[HPforGrownups] Epilogue (was Re: Ron and Parseltongue)

[Lee Kaiwen]

No: HPFGUIDX 183346

CJ:
what we get instead in DH is a long but ultimately pointless
diversion through the Deathly Hallows plot line

Lynda:
Eliminating the hallows from the last book would have left gaping holes 
in the plot because there were clues scattered throughout the earlier 
books that alluded to them indirectly-- very indirectly I admit

CJ (Now):
I'm having difficulty reconciling "very indirect allusions" with "gaping 
holes".

Lynda:
A lot of readers did a very good job of convincing themselves what "had 
to happen" in the last
book, but not being the writer they were at least partially incorrect.

CJ (Now):
I will admit to being incorrect about what "had to happen" in the last 
book. But when the major plot line of HBP consists of Dumbledore 
tracking down horcruxes, all but getting himself killed in the process; 
when the destruction of the horcruxes is absolutely essential to 
defeating Voldemort; and when DD specifically commits that task to Harry 
before dying, I think I can be forgiven for thinking that's what we were 
going to get in book seven. Instead, after spending an *entire book* 
setting up the horcrux plot line, she shunts it aside for a new plot 
line that ultimately goes nowhere. I strongly suspect -- though of 
course I cannot prove -- that if there had been no DH plot line, nary a 
soul would have noticed those "gaping holes".

--CJ