The HP Report
Well, everyone's pretty keen to know what I thought about this book, probably because I'm such a big Snape fan. So here are some of my thoughts about the book.
The Book In General
I don't know what's wrong with the people who are going on about how it read like a bad fanfiction. If fanfiction was like that, I might actually read it sometimes. Sure there was more emphasis on romance and relationships, but THEY'RE 16!!! That's what life is ABOUT at 16. And what JKR intended, I'm sure - that there be more relationship-building in this one than the last.
I enjoyed the book, and need to wait for my dad to give it back so I can read it again and pick up all the details I missed first time through.
The Kids
Harry finally calmed down! Again, true to the age of 16. 15 is miserable for most folks, but at 16 you start to turn around and become a normal person. I was very happy to see that this held true for Harry as well. And him and Ginny . . .! :3 I thought they might end up together (and now looking back in the earlier books I'm picking up on hints of it I missed before!) I think they'll have a happy-ever-after in the next book.
Ron and Lavendar?! O_o But we all knew/know couples like that. Disgusting to watch, and leave you asking "What are they doing together . . . well, aside from THAT." And poor Hermione. I'm surprised she didn't take out some of her frustration on her dear roommate (you don't want to get on Hermione's bad side). But She and Ron will also have a happy-ever-after . . . eventually.
I AM SO HAPPY FOR DRACO! I know, it was terrible for him in this book, and I do feel bad for what he had to go through, but at the end of the last book, my liking for him was starting to wane. Just because he wasn't a viable threat to Harry anymore. He was almost a joke. Who cares about the school bully when you're out fighting THE DARK LORD? But now!!! Draco is finally living up to the villain potetial I always knew he had! ;_;
The Prince
I knew it was Snape! Because he's a GENIUS!!! And evil genius, perhaps, but still . . .
Now, the whole "Is He Evil or Not" debate. I'm going to say, no. I don't think he is. For the same reasons many people have already stated. YES, OK, he killed Dumbledore, BUT . . . !
1)He took the Unbreakable Vow.
And looking at Ch. 2, you see that he couldn't really not take it and still look good to the Death Eaters. Having taken the vow, if he didn't kill Dumbledore, HE was going to die.
2)Dumbledore was dying anyway
Either from the run-in with the Horcrux ring, or from drinking the potion in the cave, or BOTH, the man was Not Well. So if Snape refused to kill him they'd both die, but if Snape killed him, he'd still be ALIVE and he could keep his position close to Voldemort. This is going to be important, mark my words!
3)Dumbledore and Snape are both Legilimens
They could, and probably did, have a conversation that we know nothing about. Sure out loud Dumbledore was pleading with Snape, but he didn't say he was pleading for his LIFE. Might have been trying to convince him of point 2 (see above)
4)Snape Always Protects Harry
Throughout the past books, and even during his flight from Hogwarts in this one, Snape is always keeping Harry safe (actions speaking louder than words). Harry threw curse after curse at him, but Snape merely deflected them (until that little 'coward' incident . . . but that just went to show that the Dark Lord's command that Harry be left for him wasn't as completely binding for Snape as he made it out to be in front of the other Death Eaters).
Miscellaneous
Sorry to all the Sirius/Remus fangirls, but I happen to LIKE Lupin/Tonks. I think it's sweet ^_^ He needs a little happiness in his life, and Tonks (once she's perked back up a bit) will do a good job of cheering him up! And the fact that we don't get much of the back story on the relationship leaves it open to the imagination ^_^
I loved Harry taking Luna to the Christmas Party! "I'd LOVE to go with you as friends!"
I feel sorry for Cornelius Fudge. I'm not sure how I feel about Scrimgeour.
Would Percy just get reconciled with the family already?!
I could go on, but that's the most of it.