Harry Potter Spoilerama

1. Why would Voldemort leave his last remaining Horcrux so vulnerable that the near-squib Neville Longbottom could kill it with a single blow while his head was on fire?
2. After protecting the locket Horcrux with so many spells, enchantments, ghouls, ghosts, poisons and charms (not to mention on an island in the middle of a lake in a cave), he leaves the tiara in a junk room?
3. Voldemort, one of the smartest men in the known universe, thinks that he is the only one who can find the junk room, even though it is full of junk left by generations of students?
4. Draco Malfoy is master of the Elder Wand?  What the fuck?
5. Neville Longbottom has the Sword of Gryffindor?  What the fuck?
6. If Harry’s parents are so rich, why are they living in a teeny cottage in a teeny village?
7. Harry’s parents are 21 when they die (in 1981!!??!).  So, Harry’s like…27?

Other observations:

1. Epilogues really, really suck.  This is a universal truth known to everybody except, apparently, writers.
2. The book is actually pretty good, with lots and lots of action.  I hope that the movie doesn’t get cut down too much.  I look forward to the Gringott’s robbery and the final battle should be a doozy.
3. Other than the epilogue, I think Rowling wrapped up most of the loose ends pretty well.  Snape redeemed, etc.

Curmudgeonly afterthought:

Harry doesn’t seem to consider that the baby Lupin has been put in much the same position as himself.  He really is an insensitive little prick.  I think Voldemort was right about him.