Please don't read this discussion of the Harry Potter series, unless you've finished the final book.

I postulate that Severus Snape, "probably the bravest man [Harry] ever knew," is one of the great characters of fiction: a development over seven volumes that inspires rereading. And the problem with that is that the discussion can only begin, if the people with whom it is discussed have read all umpty-bump pages. So Spoiler Warning.

I think that, beyond the plotting details, Rowling was concerned with establishing certain "lessons" in the course of the seven books. These include:

Death is a concern but not to be feared.

It's not whether you win or lose but how you play the game.

Every individual should be regarded as valuable.

Every individual, no matter how wise or good, can make mistakes.

When you make a mistake, you need to acknowledge it, feel remorse, and do what you can to correct it. If that is done, you need to be forgiven for the mistake.

You will always have to cope with the fact that others' opinions of you may be wrong. And that your opinion of others may also be wrong.

No matter whether you recognize the preceding six concepts, you will have to cope with living among people who do not recognize them.

That's off the top of my head.

I wept too much to continue reading at several points through the novel. Especially affecting (much to my surprise) was the death of Dobby – which hit me much harder than the death of Sirius Black. And I thought the death of Snape and the following chapter was incredible. I've already reread it multiple times.

And that took me to: Just how the hell much did Rowling plan in advance? I know she spoke at one point of having to rip up some material a few books back because the plotting didn't work. But did she really plan the snitch-in-the-mouth gambit as far back as Book One? Wow.

What happens next to the assorted Baddies, we don't know. Azkaban no longer has guards. The impact on the entire Wizarding World remains to be seen. Which is one of the forces that will keep this series a topic of conversation for years and years to come; Rowling is (big surprise) a smart lady.

Finally, I'm finding it interesting that readers are divided, when I ask the following question: In the ongoing story (as opposed to the flashback), what are Snape's last words? A few nod eagerly and say, "Yes!" Most pause and make an effort to recall. Which means the impact of the scene didn't strike them in retrospect, and they didn't go back to reread it.

First, of course, Snape tells Harry, "Take ... it. ... Take ... it. ..."

And that's what those who try to remember do remember. But that's not what Snape's last words are. After giving his memories to Harry (which has some impact, too, considering that removing the memories removes them from Snape's own mind, as he dies), the scene of Snape's last moments reads:

"Look ... at ... me. ..." he whispered.

The green eyes found the black, but after a second, something in the depths of the dark pair seemed to vanish, leaving them fixed, blank, and empty. The hand holding Harry thudded to the floor, and Snape moved no more.

And that's Snape's final reward.

The last thing Snape sees is: Lily's eyes.