TheDragonMaster wrote:...so, the hero walks away, leaving his two best friends to their little hookup, and is (possibly) never seen again...
This is a very interesting point. Maybe you should start a new topic for this:
Given that Harry survives the final showdown: In what circumstances will he live five years after? Auror in a world without LV? Working for the ministry? And besides the career aspect, which has already been discussed, will he have a family? Visiting friends? Health problems? A normal life?
Actually I think it will be very boring for Harry to live a normal life after his spectacular time at school. This is a problem many people have, who work on exciting projects. Stepping back and becoming just another person among rank and file of the wizarding community would be rather hard for him.
Carsten