The (beautiful) Epilogue WAS: The (Hated) Epilogue

[ohnooboe]

No: HPFGUIDX 172578

It seems to me that most people who dislike the epilogue do so 
because it does not tie up every loose end of the series.  I believe 
it was a brilliantly appropriate ending.  While there were things I 
still wanted to know, had they been compiled neatly at the end of the 
series we would have missed a rare moment: seeing Harry finally 
happy.  Not "quidditch" happy, or "snogging Cho" happy, but really 
happy.   We are shown one small moment 19 years later.  A glimpse 
into the truly happy lives Harry and his closest friends have made 
for themselves.  I'm sure they still have their ups and downs, but we 
finally get a brief look at a life without horror around every turn.  
To me this is a breath of fresh air.  Like meeting an old friend many 
years down the road; they may be surrounded by unfamiliar faces and 
have stories from events you didn't witness, and though you may not 
know them as you once did you can content yourself in the happiness 
they have found.

I would personally not have traded a Dragnet-style "Harry went on to 
become..." or "Hermione continued on to..." for this epilogue.  Yes 
there are things I still want to know, but I am happier knowing that 
a character I feel very close to after all these years is happy and 
having learned that in this way rather than in a list of character 
achievements is lovely.  

I am glad that this short glimpse into what came after was provided.  
I found it neither trite nor contrived and I fully admit I wept like 
a lost puppy at finding Harry named his son Albus Severus.  

-PM