Every story has an ending
Written by hootenannie on November 30th, 2007[Attention: if you have not finished the Harry Potter series, don’t worry. There are NO PLOT SPOILERS in this blog. Read on, my readers. Read on.]
I just finished “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” which, if you’ve been living under a rock, is the seventh and final book of the Harry Potter series. The book came out in July, and because of life circumstances, I didn’t have the chance to read it until now. Somehow, I miraculously (or… magically…) made it until now without having the ending spoiled, but I began to realize that I was pushing my luck.
It became a race against time – I didn’t tell anyone what I was reading for fear that they might give away the ending. I snuck onto the plane to Richland on Tuesday, and as covertly as I could, slid the HUGE, HULKING volume from my bag, trying to block the title from everyone around me to avoid a plot-spoiling comment.
I have spent the past few nights lying awake in bed for hours and hours, turning pages and savoring each image. Each time that a chapter would come to a close, I would think, “Just one more.” This continued until my eyes saw spots and drooped unwittingly. And then, when I would wake up in the morning, before even brushing my teeth, I would simply roll over and open the book again.
And yes, I made it to the end of the book having maintained the surprise.
The ending of a series has always felt like a death to me. When I finished “Lord of the Rings,” I sat quietly in my little armchair for what felt like an eternity, just staring at the blank page at the end. A good story brings characters to life, and they become close companions. A poignant tale can delineate my thoughts, and punctuate my emotions. I am not ready to give up Harry and Hermione and Ron and the rest, just like I was not ready to give up Peter, Susan, Edmond, and Lucy.
I feel sad. When a family member dies, we have the promise of seeing them someday in heaven. Maybe it’s silly, but I wish I could see the Hogwarts crowd in heaven, too.


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oh man. LOVED those books.
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I loved the first two movies! And the first 20 pages of the first book.
Someday I will read them. . . .and hopefully the ending will be a surprise.
Thanks for Scherm’s email.
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Dearest Annie:
Your road continues to turn and return in so many ways. I’m so sorry to hear of your grandfather’s passing – and you WILL see him again in his baseball cap and hugs for you!
I love to read of God’s gifts to you: music and a Martin guitar. I pray for that Mazda 3 in your hear future.
Thank you for your voicemail recently – I regret that we couldn’t make coffee ‘happen’. It shall do that some day soon!
Your smile and words always warm my heart, Mistress of the Blog!
Love,
Flavia
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Love those books.
Love the characters.
Miss them something horrible!
A small part of me wishes to see them in heaven too. :)