SPOILERS-Harry Potter discussion thread

[okeefecl]

I thought I'd start a thread for the discussion of the book without fear of ruining it for those who haven't read it yet. So be warned-Here be spoilers! Back out now if you don't want to know

Last chance! If you don't want to know don't read!



















I've read that JKR intended books 6 and 7 to be two parts of a whole story, as compared to the more episodic nature of the earlier books. That was really obvious, and one of the reasons I'm not so sure I liked this book-I feel it was left off in the middle of the story rather abruptly.

There was a lot I liked, however. The Muggle Prime Minister, Narcissa binding Snape to protect Draco, Harry's deeper relationship with Dumbledore and their adventure together, Ginny and Harry getting together and hints of Ron and Hermione. I had been spoiled for Dumbledore's death and Snape's role in it, but I still think Snape is loyal to the side of light. I think the conversation Hagrid overheard between D and S was S offering to die (break the vow) to save D, and D asking him to do it. And Snape being half muggle? Wow!

It was also interesting to learn more about Tom Riddle's background, but it slowed down the story. The whole point was he was descended from Slytherin, was bad from the beginning, had split his soul into 7 pieces and Harry needed to destroy them to ultimately defeat Voldemort.

I'm extremely interested in the Trio's future adventures outside Hogwarts. I think I'll reserve my final judgement on this book until I read book 7.

 

[roxy_loves_cj]

Wow. I just finished it, it took me less than 12 hours. I started reading it at once last night, and finished maybe a half hour ago. (I slept and ate in between) I dont want to post spoilers here yet, for those who havent finished it, but I would love to discuss, so please pm me, and we can start discussing it after more people finish.

 

[bren.1]

I haven't finished yet, I am trying to take my time. I want to really savor this book, but at the same time I can't wait to finish! I could finish it today, probably, but I'm going to keep busy doing other things, to prolong my enjoyment of it.

I've heard there are some really sad parts, and I have my theories, but I'll just wait to see if I'm right.

 

[katl8e]

Just finished. Mail didn't come, until around 1:30 then, Bill had some silly notion about dinner and my eyes began crossing at around 10:30.

If Rowling makes me wait two years, for the next one, I may just have to put a curse on her!

 

[ugaimes]

I just started the Prisoner of Azkaban!

 

[fwan]

Originally Posted by ugaimes

I just started the Prisoner of Azkaban!

 

[jcat]

I finished it yesterday. Does anybody else think R.A.B. was Regulus Black, Sirius's younger brother? (Teaser, not a spoiler).

 

[sofiecusion]

Originally Posted by jcat

I finished it yesterday. Does anybody else think R.A.B. was Regulus Black, Sirius's younger brother? (Teaser, not a spoiler).

Very well could be. Hermione won't stop researching until she finds out!

...and I'm ready for the 7th one already!

 

[rosehawke]

I just finished it. I am somewhat ... stunned

I guess you'd say.

Cindy

 

[roxy_loves_cj]

Originally Posted by jcat

I finished it yesterday. Does anybody else think R.A.B. was Regulus Black, Sirius's younger brother? (Teaser, not a spoiler).

My thoughts exactly! JKR said sirius will be a "force in the last two books" and well we read one of them, so........

 

[roxy_loves_cj]

Was anyone else floored by who was the HBP?!

 

[sofiecusion]

Originally Posted by Roxy_loves_CJ

Was anyone else floored by who was the HBP?!

I will admit that I guessed wrong on that one. However, I think things would have turned out the same at the end even if it was someone else.

What did everyone think of the little love stories going on?

 

[jcat]

Originally Posted by Roxy_loves_CJ

Was anyone else floored by who was the HBP?!

I actually wasn't; once Harry started following the instructions in the used book, I figured it couldn't be anybody else, because of the emphasis on the potion made for Lupin in the third book. Have you noted the similarities between pages 380 and 532/533 in HP and the HBP? I think those are clues to what will happen in the seventh book.

Originally Posted by sofiecushion

What did everyone think of the little love stories going on?

Typical for that age group. To be expected, I'd say.

 

[rosehawke]

Okay, I know we're really itching to discuss this book

, maybe someone could change the thread title to add something like (SPOILERS!) or just start a new thread with the title "SPOILERS! Harry Potter Discussion"??

Cindy

 

[sofiecusion]

I still can't help but feel that there is more to the Snape-Dumbledore thing than we know.

Dumbledore can't have been THAT wrong. For Dumbledore to have been that wrong diminishes his character too much. He is reduced to a old fool if everything is as it appears in this book. Dumbledore has made it a point in almost every book to say that there are worse things than death.


Dumbledore's pleading seemed to be out of character for him.






R.A.B.?

The only wizard/witch I have been able to come up with that any of those initals is already dead. We have not seen him as I recall but only have heard about him and his name is:

Regulus Black - Death Eater brother of Sirius Black who was killed by another Death Eater for trying to desert.

No idea about the middle name but he was someone connected to Voldy who also was looking to turn good who was also in his inner circle. IF he is the one to have found the necklace maybe he returned it to the Black's home. Had he been able to do this then this needed Horcrux may be just under the nose of the Order.

I wonder if it would be hidden in the picture of Black's mother or if Kreacher would know where it is. Lots of time to figure it out but Regulus is the only person we have been introduced to so far thatt has those initials.

 

[roxy_loves_cj]

Originally Posted by jcat

I actually wasn't; once Harry started following the instructions in the used book, I figured it couldn't be anybody else, because of the emphasis on the potion made for Lupin in the third book. Have you noted the similarities between pages 380 and 532/533 in HP and the HBP? I think those are clues to what will happen in the seventh book.

Typical for that age group. To be expected, I'd say.

I reread the pages and i dont see the similarities between the two. Although did u notice the name? 2 of the three initials (in the wrong order though.) are correct for the RAB. Just a thought. I agree with the quote earlier though about something "black".

 

[okeefecl]

Originally Posted by sofiecusion

R.A.B.?

The only wizard/witch I have been able to come up with that any of those initals is already dead. We have not seen him as I recall but only have heard about him and his name is:

Regulus Black - Death Eater brother of Sirius Black who was killed by another Death Eater for trying to desert.

No idea about the middle name but he was someone connected to Voldy who also was looking to turn good who was also in his inner circle. IF he is the one to have found the necklace maybe he returned it to the Black's home. Had he been able to do this then this needed Horcrux may be just under the nose of the Order.

I wonder if it would be hidden in the picture of Black's mother or if Kreacher would know where it is. Lots of time to figure it out but Regulus is the only person we have been introduced to so far thatt has those initials.

Cool idea! I had picked up on RAB possibly being Regulus, but having a Horcrux hidden in the picture of Mrs. Black? Maybe that's why her portrait is permanently stuck to the wall.

 

[roxy_loves_cj]

I agree that it cannot be the end of dumbledore so easily. Plus if the pheniox has healing powers with its tears, then why couldnt dumbledore be healed? I am going to have to reread it but i have to let mom read it first. I cant believe snape made the unbreakable vow to protect malfoy in the first place. Honestly snape was always one of my favorite characters. something about him facinated me. Also I was glad harry and ginny got together for only a little while. I am sad that the next story will not be at hogwarts though because of what harry said, if that is the case then I guess JKR could write more books if she wanted. Anyway, I have got to go, but pm me or something I would love to talk theories!

 

[rosehawke]

Excellent

! I'm not very good with the puzzles and such that these things present (whodunnit type things which this is coming close to being in a weird way,) but your speculations sound valid.

If Rowling did not have some ulterior motive in mind with Dumbledore's pleading then I am VERY disappointed that this is where she took that character. I agree, it seems very out of character. The Snape/Dumbledore thing ... Dumbledore did say something to the effect that since he was very clever, when he did make mistakes, they could be very big. I also find it hard to believe that he trusted Snape on the basis of the "remorse" he supposedly felt that Lily and James had died due to the intelligence he had passed along to Voldemort.

This is fantasy, if Rowling wants to bring back somebody who is "dead" it's not that hard to do, although she does seem to be closing all of the doors after the death of Dumbledore i.e., Fawkes lament and the appearance of Dumbledore's portrait in the headmaster's office. However, I can think of ways I could get around that, although it might be very similar to pulling a rabbit out of a hat ...

Obviously the next, and presumably final, book in the series, is going to be taken up with the hunt for the horcruxes before the "final confrontation." I wonder if she'll have Hogwarts in it at all, except in passing?

I will admit that I was rather disappointed that Snape, seems to have finally, definitively, shown his true colors. Rowling has strung us along for pretty much the entire series on where his true loyalties lie! If, again, she doesn't have some trick up her sleeve that she's going to spring on us with the final book. Of course some of the reason that I may be a bit sympathetic to the Snape character is that his movie counterpart is played by Alan Rickman, and I've rather admired the actor.

I'm wondering if the ongoing and well deserved animosity between Draco and Harry is fixing to take some interesting twist in the last book as well?

Well, let me let some others chime in with their views

. This promises to be an interesting thread!

Cindy

 

[okeefecl]

Originally Posted by Roxy_loves_CJ

I cant believe snape made the unbreakable vow to protect malfoy in the first place.

I don't think he had much of a choice. Bellatrix already suspected him, and he didn't know what Narcissa would say until she said it. Besides, I feel that Snape has been working hard behind the scenes to save some of Slytherin house from turning to Voldemort, and may agreed to the vow to keep Draco "innocent" of Dumbledore's murder.