HOLY COW YOU GUYS. As I’m listening to this on my commute I am just floored every chapter. Even though they cut this into two movies they still missed SO MUCH. I mean, I get it. But at the same time I don’t get it. THIS BOOK WAS SO CRITICAL AND WELL-WRITTEN WHY CAN’T IT JUST BE A SHOT FOR SHOT FROM THE BOOK WHYYYYYYY.

So here goes – up until Dobby’s tragic death (end of Chapter 23), just like in the movie.

1. This book opens with the poems about death. What did you think of this different approach? What did it tell you about the book?

2. Did you wonder, as I did, and by wonder I mean absolutely freak out every second, “Exactly how many people is she going to kill?” She has proven with Cedric, Sirius and Dumbledore that she is not afraid to kill off major characters with little to no warning. This is the end, and it seems from the very beginning that death will be prevalent.

3. Harry finally gets to leave Privet Drive. What did you think of the interactions between him and the Dursley’s (book and movie versions differ importantly here)? Did they ever develop affection towards one another?

4. The Seven Harrys is probably one of the most intense openings to any of the books. An encounter with Voldemort and the Death Eaters that quickly certainly caught me off guard. We lost Hedwig, Mad Eye, Fred’s ear and almost Hagrid (I was so terrified that he was dead! The next page said Fallen Warrior!!!!). What kind of a message did this send to readers? How does it change attitudes and opinions among the Order?

5. Throughout this book Harry struggles with the idea that he didn’t quite know Dumbledore like he thought. This crisis of faith, the realization that even our idols aren’t quite perfect, is something most teens/adults go through. How does it define Harry? How does Rita Skeeter’s book affect him?

6. The action taken by the fallen Ministry against Muggle-borns or half-bloods is appalling. Their wands are taken, they are forced to stand trial and can even be completely ostracized or jailed in Azkaban. Why is the Ministry, and Voldemort by extension, so concerned with finding and punishing these unpure wizards? How does Rowling reflect the social intolerance and historical atrocities from our own world into her books?

7. I was stunned to see Ron truly leave, although it probably was for the best at the time. Several factors combined, but what was the breaking point? Let’s not even talk about the WILDLY INAPPROPRIATE AND INACCURATE NAKED HARRY/HERMIONE VISION SCENE.

8. Why did Dumbledore wait to give Harry his true “mission” until after his death? Sure, he talked about the Horcruxes, but never mentioned the Deathly Hallows. Was he not 100% sure? What do you think about the fairy tale (Tale of the 3 Brothers) within our fairy tale (Harry Potter)?

9. I was so impressed this time around at how much sacrifice can be seen in this book. At the wedding Harry is thinking about Ginny and how one day she’ll marry someone else. Hermione is probably looking at Fleur and wondering if she’ll ever get her own wedding day. She obliviated her parents, for pete’s sake! They all give up the comfort and security of Hogwarts (although it does kind of suck this year). They live starving and cold in a tent. They miss holidays and regular family contact. Lupin is willing to leave Tonks and his child (for many other reasons) to help them succeed. Scrimgeour doesn’t reveal Harry’s whereabouts or potential mission even though he dies being tortured at the hands of Death Eaters.

10. How hard did you cry at Dobby’s death? Be honest. What makes his sacrifice so important? Why did they choose this point at which to end the first movie? How does it galvanize Harry and motivate the others to action?

So what do you guys think we should do for this meeting? Crying will be happening, probably more so than usual. What if we do a sock exchange in honor of Dobby? Defeat our own evil Horcruxes like Ron? Idk. Give me some ideas.

This meeting may have to wait until early October due to half of my family having birthdays and other events at the end of September. I’ll post it up on FB soon!