http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x6709150So far we've had to have so much faith in Rowling as an author. Some of the tricks she's pulled have been a little wacky.
The ending of virtually every book was sort of blindsiding, but then in later books you can see where she's taken her surprises and made them part of a larger vision. For example, in book 2 I thought the polyjuice potion was a pretty cheesy plot device, but since it's come back in 4 and 6, I've gotten far more used to the idea of the potion and how she's using it to totally mess with us.
Yet another example is how books 1 and 2 seemed at the time to have unconnected plots, but in book 1 Voldemort is seeking immortality, and in book 2, Voldemort is... uh, seeking immortality. It's good times. :D
I just really have to trust that Rowling will complete her vision in a way that ties together all the ideas she's created.