggleNet or HPA, because Harry Potter has meant so much to me in my life, that I want to be able to share it, and continue this experience with others who have been effected by the series. I invite everyone to answer these questions as well, or think about them and reflect on the series as a whole. As a way to celebrate, I will have a movie marathon starting tomorrow.
1. Is there anything that you would have liked to have changed from the story?
I have talked this to death throughout the reviews, but I think the end pairings are the only thing I would have changed and would have liked to have seen Harry and Hermione end up together. I know it would have been a little cliche, and I am not talking away from the wonderful friendship they had, but I just didn’t feel like the Ginny relationship made sense when they finally started dating, and Harry realizing his feelings. On a literary perspective, I feel like Luna would also have been a better candidate that Ginny. Other than that, the storylines were wonderful.
2. What was your favorite book?
I think the Order of the Phoenix is my favorite after having reading the series again, followed closely by Prisoner of Azkaban, and then Deathly Hallows. Those are for sure my top 3. Here is my order of favorite books, and then movies:
Books:
1. Order of the Phoenix
2. Prisoner of Azkaban
3. Deathly Hallows
4. Goblet of Fire
5, Sorcerer’s Stone
6. Half-Blood Prince
7. Chamber of Secrets
Movies:
1. Deathly Hallows pt. 1
2. Deathly Hallows pt. 2
3. Prisoner of Azkaban
4, Goblet of Fire
5. Order of the Phoenix
6, Sorcerer’s Stone
7. Chamber of Secrets
8. Half-Blood Prince
3. What has the Harry Potter series meant to you?
I remember falling in love with the books growing up, eagerly awaiting the new releases, and reading them several times over, even at night with my little night light when I know I should be in bed. The movies made their own mark with the series, and were well done, but the books have what got me hooked. I was able to relate to Harry, feeling like I grew up with Harry. The final book came out when I graduated High School, and the final movie was released when I graduated college. Harry has always made a mark in my life in some way. When I was reading the series this time, I felt some of that excitement as if I were reading the books for the first time all over again, which made it this special for me. My wedding was Harry Potter themed, and I am expecting my first child, a daughter, which I am contemplating a name from the Harry Potter series as her name, or her middle name. A lot of life lessons are in this book, and I try to find ways to reflect those lessons to make the world i live in a little better.
Once more, thank you all for being a part of this!
And now the Epilogue. Time to power through! 🙂
Questions Answered
I am going to try and answer some of the proposed questions I brought up from the last review after thinking about them. As always, feel free to write your own answers and thoughts to these questions.
1. Why does Neville stand up against Voldemort to defeat Nagini?
Neville has really come to his own, and feels that he needs to kill Nagini since Harry has asked him to take on that task.
2. Why does Harry hide himself in the cloak during the battle?
He needed to navigate and get to his target without being interrupted.
3. Did Harry make the right decision in ending the Hallows?
Yes. He knows the temptation what the Hallows bring, and he realizes that somethings are meant to end.
Chapter Review
Harry and Ginny are taking their kids to Platform 9 and 3/4’s as it will be Albus’ first year there. They have three kids, James, the oldest, and Lily the youngest who wishes to be going to school too. There we see Hermione and Ron and their children, Hugo and Rosie, as well as Draco and his son Scorpius. They wish them farewell, and Harry comforts Albus, who is worried about being sorted into Slytherin, which Harry confirms is ok. The final words of the chapter are: All was well.
This chapter is a little campy, and it is neat to see what happens in the future, even though it is just a brief snapshot. I guess this was the first thing for the Harry Potter series that JK Rowling wrote, so the books needed to align with this epilogue. It is ok, not may favorite chapter, but it is a nice little way to end the series. There is still a part of me that feels that the book could have ended with the last chapter.
Questions to Ponder
1. Is there anything that you would have liked to have changed from the story?
2. What was your favorite book?
3. What has the Harry Potter series meant to you?
Here we go! The final real chapter! Next one is the epilogue!
Questions Answered
I am going to try and answer some of the proposed questions I brought up from the last review after thinking about them. As always, feel free to write your own answers and thoughts to these questions.
1. Why does Harry appear naked in this “limbo” place?
He is as he was when he entered the world, naked. I think it was symbolic of a new life, and death.
2. Why is Harry able to master the Hallows?
Like the Sorcerer’s Stone, he never really sought the Hallows, and if he did, it wouldn’t be for personal gain. This is what qualifies him.
3. What does Dumbledore mean that this was in Harry’s head, but also real?
He means that this whole choice of choosing to live, or to go on is in his head and real. I think Dumbledore was in a way a messenger from the world beyond.
4. Is there symbolism for the location being Kings Cross?
Very much yes. It is symbolic of that transition and transportation to live, or to go on. It all just depends on which train he is taking.
Chapter Review
Harry returns back to the world of the living, and realizes that Voldemort must have been effected as well by the killing curse he sent towards Harry, because he was knocked down too. Harry pretends to be dead, as he is still surrounded my Death Eaters. Voldemort, after regaining composure, asks someone to confirm if Harry is really dead. Narcissa Malfoy is the one who checks on him, realizes he is alive, but asks if Draco is still alive, and Harry responds yes. With this, Narcissa lies and tells Voldemort that Harry is dead, knowing that her son is still alive. Voldemort decides to play with Harry’s body, casting a few spells on it, and they has Hagrid walk Harry’s body back to the castle. Again, I love the symbolism of Hagrid, and he acts as transition for Harry. Carrying Harry back to the school, carrying Harry back home.
As they reach the forest grounds, Voldemort stops them and uses his voice amplification to say Harry is dead, died from trying to flee. Voldemort and his Death Eaters then approach the school entrance where those are gathered. Harry is able to distinguish Ron and Hermione’s voices of anguish. Voldemort then challenges anyone refuses to join the Death Eaters. Neville charges up, and is stopped. The Sorting Hat flys from the school, and Neville is able to retrieve the Sword of Gryffindor, which he uses to kill Nagini. During this time, the Centaurs charge after the Death Eaters, forcing the battle inside, and Harry puts on his invisibility cloak to hide himself to find Voldemort. He navigates through, and sees the battles taking place, including Hermione, Ginny, and Luna taking on Bellatrix. Bellatrix tries to use the killing curse against Ginny, but Mrs. Weasley stops it and shouts her famous line. They then battle out, and Mrs. Weasley ends up killing Bellatrix. This causes Voldemort to realize what has happened, and as he tries to approach, Harry finally reveals himself and stops Voldemort’s advancements. Harry then calls everyone off, and he and Voldemort start to circle each other.
Voldemort taunts Harry, asking who will die this time, and Harry defiantly tells Voldemort that this is the end. He then explains that Voldemort never had the Elder Wand, and that his spells are useless. The true master was Draco Malfoy, since Draco disarmed Dumbeldore before his was killed. Harry then reveals he now has the Elder Wand, and gives Voldemort a chance to show remorse. Refusing, Voldemort casts the killing curse towards Harry, but sensing it was coming, Harry cast the disarming spell at the same time. Because Harry was Master of Death, Voldemort’s curse deflected of of Harrys’s spell and hit him in the chest, killing him,
Harry was then giving hugs and offers of congratulations, and after a while, he needed an escape, which Luna helped provide. Harry hid himself in his cloak once more, sought Hermione and Ron, and he led them to Dumbledore’s office. Once there, the portraits applauded, and Harry seeked Dumbeldore’s portrait. Harry then admitted that he lost the resurrection stone, and that he will bury the Elder Wand with Dumbledore. He also explained to Hermione and Ron everything that he say in Snape’s memory and everything that happened up until the final battle. Harry then used the Elder Wand, and repaired his old wand, which became good as new. Harry then admits that he has had enough trouble for one lifetime.
Questions to Ponder
1. Why does Neville stand up against Voldemort to defeat Nagini?
2. Why does Harry hide himself in the cloak during the battle?
3. Did Harry make the right decision in ending the Hallows?
The photo is probably my favorite quote of the entire series. The graphic is pretty great too. I wanted to take away from the movie since my blogs have had several stills from the movies. I will go further with the quote within the blog.
Questions Answered
I am going to try and answer some of the proposed questions I brought up from the last review after thinking about them. As always, feel free to write your own answers and thoughts to these questions.
1. Why does Harry not tell Hermione and Ron of his plan but he stops to talk to Neville?
He knows he would not be able to walk into the forest to meet Voldemort if he speaks with them, but he lets Neville in on the snake just in case Hermione and Ron die.
2. Why was it only those four that came out for Harry?
Those are the ones that Harry had cared for the most, the true Marauders. Plus Dumbledore gets his debut this chapter.
3. Why didn’t Harry try and defend himself?
He must be willing to die, and he doesn’t want to be tempted to prevent it.
Chapter Review
The Penultimate chapter! (excluding the epilogue). I love this chapter. I have written just about ever single quote from this chapter in the quotes chapter, and could easily have just have written “Chapter 35, all of it!”
Harry wakes up…somewhere. He realizes that he is perfectly alone, naked, and standing on ground because there needs to be ground. Slowly, the environment around him begins to take shape, but not before he hears a cry from another being. At this moment, Harry feels shame, and aware of his nakedness. It reminded me of the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. Once Sin is introduced, they feel shame. Voldemort is a snake, more or less, and fits the analogy of taking the role of Satan in this instance. He hears the discarded being cry, and once he is robed, hears another voice, one belonging to Albus Dumbledore.
Dumbledore beams at Harry, and calls him brave, and asks Harry to walk with him. They walk to a bench, and start to discuss. Harry asks about where he is, and why he is here, which Dumbledore says that he is unsure, but this is Harry’s “party” so it can be whatever he wants to be. Shortly, he recognizes this to be Kings Cross, but cleaner and emptier. Just them and the crying being far away. Dumbledore explains about how when he was a kid, how selfish he was, and how he feels guilt for the death of his sister. He shares his own journey for the Hallows, but realizes how he would never be able to possess them, and unify them, even though he had all the Hallows at one point. Dumbledore also admits that once he defeat Grindlewald, he became owner of the Elder Wand, and it was supposed to succeed to Snape, but that is not how it worked out. This is a teaser that it isn’t Snape’s wand that is the Elder Wand, but someone else’s, Draco’s. Dumbledore also reveals that Harry is the last Horcrux, the seventh, one that was unintentionally made.
Dumbledore also reveals, and helps Harry work out that Voldemort is alive because of Lily’s protection, and the protection runs in Voldemort’s veins, and it is this that is keeping both Voldemort and Harry alive. Harry can go back.
Dumbledore admits that he didn’t make it easy for Harry to get to the Hallows, they he relied on Hermione to slow Harry down if he found out about them so that when the time came, Harry would be able to truly unify them. To understand that there are things worse than death. That death is the next great adventure. Harry, because of his acceptance of death, made him master of the Hallows, Master of Death. Dumbledore advises Harry to pity the living that do not know love, like Voldemort. Harry then asks if he can go back, which Dumbledore replies that Harry can, he has a choice. Harry asked what would happen if he didn’t, and Dumbledore responds that in this world, a train would come and take Harry “on.” Knowing that he has to finally stop Voldemort, Harry decides it would be best to go back.
Before he leaves, he asks if this was all in his head, this whole transaction. Dumbledore responds, “Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”
I love this line. For several reasons. This is the next great adventure, that this is all real for Harry. He controlled the environment, and became aware that he is the unintended seventh Horcrux, and they crying being is the part of Voldemort inside of him that is dying. Another way to look at this is the book series itself. Yes, it is fiction, but it is a fantastic story with amazing and insightful words of wisdom that can be applied to real life. Harry Potter Alliance is prime example of this in our world. Even though the book is fiction, it can be real to us. Another way I look at it is my passion for the Harry/Hermione ship. I know that it isn’t canon, and in my head it makes perfect sense, and that it can still be real, even if I examine it in my own life, when it comes to finding the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. These are just a few examples.
Please comment and respond on what this quote means to you!
Questions to Ponder
1. Why does Harry appear naked in this “limbo” place?
2. Why is Harry able to master the Hallows?
3. What does Dumbledore mean that this was in Harry’s head, but also real?
4. Is there symbolism for the location being Kings Cross?
Questions Answered
I am going to try and answer some of the proposed questions I brought up from the last review after thinking about them. As always, feel free to write your own answers and thoughts to these questions.
1. Why does Voldemort allow those in Hogwarts to dispose of their dead with dignity?
He is showing mercy, I think it is a ruse. He is arrogant, and yet he recognizes power. I think every dictator has shown some sort of humanity or else no one would follow.
2. Do your views of Snape change after seeing all of the memories?
It is hard not to change your opinion on Snape unless you knew he was always a good guy. I like the transition with Snape, and we now know what his motivation is.
3. Why does Harry have to die?
In order to destroy the part of Voldemort that lives in him. I had the theory prior to this book that Harry was a Horcrux and this confirmed it.
Chapter Review
A fantastic chapter. and I know the next one is just as amazing.
Harry reflects on the vision and realizes that he has to die. This whole chapter is about his journey of embracing death. Before, he knew he was willing, but now it has become real. He covers himself in his Invisibility Cloak and walks his way through the castle. He doesn’t approach Hermione and Ron because he knew they would be his anchor and not allow him to take this journey. He does see Neville, and out of impulse, he tells Neville about Nagini just incase Hermione and Ron are not able to. He also sees Ginny but he keeps walking.
He makes his path towards the forest. Each thing he passes, he remembers different events that have mattered and reflecting on how in tune he feels about his body knowing his is going to have to die. It is in the heart of the forest that he realizes that this is the moment to open the Snitch. It was when he accepted it that it would open. As he did say, saying he is about to die, the Resurrection Stone is inside. He spins in three times and uses his wand to light the area around him. He realizes that it doesnt’ bring back the dead, it is them coming to retrieve him. Lily, James, Sirius, and Lupin, the later looking younger and healthier, emerge and great Harry, telling him how proud they are of him. Harry can’t help but ask about death, and they assure him that it will be ok. In a way, he feels more connected with them than those living, because he thinks that he will be joining them soon. They promise Harry that they will be with him until the very end.
Harry puts back on the invisibility cloak and approaches Voldemort. At the right time, he puts away his wand and Invisibility cloak, and stone, and does not defend himself as the green light approaches him.
I teared up reading this chapter, so touching. Being a parent here in a few months, I get what Harry is experiencing and what his parents are experience from beyond. The last enemy that shall be conquered is death. It is at this moment, when Harry has truly mastered the Deathly Hallows. This next chapter has probably my favorite line in the entire series, and we get to see Voldemort one last time. Besides Nagini, Voldemort is close to being defeated for good.
Questions to Ponder
1. Why does Harry not tell Hermione and Ron of his plan but he stops to talk to Neville?
2. Why was it only those four that came out for Harry?
3. Why didn’t Harry try and defend himself?
Happy International Women’s Day! Such an amazing line up of events, and such a wonderful day to celebrate all women all around the world. I personally have always found inspiration from my mom, and I am a Feminist. JK Rowling wrote such an amazing series, and we must thank her for that. To celebrate the spirit of the day, I personally listened and watched Emma Watson’s HeForShe event, a movement in which I have committed too, and found it to be moving and inspirational. Hermione personified in real life. I think issues of social change are constant and it is exciting to be part of the movement.
Questions Answered
I am going to try and answer some of the proposed questions I brought up from the last review after thinking about them. As always, feel free to write your own answers and thoughts to these questions.
1. Why does Hermione allow Harry to look inside Voldemort’s mind?
So he can see where Voldemort is located. He needs to know how close he is too the school.
2. Why does Voldemort summon Snape?
Voldemort realizes that his wand is not the Elder Wand and he thinks taking ownership of Snape’s is how to do it.
3. Why does Snape have Harry look at him before he dies?
He needs to see those eyes…one last time.
Chapter Review
Ugh, This chapter and the next two are just emotional after emotional and probably my favorite section of the entire series. This is the part in which JK has been building up to. And I am not saying ugh as a bad thing, just it always gets to me. I even had to wipe away some tears in preparation for this review.
The Trio walk back to the Great Hall after leaving Snape behind, and hearing Voldemort tell them all that they have an hour until he starts to attack again. He is giving them this time to dispose of their dead with dignity. Hermione and Ron walk straight to the Weasley’s without Harry, and Harry sees that Remus and Tonks have died as well. He feels torn for all of the people who have dies for him. He heads to Dumbledore’s office, and drops the memory contents into the Pensieve even though a part of him didn’t want to.
We see flashes of Snape’s memories, but most important is his developing relationship with Lily. He is the one who told her she is a wizard, and they became best friends. What we also see is that Snape loved Lily. This was his big secret, and this his promise to aid Dumbledore to keep her protected is his turning point. We learn that Snape agreed to kill Dumbledore on hsi orders to save Malfoy’s soul. We also learn that Snape is the one who had the Silver Doe Patronus, just like Lily. Even after death, he ALWAYS loved her. Snape shows his true bravery,
It came as a surprise when i first read this chapter, but it continues to be one of my favorites. It is like a puzzle whose pieces finally come together.
Questions to Ponder
1. Why does Voldemort allow those in Hogwarts to dispose of their dead with dignity?
2. Do your views of Snape change after seeing all of the memories?
3. Why does Harry have to die?
Questions Answered
I am going to try and answer some of the proposed questions I brought up from the last review after thinking about them. As always, feel free to write your own answers and thoughts to these questions.
1. Is it important to note that the artifacts (like the diadem) returned back to their home?Y
Yes, this is an allusion for the Sword of Gryffindor
2. Do you think this was Hermione and Ron’s first kiss?
I don’t know. There is a part of me that thinks they have kissed before but maybe this is their first kiss.
3. Why does Harry go back to save Draco and Goyle?
He sort of has a saving people thing. I think he did the right thing even though they are his enemies.
Chapter Review
Momentarily stunned by the death of Fred, the Trio take Fred and hide him in a nook with Percy to make sure he doesn’t get damaged anymore. All around them a battle ensues, and Hermione reminds Harry that the only way to end all of this is to kill the snake. She then allows him to look into Voldemort’s mind to find out where he is because the snake would be with him, and he found it easier than he ever had before. He finds Voldemort in the Shrieking Shack along with Lucius Malfoy, and he asks for Severus Snape for a special task. Nagini is there being protected by a magical orb. As the Trio dashes to head to the Whomping Willow, they see more people they know around them, and unfortunately, Lavender Brown is killed by Fenrir Greyback, and they also see Hagrid getting chased into the forest, which Harry fears that Hagrid might die. At one point there are Demenors and Harry is inspired by his fellow DA members to chase them away. Once they make it to the Whomping Willow, there is a cute throwback to the first book, in which Ron momentarily forgets he is a wizard, and Hermione reminds him of it, like in the Devil’s Snare. Ron then uses Wingardium Leviosa. They then crawl through the tunnel towards the Shrieking Shack.
This is where the memorable scene happens. As the arrive, they keep hidden sensing it could be a trap, and Snape arrives asking why he was summoned. Voldemort then revels that the wand is not working as it should, and he thinks he knows why. He thinks because Snape killed Dumbledore, that Snape’s wand is the Elder Wand, as it transfered owners. So to remedy this, Voldemort decides to kill Snape to become the owner of the Elder Wand. This shows that Voldemort is not loyal to anyone besides himself. Once Voldemort leaves, Harry then out of instinct approaches Snape, as he was attacked by Nagini and slwoly dying. Snape asks Harry to take his memories, which Hermione has a readily available bottle for him, and then as a dying wish. Snape has Harry look at him. As we later find out, he wants to see Harry’s eyes because they remind him of Lily.
Questions to Ponder
1. Why does Hermione allow Harry to look inside Voldemort’s mind?
2. Why does Voldemort summon Snape?
3. Why does Snape have Harry look at him before he dies?
Harry Potter Thoughts and Theories 