Harry Potter Book Discussion *SPOILER ALERT*

[Clevernick]

Oz:

The list of the seven horcruxae and their eventual fate is neatly laid out at

http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Ho...t_of_Horcruxes

firefly:

I agree that Pansy is probably not a good choice for Draco and you've convinced me that if Draco had married her, we would have been told.

It's also pretty obvious that Neville's not with Luna, or the epilogue would have mentioned it.

I disagree that Ron and Hermione are a typical on-off 17-year-old couple. They haven't even kissed yet (until quite late in the book) and they have long since admitted to themselves that they're interested, but not yet admitted it aloud to each other. Both have had other relationships and caught the other being jealous. Each is aware of the other's interest and their own. They're hanging out sleeping rough in the woods together for weeks on a life threatening adventure. And no kiss. How long can mind games like this go on without a single kiss? Answer: maybe a month in reality. But more than two years in this series.

Verdict: Chick-lit.

I am equally disappointed with Harry's failure to grow up at 17. He learned in book 4 that his dad had really loved him. He learned in book 5 that he was going to be a hero and that he had what it takes. He learned in book 6 that Dumbledore loved and respected him enough to take a whole year off all other extracurricular activities just to teach him everything possible, and be mentor and tutor to him.

Further agonizing and paralysis about whether Dumbledore really loved and trusted him is just maddening, on the level of Hamlet. The confident, selfless Harry was over his teen angst and could and should have come back by then.

Verdict: Chick-lit.

I think Shakespeare defined Chick-lit best:

And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprises of great pith and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry,
And lose the name of action.

All that said, it's a great plot and follows the hints perfectly, while adding an incredible number of plot twists and extra points. Love that.

I disagree that the jobs these people take on after graduating is trivia. My wife and I have argued about it endlessly since book 4. Since the whole OWLS and Aurors thing, it's been a major question. It should be resolved. Hermione must use her talent in some important way. Harry needs a fitting position in the Wizarding world besides "Dad". And Ron needs to show all of us "C" students that there's something useful he can do too.

Not to mention all the questions raised by the multiplication of the Dementors, them being out of control, the Death Eaters still at large, and the Ministry basically out of control too. This stuff needs a firm hand to set it straight, and most of the really good firm hands are dead. Our new generation has a part to play and should be involved. Remember all of Harry's confrontations with Fudge and Scrimgeour?

I'm still going to have to help JKR out and write a real epilogue for her excellent book.