Harry Potter Complete Book Spoiler Thread

[njziggy]

Geez- I don't think I like the idea of Harry being a horcrux! The worst part is that now we all must wait another 2 years or so to find out what happens...AHHHHHHHHHHHH!

 

[shmoogrrrl]

I finished on Sunday and my biggest concern is with the word Snogging! If I heard that word in any other context than two kids making out, I would immediatley think sex. As I'm assuming they were not having sex in the middle of the common room, I guess it doesn't mean something quite that strong. *laugh*

I worked out the Regulus Black/R.A.B. thing fairly quickly, which is good. I was about to go back and re-read all the books (I still might) and look for names that have a R.A.G.

I think that Dumbledore is dead (or is meant to be dead) but I think Snape is still on the Order's side and I think Dumbledore asked him to do what he did. I suspect so that Draco wouldn't be a murderer. I also believe that Voldermort will be more open now that "the only wizard he ever feared" is 'gone.' That should make it easier for him to be killed! Snape sure did make a decision between what is right and what is easy.

Oh yeah....Can you imagine how THRILLED Mrs. Weasley would be if Harry lives and he and Ginny get together? Perfect situation all around......Mr. and Mrs. Weasley get a Son-in-Law that they have always treated like a son, andHarry gets Parent-in-Laws that he has always thought of like Parents. Win-Win situation, if you ask me!

 

[wasabi girl]

I've had to work so may have missed some posts..but does anyone think that HP might be an heir of Gryffindor? His parents lived in "Godrics Hollow", maybe that is why Voldemort wanted to kill the Potters himself in the first place.

I'm don't think Snape is actually evil...seems too obvious for JKR.
My brother wondered if RAB might be more than one person?

I wondered if the locket that no one could open was a Horcrux, maybe Kreacher took it and he will then have to give it to Harry when Harry orders him to do so...

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

There have been some incredibly interesting theories and ideas on this thread. I'm looking forward to seeing if any of them pan out in book 7

As for HP being heir of Gryffindor...I've always had that theory in the back of my head, ever since CoS when Fawkes brought the sword of Gryffindor to Harry. And if he is indeed the heir...well it would be a bit of poetic justice, IMO...the heir of Gryffindor and the heir of Slytherin duking it out at the end. And if Harry defeats Voldemort (which we all want because we all love it when good triumphs over evil) that would just make it even better.

 

[MrsPete]

Lots of thoughts here . . .

I wasn't at all surprised that Dumbledore died. Many people have mentioned the Star Wars similarities; well, it's more than that. Remember studying archetypes in high school English? Reoccuring patterns that are found across time and cultures? Some are themes: Good vs. evil, the inexperienced youth becomes a man through suffering . . . Some are actions: The bad guy initially seems to be winning, then the badly injured hero pops back and wins in the end . . . Some are characters: The mad scientist, the poor but honest family, the orphan who makes it though a combination of "luck and pluck" . . . variations abound, but these concepts are in our "literary genes". Well, we all know that the hero's best pal or wise mentor often bites the dust, which gives the hero a renewed personal reason for him to continue his fight anew. Dumbledore was going to die. Originally I thought Ron would die too (and he still could in book 7), but then he took the "lucky juice" and I abandoned that notion.

Of course, JKR has occasionally gone against the expected archetypes in little ways. The physical appearance of the characters, for example: Harry's hair is dark (traditionally dark = bad), while the Malfoys (an evil family) are all fair-skinned and blonde. Continuing this piece of symbolism, it's interesting that the Weasleys -- a family who is considered a bit "odd" by many, though certainly not outcasts -- are all redheads. They're the wildcard family.

I was sure from early on, too, that Snape was the Half-blood prince. The book was found in his former classroom, and we know he's always been a whiz at Potions (James, in a pensieve memory, told him to go play with his chemistry set). It's easy to explain the age of the book too: it was his mother's property originally. I can also see him styling himself "a prince" to Voldemorte's "Lord". Royal titles, and at one point Snape fancied himself as Voldemorte's second-in-command, his "prince".

I never thought Voldemorte was the Half-blood prince. He cares too much about the purity of blood to ever describe himself with such a title.

What I'm not sure about is whether Snape is good or bad. In earlier books I thought he was malicious (because of the torment he suffered as a boy), but not dangerous. Then in Order of the Pheonix I became convinced that he was actually good (having worked as a double-agent with his real sympathies lying with Voldemorte); at the end of Pheonx, I believed he'd die saving Harry in the next book, and Harry would realize too late that Snape had been a friend all along. It's still possible that this could happen in the last book, but I just don't know. I think it's significant that his hand shakes on the third question while he and Narcissa are making the Unbreakable Vow. I find Snape interesting because of the uncertainty.

I thought the scene with Narcissa and Belatrix in Snape's house was brilliantly done. It perfectly mirrors our suspisions: Two women (one light, one dark) who feel very differently towards Snape. Both are intelligent women, both have reasons to feel as they do . . . and we, the readers, are left not knowing which woman is actually right. Snape is either wonderful or horrible, and I'm not sure which. We must not get caught up in the fact that we don't like his personality -- he's not warm and fuzzy, and he holds grudges -- but that doens't tell us whether he's good or bad. Regardless of the truth, he's an excellent actor; he has either fooled Dumbledore for 16 years, or he has convinced Voldemort of his loyalty.

I do believe Dumbledore is actually dead -- though that doesn't mean that he is completely gone. The phoenix' song, the funeral, the fact that Harry's spell was lifted -- these things point to the fact that he's really dead. However, the phoenix symbolism might mean that he will "be there" in some other form. His portrait may talk to Harry (though that'd be too easy), he may have left a letter with instructions . . . I think he may still continue to advise Harry now and then, but I don't think he'll be able to actually work magic himself or take part in the final fight. Remember, Harry said that Dumbledore would never actually be gone from Hogwarts as long as people were loyal to him; Harry and Hagrid (as well as others, but those two in particular) will never stop being loyal to Dumbledore.

Malfoy . . . much of the material in previous books has spawned from the acid between Draco and Harry. Though he was mentioned frequently in Half-blood Prince, he was not around much -- understandably, if you'd made a promise to Voldemort, you wouldn't be hanging around with friends much either! With the exception of the train scene, he's presented as a sympathetic character. He's afraid, his mother's worried enough to betray Voldemort, he's skipping his favorite sport, he's crying in the bathroom, and he's unable to complete his mission in the end . . . who'd have thought we'd be feeling sorry for Draco? But by the end, I do pity him. As Hary grows, he gains knowledge and maturity . . . Draco has lost his father to jail, he's lost his reputation . . . he's going backwards. Of course, Harry and Draco have always been literary foils, but I think Draco could change sides and help Harry in the end.

I think many of the smaller characters still have a part to play:

Neville, I think, will help significantly in the end. He's unsure of himself because he's been hen-pecked by his grandmother all his life, but he's a good wizard. In book 1, it was Neville's courage that won the house cup for Gryffndore. I can see him potentially killing Voldemort in the end. Perhaps standing over Harry, who is too injured to contine, and finally proving himself as good as his parents?

Though Fred and George are no longer students, they may still play an important role. Their loyalty is beyond question.

Ginny . . . oh, Harry's broken up with her, but they're not finished. It's been pretty obvious all along that they'd end up together. JKR has to provide a "perfect" girl for Harry. Ginny's from a family that's fiercely loyal to all Harry loves. She's smart, funny, athletic . . . and there's a certain literary precedent for the hero falling for a friend's sister. Ron said waaay back in book 3 or 4 that he thought Harry and Ginny would get together. Certainly Mr. and Mrs. Weasley would welcome Harry into their family (in fact, they already have, though they see him as an adopted son, rather than a potential son-in-law; but don't tell me that Mrs. Weasley isn't already thinking about this match for her youngest child!). Back to Ginny and the plot . . . she will definitely try to help Harry, and she will probably be very useful.

Bill will have to be significant in the next book. JKR wouldn't have him bitten, then just leave him out of the rest of the book. And now he certainly has plenty of personal reason to fight. He will kill Greyback, thus avenging himself, Lupin, and countless children.

I definitely think we'll see more of Tonks. She's been mentioned so many times in this book -- always popping up at the right time. Now that her emotional roller-coaster with Lupin seems to be over, she'll be stronger again and will be a bigger part of the last book. I think Snape might be in love with her too. At one point, he insults her new patronius (which we know is furry and has four legs -- obviously a wolf); Snape doesn't insult people randomly; he insults people because he is hurt. He knows that she doesn't love him.

We're not finished with Percy either. He's a prat, no doubt about it. But the series can't end with him "on the outs" with his family. He's ambitious and foolish, but he's not evil. He will realize the error of his ways and be reunited with his family.

McGonagall, I think, will be named new Headmistress of the school. She's the obvious choice. That is, of course, IF the school reopens. I think it will; otherwise, how will the plot sustain the gathering of all the characters? And I think all the characters need to be together; I don't think we can just drop Luna, Seamus, etc. I can see Hermione and Ron returning to school (after all -- their parents won't allow them to leave), and Harry going out on his own (perhaps aided by Lupin, Tonks, Hagrid, or the mysterious RAB); however, being aided by Hermione's research from the Hogwart's library. Hermione and Ron, however, will be there at the end for Voldemort's final defeat. I think it'll be a rather dreary school year though; Quidich will take a backseat to safety, for example. I think McG will continue to play her current role -- I see her as protective of the students, but not necessarily right there in the thick of things with Harry. At at least one point she will call him to her office (even though he's no longer a student), where he'll have painful memories of Dumbledore and perhaps receive a message from his old mentor.

Kreature, too, will play an important role. I suspect he knows more than he's admitted, and Harry -- because he dislikes Kreature -- is ignoring an important resource. We know that Kreature is hoarding Black treasures up in his bedroom; I think it's very possible that he has a locket or a golden cup up there!

Finally, I think Hagrid will be very important in this last book, whereas he was rather absent from Half-blood. Hagrid has always been fiercely deveoted to Dumbledore, and he will do anything to help avenge his death. Furthermore, one of his last assignments from Dumbledore was to go to the giants -- a task that resulted in Hagrid bringing home his "baby brother". I don't have any idea why the giants were brought into the story, but I doubt they were there for no reason.

House elves, too, have been mentioned often enough to keep them in our memory. Perhaps they'll be called upon in the final battle to do their part, which might also lead to the end of their enslavement, which would make Hermione very happy.

Horcruxes . . . We suspect Voldemort made six. The diary and the ring are destroyed. That leaves four.

We suspect that the locket (Slytheryn) and the golden cup (Hufflepuff) are two of them. It would make sense for Harry to search for these first, and I think we'll learn RAB's identity during this portion of the book. I don't think it could be Sirius' brother; if it were him, the house wouldn't belong to Harry. He could pretend to be dead, but the magic would "know". I could be wrong on that part. Anyway, I suspect these will be found in fairly short order.

Then he'll have to search for the mystery horcrux. Since we have no idea at this point what it might be (except that it's probably a Ravenclaw item), I suspect we'll discover some clues at Godric's Hollow. I don't think Harry will find an actual horcurx at the old place because Dumbledore already found the ring there. From a practial point of view, Voldemort wouldn't have hidden TWO horcruxes in the same place. I also don't think he'll find one at the nearby Riddle House; with his distain for all things muggle, I can't see Voldemort hiding part of his soul in a place he finds distasteful.

Will Harry discover at Godric's Hollow that he's the heir to Gryffndor? I don't think so. I don't see how that could advance the plot, and final books are about wrapping things up, not opening new plotlines. Harry and Voldemort as enemies is already firmly established. Plus it goes against the sorting hat's constant warning to work together.

I think the mystery horcrux has to be something that Voldemort had on his person the night he killed Harry's parents. Why? Because he would have needed the object to finish the magic (or so I suppose). So after his "death" what happened to it? Pettigrew could've taken it. As such, it could be in Snape's house (located at Spinners END --Snape spins lies, could he find his own end there?), which brings us back to the idea of whether Snape is good or bad. If Snape's good, he could potentiallly destroy this one -- once he realizes he has it -- thus bringing about Voldemort's wrath and his own death. In this way, he could "redeem himself".

Harry cannot be a horcrux. Dumbledore already said that using a living/breathing creature as a horcrux is dangerous. He's iffy about the snake. If Harry is holding part of Voldemort's soul, why would Voldemort try to kill him? In doing so, he'd be un-doing his own work.

I feel pretty sure about the final horcrux though. Dumbledore thought that Voldemort would've wanted an item from each of the four founders, and he says that the sword is the last known item to have belonged to Griffyndor. He never even considered that IT COULD BE a horcrux itself. Riddle spent lots of time at Hogwarts. He was responsible for Myrtle's death (indirectly through the basklisk); the sword could've been his very first horcrux. And we know that he wants to leave these things in significant places -- Hogwarts is THE most significant place in the book, and the Headmaster's office is THE most significant place in Hogwarts. Plus, with all the other magic around, it'd be hard to identify it though residual trails (like Dumbledore did in the desserted cave). Finally, it only makes sense that the final battle will take place at Hogwarts. Harry will destroy the other horcruxes, Voldemort will discover their loss and head to Hogwarts to reclaim his final trophy . . . which will allow the final battle to take place there.

If this is so, then Harry used a horcrux (sword) to destroy a horcrux (diary). Ironic.

My predictions for the end of the series:

Harry will live, though he'll probably bear some scars from his final battle with Voldemort. Hermione will also live. I also can't see Neville or Ginny dying. Anyone else, I think, is up for grabs. If any main character dies, it'll be Ron. There's a long literary history of best-buddies dying heroically, perhaps saving the hero, then living long enough to say, "Go get 'em for me, friend."

Draco Malfoy will come over to the right side, as Dumbledore begged him to do. Harry will realize that he was a childhood bully, but he has no real power now that they're adults. Plus, that darned sorting hat has been telling us for ages that to win, the houses must work together. Perhaps Harry and Draco TOGETHER will defeat Voldemort. Crabbe and Goyle have never been important characters -- they could live or die.

Snape will definitely die. I don't know if he'll die a hero and have a huge funeral just like Dumbledore's, his true worth having been discovered only at the end of his life . . . or whether he'll die in Voldemort's service, a true villain . . . but he will die. So will Bellatrix; she must be punished for Sirius' death.

Harry will realize that his former desire to become an auror has diminished; after all, he will have killed the worst villain in history -- where could he go from there? He will stay at Hogwarts, the only place he really belongs, as DADA teacher. Despite his youth, he will be the most qualified person. With Ginny at his side, he will be happy teaching scores of new wizards. And with McG as Headmistress (or possibly dead), someone will have to take over as head of Gryffndore.

Under Arthur Weasley's leadership as the new Minister of Magic (who else has been completely loyal and is qualified?), the wizard world will enter a time of peace.

Whew. Is that enough of my opinions?

 

[Sharon Esch]

Sorry guys, have read the book yet! I know, but haven't had the time with kids and all, and summer break. Nothing seem to surprise me with some parts of the book. Could someone please enlighten me about "Percy Weasley".

I was so upset with the last book on how Percy treated his family and LV being alive, all for his career. I know his's career minded and driven, but his family IS THE BEST! Wouldn't you want to be a Weasley? Does he get back in good graces with his family? Thanks!

 

[cocowum]

Lots of thoughts here . . .

Bill will have to be significant in the next book. He will kill Greyback, thus avenging himself, Lupin, and countless children.

Whoa, that line gave me the chills.

If any main character dies, it'll be Ron. There's a long literary history of best-buddies dying heroically, perhaps saving the hero, then living long enough to say, "Go get 'em for me, friend."

This line made me tear up. I hope it's not true.

Snape will definitely die.

Oh god, I hope so.

He will stay at Hogwarts, the only place he really belongs, as DADA teacher. Despite his youth, he will be the most qualified person. With Ginny at his side, he will be happy teaching scores of new wizards. And with McG as Headmistress (or possibly dead), someone will have to take over as head of Gryffndore.

Under Arthur Weasley's leadership as the new Minister of Magic (who else has been completely loyal and is qualified?), the wizard world will enter a time of peace.

Sounds like a wonderful ending. I hope you are right.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

Harry will realize that his former desire to become an auror has diminished; after all, he will have killed the worst villain in history -- where could he go from there? He will stay at Hogwarts, the only place he really belongs, as DADA teacher. Despite his youth, he will be the most qualified person. With Ginny at his side, he will be happy teaching scores of new wizards. And with McG as Headmistress (or possibly dead), someone will have to take over as head of Gryffndore.

The only problem with this scenario (which I would also like to see) is that JKR has already said that Harry will not become a teacher.

 

[GADISNEYGIRL]

Very good theories, MrsPete! I hope you're right!

 

[Toby'sFriend]

ok, I have one more prediction of a significant character for Book 7 - Aberforth Dumbledore will finally reveal himself. It has long been speculated that he is the Bar Keeper at the Hogs Head tavern in Hogsmead. The only place I can find in book 6 that he makes an appearance is where he attends the funeral with the witch who pushes the food trolley on the Hogwarts Express.

This is from an interview JKR gave over the weekend.

JK Rowling: I keep killing all my favourite members of the Order of the Phoenix, but there is one member of the Order of the Phoenix that you have not yet met properly and you willÂ*Â*, well, you know that they are a member, but you haven't really met them properly yet and you will meet them in seven, so I am looking forward to that.

I think it is very likely that at some point Harry will take up residence at the Hogs Head in order to be closer to his friends at Hogwarts. At that point, Aberforth will reveal himself and help to guide Harry in the final qwest.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

Since several people have mentioned Dumbledore's portrait in the office and how it may come into play in Book 7...

Why are some pictures in the wizarding world more special than others?

After all, some can talk, such as most of the ones at Hogwarts, while others seem to be just a moving picture, such as the album Hagrid gave Harry at the end of his first year.

It doesn't have anything to do with the subject being alive or dead, because in CoS, Lockhart's photos got all in a huff over being seen in rollers. And since I would think at least some of the portraits at Hogwarts may not even be real people (just a guess there), it doesn't even matter if the person is real or not.

Anyway, just a thought.

On her website somewhere - I think in the FAQ section - JKR explained that portraits are more sophisticated than photos, ergo the portraits at Hogwarts doing more than the photos in Harry's album. She may have said more, but I can't remember exactly.

 

[MrsPete]

The only problem with this scenario (which I would also like to see) is that JKR has already said that Harry will not become a teacher.

Hmmm. And headmaster is too much for an 18-year old. Still, I can't imagine him leaving Hogwarts.

ok, I have one more prediction of a significant character for Book 7 - Aberforth Dumbledore will finally reveal himself

That sounds believable. I can imagine that the two of them look alike -- both tall, similar ages, they probably both have long, silver beards -- and that Harry might at first believe it's Albus Dumbledore "in the flesh". Any chance the two of them were twins? Fred and George are always finishing one another's sentences -- it's believable that Aberforth might "receive messages" from his brother. But then they weren't on good terms, and we dont' really know why. Do we know whether Aberforth is completely good?

 

[GADISNEYGIRL]

It's been somewhat implied by Dumbledore himself that his brother is sort of an idiot, isn't that true? But good theory, that he could be the character JKR was referring to! Do we know he's in the Order? Was he in the photo Mad Eye had of the original Order? I can't recall, and don't have the books with me.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Do we know he's in the Order? Was he in the photo Mad Eye had of the original Order? I can't recall, and don't have the books with me.

yes he was in the photo.

When Dumbledore is in Hagrid's cabin where Hagrid had barred himself after it was revealed he was 1/2 Giant, Dumbledore mentions his brother as an example of problematic family members.

Apparently there was some incident with a Goat that was reported in the Daily Prophet, but Dumbledore mentions he isn't entirely sure his brother can read.

 

[FayeW]

Well I finished the book about an hour ago, and I have been giving it some thought.

I believe that Snape killed Dumbledore on orders from Dumbledore himself, that was why he was able to make the Unbreakable Vow to Narcissa that he would do the deed if Draco was unable or it was too dangerous, because he had already promised Dumbledore he would do it when the time came. When Dumbledore was pleading "Severus", it was not to spare his life, but pleading with him to take it. I believe that Dumbledore sees some redeeming value in Draco, and knew that if he was allowed to fulfil his task, he would be lost to the dark side forever, so he had Snape promise to NOT let Draco be forced into killing him, but to do it himself. I think that was why he was adamant that Harry go and get Snape, that he was the only one who could help. I think it will be revealed that Snape is still working under cover with the Order, and he eventually will save Harry's life, perhaps at the cost of his own.

 

[shmoogrrrl]

Neville, I think, will help significantly in the end. He's unsure of himself because he's been hen-pecked by his grandmother all his life, but he's a good wizard. In book 1, it was Neville's courage that won the house cup for Gryffndore. I can see him potentially killing Voldemort in the end. Perhaps standing over Harry, who is too injured to contine, and finally proving himself as good as his parents?

No one has ever been able to sucessfully convience me that Neville wasnt't the focus of the prediction anyway. I know that Dumbledore says that Voldermort "picked" Harry, but that doesn't mean that ultimately it will BE Harry. It wouldnt' surprise me at all if, at the end, they realize that it is NEVILLE that has the power to kill Voldermort and Harry and the team just end up helping him,thanks to the strength that Voldermort gave Harry. I think that would be an excellent ending. There have been a few times where Harry COULD have been the hero, but ultimately wasn't. The very end might be the same way.

Neville is my favorite character in the book. I hope he is much more involved in the seventh book, even if I am wrong about the end.

Oh yeah...I also think that Hogwarts WILL be open and that Harry will attend. Somehow, he is going to find out that he NEEDS to be at Hogwarts.

 

[JeanJoe]

I believe that Snape killed Dumbledore on orders from Dumbledore himself, that was why he was able to make the Unbreakable Vow to Narcissa that he would do the deed if Draco was unable or it was too dangerous, because he had already promised Dumbledore he would do it when the time came. When Dumbledore was pleading "Severus", it was not to spare his life, but pleading with him to take it.

(Joining the thread here, after finishing yesterday afternoon.)

I think so, too. I think given the choice between Snape fooling Voldemort all along, vs. fooling Dumbledore all along, I'd have to choose that Snape was fooling Voldemort. Who would want Dumbledore to be remembered as a great wizard / headmaster, who in the end was duped by Snape?

I wonder whether Dumbledore's blighted hand may have been a hint that Dumbledore was doomed anyway -- Pomfrey couldn't do anything about it, and Snape couldn't either. Perhaps Dumbledore and Snape, knowing Malfoy's "mission", plotted that Snape could in the end "kill" the already doomed Dumbledore, thereby proving himself to Voldemort, and gaining a position where he could do more for the Order in the end. Was there any hint of weakness in Dumbledore during the book that might support this?

Obviously Snape is not a "likable" character, but he was friendless and tormented by James and Sirius. Lily was the one who demanded that James stop (in the pensieve scene). I'm sure this has been suggested zillions of times already, and I haven't read the thread, but perhaps Snape was "promised" Lily by Voldemort, told V the partial prophecy, resulting in Lily's death by V, and the end result was Snape turning away from V and receiving forgiveness from Dumbledore?

 

[Jen D]

MrsPete, sounds like you have the series all sewn up!

I think Dumbledore's death has been a foregone concusion since Book One; as everyone mentioned, it is a convention that the wise mentor who guides and protects the young hero will die so that the young hero can complete the jounrey alone. The fact that we got so much Dumbledore in this book just cemented it.

And I feel very sure his death is final... JKR was very firm in Book Five about the finality of Sirius's death and in general I think she has too much respect for her readers and her young readers to have a character return from the dead.

I have to admit that until I started reading reactions here and elsewhere it had not occurred to me that Snape was acting on Dumbledore's orders. Well, it did cross my mind that the thing was some sort of fake-out but once it was clear AD was dead I felt sure Snape had betrayed him and I regarded it as a brilliant and evil plot twist on JKR's part. Here is Snape, and really all he has going for him is Dumbledore's faith in him and the fact that so far he has not done anything disloyal. But in every other way he has been completely cruel and unhelpful to Harry, often impeding Harry from doing the right thing, and goading Sirius into a situation that caused his own death, and just generally acting like an evil git. Yet we have these breathtaking scenes with him-- in Book 4 when he shows his Dark Mark to Fudge, and then goes to Voldemort on Dumbledore's orders... all that, coupled with the devasting scene Harry sees in the pensieve in Book Five, have convinced readers that there is more to Snape than meets the eye, and we have wanted to know what his story is and why Dumbledore trusts him. I have loved Snape because I found his journey facinating... and because he is just so complicated. And I have waited and hoped for a Harry-Snape detente... but neither ever gave an inch.

I remember reading an online transcript of a talk JK Rowling gave a few months ago and audience members kept coming back to how much they liked Snape. JKR seemed completely bewildered and couldn't understand why so many people liked Snape and concluded it was because Alan Rickman plays him in the movies. But I thought of that when Snape (apparently) revealed himself as a traitor... it was like a bad guy who has been hiding in plain sight for so long.

I also remembered Dumbledore's words about while he is cleverer than most, that means his mistakes are bigger than most. It did seem to be foreshadowing this mistake. And I don't mind the idea that Dumbledore can make a mistake. It sets up a dichotomy... Voldemort's disdain for the power of love will bring him down... but could Dumbledore also be brought down by his misplaced faith in it?

But... after reading here I am very persuaded by the argument that Snape acted on Dumbledore's orders. While on one hand I like the the idea of the bad guy hiding in plain sight, I also feel there are so many unanswered questions about Snape and at what point he made the switch to Dumbledore's side... Snape's story still has a lot of blanks and I think it is also tied up with what we don't know about James and Lily... lots of ground to cover in Book Seven!

I think this is one of the best.. leaner and more focused than Book Five.

 

[LuvN~Travel]

JKR said this in an interview over the weekend:

Robert Dawson for Asda - If you were an animagus, what would you like to be?

JK Rowling: This always amuses me, this idea. You see, you do not know what you are going to be until you have done it, so you might spend half a decade trying to turn into an animal and then find out you were a slug or something, which would be most unpleasant.

I gave Hermione my favourite animal, which is an otter. If you wanted to be something impressive, you would probably be something like a stag or a tiger, would you not? I just suspect I might be a guinea pig or something, which would be so embarrassing.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4690000/newsid_4690800/4690885.stm

I can't wait for book 7!!

I saw a copy of that interview after I posted earlier. Jo has said repeatedly in the past that none of the three will be animagi. However, she did say in OOTP that Hermione's patronus was an otter (when they were doing the DADA lessons with Harry). I think Jo was thinking about favorite animals period when she made that answer without thinking that some people wouldn't think about that.
Kim

 

[blueangel]

I kind of think the point of that is, if Hermione's patronus is an otter, with all the animals in the world, it would make zero sense to have another person involved be that particular animagus.

On other plot points, I dont think anyone has touched on the importance of Grawp, Hagrid's brother, yet. Dumbledore sent Hagrid and Madame Maxime out to try to convince the giants to side against Voldemort, and it was a catastrophe, but now we have been introduced to a giant who is (beginning to be) able to communicate successfully with the good side of the wizarding world.

That taken with the continued presence of Dobby (and Kreacher) as well as Lupin's efforts with the werewolves, I think we can truly expect a wizarding "world war" in book 7.

Now, I fully expect Harry, Ron, and Hermione to return to Hogwarts, but even with them out of the equation, I think that the fact we have seen so much of Ernie McMillan (Hufflepuff, in Potions) and Luna Lovegood (Ravenclaw) in book 6 looks forward to the coming together of all the houses that the sorting hat has called for. Neville would, of course, be Gryffindor's representative since I doubt Ginny will leave Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Draco's redemption would complete the foursome.