In June of 2007, a few months before the release of The Deathly Hallows, the Austin American Statesman asked local authors to write the ending to Harry Potter, setting out how they would end the series.
This is what I wrote:
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HARRY POTTER ENDING
Julie Kenner
“Come with me,” Harry begged. “Please, I need you.”
“You know we can’t.” Lily Potter’s soft eyes smiled down on her son.
Harry wanted to argue; wanted to scream and rant that if they couldn’t leave, then he would stay behind. But the words wouldn’t come. As much as he longed for his parents, Harry wanted to go back. To Ron and Hermione. To Ginny. And to a world without the threat of Lord Voldermort.
He gave his parents one final hug, then managed a weak smile as Dumbledore’s hand closed over his shoulder. He turned, glancing across the void to the filmy grey veil through which Neville had disappeared after the killing blow from Voldermort’s wand.
He said a silent goodbye to his friend, then nodded to Dumbledore. “I’m ready.” Together they turned away from the gray and faced the silvery strands through which they must pass to leave the Deathly Hallows. Lily and James couldn’t follow any more than Neville now could. But Dumbledore and Harry could leave, and now it was time that they did.
He’d made the decision, and he knew it was the right one. The Boy Who Lived would go on living.
