We have so many threads that relate back down to the guiltiest of all our pleasures, but no HP thread. I'm at a loss.

I searched for something on Order of the Phoenix, cause I thought I talked about it before but found nothing, and so here is somewhere that I can talk aimlessly about my decidedly unheathy obsession.

. . . .

enjoy!

<SPOILERS FOR OotP>










Ok, so I re-read OOTP this week, and I have so say that I was a little disappointed with the novel. I had a hard time connecting to Harry (for the first time) but I'm not sure if this is the author's fault. I mean, I don't usually connect or have sympathy for many angst-ridden, anger-filled fifteen year olds. I guess in my omnipotence I don't see this as being a justifiable trait for the character. He's supposed to be noble and brave and all of those things right? I mean, we've seen Harry express doubt, but this novel took things a little too far (IMO.)

I also found the conclusion of the novel to be less than satisfactory. I know that we finally get to hear Trewlany's prophecy about the Boy Who Lived, but did we really learn anything that an intelligent reader couldn't infer from the basic storyline? The only thing this book made me want to do is read the next one -- and at the same time I don't want to read the next one at all (Oh, I will read it) simply because JK should know better than to write such a plot ploy. I just feel like she didn't give me enough (I know, I'm a selfish git) to keep me interested in watching the characters being tortured for an entire school year.

Plus JK wrote Fred and George out of Hogwarts! What the crap is that all about?

Oh, well. . .impatiently awaiting the arrival of HBP.

-dan.

Well, just because she wrote Fred and George out of Hogwarts doesn't mean she wrote them out of the plot. I mean, even persnickety Percy was still a factor in Book Five; it seems unlikely that two boys with such personality won't make many appearances in the next two books.

Honestly, I really liked Order of the Phoenix. Yes, Harry was whiny and immature and frustrating, but fifteen-year-old boys are sometimes like that. And given what happened with Cedric and Dumbledore's silence and everyone else's (perceived) complete lack of understanding, I can see how a bit of resentment would build up. Not to mention that a five years of being The Boy Who Lived has to have gone to his head a bit, as much as he tries not to let it. But I'm curious to see how his personality develops in Book Six ... and whether or not he'll actually start approaching authority figures with his problems, as Hermione has been so wisely suggesting all these years.

Considering I'm writing a thesis on these books, this thread could be helpful or frightening addictive.

Really, I can't resist this thread given my undying love of these books. J. K. Rowling's site is pretty awesome for getting a wee bit of perspective on some of the choices that she made. And Harry being a bit of a brat I really don't mind. I am more interested to see what is going to happen with the big upcoming battles between good and evil. I like how things are progressing- the underground struggles and the misunderstandings. It is frustrating but when is being the good guy ever not frustrating. Mostly I am just anxious to read the next book. Check under Rowling's q and a for a hilarious answer about Mark Evans. I almost fell off my seat laughing when I read it!

::SPOILERS FOR OotP::



A good joke, I suppose. I don't know who tallies her online voting poll, but I really really want to know if Sirius is gone forever. I was so struck when she killed him off at the end of book 5, as he is one of my favorite characters. The realist in me thinks that he's probably dead, yet will still play some part in the finale of her story.

*Spoiler!!!!*
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Tal, So I read somewhere that Sirius is in fact not gone forever. Jo says to look for him again in the next book. Personally, I think that sense he is not dead yet (heehee) or only mostly dead (again, heehee) since he is just on the other side of the veil or whatever. Plus harry has that stupid present that Sirius gave him that I am pretty sure will make him able to communicate with Black. So that will be good times. It really was for the best because Sirius was turning into a bit of a moper.

Anyhow, I hope that offers you a ray of hope.
Tai

MORE SPOILERS, sorry kids.










In interviews just after OotP was released, Rowling said that Sirius was definitely dead. I do think, however, that he might "turn up" the same way Harry's parents have resurfaced at various times. Perhaps there's a portrait of him somewhere? But I would be very surprised to see him come back from the dead, or beyond the veil or whatever. Rowling has a strong sense of her obligation to present the world to her young readers as accurately as she can (magic aside), and the sense I've gotten from some of her interviews is that she feels it would be wrong of her to lead impressionable children to believe that someone can (or should) come back once they have passed away. Sorry if any of this is unclear or phrased wrongly (or plain wrong); it's quite late and I'm not entirely coherent.

I spent some time on her website last night (talk about addictive!), and have decided to reroute the little detour we took in General Chatter back to where it belongs.

So. Here's as good a place as any to speculate...

from her talk at the Edinburgh Book Festival, 15 August 2004:

I thought that I would give you something though, rather than get to the end of today and think that I have not given you a lot. There are two questions that I have never been asked but that I should have been asked, if you know what I mean. If you want to speculate on anything, you should speculate on these two things, which will point you in the right direction. The first question that I have never been asked—it has probably been asked in a chatroom but no one has ever asked me—is, “Why didn’t Voldemort die?” Not, “Why did Harry live?” but, “Why didn’t Voldemort die?” The killing curse rebounded, so he should have died. Why didn’t he? At the end of Goblet of Fire he says that one or more of the steps that he took enabled him to survive. You should be wondering what he did to make sure that he did not die—I will put it that way. I don’t think that it is guessable. It may be—someone could guess it—but you should be asking yourself that question, particularly now that you know about the prophesy. I’d better stop there or I will really incriminate myself.

The other question that I am surprised no one has asked me since Phoenix came out—I thought that people would—is why Dumbledore did not kill or try to kill Voldemort in the scene in the ministry. I know that I am giving a lot away to people who have not read the book. Although Dumbledore gives a kind of reason to Voldemort, it is not the real reason. When I mentioned that question to my husband—I told Neil that I was going to mention it to you—he said that it was because Dumbledore knows that there are two more books to come. As you can see, we are on the same literary wavelength. [Laughter]. That is not the answer; Dumbledore knows something slightly more profound than that. If you want to wonder about anything, I would advise you to concentrate on those two questions. That might take you a little bit further.

Given that a major hint to HBP is a discovery Harry makes in Chamber, I am beginning to think it has to do with Fawkes...the wand issue...and the fact that Dumbledore's patronus is a phoenix...

Thoughts? (I really need to reread them all again!)

(Oh, and given how much she loves Fred and George, I seriously doubt they're going very far.)

Remember the mirror...? Harry forgot about it, but may remember it soon.

Okay, first off--sorry that I'm going kind of nuts with all this. I've always loved these books, but have recently spent time on her website and now I'm all curious again...

I think Harry and Sirius are cut from the same cloth, temperment-wise. And because of everything that's happened, Harry will have the chance to learn things that Sirius did not. This explanation of Sirius' character by JKR really helped shed a lot of light into the impressions I already had of him:

Q: Do you like Sirius Black?

A: I've had several letters asking this, which rather surprised me. The answer is, yes, I do like him, although I do not think he is wholly wonderful (ooooh, I hear them sharpening the knives over at Immeritus [see "Fansite" section]).

Sirius is very good at spouting bits of excellent personal philosophy, but he does not always live up to them. For instance, he says in "Goblet of Fire" that if you want to know what a man is really like, 'look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.' But Sirius loathes Kreacher, the house-elf he has inherited, and treats him with nothing but contempt. Similarly, Sirius claims that nobody is wholly good or wholly evil, and yet the way he acts towards Snape suggests that he cannot conceive of any latent good qualities there. Of course, these double standards exist in most of us; we might know how we ought to behave, but actually doing it is a different matter!

Sirius is brave, loyal, reckless, embittered and slightly unbalanced by his long stay in Azkaban. He has never really had the chance to grow up; he was around twenty-two when he was sent off to Azkaban, and has had very little normal adult life. Lupin, who is the same age, seems much older and more mature. Sirius's great redeeming quality is how much affection he is capable of feeling. He loved James like a brother and he went on to transfer that attachment to Harry.

Re. the prophesy...

I am very, very intrigued by it. Does it mean that both Harry and Voldemort have to die? And what are the implications for Neville? Is it Neville that will eventually defeat V.? Is Harry just a distraction for V. because of the way things played out? I wonder... It will prob. boil down to H. vs. V. after all, but it's definitely something to think about. Also, she says she worded the prophesy *very carefully*... I think there's a lot left to figure out that is possibly within reach in the clues in the books.

I havent read OOTP yet but Im very excited about it, Thanks for starting this thread!!! I didnt think I would get in to the whole Harry Potter thing.

No, Harry tried his at the end of OotP, and it didn't work, so Harry smashed it in frustration. I suppose it's possible that Sirius wasn't carrying his own when he went beyond the veil; if this is true, then of course Harry's mirror could be repaired and the other mirror thrown through ... but really, it seems like a difficult thing to work into the plot just to let everyone see Sirius again.



You know, I thought the same thing myself, but Dumbledore does say that one of them will have to kill the other, and he hasn't been really wrong yet. I think the bit about Neville is a red herring; after all, Neville wasn't exactly "marked" by Voldemort as his equal, was he? And Voldemort's matching wand did choose Harry. (For the record, Dumbledore says at the end of OotP that Neville is pureblood, so he's out as the half-blood prince.) I don't know. I think it's possible Harry will die, but I don't think it's definite based on what I've read (although I know Rowling has a precise idea of what is going to happen). But it wouldn't shock me at all if their fates are linked to each other's well-being or something like that.

How much longer till HBP? i don't think i can take the anticipation any more. I like where we're going with this Neville idea....hmmm. That would be tricky-dicky if he were the HBP. True, Dumbledor said he's a pureblood...but he's been known to shield the full truth for certain purposes in the past. And i personally don't care how absurd it has to get for Sirius to come back. I need him! And Harry needs him too!!! I like him a bunches and felt empty without him at the end of OOTP.

And Dan, i know we've talked about this whole relating to Harry thing. I'm a girlie-girl and i totally related with him in book 5. (could be part of what sucked me in) I compare him to Holden in the Catcher in the Rye; angry, bitter, misunderstood, but full of hidden compassion and desire.

Did i mention i need Sirius?

Yes, Chica. . .BUT you know how much I detest the whiney brat character of Holden Caufield too, and pretty much all of Catcher in the Rye.

Franny and Zooey was a much better novel.

I digress. . .

Yes, yes...i know. But there is a parallel. Anybody with me? Come on somebody! Kylie, Michelle, Anna, FloridaGirl? work w/ me here...

I have to say, Harry did annoy me ... but I kept reminding myself, "He's only fifteen," and I felt a lot more compassion for him then. Phineas Nigellus was right when he pointed out that young people tend to revel in being misunderstood, and I think that sums up Harry's attitude through a lot of the book (although he does make an effort to snap out of it, dear boy).

Aww, nuts! I'm out numbered.

No, no! Just because Harry annoyed me doesn't mean I stopped liking him! I remember full well what it's like to be fifteen, and I can't imagine being orphaned and thought crazy on top of that. It's just the voice of (relative) maturity that makes me go, "Now, Harry," from time to time.

Right. I do think HP is the "equal"...but the pureblood/half-blood thing is still kind of in question:



Wouldn't this go for Neville too (due to his mother's side)? It seems that the definitions vary from person to person.

(And of course you're right about the mirror...I just read something JKR said that alluded to the fact that it may play a role later...or maybe its *absence* will play a role. Who knows?)

And re. Harry's "discovery" in Chamber that will play a significant role in HBP... It occured to me that the most memorable revelation (to him) was the fact that it is our *choices* that decide destiny...not predetermined "fate." Also, JKR doesn't believe in fate. So... The prophesy is the prophesy...but I'm sure free will is bound to come into play.

[hj]
I should have never started this thread!

It's driving me nuts lately thinking about the next book and when is it going to come out and where's the story going to turn next?

I just can't wait!
[/hj]

back to your regularly schedualed HP discussion. . .

According to Amazon, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will be released on 16 July 2005.

Let the countdown begin!!

oh, goodie!
I love Harry Potter.

Thanks for the info, Ana Marie!

Since you alarmed me about the date, I went over and checkout Jo's website, http://www.jkrowling.com and it seems that she's put some new riddles behind the secret door, if you're at all interested.

Oh, yes. Always.

Thanks!

There's some very good speculation going on over at Salon.com: Harry Potter Predictions

I would love to hear what you guys think about some of these ideas. (And I think I gravitate toward Viktor Krum being the HBP.)

Here's an interesting thought (via that Salon link):
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
So I have decided that there is a third person in the prophecy. I spent way too long thinking about this yesterday, but I am confidently predicting (HA!) that the third person is Wormtail. And it is he who will kill Voldie, in the end - NOT Harry. This: and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives can also be read as this: and either must die at the hand of the Other, for neither can live while the Other survives. "The hand" - Pettigrew's hand. He has a deep connection to Harry since Harry spared his life. Both Harry and Wormtail's blood is in Voldie's veins. I think that at some final confrontation, Wormtail is going to have to make a choice which will result in Harry or Voldie dying. And he will redeem himself for betraying Harry's parents and save Harry, sacrificing himself in the process. The power that Harry has that will vanquish the Dark Lord knows not is forgiveness, the ability to get past all the wrongs done to him and do the right thing.

This ending would also tie in with what Dumbledore said in book one: "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I think this last bit was Harry's major discovery in Chamber of Secrets.

Now that, is a hell of a prediction.

and I think I hate it for ruining the end of the books for me!

Ha! Well it is only a guess, after all. I really hope those that think Fred and George will die are wrong--I don't think I could handle that! I really need to reread them all before July...

(Those comments critical of Hermione were interesting as well.)

I have to say that I tend to agree more with the response to the thread about Hermione: I like her, and don't want to see her get bashed too harshly. For one, I don't think that there's much room in the story for something that fluffy. And two, I think that her character still has a lot of room to grow naturally (and I think she has grown more carefee, just by befriending Harry and Ron.)

I also like the part about Krum filling the role of the HBP. JK has already said that he will be making an appearance in the last two novels and I see little to no reason to bring back the character without a significant reason. (other than to throw Hermione and Ron together, but I'm not too big on the whole love triangle debacle.)

The part about Wormtail is, well, bloody brilliant!

Good thought on the Wormtail prediction, Ana Maria! I think it's entirely feasible.

However, I have a strong hunch that the Half-Blood Prince will be ... wait for it ... Dean Thomas. DEAN, of all people, you ask? Yes. Rowling has said that Chamber of Secrets was originally entitled Half-Blood Prince, but that she removed the HBP plotline because it didn't fit the story as well as other things that needed focusing on (Ginny, for example). She has also put up quite a little bio about Dean on her website (www.jkrowling.com), revealing that he's actually half-blood. His dad was a wizard, didn't tell Dean's mom, and left them both when Dean was very small because he was being hunted by Death Eaters (he was killed shortly after). Dean's mom remarried, and Dean was raised by his mom and stepdad, having no idea of his wizard roots. Apparently, he's been learning more and more about the situation ever since he got to Hogwarts, but we haven't seen him dealing with it because the focus has been on Neville.

It's impossible to make any further predictions without knowing the role of the Half-Blood Prince (much like we didn't know the role of the Order of the Phoenix, even when the title was released), but my money's on Dean for claiming the title.

Ok, this is really funny. I've read all that stuff and did not come to that conclusion! (I'm feeling a bit dumb now. ) I didn't think she said she "removed the HBP plotline"--I thought she was vague as to what the plot element was (and then alluded to a major discovery Harry makes in Chamber and that this ties in with the HBP).

And the Dean bio is a relatively recent developement, isn't it? That's prob. why I didn't make that connection. (Although she could be doing this intentionally as a red herring...)

Anyhow, you may be on to something, Becky...although I may stick with Krum for now--at least until I have a chance to read the books again.

(I love this thread!)

I think JK said something on her site to the effect that Dean Thomas' backstory was cut from an early novel. Plus, if you've read through her stuff, you will realize that Dean's character was changed and mulled over and really developed early on in her mind. She has even has sketches of Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Dean. Obviously the other four characters have had a lot to do with the story thus far, leaving it to reason that Dean's character has yet to develop fully. She goes on to say that, through the editorial process, the HBP storyline was cut from Chamber, hence the title change and whatnot. Putting 1 and 1 together, logically you come up with 2.

Then again, like you said Ana Marie, it could all be a red herring.

Oh, that's right! (I have that pic too.) But I was so sure she said that the HBP subplot from #2 was directly tied to a "discovery" Harry makes--and the Dean Thomas info is newish.

But you guys may be right. I want to go back to check those statements because I could've totally misread them (or maybe I was thinking *too* hard!). This is where I got the idea that Harry's "discovery" is the whole free will theme elucidated in his conversation with Dumbledore.

Curiouser and curiouser...

You know, I hate to bring this up, but I've heard that there's yet another death in Book 6 ... do you think Rowling could live with herself if it was Hagrid? I know a lot of evidence points to Dumbledore, and I think he will die eventually, but I was actually expecting Hagrid to go in Book 5 rather than Sirius. (I braced myself for Hagrid and was completely unprepared for what actually happened. I cried for days.) I would, of course, bawl uncontrollably, but it does make a certain amount of sense. He'd do anything for Harry and isn't a good judge of character or good at reading situations -- remember the "Greek chappie" he bought Fluffy from in the Leaky Cauldron? It's a dangerous combination, and the Death Eaters would probably love to be their wicked bastard selves to him because he's half-giant. Just a thought ...

Maybe we should make bets on some of these predictions as the release date gets closer. The prize could be specified amounts of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans or something.

heh. sounds like a good time to me.

About Hagrid. . .I've given this a lot of thought, and I really think that he'll end up under an Imperious Curse. I don't think that JK will kill him off though, as Hagrid was Harry's first real friend . . .well, ever. Hagrid was the one who rescued him when he was a baby and the one that eventually rescued him from the Dursleys. For me, Hagrid has very much become a substitute father figure for Harry (before and after the introduction of Sirius' character) and I look for him to stick around, although in doing so he may have to endure a worse pain yet.

My question is this. . .it seems that no good wizard has the emotional/ethical capability to use an unforgivable curse, even on an evil wizard. With that in mind, how do you think a real war can be fought? What means do you think the Order and Co. plan to thwart the plans of Voldy? It seems to be quite a conundrum to me, but maybe you ladies have better insight on this. . .

-d.

These predictions go into the impending-death issue as well. I'm pretty wide open about this one, but it had better not be any of the Weasleys!

That's a fantastic idea! I'm in.

AH! I should not have come to this thread! I have only just started these books a couple of weeks ago from the beginning and avoiding spoilers of anything past the 3rd (movies and all).

So...carry on...I will not come back until I have read more...

Sorry, Stiv! Um, the death in book five is, um ... Trelawney?

Okay, I'm retracting my previous "definite" prediction about Dean. I've just spent a couple hours at jkrowling.com, and she says on his info page that she doesn't think his history will ever make it into the books now. So unless he winds up the Half-Blood Prince with no explanation, it probably won't be him. I should have known it would be too obvious!

However, I did find an online chat transcript in which she specifically says Lupin is half-blood. Which brings the list of known half-bloods to:

Seamus (right?)
Dean (unlikely)
Lupin
Hagrid (does half-giant count as half-blood?)
Harry (but it's not him)
Voldemort (not him either)

I'm forgetting people, am I not?

You're right about Seamus. And I assumed Hagrid was as well, but I don't know how legitimate the conclusion is.

I found this today:

A half-blood is any witch or wizard that is born one of several ways:

1. 1 Magical Parent (ancestral purity does not matter) + 1 Non-Magical Parent (muggle) = Half-Blood

2. 1 Magical Parent (not pureblood) + 1 Non-Magical Parent = Half-Blood

3. 1 Magical Parent (not pureblood) + 1 Magical Parent (pureblood) = Half-Blood

4. 2 Magical Parents (neither pureblood) = Half-Blood

5. 1 Magical Parent (pureblood) + 1 Non-Magical Parent = Half-Blood

6. 1 Magical Parent (ancestral purity does not matter) + Giant = Half-Blood

The distinctions have always been really tricky for me--and I thought Neville fit under #3 because of his mom, but that was disproven by Dumbledore's words to Harry at the end of #5.

Dan:

I liked that quip over at Salon.com re. the ton-tongue toffees rendering one incapable of uttering that curse... That said, the war can be fought on a variety of levels--it's as much about hearts and attitudes as it is about magic. But those are excellent questions, Dan. I'll have to think about them some more, although I'm sure infiltration (Snape) and subversion will be part of it as well. What do you think, Becky?

Hmm ... well, we know "good" wizards (i.e., Aurors) did use Unforgivable Curses against Death Eaters during the last battle with Voldemort, because Fudge (I think) pushed for them to be allowed to bring Death Eaters in dead or alive. And someone mentions in Book 5 that Moody was a good Auror because he "brought them in alive, when he could," or something to that effect. And Harry manages at least a wussy version of the Cruciatus Curse against Bellatrix Lestrange. So I can see the Order using one or more of them as a last resort. But Dan, don't underestimate the power of a good stunning spell -- those six together nearly killed McGongagal, remember?

I have to agree with Ana Maria about the war being fought on lots of levels, though. Dumbledore actually uses the phrase "hearts and minds" at the end of Sorcerer's Stone (eerie, no?), and it seems like a lot of major tactical/military outcomes in the books hinge on choice, like Pettigrew's choice to return to Voldemort (thereby restoring him to power and setting the war in motion, yada yada yada). I've been intrigued by all the speculation that Draco will eventually fight against Voldemort -- the Harry/Draco dichotomy would be something like James Potter/Snape or even Sirius/Snape, no? And wouldn't that be a battle of hearts and minds, to get those two to work together peaceably.

As far as infiltration goes, I think we can safely assume that Snape is back amongst the Death Eaters -- or at least, he thinks he is. He should have known, otherwise, that they didn't have Sirius at all, without having to check -- if he was part of the inner circle, as it seems he was, he should have been informed about that one. Methinks he's not as good at Occlumency as he once was -- or maybe V. is just better at Legilimency? But this is total speculation on my part.

What do you two think is going to happen with the house-elves? Do you think two books is enough time for them to get inspired enough to revolt against their (often Dark) masters? And what about the goblins -- whose side do you think they'll take up? (Wonder what those rebellions in the Renaissance were about, anyway.)

Becky, you probably already know about this, but I just discovered it today:Quick Quotes on Rowling!

And all apologies for not answering this sooner. I'm actually rereading them all right now...I'm not 100% sure of what I think of the house elves or goblins yet. Although I will say that I don't think a revolt within two books is improbable.

I'm really glad I'm doing this again--I completely forgot about James saving Snape's life and other important tidbits! I hope to have them all reread before I leave the country. I've preordered #6 and my mom will read it before sending it to me.

I didn't know about this -- thanks for the link!

Ok guys, I'm such a dork. I'm roaming the fansites for random speculation as to the significance of the new covers:

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The fact that "Advanced Potion-Making" by Libatius Borage is on one cover is leading some to think that the HBP is Snape!

"Theory: The bowl is a pensieve, because it does resemble the description of one, Harry is holding the wand, thus they're likely to be his own memories. The pensieve allows a person to take a step back and look at their memories, and so see things they might not otherwise see. The light around it is green, implying that they could be watching an Avada Kedavra. Is Harry watching his own memories of his parents' death? Perhaps in order to see something that will be vital to the fight?"

"Alas, my lovelies, we are doomed. Dumbledore's Pensieve is sitting on the Pillar of Storgé." (You know, I would not be at all surprised if JKR did this on purpose!)

"Harry wears the wand with the left-hand. He is right-handed, BUT, Mary Grandpré is left-handed. So don't worry about this detail. It doesn't mean that something has hurt his right-hand." (Or does it...?)

"This is very exciting...I'm still sticking with my theory that the HBP is the new Potions master and that Snape will finally be given his shot at DADA teacher."

"I think it's safe to say that Harry is going to go through Advanced Potions for the sake of Snape's backstory."

"Information from the Editor on the Today Show:
New Minister of Magic
We will find out a /lot/ more about Voldemort.
He cannot tell us if the Half Blood Prince is Snape.
The book is very intense, though there are light-hearted moments."

"After seeing the adult cover, I think the link between book 2 and book 6 may be the complicated potion brewing. Though I do hope no one will turn out to be a cat this time around ."

"I love the american version cover, but as for snape being the HBP, I think not. Sanape was/is a dealth eater and Voldemort most likely wouldnt allow a half blood to be in his exclusive circle, I mean look and Malfoy."

"On the bottom right of the British children's edition, there's a bit of the fire that looks very odd. Look closely, and it looks a bit like a face: a long, pointy nose, two white eyes and a grinning mouth. It's the only part of the fire that looks strange. That could be a heliopath."

"As for the Pensieve...maybe the Pensieve has something to do with Sirius and communicating with the dead? Or maybe I'm still stuck in denial."

"As for Voldemort, he's half-blood himself so he has no room to be turning away half-blood followers. Or, Snape didn't find out he was a half-blood until after he joined the Death Eaters and that's the reason he turned away from them - their biggotry is hardly appealing. Something big must have happened for Snape to see he didn't want to be a Death Eater any longer."

"I want to see the back!!!"

"So, the first thing I thought when I saw the American cover was, 'Well, the half-blood prince is obviously dead. Why else would Harry and Dumbly be looking in a pensive together? It must be someone from the past.' However I do enjoy the theories on them looking at what happened the night Lily and James were murdered. I guess we've just got to wait a little over 4 months to find out (and July 16th will be here before we know it!)."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

ANYWAY.

This page is great help.

(One of the things that Harry discovers in Chamber is that Dumbledore was originally the Transfiguration teacher...although I'm not sure what that could mean. I'm so glad to be rereading these right now!)

You know, this is something I've been turning over in my mind for a long time, especially since it's likely McGonagall studied under him. For a while, I was totally convinced that someday Rowling would reveal that they were married, but upon finding out that she's something like 70 and Dumbledore's 150, that idea grossed me out.

I am desperately curious to find out what the cover of Half-Blood Prince is depicting. My bet is that it's a final (or near-final) scene, since that seems to be a theme in the other books' cover art.

I was bored this morning, and so I was going through the Leaky Cauldron when stumbling on a website with a very interesting theory about the books. It seems the owners of the site have done their homework and come up with a kooky idea that only an obsessed fan could think of. . .

link

So what do you think? It's not entirely implausable, but Jo has already debunked it on her website. I'm not sure she could or would say it was true if someone figured out something that big.



and. . .Any last minute guesses on who the half-blood prince is?

[edited cause I can't spell]

Dan, I think Jo Rowling would have simply ignored the rumor rather than respond outright if it were true. When people guess things correctly, she usually makes a vague comment like, "Some of the cleverer members of fansites have hit pretty near the mark," which doesn't give anything away but lets people know that someone is on the right track. I think it's a fabulous theory, and if it comes to pass, I will be most impressed.

Haven't had time to think about the HBP ... but I'm glad this thread was revived!

Well, they did present a lot of concrete parallels. And the symbolism throughout the books is very prevelant. I (perhaps because i'm an optimist) can't imagine the end of the story any other way than happy. Happy, even if it is a twisted-we've lost some good folks along the way-happy ending. I think Harry will ultimately end up happy. So to review...they pretty much compared the chess game to the story as a whole. Maybe they're right. I don't think any conclusions can be drawn from JKR's response though. Ignoring it would have been too easy. Acknowledging whether right or wrong would ruin what she's been working on for years. It'd be like David Copperfield selling his secret illusions.
I do have to say though...it seems to me like Ron takes a dive whether metaphorically, physically or emotionally in all of the books in order for Harry to come out on top and triumph over evil.

So i guess I'm saying: "I'm not quite sure how to respond to this..."

oh, and no new thoughts on HBP. I'm still just waiting not-so-patiently for the release.

My thoughts: (may have spoilers)

On Harry's Attitude - I can see why he feels this way. He knows that he will be instrumental in Voldemorts downfall, and yet, everyone keeps him out of the loop. No one even gives him the courtesy of telling him, "hey, here's the reason we have to keep you out of the loop for awhile." They just let him dangle there like a piece of meat, or loose cannon, or whatever, and don't help him out at all. None of his friends genuinely sympathize with the fact that his life is constantly in danger. I'd be pissed, too.

On Sirius' Death - I sincerely hope that he's really dead. Any writer worth their salt knows that 1/2-3/4 of the way through any book or series, you have to give a blow to the main character, a blow that really counts, that stings the character (and the readers) to the core. Much loved as Sirius is, would you (as a reader) have it any other way? I'll take the ups and downs to a predictable story any day of the week. I won't give examples from other books since I don't know what everyone has read, but every book or series of books needs at least one moment where the reader sits up and says "No f**king way. I can't believe that just happened." It is the mark of a great writer (as opposed to just a mediocre one) if they "mean it" and stick to their guns. (R.A. Salvatore is the worst at this, his heroes never die, even when they deserve to, and nothing bad ever happens that can't be fixed... read his work sometime... the first few books may impress you, but after awhile you realize there's no tension at all, because Salvatore doesn't have the guts to do anything that might upset or sadden the reader.) For Harry, Sirius is his clear path to family love and social salvation (and the only clear path) so what better thing to do to give the series a kick in the pants than kill him?

On the novel as a whole - I loved it, I admit it. It took off like a flash and maintained a blazing tempo the whole way through. We actually got to see the stirrings of something greater going on, rather than the isolated events of the first four books. The characters were brilliant - this is one of Rowlings strongest points IMHO - it's not that we know who the good guys are, and who the bad guys are, it's that we feel it. How much did you loathe Umbridge in this book? My wife, a normally quiet and conservative girl, frequently came out of the bedroom (where she reads) to grab a drink of water muttering "That's bulls**t." By the end of the book, she was just yelling in anger, frustration, or surprise.

I think Rowling has matured significantly as a writer over the course of the books (I found Chamber of Secrets rather dull). The other books are engaging, but they are rarely throw-the-book-across-the-room-in-a-fury engrossing. I read the book in three days, skipping meals, sleep, and classes because of it. Simply genius.

[quote=StarvingWriter82,Apr 26 2005, 10:42 PM][quote]On Sirius' Death - I sincerely hope that he's really dead.[/quote]
GASP! Noooooooooo!

[quote]Much loved as Sirius is, would you (as a reader) have it any other way?[/quote]Uh huh!

[quote]at least one moment where the reader sits up and says "No f**king way. I can't believe that just happened."[/quote]
I definitely did that!!! (for at least a month)

[quote]I think Rowling has matured significantly as a writer over the course of the books (I found Chamber of Secrets rather dull).[/quote] I completely agree. I was sort of backwards and started with book 5. It was really tough for me to go back and read the others because they didn't seem as good to me.


Anyway...i actually popped into this thread because i just read this article HBP Stolen and found it amusing... Oooooh, those silly silly men! Don't they know Harry Potter is to England as The Little Prince is to France? Sacred in a way...not something to steal and sell to a tabloid!

With less than a month until HP6 is released, I thought this needed a bump. Anyone else rereading the first five?