I am not ashamed to declare my love for "the boy who lived" and the entire world that J.K. Rowling has so masterfully created. I was a little apprehensive to read the final book, but devoured it in two days and came away from the experience somewhat emotionally exhausted. I don't believe that I have ever had an experience like this, nor might I have one again. J.K. Rowling somehow created these books that lead me through all sorts of emotions---there were times in reading this book that I was laughing out loud, raising my fists in the air with excitement, reaching for the tissues to muffle my sobs, and throughout it all I was full of love and concern for these characters that have been a part of my life for the last ten years. All I can do is say thank you to Ms. Rowling for creating such a masterpiece that evokes such great emotion and reminds me of the power of great writing.
P.S. For anyone searching for something great to read, the "Percy Jackson & the Olympians" series by Rick Riordian is excellent. I devoured the first three books in a matter of days--a little Greek mythology mixed in with a troubled adolescent....great stuff.