I really enjoyed the book. I started it a little after 1:00 am, as soon as I got home from picking up my copy from Barnes and Noble, and finished a little before 6:30. It was like an emotional roller coaster for me.

I had accidentally read a spoiler, which was posted on an un-Harry-Potter related website, so I knew about how Dumbledore died and stuff, but I still stared at the page in shock when I saw it.

When Harry kissed Ginny I was grinning like a moron. I really liked Harry in this book, and I hated that no one listened to him.

I'm not completely convinced that Snape is all evil, although right now, it's kind of hard to believe anything else.

I felt physically sick when I read the part about Dumbledore drinking the potion. The whole book just seemed almost wrong to me, because Dumbledore's shriveled hand was just... well, it's like this. Throughout the books, Dumbledore has been a constant influence in Harry's life. He has been like... a pillar of strength. Dumbledore is like... I can't even describe it, honestly. But seeing him weak like that... it made me queasy.

But that was nothing compared to the emotion I felt throughout the last three chapters. I was crying so hard... it was horrible. But she made that moment so real, so human. Harry's thoughts at the funeral, wondering why he felt the sudden urge to smile at a memory he had. That's real.

That's why I love Harry Potter. It's this big fantasy tale, with magic and wizards, and adventure, but the characters are so human. There is a little bit of all of us in these books. And that's great.

And you know, I really loved Harry in this book. In OotP, he was an obnoxious teenager, but in this book, he was so much more mature, and so strong. Especially towards the end of the book, when he was grasping what Dumbledore was trying to teach him. I just wanted to give him a hug. I've loved seeing Harry's progression from this little 11-year-old kid to a man, who is accepting the hard things that he must do.

In memory of Dumbledore, I've decided to give my new kitten, who I got on Sunday, the middle name of Dumbledore.

I'm looking forward to a reread, where I'll take it a lot slower, and absorb the details more.

And in response to comments that JK just likes to kill people, I don't really think that it's that, but it's a war. There are going to be casualties in war.

And now, I shall end this rant. Sorry about going on for so long.

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Snack Fairy!

You know, I really have to agree with ^Roger Davies^ . On basically everything. As I've had time to think it over, I realised that Dumbledore's character in this book made me fell really uneasy. Like something was wrong. He wasn't himself, but I guess all will reveal itself in due course. And ^Roger Davies^ hit it right on the nose with the characters being so real, which is why I think it's so popular. We can identify with each and every (yes every single one!) character in these books.

However, about Harry's actions in the Order of the Phoenix, I have to defend him/J.K. Rowling. I've talked to a lot of people and they said how much his character in it was over the top. Too crazy. But, in his defense, I have to say he was very much like we all are at that age (or sometime growing up). He's pushed to his limits, he can't take it (and besides raging hormones affecting how many freakin' mood swings a kid has). Trust me, when I read it, it was hard. Why? Because I knew I had felt and acted just like him! And I just came to gripes with that.

But in this new installment, I felt like he had REALLY matured. As much as one can in a few months. But it was so much more, down to Earth, besides the fact, he witnessed the closest thing to a father be murdered in front of his eyes...that's gotta slow any angst driven teenager. He's definately "grown up" you might say. No, no, no. Even "grown ups" *has flash back to Peter Pan* can be complete jerks. Harry has matured, as has J.K. Rowling's writing...

Okay, enough ranting for me. I have this thing about people stereotyping teenagers and making them out to be crazy when they're not...and the fact that adults were just like it when they were teenagers. Okay. Enough! Back to the lovely Harry Potter! WOO!

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"So what? So plenty!"


Sig: Teh Nurr

I've met Eru & Eä & Ellie & teh Arweb & Naur & Elenya & POTR!

POLKA WILL NEVER DIE!

♥

I have to say that I pretty much agree with what Roger Davies and Queen Mad, I mean MontanaBohemian said. Especially the whole Dumbledore/pillar of strength thing. I always liked Dumbledore, was devastated when he died (I always did get a little too absorbed in books, some would say). I also think that Rowling's writing style matured as Harry did...which is to say A LOT since Book 1.

I just really liked the book...too sleepy to say anything else.

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<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/ladylembas/edmundban.png" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/ladylembas/christianban.png">

A lot of more people who like the book *feelinghappy*! I know you will kill me for that - but I think I liked book 5 better. Books 3 and 5 are my very favourite books. I'm just a huge Marauder Fan. And I think that Harry's behaviour in Book 5 was damn realistic. As his behaviour in six is now realistic, being more grown-up, more experienced. Book 5 was a huge character study, much more than HBP. HBP is full of action (looking forward to the movie by the way - it'll be awesome!!).

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Gil-Galad was an Elven-King,
Of him the harpers sadly sing:
the last whose realm was fair and fee
between the mountains and the sea.

His sword was long, his lance was keen,
his shining helm afar was seen;
the countless stars of heaven's field
were mirrored in his silver shield.

[...]

I think Harry's behavior in book 5 was realistic, but that didn't make it any less obnoxious. I know that teenagers can be jerks, and just jump down people's throats all the time. I am a teenager (16 years old) , and I know that I'm guilty of it sometimes, and I know that I'm probably just as obnoxious sometimes as he was. All teenagers are.

Being an obnoxious moron, I think, is a part of growing up, and it wouldn't be right if Harry never acted like that.

It's not that I didn't like Harry last book, I just liked him much more in this one.

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Snack Fairy!

Aaaaah, good thinking, Batwoman! I never thought of that... I wouldn't be surprised if what you said was true! It makes sense as well, because Siriu's brother was killed by Voldemort but we never actually found out why. Or at least I don't think we did... *goes off on a thinking session*

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^ I couldn't have put it better myself... I myself was crying when Dumbledore's funeral took place, she wrote it so well. It just seemed real, I could really imagine the funeral happening. And Harry smiling at an old memory, the first time he saw Dumbledore... she really brought that to life.

Also, about the book, I prefered it because it was so much darker. The 1st-5th books seemed to have an element of childishness in them, which is fair enough as HP is meant for children. But I loved the style that this book was written in, how Harry and the others have grown up so much more. I thought that was brilliant.

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I'm a big Marauders Fan too! I love the parts in all the books, specially OotP where they talk about when they were at school, and Snape's worst memory part.. um but back to the subject..

In OotP Harry was having a hard time.. He was at the age when lots of teenagers just tend to snap and get angry a lot. It didn't help that he had been kept out of the loop for so long, either. But in HBP Harry grows up and he tends to think a little more before doing anything really reckless.... for the most part..

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<center>Proud Member many Clubs (specially the Nazgul Club) Nazgul #3
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I finished it last night and it was soooooo good!!! Definately better than the 5th one which I didn't like too much compared to her other books.


I was devestated when Dumbledore died!!!! Argh!! And then when I found out that the Horcrux is fake and it was all for nothing

I was always unsure about Snape, but after I read chapter 2 I was positive that he was evil. But yet now after reading the rest I still have doubts about him...I don't know why but I don't think that we can draw the conclusion of what side he's on just yet What surprised me was feeling sorry for Draco...maybe he isn't such a bad guy after all. I hope he switches sides; that would be awesome


As for all of the romance in the book, I liked it. All of it was pretty funny and I absolutely love the interaction between Hermione and Ron! They're so funny! Ron is so stupid I was surprised that they didn't get together by the end of the book but the 7th book would be kind of annoying with them going out...we wouldn't get to read their bickering which is one of the best parts of the book! Lupin and Tonks really surprised me but I think that they're really cute together! I can see why JK had Harry break it off with Ginny because if he's off getting the Horcruxes it would be hard to fit her in. It's best if it's just Ron, Hermione, and Harry in my opinion. Although I love Harry and Ginny together.

I agree with everything that ^^Roger Davies^^ wrote; I love how real the characters are and how real the momments in the book are. About JK killing everybody off, I have to say (like Roger Davies said) that they're in the middle of war in this book. If Dumbledore and Sirius and Cedric didn't die then it takes away a lot from the story.

I also agree with Larien and Oro. JK's writing has really matured, and I love that it's darker now; it doesn't seem like a little kid book to me at all.

I thought that Harry was really great in this book; he was annoying me a bit in the 5th one. He was constantly yelling I know that that's how teenagers (including myself) act like that sometimes but it's annoying to read. I love how he matured in this book. I was so mad when no one was listening to what he was telling them about Draco and Snape!! Argh! I wanted to murder Ron and Hermione and Dumbledore

I can't wait for the 7th! I'm kind of depressed that they won't be at Hogwarts but we'll see what happens.

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Proud Member of the The Evilishy Nazgûl Alliance for World Domination
{Beri}

you guys made some really interesting points. and i agree with most of them.

dumbledore's death: i can't say that i didn't see it coming. i had a very strong feeling that dumbledore was going to be killed next. in ootp, sirius and harry were getting really close and developing a strong bond. so i wasnt surprised that in this book, harry and dumbledore were also developing a strong bond. i had just had a gut feeling that he was going to be killed off next. i had NO idea that snape was going to be the one to kill him though. that surprised me. and im really mad that dumbledore froze harry right before he died. i mean, harry could have prevented it, so in a way, i think dumbledore brought it on himself. im not saying it was all his fault, but harry could have helped him. and someone argued with me saying but then snape and malfoy would have killed harry too! but snape saved harry in a way by telling another death eater to not kill him b/c harry belonged to the dark lord.

snape going bad: it didnt really come as much of a shock to me. i have never really trusted him. the only reason i did, was because dumbledore kept saying over and over that he trusted snape and was sure that he was really good, and i felt that if dumbledore felt that way, it must be true. but starting in chapter two of this book (and in the last book) i havent really trusted him at all. maybe there is still hope that he could turn back to the good side.

harry and ginny did not surprise me. i know that ginny has always liked harry and i think harry has secretly always like dher too, but was never mature enough to do/say anything about it. i am surprised though that hermione and ron didnt get together at the end of this book. maybe they will in the 7th one. lupin and tonks did surprise me! i think they're really cute together though.

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[font=verdana]The Anxiety-Prone Gentlewoman
xoxo, LC
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i loved the book

i kinda figured dumbledore would have died... although it surprised me that snape killed him...

i figured that malfoy would follow in his father and mothers footsteps, i thought he would kill harry not dumbledore...

the lupin and tonks romance surprised me, i go physco everytime 'tonks' or 'lupin' is mentioned...

harry and ginny was a semi-surprise, i dont deny that i knew it would happen but how harry came through with it made me scream...

I MISS SIRIUS!!!

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Hello, I'm Amoniel
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Ah ha ha ha ha! Yeah, I go crazy too about Tonks and Lupin! But I miss Sirius too!!

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"So what? So plenty!"


Sig: Teh Nurr

I've met Eru & Eä & Ellie & teh Arweb & Naur & Elenya & POTR!

POLKA WILL NEVER DIE!

♥

Here are my opinion of some things in the book:
Snape, a traitor????
Although it makes it look like Snape is a traitor, I do not believe he is. I believe he killed Dumbledore a) to make it look as though he was still loyal to Voldemort and b) he had to. Draco Malfoy was supposed to do it, but after Dumbledore made all these promises about if Malfoy didn't kill him and went back to there side they would be able to hide him and his mother. Malfoy was struggling with this dicision and at the same time he knew he had to kill Dumbledore but I don't think he was able to muster enough courage to do so. Snape had made an Unbreakable Vow to watch over Malfoy and make sure he did his job. When Snape realized Malfoy wasn't going to kill Dumbledore he took the matter into his own hands and killed Dumbledore himself. I don't think he had wanted to kill Dumbledore but a) he had to pretend he was still loyal to Voldemort b) he had made an Unbreakable Vow and if that was broken the penalty was death. To sum it up Snape had no choice. Either he is found out by Voldemort or he keeps his postion of trust with Voldemort so he can continue to spy on his going ons.
Dumbledore's Death
I was so mad that Dumbledore had died and Snape had been the one to kill him that I took my pillow and began screaming and cussing while hitting my cousin, who is older than me, to get the anger out. (It was past midnight by the way.) So my parents woke up and were very mad. Then I called a few of my friends back in Bristol (I am currently in San Antonio,Texas) and yelled at them over the phone about Snape killing Dumbledore. Then I broke down and cried after that I asked mum if it was possible for me to sue JK Rowling. She said no.
I have decided that it was for the better that Dumbledore died becuase that way Harry would have to go out and find the hocruxes himself.
Harry and Ginny
I was not happy when Harry and Ginny got together. I know I'm supposed to be happy for them but I'm not becuase, well it just doesn't seem right. I mean Ginny is Harry's best friends sister!!!!!! I would rather Harry and Hermione get together or something (even though to some people that wouldn't seem right either.) I have this awful feeling that Ron and Hermione are going to get together or something, I will not be happy with that either.
I was very glad when Harry and Ginny broke up. It would have never worked out with him probably not going back to Hogwarts next year. Long distance relationships never work out.
Book 7
Here is what I think will happen in book 7. Whatever I say is my opinion only.
~Ron and Hermione will get together.
~Ron, Harry, and Hermione will not go back to Hogwarts.
~They will instead go in search of the rest of the hocruxes.
~Voldemort will be destroyed, but not without some kind of 'sacrifice'.

BTW, who is R.A.B?????????? And does anyone have any idea what the rest of the hocruxes are?????How many are left????Sorry, I forgot.

There's been some rumors that R. A. B. is Sirius's brother, Remulus Black, who was a Death Eater. It seems likely, especially in OotP when Sirius and Harry find a "heavy gold locket which none of them could open" in 12 Grimauld Place. Could Remulus have hid it there and betrayed Voldemort? But also, Remulus is dead, so how much help could he be to Harry in the quest for the other Hocruxes? I'm a little disappointed that they aren't going back to Hogwarts, but I wonder where exactly they're going to go? Harry has no idea where the other Hocruxes are.

Dumbledore's death shocked me. I couldn't believe it! I kept trying to tell myself that there was some way he could have survived, but, no, he was really dead! I guess I sort of trusted Snape mostly because he saved Harry's life in the 1st book, but it didn't really surprised me that he betrayed Dumbledore, especially after Chapter 2. I was also surprised by Dumbledore's behavior in the last couple of chapters. He wasn't acting right. He wasn't the wise old wizard I was used to.

And also, to get this straight, the seven parts of the Hocruxes are:

1. Inside Voldemort himself
2. Riddle's Diary
3. Slytherin's ring
4. Slytherin's locket
5. Hufflepuff's cup
6. Something of Gryffindor's or Ravenclaw's?
7. Nagini (Voldemort's snake)?

Of course, the last couple are guesses by Dumbledore and Harry. Correct me if I'm wrong on any of them!

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I know a lot of people weren't happy with this book, but I really liked it. Harry has grown up so much and matured. It was rather ironic that nobody would listen to him about Malfoy when he was right for once. Speaking of Malfoy, I was practically begging him to take up Dumbledore's offer of protection and forgiveness. Then Snape had to come along...

there were 6 Hocruxes all together. we know of 4

1.Nagini
2. Slytherin locket
3. Riddles diary
4. Slytherins ring

we think the 5th is Hufflepuffs Goblet and the 6th is something else (possibly a Ravenclaw artifact)

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Hello, I'm Amoniel
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