I was feeling mighty disappointed about this after I read it. I had loved John’s predictions in “Unlocking Harry Potter” that the house-elves would be a major part of the 7th book. I agreed with him that having the house-elves still remain in their historical state of slavery after the 7th book was done would be a tragedy and a monumental disservice to these wonderful, magical creatures. There was no indication, at the end of DH, that their status was any different than before, other than not having to worry about Voldemort anymore.

However, I then read the Bloomsbury interview. What happiness! JKR said that Hermione eventually heads up (or just works at? I forget exactly) the Department of the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures at the MoM, and that she is able to put some reforms in place that enhance the status of the house-elves. I was supremely glad to read that, and very glad that I’d found the link to the Bloomsbury interview at all. All due to my coming here to read thoughtful discourse on HP.

I do find it fascinating that she went to bat to get Kreacher into the 5th film, however. I have a good friend who has made a great case for Kreacher having assisted R.A.B. on the locket horcrux hunt (however unwillingly) and I think she might be onto something.

I am fascinated by Travis’ ruminations on Ollivander. Well…in another day, we’ll know!

I just want to comment that I feel close to tears today, rocketing between feelings of anticipation and loss of something precious—the stimulating anticipation/speculation that has been a part of my life for seven years since reading the first four books. It’s been one of the most fun things in which I’ve ever engaged.

So many articulate, thoughtful, scholarly writers along the way who have enlightened, delighted and amused me. Thank you, John for all your hard work, and to you and others for sharing great thoughtful, academic posts, links, comments and books during the Interlibrum, enhancing understanding and appreciation of the books. What a fun time awaits us post-DH.

Today is the last day we will “not know.” Once we’ve read Deathly Hallows, an epoch has closed. No one in the future will know what it was like to for this “HP generation” during this literary worldwide phenomenon to wait years for the next book, feverishly speculating during Interlibrums, researching and concocting wild (and not so wild) scenarios and enjoying the heck out of ourselves.

Accio Deathly Hallows!

I (along with Thudders, Hairy Plotter, Mrs. Fleasley, Stabbers, Rumbleroar, Screecher, Felis Felinius, Curious Black, Slobby, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Tamed, Cleverpuss, Madame Scrawney, Flako, Detressor HawKuphairball, Fullatricks, Luscious Badboy, Tuna Yumgood, Tom Piddle, Big-Eye Foody, Frenzy, Flitquick and all the rest of the dear kitties) wish you “Happy Reading!!”

Of course Kreacher belongs to Harry now and will have to do whatever he says (but that wasn’t mentioned in the movie), and we haven’t seen Dobby since Goblet (and that was brief). Granted the movies have followed the books less and less since Azkaban, but it seems unlikely that such a key part of the story would be cut from the movies if it was part of the last book, and Rowling seems to try and make sure they leave in parts to the movies that will be vital to the events in Deathly Hallows.

A full on house-elf rebellion! Yes, that’s what I want to see.

If it isn’t part of the 7th book, I’ll be terribly disappointed that Hermione’s awakened political consciousness in Books 4 & 5 went for naught. As if political oppression of an entire species can be forgotten when you decide that you want to start dating.

If the house-elf rifle doesn’t fire (or wand doesn’t cast a spell) then Chekhov’s dictum will be violated.

Linda