DH comments and questions. Spoilers

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No: HPFGUIDX 172353

Coming out of long lurkdom to join the reaction to DH. As some have 
said where to start? I found it a good read, fast paced apart from 
some of the of the wandering hither and yon on the camping trips, but 
mostly exciting and full of action. Much more full of action thatn 
some of the others. But ultimately I find myself, on the first 
reading anyway, felling rather let down and disappointed and 
certainly full of questions.

I so agree that the emotional investment in some of the deaths just 
wasn't there. I loved Lupin in POA and I barely registered his death, 
perhaps as someone said because we don't see it happen. I didn't even 
feel much when Fred copped it. Dobby's death was far more devestating 
and better written. The end was so fast and furious, as I suppose a 
battle would be, that on first reading it was hard to take quite what 
was going on let alone get emotional over it. I know I hated OOTP on 
first reading however so perhaps on other readings I will find the 
final chapters more moving. 

But there are still so many questions, so many things that have been 
unresolved and what appear to be flaws and mistakes in the text that 
it almost feels like something rushed out and cobbled together 
despite the fact its been two years since HBP. Just to pick some at 
random.

Does anybody understand the prophecy even yet. I still find its 
meaning fluid. Surely it is not so much neither can live while the 
other survives as neither can die while the other surivives? Why does 
Harry think his self sacrifical death will end it all since he 
doesn't know he is a horcrux, knows when he walks to the forest that 
Nagini is still alive and all his death will achieve will be to rid 
Voldemort of an opponent? 
What happened to V's legilimency and 'no-one can lie to Lord 
Voldemort, he always knows.' I can accept Snape as a brilliant 
Occlumens, but Narcissa! In a moment of panic and terror! Lying to 
Lord Voldemort about the most crucial thing of all, that Harry is not 
dead. 
How did the sword get back in the Sorting Hat? Hadn't it been grabbed 
by Griphook the last time we saw it in the vault of Gringotts? 
Has she made a mistake over Snape receiving instruction about feeding 
the change of plan to Voldemort? He is conversing with D's portrait 
in the Headmaster's office at Hogwart's persumably in late July but 
he doesn't retrun to Hogwart's as Headmaster until September. I can't 
imagine McGonagal who at this point believes he has killed D 
accepting him back without being forced to do so by the Ministry. 
Also he tells Vol he has the information from 'the source we spoke 
of.' We know by the end this is D's portrait, but he won't have told 
V that. So what did he tell Vol was the source? The Order think they 
have another traitor and for half the book she seems to be setting 
you up to find one of the 'friends' revealed as a traitor. Remarks 
like Lupin's pointed 'James would have thought it the height of 
dishonour to suspect a friend of betrayal' seem to point to big 
revelation of another betrayer in this generation just as Wormtail 
had been in the previous one but it never came. And what happened to 
Lupin? Was he really turned that sour by his expereiences as an 
outcast. He seemed so different that I thought maybe Dudly wasn't the 
only won with a new personality blown into him. I also for half the 
book found myself wondering if ESE Lupin, a theory I have resisted 
for years, could be proved right after all. 
I thought HBP was setting up some big denounment with Snape and Harry 
and was disappointed it never came. I also hoped to see more with 
both Lupin and Snape. All the Snape stuff I found unsatisfactory 
which is sad because I think she has created a wonderfully 
interesting and complex character and he deserved more. I agree he 
remains a nasty man working for the good and that is a fascintating 
concept but just for unrequited love for Lilly doesn't seem a strong 
enough basis for that. 

Like many I found the epilogue trite and despite appearing to show 
happy ever afters, still leaving so much unresolved. What careers did 
they follow? (Did they ever go back and do their NEWTS? I can't 
imagine Hermione being satisfied with an incomplet education.) Why 
did Harry never find out more about his parents? Where did James' 
money come from? Why were all Harry's grandparents dead before his 
first birthday. James and Lily were only 21. James' parents were 
alive and well when they were giving Sirius refuge five years 
previously. What happened to them? OK they might have been killed off 
by Vol in the first war, but what happened to Lily and Petunia's 
parents. They can't have been that old either. Yet Petunia is one 
year old Harry's only living relative. 

And the questions could go on but this is long enough. I think, 
despite enjoying the book, I agree with the 'could do better' line of 
comment. But perhaps it will improve on further readings.

Mercia