[HPFGU-OTChatter] When all 7 books are finished....

[Katze]

Tara wrote:
> 
> I hate to break into all of the wonderful and
> insightful LotR discussion, but....
> 
> my friend Julie and I were having a lengthy
> discussion about what happens to us (ie: me, her,
> the fans, etc.) when all 7 books are over and
> done with.
> 
> We were talking about what type of ending would
> make it easier to say goodbye to the series
> (since JK has usually stated that once book 7 is
> out, it's over for her where Mr. Potter is
> concerned).  Granted, HP will always live on with
> the fans and in our hearts (sorry for the
> gag-worthy cliche), but isn't it going to just be
> too sad when it's over?  We've spent so much time
> waiting for the next book(s), analyzing every
> detail, trying to figure out intricate
> psychological profiles for the characters, making
> guesses about the past and future, etc...
> 
> So after book 7 is out and has been dissected
> front to back and vice versa, how hard do you
> think it'll be to say goodbye to new adventures
> and revelations?  Is there a particular type of
> ending that would make it easier for you?
> 
> Part of me wants him to live on - a nice fade out
> with a 17 year old Harry walking hand in hand
> with Ginny towards the platform while Ron &
> Hermione bicker in the background, and another
> says "if I can't know what's going on for the
> rest of his life, just kill him so I can mourn
> him and get over it".  Personally, I'm going to
> need some serious closure to this series.  This
> isn't the first time I've fallen in love with a
> book, but it is the first time I've fallen in
> love with a series.  I have a feeling I'm going
> to need to call off work for a few days after
> I've finished book 7 ;-)
> 
> Has anyone else thought about this?  Am I just
> being mental?
> 
> Tara, who's already worried about how hard it's
> going to be not to flip to the back of book 7 and
> read the last paragraph before even beginning the
> book....oh the horror!

I completely understand how you feel.

There is good news though...Rowling has stated that we *will* find out
what happens to the survivors at the end of the book 7. 

The ending that I need to feel good about the series, is for evil to be
destroyed, and Harry to survive. Perhaps I read too many interviews
where Rowling stated she might kill him. If he dies...I'll cry...simple
as that. I had an extremely hard time at the end of the book 4. I cried
because I felt for him so deeply. I wouldn't handle his death very well.
Might need counseling! ;-)

...but like big D says...to the organized mind, death is the next great
adventure. I hope he was referencing himself and not Harry.

There are only a few stories that I've ever read/watched that have
touched me this deeply. 
1) Neverending story (in my teens)
2) Watership Down (in my teens)
3) Babylon 5 (last year)
4) HP (this year)

I would love to see a symmetrical ending actually:
In the first book, first chapter we saw Harry as a baby. The next
chapter, we jumped forward 10 years. It would be wonderful for us to
finish out Harry's current year in the next to last chapter, and then we
get to jump 10 more years for the last chapter. That would be a
wonderful end. We could truly see where the characters are.

I'm sure that Rowling will make a nice complete ending to establish some
closure for the story. If a book ends well...it truly ends, and it's
easier to move on. 

There are my thoughts...
-Katze