How It All Ends and Other Blather

[carolynwhite2]

--- In the_old_crowd at yahoogroups.com, "Talisman" <talisman22457 at y...> 
wrote:

Back to Carolyn's search for the ideal calamity to end the series:
I don't think current events will play an important role--even if
she chooses to give a small nod in that direction.

Sorry about any apocalyptic aspirations.

MinxyC responds:
No you twit, I wasn't offering an apocalyptic menu at all. If 
anything the reverse. The depressing list was a descriptor of the 
world as it is. My point was what kind of ending would be believable 
given that backdrop and that she didn't think she was writing 
traditional (escapist) fantasy. 

That quote of hers that you picked out with its emphasis on 
the 'battle that will never be won' I think reinforces my prediction -
 a heroic death that doesn't change much, but makes some kind of 
point about courage and bravery. Le Carre's did it better with 'The 
Honourable Schoolboy', but it's a well-worn groove.

As you say:
'[Cue the swelling background music.]'

T:
So, yeah, tiresome as it is, I continue to think that Harry is a Hx.
(It's not my fault, blame Rowling.) Not one that Voldemort made;
one that DD made. All in that cataclysmic night at Godric's
Hollow. Voldemort did the murder, but DD cast the spell.

C:
A minor quibble, but how did DD get in there in time? We are supposed 
to be suspending belief and pretending that he too doesn't know where 
GH is whilst the Fidelius is in place. Is your theory that he was 
hanging about outside, having been brought there by spies various 
[Peter, Lupin, Snape etc]? Or is this a remote-control spell, 
designed to detonate anytime V attacked Harrykins?

T:
When Harry discovers that he is Voldemort's tether to the world, he
will be horrified. (Cf. his reaction to being the snake, OoP 492)

That's the *big thing* for which Rowling has been preparing Harry,
over the course of the series.

C:
So, Harry eventually dies Aragorn-style (another book she claims 
never to have read), giving Voldemort his chance to come back in the 
future? He could give Evil Overlord tip #92 a go if the wait seems 
interminable:

'If I ever talk to the hero on the phone, I will not taunt him. 
Instead I will say that his dogged perseverance has given me a new 
insight on the futility of my evil ways and that if he leaves me 
alone for a few months of quiet contemplation I will likely return to 
the path of righteousness. (Heroes are incredibly gullible in this 
regard).

T:
So, there it is: everybody lives. Rather a disappointment, I know.
Now we must pin our hopes on collateral damage. The stinking
carcasses of the Dursleys, sizzling on the smoldering remains of
Privet Drive, etc.

C:
::oh no::
Does this mean the ghastly Ginny will be nobly supporting Harry in 
this selfless role, But Never Actually Marry Him? Yuck. She'll 
definitely need to be deaded in the final battle.

Just trying to think through how the Flamel story fits into this 
distressingly dull ending. Was DD experimenting with the 
Philosopher's Stone and Elixir of Life to keep himself alive to fight 
Voldie in the early days, before Harry was born or even prophesised?

DD does seem to have needed to test whether Harry has some of 
Voldemort in him - evidently he wasn't sure for years whether his 
spell worked, if he did cast one. I wonder if the forced-destruction 
of the Philosopher's stone and agreed death of Flamel made him crank 
up his plans for Weapon!Harry? IIRC, he didn't start testing (or 
commenting on) the scar-connection before PoA. No doubt someone will 
correct me if I'm wrong here.

Kneasy:
As to who'll be the next nasty - that's up for grabs and may not even 
be hinted at - unless it's Harry. Which would be entertaining. But if 
Jo is in the business of history repeating itself ...

C:
I would have thought it had to be a child not yet born in that case. 
How about Ron & Hermione's eldest? Or at the very least, a son of 
Percy Weasley?

T:
Someone needs an ass-whooping. I'm feeling the Beta program
slipping away.....

C:
I see nothing more likely than a new author incorporating bits of her 
favourite writers' styles/themes all over the place, unconsciously 
even. Bits of an Austen-esque mistaken-motives love triangle; some 
Shakespearian hubble bubble toil and trouble with portenteous 
destiny; and a wicked detective sub-plot or two running throughout. 
Don't think she'd give a damn. It's her story.
<dives for cover>

Kneasy:
Igor isn't much help, I'm afraid. He's very depressed about the 
quality of the local maidens; hardly worth raiding the village 
according to him. Ah, well. I'll have to get him a bus-pass so he can 
widen his horizons.

C:
Have you heard about this new hostess service Meals on Wheels are 
offering? It's going down very well with the crumblies apparently. 
Gives a whole new meaning to Help the Aged.

Carolyn
Enjoying the thought of presenting a Kneasy publishing proposal to 
her current company.