This wasn’t my first time reading the series. Actually, it wasn’t even my second time. I’ve read this series multiple times; though this was the first time doing it for an academic setting. I’ve always loved Harry Potter. I would try to recall my reactions from when I first finished the series, but those reactions get jumbled with my more recent reactions. In some ways the ending is bittersweet because of it being the end of an amazing series. I have so much respect for Rowling as an author though. She constructed an amazing series. From book to book we have great plotlines, complex characters, and so much going on that reading them is always interesting. She continues to surprise us about the characters even in the last book. Though I knew she would be killing off a lot of characters in the final novel, there was no way she couldn’t, I was still very upset about some of the characters she chose to kill. It only makes sense, since she’s such a good author that I became very attached to a lot of characters. I was particularly heartbroken about Lupin, Tonks, Dobby, and Fred. She made me cry when Sirius died. She made me cry when Dumbledore died. Then she kills off even more characters I like and I just sob. It’s really quite sad. She does such an excellent job of fleshing out these characters and making them so real that I get attached even though I know they’re fictional. The whole seventh book just tugs at your heartstrings as well as puts you on edge with the stress of the plot, particularly when we know Voldemort has discovered Harry’s knowledge of the Horcruxes and is on his way to Hogwarts after checking each one.
I love that we see more of the side characters develop as well. The whole DA, the resistance at Hogwarts, Neville becoming more of a leader and then his heroic moment when he kills Nagini with the sword, Dobby saving the group from the Malfoy manor, Ginny stubbornly staying to join the fight, Mrs. Weasley fighting against Bellatrix, etc. There are so many great moments with characters other than Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Rowling created such a well-rounded world and cast of characters that we see these other people grow and develop in the series. I love that so many of them get awesome moments in the final book and the final fight. We see everything come together for an epic resolution.
I wasn’t extremely surprised by Dumbledore or by Snape. Even in my first reading I remember reading it and accepting it. I knew she would have something up her sleeve, since she had written in a number of surprises in the previous books. Part of me had always held out hope for Snape to be good. I just didn’t want to believe he was entirely evil and of course it turned out he wasn’t. He’s a brilliantly complex character. The one thing I remember that surprised me about Snape wasn’t him being good, it was his love and devotion for Lily. I knew they were friends and that they knew each other while at Hogwarts, but Rowling extended the connection between the two all the way back to when they were kids. That changes Snape and lets us see more of his motivation for his actions. It also does show a real human side of him. Just like with Riddle and Dumbledore, the background of a person is needed to understand just who they are and why they made the decisions they did. By showing us more of Snape’s past, we’re able to better understand him and what he went through. In the end he made his decisions because of love and loyalty.
Dumbledore always pulled the strings throughout the series, manipulating those around him. He would do it for the greater good of course, but he was the master puppeteer. I think that’s why I wasn’t surprised not only about the tasks he left for the trio, but also that he shows up in the end to talk to Harry when Harry is struck down by Voldemort. Even though Dumbledore was dead physically there was that small part of me that knew he couldn’t be gone completely. He was too important of a figure and too much a part of what was happening to not come back in some way. I wasn’t exactly sure how Rowling would bring him back, but I did have the sneaking suspicion he would show up again in some way.
I definitely think this is a series that teaches a lot and is so much more than just a child’s story or a fantasy series. Rowling confronts a lot of issues such as death, love, sacrifice, friendship, good and evil, growing up, prejudice, etc. Even though it is presented as a fun and interesting story she brings up these issues and comments on them. By reading this series the issues can be addressed without just bluntly bringing them up. Parents and children can read the series and then talk about the Holocaust or bullying or puberty or even just what is right and wrong. Kids can even just relate to the characters in the story as they mature and grow through their experiences. I was about the same age as the characters when I first read it and I remember feeling like I was growing and changing with them. The series opens the doors to some of these difficult topics because everything is woven into the story and plot. I think she does a brilliant job with making it more than just a story. It’s entertaining, yes, and fun to read, but it can also teach a lot of lessons.
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