HBP:

I, honestly, don't think I'll be terribly happy, whichever way Snape turns out. I'm just tired of the direct, misdirect. However, if he's a good guy, if Dumbledore didn't leave amazingly compelling evidence for Harry to find, which he does find within the first, say 1/3 of the next book, I'm going to be right pissy. That's just poor planning.

I've been intrigued, since I first read it, of the phrasing of the prophecy "Neither can live while the other survives", which I read a little more broadly. Neither of them can have a whole/happy life, as long as the other one is still around. They deny that of each other. Which matches perfectly, IMO, with the idea of a little bit of Voldemort living in Harry, which, I think, happened by accident.

What else, what else...

The shooting down of Remus/Sirius made me too sad to be happy about Remus/Tonks, who are both kickass characters (and Remus the biggest woobie in the world), and I rightfully should be gleeful.

I was rather chuffed as soon as they explained that it was a love-potion Harry was smelling, as the description just screamed Ginny to me.

I really really hope that it doesn't end up being Harry alone vs. Voldemort. The power of love/friendship is too strong in the series for that, IMO.

I'm trying to figure out how the magical creatures fit into it, in the big, final battle. Because they have to, right?

Harry defeats Voldemort with a BlastEnded Skrewt that has been given lots of cheap beer and chili cheese fries.

I really hope they do. I hope something comes of the centaurs and the giants.

Mind you, I'm still faintly hoping that Neville will come into his own in the last book. And I haven't given up all hope that maybe, just maybe Neville might kill Voldemort. But I think it's phenomenally unlikely.

Aimee - BWAH! and COMMED!

Fay, me, too. A lot. Though not that he'll kill Voldemort. Way unlikely, IMO.

10 Points to...Aimee, what House are you in?

Gryffindor, duh!

I think they should start merchandising the Magical Creatures. I'd like a plush Blast Ended Skrewt.

I want one of those miniature dragons that they gave the Tournament champions in GoF. And it's gotta be able to fly, too!

Remember the 7 year old I told you about who was reading the HBP. He finished. I asked him how he liked it:

He enjoyed it; he told me that his parents asked him a bit worriedly about how he felt after Dumbledore dies. He replied it made him sad, but not as sad as when they shot Old Yeller...

FINALLY!

Joe has finished HBP and we can discuss and discern and predict.

The family that reads together, wanks together.

UNCLE! I love the Uncle books! What they don't mention in that (frankly silly - bollocks is PC the reason they're not reissued) article is that he had to keep exploring Homeward because he forgot who half his tenants were.