[HPforGrownups] Harry's happy death (Was Re: Harry, Sirius Black, and the power of posses

[Scarah]

No: HPFGUIDX 161722

> Sherry now:
> Even as an adult, I can't read books with deliberately miserable
> endings, with no hope of something better in the end.

Sarah:
But the last three HP books have had pretty deliberately miserable
endings, haven't they?  Of course there will be something better in
the end, but not necessarily for the main character.

*Snip stuff about how Harry dying might hurt feelings and JKR is responsible*

> Sarah:
> Is there really any doubt about Harry triumphing, though?  I don't know of
> anyone who believes that Voldemort will win.  Harry will either win while
> simultaneously dying, win and keel over soon after, or win and survive.
>
>
> Sherry:
>
> I happen to interpret the prophecy literally, that it's Harry or Voldemort
> in the end.

Sarah:
Are you honestly saying there's a possibility that Voldemort will not
be triumphed over in the end?  Is that even a possibility?

I interpret the prophecy literally also, just a little differently
than most people do.

Sherry:
> If Harry succeeds, then Voldemort is dead and Harry is alive.

Sarah:
Let's say there had not been any Horcruxes.  Would you also interpret
Lily's actions as not a success?  Voldemort dead forever and the world
safe?  She failed because she died?

I have a different view of those actions.

Sherry:
> I do not believe in any "other" who will ride in on a white horse, save
> Harry's butt, off Voldemort and survive to receive all the praise, while
> Harry lives happily ever after behind the veil with his family.

Sarah:
You seem to have possibly misinterpreted my reading of the prophecy
(which you have also snipped).  I posted that according to the
prophecy, neither Harry nor Voldemort makes it.  The other does.
Nowhere in the prophecy does it say that the other wants to do this,
or whether it will be an easy thing for the other.  Or a white horse,
either.  Or, saving Harry's butt.  In fact it says that Harry will die
by the hand of the other (according to the way that I read it).  There
is certainly nothing in my reading of the prophecy regarding praise or
living happily ever after.  Just who kills who, who lives and who
dies.  That's it.

Sherry:
> ..."  Either Harry triumphs in the end or not, but it will be Harry's
> triumph or failure.  Otherwise, perhaps these books should have had a
> different name.

Sarah:
Again, I do not believe Harry will not triumph.  Do you think Lily
didn't triumph?  Because I think that she did.

Sarah