1. Reading the last sentence.
2. Smiling, with tears still shimmering on your cheeks.
3. Closing the book.
4. Realizing that tomorrow you won't be able to pick up the next one, because there is no next one, and that you will have to live on... And that you really want to start again from the beginning, but you're TBR is still lurking in the corner of your mind...
5. Realizing Post-Potter Depression is as real as life.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
This was all I wanted from this series, and despite feeling more depressed than ever right now, I'm happy I read it.
Rating:
Deathly Hallows: 5 stars
Harry Potter Series as a whole: 5 stars and most certainly one of my favorite series of all time.
Spoilers for the entire Harry Potter series down below!
Oh, where should I begin. This entire story wraps up in Deathly Hallows, and I felt panicky as the pages went on. I couldn't believe she would be able to get everything done in so little time. (Yes, 759 pages is 'little time' in my world.) Even though I was spoiled for all character deaths (except maybe Hedwig) and for every detail revolving around Snape's past, this book still made for a good sob-fest. (I need to remember to bring tissues with me to bed when I'm about to finish a series.) So when I finished this book at 2.30 AM and was more or less a teary piece of skin and emotions, I was heartbroken that this was all over. Because this plot, these characters, this world: I will never see them for the first time again. I spend 2 months there and now that it's over, I can't believe how far we've come.
Plot
Except for Harry's sacrifice in the end, I didn't know anything about the plot. I loved it. At first I felt slightly upset we weren't going to Hogwarts, but this feeling faded fast. My mind was always dancing and racing and working its way to conclusions that eventually weren't right. The Horcruxes were fascinating, but the Hallows just completely threw this story around. I also liked how Rowling kind of 'looked back' at the previous books. This creates bridges between the different parts and I love that. Forget this, I'm just going to break the entire thing down.
Chapter 1
This was the part where we're at the Malfoy's house and Voldemort talks and Snape kills the Muggle teacher. Apart from this really moving me, because Snape was forced to kill her, it is connected to a childhood memory of mine. When I was nine years old, the trailer for Deathly Hallows part 1 was on TV. Back then, Harry Potter was a strange, wrong story that only weird people read and watched (times change LOL). Anyway, I remember two things from that clip:
1. A giant snake crawling over a table, which I thought looked pretty cool.
2. That there were two parts. I really pitied the Harry Potter fandom. In most Dutch theaters (don't know about the rest of the world) there's a break in the middle of the movie for people to get snacks. It's always a pretty random spot in the middle of the plot, so that's what I pictured with Deathly Hallows: You literally get half a movie and then they send you out of the theater to resume next year. Now that I've seen Mockingjay part 1, I know that's not what it's like, but this was my first introduction to split movies.
Chapter 2
So this chapter featured information about Dumbledore that gave me nearly as many conflicting emotions as it gave Harry. But let's be honest, in retrospect, I get that Harry is pretty angry with Dumbledore in this book. I mean, an old man that once had insane plans spent the past six to seven years throwing you into situations where you're in constant mortal danger based on his guesstimating about the most dangerous wizard ever. Yeah, I get that discovering things like that doesn't really makes for a happy mood.
Chapter 3
Saying goodbye to the Dursleys. Never thought Dudley would be able to make me tear up.
Chapter 4
This chapter made for a chaotic read, since I read it in the living room while the TV was on. Nevertheless, Hedwig's death I will never get over. I was also really scared for Hagrid and confused about Harry's wand.
Chapter 5
Everyone seemed in mortal danger, which means I myself was in mortal danger. I was momentarily shocked by George's earloss, but he and Fred can make even the gravest moment seem humorous. Mad-Eye Moody was, given I knew who else would die, the least of my concerns. Also, guys, can we just discuss the possibility of some extra emergency Portkeys?
Chapter 6
We're going to destroy Horcruxes, which is bad-ass. Hermione modified her parents' memories, which is, in my world, one of the greatest sacrifices. Also: spattergroit.
Chapter 7
Ginny and Harry kissing was SO adorable. I was pretty confused by Dumbledore's insane gifts, but I trust him to know what he's doing.
Ah, happiness. That's cute. Dumbledore, what did you do?! Oh, sh!it. By the way, since when do Patronuses talk?
Oh, Hermione, what would we be without you? How do they know they're there? Okay, we'll be fine, never mind. Seeing Sirius’ room was fun and Lily's letter was cute.
Chapter 10
Kreacher's story I found incredibly moving and it gave him more layers.
Chapter 11
I'm not going to lie, I spent most of this chapter trying to sort out whether Lupin was really Lupin. Once I got over that, I enjoyed his interaction with Harry. Also, please kill Umbridge.
Chapter 12 and 13
Breaking into the Ministry of Magic was cool, and you really get a taste of the way Voldemort's takeover changed the wizarding world. Rescuing the Muggle-Borns was also very impressive. I really loved when Ron was worried about the fact that he'd missed his 'wife's trial. At the end of chapter 13 I was momentarily scared to death, though.
Chapter 14
Plot building.
Chapter 15
Convenient plot building, but awesome plot building. Ron! COME BACK YOU SELFISH LITTLE PIECE OF--
Chapter 16
While reading about Harry's parents' graves, I was sitting in the living room again, so I couldn't cry. While visiting Harry's old house, I was alone and crying, though. Side note: Who knew Harry Potter books would make me look up something in the Bible? Not me.
We all knew there was something not okay there, but seriously! Voldemort himself!? Why does Hermione always have to be right? I was happy we got to know a little more about what exactly happened in the Potter home.
Chapter 18
I panicked when Harry's wand broke. I even dreamed about it. And yet again I felt crazily conflicted about the life of Albus Dumbledore.
Chapter 19
Let's face it: I knew exactly whose doe that was because SPOILERS. This chapter also proved:
-Harry is not Ravenclaw and should never EVER be in Ravenclaw. Hey, I'm gonna take something out of an ice cold lake with all my clothes off. This I'm going to do to destroy an evil possessed object that can think for itself. Let's keep the EVIL THINKING THING ON MY EFFING NECK!
-Ron is stupid, but in the end, loyal, and this chapter made for some good character development.
Chapter 20 and 21
I had a blast reading this part. I always like 'old myths' getting an important role in a plot line, and the Hallows provide just that. I do feel really sorry for Luna and her dad, but Mr. Lovegood is also kind of a traitor here.
Chapter 22
The piece of Potterwatch made for some light reading, and I really enjoyed 'hearing' so many familiar voices.
Good job, Harry. Good job.
Chapter 23
This was a bit of an intense part, which meant that I went to bed late that night. Especially Hermione's torturing and Ron's screaming made it quite emotional.
And then this happened
Chapter 24
Crying Crying Crying.
Plot building
Plot building
Plot building
Voldemort! HOW COULD YOU?!!
Chapter 25
Ah, this cute little bit of happiness is so much less fun if you've been spoiled for all the deaths in this book. And Harry being his godfather doesn't really make the matter less painful. Also, more plot building.
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
We're nearing the battle of Hogwarts and I forgot to bring tissues.
Chapter 28
Those tissues seem such a good idea now. Oh Aberforth, I knew you had a good reason to slap Dumbledore.
Chapter 29
I loved how Neville became b@d @ss and to know a bit more about how things have been going there. The return of the D.A. members got me really excited for the upcoming battle.
Chapter 30
Professor McGonagall will always remain one of my favorite Hogwarts teachers. I really can't wait to see this chapter and the Battle of Hogwarts in the movie: even the descriptions sound stunning.
Chapter 31
This chapter made me really get Voldemort's conflicted emotions here: he doesn't want to kill too many wizards, but he wants Harry.
Everything is awesome and really beautifully written and action-packed, and we're getting more and more Horcruxes and then--
That happens. TISSUES!?
Anyway, fight goes on, continues to be great. Only now I realize THEY ARE DESTROYING HOGWARTS NO YOU CAN'T IT'S NOT FAIR SOMEONE DO SOMETHING!?
Chapter 32
I hate everything. I knew everything about Snape before I even started reading the series, but I thought he would at least be the one to tell Harry everything about his love for Lily. That last request, though.
Note: Lupin and Tonks are also dead, which means that Teddy too will never know his parents, only his godfather. Crying again.
Chapter 33
It's good to see that Snape actually has emotions, but let's be honest, he still doesn't understand the first thing about them. You know, if you're great eternal love dies and you spend years and years trying to protect her son, you might consider EVER BEING LIKE REMOTELY NICE TO HIM?! I mean, I love Snape, he's brave and loyal and noble, but it's still obvious he needs to stay in Slytherin. I know he's the result of your one and only true love marrying your childhood bully, but-- Okay, I now get why he doesn't like Harry.
And of course, I spent this entire chapter crying my eyes out.
Chapter 34
Same goes for this chapter. From the way he walked towards his death to his parents saying that they were proud of him. I was sobbing like there was no tomorrow. And in that moment, there wasn't.
Chapter 35
Yes, prove that Albus Dumbledore will always be the most fascinating wise old dude in literature. The dead part of Voldemort's soul I found extremely interesting and terrifying at the same time. At this point I was mainly overcome by the fear that there wouldn't be an end battle because of a lack of time.
Chapter 36
I was not disappointed. This was the most amazing ending. I loved the symbolism, the way Harry spoke with Voldemort, and the fact that Neville killed the snake. (Neville killed the snake that killed Snape, someone who always taunted Neville. He also kills the symbol of the House that has always pained him. Irony.)
What I do not love whatsoever is that THE RESURECTION STONE IS JUST LEFT BEHIND! You're leaving AN OBJECT THAT CAN BRING PEOPLE BACK FROM THE DEATH in the forest at RANDOM! Has it ever occurred to you that it might be a bad idea to just leave it for future Dark Arts fans to stumble across and get back Voldemort!? Wasn't it a better idea to just destroy the stone and break the wand?
Speaking of wands, I'm really happy Harry got his old wand back.
19 years later
Crying, smiling, depression.
I'm really scared Harry's scar will prickle again at some point in his life. Like REALLY SCARED.
Chapter 1
This was the part where we're at the Malfoy's house and Voldemort talks and Snape kills the Muggle teacher. Apart from this really moving me, because Snape was forced to kill her, it is connected to a childhood memory of mine. When I was nine years old, the trailer for Deathly Hallows part 1 was on TV. Back then, Harry Potter was a strange, wrong story that only weird people read and watched (times change LOL). Anyway, I remember two things from that clip:
1. A giant snake crawling over a table, which I thought looked pretty cool.
2. That there were two parts. I really pitied the Harry Potter fandom. In most Dutch theaters (don't know about the rest of the world) there's a break in the middle of the movie for people to get snacks. It's always a pretty random spot in the middle of the plot, so that's what I pictured with Deathly Hallows: You literally get half a movie and then they send you out of the theater to resume next year. Now that I've seen Mockingjay part 1, I know that's not what it's like, but this was my first introduction to split movies.
Chapter 2
So this chapter featured information about Dumbledore that gave me nearly as many conflicting emotions as it gave Harry. But let's be honest, in retrospect, I get that Harry is pretty angry with Dumbledore in this book. I mean, an old man that once had insane plans spent the past six to seven years throwing you into situations where you're in constant mortal danger based on his guesstimating about the most dangerous wizard ever. Yeah, I get that discovering things like that doesn't really makes for a happy mood.
Chapter 3
Saying goodbye to the Dursleys. Never thought Dudley would be able to make me tear up.
Chapter 4
This chapter made for a chaotic read, since I read it in the living room while the TV was on. Nevertheless, Hedwig's death I will never get over. I was also really scared for Hagrid and confused about Harry's wand.
Chapter 5
Everyone seemed in mortal danger, which means I myself was in mortal danger. I was momentarily shocked by George's earloss, but he and Fred can make even the gravest moment seem humorous. Mad-Eye Moody was, given I knew who else would die, the least of my concerns. Also, guys, can we just discuss the possibility of some extra emergency Portkeys?
Chapter 6
We're going to destroy Horcruxes, which is bad-ass. Hermione modified her parents' memories, which is, in my world, one of the greatest sacrifices. Also: spattergroit.
Chapter 7
Ginny and Harry kissing was SO adorable. I was pretty confused by Dumbledore's insane gifts, but I trust him to know what he's doing.
"I always said he was mental. Brilliant and everything, but cracked. Leaving Harry an old Snitch — what the hell was that about?"Chapter 8
Ah, happiness. That's cute. Dumbledore, what did you do?! Oh, sh!it. By the way, since when do Patronuses talk?
"The Ministry has fallen. Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming."Chapter 9
Oh, Hermione, what would we be without you? How do they know they're there? Okay, we'll be fine, never mind. Seeing Sirius’ room was fun and Lily's letter was cute.
Chapter 10
Kreacher's story I found incredibly moving and it gave him more layers.
Chapter 11
I'm not going to lie, I spent most of this chapter trying to sort out whether Lupin was really Lupin. Once I got over that, I enjoyed his interaction with Harry. Also, please kill Umbridge.
Chapter 12 and 13
Breaking into the Ministry of Magic was cool, and you really get a taste of the way Voldemort's takeover changed the wizarding world. Rescuing the Muggle-Borns was also very impressive. I really loved when Ron was worried about the fact that he'd missed his 'wife's trial. At the end of chapter 13 I was momentarily scared to death, though.
Chapter 14
Plot building.
Chapter 15
Convenient plot building, but awesome plot building. Ron! COME BACK YOU SELFISH LITTLE PIECE OF--
Chapter 16
While reading about Harry's parents' graves, I was sitting in the living room again, so I couldn't cry. While visiting Harry's old house, I was alone and crying, though. Side note: Who knew Harry Potter books would make me look up something in the Bible? Not me.
"The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death."Chapter 17
We all knew there was something not okay there, but seriously! Voldemort himself!? Why does Hermione always have to be right? I was happy we got to know a little more about what exactly happened in the Potter home.
Chapter 18
I panicked when Harry's wand broke. I even dreamed about it. And yet again I felt crazily conflicted about the life of Albus Dumbledore.
Chapter 19
Let's face it: I knew exactly whose doe that was because SPOILERS. This chapter also proved:
-Harry is not Ravenclaw and should never EVER be in Ravenclaw. Hey, I'm gonna take something out of an ice cold lake with all my clothes off. This I'm going to do to destroy an evil possessed object that can think for itself. Let's keep the EVIL THINKING THING ON MY EFFING NECK!
-Ron is stupid, but in the end, loyal, and this chapter made for some good character development.
Chapter 20 and 21
I had a blast reading this part. I always like 'old myths' getting an important role in a plot line, and the Hallows provide just that. I do feel really sorry for Luna and her dad, but Mr. Lovegood is also kind of a traitor here.
Chapter 22
The piece of Potterwatch made for some light reading, and I really enjoyed 'hearing' so many familiar voices.
Good job, Harry. Good job.
Chapter 23
This was a bit of an intense part, which meant that I went to bed late that night. Especially Hermione's torturing and Ron's screaming made it quite emotional.
And then this happened
Chapter 24
Crying Crying Crying.
"HERE LIES DOBBY, A FREE ELF."More crying and sobbing.
Plot building
Plot building
Plot building
Voldemort! HOW COULD YOU?!!
Chapter 25
Ah, this cute little bit of happiness is so much less fun if you've been spoiled for all the deaths in this book. And Harry being his godfather doesn't really make the matter less painful. Also, more plot building.
Chapter 26
"Like I said, yeh'd be mad ter try an' rob it."LOL! Yes, us crazy kids go rob most secure place on Earth after Hogwarts! That's bound to go well. The dragon's awesome though. Griphook, I hate you.
Chapter 27
We're nearing the battle of Hogwarts and I forgot to bring tissues.
Chapter 28
Those tissues seem such a good idea now. Oh Aberforth, I knew you had a good reason to slap Dumbledore.
Chapter 29
I loved how Neville became b@d @ss and to know a bit more about how things have been going there. The return of the D.A. members got me really excited for the upcoming battle.
Chapter 30
Professor McGonagall will always remain one of my favorite Hogwarts teachers. I really can't wait to see this chapter and the Battle of Hogwarts in the movie: even the descriptions sound stunning.
Chapter 31
This chapter made me really get Voldemort's conflicted emotions here: he doesn't want to kill too many wizards, but he wants Harry.
Everything is awesome and really beautifully written and action-packed, and we're getting more and more Horcruxes and then--
Anyway, fight goes on, continues to be great. Only now I realize THEY ARE DESTROYING HOGWARTS NO YOU CAN'T IT'S NOT FAIR SOMEONE DO SOMETHING!?
Chapter 32
I hate everything. I knew everything about Snape before I even started reading the series, but I thought he would at least be the one to tell Harry everything about his love for Lily. That last request, though.
Note: Lupin and Tonks are also dead, which means that Teddy too will never know his parents, only his godfather. Crying again.
Chapter 33
It's good to see that Snape actually has emotions, but let's be honest, he still doesn't understand the first thing about them. You know, if you're great eternal love dies and you spend years and years trying to protect her son, you might consider EVER BEING LIKE REMOTELY NICE TO HIM?! I mean, I love Snape, he's brave and loyal and noble, but it's still obvious he needs to stay in Slytherin. I know he's the result of your one and only true love marrying your childhood bully, but-- Okay, I now get why he doesn't like Harry.
And of course, I spent this entire chapter crying my eyes out.
Chapter 34
Same goes for this chapter. From the way he walked towards his death to his parents saying that they were proud of him. I was sobbing like there was no tomorrow. And in that moment, there wasn't.
Chapter 35
Yes, prove that Albus Dumbledore will always be the most fascinating wise old dude in literature. The dead part of Voldemort's soul I found extremely interesting and terrifying at the same time. At this point I was mainly overcome by the fear that there wouldn't be an end battle because of a lack of time.
Chapter 36
I was not disappointed. This was the most amazing ending. I loved the symbolism, the way Harry spoke with Voldemort, and the fact that Neville killed the snake. (Neville killed the snake that killed Snape, someone who always taunted Neville. He also kills the symbol of the House that has always pained him. Irony.)
What I do not love whatsoever is that THE RESURECTION STONE IS JUST LEFT BEHIND! You're leaving AN OBJECT THAT CAN BRING PEOPLE BACK FROM THE DEATH in the forest at RANDOM! Has it ever occurred to you that it might be a bad idea to just leave it for future Dark Arts fans to stumble across and get back Voldemort!? Wasn't it a better idea to just destroy the stone and break the wand?
Speaking of wands, I'm really happy Harry got his old wand back.
19 years later
Crying, smiling, depression.
I'm really scared Harry's scar will prickle again at some point in his life. Like REALLY SCARED.
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