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How do YOU think Harry Potter should have ended?
So. Yeah. Debating,...
So. Yeah. Debating, ranting, and going off topic is welcomed as long as a) we still talk about HP (unless we're comparing it to other books) and b) don't yell and do respect peoples' opinions.
I was pretty happy with the ending in the book. There are, however, some parts I wasn't too pleased with.
For one, the thing where Harry didn't actually die (FOR THE SECOND TIME.) I mean, nothing against Harry, he's an okay character (IMHO) and I guess that from one point of view it makes sense. But it is kind of weird that Voldemort magically loses his ability to duel and magically acquires patience and an ability to listen to Harry's (snoreful) monolouge. And the coming-back-to-life-thing... In short, I think it would have been cool if Snape hasn't actually died and then Harry dies and Neville kills Nagini and then SNAPE duels Voldemort and wins. And Snape kills Voldemort. So yeah.
On the same lines: Bellatrix being killed by Molly. Now, I've got nothing against Bella dying either: the series would feel unfinished otherwise. But by Molly Weasely? Technically, it's thrilling and yes Bellatrix is the 'anti-Molly' or however the Lexicon put it and yes Molly is the anti-Bella and YES Bellatrix tried to kill Ginny (and yes the first swear word I remember in the book follows that encounter even though that's completely irrelevant) but, again, did Voldemort's dueling ability stream into Molly or something? Has Molly actually dueled before in her life? She always struck me as the making onion soup and cleaning houses type, not the kill off a powerful Death Eater type, and seeing that she was extremely emotional due to the death of her son and the worry that one of her children might be killed any moment, her chances of winning should have been very low.
Also, I have an irrelevant question: did Kingsley actually ever become Minister of Magic? Like not temporary, but for real? It's in a bunch of fanfics but has JKR ever said it?
Deaths: don't kill off Fred. Seriously. Fred and George are two of my favorite characters, and killing off Fred... After Fred is dead, it feels like half of them are missing! Did JKR feel like it wouldn't matter much because she had a spare? My opinion: if she had to kill off a Weasely, kill off Charlie. Now, I don't hate Charlie any more than I do Harry. I possibly like him more, especially cause he works with DRAGONS <-- irrational love of dragons. Let's pick things apart and analyze things to death.
Ginny- out of the question. Harry's love interest yada yada yada.
Ron- also out of the question. Harry's best friend yada yada yada
George- that'd be like killing Fred
Percy- I don't love Percy. But I feel like killing him off wouldn't be right, sort of like: MWAHAHA, this is what people who get mistakes get! He was an idiot, and now he will pay for it! So yeah, I've nothing against Percy. He was an idiot, but he came back.
Bill- What'd Fleur do? Wahh!
~~
So, killing Charlie would be the most logical.
About Lupin and Tonks: I actually love them as characters but their deaths never bothered me like Fred's did. On one side, I'd like to keep it as it were, but then half of me (or more) says: what about Teddy?! His parents died probably about a MONTH OR TWO OR THREE at most after he was born! Did JKR even think of him!? Where did he go live? Andromeda, perhaps? Mmm. Maybe. Ted died. I remember that Harry mentioned that he came around for dinner a lot... So in my head he's always lived with Andromeda. Did JKR ever mention that?
Err... I loved Sirius, but there'd be no HBP without Sirius's death. Same for Dobby. But maybe they should have saved Dobby and he was mortally injured?
~~~
I'll continue this later so as not to overwhelm the Admins.
submitted by Tiffany W., age STILL 11!!, I WANT MY BIRTHDAY!
(July 21, 2012 - 6:13 pm)
(July 21, 2012 - 6:13 pm)
I agree with you on the deaths. I thought it was horrible when Fred died. I thought it was wrong because... I don't know why but it seemed wrong. Lupin and Tonks shouldn't have died, I don't think. It made the book sadder because (1) they are important characters (2) they have a new-born son. I think it would've been okay if JKR had killed off one of them. Maybe Lupin because Teddy needs his mother more than his father. That sounds pretty mean... Sorry. :)
Molly killing Bellatrix: I actually liked this part. I know it may not make sense that Molly is suddenly a fierce dueler but JKR might've wanted to change her image. I mean, she's always thought of as a sort of a woman who stays at home and cooks and cares for the children. I think she (JKR) wanted to show that she's (Molly) strong like the others. Plus if your daughter is going to be killed, I think you may find some unknown powers, if you understand what I mean.
Harry dying: I think Harry basically had to stay alive because he'd the protagonist. JKR can't have a whole series about him and then kill him off. It's the same as killing off Katniss Everdeen or Percy Jackson. Although they maybe could've/should've died the writers couldn't kill them because the whole story revolves around them. Okay, that may not be a great comparison...
(July 22, 2012 - 1:40 pm)
I agree about how Bellatrix was killed, but it's a story about a war.
When wars happen, people die, including good people with friends and
family left behind. It would have been unrealistic if no one died who
was beloved by fans or really close to another character we know.
I
thought Snape's death scene was perfect, much better than anything I'd
have thought of. However, the way Harry approached Voldemort was
foolish. Here's what he should have done instead (written in how-to
format because that's just easier):
Step 1: Ask someone trustworthy to kill Nagini right away while you look for the Diadem and to tell you when (s)he is done if you're still alive by then. That saves time, which is really important, because the sooner you can afford to approach Voldemort, the fewer innocent people will die in battle.
Step 2: If you've destroyed the Diadem before Nagini has been killed, go and help whoever you designated--or just take over for him/her if (s)he doesn't seem to be doing a good job. If Nagini is already dead by the time you've destroyed the Diadem, go to Step 3.
Step 3: Ask Professor Sprout for 2 pairs of earmuffs (one of which should be pink and fluffy just for comic effect) and an adult mandrake.
Step 4: Put on a pair of earmuffs as you're waiting for the mandrake.
Step 5: Cast Silencio on the mandrake.
Step 6: Remove your earmuffs.
Step 7: Put the mandrake under your Invisibility Cloak.
Step 8: Take invisible mandrake and both pairs of earmuffs to the Forbidden Forest where Voldemort is waiting for you.
Step 9: Give the normal pair of earmuffs to Hagrid.
Step 10 (optional, for comic effect): Offer the pink and fluffy pair to Voldemort (who, of course, will not accept it).
Step 11: Put on the pink, fluffy pair of earmuffs. Yes, you're going to have to die, but it's irresponsible not to at least make sure everything's going according to plan first.
Step 12: Cancel your Silencing Charm. Voldemort won't die immediately, because you're a Horcrux, and you're still alive, but he'll lose his powers like he did when you were 1, except this time, you'll have actually been trying--also, his death eaters will all die completely. Anyway, because you destroyed the part of his soul that was left in him, the only way he'll survive is through you.
Step 13: Remove the Invisibility Cloak from the mandrake.
Step 14: Write a note saying something like the following: "Dear Hagrid, I am about to remove my earmuffs. Do not panic. It is absolutely necessary. When Voldemort and I are dead--sorry, it has to happen that way--cast Silencio on the mandrake; I know you're not allowed to, but innocent people could die if you don't. I guess you could get someone else to do it, but make sure they have earmuffs; you can use mine. Then give the mandrake and my earmuffs to Professor Sprout (they're hers) and tell her what happened. You can wear my cloak if you're afraid of gettting caught; give it to Ron afterward, but there's no hurry. Thanks, it was nice to know you. Love, Harry."
Step 15: Remove your earmuffs.
Harry will die, as will Voldemort. Hopefully, Harry won't come back to life until after the mandrake has been silenced, or else he'll just die again immediately, which woud be kind of pathetic.
(July 22, 2012 - 1:54 pm)
Classic. It so should have ended that way.
(July 23, 2012 - 11:32 am)
@Ima
Yeah, I get that thing about characters having to die... But, well, it could have been Bill. I'd rather have Bill than Fred. But I can see why she wrote it that way. . .
Your method is awesome. It'd make a nice end for a fanfic. But the only thing: I'd have someone in on this plan and hide in the trees, with another pair of earmuffs. They could cast the silencing charm, trusting Hagrid wouldn't be the easiest because a) he wouldn't nessesarily have an umbrella with him and b) his magic is very unpredictable.
About Harry dying: it's not that I want it to happen, it's that it would make an awesome alternative ending. But I like JKR's ending too... I might have sounded like I hated it, because my post was so long.
(July 22, 2012 - 5:13 pm)
If I had it my way, Voldemort would have killed Harry for good and Voldemort would have still been alive to terrorize future generations. But authors don't usually let me have my way. And for good reason, too, I must say. I mean, Harry could have a heroic sacrifice to kill the Horcrux, and he could stay dead to reunite with Sirius and Dumbledore and his parents and whatnot, and someone could just set out at the end (Neville, Ron,Hermoine, etc.) to kill Voldemort. A nice little heroic ending.
Yeah, Kingsly probably became Minister of Magic, as Harry took over the Auror Department when was 27, I believe (real fact from JKR's website). Kind of random, but has anyone noticed 1) that the epilouge takes place in the future (2016) and 2) how old Hagrid is? Here's how I figured this out: 1) In book 2, Harry and co. goes to NHN's 500 Death day party. We know that NHN died in 1492 so this is 1992 and because Harry is twelve, Harry was born in 1980. So when Harry is 17, it is 1997. Therefore, 19 years later is 2016. We are seeing the future. Creepy. 2) In 1992, we see back 50 years ago when Hagrid is 13 (he's in third year, so I'm assuming he's 13). That means Hagrid is 63 in 1992 and born in 1929. In 2016, Hagrid will be 87. And he's still at Hogwarts! Harry or Ginny (I forgot who) says to one of their sons to have tea at Hagrid's on Friday. Hagrid is 87 and still working at Hogwarts. That's weird.
Deaths: I don't think killing Ginny is all that bad of an idea, actually. Especially if Harry dies (see above). Tonks and Lupin are great characters, but I think them getting married and having a kid was just so weird. I think JKR shouldn't have done that. They seem less lively afterwards, you know what I mean? How old is Victoire, anyway? I know she's Bill and Fleur's oldest kid, I'm guessing sshe's in 7th year if 19 year old Teddy is snogging her (the epilouge). Sorry, that was random.
Well, I'm going to stop now, I think I've said everything. See ya.
P.S. My ending is the best, I think, but the mandrake one has to be second best.
(July 23, 2012 - 12:17 pm)
Yeah, the epilogue takes place in the future. I looked up the birthdates of Harry's kids in the Lexicon. And yeah.
Does anyone else besides me think that JKR's treatment of identical twins is a bit weird? I mean, she wanted to make them best friends, fine, that can happen sometimes though it's hard for me to imagine. But at least she should have given each of them a distinctive personality. They're like clones of each other. Everyone almost views them as one character, people never say 'my favorite character is Fred' or 'my favorite is George', everyone always calls them Fred'n'George. And in the movie, making them wear the same clothes? Please. Two of my friends are thirteen year old identical twins, and at a school that requires uniforms, they still make an effort to be different.
(July 23, 2012 - 4:51 pm)
The whole Fred'n'George thing was for comic effect, I guess, but I agree- they could have been distinct people. I have friends who are quadruplets, and if they dressed the same, people would be dead by now.
I'm kind of amused when there are sets of twins who alternately are the same entity and each others' worst enemy (Ouran, anyone?)
~Ash out~
(July 25, 2012 - 9:49 am)
Actually, my favorite is George and my friend prefers Fred. Fred is kind of annoying
(July 25, 2012 - 1:08 pm)
They aren't exactly the same. I had to read an essay to realize it, I'll admit, but George is slightly more mature. I agree that that's not really enough of a difference, though.
(July 26, 2012 - 1:37 pm)
I like your ending, too! I know Harry just wouldn't have the sense to kill Voldemort with a Mandrake, as much as I'd have liked him to; if that can't happen, yours is what I'd want.
That's interesting, about Hagrid. Maybe giants have longer lifespans than humans, provided they aren't killed. In that case, a half-giant might be more vigorous at 87 than a normal human.
(July 24, 2012 - 8:22 pm)
I'm thinking that JKR just didn't pay enough attention on Hagrid's age... Voldemort would be 89 that year. So how old is Dumbledore? I knew he was insanely old, but still. If Dumbledore already had a beard when he was visiting the 10 year old Riddle, Dumbledore would be 15-25 years older. So when Dumbledore died in 1997, he would actually be only about 85. Hmm.
(July 25, 2012 - 1:14 pm)
Wait! I just remembered that JKR has said that wizards actually live longer than Muggles and age more slowly. At some point in the series, Dumbledore is actually 150, and Professor McGonagall is 70. So it makes perfect sense that Hagrid would be working in his 80s.
(July 25, 2012 - 4:55 pm)
Plus giants would probably have a long life span in any case. It only makes sense.
(July 26, 2012 - 9:59 am)
She did?
(August 2, 2012 - 10:04 am)
To quote Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality, "If I lied the first time, I'm
not going to tell you the truth just because you ask twice." I will, however, advise you to do an Internet search about it if you question my statement's validity.
(August 2, 2012 - 6:26 pm)