March 31, 2009
Birth, Funerals, and Marriage
By the end of Half-Blood Prince we have learned so many customs of the Wizarding World that we practically know how to live in it. From school feasts to exams to how children communicate with their parents whilst they are at school. From Quidditch to international Quidditch to how Wizards camp out at festivals. From the merchant culture of both Diagon and Knockturn Alley and the village of Hogsmeade. From government buildings to court trials to prison guards. From fantastic creatures to various ways of traveling to gardening and the washing of dishes. From Christmas and Halloween celebrations to closing feasts.
And yet, we never knew much about three of the main rituals in our culture: birth, funerals, and marriage. Then within the span of one book, from the end of Half-Blood Prince to the second third of Deathly Hallows, we are exposed to Dumledore’s funeral, Bill and Fleur’s wedding, and Teddy Lupins birth. It’s like JKR just crammed it all in there right at the end. 
