Well, I'm finally out of Snape's head. I liked that part, it was great to see snippets of the past events from Snape's perspective. Dumbledore's request to have Snape kill him makes a whole lot more sense now. It also makes sense that Snape would not damage his soul as his intent would be mercy and duty. The doe patronus also now makes sense. I didn't think that Snape's patronus would be a doe (I thought a bat), but the clue was right there in book six with Tonk's patronus. When Snape said 'always' I thought I could hear the distant sound of a thousand Snape fans all swooning at once. That sort of stuff plays well in books, but in real life I'd probably be thinking "Dude, you've got to get over it". Well, Snape did play in a role in Lily's death, so I'll give him a pass on the lifelong obsession.

Of course the memories are as much or more about Dumbledore. Aberforth's perception of Dumbledore comes into sharp focus in these events. Dumbledore appears to be using people like pieces on a chess board and Harry is the piece that has to be sacrificed in order to win.

The thing is I still don't think Harry will be dead at the end, but I'm not sure how that will work out. He has a piece of Voldemort's soul in him (I knew it!) so maybe the killing curse only rips one soul from the body and Voldemort's, the weaker soul, will be the one ripped away. That would make complete sense to me. Then Harry has to find a way to defeat the two pieces of Voldemort's soul left. Plus there's that thing about the wand that chose him being a bit fat symbol of rebirth.

Anyhow I'm leaving off with Harry still in the headmaster's study contemplating his impending death. Buck up buckaroo, you're going to be alive at the end of the book. At least I think so. I'm be pretty shocked if he wasn't.

When Snape said 'always' I thought I could hear the distant sound of a thousand Snape fans all swooning at once.

Nope, I was sobbing too hard to swoon. God. God, that chapter killed me.

Always.

Anything.

Severus, Severus, you poor, doomed, greasy bastard.

I wonder if Alan Rickman smirked in anticipation when he read this.

I wonder if Alan Rickman smirked in anticipation when he read this.

According to a number of articles, Rickman was the only cast member who Rowling briefed on what was coming for his character.

Can you imagine trying to work out your motivation based on just the first few books?

pretty much ALL the names are purposeful.

This is my point. All the names are purposeful, so I think it is interesting that the only time she uses French words for English characters is when they're really evil.

All the names are purposeful, so I think it is interesting that the only time she uses French words for English characters is when they're really evil.

Lupin!

Lupin!

Nice try, but that's an English word!

Yeah, but:

n. Any of numerous plants of the genus Lupinus in the pea family, having palmately compound leaves and variously colored flowers grouped in spikes or racemes.

[Middle English, from Old French lupin, from Latin lup?num, from neuter of lup?nus, wolflike; see lupine2.]

Without an e at the end, it's just the plant name.

What about Riddle? I know he doesn't use it, but still.