Second-guessing JKR

Warning: contains SPOILERS for HP & HBP, and just babbling on and on....so no need to read if you're not a fan.

After spending 8 hours last night that lasted until the wee hours of the morning, I'm finally done with the sixth Harry Potter book. There are two thoughts running around in my head. The first would be: Gah! Harry/Ginny??? Blech! and 'I wasn't expecting that!' I'll leave the explanation for first thought later (still leaving a bad taste in my mouth) and go full ahead into the second thought.

I was so sure, so sure that Half-Blood Prince will refer to either Harry or Voldemort when I first heard of the title months ago. Then, when Harry got the Potions book, I was then sure that it was Voldemort's, completely ignoring the fact that Voldemort hates any reference to his half-blood true identity. I was just so sure, you see, the only the two of them will warrant that much importance and attention, and this is the sixth book, where the cliffhangers are everywhere and you can almost throw the book in frustration because we'll wait another year or so for the last book. Oh well, that's the good aspect of this book. Cliffhangers, adventures, death and mayhem, Draco owning a chapter (whee! said my little Drakey Poo) and twists and turns worthy of any great conspiracy or suspense thriller book. Love it.

I love the fact that I was still surprised even in the last chapter. I was glad that so many questions had been answered and still amazed that JKR had popped more questions and more mysteries than ever before. (Is Snape really bad? Or was he under some sort of curse? Will Harry ever understand Dumbledore's motives regarding Snape? What was Dumbledore thinking? Why was he begging, pleading? What are the other 4 Horcruxes? Where could they be? Who's holding them? How will Harry manage from now on? Who will lead the Order now?) Endless. Endless questions.

But I was expecting Dumbledore or Hagrid to be dead. I'm secretly glad I can still make good guesses after JKR tossed most of my most adamant, seemingly fool-proof ones out of the window. Anyway, just between the two of us, you know -- I'm not that fond of Dumbledore so I'm okay with him being dead. He doesn't give Harry enough credit to tell him anything. And anyway, what's up with Harry? Are all teenage boys like that? So incredibly stupid you can hit him with a sledgehammer and still thinks the world is bowing down at their feet? I know JKR is just letting Harry be a teenager and all that, that's why I'm wondering if all teenage boys are like that. Probably. I can name several men my age who still act like that at our age (and if I get to know more men, I believe those numbers will increase. The not-so-bright ones are probably growing in number like Gremlins under a heavy rain.) ...nope, not being the angsty and heroic Harry, just being the overly stupid, full of himself and not thinking of consequences Harry.

And now, I'd like to rant about this Harry/ Ginny thing. Okay, okay. From the time that I saw Lily in the movies and knowing Ginny, there have been certain parralel characteristics. They even look alike in the movies! Gah! And people are constanly referring to how Harry seem so much like her father, so as most fiction goes, I know that it is inevitable. Harry with Ginny.

But like so many fans of books, you create your own universe out of this great universe that one author had created for you. So that's what I did. With the help of online communities and fanfiction, I have become anti-Ginny. (This is a public blog so I will not admit which pairing regarding Harry I am rooting for the most. tee hee.) She's so ....bland. No distinct character trait that is supposed to be helping Harry win against Voldemort. Unlike Hermione's brilliance and Ron's loyalty, Ginny is supposed to be feisty (standing up to her brother constantly), and intelligent and good at quidditch and all. But, (and I don't know if it's because of the influence of fanfiction) I still find her bland. She's just someone who was put there to enhance Harry's hero status. A beauty and brains kind of girl, fit for our hero. Gah! Why can't JKR introduce a more interesting character ?(I know I won't get my wish of his partner, but I'd rather a new character than the cliche Ginny Weasley) Maybe another magical being? A Veela? A blond girl (to compliment Harry's dark hair) seemingly steeped with Dark Magic, brilliant at Potions and Dark Arts, indifferent about the Weasley's and not overly impressed with Harry's hero status? Why can't JKR do this?!?! You know, make a girl version of Draco? I'm glad though that Harry broke up with Ginny. (Yes!!! *do the reggae dance*)

Okay, this has gone on long enough. I won't talk about this anymore. I'll go back to reading fanfiction and forget the fact that i'm teetering in suspense for what will happen in the next book.