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This book settles it: Dumbledore may be one of the greatest characters ever created in the world of fiction.

As Rowling turns her universe upside-down and reveals the past of a man who is fully accepted as the greatest wizard of all time, she reveals a character depth beyond belief. Dumbledore is made out to be a sinner, a villain, a God-like figure who does not stand in the way for an innocent sacrifice. He is good, but he is focused on the greater good, sacrificing individuals in order to achieve his goal. He loves Harry, heart and soul, but he still needs him dead. And worst of all? He has coldblodily known it all the time.

While people has celebrated Snape's surprising sacrifice, I will always celebrate Dumbledore's betrayal. Purity and peace doesn't come without a price, and Dumbledore is willing to pay. He is a brilliant exception in Rowling's black-and-white universe. (view spoiler)[Along with Harry Potter of course. The part of Voldemort that lives in him reminds us that no one is pure. That we all hold a bit of evil � even though it has been attached to us by accidental spells and curses. (hide spoiler)]

One thing that has been clear to me on rereading these books, is how black-and-white Rowling usually operates. Like the sorting hat, she conveniently divides her characters into good and evil and very few outsteps this path. I have always found it cowardly, how this book dismisses Slytherin-pupils for instance. An entire house of people, thrown out of the defining battle because they happen to be wearing green and silver.
Rowling spends the entire series preaching how Slytherin isn't necessarily defined by evil � and yet, she chooses to dismiss them, when the fight is about to come. I've always hated it. I have always hated how the Slytherins in the end only seem to be allowed a single character trait.

This time around, I also had a bit of trouble grasping the scope of Voldemort's evil. Is he about to destroy the universe? Will his rise to power mean the end of muggle-life? And if so, will it mean the end of every muggle in the world, or is his power restricted to Britain only? Why does the world not send help to fight him � why does the Order not include African, American or even European wizards?
Voldemort's power and evil seems unlimited, and yet he is fought by an underground army consisting of Britains only, fighting the ultimate battle at a schoolground.
I am confused by the perspective; Voldemort could rule the world, crush every offender � and yet he is at Hogwarts, fighting children.

The suspense is however undeniable. We don't have time for so many strategic questions while reading this book, because it is nerve-wracking to read. Rowling makes you forget time and space � and even plot holes � as she drags you along for break-in's, wandlore, secret missions and treasure hunts for pieces of an evil soul.

I have always loved the horcruxes and the psychological insight they provide into both Harry and Voldemort's soul. Little by little, you become fascinated with Voldemort's anger and his desire to be accepted, and you even come to understand the darkest corners of Harry's soul. While the treasure hunt itself is a bit tedious at times, its ultimate goal is breathtaking.
However, as much as I've always loved the horcruxes, I've always hated the Deathly Hallows. It's puzzling why no one has ever mention Beedle the Bard earlier, as his tales are supposed to be the mythic pillars of the wizarding world. Why has Hermione, who has read about every book of wizardry, never stumbled upon these ancient tales � and why has Ron, who has grown up with these stories and loved them forever, never mentioned them? Why isn't there a magic frog card with Beedle the Bard? Why has Rowling never let a bit of the enthralling tales slip earlier? It's all so sudden. And to me, it's a bit implausible. As is wandlore itself.

Wandlore is mythical, wonderful to read about, and impossible to understand. I'm still not sure about the whole allegiance thing; how exactly a wand's power is transferred or why. It's messy and I'd have loved a bit more explanation.

But of course, I'd loved a bit more of everything. I love this book � mostly because of Dumbledore's character development (even beyond his death), and because it is so actionpacked and gratifying. Seven books, read in the dark with a galloping heart, and then this wonderful ending, where only a few characters are spared, and all are forever marked. This book may be filled with errors, but I am willing to overlook them. It is hard not to as these wonderful characters has been part of my life for so long.

The Harry Potter-books are magical. And magic is hard to define.

(view spoiler)[ A final note: I hate the ending relationships. This is perhaps more related to book six than book seven, but I've never understood Ginny and Harry. We get no explanation, no gradual falling-in-love process; suddenly Harry is in love with Ginny, while one moment earlier he wasn't. There was so much potential; so many scenes at the Burrow, Rowling could have used in order to build these feelings. Instead Harry falls in love out of jealousy.
And then there's Ron and Hermione � another relationship enabled by hurt and jealousy. I can understand why Ron loves Hermione, but I can't understand why she loves him. He has been mean to her, ridiculing her, never appreciated her and even hinted she was ugly on several occasions. Would you fall in love with someone, who asked you out as a last resort, and loudly exclaimed that no one else wanted to go out with you? Would you fall in love with someone who got angry on the same occasion, because you actually went with someone else? Someone who ignored you, because he didn't appreciate you enough to ask? Someone who created an entire relationship with another girl, because he was jealous of a relationship you had before he had even shown interest in you? I think not.

Ron is a lovely person, but he never treated Hermione well. At least not in my opinion. (hide spoiler)]