HBP Thoughts with Spoilers

So, I have finished HBP. Interesting I would say. Given that most of you who read this, have already read the book, I’ll not worry about divulging spoilers. However, if you haven’t and are planning to, I would advise you to skip this post.

In general, I liked it. I would say that Rowling was a little less subtle and misdirecting than she has been in previous books. About the only big mystery to reveal was why Malfoy was in the room of requirement so much. Actually, it felt like a bit of a let down to find out that Harry was right and that Malfoy was behind the two attacks, although they were rather crude attempts to attack Dumbledore. Once Malfoy had Dumbledore pinned, it became quite obvious to me that Snape was the one who would actually do the deed.

I also have to give Mrs. X due props. Despite her last post before the book came out, she actually did correctly guess who the Half Blood Prince would be. She was dissuaded through a very convincing article that she read and an interview with Ms. Rowling. But, keeping her original theory as back-up, she was proven right and my hat’s off to her.

The thing that struck me in a rather amusing fashion was Rowling’s idea for the Horcruxes allowing for Voldemort’s near immortality. I was actually familiar with this idea, although not in this detailed fashion. A few years ago, a friend of mine loaned me a book called Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart. It was set in Ancient China and in it there was an evil tyrant who had learned from an ancient sorcerer how to remove his heart and store it away from his body. This made him immortal and unable to be killed unless his heart was found and destroyed. I don’t know if this has backing in other Chinese legends or if Rowling was even aware of this when she put the Horcrux into HBP. But it gave me a little chuckle.

I think the part that saddened me the most was the way the book ended in terms of the situation between Harry and Ginny. I’m actually quite a sappy romantic, plus we’ve been waiting for Harry to get to this point pretty much from CoS so it’s depressing that our payoff is so short. Once can only hope that Book seven allows for a proper reunification. Worst comes to worst, I’ll write my own book eight so I can feel satisfied.

Mrs. X and I are quite sure that Book seven will be quite out of format and may even eclipse OotP in length. I think it’ll be a good story, although I’m a little afraid of a Reichenbach Falls ending. For those of you unsure what that means, see The Final Problem by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I just feel like that would be a bit of a cop out. However, I’m beginning to wonder if Voldemort will actually be killed at all. Yes, he will cease to exist by the end of the book, I’m sure, but I’m not necessarily sure it’ll be as simple as just killing him. Dumbledore warned Voldemort that there are worse things than death and I wonder if Voldemort may suffer one of those things.

I also believe that although the trio will attempt to pursue the quest by themselves, they will be joined by members of the Order and also by certain select members of Dumbledore’s Army. Why do I think that? Let’s be honest: will it feel satisfying in any way if anyone but Neville takes down Bellatrix? Vengeance must be parceled out correctly, although I would find it most entertaining if it was Hermione who took down Snape. In the same way, Harry must face Voldemort alone. It is the only way.