Callous celebrations

[va32h]

No: HPFGUIDX 164430

You know I thought that this subject line would refer to something 
entirely different!

While pondering the end of the series, I looked back at how much, 
well, *fun* the books have generated. Release parties, costumes, 
games, seminars, etc. 

I remember the morning after the HBP was released, feeling a little 
strange...my daughter and I attended a midnight party in costume. She 
was Hermione, and I was Hermione's mother (in dentist gear). We won 
third place in the costume contest, by the way, losing only to an 
adorable Dobby, complete with tea-cozy, and a resplendent Nearly 
Headless Nick. 

Anyway, the party had been tremendous fun, and everyone there was 
extremely excited...until about twenty minutes after the books had 
been handed out and those of us who read the chapter titles knew what 
must be coming. It was as if a cloud had settled over us, and we all 
trudged out to our cars looking grumpy and tired. 

The next morning, it all seemed..well, unseemly! The ending of HBP 
was disconcerting and depressing, my daughter was in tears by mid-
afternoon, and none of this gelled with the fun party atmosphere we 
had enjoyed the night before. 

The good news is - I think this bodes well for Harry. If Harry dies, 
all those Aunt Marge balloons and sticker books will be very 
inappropriate. And how can there be a party for the night we all 
learn that Harry dies in the end?

*That* would be a callous celebration!

va32h