Blog 3: The End

It’s always hard finishing a series of books that you have grown up with.  I remember finishing the series and thinking, ‘Now what?’  It has been an emotional journey with these books, and I have loved diving into the wizarding world of Harry Potter.  Overall, I really enjoyed how J.K. Rowling ended the series.  It was handled in such a beautiful and controlled manner that things tied up very nicely.  However, there was one storyline of Deathly Hallows that I did not particularly enjoy. 

            Dumbledore has always been a character that everyone, including myself, could look up to.  He is a wise man with a cooky side that immediately invites you in and makes you trust him.  Throughout the first six novels he has always been that wise wizard that everyone trusts.  He he has been a protector and guide for Harry and he is always there when you need him.  However, when Rowling reveals things from Dumbledore’s past, that changes.  I really hated that his backstory was introduced now or even at all.  We all came to know Dumbledore as an incredibly good person and learning about his power struggles, family drama, and relations with Grindelwald was a disappointment.  I admit it added an interesting element to the final novel, especially seeing Harry begin to doubt his own thoughts on the man he trusted so much.  Even though it’s an interesting element, I felt betrayed in the fact that the wise man many looked up to was not all he was said to be.  I understand why Rowling revealed these aspects of Dumbledore’s life, but I think they could have been left out.  Though I do not like this aspect of the novel, there is one that I truly enjoy. 

            Learning Snape’s true demeanor in the final novel is something that I tip my hat off to Rowling.  Snape has been that character for six whole books that everyone has loved to hate.  However, when we learn that all the decisions he has made have been out of love for Lily, Harry’s mother, you can’t help but look at him in a different light.  Lily has been his one motivation to stay out of the dark and in the light.  Rowling could have gone in so many different directions with Snape’s character, but she tied it up so beautifully that it’s heart-breaking. 

            Harry Potter will always have a special place in my heart.  I have grown up with the series and have learned to love reading because of these books.  Though I have things I love and hate about them, they will always be dear to me no matter what.