For fans of Harry Potter that were reading the series as it came out, the question of what would happen to the main characters, in the end was a big one. So, when Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was released, fans had many opinions about the character's endings. And, ever since then, new and old fans alike have been talking about how things ended up for all of their favorite, and least favorite, characters.
While some of them got endings that fans overall liked and seemed to make sense, other endings didn’t seem in character or were rejected by the fandom for other reasons.
Reject: Draco Malfoy
While Draco Malfoy didn’t get the worst ending in the series, fans were really hoping for more for him. When he is shown at Platform 9 ¾, he’s not the same Malfoy as he used to be.
He seems to have become less awful overall and to live a fairly normal life. However, fans were hoping he would get more of a redemption arc instead of Snape. It might not have been the worst ending, but fans were a bit disappointed.
In Character: Severus Snape
Severus Snape is probably one of the most controversial figures from the series. He’s got an interesting storyline and narrative arc, but fans have strong feelings about whether he’s a villain or whether he was truly redeemed.
While many fans weren’t pleased that he was elevated by others, like Harry, to a hero status, it did make sense for him to die at Voldemort’s hand after playing double agent for so long. It also was fitting that even though he might not be a great person that he did help bring down Voldemort.
Reject: Ginny Weasley
Ginny Weasley is another character whose ending wasn’t horrible, but many fans hoped she would also be given a little more substance to her story.
Her ending seemed more like a way to give Harry the family and happy ending he had always wanted than it was about what Ginny wanted. The best thing about her life story was that she ended up a professional Quidditch player as this actually did feel in character.
In Character: Dumbledore
While Dumbledore’s death might have happened before the final book, it still did seem like it had to happen. This doesn’t mean fans were thrilled about it at the time, but for the story to really continue in a meaningful way, he had to die. His death was also done in a way that felt right as he died trying to protect Draco.
Dumbledore dying also allowed a way for Harry to learn the truth about Dumbledore’s past and for Harry to figure out how to defeat Voldemort on his own.
Reject: Fred and George Weasley
Of all the deaths in the Harry Potter series, Fred Weasley’s was one of the most upsetting to fans. His death was truly heartbreaking as he was such a beloved character, and this meant fans were also really sad for George.
While the fact George went on to marry Angelina Johnson, have a family, and run Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes were all great, fans still couldn’t get over Fred’s death.
In Character: Hermione Granger
Hermione is another character whose ending has fans a bit split. As far as her career goes, her adult life makes a lot of sense. She became Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement where she worked to make the laws less prejudiced against those who weren’t purebloods. She also went on to become Minister of Magic which is fitting for her.
But, as far as personal life goes, many people feel that she and Ron weren’t really a great match. It didn’t seem like their relationship would truly last, so it seemed more an effort of trying to keep them all together than what would really happen.
Reject: Harry Potter
Harry’s ending is a hard one to place because parts of it were in character while parts of it were not. On the one hand, it did make total sense that Harry would grow up to get married and have kids because family was the one thing he always wanted more than anything.
But, some other things didn’t add up. First of all, many people think naming his son Albus Severus was very strange. Secondly, the fact Harry spent so much of the rest of his life being an Auror doesn’t sit right with all fans.
In Character: Neville Longbottom
Neville is a character that many fans absolutely love, and he had one of the best glow-ups of any character ever. He also has one of the best endings in the series.
Neville grows up to become the Herbology professor at Hogwarts, and he also marries Hannah Abbott. It seemed right that Neville would get to have a happy, peaceful life and that he would follow his passions when it came to his career.
Reject: Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks
The reasons why fans reject the endings of Lupin and Tonks are two-fold. First of all, there are so many things about their romantic relationship that don’t make a lot of sense, and many fans didn’t like them together.
Secondly, fans were upset when they both died at the Battle of Hogwarts. While Lupin dying might have been a way to wrap up the Marauder's storylines, killing Tonks too seemed unnecessary. It just seemed like a way to ensure that Teddy Lupin would be like Harry as an orphan for a full-circle moment.
In Character: Ron Weasley
While many fans weren’t sure how they felt about Harry and Hermione’s endings, Ron’s seems fairly spot on. He does seem like someone who would want to have family and kids as this is how he grew up.
His career choices also make sense. He became an Auror for two years to help fix the wizarding world after the war against Voldemort. Then, he went on to help Geroge run Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes and have a less stressful life.