SPOILERS-Harry Potter discussion thread

[emmysamson]

okay....I just finished the book, and stopped my snivelling... I for one was totally shocked that Dumbledore died!!! I had heard so many rumors that Ron was to die, that I started believing it was going to be.
I, too, believe that R.A.B. is Black.

Something, though, that I didn't see anyone else bring mention to.

I think Ginny put a love potion on Harry....or she was just wearing it as perfume, since she was so "popular" with the boys, and everytime she came near Harry, it's mentioned that Harry smelled that same fragrance that he also smelled in the potions class when he and Ron? were first exposed to various potions. Not a huge part of the story I know, but just was surprised no one else mentioned it.

 

[deb25]

I cannot believe that Snape is actually bad. That's how the character has been written since Book 1 to get the reader to believe he is on Voldemort's side. It would just be too easy for him to actually be a villain. There is also no way Dumbledore was pleading for his life. There is something more there than we were told.

Dumbledore still guiding Harry via a portrait or as a ghost? A little too Obi Wan Kenobi - Luke Skywalker for me.

 

[pinkdaisy226]

Originally Posted by Pat & Alix

I would go back to what someone mentioned...an arguement partially heard between Snape and Dumbledore...D's insistence that what he most needed when they returned after he retrieved the locket, was for Harry to go get Snape..and his saying to Snape - Please...

Somethings up there...a relationship/agreement we know nothing about..even given that we all make mistakes and D's says his when made are large ones...I think he knew what he was doing, and I think we still don't understand what drinking that liquid did to him (or what he saw...during the hallucinations or ?seeing into the future?)

I'll agree, that was strange, the way he was pleading... but then again, maybe D insisting that he, too, makes mistakes is a sign that he was wrong about Snape.

I will agree with Deb tho... if Snape has been set up from the beginning to "play" the bad guy, it would make sense for the author to throw us for a loop and have him be good in the end.

 

[okeefecl]

Originally Posted by emmysamson

Something, though, that I didn't see anyone else bring mention to.

I think Ginny put a love potion on Harry....or she was just wearing it as perfume, since she was so "popular" with the boys, and everytime she came near Harry, it's mentioned that Harry smelled that same fragrance that he also smelled in the potions class when he and Ron? were first exposed to various potions. Not a huge part of the story I know, but just was surprised no one else mentioned it.

I think the Harry/Ginny relationship was kind of rushed, but I don't think it came out of nowhere. Ginny is 15 and has had 2 boyfriends before Harry. Some (like Ron) seem to want to turn her into a "loose girl", but from my personal experience this is normal for a girl her age (and compared to many teenaged girls today quite backwards).

Ginny's feeling towards Harry have been known (and well commented on) for a while. And I think it's safe to say Harry has always felt kindly towards Ginny. It's his feelings that seemed to come out of the blue. However, when he smells the love potion he smells a scent that later becomes attached to Ginny *before* he comes to the realization he likes her. And that indicates to me he had some subconcious romantic feelings towards her before anything else happened.

The one relationship in the book I had trouble comprehending was the one between Tonks and Lupin. That seemed to come out of the blue

. JKR seems to do teenage relationships much better than adult ones, except Molly and Arthur. I loved "Mollywobbles" as the code and totally buy into them as a loving partnership.

 

[ali012281]

Anyone else wonder what Hermione was smelling with the love potion? She started to explain then blushed... Hmmm. Obviously something to do with Ron though.

 

[rosehawke]

Originally Posted by emmysamson

I think Ginny put a love potion on Harry....or she was just wearing it as perfume, since she was so "popular" with the boys, and everytime she came near Harry, it's mentioned that Harry smelled that same fragrance that he also smelled in the potions class when he and Ron? were first exposed to various potions. Not a huge part of the story I know, but just was surprised no one else mentioned it.

I have to disagree with you on this, I think RJK was just trying to emphasize the way we can be intoxicated with a "significant other's" normal scent. And there's usually some scent, consciously or subconsciously that we associate with them. I know with Sunny there was this strange mixture of the cedar chifferobe he kept his clothes in, the detergent they were washed with, faint whiffs of gasoline and oil (he worked with small engine maintenance as a rental store employee at the time,) and the soap he used. I found the whole mixture just incredibly sexy and intoxicating (there's no accounting for taste, LOL.) I think Harry'd just always been attracted to Ginny, but just didn't realize it; after all, she's Ron's sister ...

.

Cindy

 

[emmysamson]

okie and rose---I see both of your points. I knew Ginny had always liked Harry and that's kinda why I felt that she may have used a love spell to get him to like her as well.
I do think that JKR finally answered some more questions regarding Voldemort, but just created a bunch of new ones. She only has one more book to go, and hopefully, everything will be completely answered then....without any of this wondering still going on.
I do think Snape is actually a good guy, since he's always been portrayed to be so bad in each book, but also in each book, it's shown that he was actually trying to help Harry in some small way.....maybe that's something for a poll? Who all thinks that Snape is good vs. bad?

(I'm not starting a poll, though).

 

[erin_12306]

Harry Potter is the best book series ever

 

[pinkdaisy226]

Originally Posted by Ali012281

Anyone else wonder what Hermione was smelling with the love potion? She started to explain then blushed... Hmmm. Obviously something to do with Ron though.

Nah it was probably something to do with books or inks or schoolwork, lol!

 

[erin_12306]

Lol at PinkDaisy ^_^

 

[ali012281]

Originally Posted by pinkdaisy226

Nah it was probably something to do with books or inks or schoolwork, lol!

Right but you know how Harrys was like something to do with brooms and then some other nerdy thing and then the ginny smell? Hermionie said something about ink and parchment then she stopped and blushed.... I was guessing that it was a ron like smell lol

 

[roxy_loves_cj]

It was said that every person smells something different in the potion, it is not a one size fits all smell. When harry first smelled the flowers he said they were familiar but it took him a while to place them. I just think it was subconcious for a while. Remember the last couple of boyfriends she had, harry started to get jealous. So it isnt out of nowhere. Rembmember at that age you can develop feelings in a day or two, I read it as he had a while to figure out these feelings, from the start of school until after christmas break, they did not start dating until he kissed her after the house cup. that is almost the end of the year. He smelled the flowers in the potion at the start of the year.

 

[wellingtoncats]

OK I finished the book early this afternoon and I purchased late yesterday afternoon.

I have to admit and am I the first? That I didn't really enjoy it as much as the last ones.

I'm glad I finished it so quickly to be quite honest.

 

[deb25]

I found it to be different, too, Sam. I especially didn't like the whole chapter in the beginning with the Minister of Magic appearing to the British Prime Minister.

Honestly, there was no real focal point in this book, ie, the Sorceror's Stone or the Chamber, so the action in the book had no real climax to go to. I am more and more of the mind that Book 6 is really a big 'part 1' to the next book.

 

[goosehazel]

I really hope this isn't the end of Harry and Ginny. I agree, I think Ginny is a strong willed person and she will be a strong role in the 7th book. As for Snape, I can't stand him. I don't think he is a good person at all. I do think that Dumbledore is dead, Fawkes didn't stay around. I think Dumbledore will be in book 7, but only in spirit and only Harry will know he is there. And I was very relieved when Hagrid rescued Fang from the burning hut. I may sound like a wuss but I almost cried when he was trapped.

 

[rosehawke]

Originally Posted by Deb25

...Honestly, there was no real focal point in this book, ie, the Sorceror's Stone or the Chamber, so the action in the book had no real climax to go to. I am more and more of the mind that Book 6 is really a big 'part 1' to the next book.

You know, that's a point. DH asked me how the book was while I was reading it, and I told him oh, it's a page-turner, although nothing is really happening! I mean the whole thing is finding out about the horcruxes?!?! and trying to come up to some sort of scene where she kills off Dumbledore in the book's climax. It was rather ... weak.

And the thing where no one takes Harry seriously when he keeps trying to tell them that Draco is up to something. I thought that went on much too much, although at least Mr. Weasley did institute another search of the Malfoy's house. I mean this kid is 16, almost 17 now, old enough to be taken somewhat seriously in any case and not to constantly be brushed off as "too young."

Cindy

 

[catlover7731]

I felt that there where lots of threads left hanging. Dumbledore's blackened hand for one. What was the point of the Muggle prime minister? I don't think Dumbledore( sorry about the spelling if i am wrong), is gone and I think Snape is up to something. I can't wait for 2 yrs for the other one

. I don't know how it is all going to end in the last book but I don't want it to end.

 

[bren.1]

When I finished, I felt the same way I did when I saw The Empire Strikes Back--what happens now?! It can't be over! I really think it will be more connected to book 7 than to any of the others. I did like it, although I was really sad at the end. And I was worried about Fang, too.

I think I will go back and reread, so many of you are bringing up things I didn't catch completely.

 

[rosehawke]

Originally Posted by catlover7731

I felt that there where lots of threads left hanging. Dumbledore's blackened hand for one. What was the point of the Muggle prime minister? I don't think Dumbledore( sorry about the spelling if i am wrong), is gone and I think Snape is up to something. I can't wait for 2 yrs for the other one

. I don't know how it is all going to end in the last book but I don't want it to end.

I think the whole thing with the Muggle Prime Minister was just to introduce the new Minister of Magic and bring home the fact that Fudge is out, and that Voldemort's doings are carrying over to the Muggle world. But really, the whole thing could have been taken care of in a couple of sentences elsewhere. It really smacked of filler material, and RJK's books definitely don't need any filler!

Cindy

 

[deb25]

Originally Posted by RoseHawke

It really smacked of filler material, and RJK's books definitely don't need any filler!

Or bringing people up to speed if they haven't read the other books. Not necessary.

I agree that Harry was brushed off too much regarding Draco. Let's see, it was his Death Eater father who planted the Riddle diary on Ginny Weasley. The guy is now rotting in Azkaban, and his relatives are clearly linked to Voldemort. Now Harry says something is going on with Draco and gets constantly blown off? Too old to be patted on the head and told to 'run along'.