A very nice ending, made me cry just a teensy bit Glad that Harry, Ron and Hermione didn't die and Voldemort got his comeuppance Was a bit sorry that Sirius didn't come back from teh dead - but that's mainly because I like Gary Oldman and I'm sad that he won't be in anymore films (I suppose the new Batman film will have to do instead ).

The thing about Dumbledore dying either way was a brilliant twist. It had crossed my mind that Harry would be a horcrux and it really made the ending I think. The Battle of Hogwarts was a brilliant chapter and I think it'll be great in the film. Poor Fred and George tho...its just not right

Snape's downfall, also tragic. Interesting to see why he acted the way he did the last 7 years. And even thouigh he was a big nasty just for the sake of it sometimes, I did end up thinking he wasn't all that bad in the end.

Malfoy's part in this book at the end is a bit weird. He's finally revealed as a little boy playing at things he can't handle. I wonder what happened to his parents afterwards??? Which brings me to my one tiny moan - why was the epilogue 19 years later and not less? I wanted to know what happened immediately after but then the odds on J.K. Rowling writing another book have apparantely shortened so maybe we'll find out eventually. Its just annoying unfinished stuff like what happened to the Dursleys? And all the Weasleys? And the other people from Hogwarts? Did Hermione get her parents back? Did Harry go live at Grimauld Place? So many unanswered questions, but I still loved it (did I mention that?).

But the lull in the middle really dragged and I longed for more action. Rowling seemed to bung in 80 odd pages of the trio camping from place to place and regurgitating possible horcrux locations. It worked as I started to despair that Harry didn't have a plan. So when the action did kick start, I appreciated it all the more and was on the edge of my seat!

I loved Hermione's bottomless beaded bag. Beats Mary Poppin's carpet bag anyday. Wouldn't you just love one? After Harry spoke Voldemort's name and they were captured by Greyback, I remember thinking, the bag, the bag! What's happened to the bag. I think Rowling forgot about it too, cos at the end of the chapter she quickly mentions that Hermione slipped it into her sock (like you do when you're ambushed by werewolves ). But it was a relief to know they still had it. I was also worried about Harry carrying around a shard of glass. It's a wonder he didn't cut himself

But seriously, it's such a fabulous final book. The Battle of Hogwarts is awesome and it'll be fab to see this recreated on the big screen. A real sense of dread pervades the book, with everyone going into hiding under Voldemort's regime. It was great that he wasn't the true owner of the elder wand. It didn't occur to me that Harry was the last horcrux. (To be honest I had a job remembering what happened in the previous book which I read 2 yrs ago). I loved how Rowling gave the impression Harry might have to die in order for Voldemort to destroyed. But I kinda new and hoped he'd be okay cos of the idea behind the Hallows vs Horcruxes. Very clever.

The epilogue reminded me it's a kids book at the end of the day and it spoiled it for me. Surely they'd mature and go out with other people, not just end up marrying their childhood sweethearts? And Harry calling his kids by the most obvious names. I wasn't too bothered not knowing what happened to the Dursley's, the Grangers etc - I assume they went back to their normal lives. Would like to know what happened to Harry - where he lived, what he did as a job.

I liked the dream of the afterlife - thought that was nicely done. A rest from the battle and good to see Dumbledore. Was the wimpering child a part of Harry? Wasn't quite sure of the significance of the injured child.

I think the child was the fate that awaited Voldemort - I have a vague memory of Harry mentioning that he's seen whats going to happend to Voldemort if he doesn't feel remorse. the child can't be comforted so it has eternal torment. Or possibly it was a epresentation of the part of Voldemort's soul that was in Harry?

Harry wanted to tend to the child, but Dumbledore said there's nothing he can do for him, to leave him alone. So Harry had let go of the part of him that was also Voldemort, or, through self-sacrifice, had Voldemort drive it out of him (making V weaker too), as Harry was the last horcrux. And of course, Harry felt his forehead and his scar had gone. Thanks for that Nic, makes sense now.

Brilliant ending. Hope we get to see Daniel Radcliffe naked in the film

Makes me almost feel sorry for Voldemort - that inside he was a tormented child. And he's gained nothing but suffering in death. (Maybe, seeing him in that form, Harry could feel bigger than Voldemort, & realised he could conquer & outwit him).

First of all...was anyone else upset by Dobby dying? (I know that you're laughing at me now Heather!) I actually cried when my little friend died, much to my husbands amusement. He was one of my favourite characters (I have a thing for weird little creatures) and I wanted to go and kill Bellatrix myself, I was so glad when Mrs. Weasley fought her at the end!
I agree that I think the epilogue should've been a bit sooner and but although it's corny I'm so glad the kids all ended up together as I thought it would be a sad ending for Harry, Ron and Hermione.
I too wanted to know more about what happened to some of the other characters. I wonder how George felt having lost his partner in crime for example? There definately were a few unanswered questions.
I can't wait to read the whole lot again now as I rushed the last book because I wanted to find out what was going on so badly. I'm now so sad that it's all come to and end and I won't feel that same excitement and intrigue again! (hope that makes sense).

Nobody really interesting died except Snape and that was a given (and the owl..that was sad) and I thought the ending where they had nineteen years later was unbelieveably twee! They all ending happily married aww sweet...how dull and you could see she was setting it all up for a spin off of Harry's kids at school.

I agree with you about the 19 years later epilogue, Charlie. Thought it was naff and nothing like the rest of the book. A let down after all the action. Definitely cut it out of the film The idea that they all married one another and had loads of kids was like something a kid would have written, imagining what happened to their fave characters. It'd be cool to have a competition where people send in their versions of the 19 years later ending. No offence to Ginny, but he wouldn't be married off to her in my version. It would have been better to have a more open ending for readers to imagine what happened to Harry - the ending before the epilogue was spot on, so she should've left it at that. So I wonder if we haven't seen the last of Harry, as you suggested Charlie.

I did cry when Dobby died......I kind of felt at one point JK had a list of characters and was crossing them off one by one! I thought the last 1/4 of the book was 'Bloody Brilliant' use one of Ron's expressions. The rest bored me a little. I had a theory Snape would come out on the right side in the end. There are hundreds of clues in the other books. I also have a theory about the 19 years thing.....Harry had not felt his scar hurt for 19 years. Steven King has a thing about the number 19, he sees the number in every thing - the number of letters in a name - numbers that add up to 19 & so on. He had an agreement with JK that he could use the Golden Snitch Idea in his Dark Tower series - I wonder if 19 is a tribute to him. Also.......will Voldemort come back? they thought he was dead before.I feel sort of empty now it's over though.....so I have gone back to book one & I'm re-reading the lot!!!

I agree that quite a bit of the book was a bit dull. I found when they were camping out really frustrating and wanted JK to get on with it. The last 1/4 of the book, as you say, was much more interesting. I agree with you there.

I love your number 19 theory. I had no idea about Stephen King's agreement with JK Rowling re the snitch. What you say is very interesting and I reckon you're right.

Funnily enough, I have a thing about seeing numbers around me too. I found a spiritual book in a charity shop recently that explains the meaning of number sequences. Apparently 19 means: "keep your mind focused on helping yourself and others lead healthier and more peaceful lives. Stay positive & optimistic about your Divine life mission". (not something he does for his characters!). With an imagination like his, I bet it's easy for it to wander to bizarre places.

I enjoyed this book but found it hard going to start with as it didn't have the usual pre-Hogwarts chapters that introduce the characters. It was straight into it and to me it seemed to be building up the parts of previously minor characters. I actually had to go and check that I had read the previous book because there was so many people I didn't recognize. Once I got into the book it became as hard to put down as ever. I was a bit surprised at the whole battle thing as I always envisaged a one on one duel between Harry and Voldermort. I think there was a whole lot of good versus evil being evenly balanced and all it took was a single act of love/faith/sacrifice to tip it in goods favour. Harry allowing himself to be killed, Mrs Weasley protecting her children and even Narcissa Malfoy helping Harry to protect Draco. I much preferred the style of the earlier books but this one was better than the last couple. I just wonder how much JK Rowling has been influenced by the films and public interest and has let the books be influenced. I'm sure the ending is always what she had planned but maybe not how to get there. I didn't find the last chapter that bad and I'm surprised she only went 19 years into the future. I think she wanted to control what happened to the main characters in case of spin offs that were not written by her. The fact that Ron married Hermione and Harry married Ginny and named their chilldren as they did was okay by me. They had seen each other in such circumstances that it would probably be hard to form that kind of bond with anyone else.

But really, do you actually get everything wandlore related? How come the Elder Wand actually belonged to Harry (I mean he did take Draco's wand at a time but it was another one! this means that from then on all Draco's wand would belong to Harry?? Plus I never realized why the wand was to be Draco's in the first place, but I don't remember that well the ending to the 6th book so then can be something there)? Am I the only one who finds the author's explanations quite lacking in substance? How come Harry didn't die when struck by Voldemort (I know there's supposed to be something having to do with love and sacrifice but it still isn't clear enough for me). How come Neville had broke free of the curse holding him and how did the Sword get in the sorting hat anyway? Why does Harry tell Voldemort his curses no longer work like there should, I mean what's the explanation behind that? (yes it's easy to say because all the Horcruxes have been destroyed but how plausible is that? Voldemort was an extremely capable wizard by himself, why should he lose his powers like that?)