I love the Harry Potter books. Love ‘em. Have loved ‘em since I first discovered the first book as a manuscript which was submitted to the book club where I worked. I volunteered to be the designated reader; my job was to determine whether or not the book was salable to our members. I remember writing in my report something to the effect of, “This may be considered a children’s book, but I believe adults will love it, too.”

I guess I don’t have to say how right I was. All you have to do is check out the movie and book grosses, or look around a subway car to see how many people are reading the last installment.

I’ve read them all, seen all the movies, even own some peripheral books like Quidditch Through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them .

I have yet, however, to start Deathly Hallows.

Half of me is DYING to read it, so much so that I want to call in sick to life and lock myself in a room until I finish it. I know that once I start it, I won’t be able to focus on anything else. I won’t want to go out, I won’t want to talk to anyone, and I certainly won’t want to go to work. (I never want that, but it’ll be worse with Potter sitting in my bag, taunting me.) And then I’ll re-read all the other books again, until I’m stuck in a vicious cycle of Potter books like a Ron in a Devil’s Snare.

Consequently, the other half of me is putting it off because I don’t want the series to end. And once I finish that last page of the last book, it’s over. Yes, there are 2 more movies slated, but the movies are really just visual Cliff’s Notes. They have to cut a ton of stuff, if only to keep the running times under five hours, which I understand. But it’s also really disappointing, akin to Peter Jackson cutting Tom Bombadil. (I know there’s no need for him plot-wise, but I really would have liked to have seen Peter Jackson’s interpretation.) Don’t get me started on Rita Skeeter, S.P.E.W., Weasley Is Our King, Fred & George’s departure, Percy, the battle at the Ministry, or Kreacher.

So, now my copy of Deathly Hallows sits on my dresser, waiting for me. And my loving hubby is getting pissed off, cos he wants to read it, too. Sigh. I guess I should start it. I just don’t want to finish it. Oh well, at least this will never end.