I wasn't in fandom during that 3 year period but sometimes I really wish I was! Also, I am glad I wasn't because I'm sure I would have let my shipping desires/headcanon/fanon desires shape my impression of the subsequent books. Now I just appreciate canon for how it was handed to me, but I think there is something about being part of transformative work culture that makes us feel more indignant when things in canon don't unfold the way we would have liked to see them as fans.