NEW THREAD STARTED, WITH SPOILERS. Harry Potter VII [Merged Threads]

[BrerSchultzy]

So, let the wild speculation begin:

We all know that J.K. Rowling has publicly stated that there will be more major characters dying in this book, though she has not revealed which ones, or even how many.

And since we all have to wait another week and a half to find out, I thought we could pass the time by throwing out our theories.

Sound like fun?

Who wants to go first?

[SBETigg]

All my speculation, no spoilers:
My guess is that the connection between Harry and Neville and Voldemort will be made much more of, with the potential of Neville dying a hero's death to save Harry. My other thought is that Snape will die in the process of saving Harry. I can't imagine Dumbledore's faith in Snape going unrewarded. And, finally, there are so many Weasleys-- can all of them possibly make it? Obviously Voldemort needs to die.

I do think that Harry will live. I hope I'm not wrong.

[krose78]

i hope Neville doesn't die he has been my favorite since the beginning, but I do agree that there is more to the harry, neville, voldemort connection. I wouldn't mind if it were Draco or his father.

[Disneyatic]

I agree 100% with everything in Sherri's post! When Neville started gaining confidence in the last book I started thinking that he may be one who dies as the Harry-Neville-Voldemort triangle unfolds. I think that Draco may do the right thing in the end and die in the process....maybe taking his father down with him?
I really hope that Snape will somehow redeem himself, it was a huge shocker when he killed Dumbledore.
I like to think that Harry, Ron and Hermoine will all make it out alive!

I can't wait to ready everyone else's thoughts!!

[pshokie]

All my speculation, no spoilers

Not to be a nit, but how can there be any spoilers? This thing is locked up tighter than a <insert cliche of choice here> :D

But to the point at hand, I do know that there are some "reasonable" conclusions that have been already be drawn on various sites & message boards. Some are downright controversial. I will not post them, or what I think of them until I get a better feel of this thread. But some of them I think are spot on. And some people do not like them one bit.

But to wet the appetite, I have a fairly good idea of what I think will happen to Voldemort. Specifically how he is vanquished. Note: I used the word from the prophesy, not the commonly used word "killed".

Also, I am a believer of the controversial Horcrux theory. For those of you who know what that means, you probably understand why I did not elaborate. For those of you who do not, well, you may be better off not knowing just yet.....

[bleukarma]

I think Snape will turn out good and that he killed Dumbledore for a reason. I think the lake that Dumbledore went into hurt him somehow and Dumbledore got the message to Snape. So Snape killed Dumbledore to not only help Dumbledore but to also look good with the death eaters/Voldemort and get on their side to kind of become a “spy.” Of course I think Harry will live, I think there will be a riot if Harry dies! Hehe I also hope that Ron and Hermione make it. I think they will end up together in the end.

Keith Olbermann thinks it will end like this:
Harry, Ron and Hermione enter a diner. They order Butter Beer and onion rings. Voldemort is sitting at the lunch counter, marking time. Outside, Ron’s sister, Ginny, is having a hard time parallel parking, even though she’s using her wand. And just then the door to the diner opens and Harry Potter looks up and—the last 11 pages of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” are blank.

:rotfl: :laughing: It’s not funny if you don’t follow the Soprano’s, but I thought it was hilarious!!!

[BrerSchultzy]

Yay! I'm glad other people are chiming in. See....this is the fun part for me. Actually reading the book is great, but the anticipation is what has made these books such a huge success.

As for what I think...there's been a though floating around in my head that Neville and Harry were mixed up somehow, and Neville is really the hero child from 17 years ago.

As for who is going to die...I like the idea of Snape or Draco dying a hero's death....but I think Draco may die a villain's death (or maybe a coward's death). OR...and this is my wife's theory...Ron gets killed fairly early (I know, very sad), and Draco confesses his love for Hermione...then, when the time comes, he kills his own father to protect his love.

Oh, and she's convinced that Ginny is done for. She's also convinced that Dumbledore is not really dead, but has sort of "graduated" to another level of being.

As for me, I like to think that the big three make it, but a bunch of the supporting cast will get killed off in the process.

[ncscgirl2005]

Love Sherri's theory. I am very excited (and nervous) about this book. I cried at the end of the last book...no telling how I'll take it this time around if something happens to one of my favorites. I hope Snape does redeem himself though! I think I hated him more than Harry for what he did.

The unfortunate thing is that Book VII releases two weeks before my semester ends and I will have to make a choice between Harry or finishing summer semester. :secret:Hmmm...Harry all the way! :thumbsup:

[LarryBoy]

What do ya'll think of the rumor that Dumbledore is not really dead? I think it's possible, but I don't think Rowling will copy Tolkein and pull a Gandalf.
I think, or hope, that Snape is actually good and dies to save Harry. I also think, after re-reading Half-Blood Prince, that Draco may redeem himself somehow. Perhaps Dumbledore's death was staged to save Malfoy's life, or he wanted Snape to kill him to save Draco.

:blowup: I just can't wait much longer.
July 21: Deathly Hallows
July 23: Leave for WDW

[brewcrew26]

First off, I am so wicked psyched about the next two weeks! I have my midnight movie tickets for tomorrow night. Rolling Stone's Peter Travers has already given the movie rave reviews saying its the best in the series!

Anyways, I agree with many of you that Neville will play a large part in this next book. My biggest theory is about the invisibility cloak and why James gave it to Dumbledore. This may sound crazy -- but I think that the cloak was used to hide someone.

Most importantly, I think that someone is Hermione. I think she's Harry's sister. I know it's a little Star Wars, but I think James and Lily wanted to keep the two separate, so Dumbledore found a pair of Muggle parents for her, and left Harry at the Dursleys.

I also think Snape will play a larger role. I still don't know if he's good or bad. As much as I want to believe Dumbledore, I still have a hunch that Snape was a Dark Lord and working for Voldy.

She also needs to shore up the whole part with Aunt Petunia knowing more about magic than she leads on. Does that mean she's a squib? Dudley has some powers? I don't know what she'll do with that.

Just looking at the cover art with Harry and Voldemort in the coliseum. I wonder what that is -- beyond the veil, perhaps?

So many questions yet to be answered... but SOOOOO excited!!!

[SBETigg]

Not to be a nit, but how can there be any spoilers? This thing is locked up tighter than a <insert cliche of choice here> :D
...

Hey, no kidding, but I'm covering my bases. I've seen too many people get all hot over potential spoilers on other threads, sometimes for good reason. Just clarifying that it's all fun guesswork.



This may sound crazy -- but I think that the cloak was used to hide someone. Most importantly, I think that someone is Hermione. I think she's Harry's sister. I know it's a little Star Wars, but I think James and Lily wanted to keep the two separate, so Dumbledore found a pair of Muggle parents for her, and left Harry at the Dursleys.

That's a wild theory! I love it. It could be a little too Star Wars, though, yes. Please don't say that Voldemort is really Harry and Hermione's father, too. (I laugh, but ooh, it could work out!)

[jillluvsdisney]

I loved reading everyone's ideas.

I had the most horrible thought a few days ago.
I had just finished re-reading Half Blood Prince to prep myself. There is no way the ending of Deathly Hallows is going to stay a secret. It will be all over every news medium you can think of. I'm bummed out that I may know the ending before I have a chance to finish the book.

[Disneyatic]

I love the idea that Dumbledore may not really be "dead", that he may have gone to a higher plane (sp?) or maybe like some of the other Hogwarts ghosts that have unfinished business and have remained in the castle, Dumbledore can be in the school still in some way.
What about the paintings of past headmasters?? Could Dumbledore help Harry on the horcrux quest somehow through his painting??

The idea of Harry having a relative that was hidden is intriguing and Hermoine would fit the bill for that...but I don't know....

I need to go back and re-read Half Blood Prince, I am going to start tonight!

[conorsmom2000]

What do ya'll think of the rumor that Dumbledore is not really dead? I think it's possible, but I don't think Rowling will copy Tolkein and pull a Gandalf.


Okay, I don't want to be the bad guy here - but this is a direct quote from JKR at the Harry, Carrie and Garp fund raiser at Radio City Music Hall - first she said "Umm, I really can't answer that question because the answer is in book seven but, you shouldn't expect Dumbledore to do a Gandalf. Let me just put it that way. I'm sorry."

Then, when Salman Rushdie asked a question, her answer was "Well, Salman, your opinion, I would say is, right. But I see that I need to be a little more explicit and say that Dumbledore is definitely dead."

Sorry! :( But, I think he's definitely dead, as much as I don't want him to be. I literally just put down HBP now, at the part where Dumbledore died, because even though it's the 3rd or 4th time I'm reading it, it still makes me cry.

But, having just re-read all the books, I admit I'm really nervous about Book 7. JKR killed off Sirius and Dumbledore, even though she knew fans would be devastated - she doesn't stray from her original plan at all, no matter how hard it will be on the fans. And, she already said last year that there would be a lot of death, including two characters whom she originally planned would live, end up dying.

This next part I'm going to white out - it's not really a spoiler but just in case people don't want to know anything at all about the next book, don't highlight this....

For anyone who didn't know, she did an interview on BBC last Friday night and two things she said really stuck out - one was that she sobbed uncontrollably when she finished the 3rd to last chapter, and at first jokingly referred to the book as a "blood bath" but then did say there was a lot of death. So, that has made me especially concerned that one or more of the trio doesn't make it. I think I'm suddenly not in as big a rush to read it!

I belive it was Keith Olbermann who also had another theory that ended with Harry surviving, but in destroying Lord Voldemort, he had to give up his magical ability - I thought that was interesting! And definitely the kind of sacrifice that I can see Harry doing.

But, I do agree with others that have said that Neville will play a bigger role in this last book.

Ack! I'm so nervous, yet I can't wait!

[conorsmom2000]

What about the paintings of past headmasters?? Could Dumbledore help Harry on the horcrux quest somehow through his painting??


I've wondered about that too, but I've also wondered how much of the story will really take place at Hogwarts, where his painting would be? The end of HBP doesn't make it sound like the trio will be back....

I also wonder about the mirror that Sirius gave Harry. JKR said it would return in book 7 and I wonder how.... :confused:

[MsMin]

Don't forget that in Chapter 29 it says that:
"And a new portrait had joined the ranks of the dead headmasters and headmistresses of Hogwarts: Dumbledore was slumbering in a golden frame over the desk, his half-moon spectacles perched upon his crooked nose, looking peaceful and untroubled. ....." Pg 626 if anyone wants to check. I'm sure Dumbledore is dead and will remain in contact w/ others at the school through the portrait.
My biggest concern JKR's selection of names Remus- the werewolf, what about some of the other names. WHY is Weasely so close to Weasle? Is there a traitor in the family?? What if Harry needs his help and he "weasels out" and is killed ?? What about Draco, he was looking very pale and grey in the last book is there a connection w/ the name Dracula? Just curious.

I wonder about why Olivander disappeared. You know the connection btwn Harry and Voldy's wand... Does he want another more powerful wand?
I hope Harry lives b/c I want to see good triumph over evil. I wouldn't be surprised if one of the three die and I can see Neville dying- it would make his grandmother proud.
I do think that Snape was acting in his own behalf b/c of the unbreakable vow but do believe he will try to redeem himself and die trying.
The prophecy does say the Dark Lord will "mark" him as his equal. and he shall have power the Dark Lord knows not. I think this power is still relates to the love and the counter curse his mother placed will still have a role.
I have to go read some more...... I am going tomorrow at midnight!

[pshokie]

conorsmom2000: That BBC interview was a RIOT!!!! Cast Bob Hoskins as Prof Slughorn today!!!!!! And I have no idea who the host is (Jonathan Ross), but he was hilarious! :funny:

And yes, sorry to say, but she has said it on more than one occasion (not just the
Harry, Carrie and Garp fund raiser, but also the Edinborough (sp?) Book Festival) that Dumbledore is in fact dead. And paraphrasing her, you cannot come back from the dead. It is one of the limitations she put on the "potterverse" as it were.

As for deaths, and I will white this out as well, on the BBC interview she says [highlight to read]:
that people incorrectly interpreted her statement that "two who were not originally suppossed to die now do, but one who was supposed to die got a reprieve (paraphrasing)". Most thought that it meant that only 2 people will die. Ohhhhh no. There will be more than two deaths "We are talking about the ultimate evil here, and they do not go for minor characters. Well atleast I don't"

And yes, she jokingly (or mybe not) used the word "bloodbath" in the interview.

This cannot be good.

BTW, I am still looking for someone (other than myself) to break the seal on Horcruxes. Of the 4 that remain, I think I know more or less the exact location of 3. Can't help myself,I love the theories......:cool:

Any takers??????

[cetacean01]

I think that all three leads will survive. Neville will avenge his parents against Bellatrix. Snape will die, Hagrid will die. McGonagall remains headmistress.

Harry and Voldemort will face off(obviously). Harry wins.

I think that there is more to Aunt Petunia than meets the eye. I think that will be revealed, I also think that her soft side will come through.

Umbridge is a death eater spy I think.

Malfoys will get their comeuppance (all of them).

[pshokie]

Oh, and one more thing......Just wanted to add this to the discussion to give folks something to think about, and since it is all in the text I do not feel the need to use spoiler-font.

Halloween night at Godrics Hollow all those years ago.....
Voldemort shows up to the Potters.
He kills James.
He tells Lilly to step aside (3 times).
She refuses.
He kills her.
He tries to kill Harry.

The curse rebounds and kills/destroys Voldemort and the entire house. And leaves Harry with only a scar.

So here is the thought provoking question...
If Voldemort was turned into Vapormort (I love that cliche), James is dead, Lilly is dead, and Harry is just a baby........

How does everyone in the wizarding world find out what happened in less than 24 hours (when Harry is left upon the doorstep)??????

Hmmmmm......


I have a thought!!!! Pick me!! Pick me!!!! :joy:

[conorsmom2000]

conorsmom2000: That BBC interview was a RIOT!!!! Cast Bob Hoskins as Prof Slughorn today!!!!!! And I have no idea who the host is (Jonathan Ross), but he was hilarious! :funny:

......
This cannot be good.

The interview was a riot - that host was great!

Thanks for posting the exact text....I had only watched the interview, so I didn't know the exact words she used. But, I was so glad that she's said this because it's been driving me nuts - so many people, even news organizations, have said "two will die" and I've been constantly saying (and, not to be too much of an HP geek, but even emailing the news people) that it wasn't what she said - that it was ....well, what you posted....I won't type it out again to save on people having to highlight! :D



So here is the thought provoking question...
If Voldemort was turned into Vapormort (I love that cliche), James is dead, Lilly is dead, and Harry is just a baby........

How does everyone in the wizarding world find out what happened in less than 24 hours (when Harry is left upon the doorstep)??????

Hmmmmm......


I have a thought!!!! Pick me!! Pick me!!!! :joy:

Well, I definitely pick you !! go for it! :D

I've never heard "Vapormort" before - that's hysterical! :thumbsup:

My easy guess, though, without putting too much thought into it, is the dark mark.....?? :confused:

[pshokie]

Well, I will give this one....and I think I will not highlight. Just this once. Cause while it could be considered a spoiler, it is merely a theory (that I stole :secret:) but really really like.

There had to be someone else there that night. No other way for the news to get out. And JKR has confirmed this via a non-denial denial....



JKR: Go on, hit me with it.

MuggleNet (Last Question): Was there anyone else present in Godric's Hollow the night Harry's parents were killed?

JKR: No comment.

The Potters were in hiding under the Fidelius Charm (who's the potter geek now!!! :blush: ). So no one could know where they were unless they were told by Wormtail (secret keeper). I am not going into the in&outs of who Wormtail would tell the secret to or why (rationale is too long - but in short he wrote it down and it was intercepted - ala Dumbledore and the #12 Grimauld Place note for Harry), but suffice to say atleast one of two people saw the note.

The first....bum-bum-baaaaaahhhhh: Snape.
Good/Evil, you pick. But it was not him. I can feel it in my bones (plus I think she actualy squashed that rumor - don't know why....)

The second......Frank Longbottom.

Wha??????????

Yep, you read that right. He was there. Not sure when he arrived, or what went down, but he was there.

How do I know? Again, the books.

What were Belatrix LeStrange, Rudolphus LeStrange and Barty Crouch Jr sent to Azkaban for?
The torture of the Longbottoms via the Cruciatus Curse.

Why?
Becuase these specific Death Eaters believed that Fank Longbottom was in possesion of information regarding the current where abouts of the Dark Lord. Check it out....Goblet of Fire, the chapter where Barty Jr is on trial (don't recall the chapter #).

Now, why would 3 Death Eaters think Frank Longbottom would know where Voldemort is or what happened to him???? Hmmmm....

And is just a coincidence that you happen to know exactly where Frank Logbottom is currently residing? St. Mungos.....hmmmmmm....

And do you think it is coincidence tha Dumbledore has already shown that it is possible to extract a memory from an "addled" mind, as he did with Morphin and Hokey in HBP? Hmmmmm......

[Disneyatic]

Very interesting and thought out theories Pshokie....
I am wondering, do you think that Frank Longbottom was there/involved for good or evil purposes??
Having him be there that night would add some twists and turns to the connection between Harry, Neville and Voldemort!

I would love to hear more on your horcrux theories....

[pshokie]

If I had to make a stab at it.....I would have to say he was there for "good" reasons. Probably to offer protection to the Potters should their location be divuldged. Last line of defense kinda thing. But for some reason, and this is where it gets foggy for me, he was unable to stop what happened, yet was able to see what happened.

That's where I show that I am not the writer of these books and have no idea what I am talking about! :blush:

I cannot figure out in my brain what went down or how it went down, but I believe Frank Longbottom was there. Simply because someone would have to be. And it would have to be someone who wanted to share the news with others. I cannot see any Death Eater going out and saying "Hey guess what? My boss is dead!!"

So I like the idea of Frank being there, I just cannot explain what happened...inside the house.

But I do like one theory about what happened inside the house....but that is another post.

As for Horcruxes....I will give credit where it is due. There are a lot of much more "enlightened" potter-freaks than I, and I merely agree/disagree with some of their findings/opinions. Some things I came to on my own (like the fact that the prophecy talks about 3 people not 2. And the third it refers to Snape, not Neville). Others, well, I had to be hit upside the head with the stupid stick befoire I said "duh".

And for that one, another quote:
MA = Melissa Anelli, The Leaky Cauldron
ES = Emerson Spartz, MuggleNet


MA: Here at the end you sort of get the feeling that we know what Harry's setting out to do, but can this really be the entire throughline of the rest of the story?

JKR: It's not all of it. Obviously it's not all of it, but still, that is the way to kill Voldemort. That's not to say it won't be extremely an torturous and winding journey, but that's what he's got to do. Harry now knows - well he believe he knows - what he's facing. Dumbledore's guesses are never very far wide of the mark. I don't want to give too much away here, but Dumbledore says, "There are four out there, you've got to get rid of four, and then you go for Voldemort." So that's where he is, and that's what he's got to do.

ES: It's a tall order.

JKR: It's a huge order. But Dumbledore has given him some pretty valuable clues and Harry, also, in the course of previous six books has amassed more knowledge than he realizes. That's all I am going to say.

ES: It seems like it would be impossible. If Harry had gone to the cave, he never could have done it on his own, it seems like.

JKR: Well, I'm prepared to bet you now, that at least before the week is out, at least one of the Horcruxes will have been correctly identified by careful re-readers of the books.

I feel like should offer homework....

This interview was done merely hours after the release of HBP. But I will leave time for those to speculate and guess. But I will post my answer tomorrow afternoon.

But to help, here is a hint....
It is "popular boards belief" (for lack of a better term) that this is in direct reference to the R.A.B. note & horcrux.......

And that is just one. Remeber she said "at least one".... :D

[Jasper]

Oh, and she's convinced that Ginny is done for. She's also convinced that Dumbledore is not really dead, but has sort of "graduated" to another level of being.
.

I do think you are correct about this. Since other charecters in paintings have taken bit roles in prior books and since they did mention that he was now appearing in a painting at the end of the last book, there is no reason Dumbledore can't at least be an advisor if not something more.

[Jasper]

I am just wondering if anyone knows how many pages Deathly Hallows is suppose to run?

I ask that question because after writing six prior episodes JKR has created so many different pieces to this story that I can't imagine giving a truly good wrap-up to so many different story lines in any short number of pages.

[bleukarma]

784 pages in the US edition. :thumbsup:

[Toughbug]

I have no ideas but ya'll should read MuggleNet.com's What Will Happen in Harry Potter 7. It has good ideas, and it a couple hundred pages and with the ammount of days left, you should have enough time to buy it, and read it.

Good Theories Ya'll

[brewcrew26]

One of my former co-workers, also a potter-phile, gave me this theory:

JKR introduced a horcrux in each one of the books in the series. Here are my guesses to this theory:

Sorcerer's Stone: ?
Chamber of Secrets: Riddle's diary
Prisoner of Azkaban: Peter Pettigrew?
Goblet of Fire: Nangini
Order of the Phoenix: the locket with RAB
Half-Blood Prince: Gaunt's ring (destroyed by Dumbledore), Hufflepuff cup that Tom Riddle stole from Hepzibah Smith, and the tiara that Mrs. Weasley gives to Fleur for the wedding (could be a relic from Gryffindor or Ravenclaw?

Any thoughts on this theory and what the horcruxes could be in each book?

[pshokie]

I am just wondering if anyone knows how many pages Deathly Hallows is suppose to run?

I ask that question because after writing six prior episodes JKR has created so many different pieces to this story that I can't imagine giving a truly good wrap-up to so many different story lines in any short number of pages.

At this point I should explain: The founders for the two "premier" sites for Harry Potter (that were mysteriously referenced earlier, and maybe again later on inthis post ;)) had the opportunity to sit down with JKR just after HBP was released. She sat down with these two because she was "tired of the same old quesions". She wanted to be grilled by knowledgable people, even if her answer was "no comment". It would prove to her fans that she was infact asked certain questions that no reporter seemed to ask. (Most get stuck on "Will Harry end up with Hermione?" or some other drivel like that....) Anyway, this is the interview I keep quoting. And before long, I am going to post this whole interview piece by piece.....:D

So for the quote....


ES: If you had the opportunity to rewrite any part of the series so far, what would it be and why?

JKR: There are bits of all six books that I would go back and tighten up. My feeling is that Phoenix is overlong, but I challenge anyone to find the obvious place to cut. There are places that I would prune now looking back, but they wouldn't add up to a hugely reduced book, because my feeling is you need what's in there. You need what's in there if I'm going to play fair for the reader in the resolution in Book 7. One of the reasons Phoenix is so long is that I had to move Harry around a lot, physically. There were places he had to go he had never been before, and that took time - to get him there, to get him away. That was the longest non-Hogwarts stretch in any of the books, and that's really what bumps up the length. I'm trying to think of specifics, it's hard.

Back to me. My take on this: All of the books have all of the information that we need to find and destroy the Horcruxes. And as I stated earlier, I think the location of 3 has already been revealed. The fourth....I am waffling on. But I would bet a cool :twocents: that what I think are "the 3" are correct. But I am not JKR so I can, and probably will, be very very wrong. There is only one place left to go (where we have not gone) and that is Godric's Hollow. But it was talked about enough, that it will not seem like she is "pulling this out of a hat" just to finish the story.

Which leads to this...


One of my former co-workers, also a potter-phile, gave me this theory:

JKR introduced a horcrux in each one of the books in the series. Here are my guesses to this theory:

Sorcerer's Stone: ?
Chamber of Secrets: Riddle's diary
Prisoner of Azkaban: Peter Pettigrew?
Goblet of Fire: Nangini
Order of the Phoenix: the locket with RAB
Half-Blood Prince: Gaunt's ring (destroyed by Dumbledore), Hufflepuff cup that Tom Riddle stole from Hepzibah Smith, and the tiara that Mrs. Weasley gives to Fleur for the wedding (could be a relic from Gryffindor or Ravenclaw?

Any thoughts on this theory and what the horcruxes could be in each book?

I've seen this kicked around a lot as well. Granted, different horcruxes have been assigned to differnet books by just about everyone. But I still hold to the fact that all of our Horcruxes has been "seen" just not "noticed". So yes, I belive there is a degree of validity to your theory.


I have no ideas but ya'll should read MuggleNet.com's What Will Happen in Harry Potter 7. It has good ideas, and it a couple hundred pages and with the ammount of days left, you should have enough time to buy it, and read it.

What was that website?? *cough* *cough*

Anyhoo, I will post what I think the Horcruxes are and their locations before the end of next week (maybe sooner) in spoiler-font. Just so I can ridiculed when I am completely and utterly wrong. :D But if Toughbug has read the aforementioned book, he already knows the "controversial" one.

[conorsmom2000]

I have no ideas but ya'll should read MuggleNet.com's What Will Happen in Harry Potter 7.

I'm so glad you mentioned this book!! Believe it or not, I bought it a few months ago and totally forgot about it! :blush: I wanted to wait until I re-read the series before I picked it up, and then it totally slipped my mind! Thanks to your post, I started flipping through it tonight. :thumbsup:


Anyway, this is the interview I keep quoting. And before long, I am going to post this whole interview piece by piece.....:D

That's okay - it was an awesome interview! They asked some brilliant questions!




Anyhoo, I will post what I think the Horcruxes are and their locations before the end of next week (maybe sooner) in spoiler-font.

You know, I've always been thinking about what the horcruxes are that I hadn't put much thought into where they are - the locket, I believe we all know where it is (and presumably who R.A.B. was).... As for the others, well, I know the controversial theory you are speaking about and honestly, I'm not sure where I stand on that issue...hmmmm....but thinking about it more, it does make me wonder if JKR has ever answered certain questions about Godric Gryffindor....


But for some reason, and this is where it gets foggy for me, he was unable to stop what happened, yet was able to see what happened.

You mean kind of like how Harry was unable to stop what happened to Dumbledore, yet he was able to see what happened?? :D I'm not saying it's the same thing, I'm just saying that it's possible....or something similar along those lines happened...

[TiggeRia]

These are some fascinating theories that I had never thought of before! Great reading...

Anyway, just my :twocents:. I believe that Harry, Ron, and Hermione will make it through to the end. One of the reasons that I think Harry will make it through is because I recall reading somewhere (not sure where) that the last word of the last chapter is the word scar. Now I know this doesn't necessarily mean that Harry will be alive, but for some reason, I just don't think she will kill him off.

Neville, on the other hand, is someone that I had not thought of before. After reading some posts about him, I definitely agree that the tie between him, Harry, and Voldemort will become more apparent and that he is definitely on the chopping block.

Snape, I believe, will redeem himself. I think he was just acting on Dumbledore's orders when he killed him, and that he will give his life to save Harry's in the end. Draco, I'm not so sure about...

I'm pretty sure that one of the Weasley's will go, there are just far too many of them to make it through. But will Percy return to the good side? Hagrid, I'm afraid might not make it, either.

As for the Horcruxes...I have several theories on what I think they are. Everyone pretty much knows about the locket and that RAB most likely refers to Regulus. However, I came across this in reading one day. What do you think?

Remember Dumbledore’s words to Harry, as the two of them successfully returned from their journey through Voldemort’s lake in the cave: “One alone could not have done it…” (577).

So “R.A.B.” might be the initials for a team of three wizards who took the Horcrux locket. Yet the enchanted boat which is necessary to cross from the shore to the island can detect magic, and will only allow a single adult wizard passenger. The boat does not prevent Harry from riding with Dumbledore because Harry is still underage, and thus his powers apparently do not “register” with the boat’s passenger detectors. (564). If so, it would seem impossible that three adult wizards could have ridden the boat. Were at least two of the “R.A.B” trio underage? Or did they just bring brooms so they could fly?

Moreover, whoever took the Horcrux would have needed to first empty the basin by drinking all its potion. So how did the basin get refilled with potion by the time Harry and Dumbledore arrived?

It goes on to try and say that Snape is RAB, which I don't agree with, but it does raise some good points. There had to have been two people to retrieve that locket and at least one of them had to be underage. The boat would not carry two wizards that were of age. I have no ideas as to who else might be involved with this, but I just thought I'd toss it out there.

[conorsmom2000]

because I recall reading somewhere (not sure where) that the last word of the last chapter is the word scar.

Actually, "scar" isn't the last word anymore. JKR said in that interview on Friday night that it had been for so long, but now it's not - it's close to the last word, but not the last word.



So “R.A.B.” might be the initials for a team of three wizards who took the Horcrux locket.


Hmmmm.....that's interesting! I've always been in the camp that believed R.A.B. to be Regulus Black, and I still am based on the fact that the note refers to "I"....the fact that it says "I found it, I destroyed it, I will be dead...." But, it didn't occur to me until last night, while reading the Mugglenet book, that it could not have been done alone. They suggest Kreacher, which is another interesting theory.....

[pshokie]

Hmmmm.....that's interesting! I've always been in the camp that believed R.A.B. to be Regulus Black, and I still am based on the fact that the note refers to "I"....the fact that it says "I found it, I destroyed it, I will be dead...." But, it didn't occur to me until last night, while reading the Mugglenet book, that it could not have been done alone. They suggest Kreacher, which is another interesting theory.....

Reading the Mugglenet book is about as close to a spioiler as you are gonna get, IMO. And thanks for getting the cryptic "controversial" item I was trying to sidestep. I was hoping to be both as vague and as specific as I could be at the same time. Glad to see see someone understood what I was trying to/not to say. :thumbsup:

As for RAB..Well since the seal is broken.....:D
I'll post in white, just in case. Because I do consider this to be a spoiler [highlight to read]:

HBP, as well as all the other books, have to be translated into other languages. And there are times when words, names, spells, or phrases get lost in translation. Well, R.A.B. is one of them. During translation, it is rumored that JKR and her publishers were repeatedly asked what R.A.B. should be translated to. Well, everyone got their answer. Example, in spanish, it is R.A.N. why "N"? Because "negro" is "black" in spanish. This holds true for all translations. Portugese, Italian, German. etc. The last letter "B" was changed to the first letter of the lingual translation for black. So without official confirmation, that is about as close as you can get to saying R.A.B. is definitely Regulas A Black.

And that would be why I am in the R.A.B. = Regulas A Black camp. :thumbsup:


Originally Posted by TiggeRia
As for the Horcruxes...I have several theories on what I think they are. Everyone pretty much knows about the locket and that RAB most likely refers to Regulus. However, I came across this in reading one day. What do you think?

Remember Dumbledore’s words to Harry, as the two of them successfully returned from their journey through Voldemort’s lake in the cave: “One alone could not have done it…” (577).


conorsmom2000 already touched on the Kreacher aspect. I think there is something to add even more credability to that but I have to go find it (back to mugglenet!:secret:). But I do subscribe to one thing, if R.A.B. is Regulas (which I believe) and he somehow managed to obtain the locket (which by the note shows he did). Then what did he do with it? Destroy it? Keep it? Hide it? From a story telling standpoint, Harry must confirm that at a minimum it has been destroyed; which means he must find it. And if it is not destroyed, well, he has to find it then also. So either way he has to find it. So where would it be????????

For the record, I do believe that JKR put a specifc series of events in the books to show that Harry has had the locket in the palm of his hand at one point during this series. As has Ron & Hermione. And that is as far as I will take that until this after noon (when the aforementioned homework is due! :D )

I think she did this in the fashion that she has done most of her "hints". She puts it in plain sight, but since you do not know what to look for, you do not see it. You gloss right over it. But upon re-reading....AHA! THERE IT IS!!!!!

For example, Sirius is first mentioned in the first chapter of SS/PS. The infamous prophecy that we heard about in OOTP (check a local theater for show times!) was actually referenced for th first time way back in POA. If I had the books with me I would quote the examples but I do not. But the point is, she has used this before, and you only see it when you re-read. Or another one....The vanishing cabinets that Draco repairs and uses in HBP...did you know that the cabinet was orignially broken by Peeves when Nearly Headless Nick had Peeves drop it on Filches office in order to allow Harry to "escape" being punished by Filch? (This is when Harry found the Kwickspell flyer on Filches desk.) Pretty cool, eh???

So snap to it! You anly have 9 days 14 hours 48minutes and 50 seconds to re-read the lot! :thumbsup:

[ncscgirl2005]

Oh, and one more thing......Just wanted to add this to the discussion to give folks something to think about, and since it is all in the text I do not feel the need to use spoiler-font.

Halloween night at Godrics Hollow all those years ago.....
Voldemort shows up to the Potters.
He kills James.
He tells Lilly to step aside (3 times).
She refuses.
He kills her.
He tries to kill Harry.

The curse rebounds and kills/destroys Voldemort and the entire house. And leaves Harry with only a scar.

So here is the thought provoking question...
If Voldemort was turned into Vapormort (I love that cliche), James is dead, Lilly is dead, and Harry is just a baby........

How does everyone in the wizarding world find out what happened in less than 24 hours (when Harry is left upon the doorstep)??????

Hmmmmm......


I have a thought!!!! Pick me!! Pick me!!!! :joy:

:mad: Uggghhh....I pick you too. Hurry up and tell us!!!!!!! I'm anxious here.

[Disneyatic]

I have to admit that although I thought I was pretty HP savvy, after reading some of the other great conjectures I obviously have not done as much re-reading and research as I thought :blush:
I am VERY curious to know what the "controversial" horcrux could be?
Could the thinking be that Harry is somehow linked to it and therefore has to die in order for Voldemort to die???

[conorsmom2000]

And that would be why I am in the R.A.B. = Regulas A Black camp. :thumbsup:

That was some really great info in your spoiler - I had never heard that before!! But, that definitely confirms what I already thought - that R.A.B. is Regulus! :thumbsup:


if R.A.B. is Regulas (which I believe) and he somehow managed to obtain the locket (which by the note shows he did). Then what did he do with it? Destroy it? Keep it? Hide it?

I'm going to jump in and answer this one! (though, I think you know the answer already!!) I'm under the assumption, as are many, I believe, that the locket is the one referred to in OoTP when they are decontaminating the house - "also a heavy locket that none of them could open" (OoTP pg 116). But, you know for sure that Sirius threw away the medal that was mentioned right after the locket - so what did happen to the locket? If it went back into the cabinet, it's Harry's now, at what is now his house. But, was it thrown out? Did Kreacher make off with it (who may possibly know what it represents, if he was with RAB?) Or is JKR just throwing out a red herring for us? :D



I think she did this in the fashion that she has done most of her "hints". She puts it in plain sight, but since you do not know what to look for, you do not see it. You gloss right over it. But upon re-reading....AHA! THERE IT IS!!!!!

That is her clever style of writing, isn't it? :D The one that really surprised me was Mrs. Figg - here was this batty cat lady briefly mentioned in Book 1, who turns out to be a squib monitoring Harry in Book 5! That was totally unexpected!! (for me, at least!)

[MsMin]

I think that it's the "red herring" So much of her foreshadowing is in the earlier books and this info is all in that book (R.A.B. and the locket in the house on Grimwald). Look at her pattern w/ Mrs. Figg mentioned so early and remember that Hagrid did borrow the flying motorcycle from Sirius when he delivered Harry to the Dursley's.
The flaw w/ the idea that R.A.B. was at Godric's Hollow on the night of the Potter's murder is that his death is listed as 1980 and they were killed in Oct. 1981 so according to Lexicon and others who list his approximate date of death as 1980 and others @ 1979 it suggests he died before the murders and therefore could not have been at the scene.
I think it could have been the Longbottoms. Remember that they were tortured after Voldey's disappearance b/c the death eaters suspected they knew where Voldemort was; therefore they could have been there.

[conorsmom2000]

The flaw w/ the idea that R.A.B. was at Godric's Hollow on the night of the Potter's murder is that his death is listed as 1980 and they were killed in Oct. 1981 so according to Lexicon and others who list his approximate date of death as 1980 and others @ 1979 it suggests he died before the murders and therefore could not have been at the scene.
I think it could have been the Longbottoms. Remember that they were tortured after Voldey's disappearance b/c the death eaters suspected they knew where Voldemort was; therefore they could have been there.

Sorry! I think we are all jumping around with our ideas and it's getting confused - we are talking about R.A.B. regarding the horacrux/locket - that he is the one who stole the real locket - not that he was at Godric's Hollow that night. I agree that it definitely could have been Frank Longbottom there that night.

[pshokie]

:mad: Uggghhh....I pick you too. Hurry up and tell us!!!!!!! I'm anxious here.


I have to admit that although I thought I was pretty HP savvy, after reading some of the other great conjectures I obviously have not done as much re-reading and research as I thought :blush:
I am VERY curious to know what the "controversial" horcrux could be?
Could the thinking be that Harry is somehow linked to it and therefore has to die in order for Voldemort to die???

I feel very awkward about posting so much of what I think.
1) Because it gets to become a bit "bossy", and I want this to a friendly discussion, and I want you to like me :blush: (hey we all need friends).
- and -
2) I do not want to ruin the last book. I am not privy to an inside information. No one is. All I am is a junkie. I have been reading all of the theories, opinions and editorials I can since before OOTP came out. Having sifted through a lot of drivel, I have just collected (or stolen) ideas that I feel "fit the puzzle". But in doing that , I feel some in fact do "solve the puzzle". So I am sorry if this sounds coy, but I don't want to just blurt something out and ruin it for everyone. So for now "controversial" will just stay that way. But I promise, before next Friday (maybe sooner) I willpost it, just so I can be mocked when I am wrong! :)

So back to the hunt.....


I'm going to jump in and answer this one! (though, I think you know the answer already!!) I'm under the assumption, as are many, I believe, that the locket is the one referred to in OoTP when they are decontaminating the house - "also a heavy locket that none of them could open" (OoTP pg 116). But, you know for sure that Sirius threw away the medal that was mentioned right after the locket - so what did happen to the locket? If it went back into the cabinet, it's Harry's now, at what is now his house. But, was it thrown out? Did Kreacher make off with it (who may possibly know what it represents, if he was with RAB?) Or is JKR just throwing out a red herring for us? :D


:woohoo: Gold star for conorsmom2000! :thumbsup: As far as I am concerned, you are as much of a potter-geek as I am.

But to add to the confusion about where it is...It could be out with the trash. It could still be at #12 Grimauld Place. Kreacher could have nicked it and placed it in his "stash". Mundungus could have nicked it. Remember Alberforth Dumbledore (the Hogs Had Bar Man & Albus' brother) was confronting Mundungus when Harry saw Mundungus drop a bag of nicked goodies from Grimauld place. So either Mundungus could have it, or Alberforth can...... yikes!

So to recap my standing:
Dumbledore - Dead.
RAB - Regulas A Black
Slytherin's Locket - was at #12 Grimauld Place
Frank Longbottom was at Godric's Hollow

I think that is all I have posted. :scratch:
More to come....more to come.....

EDIT: I almost forgot I mentioned that whole prophecy thing....can't let me forget that. Remember, the key word is vanquish!

[MsMin]

So to recap my standing:
Dumbledore - Dead.
RAB - Regulas A Black
Slytherin's Locket at #12 Grimauld Place
Frank Longbottom was at Godric's Hollow


I will agree with that but my question is there is so much more. What about the other Horcrux, other characters? She usually twists things and throws in extra stuff so there is more to uncover or think about.
What went on when Hagrid borrowed the motorcycle when he delivered Harry? Do you think Sirius was there too? Remember he might not have thought that Sirius betrayed them - yet.
Percy bothers me too. I don't want to say too much b/c I went to see the movie last night and something just jumped out and made me think.... Why is JKR making a big deal of Percy's alienation from the family and his drive to get ahead? I haven't seen JKR use anything that hasn't come back, right down to simple spells or ppl who just seem to pop back up from the bezoar in book 1 and 6 to the Opal necklace and the cabinet in book 2, 5 and 6, the list is endless but they are all coming back w/ a role.
Do you think that Godric's Hollow was a wizard community? and there were several there? maybe several from the order?

[mouseaddict]

I think I share alot of your theories...and I wanted to add 2 things that I have read recently. Please forgive me if I am repeating something already said.
1 Kreacher was suppsed to be cut from OOTP the movie..but Rowling told the producers that they should really leave him in..because he would become imporatant later on....
2 Helena Bonham Carter said that she received a note from Rowling before she took the role of Bellatrix stating that even though the part was small in this movie it would be huge in number 7....
Part of me wants to believe that Dumbledore is alive if only because of the way his death is described..he was thrown over the tower...all previous A.K. deaths were sudden and quick..grrrrr
BRING ON JULY 21!!!!

[conorsmom2000]

I feel very awkward about posting so much of what I think.
1) Because it gets to become a bit "bossy", and I want this to a friendly discussion, and I want you to like me :blush: (hey we all need friends).

Don't be silly! You've obviously done your homework with your theories so it's not bossy - and how could we not like a fellow HP & Disney fan? :thumbsup:


:woohoo: Gold star for conorsmom2000! :thumbsup: As far as I am concerned, you are as much of a potter-geek as I am.

:blush: Woo hoo! I got a gold star! :D




What went on when Hagrid borrowed the motorcycle when he delivered Harry? Do you think Sirius was there too? Remember he might not have thought that Sirius betrayed them - yet.
Percy bothers me too. I don't want to say too much b/c I went to see the movie last night and something just jumped out and made me think.... Why is JKR making a big deal of Percy's alienation from the family and his drive to get ahead? I haven't seen JKR use anything that hasn't come back, right down to simple spells or ppl who just seem to pop back up from the bezoar in book 1 and 6 to the Opal necklace and the cabinet in book 2, 5 and 6, the list is endless but they are all coming back w/ a role.
Do you think that Godric's Hollow was a wizard community? and there were several there? maybe several from the order?

Lots of good questions! I wonder about Percy too - and I do believe Godric's Hollow was a wizarding community.. I do love how those things that seem insignificant turn out to be clues we didn't notice. Though, there are some things that JKR does throw in just to mislead us, though not often. Mark Evans is the first one that comes to mind - all the fansites were convinced that he was related to Lily, though JKR squashed that theory.



Part of me wants to believe that Dumbledore is alive if only because of the way his death is described..he was thrown over the tower...all previous A.K. deaths were sudden and quick..grrrrr
BRING ON JULY 21!!!!

Even though I am one of those that firmly believe Dumbledore is dead, I can't help wondering about the way he died too - it was not how the AK is normally portrayed. Hopefully this is one of the many things explained in book 7!

I also wanted to say that I am a pretty firm believer that Snape is evil. Dumbledore himself says that being that he is more clever than most wizards, his mistakes tend to be bigger - and I can't help but feel that trusting Snape was a huge mistake. There are a few things that make me sit slightly on the fence on this issue, though - one of them being that he gave Snape the DADA's position - he knew at that time that Snape would only be in the position for a year and then he would be gone - so, I do feel they had some sort of plan, but I still think Snape was on LV's side as well. I find it hard to go along with those who took Dumbledore's pleading as he was begging him to keep their deal and kill DD - when you read the line with DD pleading and the hatred on Snapes face, I just can't buy it.... If Snape turns out to be good, or to redeem himself, then JKR is beyond brilliant because she has written his character so well!

[pshokie]

WARNING! WARNING!
DANGER WILL ROBINSON!!!
Sorry, I wanted to get eveyone's attention. As of this morning I re-read this whole thread. With all due respect to the mods, I have taken it upon myself to add this little warning in order to protect those who wish to remain "unspoiled".


If you do not want to read speculation (and that is all it is, speculation) that may or may not ruin your surprise when you read Deathly Hallows, stop reading this thread right now!

My apologies for being so blunt, but I have seen a few true "facts" mentioned at this point (such as JKR quotes, some of which I posted), which can lead to and support speculation. And by facts, I mean real, hard, honest-to-goodness facts. So I wanted to make sure everyone understands this thread as of now, for lack of a better term, is a SPOILER THREAD.

For those of you who continue to read, you have been warned.....

One last note:
For those of us who love the theories, let us all agree that there are those who wish to remain un-spoiled. As such, please use caution when posting, not just here, but anywhere on the net. And I deeply encourage all of us to take the "pledge" that has been circled around the internet to not post any details of the Deathly Hallows until 10 days after its release. Some sites are requesting 3/4 days, but those are the HP sites. Since this thread has no real HP-monitor, I will request that everyone refrain from posting until August 1. A long time, yes. But that will give everyone at least 2 whole weekends to finish this final chapter in this series.

Thank you for you time and attention.

Patrick

[pshokie]

I will agree with that but my question is there is so much more. What about the other Horcrux, other characters? .....

I was just posting little tid-bits at a time. I have a whole lot of crazy ideas. I am just waiting for someone to slap me! One theory (again, which I read and said "WHOA!") made my DW mad at me. It revolves around a "spy" in the Order. Hmmm..... I'll post that one later.


I think I share alot of your theories...and I wanted to add 2 things that I have read recently. Please forgive me if I am repeating something already said.
1 Kreacher was suppsed to be cut from OOTP the movie..but Rowling told the producers that they should really leave him in..because he would become imporatant later on....
2 Helena Bonham Carter said that she received a note from Rowling before she took the role of Bellatrix stating that even though the part was small in this movie it would be huge in number 7....

All of these I have read also. Comments by the producer David Heyman, Helena Bonham Carter. etc. etc. I alluded to this earlier when I spoke of Kreacher. I actually think Kreacher has the locket. I do not think he knows what it is, but he may. I can just see a little "comic relief" in the scene where Harry commands Kreacher to give him the locket. Kind of a "No! My precious!" type of moment.


Lots of good questions! I wonder about Percy too - and I do believe Godric's Hollow was a wizarding community.. I do love how those things that seem insignificant turn out to be clues we didn't notice. Though, there are some things that JKR does throw in just to mislead us, though not often. Mark Evans is the first one that comes to mind - all the fansites were convinced that he was related to Lily, though JKR squashed that theory.

Sadly, I must admit that I fell for Mark Evans hook, line and sinker. :shake: I guess that is the problem with being a theory junkie.



Even though I am one of those that firmly believe Dumbledore is dead, I can't help wondering about the way he died too - it was not how the AK is normally portrayed. Hopefully this is one of the many things explained in book 7!

I also wanted to say that I am a pretty firm believer that Snape is evil. Dumbledore himself says that being that he is more clever than most wizards, his mistakes tend to be bigger - and I can't help but feel that trusting Snape was a huge mistake. There are a few things that make me sit slightly on the fence on this issue, though - one of them being that he gave Snape the DADA's position - he knew at that time that Snape would only be in the position for a year and then he would be gone - so, I do feel they had some sort of plan, but I still think Snape was on LV's side as well. I find it hard to go along with those who took Dumbledore's pleading as he was begging him to keep their deal and kill DD - when you read the line with DD pleading and the hatred on Snapes face, I just can't buy it.... If Snape turns out to be good, or to redeem himself, then JKR is beyond brilliant because she has written his character so well!

For this one, I will blatently steal, but give as much credit as I can. I will not post the whole editorial, but it is a good one!

For the record, I am a "Snape is most likely on the good side". but I love the idea that he is not with the Order nor with LV, but rather he is out for himself. I'll get into that later as well.

Also, as far as the AK is concerned, here is a trick of JKR.....
Please list for me the people/creatures that have been hit with the AK that we have actually seen die. Be careful. These are not the ones who have been hit with the AK, but those we have seen hit with AK and die.

Example, Barty Crouch was hit wiht AK, we did not see it. Frank Bryce was hit with AK, we saw "the light" only. I can only think of 4 we have seen a complete AK on: (1) Spider-bug-creature-thing from GOF when Moody was doing the unforgiveable curses, (2) Cedric, (3) the fox that Bellatrix kills at spinners end, and (4) Dumbledore. I need to go re-read these, to see if any "blasting/movement" occurred...

Anyhoo, the Snape snippet:



Severus Snape: A Portrait in Subtlety
An original editorial by D.W. Hill
Copyright 2005, revised for Mugglenet 2007
D.W. Hill
[email protected]

A rather revealing incident takes place in Chapter Twenty-Eight of Prince when Harry is chasing Snape through the Hogwarts’ grounds after Dumbledore’s murder. When Harry’s Stunning spell misses Snape, Snape turns around and there are several heated exchanges between the two. Amidst the predictable rhetoric (Harry’s fury at Snape for murdering Dumbledore and Snape’s typical aspersions on Harry’s abilities and his father’s character), there is a peculiar statement, As Snape is blocking Harry’s curses, he says:

“Blocked again and again and again, until you learn to keep your mouth shut and your mind closed.”
(HBP, pg. 603)

This would seem insignificant if not for the fact that casting nonverbal spells was a big part of Harry’s education in his sixth year and learning how to close his mind to the Dark Lord was the whole point of his Occlumency lessons. Could Snape be trying to give Harry a clue? Consider this. Snape stops the Death Eaters from torturing Harry and tells them to remember their orders. They were to leave Harry:

"He belongs to the Dark Lord."
(HBP, pg. 603)

Notice that Voldemort does not even want his Death Eaters to stun Harry and bring him to him, though they had an excellent opportunity to do so. Perhaps, Snape suspects that with Dumbledore gone, Voldemort, who still doesn’t know what that prophecy said, may again try to manipulate Harry’s thoughts. Surely, Snape knows that Harry is no match for the Death Eaters until he masters nonverbal spells and no match for Voldemort until he masters Occlumency.

Other hints exist in the author’s descriptions of key events. Just before Snape kills Dumbledore in Chapter Twenty-Seven, it is written:

...there was revulsion and hatred etched in the hard lines of his face.
(HBP, pg. 595)

Compare this with the description of Harry earlier on the same evening. In Chapter Twenty-Six, in the Cave, when Harry was force-feeding poison to Dumbledore in obedience to Dumbledore’s orders, it says:

Hating himself, repulsed by what he was doing, Harry forced the goblet back toward Dumbledore’s mouth.
(HBP, pg. 571)

I wonder what expression Harry had on his face. Could it have been all that different from Snape’s?

[krose78]

First off I am ok with being spoiled. I hate waiting for things, not to good with surprises.

Following along pretty good but my question is...

Who is Mark Evans? Is he a character from the books that I must have missed?


What is AK? I'm not good at abbreviations.

I also agree Percy is being played up too much there must be a reason.

I hope they do not kill Harry but seeing as how JKR has said there will never be anymore, that this is the end of the series I'm thinking he might. I like a previous posters theory that he must die in ordeer to kill Lord Voldemort. I mean they have been link thus far it would make sense.

[conorsmom2000]

Who is Mark Evans? Is he a character from the books that I must have missed?


What is AK? I'm not good at abbreviations.



Mark Evans is a character who is just briefly mentioned at the beginning of OoTP - "So who've you been beating up tonight?" Harry asked, his grin fading. "Another ten-year-old? I know you did Mark Evans two nights ago - " (OoTP, pg 13) Because JKR does have a habit of dropping little clues for us, a lot people thought he was related to Lily and Petunia - but, it turned out, he was not.

AK stands for the Aveda Kedavra - the killing curse.

:mickey:

[krose78]

Thanks I think I can keep up now I kept thinking AK- Animal Kingdom (can you tell where my head is:mickey:)

[pshokie]

Mark Evans is a character who is just briefly mentioned at the beginning of OoTP - "So who've you been beating up tonight?" Harry asked, his grin fading. "Another ten-year-old? I know you did Mark Evans two nights ago - " (OoTP, pg 13) Because JKR does have a habit of dropping little clues for us, a lot people thought he was related to Lily and Petunia - but, it turned out, he was not.

Stupid Mark Evans. :fit: I was soooooooo bummed.



I hope they do not kill Harry but seeing as how JKR has said there will never be anymore, that this is the end of the series I'm thinking he might. I like a previous posters theory that he must die in ordeer to kill Lord Voldemort. I mean they have been link thus far it would make sense.

*cough* *cough* What is this about a link? *cough* *cough* ;)

Since this is now a spoiler thread, I think I will let conorsmom2000 do the honors. Have at it! But you may want to use spoiler-font anyway. :thumbsup:

[krose78]

I reconsidered my post while there are similarities between Voldi and Harry the prophesy says for neither can live while the other survives but its not clear if Harry or Neville is the "One" So maybe Neville has to die so Voldimort can die. Somehow that makes me sadder than if Harry dies SORRY but I have a soft spot for Neville don't know why.

[conorsmom2000]

I reconsidered my post while there are similarities between Voldi and Harry the prophesy says for neither can live while the other survives but its not clear if Harry or Neville is the "One" So maybe Neville has to die so Voldimort can die. Somehow that makes me sadder than if Harry dies SORRY but I have a soft spot for Neville don't know why.

Welllll....you have to remember what Dumbledore says in Books 5 & 6....in summary, he says while it could have been Neville or Harry, it is Harry because Voldmort made it so. It's a little hard to figure out but basically a prophecy is not exactly predicting the future - the events may never come to pass. LV had the option to do nothing and Harry wouldn't be where he is today. But, because LV picked Harry and "marked him as his equal", there's no question now that it is Harry - LV set the whole chain in motion by reacting to the prophecy. Had he done nothing, Harry would not have the power to vanquish him - but because he took action, now he himself gave Harry the powers he has (to speak Parseltongue, see into LV's mind). This is from the Mugglenet book "In effect, Voldemort created his own enemy. And that is why the prophecy is important. Not because it predicts the future....., but because it allows the characters to chose their own destinies and change their own paths". So, it doesn't matter that it could have been Neville, LV chose Harry so now it's Harry, no doubt about it.

That being said, I do believe that Neville might not make it - I think he will make his Grandma proud by avenging his parents but sadly, he might die doing it. :(



Since this is now a spoiler thread, I think I will let conorsmom2000 do the honors. Have at it! But you may want to use spoiler-font anyway. :thumbsup:

I'm not sure I'll do it justice but.....Going into spoiler font mode....

the controversial theory we are alluding to....Is Harry a Horcrux? Many people think so - they think that LV, possibly by accident, made Harry his last Horcrux. I'm too tired tonight to go to deep into this theory right now, but I'll give the highlights (using Mugglenet's book as a guide - well, working straight from the book, really.... :blush:) -


First, if he is a horcrux, it was probably done by accident. Remember - we don't know how know exactly how a horcrux is made or what is required to make it, and Dumbledore has already said that he believes that LV was planning on using Harry's death as his final horcrux. Does the spell have to be cast before, during or after the killing? We don't know. So, it's possible that LV did make Harry his last Horcrux rather than killing him as intended.
The scar - in references to the AK curse, no one has ever gotten a scar like Harry's. James and Lily didn't. So why Harry? And not just any scar - a scar that lets Harry see into LV's mind, enabled him to open the Chamber of Secrets, speak parseltounge, feel what LV is feeling and give him powers that LV has. LV might not have known that he made Harry a Horcrux, just as Dumbledore said he is not aware when they are destroyed. Add to that the entire house was destroyed - something else that can't be attributed to the AK spell. That seems like magic that went very wrong.
Many think that Dumbledore figured this out and we are supposed to figure it out when Dumbledore is telling Harry that Nagini may be a Horcrux. Two other clues, according to Mugglenet, that DD knew is when he slips in OoTP and says to Harry "Harry, suffering like this proves you are still a man!" Still a man? Is this a reference to something less than human inside him? There is also the scene in OoTP when DD produces a snake made of smoke and asks it is "in essence divided". This is right after Harry, through LV, was possesing Nagin (the attack on Mr. Weasley) - is this a reference to the link between Harry and LV?
It is also believed that Voldemort figured this out. LV tried on many occassions to kill Harry - until he realized the connection between the two of them. Remember when LV possesed Harry at the final scene in the Ministry (OoTP) but was driven out as Harry thought of Sirius? It is possible at that time LV realized there was a piece of his soul residing in Harry. After that, LV does not go after Harry - he puts a plan into action that will kill DD instead. Even Snape says that they are to leave Harry alone - the Dark Lord wants to deal with him himself. Why? To retrieve that piece of his soul before killing Harry.
Now, there is equally plenty of evidence that Harry is not a Horcrux. DD himself says that Harry has to destroy 4 Horcrux's - the locket, the cup, something of Ravenclaw's and, possibly, Nagini. So, how could Harry be a horcrux, if DD is right?
Those who believe this theory say it happened by accident - but, how often does a spell happen by accident, except with under-aged wizards? Everything must be correct for spell to work - exact words, wand movement, etc. So, it's not really likely...
Mugglenet goes on to discuss many other reasons why Harry isn't a horcrux including talking about how two souls can reside in one body, it's a mixed moral message....etc.But, in the end, they do believe that Harry is indeed a Horcrux. What does this mean for Harry? Just as the ring only had a cracked stone, they believe Harry can remove the Horcrux from himself without dying. They also believe that Peter Pettigrew, who is bound to Harry by a life debt, and is very good at eavesdropping, may save the day and tell Harry how to remove the Horcrux.

As for me? I'm not sure. After reading Mugglenets (amazing!) book, I see why they believe - but, I'm not totally sure yet. I've kind of glossed over a lot of the information, but if you google "is harry a horcrux" you'll find tons of information that delves into the "yes" and "no" sides to this story!

[MsMin]

Other hints exist in the author’s descriptions of key events. Just before Snape kills Dumbledore in Chapter Twenty-Seven, it is written:
...there was revulsion and hatred etched in the hard lines of his face.
(HBP, pg. 595)
Compare this with the description of Harry earlier on the same evening. In Chapter Twenty-Six, in the Cave, when Harry was force-feeding poison to Dumbledore in obedience to Dumbledore’s orders, it says:
Hating himself, repulsed by what he was doing, Harry forced the goblet back toward Dumbledore’s mouth.
(HBP, pg. 571)
I wonder what expression Harry had on his face. Could it have been all that different from Snape’s?

I have to agree here that something is going on. I'm going to pull the psych card here and remind you that most evil (not a real clinical term) ppl would show pleasure in killing someone they were happy to kill. Look how LV will gloat and tease, the joy w/ Bellatrix when SB died. I think Snape's behavior was related to the vow he took to protect Draco and to remain a spy. While I think he has some very bad traits I wonder what Dumbledore had on him that made DD believe he was loyal. I do believe he will not live through the next book but we haven't seen the last of the mixed behaviors we've seen in the previous books, meaning we will continue to see that good/bad Snape...
I agree too that DD gave Snape the DADA job for a reason and knew it was jinxed. If Draco wasn't there he wouldn't have killed DD--this was planned.
Sorry guys but I skipped the "white" text. So if something in there totally contradicts what I'm saying :blush:
Does anyone know if there is going to be any Hogwarts next year (bk 7)?

[conorsmom2000]

Sorry guys but I skipped the "white" text. So if something in there totally contradicts what I'm saying :blush:
Does anyone know if there is going to be any Hogwarts next year (bk 7)?
Don't worry - the white text (which, in case anyone doesn't know - you have highlight if you want to read) is a totally different theory.

I'm sure it's to prevent spoilers & leaks, but JKR has been very tight lipped about this book - with book six, she had given at least one or two "teasers" (one I remember was the description of Scridgemour); and she gave us a few titles of chapters - this time, nothing. So, no one knows if Hogwarts will be in it. Being Hogwarts has always been a main setting for the books, and the fact that I believe even if the trio doesn't return, Ginny may still have too, I'd be surprised if it's not in there at all.

[krose78]

From some of the readings on the internet yesterday here are some points about the 7th book I found interesting. What do you think...


Lily- the fact that Harry has his mothers eyes (not literally;)) will be an important point in #7.

More of DD and Peter Petigrew's past will be revealed in #7.

Ravenclaw will have thier day.

Victor Krum is set for a reappearance.

The two-way mirror given to Harry by Sirius Black and his flying motorbike will return. In fact, Rowling has mentioned in one of her FAQs that the two way mirror "will help more than you think." Rowling refused to comment whether Sirius himself might in some way reappear, but she has also said that there was a reason why he had to die.

[pshokie]

Sorry guys but I skipped the "white" text. So if something in there totally contradicts what I'm saying :blush:

I am soooooooo gald you stepped forward and said this. Why? Becuase I know some of us have been using spoiler-font "just in case", and now we know that there is at least one person who does not wish to be spoiled. So yea you, yea us, yea everyone! May sound kinda weird, but it helps me remember "use Spoiler-Font for the big ones....MsMin doesn't want to know...."


I'm not sure I'll do it justice but.....Going into spoiler font mode....

Are you kidding me?!?!?!? Not do it justice???? Are you crazy?!?!?!?

Let all of the "spoiled people" stop and praise that post. :notworth:

I feel sheepish now, (1) becuase I do not have my copy of Mugglenet with me, and (2) all I brought was SS, COS, and GOF with me today. There's no way I can compare to you now! :thumbsup:

So I will add just one thing to the "Yes" side of the controversy (which is what I believe). The following is directly pulled from CoS. [highlight to read]

{Harry talking to Dumbledore after the Diary has been destroyed}


"Professor," he started again after a moment. "The Sorting hat told me I'd - I'd have done well in Slytherin. Everyone thought I was slytherin's heir for a while...because I can speak Parseltongue...."

"You can speak Parseltongue, Harry," said Dumbledore calmly, "because Lord Voldemort -- who is the last remaining ancestor of Salazar Slytherin -- can speak Parseltongue. Unless I'm much mistaken, he transferred some of his own powers to you the night he gave you that scar. Not something he intended to do, I'm sure...."

"Voldemort put a bit of himself in me?" Harry said, thunderstruck.

"It certainly seems so."
{pgs 332 &333, CoS}

On a side note, earlier copies of CoS say "last remaining ancestor ", newer copies have been corrected to say "last remaining decendent".

And to REALLY mess with your minds, some one posted an editorial on Mugglenet about a week ago where he argues that LV did not intend to use Harry's death to create his last horcrux, but rather to use James' death to create his last horcrux, and use Harry as the encasing "item". At first I was skeptical, but he has some really good points...

He broke down all of the the memories Harry has remembered or seen to this point (via dreams, dementors, prior incantatem with LV, etc.). He does not go off of the rumored story that people have told Harry, just what Harry recalls. Basically, it eliminates the "telephone game" version of the story. The result....

LV was alive and well after the "green flash of light" Harry recalls seeing.

Wha?????

Too true, in POA during a dementor encounter, Harry "remembers" that after the green flash of light there is a high pitched evil laugh.

Okay, so LV is alive, why would he would LV want to make a Horcrux out of Potter? Well, because of the Prophecy of course! He only heard the first part, so he knows that there will be "one with the power to vanquish" him. So he decides, if he makes the chosen one into a horcrux, then a part of his soul is in not just in himself, but also in his enemy. In essance, he takes over his enemy, sorta like a LV 2.0. So even if Harry defeats LV, LV still wins. If LV defeats Harry, LV still wins. Its a win-win situation for LV! If not for that pesky love thing.....

And for those of you who think this is crazy, again with CoS:

{this is down in the Chamber of Secrets, Ginny is close to death...}

Riddle Laughed, a high, cold laugh that didn't suit him. It made the hairs stand up on the back of Harry's neck.

"If I say it myself, Harry, I've always been able to charm the people I needed. SO Ginny poured out her soul to me, and her soul happened to be exactly what I wanted...I grew stronger and stronger on a diet fo her deepest fears, her darkest secrets. I grew powerful, far more powerful than little Miss Weasley. Powerful enough to start feeding Miss Weasley a few of my secrets, to start pouring a little of my soul back into her..."
{CoS, pg 310}

In essance, he was replacing Ginny's soul with his. Not sharing a body or soul. The result, Ginny's soul would be gone. If he did the same to Harry as a baby, you are looking at LV 2.0.

Now before you run off about Lilly and her love sacrifice, that is all still in play. Why? Because the spell did not work. Per LV own words in the graveyard:

"I miscalculated, my friends, I admit it. My curse was defelcted by the woman's foolish sacrifice, and it rebounded upon myself."
{GOF, pg 653}

So she delfected the horcrux spell (and died), it hit Harry, and then rebounded back on LV blowing him up and the whole house as well. Had she not, my guess is (based on this theory) that Harry's soul would have been completely replaced by LV soul fragment.

So the "love sacrifice" managed to keep Harry's soul in tact, rather than have it replaced by LV's "fragment". The fragment, well it is safely (Ha!) lodged in Harry's scar.

Just something to think about.


And now you know I am crazy. :doh:


I reconsidered my post while there are similarities between Voldi and Harry the prophesy says for neither can live while the other survives but its not clear if Harry or Neville is the "One" So maybe Neville has to die so Voldimort can die. Somehow that makes me sadder than if Harry dies SORRY but I have a soft spot for Neville don't know why.

Oh, and krose78, no need to edit your earlier post. It was really good. If you want to change your mind, go ahead. Just do a new post.

[ncscgirl2005]

PSHokie...I'm loving you right about now! Wow what great information you have put out there. I have to admit that I never thought I would be this deep into HP when I first started out so I regret not paying closer attention in the first 5 books. I also regret waiting until the last minute to re-read the books because I only have time to re-read HBP (currently on Ch. 20). I think I will have to make a sacrifice (I don't care the movies) and actually go see OotP to help jog my memory before ready Book 7's release.

Thanks again.

Now having said all that can someone refresh my memory on Peter Pettigrew?

[Disneyatic]

Peter Pettigrew was friends with James, Sirius and Lupin. He was also the secret keeper of James and Lily's hiding place and betrayed them.
He disappeared after James and Lily were killed and everyone assumed that he had been killed by Sirius when Sirius was the one thought to have killed all those people in plain sight.
Turns out (in book 3 I think?) that Ron's rat Scabbers is actually Peter Pettigrew hiding out in his animagus form all these years! He was acutally the one that killed all of those people after James and Lily died and he framed Sirius, turned into a rat and joined with Weasley family as a pet.
He has since crossed over to the dark side because he is a sniveling rat (no pun intended) and is feeding information to LV.
LV cuts off Peter's hand in GOF to include it in his potion to come back to body form.

Hmm, I am sure there are more details to him but that is all I can remember now!
Did someone mention that Peter Pettigrew was somehow related to one of the horcruxes?

[alphamommy]

I don't claim to be nearly the HP-geek as many of you, but I have a couple of comments:

1. Do we really know that Sirius died? Didn't he fall through that arch that we never really got a lot of information about?
2. I've always felt that Neville would play a big role in things, and the prophesy set the scene up nicely for that. I'd hate to see anything happen to him, but I can see now that it's plausible.
3. In another twist on the "Star Wars" idea a while ago in this thread, I wouldn't be surprised if DD communicates with HP in some way.
4. All the talk about HP's eyes being like his mom's has seemed significant. Don't know how yet, but we'll find out I suppose.

We are going to see OOTP this weekend. I've finished re-reading the books, and can't WAIT for the 21st!

[ncscgirl2005]

Peter Pettigrew was friends with James, Sirius and Lupin. He was also the secret keeper of James and Lily's hiding place and betrayed them.
He disappeared after James and Lily were killed and everyone assumed that he had been killed by Sirius when Sirius was the one thought to have killed all those people in plain sight.
Turns out (in book 3 I think?) that Ron's rat Scabbers is actually Peter Pettigrew hiding out in his animagus form all these years! He was acutally the one that killed all of those people after James and Lily died and he framed Sirius, turned into a rat and joined with Weasley family as a pet.
He has since crossed over to the dark side because he is a sniveling rat (no pun intended) and is feeding information to LV.
LV cuts off Peter's hand in GOF to include it in his potion to come back to body form.

Hmm, I am sure there are more details to him but that is all I can remember now!
Did someone mention that Peter Pettigrew was somehow related to one of the horcruxes?

Ok Thanks for all the details. You kicked my brain back into gear.


Hmm...not sure if this has been posted yet but could it be that somehow Neville will be in a position where he will have to kill Harry in order for LV to die?

[krose78]

Hmm...not sure if this has been posted yet but could it be that somehow Neville will be in a position where he will have to kill Harry in order for LV to die?

From JKR official site:
The last part of the prophecy ('neither can live while the other survives') means that Harry and Neville will have to kill each other?


Inventive and intriguing, but wrong. See the answer to the poll question for a little more elucidation on Neville's relation to the prophecy.

[MsMin]

I agree that Harry's eyes are important including the color green. Green is used many times even w/ the AK curse. I think someone will look into his eyes and see his mother and maybe turn on LV. (maybe Pettigrew, wasn't it mentioned that they thought he had a crush on Lilly?) I still think that love has a great role in the books, from his mother saving him the first time.
I was just posting on another thread and a thought came to me (I haven't read any HP sites so I don't consider it a spoiler just a thought) but I've said all along that DD was dead. I thought JKR said he was dead. BUT maybe she said you can't bring someone back from the dead. One thing that bothers me is DD's trust in Snape and the conflicting emotions we see. Remember too it's been repeated that you have to really mean it for AK to work. What if Snape didn't mean it? What if what we saw was just some advanced magic on DD's part-- they faked the whole thing.
About the motorcycle. I think I mentioned that I think SB was at the Hollow b/c Hagrid did use his bike to deliver Harry.
I don't see LV making Pettigrew a Horcrux, I don't think he trusts him and a Horcrux has to be something he considers valuable. A person could die so easily.
Remember that JRK said LV collected trinkets from his victims (or DD did) I wonder if one isn't from when he killed his father.

[alphamommy]

From JKR official site:
The last part of the prophecy ('neither can live while the other survives') means that Harry and Neville will have to kill each other?


Inventive and intriguing, but wrong. See the answer to the poll question for a little more elucidation on Neville's relation to the prophecy.

What poll question? I think I missed something...

[conorsmom2000]

What poll question? I think I missed something...

From JK Rowlings site, the Neville poll question -

What is the significance of Neville being the other boy to whom the prophecy might have referred?

Finally, I am answering the poll question! I am sorry it has taken so long, but let me start by saying how glad I am that this was the question that received the most votes, because this was the one that I most wanted to answer. Some of you might not like what I am going to say – but I'll address that issue at the end of my response!

To recap: Neville was born on the 30th of July, the day before Harry, so he too was born 'as the seventh month dies'. His parents, who were both famous Aurors, had 'thrice defied' Voldemort, just as Lily and James had. Voldemort was therefore presented with the choice of two baby boys to whom the prophecy might apply. However, he did not entirely realise what the implications of attacking them might be, because he had not heard the entire prophecy. As Dumbledore says:

'He [the eavesdropper] only heard the beginning, the part foretelling the birth of a boy in July to parents who had thrice defied Voldemort. Consequently, he could not warn his master that to attack you would be to risk transferring power to you.'

In effect, the prophecy gave Voldemort the choice of two candidates for his possible nemesis. In choosing which boy to murder, he was also (without realising it) choosing which boy to anoint as the Chosen One – to give him tools no other wizard possessed – the scar and the ability it conferred, a magical window into Voldemort's mind.

So what would have happened if Voldemort had decided that the pure-blood, not the half-blood, was the bigger threat? What would have happened if he had attacked Neville instead? Harry wonders this during the course of 'Half-Blood Prince' and concludes, rightly, that the answer hinges on whether or not one of Neville's parents would have been able, or prepared, to die for their son in the way that Lily died for Harry. If they hadn't, Neville would have been killed outright. Had Frank or Alice thrown themselves in front of Neville, however, the killing curse would have rebounded just as it did in Harry's case, and Neville would have been the one who survived with the lightning scar. What would this have meant? Would a Neville bearing the lightning scar have been as successful at evading Voldemort as Harry has been? Would Neville have had the qualities that have enabled Harry to remain strong and sane throughout all of his many ordeals? Although Dumbledore does not say as much, he does not believe so: he believes Voldemort did indeed choose the boy most likely to be able to topple him, for Harry's survival has not depended wholly or even mainly upon his scar.

So where does this leave Neville, the boy who was so nearly King? Well, it does not give him either hidden powers or a mysterious destiny. He remains a 'normal' wizarding boy, albeit one with a past, in its way, as tragic as Harry's. As you saw in 'Order of the Phoenix,' however, Neville is not without his own latent strengths. It remains to be seen how he will feel if he ever finds out how close he came to being the Chosen One.

Some of you, who have been convinced that the prophecy marked Neville, in some mystical fashion, for a fate intertwined with Harry's, may find this answer rather dull. Yet I was making what I felt was a significant point about Harry and Voldemort, and about prophecies themselves, in showing Neville as the also-ran. If neither boy was 'pre-ordained' before Voldemort's attack to become his possible vanquisher, then the prophecy (like the one the witches make to Macbeth, if anyone has read the play of the same name) becomes the catalyst for a situation that would never have occurred if it had not been made. Harry is propelled into a terrifying position he might never have sought, while Neville remains the tantalising 'might-have-been'. Destiny is a name often given in retrospect to choices that had dramatic consequences.

Of course, none of this should be taken to mean that Neville does not have a significant part to play in the last two novels, or the fight against Voldemort. As for the prophecy itself, it remains ambiguous, not only to readers, but to my characters. Prophecies (think of Nostradamus!) are usually open to many different interpretations. That is both their strength and their weakness.

[alphamommy]

From JK Rowlings site, the Neville poll question -

What is the significance of Neville being the other boy to whom the prophecy might have referred?
<big snip>
[/I]

Thanks!!

[ncscgirl2005]

[QUOTE=conorsmom2000;1353956]From JK Rowlings site, the Neville poll question -
<snip>
Would Neville have had the qualities that have enabled Harry to remain strong and sane throughout all of his many ordeals?

<snip>

Ummm...this probably doesn't need an answer but I have one to give anyway.

Absolutely not. Harry's placement with the Dursleys was not by accident. It was well thought out and calculated by DD. As cruel as this may sound, Harry needed that in order to survive this ordeal and DD knew that ahead of time. Dealing with the Dursleys is nothing compared to what Harry is going through (or will go through) with LV. DD put Harry there not only because they were the surviving relatives but because Harry needed strength and that he has! Neville on the other hand still had his grandmother to care for him and look what she has turned him into. Sorry for that (I really do love Neville) but I had to get my point across.

[PirateLover]

Although I have read the books many times, own all the movies, and sift through forums occasionally I am by no means an expert and I've rarely come up with a theory that wasn't spurred on by someone else's. However, I've noticed that no one has commented so far on the title of the book. Deathly Hallows? What a foreboding title first of all. I've been giving it a lot of thought, doing a lot of reading etc and here is what I think is a likely theory. I will tag it in the unlikely event that I am correct:
:spoiler:
Deathly Hallows is what lies beyond the veil. It is where the deceased witches and wizards go after death. So it is of my opinion that even if every major character were to die, the ending could still be a happy one because they will all be together again in the Deathly Hallows.:spoiler:

[TooGoofy]

My thought was that Deathly Hallows referred to the horcruxes.

[PirateLover]

My thought was that Deathly Hallows referred to the horcruxes.

Of course there are a number of things it could be, and none of us will know until we read the book (oh so close!) but would you care to further explain why you think that? I actually kind of hope my theory is wrong because of course I want them all to survive etc.

[pshokie]

PSHokie...I'm loving you right about now!

Thanks, but I am married. :groom: :D

Sorry I have been away for a few days, but I find it hard to post on the weekends, with kids running around. And I had to go see OOTP on Friday, go figure....

Anyhoo, by now, most of you know that I keep coming perilously close to violating the terms of service for this site. Not that I want to do anything against the policies of Intercot ( I love this site :rocks:), but because I, like those who are still reading this thread, am a potter-phile. I see a cool thread from another stie, and I want to share it with others. :grouphug:

Nothing against the originating site (by now you now it is Mugglenet), and nothing against Intercot.

I am simply torn between two lovers....come on join in! :sing:

Besides Mods, we only have 4 days 13 hours and 20 minutes to go to go !!! :joy: So how about a little love?

Along that line, I would like to post a link. Mostly to spare this thread from the reposting of a very long editorial. This editorial was written by a person who goes by the name "Lady Lupin". She is hands down the best editorial writer I have come across in all of my trolling for Harry Potter thoeries. She has an entire editorial section on Mugglenet just for her works called "Spinners End".

She has made my draw drop on more than one occasion with the seemingly off-the-wall thoeries she supports, including the "Vanquish" one I have yet to elaborate on. All her idea, and I simply LOVE IT!!!! (For those of you who will read it, it has to do with her "breeding" commment).

Anyway, here is what appears to be her penultimate editorial. She will write one more after the book is released, and then she is done. But, if you like looking for crazy theories :search:, then sit back and behold her bold predictions for what is to come from this final chapter. Actually, it is more of a summary of all that she has posted to date. Collected and presented one last time, before Deathly Hallows is released.

But beware, this is major speculation. Spoiler warnings are in effect. You have been warned.

http://www.mugglenet.com/editorials/spinnersend/se25.shtml

Again, my apologies to the Mods of this board, I do not meen to violate terms of service, and I have nothing to "gain" by posting this link.

Maybe Jen could provide some covering fire....:plot:

[conorsmom2000]

Although I have read the books many times, own all the movies, and sift through forums occasionally I am by no means an expert and I've rarely come up with a theory that wasn't spurred on by someone else's. However, I've noticed that no one has commented so far on the title of the book. Deathly Hallows? What a foreboding title first of all. I've been giving it a lot of thought, doing a lot of reading etc and here is what I think is a likely theory. I will tag it in the unlikely event that I am correct:
:spoiler:

I do agree that the title refers to the Horcrux's, as they fit the definition of Hallow -

To make or set apart as holy.
To respect or honor greatly; revere.And obviously, that's how LV would view his horcrux's.....but, the rest I'm going to put into spoiler font....

While I have read theories similar to yours, and have seen the definition of All Hallow's Eve as this "("holy" or "holy night") the Oct. 31 Greater Sabbat, also called November Eve, the Celtic Samhain ("sow-en"); the beginning of the Celtic winter, and of the Celtic year; the beginning of the Witches' Year, when the Veil Between the Worlds grows thin and the spirits of the dead may return to Earth; the Descent of the Goddess to the Underworld; the final Harvest festival"

and think that the reference to the veil means something, I don't know exactly how or why. I'm not leaning towards all the major characters dying, though...

[pshokie]

Okay Jen (conorsmom2000), this is now officially weird. Do you read the same stuff I do????

Not that I mind, but it is a little weird seeing quotes from things I have read also. Getting a lot of d&#233;j&#224; vu. :cheers:

[conorsmom2000]

Okay Jen (conorsmom2000), this is now officially weird. Do you read the same stuff I do????

Not that I mind, but it is a little wierd seeing quotes from things I have also read also. Getting a lot of d&#233;j&#224; vu. :cheers:

LOL!! :D I actually read that last quote on a different website but I googled it to check its validity and it seems to have popped up on every HP site there is - so, you've definitely read it before!

I'm off to read Lady Lupin's stuff now - and I totally forgot to comment on the Snape essay, which I will also get to.... :thumbsup:

[PirateLover]

The only thing that leads me away from thinking that Deathly Hallows is a direct reference to the search for Horcruxes is because of this quote from an interview:

When asked "What does 'Deathly Hallows' mean?" J.K. Rowling responded, "Any clarification of the meaning of 'Hallows' would give away too much of the story .
Well we already know that Harry is in search of Horcruxes... so I'm thinking it is something else, like a place. Like Godric's Hollow... although I've just now realized that they have that slight spelling difference. Ay. OK forget it, I'm out of the predicting game, lol. I'll just keep reading what you guys put out there. With my student teaching last semester I've fallen way behind on my potter geekdom.

[ncscgirl2005]

Thanks, but I am married. :groom: :D

http://www.mugglenet.com/editorials/spinnersend/se25.shtml



Hey so am I! Sorry for coming on too strong! :blush:

Thanks for the link. That was most informative. I can't wait for this weekend to arrive.

[pshokie]

Hey so am I! Sorry for coming on too strong! :blush:

Thanks for the link. That was most informative. I can't wait for this weekend to arrive.



I'm off to read Lady Lupin's stuff now - and I totally forgot to comment on the Snape essay, which I will also get to.... :thumbsup:

ncscgirl2005 - sorry, just couldn't resist! :D

And you guys may want to spend some time scanning her older editorials where she goes into much more detail. I bet atleast one of you will be converted when you finish the "breeding" one. Very illumintaing. And just in case you finish those, under "World Famous Edtorials" individual contributors can have there "solo" editorials posted. For the record, I tend to shy away from the ones that delve too deeply into literary devices and comparision (ex. Harry Potter and how it relates to: Dante's Inferno, the Charkas (?), Egyptian Hyrogliphics, etc.)

I IS A COLUJ GRAJEET!!!

That means I do not have to take any more tests. Those things made my head hurt. :ill: I stuck with the ones that deal with the ins&outs of the Harry Potter novels only.



I agree that Harry's eyes are important including the color green. Green is used many times even w/ the AK curse. I think someone will look into his eyes and see his mother and maybe turn on LV. (maybe Pettigrew, wasn't it mentioned that they thought he had a crush on Lilly?) I still think that love has a great role in the books, from his mother saving him the first time.


Going to spoiler-font (more on my crazy theory....) [highlight to read]

Now this is completely insane! Harry has an inverted Horcrux.

A what????

Well, it goes like this, as conorsmom2000 already pointed out, no one knows how the Horcrux spell works or what is required. So lets all agree, for the sake of this theory, that something went horribly wrong and Harry (or rather his scar) is now a horcrux. Well, how many souls are in Harry?

Two, one being "Harry's" the other LV's soul fragment that is lodged in the scar.

But how about those eyes???????? Green, just like his mothers. In fact, he has his mother's eyes. Is this a literal clue JKR is throwing us? We have been beaten over the head with this one since book one. Could it be that obvious? Could Harry have:
His own Soul?
An LV Horcrux in his scar?
A Lilly Horcrux in his eyes?

Remember, something went badly wrong, and we have no details. Could it be that Lilly's newly departed soul was consumed by the Horcrux spell, and placed inside harry and that is what protected him?

And if you think I am crazy, look at the cover of Deathly Hallows. Here is where the power of suggestion lies......

Can you find his scar?
What color are his eyes?
At this point, I would just like someone to slap me.



Also, as far as the AK is concerned, here is a trick of JKR.....
Please list for me the people/creatures that have been hit with the AK that we have actually seen die. Be careful. These are not the ones who have been hit with the AK, but those we have seen hit with AK and die.

Example, Barty Crouch was hit with AK, we did not see it. Frank Bryce was hit with AK, we saw "the light" only. I can only think of 4 we have seen a complete AK on: (1) Spider-bug-creature-thing from GOF when Moody was doing the unforgiveable curses, (2) Cedric, (3) the fox that Bellatrix kills at spinners end, and (4) Dumbledore. I need to go re-read these, to see if any "blasting/movement" occurred...


UPDATE: I went back and checked. We have seen only 1 person die from AK, Dumbledore. Now please hold to those pitchforks for a moment. This is important. From GOF, pgs 637&638:


And then, without warning, Harry's scar exploded with pain. It was agony such as he had never felt in all his life; his wand slipped from his fingers as he put his hands over his face; his knees buckled; he was on the ground and he could see nothing at all; his head was about to split open.

From far away, above his head, he heard a high, cold voice say, "Kill the Spare."

A swiching noise and a second voice, which screeched the words into the night: "Avada Kedavra!"

A blast of green light blazed through Hary's eyelids, and he heard something heavy fall to the ground beside him; the pain in his scar reached a pitch that he retched, and then it deminished; terrified of what he was about to see, he opened his stinging eyes.

Cedric was laying spread-eagled on the ground beside him. He was dead.

So sorry to say it, but the "AK would not 'blast' Dumbledore off of the tower" arguement is moot. He is the only person we have seen the complete AK on. We/Harry never actually saw Cedric murdered.

Uh-oh......there goes the Dumbledore is alive theory.

Just don't get me started on Thestrals.....

[conorsmom2000]

I'll be back later to post responses to the essay's and various new theories - I just wanted to post a....


:cop: WARNING!!! :cop:

There are already potential leaks out on the net (Scholastic is going after them so they must be valid) so be very careful when online, if you don't want to see spoilers! Most HP fan sites are in semi "lock down" modes to prevent any spoilers from being posted - but, you could stumble across this stuff anywhere else, so you just be careful!! Constant vigilance!! (:blush: Sorry - I just had to.... :blush:)

[DisneyDog]

Ohmigosh! I am a librarian, and the new Harry Potter books have just arrived in the library. They are sitting right behind me!! I want to open the box soooo badly, but I'm not even supposed to open up the box yet. How am I going to resist??!!!! Help!!!

[pshokie]

DO NOT OPEN THEM!!!!

Sorry, but please do not open them.

If it helps, look at the worst case scenario. If you read them, you will want to talk about them. If you talk about them, however careful you may be, some one, specifcally a child, may overhear you and you will ruin this moment for them for the rest of their lives.

Think I am kidding?

I am a hockey fan. I still get angry when I think about the 80 olympics. The game was shown on tape delay and went to commercial in the last 10 minutes of the game (gotta make $$$$). Our local ABC in Washington DC affiliate (Rene Pusant - spelling?) broke in with a news promo and said "US Hockey team defeats the Russians. Film at 11".

GAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!

Yes, I still hold a grudge. So please, for other, especially kids, do not open them.

[pshokie]

Following that, I will probably post for the last time this afternoon. After that, I am walking away from any and all HP threads and sites until after I finish the book. Books have been delivered, so now it is up to the individual stores/librarians and their "cricket" (sorry after all, this is Intercot)! :mickey:


CONSTANT VIGILANCE!!

[DisneyDog]

Oh, believe me, I wouldn't dream of it...it would be wrong, and unethical, and I would never ever want to spoil something like that for anyone... but it's sooo frustrating having them right behind me. I look at those boxes and my heart starts beating faster. It's like having the Hope Diamond next to me.

[Toughbug]

There is a Headline on MuggleNet that some website has realeased some of the First chapter of Deathly Hallows. It is highlt unlikly that it is true, but it's possiable. There are mistakes but it could have been the person typing it in.

[rnin02]

Personally, I would have to call in sick to work. NO WAY could I work with all the answers sitting right there, but I couldn't look at it!!! No way. Of course, I'm also the person who found all of her christmas presents one year, opened them, and then rewrapped them. Kudos to you if you can resist temptation!

[bucky at disney]

Oh how hard that would be!

Out of sight...out of mind - probably a good idea to hide them somewhere - never know when someone else's spying eyes may get an idea.

[SBETigg]

Oh goodness, how to resist that temptation? But you do have a cool job, to get to be there with all those books- heaven! Except when the new Potter comes in, maybe. Best wishes in resisting.

[PirateLover]

I thought librarians were able to open the boxes ahead of time to catalog, but obv can not read themselves or display them.

[ncscgirl2005]

Oh my!! I would not like to be in your position right now! Do whatever you have to do to restrain yourself. DO NOT READ THE BOOK AHEAD OF TIME! I'm just as anxious as the next person but pleaassee don't do it!

Who ever mentioned the part about calling in sick is right on the money. I think thats what I would have to do!!!!!

[ncscgirl2005]

Personally, I would have to call in sick to work. NO WAY could I work with all the answers sitting right there, but I couldn't look at it!!! No way. Of course, I'm also the person who found all of her christmas presents one year, opened them, and then rewrapped them. Kudos to you if you can resist temptation!

Great Idea! That's what I would have to do too. :thumbsup:

[DisneyDog]

I suppose we are going to have to open it up for cataloging. The first day for circulation is Saturday. Neither our cataloger or I will be here on Saturday, so I'm not quite sure how this will work, but it does have to be processed and ready to go out on that day.

[BrerSchultzy]

Before you open the boxes, make ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN about the release laws your library had to sign to get the books in. It is entirely possible that you cannot open the boxes until Saturday at 12:01 AM.

I have worked for most of the major bookstore chains, and whenever a Harry Potter book would be released, we'd have them sitting in their boxes, wrapped up good and tight...with a sign from Hyperion that said "These boxes are eligible for inspection from Hyperion Agents. Any violation of Release rights will result in forfeiture of inventory". No kidding. And we actually had agents come into our store three times for Half Blood Prince.

So resist. And make sure you're allowed to open the boxes at all. If neither of you will be there Saturday, it is possible that Hyperion will say you can't open the boxes until Monday. They're crazy like that.

[BrerSchultzy]

Before you open the boxes, make ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN about the release laws your library had to sign to get the books in. It is entirely possible that you cannot open the boxes until Saturday at 12:01 AM.

I have worked for most of the major bookstore chains, and whenever a Harry Potter book would be released, we'd have them sitting in their boxes, wrapped up good and tight...with a sign from Hyperion that said "These boxes are eligible for inspection from Hyperion Agents. Any violation of Release rights will result in forfeiture of inventory". No kidding. And we actually had agents come into our store three times for Half Blood Prince.

So resist. And make sure you're allowed to open the boxes at all. If neither of you will be there Saturday, it is possible that Hyperion will say you can't open the boxes until Monday. They're crazy like that.

[motherhamv]

Anyone else watching the time until book 7 comes out? I heard this morning that 2 more characters die in the last book. The anticipation is overwhelming!!

[PharmD]

I have mine preodered and have been waiting since about 2 days after the last book came out. I can't stand much longer:blowup: I might explode.

[ncscgirl2005]

I have mine preodered and have been waiting since about 2 days after the last book came out. I can't stand much longer:blowup: I might explode.

Gosh tell me about it. I can't stand it any longer. The days are DRAGGING by ever so slowly. I swore it was Thursday two days ago. I am going to a release party by my house on Friday night. I figured I might as well go seeing as how this will be the last release party ever! :sob:

[daparish]

I have a horrible memory and don't remeber half as much about the books as all of you so I decided last night to reread all the books. I know I will not be finished by Saturday. What are my chances of finishing the books without finding out the ending to the last book?

[MsMin]

I have a horrible memory and don't remeber half as much about the books as all of you so I decided last night to reread all the books. I know I will not be finished by Saturday. What are my chances of finishing the books without finding out the ending to the last book?

Turn off your TV, don't look at any news type websites and avoid the paper! We did discuss avoiding any spoilers on here until ten days after the release.

[conorsmom2000]

I have a horrible memory and don't remeber half as much about the books as all of you so I decided last night to reread all the books. I know I will not be finished by Saturday. What are my chances of finishing the books without finding out the ending to the last book?

Good luck, it won't be easy. You need to start turning off the tv and the internet now - there are too many leaks as it is, and even copies of the book that have been shipped. The worst, to me, is certain media outlets have already posted reviews of the book, which they were able to buy at a bookstore - so, even the newspaper is not safe. :mad: There are many who seem to think it's fun to spoil this for the rest.

[ncscgirl2005]

I have a horrible memory and don't remeber half as much about the books as all of you so I decided last night to reread all the books. I know I will not be finished by Saturday. What are my chances of finishing the books without finding out the ending to the last book?

Oh my dear. I am with the other posters, turn your TV off and stay away from other forms of media. That may be hard to do but that's the only way.

I actually thought about not reading the book until two weeks after it's release so I can finish my summer semester (I'm behind as it is already thanks to this thread :mickey:) but I decided against that because I didn't want to hear the ending. I am almost POSITIVE will reach me in one form or another so I'd rather read it for myself. Good Luck to You!

[daparish]

I will let you all know how it goes. I planned on reading all weekend but my niece and nephew just called and asked to spend the weekend so there goes that idea. I am only half way through the first book.

[pshokie]

Seeing as to how we are in the final hours and thoeries are slow coming (mostly because I think all of us are a little gun shy of any true spoilers right now...), I have one last post to make.

Since this is now a twice merged thread, I will apologize to those of you who have not read all 90+ posts. I am going to make direct references to things in this post that I referred to earlier (saves me from retyping).

I just wanted to go on record, one last time with my predictions, simply so folks like ncscgirl2005, conorsmom2000, MsMin, etc., can sit back, mock and openly laugh at my horrible divination skills.

For those who do not know, I have been posting crazy theories on this thread for a while. I have no inside knowledge, so all I have are guesses. I feel some are close to the mark, so I have been treating them like spoilers, even though I could be competely wrong.
So without further ado...spoiler font mode, just for you MsMin! :mickey:

[Highlight to read]

Harry, or rather Harry's Scar, is a Horcrux. Dumbledore LIED to Harry about Nagini for one simple reason: it forces Harry to go after and destroy the other 3 horcruxes before even attempting to go for Nagini. By the time he has completed the destruction of the 3, he will have "figured it out". He will then, in true Harry fashion, run around like a crazed chicken, flying by the seat of his pants, trusting his intincts and removing the horcrux by a last minute realization of what he needs to do (ala destroying Quirrel, the Dairy, etc.). For more on this, see my earlier commentary.


Thus, the last four horcruxes are: Harry;'s Scar, Slytherin's Locket, Hufflepuff's Cup, and I reluctantly have to agree with Ravenclaws Wand. It just seems to "formulaic" to me to follow the Tarot cards that closely. And that makes me think it is something else.....My personal favorite thoery regarding this.....The Mirror of Erised. Why?, well that gets us to...


The Horcruxes are located in the following places:



Slytherin's Locket - is currently in Kreacher possesion at #12 Grimauld place (see earlier commentary)


Hufflepuff Cup - is currently located in the trophy room at Hogwarts. It is hidden the best way possible, right in plain sight. Ron Weasly will know where it is (once he recalls having to polish every trophy in the room back in year 2)


Harry's scar is located.....I'll just stop there.


Ravenclaw's Wand - is currently in the possession of one Neville Longbottom. It was the last wand sold by Olivander before he disappeared. Olivander had it, knew what it was, and passed it onto Neville in order to "get it close" to Harry. I'll get to the Mirror of Erised shortly...



Some might be saying right now, that's too easy! Yes it is. And that is the point. Per my earlier posted quote of JKR, Harry has been everywhere he needs to go, except Godrics Hollow. So we have seen all of the locations for (and I am guessing we have actually seen) all of the horcruxes. So all together..."Well, if the Cup is at Hogwarts, and the Wand was with Olivander/Neville, and the Locket at #12 - all places Dumbldore has been, why didn't he just destory them?" Easy - Harry still needs to do some "learning/training". Think about it this way, which two did Dumbldore find and which one did he destroy? He found the Ring and fuax-locket, and destroyed the ring. Why? Cause there is no way one this planet that you, I or any else would beleive JKR if Harry found those on his own. Pure and simple. We (not Harry) needed Dumbledore to find those. It makes the task seem harder, plus it is believeable that Dumbledore could find those on his own. Harry? Yeah right!


So based on the fact that Dumbledore is leaving "tasks" for Harry to complete his training (Boy that's sounds Star Warsy - I feel like Vader...) he would leave those that Harry "knows" but has not yet realized......which leaves me to....


The Mirror of Erised. Think about it? What would you, I or anyone else see if they looked into the mirror? I know, I know, our hearts deepest desire. But Seriously, some of us would see mounds of ice cream, or a Disney Dream Fast Pass, etc. Point is, we would see our subconscious desires. Harry now knows that he can "control what he sees" in the mirror. And when he stands in front of it what will he think? I want to know where the "last two" horcruxes are.....And he will see himself in the mirror. Brilliant, eh? Okay, maybe I lost some of you, try a different approach..... What would LV see? Himself all powerfull and immortal! Well, isn't that what a horcrux is supposed to ensure? And what better object to make a horcrux of than the very object that lets you see your self as immortal? Nice little peotry there, don't you think?


On to other things, Snape is probably on the up and up ( covered in earlier post) but I hold out sadistic hope that he is in fact out for himself. Why do I say this? The prohecy. If you have the time, re-read both chapters (from OOTP and HBP) where the prophecy is discussed by Dumbledore and Trelawny (respectively), their stories don't match. Trelawny, who has no memory when making predictions, remember's Snape entering the room! But per Dumbledore, "a death eater" only heard the first part of the prophecy before he was thrown out. Per Trelawny, he was still in the building, in fact he and Aberforth had just started scuffling when the prophecy was OVER. SO think about this, what do Harry, Snape, and LV all have in common? 1/2 bloods. Outcasts. Resourceful, Ambitous, Troubled/no family, even catchy nicknames! Point being, Snape could have only told LV the first part, because he knows he whole thing, He knows this is the only way to bring down LV and become the new "big bad around town". So he sets it in motion. All to "make" Harry, and bring downLV. Once that is done, he turns on Harry. Yowsa. Of course, this is all bull, Snape is realy in love with Lily and regreted telling LV about the prophecy, and it killed the one person who showed him "love" and he is remorseful, and yada yada...He is on the good side. But Wouldn't it be cool if he wasn't?!?!!?


The Prohpecy - Two things about it. (1) it uses the word "vanquish" when the Dark Lord is specifically referenced, but (2) "kill" when the terms "either/neither/other" are used. Huh? There are 2 parts to the prophecy. The first tells of who will vanquish the Dark Lord (Harry). Now how will Harry vanquish him? If there was ever a controversial theory out there that I believe 99.9&#37; this is it. Harry cannot use "Dark Magic" against LV. He just can't "do it". Conversly, there is one spell, which rquires a power the Dark Lord knows not, and therefor cannot cast.....The Patronus Charm. Love will save the day......Basically, at the climax, LV and Harry will be standing toe to toe, but be it because of other people, or just the sheer level of magic used in their encounter, something will call forth.....the dementors. Harry can repell them. LV can control them....or can he? what exactly do dementors do? Specifically with a dementors kiss? Yep, they **** the SOUL out of a person. Right now you are thinking, "Sucking souls???? wait a minute...." More over, what happens to the person who has there soul sucked? They walk the earth for the rest of their days, a mere shell, empty without soul. Completely mortal. Waiting to die. It is called "worse than death" in the books. Sounds like LV's worst nighmare to me! Best of all, Harry does not have to kill him, so his soul stays in tact. So back to the "kill" part.....

"either must die at the hand of the other, for neither can live while the other survives" People have beentrying to unravel this ever since JKR said this was worded very, VERY carefuly. Yet, in the novels, she keeps writing that this simply means either Harry or LV must kill each other. I say, bank on her comment, not the writing. This phrase specifically leaves out the "Dark Lord" reference, and here is why - to mislead us. The either/neither refers to 2 people, the other refers to a third person. How I see it playing out, using names instead of either/neither/other: "either (Harry or Snape) must die at the hand of the other (LV), for neither (Harry or Snape) can live while the other (LV) survives". Bascially, at the "moment of truth", LV must kill either Snape or Harry in order for LV to be vanquished. Because of the prophecy and the "mark", this means Snape must die at the hands of LV in order to give Harry the opportunity to vanquish LV. If he does not, then Harry does not get this chance, LV lives to fight another day. And then given time, LV can seek them out individsually, where he can kill them both.

I will not go on and predict who will live and who wil die save this - Snape will die in order to help Harry fulfill the prophecy, Harry will survive. And when you close the cover, LV will be alive, soul-less and walking the earth like Cain in Kung Fu thanks to the dementors, but alive none the less.

Frank Longbottom was the "other person" at Godric's Hollow, that night all those years ago (see earlier post.) But to add to that, I have a funny feeling that he was not alone, but Alice and Neville were there also. Something about Neville's faulty memory...

Lastly, I will not go into it here, because this is already waaay to long. But I did mention in an ealier post, so I must comment. There is a spy in the Order. And her name is Professor McGonnigal. For a complete and thorough explaination, refer to the Mugglenet Editorial: "Who else but McGonnigal?"


That is all I will bore you with. Happy reading, and I will see you all back here on August 1 ready to rip me to shreds!!

And sorry for the typos, this was too long to fix them all...

[BrerSchultzy]

When I started this thread, I had no idea we'd have so many experts on the topic...though I should have known, considering how smart everyone here is.

Pshokie and conorsmom...thank you. Very much. You have somehow made me EVEN MORE EXCITED to read this book.

It will be interesting to see which guesses are accurate, and, more importantly, which ones are wrong, but still may have made the book better.

anyway, to reiterate

NO POSTING SPOILERS ABOUT THE ACTUAL BOOK FOR 10 DAYS AFTER ITS RELEASE

That means stuff that is ACTUALLY in the book...feel free to pontificate further on any of the theories that have been bandied about, so long as you haven't read the book yet.

Thanks again everyone (especially those of you that have researched this to its fullest...and you know who you are)

31 hours to go!

[conorsmom2000]

Pshokie and conorsmom...thank you. Very much. You have somehow made me EVEN MORE EXCITED to read this book.
:cheers:

It's been a pleasure - I love discussing the Harry Potter world! I hope everyone enjoys book 7 and if you are going to any midnight release party, have a blast! :thumbsup: I will be attending one at a Barnes and Noble, with my sister, my 13 year old niece and the children of two friends, who are both 13. (Mike and Conor will come for a little bit as well). I can't wait and I hope it's a lot of fun.

When it comes time to discuss the book, maybe the Water Cooler mods could put a Spoiler Warning in the title (if the old thread is used)? This way anyone who opens this thread knows they will be doing so at their own risk?

I can't wait to get my hands on this book!! And I can't wait to hear what everyone has to say when the 10 days are up!! :magic: :read:

[pshokie]

Pshokie and conorsmom...thank you. Very much. You have somehow made me EVEN MORE EXCITED to read this book.

It will be interesting to see which guesses are accurate, and, more importantly, which ones are wrong, but still may have made the book better.



:cheers:

It's been a pleasure - I love discussing the Harry Potter world! I hope everyone enjoys book 7 and if you are going to any midnight release party, have a blast! :thumbsup:

:ditto:

And Schultzy, your comment about being right/wrong was exactly why I made that last post. I wanted to firmly go on record, and hang myself out to dry. I feel it is one thing to put in a quick "I think Ron and Hermione will end up together", but to pontificate the way I had throughout this thread....

Well let's just say, I felt I owed it to everyone to make my thoughts known, soley so the masses could say

:haha: pshokie, you idiot!

I am ready to eat my big steaming helping of humble pie! :eat:

BRING ON DEATHLY HALLOWS!!!!

[PirateLover]

When it comes time to discuss the book, maybe the Water Cooler mods could put a Spoiler Warning in the title (if the old thread is used)? This way anyone who opens this thread knows they will be doing so at their own risk?

This is what I was going to suggest, and I was just wondering if Intercot really needs to enforce the "10 day rule". A Potter forum closing down for a few days is understandable... people might go there to read about other books when they haven't gotten to the 7th yet... but I seem to recall (although I may be wrong) that with the other books, on Intercot it was just whoever finished first started a what did you think thread and it was always a read at your own risk sort of thing. If you haven't finished the book, then use some self control and don't venture into the thread. Same with movie/tv spoilers. The Intercot policy seems to be that once something is officially released it's fair game. However since most of you seem to want to wait the 10 days, I will oblige.

Happy reading everyone! I'll be impatiently waiting by the door for USPS. I think HBP arrived around noon. Wish I could've done a release party as I never have and this would be my last chance. Ah well.

[pshokie]

While I can see your point, I think Deathly Hallows falls into a category onto itself, and should be given a 10 day rule. Ignoring the HP books themselves for the moment, during my lifetime, there are only a handfull of "true spoilers" that people avoided like the plague.

I racked my brain on this one, all I came up with was (again, during my lifetime):

The Empire Strikes Back :darth:

The Crying Game :princess:...eeerrr....:prince:

The Sixth Sense :ghost:

Sorry, bout that, but I think the "time limit" is up on those ;)

That's it. Those were the only big " :secret: don't say anything if they haven't seen it yet" cultural phenoms. Basically, iconic films. I won't even put things Like Se7en or Usual Suspects in the list because, while awesome - Se7en is one of my favorite films, they did not reach cultural phenom status. Cult phenom, yes, but cultural, no. And all of them are under 3 hours long.

Back to Deathly Hallows, this thing is huge. Bigger than any of those. And those who really want to be unspoiled, will finish it within a few days (maybe a day). Which would fit with what I am inferring is your original premiss - people will read it immediately, so why wait 10 days? Well, I, for one, will probably not finish it until mid-week next week. Why? Well, #1 work, #2 kids (4 & 1 - They will not be reading the books, and they will not be granting me the time to sit and read the books), and lastly #3 the current length of the audio novel by Jim Dale is coming in at a rough 24 hours or something like that. So if you read at a "speaking pace"...

Anyway, I would like to give people time. Becuase some, like myself, will need it.

Now, should I avoid threads until I finish? Absolutely yes. :yes: Can't agree with you more. It is all on me. But when I finish, I would not want to tempt anyone, and possibly ruin it for others. So I will abide by the 10 day rule.

Besides, you'll be busy once you finish. Afterwards, we all have to re-read the entire series from the beginning! :thumbsup:

[TooGoofy]

Besides, you'll be busy once you finish. Afterwards, we all have to re-read the entire series from the beginning! :thumbsup:

You know, I hadn't thought of that, but you are probably right. It will be fun to go back and pick up on all the little hints that Jo put in to lead to the climax of Deathly Hallows.

As to Professor McGonagall...(spoiler font added)
Don't even go there! :nono: I read the article, and, while thought provoking, I cannot disagree more (probably because I love Minerva McGonagall as a character, and I can't stand to hear anything against her!).

But, we shall see...in just a few hours! :read:

[pshokie]

You know, I hadn't thought of that, but you are probably right. It will be fun to go back and pick up on all the little hints that Jo put in to lead to the climax of Deathly Hallows.


If you have never done this before, it will blow your mind. I have done it since GOF. And each time, there is something new. All right there. I just could never see it.

Admit it, JKR is just brilliant. :)

[TooGoofy]

If you have never done this before, it will blow your mind. I have done it since GOF. And each time, there is something new. All right there. I just could never see it.

Admit it, JKR is just brilliant. :)

I have done it...and it is amazing. You will get no arguments from me about JK Rowling's brilliance! About other things though....
well, we'll just agree to disagree!

[ncscgirl2005]

Happy reading everyone! I'll be impatiently waiting by the door for USPS. I think HBP arrived around noon. Wish I could've done a release party as I never have and this would be my last chance. Ah well.

Why can't you? There is still time to go a release party. At least in my area, the local bookstores aren't taking reservations or anything like that. Call around and see what you can come up with. Because this is the last book is precisely why I am going to a release party. No more opportunities to do so.

[ncscgirl2005]

:ditto:


Well let's just say, I felt I owed it to everyone to make my thoughts known, soley so the masses could say

:haha: pshokie, you idiot!

I am ready to eat my big steaming helping of humble pie! :eat:

BRING ON DEATHLY HALLOWS!!!!

PSHokie, I can't wait to laugh in your face!!!!!! Shall we start baking the pie now or would you prefer to wait? :cool:

Just kidding with you! You've come up with some pretty good stuff so I'm sure you will be right on the money with some things. I'm getting more anxious by the hour.

[pshokie]

PSHokie, I can't wait to laugh in your face!!!!!! Shall we start baking the pie now or would you prefer to wait? :cool:


Do I get to choose the flavor? ;)

[PirateLover]

Why can't you? There is still time to go a release party. At least in my area, the local bookstores aren't taking reservations or anything like that. Call around and see what you can come up with. Because this is the last book is precisely why I am going to a release party. No more opportunities to do so.

My boyfriend is pretty much bedridden because of a back injury and so I'll be spending the night at his house keeping him company/helping him out. As fun as it would be to go to a release party I'd rather be there for him at this time. I'll come back home tomorrow to pick up my book. I was originally supposed to go to Maine with friends for some big weekend event or something but I'm in the middle of a job hunt so I couldn't commit in case an interview popped up. I'll have my own little party at bf's house, re-reading chapters I think are important, watching TV coverage of parties etc.

And pshokie I definitely agree this is probably the biggest "secret" event to happen in my lifetime.

And I'm going on record as saying I think McGonagall is clean. I read that editorial too and I think there are flaws in the theory. But who knows.

[conorsmom2000]

And I'm going on record as saying I think McGonagall is clean. I read that editorial too and I think there are flaws in the theory. But who knows.
I agree! I would be totally shocked if that editoral turned out to be true!

Honestly, we'll probably all have a little egg on our face! :D This is JKR after all! She loves to let us guess, then totally turn things around on us - as well as make what we think is important, turn out to be nothing, and what we think is nothing, turn out to be HUGE! That's why we love these books! :thumbsup:

Honestly, more than the story, more than the ending, I want answers to the questions - for every time she was asked a question where her answer was "oooh, good question! There's your answer!" I want to know the answer! :D Harry's eyes, the cloak, the mirror, the gleam of triumph, etc....so many little things I hope to discover - in just 10 hours!!! :number1: :party:

Maryanne, I hope your boyfriend finds some relief soon with his back - both my husband and I suffer with back pain and it is no fun!

[pshokie]

I agree! I would be totally shocked if that editoral turned out to be true!

Honestly, we'll probably all have a little egg on our face! :D This is JKR after all! She loves to let us guess, then totally turn things around on us - as well as make what we think is important, turn out to be nothing, and what we think is nothing, turn out to be HUGE! That's why we love these books! :thumbsup:

Honestly, more than the story, more than the ending, I want answers to the questions - for every time she was asked a question where her answer was "oooh, good question! There's your answer!" I want to know the answer! :D Harry's eyes, the cloak, the mirror, the gleam of triumph, etc....so many little things I hope to discover - in just 10 hours!!! :number1: :party:

Maryanne, I hope your boyfriend finds some relief soon with his back - both my husband and I suffer with back pain and it is no fun!

Egg on our faces? NEVER! :cool:

Mine will be made to order omlette, with cheese and ham and....oh nevermind.

This will be very cryptic, but per the answers you want did you ever look at the cover of Deathly Hallows, as I mentioned earlier? I am curious if you, like me, were subject to the "power of suggestion".

[conorsmom2000]

This will be very cryptic, but per the answers you want did you ever look at the cover of Deathly Hallows, as I mentioned earlier? I am curious if you, like me, were subject to the "power of suggestion".

US edition - sort of, UK edition, something stands out.... :spy: :hide:

[ncscgirl2005]

Do I get to choose the flavor? ;)


:thumbsup: Absolutely!!!!!!

[ncscgirl2005]

My boyfriend is pretty much bedridden because of a back injury and so I'll be spending the night at his house keeping him company/helping him out.

Sorry to hear that. Hope you boyfriend gets to feeling better. Man, you are a dedicated girlfriend for sure!!!! My hubby will be lucky to even get a hello out of me this weekend!

We are having a pre-Harry release party before going to the bookstore complete with pizza and Harry Potter themed cupcakes. Actually we just wanted a reason to buy cupcakes so what better reason than this!

[daparish]

I have a horrible memory and don't remeber half as much about the books as all of you so I decided last night to reread all the books. I know I will not be finished by Saturday. What are my chances of finishing the books without finding out the ending to the last book?

I have totally given up on this idea. I know there is no way I will finish without finding out everything. The only chance I would have would be if I was on a deserted island and then I am sure a sky writer would still come along and ruin it for me.

[ncscgirl2005]

I have totally given up on this idea. I know there is no way I will finish without finding out everything. The only chance I would have would be if I was on a deserted island and then I am sure a sky writer would still come along and ruin it for me.

LOL! That is too funny! Or perhaps a mermaid will wash up on the shore and spill the beans. One way or another you will find out.

[ncscgirl2005]

I agree! I would be totally shocked if that editoral turned out to be true!

Honestly, we'll probably all have a little egg on our face! :D This is JKR after all! She loves to let us guess, then totally turn things around on us - as well as make what we think is important, turn out to be nothing, and what we think is nothing, turn out to be HUGE! That's why we love these books! :thumbsup:




Gosh that editorial does have me thinking now. If there ever was a spy, she would fit the bill. I guess we'll see soon enough.

AAAGGGHHH.....I can't stand this anymore. :mad:

This has been one of the longest weeks I've had in a long time. I actually have butterflies in my tummy.

[dlpmikki]

Guys - do you want me to go to a UK opening in 4 hours and tell you all?

Or would you, like me, prefer to wait till the proper morning and read it then?

[fig's disney]

my only hope is i can survive then next 6 hours without it being ruined by the internet or someone else.....i was quite skeptical about even opening this thread....but wanted to offer my idea up

For along time JK has said the last word of the book will be "scar." While she has admitted to changing this, she also said when she began the series she knew how it would end. My logic is if the last word is refering to harry how can he be dead.

Thanks for reading, i'll be back on when i've finished the book!!!!!!!

[MaryBelle]

I am going to one at a local Borders...dressed up as Professor Trelawney! She's not my favorite, but I could not get Pr. McGonagall's accent down (I'm a teacher too, so I had to be a teacher...otherwise I am Hermione's hair twin)

I figured Trelawney might be something few, if any, other people dress as. Hopefully I am not the only adult dressed up! There is a costume contest, after all. There is also a Potter Spelling Bee and a game of Snape, Snape, Harry (like duck duck goose).

I am so excited for the party, but even moreso for the book! I hope it somehow doesn't get spoiled before then...

[WonderlandsMostWanted]

I certainly am!! Hogwarts Express from platform 9 3/4, Stillwater, MN!!

The MN Zephyr (local dining train that runs through a scenic area near along the river) is running the Hogwarts Express for the book release! They'll have the depot all done up with shops from Diagon Alley and Hogsmead! Complete with costumed witches, wizards and ghosts. They'll have the Three Broomsticks, Olivanders, Madme Pudfoots Tea shop (sp?) Honeydukes, Weasley's Wizard Weezes, Zonko's Joke Shop and a Triwizard Maze.

Then, we get to ride the "Hogwarts Express" for about 45 minutes, including a mug of Butter Beer. If we're taking the 11:00 Friday night train , we'll be able to buy the book at the Depot when the train pulls back in!

I am SO stoked! :cloud9::D

I have devoted the weekend to reading! (and probably crying)

[ElenitaB]

We'll be going to an HP party tonight as well. We were going to go to one in Staten Island (hi, Mrs. Garabaldi) but since we don't have a book reserved, I'm really not up to standing online until everyone who does, buys their book. Therefore, we'll go to a party at a local bookstore, even if it means paying (gasp) full price for it.

My DS-11 is really excited to be going to the party. We'll probably leave around 10:00.

[MaryBelle]

WonderlandsMostWanted that sounds AMAZING!!! Wish I could be there, you must fill us in on how it was!

And ElenitaB, hope you enjoy it too, I am also going to a bookstore party. I reserved a book and got up early this morning to get a "first served" bracelet...hopefully that means I won't be waiting for hours :blush:

[Speedy1998]

No party, but I will be leaving to get in line in a couple of hours. I figure if I get to my local Wal-Mart by 10, I should be close enough to the front of the line that I will get a copy.

[MsMin]

I can't wait. I reserved 3 copies (my 2 dd's and I) on Monday and went @ 3 pm this afternoon to get my wristband for the checkout line that started @ 4pm. I'm # 92! I'll be going back around 11pm to get in yet another line (restricted to the first 100-150 ppl) Last book I was #667 and I didn't get to stand in the checkout line until 2pm and got home @ nearly 3am. This year I hope to be in bed w/ my book by 1am!!!!
Have a great time and a great read!!

[krose78]

Just got back from a Harry Potter party not quite 12:01 but the kids couldn't last that long. My husband stayed back to get the book just two more hours.:party:

[crazypoohbear]

One of my friends just told me that her daughter is in New York for one. She left the boston area to go there for the night!
Guess it's a really big party in NY!:mickey:

[BronxTigger]

One of my friends just told me that her daughter is in New York for one. She left the boston area to go there for the night!
Guess it's a really big party in NY!:mickey:

I think they are doing something special at the Scholastic Store in SoHo. I saw something about it on the news.

I never finished book 4, so I'm a little out of the loop on this one. I pretty much only read on the train, and it's hard to hold the Harry Potter books in one hand. Maybe I'll try again. I'll have to start over at book 1; I've forgotten the story line.

[Mickey91]

My daughter just came home from a kid's party at our public library. She had a lot of fun playing Harry Potter Twister and Bingo. They had other Harry activities and had a real blast.:mickey:

[Sean Riley Taylor's Mom]

My DH got off his 4-12 for the PD, walked into our local Waldbaum's(grocery store) of all places to get milk and picked up two copies with no line at all.

I had asked him to go get if for me at our local book store and he said the line was down the block and then some.

:cool:

[ibrowse17]

No party for me, but just wanted to say I knew Snape wasn't all bad and always had his reasons:thumbsup:

[WonderlandsMostWanted]

WonderlandsMostWanted that sounds AMAZING!!! Wish I could be there, you must fill us in on how it was!


It was so much fun! They did a lovely job, and everyone was so nice. As the train depot is not an authorized book seller, they had to wait until midnight to pick up the shipment from the bookstore that was distributing the books for them. A large truck (think average sized moving truck) left a book store at midnight and headed down to the depot with a police escort!! There was a car accident between the store and the depot, so we had a little bit of a wait. But I'll tell ya, there is nothing to quite explain how surreal it was seeing a police escort leading a truck into the parking lot to deliver books!

I brought my camera and took pictures. I'll post them in a few days, along with a more detailed review. (Sorry, you'll have to wait until I finish reading! A girl's got to have her priorities! ;) )

Happy reading all!

[WDWfanatic742]

Anyone start reading yet? Got mine but probably won't start reading until tonight.

[conorsmom2000]

Anyone start reading yet? Got mine but probably won't start reading until tonight.

I have. :blush: I went to a B&N midnight release last night - we got there early, so my 7 year old could enjoy some of the festivities but it was sooooo crowded! We waited in line 40 minutes for Conor to make a wand, then 30 minutes to get a tattoo! My husband took Con home at 9:30 and I stayed with the two children of friends I had brought. (both 13) One was getting to be handful and the place was getting more mobbed, so though we were number 124 to get teh book, we left. We went to get a bite to eat, then went to a local supermarket that was having a party. We had the books in our hands by 12:05, then I dropped them off and started reading and read until 2:30. :sleepin: My husband is working today, so Con and I had breakfast outside - me reading DH and him reading Sorcerer's Stone! :D :thumbsup: Now he's out with my sister and I'm reading, but I needed a break!

It's funny but I'm not rushing through this one like I did with HBP - I guess because I know once I finish, that's it - no more wondering, no more waiting for a book. It's kind of sad.... :(

[TigChatt]

Just curious where is everyone in the book? I'm on pg 217. So far I love it. What does everyone else think?

[snifflesmcg]

So I decided to make a new post for my 800th. My goal is to hit 1000 by my trip in September (also my one year anniversary with Intercot).
Anyway, this topic was inspired by those willing to stand in a line half a mile long at Walmart at midnight.

As stated, last night my BF and I decided to go to WalMart to get antifreeze. I generally hate Walmart but there are limited places to get that sort of thing that late at night.
We pulled into the parking lot and noticed it was full. We remarked on all of the cars. We went to the electronics department to price some MP3 players and noticed a HUGE line. We followed that line to, of all places, the auto department. I asked a lady in line "what is this line for" she then told me it was for the Harry Potter book. I chuckled to myself and proceded to get the antifreeze and leave.

So here is my question....How many of you really stood in a line at your local walmart/bookstore?

PS, the last time one of those books came out, I saw SEVERAL ends of books only a day or two later. You couldn't give them away

[LarryBoy]

I didn't vote because I bought the book today, but I didn't have to stand in line. Well there was one person in line in from of me, but she was buying something else. I was all worried about getting a copy so I reserved mine weeks ago at Barnes & Noble. Wish I hadn't of reserved it, it was cheaper at Target and they had plenty of copies.

[IC10]

We stood in line at BaM but we live in a small town so the line was nothing like you saw on TV. Had to buy three copies one for each child and one for myself. I love the series and I love the excitment over a book all of those kids wanting to read!!

[WDWfanatic742]

My parents bought me a copy at Publix while they were shopping today and they were 25% off with a table full of books.

[tinkerbell04]

This is one fad that I just never got into. I know lots of people that love the books and movies, just not me:mickey:

[mickeyfan2001]

I didn't vote. I ordered my on-line. I like Harry Potter but couldn't see standing in line for hours.

[glenpreece]

I really want to get this book but I haven't read a single one of the others. I've seen the movies and was talking to someone who has read the books. She said to just continue to see the movies or like her you will feel that they don't put enough into the movie out of the book. So maybe I'll get them cheap and start reading from the beginning I dunno. I am just reading the peter pan prequels for now.

[Sunshine1010]

I've known a Paramedic/Policeman to stand in line at midnight to get a new videogame for PS.....but I've never known anyone to stand in line for a book.

When my son is old enough to read things like this (he's 6), and he's THAT excited to get a book and read it?........yeah, I'll take him.

I think part of it is the excitement....the experience....the moment.

For many kids, Harry Potter is something they've actually grown up with, so I'm sure it's enjoyable.

I used to babysit a child who LOVED the first Harry Potter movie. YEARS later.....well, he's in ROTC and will be graduating H.S.

It's kinda like THE LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE book series. Remember all us girls would get SOOOOOO excited when the new one would come out?.....or was it just me?

[conorsmom2000]

Just curious where is everyone in the book?

Page 307 - it's amazing! :thumbsup:

[TigChatt]

Ok now I'm in the 350's and it just keeps getting better and better doesnt it? Oh wow! It was well worth the wait. I can't WAIT to find out what happens!!:thumbsup:

[paulsheri]

WE WENT TO THE LIBRARY@ 1:00 PM TODAY AND THEY "STILL" HAD 60 COPIES LEFT, AND WE CHECKED 1 COPY OUT AND WITH A 2 WEEK RETURN.:secret:

[tbelle's dghtr]

i pre ordered my copy from walmart.com so that it would arrive on my doorstep today. :) love love love harry potter. i'm all for the hype that gets kids to read.

[TiggeRia]

I've been done since 5:30 this afternoon, but now I have to wait the ten days to start discussing it! :( I wanted to finish quickly because I have to return to work tomorrow and basically reenter the real world. I was afraid that someone might spill the beans to the ending, and I just had to read it for myself. Guess I'll start reading it over again!

[TigChatt]

You dont have to wait 10 days to discuss it. you can always pm me to discuss it once I finish which I want to be done with it tomorrow. I'll let you know when I finish

[disneydeb]

I feel that it does not HAVE to end here. Anyone else feel the same?

[rnin02]

Just curious where is everyone in the book? I'm on pg 217. So far I love it. What does everyone else think?


oh, i'm working tonight (i work nights, so i had to sleep during the day) and i've only been able to make it to around page 60. Its driving me crazy...I wish I could be at home, reading.

[PirateLover]

Well I'm finished. Got my book at 11am this morning and tried to read as straight through as I could. My significant interruptions probably totalled about 3 hrs or so and I spent most of the day holed up in a room while others roared loadly playing board games in another room, lol. I finished at 2am. As much as I wanted to savor it, I am just one of those people who "has to know" and I could not risk being spoiled. All I will say for now is....wow. I'm kind of lost right now though. Don't know whether to reread this one or start again from the beginning

[TigChatt]

Well I'm finished. Got my book at 11am this morning and tried to read as straight through as I could. My significant interruptions probably totalled about 3 hrs or so and I spent most of the day holed up in a room while others roared loadly playing board games in another room, lol. I finished at 2am. As much as I wanted to savor it, I am just one of those people who "has to know" and I could not risk being spoiled. All I will say for now is....wow. I'm kind of lost right now though. Don't know whether to reread this one or start again from the beginning

Great now I'm dying to finish! I'm around 450 now.

[fig's disney]

wow what a whirlwind....finished around midnight last night (this morning)....i had a feeling this would be the ending but i loved the book.....after page 400 things really start to pick up!!!!:thumbsup:

[Disneyatic]

I finished it around 1 a.m.....the last half of it just flew by. I couldn't wait to get to the end but it is def. bittersweet having read the last book.

[PirateLover]

Well I'm 21 years old, didn't start reading HP books until I was 16 (4 had been released by that time) and I was just as excited for this book as any child. I never stood in line but i always pre-ordered from Amazon and yesterday I even bought a copy at Target before mine showed up so my mom and I could read at the same time and not be spoiled.
HP is not a just a children's thing anymore... in fact I'm dead serious when I say that the movie for this book could push an R rating. They are already at pg-13 with the latest and the books just get darker and darker.

[TheDuckRocks]

I voted that I couldn't care less about the books or the movies or the actors or all the junk in the stores.....
But I have to confess that I stood in Costco today and read the end so I can hold what I know over my grandkids heads.:thedolls:
Sometimes I'm not the nice little old lady so many think I am.

[PirateLover]

Just wanted to add that as of June 2007, the Harry Potter series has sold over 300 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 65 languages since the publishing of the first book in 1997. The last four volumes in the series have been the fastest-selling books in history, grossing more in their opening 24 hours than blockbuster films.

[snifflesmcg]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying anything is wrong with the books or movies at all. I was just wondering who would stand in a gigantic line waiting for a book at midnight.

That goes for ALL things that people wait in line forever for. That includes PS3 last december, Wii, the iPhone or even waiting in line for a movie while it's wrapped around the theatre for opening night. In my experience, I always wait and see what happens. Most of the time, in a day or two the movies have plenty of opens seats and trust me, things like PS3 and iPhones drop drastically in price within 6 months to a year and in many cases they get better with age (they get the kinks out). Perhaps I'm more patient than I thought I was.

[TigChatt]

I didnt really have to end either but she wanted it to be over. I loved the end of the book but it felt like the epiloge was just throw together.

[branvy]

I couldn't answer this one b/c I got my book about 12:15 am and didn't wait in line. We went to see the latest HP movie, which got out around 12:03, and drove straight over to Borders. Took 5 minutes to park the car, walk in, grab one and check out.

[SBETigg]

It was probably very exciting to go at midnght and wait in line, but I knew there was no need to wait in line. I showed up at my local market and bought one yesterday morning along with my groceries. Borders alone sold 1.2 million copies on the first day, but the book has a very high print run so it shouldn't be out of stock anywhere for long, if at all. It's not at all like the wait for Wii or PS2 or iPhone, in which the supply does not equal the demand and even some of the people waiting in line won't get one. The publisher made sure supply would equal demand.

[PirateLover]

I loved the end of the book but it felt like the epiloge was just throw together.

I def. agree.

[PirateLover]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying anything is wrong with the books or movies at all. I was just wondering who would stand in a gigantic line waiting for a book at midnight.


Ah, I see. I thought you were laughing because they were waiting for Harry Potter, not just waiting in general.

Still, I can understand it though. I mean when you're really into something and you've waited so long, you want to get your hands on it as soon as possible. While I've never gotten a HP book at midnight, I have done midnight movie premieres. But I still think its important to look at those facts I posted. Harry Potter is a huge phenomenon that has fans of both genders, all ages and races and some people have been waiting for this final book for 10 years now. Just to make a parallel, prior to fastpass families waited hours in lines for a ride that will last a matter of minutes at WDW. Parents keep their kids out till 2am for EMH. We spend hours on this message board obsessing over vacations that could be years away.... it's a very similar sort of thing, in my own opinion.

*ETA I do agree with you about the iPhone. I would never buy a first generation model of something like that, especially when you look at the iPod and how many updates and changes there have been. But I think something like a book that reveals secrets that so many have been waiting to find out has a very different pull to it and I can understand the waiting in line.

[TigChatt]

I def. agree.

I'm glad that I'm not the only one that feels this way.

[brewcrew26]

I finished at 1:30 this afternoon (I have to work an early weekend shift at a radio station...so, I have to be in bed really early). I think it maybe took me 12 hours to read?? Not to mention, it was hard doing a morning show without having my co-hosts not try and spoil the ending for me. Actually, they were pretty good about it and hiding what they had read online (none of them are true HP fans).

I absolutely loved it!!! I can't wait to discuss the book more in depth!!

At least it redeemed the movie for being so utterly bad. :cloud9:

Now, it's sleepy time with some Disney music...:sheep:

[conorsmom2000]

I loved the end of the book but it felt like the epiloge was just throw together.
That's kind of funny because hasn't JKR said that part's been written since she started all of this? She's had that last chapter locked away for years and only slightly revised it when writting DH. I know a lot of people feel as you do, though.

I finished about 2 pm. My husband asked me when I'd start reading it again and I said "probably tonight". :blush:

[alphamommy]

I just finished. Wow.

I want more!!!!

[mouseaddict]

I read it yesterday and loved every second of it!!!! I think she ended it beautifully but I agree about the epilogue..and a few questions are still unanswered.......but she said it would be that way. So now I am going back to read this one slowly and then the whole series...and then...oh no..no more books....

[devo995493]

We received the book via mail at 2:30pm Yesterday, and I finshed it at 4:30 am this morning.

I rolled over, woke up my wife, and handed the book off to her. She started reading right then and there.

Now we can talk to each other again. It makes for a pretty quiet weekend when all we're doing is reading.

I thought the book was very good, though like most I am sorry to see it end.

Time for the Harry Potter Prequels to start being written.

[TigChatt]

That's kind of funny because hasn't JKR said that part's been written since she started all of this? She's had that last chapter locked away for years and only slightly revised it when writting DH. I know a lot of people feel as you do, though.

I finished about 2 pm. My husband asked me when I'd start reading it again and I said "probably tonight". :blush:

The way I took that to mean that she meant the very last chapter NOT the epilogue. But if she meant that then you would think that she would have elaborated a little more on it. I'm glad that she FINALLY did put people together in it.

[PirateLover]

That's kind of funny because hasn't JKR said that part's been written since she started all of this? She's had that last chapter locked away for years and only slightly revised it when writting DH. I know a lot of people feel as you do, though.


You know I wondered about this myself, since I feel the same way as TigChatt. Technically it isn't the last "chapter" but the writing style and just overall storytelling style didn't seem to flow with the rest of the book... This will be interesting to talk about more and see what JKR has to say. I think she has interviews lined up soon and she's promised to answer more questions and be pretty forthcoming about everything.

[PirateLover]

The way I took that to mean that she meant the very last chapter NOT the epilogue.
Lol. I just had to laugh because we posted the same idea at the same time.

PS. Do we realllllyyy have to wait 10 days? Can't we whittle it down just a bit?:pout:

[conorsmom2000]

The way I took that to mean that she meant the very last chapter NOT the epilogue. But if she meant that then you would think that she would have elaborated a little more on it. I'm glad that she FINALLY did put people together in it.
Hmmm....I'm not sure. I assumed she meant the epilogue when she said the last chapter was written, because when she has talked about it, she has also said that the last word was "scar", then in a recent interview, stated that now scar was not the last word, but close to it. And, since it was written years ago, it would kind of make sense that it didn't flow with the rest of the book. But, honestly, who knows....:confused: Hopefully we'll find out more when the interviews start! :thumbsup:

In case anyone doesn't know, NBC has a 3 part interview with her - parts 1 & 2 are on the Today show on July 26th, and 27th, and the 3rd will be on Dateline on July 29th!! :D

And Maryanne, I agree - this ban is KILLING me! :blush:

[Sunshine1010]

Let's compare.........

Standing in line at midnight to get a book.....COMPARED TO.....standing in line at midnight with children during EMH to ride Soarin?

Who's crazier....them or us?

[SpecJoe Magic]

I can understand why people are willing to wait in a long line at midnight to get the final book. It's similar to anticipating a WDW trip. It's the feeling of wanting to get there as soon as possible. DW and I had reserved our copy (we read out loud to each other) at the local Books-a-Million and the line we waited in moved quickly. We got the book in about 15 minutes even though we were lined up outside the building.

[llamaface]

I work at a local bookstore and we held a Potter party. By midnight, we had about 200 people waiting to buy their HP book. I still had some individuals coming @ 1:30 AM to buy it. The series was a phenomenon unlike anything we will ever see again.

[conorsmom2000]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying anything is wrong with the books or movies at all. I was just wondering who would stand in a gigantic line waiting for a book at midnight.

Sorry, I also kind of took your first post to mean that you were making fun of it! :blush:

For me, I think there's two things to consider - the excitment of waiting these past 2 years for this, the final chapter in the story - and the need to prevent spoilers! Leaks got out, US publishers posted reviews prior to the release, and there was even an article in a NY paper about a man, stuck on broken down subway who got a little crazy and yelled the ending to a teenager reading her copy - he then had to deal with much verbal abuse from the other passengers! For every HP fan, especially the kids that have grown up with him, there's another person who takes pleasure in spoiling it for them. So, the sooner you get the book, the less time you have to spend avoiding all forms of media and entertainment! :thumbsup:

But, aside from the WalMarts, etc., really most of the events were about fun. I took my son and two 13 year old friends to B&N. Conor, who's 7, dressed as a magician, one of the 13 year olds wore his Hogwarts robes - they all got to make wands, get tattoos, etc. It was just a party, with a magical setting. Standing in line would have only started at 11:30, when they called you by wristband number. But, as Mike took Con home, I left with the other two and we headed to a local supermarket, got our number for the book, took part in a scavenger hunt there, had some cake and then at midnight, they started calling numbers - no line, you just ran up and got the book when they called your number. We were in the car and driving home at 12:05. For the kids I was with, it was a great experience! And for my son, who got to enjoy some of it, it got him to sit down and read the 1st book in one weekend! :D It was awesome! Saturday was a beautiful day and it was so fun to sit in the backyard, early in the morning, with my coffee of course, reading DH's, with my son next to me, reading SS! :cloud9:

[mouseaddict]

I am bursting too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My best friend has not read it yet and won't till later this week...so I have no one to discuss with.. I may sponaneously combust!!!! I can't wait to talk about it with you guys!

[TigChatt]

You know we could always discuss it, as long as we put spoiler on it first and then but the rest that we want to say in white. I'm dying to talk about it too. Connorsmom, I see what you mean about the scar comment, and agree with you on that. But what I don't get is why if she said rewrote it, then WHY wouldn't she make it flow a little better.

*SPOILER*
I would have loved to read about the weddings.

[jedigrrrl]

I finished last night and might start reading it again! I actually have the urge to re-read the entire series.

[PirateLover]

You know we could always discuss it, as long as we put spoiler on it first and then but the rest that we want to say in white. I'm dying to talk about it too.

Well, earlier in the thread it was asked that we stick to a request that was made on Harry Potter boards across the internet not to discuss for 10 days, even with spoiler font, and most agreed. But I did mention earlier in the thread that in the past we've just talked about it with spoiler warnings, but if the majority wanted to wait the 10 days than I would too. Maybe we should've done a poll on that, lol.

[BrerSchultzy]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying anything is wrong with the books or movies at all. I was just wondering who would stand in a gigantic line waiting for a book at midnight.


If you preordered the book from a book chain NOT called Barnes and Noble, you probably only waited until 12:15. Books a Million had a GREAT voucher system set up, so that even though there were over 2000 people there to get the book, my wife and I sat in the cafe until 12:15, when the line was gone, walked up and got our book.

[GreenBeetle]

My 10 year old daughter finished the entire book in less than 48 hours! She got her copy at 12:01am on 7/21 and finished it yesterday. She loved it and is about to read it again!

[rnin02]

We need another option on the poll! I preordered mine from Amazon, and got it in the mail on Saturday. Perfect for me, since I had to work the whole weekend and waiting in line was not an option.

[dlpmikki]

I didn't wait in line nor pre-order it. There was a bit of last minute competition from some supermarkets as to who could sell it cheapest and I was lucky enough to live near the cheapest option so I strolled in on Saturday morning and picked it up. I didn't have a chance to start reading it until Sunday but it is all finished now and I did enjoy it.

[Mickey91]

I ordered mine on Amazon and had it Saturday morning! I've already read it!:mickey:

[disneyfan369]

The seventh book was AMAZING!!!!!! I loved it, and it is now my most favorite book. Ever.

[BrerGnat]

The seventh book was AMAZING!!!!!! I loved it, and it is now my most favorite book. Ever.

I am going to wholeheartedly agree with you there.

I was an English major in College. I have read a LOT of books. I have to say, I am amazed at JKR's talent...this is the best book I've ever read, with the best story and writing style. Period.

[ChipnDaleGal]

My daughter and two of her friends were home and reading on the couch before 1 am Saturday morning and read straight through and finished about 1 pm Saturday afternoon. I was still finishing up re-reading book 6, so I didn't start on 7 until about 9 pm Saturday night. I read most of the day Sunday. I have never been so excited and yet so sad to read a book. JK Rowling is an amazing author. She wrapped it all up just beautifully! :thumbsup:

[conorsmom2000]

I am amazed at JKR's talent...this is the best book I've ever read, with the best story and writing style. Period.


I have never been so excited and yet so sad to read a book. JK Rowling is an amazing author. She wrapped it all up just beautifully! :thumbsup:

:yes: Couldn't agree with you both more!!! :thumbsup:

[Jeff]

and yet so sad to read a book.


I agree. It is sad to see the story end as I, and millions of us, have enjoyed it so much. My daughter has grown up with Harry and we have loved the series as a family "activity".

I actually put off reading the book until Sunday night. My wife and daughter went right through it starting 12:30am Sat. morning. I was torn between wanting to read and know and not wanting it to end.

I think it is one of the best books of the series. It is hard to put down.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

[PirateLover]

I agree of course with the general sentiment... the first thing I thought was "Wow. It's all over. Now what do I do?" And although I have always read almost nonstop for the others, I felt that I especially had to do that because of the fear of someone spoiling it for me, which is ashame really. There was a kid trying to read the book at my camp and this other person who had read an online summary was asking me questions about it and I was just like.. be quiet! Can't you see he is still reading!

[pshokie]

Done. Finished while eating lunch today.

You didn't think I was going to hide did you??????? :hide:

[krose78]

Has it been 10 days yet? :lurk: My husband hasn't finished yet. It took him forever last time too and I had to keep Dumbledors death a secret like forever.:mad: ...Luckily a friend of mine said he wanted to know what happened but didn't feel like reading the book right now so I got to talk with him about it.

[BrerSchultzy]

Done. Finished while eating lunch today.

You didn't think I was going to hide did you??????? :hide:

Allow me to reiterate a point I made earlier...thank you.

I can honestly say that, even though you weren't 100% accurate in your forecasting, your information and research and reasoning really helped me get through Book 7 with a better understanding of what was going on.

That goes for everybody here. Thanks for making this such a great thread!

By the way...my wife and I both think this was our favorite book by anybody (and believe it or not, that usurps Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut for me, and Handling Sin by Michael Malone for her). Perfect ending to a perfect story.

[threeh]

I finished last night. My son and I went to a release party at a bookstore and lots of fun. I don't know if it is my favorite book in the series ( i thinkg I have to re read it) but it was a wonderful way to end the series. Hurrah!! I am sad that Harry Potter is over as a series it has been such a wonderful ride for the last few years. I really got into it after the release of book 5 so I've been a potterhead for about 4 years. I'm going to miss that part. Any how can't wait to start discussing....:thumbsup:

[conorsmom2000]

Woo hoo! :dance::clappy::woohoo:

Some exciting news from JK Rowling, via an article on MSNBC (from her Today show interview that I posted about)

Please note: This article has SPOILERS! I will use the SPOILER font (highlight to read) - but, if you are still reading the book, please stop reading this post NOW!

I know we had said we wouldn't discuss it yet, and I can delete this if people want, but I thought the info too good not to share. But, you have been warned!!

From MSNBC's Website:

Spoiler alert: This story reveals some key plot points in the final Harry Potter book. So if you've haven't finished the book, J.K. Rowling asks that you not read this story.

For the millions in the midst of the seven stages of mourning for the end of the Harry Potter era, take heart.
In her first tell-all interview since the release of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” J.K. Rowling told TODAY’s Meredith Vieira she "probably will" publish a Potter encyclopedia, promising many more details about her beloved characters and the fate of the wizarding world beyond the few clues provided in the seventh book’s epilogue.
“I suppose I have (started) because the raw material is all in my notes,” Rowling said.


The encyclopedia would include back stories of characters she has already written but had to cut for the sake of narrative arc (“I've said before that Dean Thomas had a much more interesting history than ever appeared in the books”), as well as details about the characters who survive “Deathly Hallows,” characters who continue to live on in Rowling’s mind in a clearly defined magical world.
Hogwarts, for example, has a new headmaster (“McGonagall was really getting on a bit”), and Rowling said she can see Harry going back to give the "odd talk" on Defense Against the Dark Arts. That class, by the way, is now led by a permanent professor since Voldemort’s death broke the jinx which didn’t allow a teacher to remain in the position for more than a year.
Rowling offered up these details freely to Vieira and the 14 fans who asked her questions at Edinburgh Castle in Scotland on Tuesday. In fact, now that she is now longer burdened with guarding the secrets of book seven, Rowling seemed to delight in discussing her plot choices and clearing up the mysteries that have previously surrounded the books.
The character Rowling couldn’t bear to kill One of the big stories that has been floating among fans for over a year is that one character gets a reprieve from death, while two others Rowling didn’t intend to kill end up dying in “Deathly Hallows.”
“Mr. Weasley, he was the person who got a reprieve,” Rowling said. “When I sketched out the books, Mr. Weasley was due to die in Book Five.”
Instead, another father dies in the end of Book Seven.
Though Rowling couldn’t bear to kill off Arthur Weasley, that didn't mean the other deaths in the book were easy to take. Given the blood bath that is “Deathly Hallows,” the writing of it was bound to be an emotional roller coaster.
But nothing in the entire process of the series was more difficult than writing the scene when Harry, accompanied by his deceased lost loved ones – including his parents James and Lily and his godfather Sirius — walks into the forest with the intent of sacrificing his life in the name of defeating Voldemort, Rowling said, adding it is her favorite passage in all seven books.
“I didn't cry as I was writing (that chapter), but when I finished writing, I had enormous explosion of emotion and I cried and cried and cried,” Rowling said.



“That was partly because of the content — and partly because it had been planned for so long and been roughed out for so long. And to write the definitive version felt like a — a huge climax.”
“The Deathly Hallows” is the climax to the last 17 years of Rowling’s life, a time when she has gone from a single, divorced mother living on public assistance to a happily married mother of three and one richest women in the world.
It’s now time to sit back for a bit and enjoy the life that Harry has given her, Rowling said. And, when she’s ready, there’s always that encyclopedia waiting in the wings.
“I’m not going to do it tomorrow because I’d really like a break,” Rowling said, laughing. “So you may be waiting.”

______________________________________________

So, it means more waiting (and probably a long time!) but I love the idea that she will do an encyclopedia and fill us in on so much!!!

[pshokie]

Allow me to reiterate a point I made earlier...thank you.

I can honestly say that, even though you weren't 100% accurate in your forecasting, your information and research and reasoning really helped me get through Book 7 with a better understanding of what was going on.

That goes for everybody here. Thanks for making this such a great thread!

By the way...my wife and I both think this was our favorite book by anybody (and believe it or not, that usurps Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut for me, and Handling Sin by Michael Malone for her). Perfect ending to a perfect story.

Hmmm...not 100% correct?? How dare you say that! :D I was atleast 10% correct , 15% if you grade on a curve. :blush:

But even in my complete failure, I am glad that I could get people excited and theorizing. So I would like to say both thank you and you're welcome. :thumbsup:

I must say, it was fun tossing around the theories.....I will miss that. :(


So, it means more waiting (and probably a long time!) but I love the idea that she will do an encyclopedia and fill us in on so much!!!

While I like this idea, I am a little cautious/skeptical. Having purchased and read Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and Quidditch Through the Ages, I can say that while entertaining, they are no where near the level of the novels.

I really hope she takes some time off, re-steels herself, and writes the encyclopedia almost as a series of short stories, rather than facts and figures....

Mind you nothing huge, but say a 10 page story on the "Life and Times of Dean Thomas", etc.

[conorsmom2000]

Mind you nothing huge, but say a 10 page story on the "Life and Times of Dean Thomas", etc.

:D LOL - nice try, but I doubt that's what it would be like! Well, actually - who knows? It is possible that's what it could be like. To be honest, I really wouldn't care if it was a sentence (though, I'd prefer a paragraph) on each character - just so we know a little more than we know now! :thumbsup:

[threeh]

You know what I would love is for her to re tell the whole story of Harry's 7 years thru someone elses eyes, like Dumbledore of Snape's point of view. I would love to see how things went down minus the "harry Filter" that we see thru his eyes. It would be a cool twist. Like maybe Dumbledore was totally onto Quirell and stuff. Just a thought since JKR has nothing but free time. hehe!!:thumbsup:

[ncscgirl2005]

Done. Finished while eating lunch today.

You didn't think I was going to hide did you??????? :hide:

Welcome back!

[ncscgirl2005]

I finished reading at about midnight Monday/Sunday night. I have to admit that she lost me a couple of times in the beginning. I felt so many different emotions while reading this book. I went from bored to sad to anxious to nervous to frightened to "Oh My Gosh I Can't Read Another Line (in a nervous, antsy kind of way). There were times when I didn't wanna go on because I knew the end was near. There was one chapter in the book that really freaked me out. I never get scared by reading something but that one particular spot freaked me out. I wonder if you guys know what I'm talking about. I'll give you a hint: It's when they went to GH.

I will probably re-read this book soon since I read it fast the first time around. I didn't want somebody to spoil it for me--had to find out on my own.

In the epilogue I saw a slight glimmer of chance for something else to evolve. Anybody else pick up on it?

[ncscgirl2005]

Allow me to reiterate a point I made earlier...thank you.

I can honestly say that, even though you weren't 100% accurate in your forecasting, your information and research and reasoning really helped me get through Book 7 with a better understanding of what was going on.

That goes for everybody here. Thanks for making this such a great thread!

By the way...my wife and I both think this was our favorite book by anybody (and believe it or not, that usurps Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut for me, and Handling Sin by Michael Malone for her). Perfect ending to a perfect story.

:thumbsup: I totally agree. Way to go in creating this thread. It became one of my highlights of the day (I know I need to get a life right?!)

To PSHOKIE and Conorsom--thank you. I loved the theorys and the discussion you guys provoked. I totally agree that it helped me to get along through the book much easier.

PSHOKIE, I will spare the pie since you still did an awesome job IMHO. Gosh, I was so rooting for that McGonagall theory though!

I can't say this was my favorite book though. I don't think there were enough twists and turns and "Oh No She Didn't!"'s in the book for a LAST and FINAL book of all time!I guess she had to tie up too many loose ends as it was already and didn't want to leave anything else hanging in the air. Didn't want to stir up us crazed fans!

[ncscgirl2005]

:D LOL - nice try, but I doubt that's what it would be like! Well, actually - who knows? It is possible that's what it could be like. To be honest, I really wouldn't care if it was a sentence (though, I'd prefer a paragraph) on each character - just so we know a little more than we know now! :thumbsup:

I agree. Or how about the young character that popped up towards the end with the initials A.S.P. Something stuck out to me there when he was introduced.

[ncscgirl2005]

Oh and let me say that while we were waiting ever so patiently in line (nearly 2 hrs-one hr in the unofficial line + one hr in the official line) that we tried Bert's Every Flavor Jellybeans for the first time. My first (and last) one was sausage. :sick: Oddly enough my daughter enjoyed the earwax, black pepper, and buttered popcorn flavors. I couldn't take the risk of getting sick and losing my place in line so I settled for a Blood Pop instead. Much tastier. :thumbsup:

[pshokie]

:thumbsup: I totally agree. Way to go in creating this thread. It became one of my highlights of the day (I know I need to get a life right?!)

To PSHOKIE and Conorsom--thank you. I loved the theorys and the discussion you guys provoked. I totally agree that it helped me to get along through the book much easier.

PSHOKIE, I will spare the pie since you still did an awesome job IMHO. Gosh, I was so rooting for that McGonagall theory though!

I can't say this was my favorite book though. I don't think there were enough twists and turns and "Oh No She Didn't!"'s in the book for a LAST and FINAL book of all time!I guess she had to tie up too many loose ends as it was already and didn't want to leave anything else hanging in the air. Didn't want to stir up us crazed fans!

Okay, to cover all bases:
Yes, props to Schultzy for starting this whole thing
Please do not say that you have to get a life. What would that say about the rest of us? :D
As I said before to Schultzy, thank you and you're welcome. I really had fun with the theories.
Mmmmmmm....pie. What flavor is humble anyway?
Have to agree on the 'not my favorite book' though. For me, I think it suffered from what I will call "Star Wars Prequel Expectations". Basically, I was too excited, so it originally fell short. Why? Because I expected too much. It is all on me. But upon later readings (as in the viewings for SW), I expect this book to be much better, because my expectations have been tempered.
I still cried though. Big wussy man that I am. :sob:




Oh and let me say that while we were waiting ever so patiently in line (nearly 2 hrs-one hr in the unofficial line + one hr in the official line) that we tried Bert's Every Flavor Jellybeans for the first time. My first (and last) one was sausage. :sick: Oddly enough my daughter enjoyed the earwax, black pepper, and buttered popcorn flavors. I couldn't take the risk of getting sick and losing my place in line so I settled for a Blood Pop instead. Much tastier. :thumbsup:


Ughhhh. Bertie Botts: Rotten Eggs. Worst flavor ever. Once I bit down, I could not get the taste out of my mouth or get the smell out of my nose for hours. :sick: I'll take vomit flavor over rotten eggs any day.

And on that, little story about my evil side. :thedolls: At my old job, I use to get that giant tub of the jelly bellies from costco. Well, when I brought them in, I would always mix in 1 box of Bertie Botts. Throw the box away (no pictures for comaparison). Place them on my desk, with a warning, and let everyone dig in.

What? :shrug: They had something like a 1 in 20 chance of getting a bad one. Not such bad odds. Of course I learned what the bad ones looked like.....

[Disneyatic]

I finished reading at about midnight Monday/Sunday night. I have to admit that she lost me a couple of times in the beginning. I felt so many different emotions while reading this book. I went from bored to sad to anxious to nervous to frightened to "Oh My Gosh I Can't Read Another Line (in a nervous, antsy kind of way). There were times when I didn't wanna go on because I knew the end was near. I will probably re-read this book soon since I read it fast the first time around. I didn't want somebody to spoil it for me--had to find out on my own.


I was afraid to say it....but I agree that this was not my favorite book. I really had to plow through the first half, I think it was partly due to my fear over who would die! The last half of the book really picked up and seemed to flow better.
Looking back, I think all the hype and reading all the theories and speculations gave me alot of baggage going into this book and I had to work through that while I was reading. Once I got over my pre-conceived notions and my tension, I was able to let myself enjoy it....call me crazy:secret:
I am re-reading it again and now that I can go at a relaxed pace I am enjoying the first half more.

[conorsmom2000]

I was afraid to say it....but I agree that this was not my favorite book. I really had to plow through the first half, I think it was partly due to my fear over who would die! The last half of the book really picked up and seemed to flow better.
Looking back, I think all the hype and reading all the theories and speculations gave me alot of baggage going into this book and I had to work through that while I was reading. Once I got over my pre-conceived notions and my tension, I was able to let myself enjoy it....call me crazy:secret:
I am re-reading it again and now that I can go at a relaxed pace I am enjoying the first half more.

I think a lot of people had the same feelings/reaction as you. I've read many fan reviews where they said the same pretty much the same thing - or many that felt it was too slow at times. Honestly, though, for me, it was hands down my favorite. And I appreciated the slower portions of the book so I could catch my breath from the rest of it! :thumbsup: I think with the pressure of this being the last book, some had their expectations set really high. I also saw one post where someone said the story was predictable and there was nothing new - that made me laugh as this it was the 7th book, this was not where I expected to find really new things! But, I wanted a story that showed how far the characters had come and wrapped it all up - and that's what I got! :D I really loved this one (PoA being my 2nd favorite!)

As for Bertie Bott's - well, everyone knows that I am a huge HP fan - so they keep buying me these darn things! I must have 7 packages now and I won't touch them with a 10 ft pole! :blush:

pshokie - your story about the jelly beans made me laugh! (though, I think I'm glad I don't work with you!! :blush: )

[ncscgirl2005]

As for Bertie Bott's - well, everyone knows that I am a huge HP fan - so they keep buying me these darn things! I must have 7 packages now and I won't touch them with a 10 ft pole! :blush:

pshokie - your story about the jelly beans made me laugh! (though, I think I'm glad I don't work with you!! :blush: )

LOL! I am going to buy a box for my sister in law who is a brand new fan of HP and doesn't even know the jellybeans really exist.

PSHokie, I should do what you did and mix them up. That would be a riot! Glad I didn't try to rotten egg flavor.

[ncscgirl2005]

I still cried though. Big wussy man that I am. :sob: [/LIST]


:grouphug: Awww....do you need a hug.

For the record, I cried too. Especially when he took the walk.

[PirateLover]

epilogue aside, I can honestly say that this was my favorite. Wasn't slow for me at all. The only book that went slow for me was actually HPB.

And the only reason that some of the "revelations" were predictable was precisely because of how good JKR set up these novels to leave little clues. HOWEVER they would really only be discovered on re-reads. For someone like my mother, who reads the novels once and that's it, and has no clue about all of these theories (aside from what I might tell her), everything is a surprise to her.

And as conorsmom has said, there were plenty of things that still surprised me! Those things that we had discovered ahead of time didn't make me disappointed, but rather I smiled with satisfaction. Overall I say well-done Joanna Rowling, and thank you!

[conorsmom2000]

Those things that we had discovered ahead of time didn't make me disappointed, but rather I smiled with satisfaction. Overall I say well-done Joanna Rowling, and thank you!

Well said! :thumbsup:

I can't wait until we can really talk about it! I hope we can each give a review of what we thought, going over some of our favorite parts (even not so favorite, if that's the case!)

Can you tell I have a couple of favorite parts I want to mention?? :secret: :D

[TikiGoddess]

I know I'm joining the discussion late, but at least before the true discussion starts 10 days out!

I just finished it. My DH is probably very relieved as I have been buried in it for the last 5 days! Now he gets a chance to read it too.

I truly enjoyed it. The parts leading up to and during Harry's 'walk' were just perfect.

TikiG

[ncscgirl2005]

Well said! :thumbsup:

I can't wait until we can really talk about it! I hope we can each give a review of what we thought, going over some of our favorite parts (even not so favorite, if that's the case!)

Can you tell I have a couple of favorite parts I want to mention?? :secret: :D

Hey I'm with you. I can't wait until we can begin discussing it! Some many things I want to say but I'm afraid I will forget them by then. My brain is clouded with Harry Potter, Astronomy, and Algebra. But I prefer to think about Harry Potter though!

[dixielandings]

Just finished at 10:46 last night. :blush: I just kept crying! But I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who was undone by the Walk. It was so well-written, I felt like I was walking right alongside him. And the scene after that - KC - was is just me or was it perfect? That he would end up in the place that first took him to his new life, making a huge pivotal choice about whether or not to continue on in that life. Well done.

(sigh) I should start breathing normally sometime later today...

[conorsmom2000]

But I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who was undone by the Walk. It was so well-written, I felt like I was walking right alongside him. And the scene after that - KC - was is just me or was it perfect? That he would end up in the place that first took him to his new life, making a huge pivotal choice about whether or not to continue on in that life. Well done.


I so agree! The Walk - I don't even know what to say. I read it again last night and was crying even more! And KC I thought was so fitting!

Now, there is another article on MSNBC from the Today show interview, which does give more information about what happened to certain characters and why she didn't put it in the epilogue - some specific questions are answered! :mickey:

Again - this contains Spoilers so I will use the Spoiler font - do not read this if you do not want to know or have not finished the book!!

Finished ‘Potter’? Rowling tells what happens next

Exclusive: Author gives details on events after the book’s final epilogue



TODAYShow.com contributor
Updated: 1 hour, 41 minutes ago
Spoiler alert: This story reveals some key plot points in the final Harry Potter book. So if you've haven't finished the book, J.K. Rowling asks that you not read this story.
If you found the epilogue of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” rather vague, then J.K Rowling achieved her goal.
The author was shooting for “nebulous,” something “poetic.” She wanted the readers to feel as if they were looking at Platform 9&#190; through the mist, unable to make out exactly who was there and who was not.
“I do, of course, have that information for you, should you require it,” she told TODAY’s Meredith Vieira rather coyly in her first interview since fans got their hands on the final book.
Ummm … yes, please
Rowling said her original epilogue was “a lot more detailed,” including the name of every child born to the Weasley clan in the past 19 years. (Victoire, who was snogging Teddy — Lupin and Tonks’ son — is Bill and Fleur’s eldest.)
“But it didn’t work very well as a piece of writing,” Rowling said. “It felt very much that I had crowbarred in every bit of information I could … In a novel you have to resist the urge to tell everything.”
But now that the seventh and final novel is in the hands of her adoring public, Rowling no longer has to hold back any information about Harry Potter from her fans. And when 14 fans crowded around her in Edinburgh Castle in Scotland earlier this week as part of TODAY’s interview, Rowling was more than willing to share her thoughts about what Harry and his friends are up to now.
Harry, Ron and HermioneWe know that Harry marries Ginny and has three kids, essentially, as Rowling explains, creating the family and the peace and calm he never had as a child.
As for his occupation, Harry, along with Ron, is working at the Auror Department at the Ministry of Magic. After all these years, Harry is now the department head.
“Harry and Ron utterly revolutionized the Auror Department,” Rowling said. “They are now the experts. It doesn’t matter how old they are or what else they’ve done.”
Meanwhile, Hermione, Ron’s wife, is “pretty high up” in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, despite laughing at the idea of becoming a lawyer in “Deathly Hallows.”
“I would imagine that her brainpower and her knowledge of how the Dark Arts operate would really give her a sound grounding,” Rowling said.
Harry, Ron and Hermione don’t join the same Ministry of Magic they had been at odds with for years; they revolutionize it and the ministry evolves into a “really good place to be.”
“They made a new world,” Rowling said.
The wizarding naturalist
Luna Lovegood, the eccentric Ravenclaw who was fascinated with Crumple-Horned Snorkacks and Umgubular Slashkilters, continues to march to the beat of her own drum.
“I think that Luna is now traveling the world looking for various mad creatures,” Rowling said. “She’s a naturalist, whatever the wizarding equivalent of that is.”
Luna comes to see the truth about her father, eventually acknowledging there are some creatures that don’t exist.
“But I do think that she’s so open-minded and just an incredible person that she probably would be uncovering things that no one’s ever seen before,” Rowling said.
Luna and Neville Longbottom?It’s possible Luna has also found love with another member of the D.A.
When she was first asked about the possibility of Luna hooking up with Neville Longbottom several years ago, Rowling’s response was “Definitely not.” But as time passed and she watched her characters mature, Rowling started to “feel a bit of a pull” between the unlikely pair.
Ultimately, Rowling left the question of their relationship open at the end of the book because doing otherwise “felt too neat.”
Mr. and Mrs. Longbottom: “The damage is done.”
There is no chance, however, that Neville’s parents, who were tortured into madness by Bellatrix Lestrange, ever left St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies.
“I know people really wanted some hope for that, and I can quite see why because, in a way, what happens to Neville’s parents is even worse than what happened to Harry’s parents,” Rowling said. “The damage that is done, in some cases with very dark magic, is done permanently.”
Rowling said Neville finds happiness in his grandmother’s acceptance of him as a gifted wizard and as the new herbology professor at Hogwarts.
The fate of Hogwarts
Nineteen years after the Battle of Hogwarts, the school for witchcraft and wizardry is led by an entirely new headmaster (“McGonagall was really getting on a bit”) as well as a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. That position is now as safe as the other teaching posts at Hogwarts, since Voldemort’s death broke the jinx that kept a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor from remaining for more than a year.
While Rowling didn’t clarify whether Harry, Ron and Hermione ever return to school to finish their seventh year, she did say she could see Harry popping up every now and again to give the “odd talk” on Defense Against the Dark Arts.
More details to come?
Rowling said she may eventually reveal more details in a Harry Potter encyclopedia, but even then, it will never be enough to satisfy the most ardent of her fans.
“I’m dealing with a level of obsession in some of my fans that will not rest until they know the middle names of Harry’s great-great-grandparents,” she said. Not that she’s discouraging the Potter devotion!
“I love it,” she said. “I’m all for that.”

[dixielandings]

I also ordered mine from Amazon. Had to go out of town early Saturday until Monday AM. I tried to keep myself as engrossed in my iPod and crossword puzzles as possible to avoid being spoiled until I got home to my own precious volume, which was waiting in my mailbox.

BTW - did anyone see the big fat spoiler in this thread a few pages back? I'm surprised no one else has mentioned it or that it was not deleted! Careful out there!

[conorsmom2000]

BTW - did anyone see the big fat spoiler in this thread a few pages back? I'm surprised no one else has mentioned it or that it was not deleted! Careful out there!

What spoiler? A few pages back we were mostly discussing theories, some we got right, some wrong.... But, anything that we thought might be a true spoiler was put in the spoiler font and came with a warning. So, if there is something that is a true spoiler, can you let me know where it is - this way we can get it deleted if need be.

Thanks!

[pshokie]

What spoiler? A few pages back we were mostly discussing theories, some we got right, some wrong....

Correction. Some you got right, most I got wrong! :D

And could we please not talk about "the walk".....oh great. There I go again.... :sob:

[dixielandings]

Edited to add: I forgot to quote the correct post to which I am replying. It obviously had to do with the spoiler I mentioned.

It was short and not written by one of the many theorists :secret: (you all are amazing by the way - I would have driven myself crazy - I just immersed myself in re-reading the series to gear up for DH). Anyway, it was a spoiler regarding Snape. Should I go find it and PM someone? I don't want to draw any unnecessary attention to it, especially most people seemed to miss it.

[Speedy1998]

I was visiting a Harry Potter Discussion board to see what peoples reactions to the seventh book were. There was one person who was ranting that they hated the book, and they finished their rant with this statement "Does she just make it up as she goes along?"

[krose78]

Don't they know this is all true? You couldn't just make this stuff up. ;)

[pshokie]

Don't they know this is all true? You couldn't just make this stuff up. ;)

Of course it's all true. How else can you explain everything Harry does in the movies?

[MsMin]

I finished the book last night. I had been so busy I didn't get a chance to read and since I was off today I ended up staying up to finish it(5:30am). I do think that there were some points I made that no one commented on that were very very close. I won't elaborate until our 10 days and please don't go back and read them if you're not finished.
My current opinion of the book:
I was satisfied with the outcome and it was done well IMO.More comments later.

[TigChatt]

I finished the book last night. I had been so busy I didn't get a chance to read and since I was off today I ended up staying up to finish it(5:30am). I do think that there were some points I made that no one commented on that were very very close. I won't elaborate until our 10 days and please don't go back and read them if you're not finished.

I think that we can discuss it now, because JKR has discussed it in interviews herself

[Jeff]

I think that we can discuss it now, because JKR has discussed it in interviews herself

Good point. Let's check with the moderators of this tread.

[jedigrrrl]

I don't get the 10 day thing either. If you haven't read the book, why would you be in rooms where people are discussing it? I did not turn on the computer, TV, radio, NOTHING until I was finished. But whatever.... we wait...

[conorsmom2000]

I don't get the 10 day thing either. If you haven't read the book, why would you be in rooms where people are discussing it? I did not turn on the computer, TV, radio, NOTHING until I was finished. But whatever.... we wait...

Partly it's because this thread was started as a discussion about the book, prior to the book coming out - so, it was about guesses, questions, theories, etc. Someone who took part in the thread at the beginning may not have finished the book yet, and wouldn't be expecting to find spoilers in here - once we start talking about it, though, obviously there will be. We just didn't want to ruin it for anyone.

But, to quote Harry in Book 7 "is this the moment"? :D Personally, my feelings are it's been a week - any die hard fan has read the book by now (um, some of us twice already :blush: ) so I think the ban can be lifted! Thoughts?

[TigChatt]

I'm game if the moderators approve!

[PirateLover]

Yea I think it's time.
I'll be the first...
In the end, it turns out Harry Potter is.....
BATMAN!!!!!!!!!
:secret:
Seriously though, I'm ready to start chatting about Harry here on good ol Intercot.

[ncscgirl2005]

Yea I think it's time.
I'll be the first...
In the end, it turns out Harry Potter is.....
BATMAN!!!!!!!!!
:secret:
Seriously though, I'm ready to start chatting about Harry here on good ol Intercot.

:funny:

Same here!

[krose78]

Ok its been nine days and if I don't talk about it soon I think I am going to :blowup: or :fit:i've been :bang: Can't we start now were only one day early.

[dixielandings]

Ok its been nine days and if I don't talk about it soon I think I am going to :blowup: or :fit:i've been :bang: Can't we start now were only one day early.

Ditto here! No one I know has finished so I'm dying to talk! I'm begging DH to read the series but he's insisting on going straight to book 6 and "catching up" later. Whatever.

[drummerboy]

MODERATOR ALERT

I am going to lock this thread and start a new one with a spoiler warning for those who have already read the newest HP. Please go to the new thread for discussion of the book.

Thank you.