by Jennifer Hodge
Member since:
August 31, 2005

JOIN OTHER HARRY POTTER FANS TO TALK ABOUT THE ENDING OF "HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS" (CHAPTERS 1 THROUGH 36 ON TUESDAY, JULY 24th from 2-3 p.m. ET)

July 24, 2007 12:35 PM EDT
views: 96 | comments: 106

WARNING!!!! WE WILL BE DISCUSSING THE WHOLE BOOK INCLUDING THE ENDING TODAY FROM 2-3 p.m ET.

Due to people chomping at the bit to talk about all of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," we will be talking about your thoughts on the ending from 2-3 p.m. ET (Chapters 1-36) today through the end of the week.    

VIRTUAL BOOK CLUB 

We will be hosting a virtual book club in the Gather Books Essential (books.gather.com) this week: 

Monday, July 23rd through Friday, July 27th from 2 p.m.-3 p.m. ET (books.gather.com)   

WIN A BORDERS GIFT CARD 

Each day, we will post a Potter trivia question at the end of each Witching Hour.  If you answer correctly, your name will be put in a random drawing to win a $20 Borders Gift Card. 

The winner of the Borders card from Sunday, July 22nd is E.B. White  Congratulations!!!    

 

TUESDAY, JULY 24, 2007 EDITION OF "THE WITCHING HOUR" 2-3 p.m. ET 

 

If you answer the following question correctly in the comment thread below, you might be the lucky winner of a $20 Borders gift card in our daily random drawing.  Good luck! 

What is fatal to a basilisk? 

 

DISCUSSION ON THE WHOLE BOOK!  CHAPTERS 1 THROUGH 36 

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Comments: 106

jessie voigts Jul 24, 2007, 1:30pm EDT
yippee!!! i've been impatiently waiting!! ;)
Denise B. Jul 24, 2007, 1:38pm EDT
hi, I couldn't find the site. lol
Denise B. Jul 24, 2007, 1:40pm EDT
I think we have to wait to answer the trivia questio until it starts though, so I will wait. Impatiently.

I am so glad we can talk about the WHOLE book now. YEA!!!!!
EB White Jul 24, 2007, 1:42pm EDT
Woohoo! :D
Denise B. Jul 24, 2007, 1:42pm EDT
Jenn did you realize we were all wrong yesterday with the triva question. JOY had it right. There was no smell to felix potion it was the LOVE potion that had them all smelling different things.
Denise B. Jul 24, 2007, 1:43pm EDT
congrats EB you won!!!
Jennifer Hodge Jul 24, 2007, 1:43pm EDT
It's okay, Denise. You can answer the trivia question whenever you want to.
Denise B. Jul 24, 2007, 1:44pm EDT
cool it was a rooster crowing
jessie voigts Jul 24, 2007, 1:44pm EDT
well, i have to say (starting a bit early), that the overwhelming feeling i got, when i was done, was that i was so sad that it was OVER. it has been 10 years of our lives, and now there is no more NEW HP! that is so sad to me...

that said, at the very end, i SOOO wanted to know what they were doing, for jobs and life, not just the kids. although ron was cracking me up...
Denise B. Jul 24, 2007, 1:46pm EDT
Me too! I felt that after the whole wand thing he could never have a very challenging job - if he could NEVER be defeated, so thw wand would lose it's power.

And what about Hermoine she wanted a job to help improve the world????
Denise B. Jul 24, 2007, 1:50pm EDT
AND I was very upset she killed one of the twins!!! They were the comic relief you can't kill the comic relief!!! And I thought it was terrible the she killed off MR Tonks, Tonks, and Lupin. That left little Teddy an orphan with only Mrs. Tonks and Harry. It was like Harry and Neville all over again I felt bad for him.
Denise B. Jul 24, 2007, 1:53pm EDT
I loved Neville at the end he deserved to be a recognized hero for once. I had always pictured Harry as being the next DADA teacher but that couldn't happen nor would he ever get to be headmaster at Hogwarts (which were 2 of my predictions for him in this book)
Jennifer Hodge Jul 24, 2007, 1:57pm EDT
jessie said, "that said, at the very end, i SOOO wanted to know what they were doing, for jobs and life, not just the kids."

I completely agree. We only find out that Neville Longbottom is a professor at Hogwarts, but we have no idea what the rest of them are doing. I guess Harry doesn't really have to work because he is rich, but I would like to know if Hermione ever pursued anything.
jessie voigts Jul 24, 2007, 1:58pm EDT
i am so glad that neville didn't get offed; i was worried. i, too, felt bad for little teddy - i wondered who cared for him. there were a LOT of loose ends.

i was SOOO glad when old snake eyes died. it was sort of anticlimactic, though, imho. i expected MORE, somehow. and poor old snape. i KNEW he was good!
Denise B. Jul 24, 2007, 1:58pm EDT
yup.
Denise B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:01pm EDT
I kind of liked the whole circling around duel. where Harry is explaining to HIM how he was wrong. Then his own curse once again backfiring on him. It kind of came full circle for old VOLDY.. And I like the way Harry kept calling him TOM Riddle. Making him ordinary again.
jessie voigts Jul 24, 2007, 2:05pm EDT
did you all read this blog? i can't stop laughing:
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/books/2007/07/will_harry_potter_be_the_death.html


i liked the way he called him by his real name, too. it made me remember that he was a man, not just this weird ray fiennes no nose creation.
Denise B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:07pm EDT
I always held fast to Snape being good. I knew there was something going on there. He just had too many oportunities to kill off Harry or harm in in a more permanent fashion, and he never did. I knew he had loved Lilly, and he was the reason LV said to her "You do not have to die...." and I at least got that one right. Only about half of my predictions came true. Disappointing but oh well.
jessie voigts Jul 24, 2007, 2:07pm EDT
you know, one thing that i thought was real life, although tedious, was all that camping in the tent and moving around. ok, people don't get strokes of genius all the time. still., i don't blame ron for taking off - or coming back.

how abt the gringott's scene! go dragon!
Jennifer Hodge Jul 24, 2007, 2:08pm EDT
How big was the body count at the end? I can count ten off the top of my head.

I really thought Harry would use the stone to bring a few people back to life.
EB White Jul 24, 2007, 2:09pm EDT
In my lurking around on various boards and whatnot, I've learned that I'm in the minority regarding the epilogue. It annoyed me. :(

I felt like it was tying things up WAY too nicely... the only thing that would've made it worse is if the people on the platform broke into spontaneous song. I rolled my eyes through the whole thing. To me, the true ending was in the Headmaster's office.

In Rowling's universe, being grown up means marrying your high school sweetheart and having kids OR not to not get married and teach at Hogwarts.

(I have the same problem with a lot of books/movies... )

In my ideal epilogue, there'd be a mixture of marriages and careers and not-all-happy. I'd have loved to find out what happened to the Dursleys, the Malfoys, and Kreacher.

And what about Harry's godfatherness to Teddy? Did he raise him? How could they gloss over that?


Trivia: The crowing of the rooster.
Denise B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:11pm EDT
yes very tedious. It just seemed to take forever. Yeah, I loved the whole "escape by dragon" deal that was cool. I was wondering how they would get out. That was a stroke of genious. Felt bad that they lost the sword, but it didn't stay lost so last laugh ON the goblin. HA HA.
Pher B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:14pm EDT
HI. I've been having problems getting on Gather today.
Denise B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:15pm EDT
Teddy still had his grandmother. Deaths: Moody, Hedwig, Dobby, Fred, Tonks, Lupin, Mr.Tonks, Bathilda?, Charity, Snape. Who else?
Pher B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:15pm EDT
I counted at least 13 deaths...Professor of Muggle Studies, Belatrix LaStrange...also
Jennifer Hodge Jul 24, 2007, 2:16pm EDT
Crabbe died too.
Pher B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:16pm EDT
Had to look the trivia up...a rooster crowing is deadly to a basilisk
Chris Carlisle Jul 24, 2007, 2:16pm EDT
One thing I enjoyed about the final confrontation between Harry & Voldemort: this time Harry knew what to do to win. When Voldemort said that Harry's merely survived due to accidents and luck, there is an ere of truth to it. In the previous books during the confrontation, it seems like Harry would manage to survive and then afterwards someone (usually Dumbledore) would explain why he won. That happened to some degree in this book still, but in the final duel, Harry had it figured out.

Sad to see one of the twins go, plus Tonks and Lupin (notice how all of James's old friends died? Sirius, Pettigrew, Lupin). Dobby's death (and his brief presence in the book) seemed unnecessary. I would've rather seen Harry escape the Malfoy's by their own wits or force rather than the deux ex machina solution of having Dobby rescue them.

I felt it was the strongest of the series and definitely leaves the door open for other adventures in the Potterverse, even if Harry isn't the central focus.

I was really glad to see Quiddich disappear in this book. I don't care how you explain it, it doesn't make any sense.
EB White Jul 24, 2007, 2:17pm EDT
Snape - I was never really sure what was going on there - is he good, bad, or just misguided? But, I'm glad it turned out the way that it did. His devotion to Lily was very touching.
jessie voigts Jul 24, 2007, 2:18pm EDT
how abt the one that died in the beginning, at the evil round table?

i wanted the epilogue to be different - more info. ;)

i was laughing at a lot of the humor and also the teenager-ness of it - people getting riled up, and annoyed, and snarking off to sulk, etc. it was a hoot.

poor snape, dying alone in that awful room. then to have harry see the pensieve, like that - well, i think that snape would never have chosen that, eh?
Janet "Jax" B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:19pm EDT
Trivia: the sound/crowing of a rooster

I wanted to know what happened to George at the end...did he continue on with the joke shop? How did he take Fred's death?

I loved Molly, especially at the end.....angry mother bears are dangerous to deal with...especially one that has lost a cub.
Denise B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:19pm EDT
I wasn't counting the bad guys in the death toll. lol. that would bring it up quite a bit: LV, Crabbe, Belatrix, and a few others.
Jennifer Hodge Jul 24, 2007, 2:20pm EDT
I actually missed Hogwarts and the classes and Quidditch. But it has been a long time since reading the last book.
jessie voigts Jul 24, 2007, 2:20pm EDT
i thought that the wedding preparations were pretty on-target. we've been there, it is that tiresome and heinous to be doing all that prep work...and then to meet the new relatives, etc.

whatever do you think happened to the malfoys? seems like they were all taken down a peg.

poor hedwig.
EB White Jul 24, 2007, 2:21pm EDT
The Slytherin trio - I was holding out hope that Malfoy was changing his tune and was AMAZED (just as much as Harry) to see him step out of Malfoy's shadow.

And, boy, did he make a HUGE mistake his first time in trying.
Denise B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:21pm EDT
I loved the fight between Molly and Belatrix, I kind of hoped that Neville would have gotten in a few licks first though.
Janet "Jax" B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:22pm EDT
I knew that Snape and Dumbledore had some sort of agreement...nothing else made sense...he had to protect Draco, due to the agreement with Draco's mother...killing Dumbledore was the only way...and Dumbledore said it was time...
jessie voigts Jul 24, 2007, 2:22pm EDT
j - i missed hogwarts, too. i loved imagining it all, and all the learning in the classes, and the people and interactions. it was much more of a three musketeers type story, in this one, don't you think?

neville rocks. i loved it when they all came to help, and harry was so clueless and thought he had to do it on his own, when everyone was there to help fight. i loved mcgonagall - she was a hoot, hair coming down, going on the attack. talk about pure bedlam.
Jennifer L. Jul 24, 2007, 2:23pm EDT
The crowing of a rooster is fatal to a basilisk.

I think that the ending was good. I hope that Lupin, Tonks, and Fred didn't have to die, but it would have been a too perfect ending. I liked the scene of the fight when Harry went up against Voldemort. I agree that him calling Voldemort as Tom Riddle probably scared him.
Jennifer Hodge Jul 24, 2007, 2:23pm EDT
I felt horrible for George. He and Fred were inseparable. A definite blow for him.
Chris Carlisle Jul 24, 2007, 2:23pm EDT
oh and the trivia : a rooster crowing

(though the sword of Godric Gryffindor seemed to work for Harry in a pinch)
Pher B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:24pm EDT
I hated the last chapter...too sugary...plus it was a teaser...It didn't give enough information. What happened to George? What happened to Luna? What about Teddy? I concluded Victoria was the child of Fleur and Bill...what do you think?
Denise B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:24pm EDT
Dubledore had to sacrifice himself (for the power of the wand to be broken) but in doing so he showed Harry The way to sacrifice himself too, so LV could be broken.

Yes SNAPE was GOOD in the End I was never so happy to be right about a book.
Pher B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:25pm EDT
What about the sword of Gryfindor being pulled out of the soarting hat? How did it get there...last we knew, the Goblin had it.
Janet "Jax" B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:27pm EDT
I also think Victoria (is that the right spelling?) was Bill and Fluer's child. That would make sense. Victoria and Teddy would get a long great, as they each have/had a parent that is "wolfish".
EB White Jul 24, 2007, 2:28pm EDT
I think one of my biggest disappointments was seeing that, after all the school had gone through, they returned to sorting into houses. The series kept trying to head in that direction (and someone? in this book mentioned that they thought they sorted too early) but never got there. There will always been this feeling of Everyone Else = good, Slytherin = evil.

The sword= When Harry pulled it out in Chamber of Secrets, Dumbledore mentioned that he had been able to do it because he was a true Gryffindor. Perhaps that's always true. The goblin WASN'T a Gryffindor, therefore, when it was needed, it took it upon itself to go to where it was required...
Denise B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:28pm EDT
I would have liked a little more in epilog also, Especially about George.

legend says the sword will present itself to any worthy Griffindor.
Chris Carlisle Jul 24, 2007, 2:28pm EDT
(as long as I'm nitpicking) Percy's return was felt a bit forced, as if it was thrown in to just to tie up the loose end.
Jennifer Hodge Jul 24, 2007, 2:29pm EDT
I admit that I thought the worst of Snape until the bitter end when his memory showed Harry the truth. I just love Alan Rickman as Snape. Now that was a spot on match.
Janet "Jax" B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:29pm EDT
I think the sword appears in the sorting hat when it is sincerely needed by member of Hogwort's. I'm glad that Neville was the one that killed the snake...look how much he has grown as a person in the 7 books.
Denise B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:30pm EDT
yeah and I would rather Perscy had bought it than Fred.
EB White Jul 24, 2007, 2:30pm EDT
I was soooooooooooooo excited to see Neville show up in the Hog's Head and then to sneak into the castle and find out what had been happening all year. I was really proud of Ginny, Neville, and Luna for continuing the good fight.
EB White Jul 24, 2007, 2:31pm EDT
(I'm still sulking that Neville and Luna didn't end up together.)

Chris - I agree. Percy always was a prat. And he deserved to bite it more than Fred.
Janet "Jax" B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:31pm EDT
Percy is the prodical son returned.
Jennifer Hodge Jul 24, 2007, 2:32pm EDT
Did anyone suspect that Aberforth would make an appearance? Who did you think sent the silver doe in Chapter 19? I thought for sure it was Dumbledore.
Janet "Jax" B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:32pm EDT
We don't know that EB...it never mentions Luna at all in the end..perhaps they did end up together...

Who is the headmaster of Hogwarts now? Not knowing bothered me.
Denise B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:33pm EDT
I was horrified at what was being done to all the school kids. But Neville and the gang really pulled off a great "resistance". I loved the way everyone showed up for the show down at Hogwarts. Which, dare I say, was one of my predictions/ hopes.
Denise B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:34pm EDT
Well lets just make up our own endings.
Pher B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:34pm EDT
I thought it might be Aberforth that sent the doe, but then I figured the doe belonged to a female. I couldn't figure out any female that could have done that, except maybe Molly (and I could see her spying on Hermoine and Harry to make sure they were safe).
EB White Jul 24, 2007, 2:35pm EDT
Aberforth = totally unexpected until this book started. It was hard for me to take him seriously though, what with all the goat-charming thoughts running through my head. I wasn't expecting it to be him in the mirror, but a good thing it was.

The doe = I was actually thinking that, somehow, it was Lily (just like Harry thought the stag was sent by his Dad)
Jennifer Hodge Jul 24, 2007, 2:35pm EDT
I was really happy that Neville outgrew his klutzy stage. And I absolutely loved his grandmother! She was a real hoot. Even though she used to send Neville howlers, she was proud of him in the end.
Denise B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:36pm EDT
Luna could either become editor of the Quibbler of the next divination teacher, and still marry Neville. Mcgonagal would have been the next headmaster but who would be it after her??
EB White Jul 24, 2007, 2:36pm EDT
Janet = I don't think it's possible. We've never known a teacher to be married (it's never said)... since NEville teaches Herbology (yay for him!) he's probably a bachelor.
Janet "Jax" B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:37pm EDT
How about Professor Sprout..I always liked her.
EB White Jul 24, 2007, 2:38pm EDT
Jennifer= I think it was the DA that helped Neville. He just needed some confidence and, once he got it, there was no stopping him. I *heart* Neville.
Denise B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:39pm EDT
yes it was about time Mrs Longbottom was "proud of the grandson she had..." but I quickly forgave her and loved how she just charged in there. It was really nice to see all the women fighting, McGonagall, Tonks, Mrs Longbottom, Molly, that was cool.
Denise B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:40pm EDT
Sprout would work, that would leave her post open for Neville to fill. Works for me
Janet "Jax" B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:40pm EDT
I wanted to see some sort of memorial at Hogwarts mentioned at the end...with all the names of those that died in the battle. I'm sure we would have recognized some other names, because of all the Hogwarts' students involved.
Jennifer Hodge Jul 24, 2007, 2:40pm EDT
EB, that is an interesting point that none of the teachers were married.
Pher B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:42pm EDT
A memorial would have been nice...Colin Creevy couldn't have been the only student killed, since there were so many in the battle. I could see a Patrel sister dying...or Lavender Brown...
Denise B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:43pm EDT
It's never mentioned if the teachers are or not. Where did they go during the summer, did they have homes outside of Hogwarts??
Janet "Jax" B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:44pm EDT
I bet most of them had homes other than Hogwarts, except Prof. Trelaweny
Denise B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:44pm EDT
I could write a book on whats not in the books. LOL!!
EB White Jul 24, 2007, 2:45pm EDT
Denise - we know Snape did. We visited his house at the beginning of HBP. I'd imagine everyone else would too... except for maybe the headmaster and Hagrid.
Jennifer Hodge Jul 24, 2007, 2:45pm EDT
I would have liked to see Harry as the head of the MOM. And giving Mr. Weasley a big promotion. Goodness knows the guy deserves it!
Janet "Jax" B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:45pm EDT
The "Who's who of Hogwarts" would be an interesting book
EB White Jul 24, 2007, 2:46pm EDT
The thing in the basket = What do you think it was?

I think it was the bit of Voldy's soul that would fit in baby Harry (hence it's infantile behavior?).
Janet "Jax" B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:47pm EDT
I would have liked to have known what jobs Harry and the gang did have those 19 yrs. later.
Denise B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:47pm EDT
Well back to what IS in the book.... I think Harry's "turning point" was when Dobby died. He seemed to galvanize into action after that.
Pher B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:47pm EDT
I thought that baby thing was the bit of Voldemort's soul too.
Jennifer Hodge Jul 24, 2007, 2:48pm EDT
Denise, I know there are a couple of books that point out the inconsistencies throughout the series. So much to keep straight!
Pher B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:49pm EDT
Harry digging the grave by hand for Dobby is probably the final catalyst for Kretcher and the other house elves to fight. It got back to the other elves somehow.
Jennifer Hodge Jul 24, 2007, 2:49pm EDT
I think one of my favorite moments in all of the Potter series was when Dobby became a free elf. One of my least favorite was his death. Harry burying him was incredibly sad.
Denise B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:50pm EDT
yes I think it was what was left of LV also. whatever "it" was
Janet "Jax" B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:51pm EDT
One of my favorite parts...that is also in the movie...is when the fake Mad Eye Moody turns Malfoy into a weasel...

Dobby's death was terrible...
Denise B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:51pm EDT
It made me cry when Dobby died, I felt worse about his death than I did Moodys.
Janet "Jax" B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:52pm EDT
I felt terrible about Hedwig's death...

Sorry guys, I'd love to stay, but I have to get back to work. Until tomorrow....
Pher B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:54pm EDT
I loved the scene where Hermoine punches Malfoy...that cracked me up.
Jennifer Hodge Jul 24, 2007, 2:55pm EDT
One thing that I found particularly interesting about this book is that it contained a lot of parallels to previous world events: people being ostracized or rounded up because they aren't of "pure blood," people hiding out, underground communiques like "Potterwatch," torture, revolt...I liked how Rowling handled these subjects.
Jennifer Hodge Jul 24, 2007, 2:57pm EDT
Thanks for joining us Janet! See you tomorrow.
EB White Jul 24, 2007, 2:57pm EDT
Jennifer - what's tomorrow's discussion going to be, since we finished the book?
Pher B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:58pm EDT
These subjects occur over and over in the world's history...and still occur today. People are still being rounded up in some 2nd and 3rd world countries....people that speak out against the gov't "disappear" every day in some countries.

JLR did do a good job handling the subjects.
Pher B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:58pm EDT
Well, hopefully I'll remember and see you tomorrow.
Denise B. Jul 24, 2007, 2:58pm EDT
yeah it was very arian race.
Jennifer Hodge Jul 24, 2007, 3:00pm EDT
EB, Like today, the rest of the week is going to be an open discussion about anything in this book and anything Potter, books and movies.

A lot of people who emailed me are trying to finish the book, many of whom are reading their children's copies after they've been put to bed. So it's a little slower for some.
Denise B. Jul 24, 2007, 3:01pm EDT
still lots more to discuss about the whole book. This was pretty much a trash talk about the ending, but we needed to get that out of the way to get onto the book itself. So I'll see you tomorrow if I can.
jessie voigts Jul 24, 2007, 3:28pm EDT
this was so much fun!
Jenny M. Jul 24, 2007, 3:55pm EDT
looks like I missed it, I keep forgetting 2 your time means 1 my time. However, I would like to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the book, but am now in mourning because the series is done....or is it? After all the talk of this being the final book, the ending seems to have been left wide open to sequels or perhaps concentrating on Harry's, Ron's and Hermione's children. It was wonderful to find out that Snape was actually good, and Harry naming his son Albus Severus brought me to tears.
Jennifer Hodge Jul 24, 2007, 3:58pm EDT
Jenny, Join us tomorrow 2-3 p.m. ET when we pick up where we left off and hopefully more people will have finished the book.
Kris M. Jul 24, 2007, 4:36pm EDT
I'd never cared much for Dobby previously but his death really got to me. His sacrifice was as great as Snape's. Who, by the way, was a great character right to the end -- I especially loved his Patronus.