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.

NEVILLE!

I surprised myself by sobbing when Ron but the socks on Dobby. I had a few moments when I almost believed Harry would die. What kept me from really believing it was that she wouldn't leave Tonks' and Remus' child without a godfather.

Neville fighting with plants! Neville with the sword of Gryffindor! Percy! Hagrid's animals coming to fight at the end! House elves! Using the twins' joke products! Bless!

I did think it dragged some during the weeks they were hiding in the tent and squabbling. You'll notice that didn't stop me.

I surprised myself by sobbing when Ron but the socks on Dobby.

God, I did too. I couldn't believe it.

I totally pumped my fist for Neville and cried over Dobby. Mind you, the whole plan about Griphook had me wincing and turning away -- if it'd been a TV show, I might have done something else for a few minutes and then tuned back in to see how it turned out. I mean, such a bad idea!

It was a bit quick and neat, but oh, how I loved the Kreacher turnaround! Cause over and over Rowling drives home that how you treat people more often than not returns to you, regardless of how they treat you!

You do wish they had wizarding trauma specialists, don't you? The magical world is sorely lacking in appropriate psychiatric treatment.

ETA: I did think giving Draco a receding hairline at thirty-six was a little spiteful. I mean, yes, he was a sniveling weakling, but come on! I was really hoping he'd get to do something, actually, even if it was something small. I mean, they do save his life twice -- it really felt like a setup for him to do something worthwhile for once.

EATA: Oh, and FUCK! Poor fucking Snape! He doesn't even get to do something major and heroic, or even be recognized for everything he's done until he's DEAD. Goddammit!