Endings

[B Arrowsmith]

No: HPFGUIDX 85108

What do we want?
To know how it ends, of course.

Well, in the fullness of time, that is. I for one want to read it in 
Harry Potter and the Thingy of Whatsit, not have it served up  in 
isolation. That doesn't stop me getting  into the guessing games, 
though; even if somebody does get it right, we probably wouldn't know 
for sure before-hand.

Preferences for the ending vary depending on the opacity of one's  
rose-tinted spectacles. Some see Harry (plus partner) romping off into 
a golden-hazed future; the meadows ablaze with wild flowers, bluebirds 
twittering overhead, into a truly magical sunset with everything 
perfection.

Those steeped in the lore of folklore appreciate that  there  are  damn 
few epics where everybody lives happily ever after. With alarming 
frequency the one person who  doesn't get to enjoy a ripe old age is 
the hero. He gets a holiday named after him instead (and wasn't that 
mentioned at the beginning of PS/SS? Hmm. Harry Potter Day. I  wonder).

Others, more cynical, suspect that JKR may not tie up all the loose 
ends as promised. After all, a sequel or two might not  be a total 
disaster, right?

Just for a moment, let's put aside analyses of the plot, fascinating as 
they are, and consider HP from a slightly different angle. Is it 
possible that the genesis of of Harry Potter could be an influence on 
the ending?

We all know the place; a train between London and Scotland.
We all know the circumstances; mother of a young child and times aren't 
easy.
We  all know that the story appeared almost miraculously complete - the 
end was known at the beginning.
We all know that international stardom was not envisaged. JKR hoped to 
sell a few thousand copies, enough to supplement her income -  a local 
story for a local audience.
We all know she is not going to change the plot just to please her 
audience.
We all know that JKR is quiet, reserved, almost introverted, definitely 
not the extrovert optimist type.
We all know JKR claims to be brutal; kill 'em off if necessary.

So, what would be your odds for a happy ending?
All in all, the circumstances of his genesis do not hold out a great 
deal of hope - particularly the train journey; in the UK they are so 
bad they generally promote rage and an inclination to kill, *kill*, 
KILL!

I think it's thumbs down for Harry; 3:1 he doesn't make it.

Kneasy