I saw the "bitch" reference as an Aliens shoutout, but yes, very out of character for Molly.

I had great fears for the lives of Molly and Arthur because I was convinced JKR would eliminate at least one of the Weasleys, but was sure she would never touch either of the Twins. Guess I was wrong--his death had my mouth hanging open. Unfortunately, I thought Remus and Tonks were toast for quite some time now, ever since I read an interview with JKR where she said she just had to kill off two characters, and she cried over doing so. I had a feeling it was those two, and I'm guessing I was right.

Hedwig's death was the first time I blurted "NO!" reading DH, but it wasn't the last.

Ron being a git wasn't a big surprise given his character arc, but I was pretty shocked when he actually left them behind, even for the short while. Loved the first kiss, though--I think I'll use "Oi, there's a war going on here!" as my new tagline.

I missed that!!! Where the hell is it???

OH! And the whole scene in the room of requirement and the battle of Hogwarts was very reminiscent of "Graduation Day" to me.

Even had Lavendar Brown looking a bit like Harmony when Lavendar was being attacked by Greyback.

Loved the first kiss, though--I think I'll use "Oi, there's a war going on here!" as my new tagline.

The first kiss is right after Ron worries about getting the house elves out of the kitchens at Hogwarts, when they're planning the evacuation, and that's when Harry gets their attention.

I really enjoyed this first read. I cried at Dobby's death - for a character I never otherwise cared about. I'd feared for the twins, and I'll never be able to read the earlier books quite the same way knowing that Fred doesn't make it. I loved the way Neville turned out. Gran has every reason to be proud.

I was overall very pleased about the whole thing. I wasn't spoiled, but was actually kind of pleased to see a lot of my friends' unspoiled speculations come to pass.

Also there was enough true HSQ to make me satisfied, from unexpected deaths to obscure plot points from several books previous turning out to be important.

Hedwig's death was the first time I blurted "NO!" reading DH, but it wasn't the last.

Same here. And that's when I knew, really knew that all bets were off, and I was going to be worried about everyone.

I thought the book was great. Really, really great. And look! Fay and I were right about Snape and his devotion to Lily! (And oh God, the chapter about Snape's memories had me tearing up; when he realized that he had been protecting Lily's son to send him to his death just gutted me.)

Snape loved Lily.

Harcrux.

OBHWF.

Harmony sinks.

And yet? Instead of it all feeling predictable, it was more like everything snapping into place. I guess she really set it all up properly, so they were payoffs instead of obviousness.

Is any of this making sense?

Oh, and- t grabs book, sets it down

I'm wearing Harry Potter on my head right now

AIFG!

I started reading at 11am and finished about 45 minutes ago. I'm pretty much just clutching Neville to my chest and being exceedingly glad he made it.

OBHWF

Okay, this is the second place I've seen that, and I have no clue what it stands for. Help?

I'm pretty much just clutching Neville to my chest and being exceedingly glad he made it.

I know! Neville! With the heroics!

I've always been terribly fond of Neville, and now I am craving a novel about Neville Longbottom, Resistance Leader. Clutching him to me is helping me deal with the ones who didn't make it.