Hogwarts Herald

There’s really no new information in this Harry Potter article in the Hindustan Times (an Indian paper with editions in Mumbai, Delhi, Bhopal and Lucknow), but it definitely shows the growing chorus of coverage anticipating Harry Potter’s death at the end of Book 7.

In the article Daniel Radcliffe is quoted as saying:
“I don’t know that there is any other way she could end the series. It’s the right and honourable thing to do.”

I understand Daniel’s feeling on this matter and why he feels the way he does, but I just don’t understand how it’s “honourable.” There are certain times when there is honour in death, certainly. But there is also honour in life. Harry Potter has been “honourable” in every way throughout the series, yet he is still very much alive. Honour is found in your actions, not your death.

As I read this article I thought back to what Daniel said in an interview in Australia last week:
“If [J.K. Rowling] ended the series with Harry alive, the calls for more books would be [deafening].”

This got me to thinking:

I think Daniel Radcliffe wants Harry to die not because “it’s the right and honourable thing to do,” but because he doesn’t want Harry Potter to follow him constantly throughout his entire life.

If the calls for J.K. Rowling to produce another Potter book will continue if Harry lives, then it certainly follows that those same calls for more Harry Potter will follow Daniel, too. If Harry dies Daniel can bury the character and move on. If Harry lives Daniel will always have Harry following him, and he will always have questions surrounding him about “another Harry Potter.” No such questions if Harry’s dead.

One thing Daniel must realize, however, is that without J.K. Rowling, there is no more Harry Potter. If there’s no new material to work from, he has little to worry about.

With that said, however, I don’t expect the press (and a good number of fans) to respect J.K. Rowling’s decision to completely end the series if Harry does indeed live. It’s something that needs to be respected, though. There’s more to her life than Harry Potter and it’s wise of her to move on…no matter how much all of us may want more Harry Potter.

When you think of it in these terms you can start to really understand why J.K. Rowling just may have Harry die at the end. Put yourselves in her shoes…would you want that question (will there be more Harry Potter?) following you for the rest of your life? I know I wouldn’t. J.K. Rowling has been remarkably successful in keeping the press out of her life and maintaining her privacy, so I would have faith that she wouldn’t let this sway her decision…and she’ll have the series end in a way that’s in-line with the story-arc that’s been set for years and years.

All we can do is trust her and keep enjoying the ride.

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