Harry Potter Complete Book Spoiler Thread

[teacherforhi]

Since OOTP, I have also believed that Neville was the "Chosen One", and that ultimately, it will be he who ends up killing LV, perhaps in a burst of courage saving Harry. I can think of no other reason for him, a very weak wizard at best, to have been involved in the D.A. He has been marked by LV as well, albeit emotionally scarred instead of physically.

I've been going back and forth on this. I think it all comes down to how literally one takes the prophecy. Harry was physically marked by Voldemort himself. Neville was emotionally scarred by the actions of the Death Eaters (I forget exactly who) who were more than likely acting on Voldemort's orders.

 

[padams]

I absolutely agree! Doesn't matter what HP has evolved into, it started as a children's series, a series about an outcast but special kid overcoming obstacles and finding his place in the world. Killing Harry would be a rip off. He deserves a happily ever after!

What happens to book sales of Book 7 if HP dies in it? I am sure 1st day sales and preorders will be huge but once parents hear that HP dies, will they buy the book for their kids? Will the toymakers be selling HP tombs? Are more people inclined to go see the eventual movie where HP dies or one in which he lives?

Even though Rowling has more money than the queen, the publishers and other companies that hold HP licenses will want the most $$$ they can get.

 

[phillybeth]

What about this scenario: Harry kills Voldemort, but in the process either burns out his magical ability, OR, by Voldemort's death it is discovered that all Harry's abilities were from him, thereby rendering Harry a Squib. I can see JKR 'burning her bridges' so to speak- Harry's alive but has no magical ability, therefore the series must end.

 

[MrsPete]

*Snape* !!! What a character. I'm very conflicted! I never liked the guy but always had hopes that I was wrong! There are many believers that Snape will be a good guy in the end.....I'm not sure yet.

I'm still undecided, but I'm starting to lead towards the idea that he's good. Evidence:
-- He could easily have killed Harry as he and the other Death Eaters were leaving the grounds. Instead, he actually prevented the others from doing so, saying that the Dark Lord wants the pleasure himself. Snape has just done something (killed Dumbledore) that will make Voldemort happier than he's been in a long, long time. Right now Snape has a major "get out of jail" free card from the Dark Lord.
-- As he left, Snape told Harry exactly what magical tasks he needs to improve: he tells him that he (Harry) will never harm him (Snape) until he learns to keep his mouth shut and his mind closed. Though his words are rough, the advice is good. Why would he tell his enemy exactly what to improve?
-- Snape had to leave with the Death Eaters because he's still trying to protect Draco. He realizes that the boy has just failed an important mission, and he wants to protect him from Voldemort's wrath; left alone, the boy will die. Furthermore, if he leaves, he may be able to convince him to become a Pheonix member.

Here's my major reason to keep the "he's bad" card in play: If he's really good, wouldn't he/Dumbledore have warned the other Pheonix members about their plan? Perhaps they wouldn't have told them beforehand (becaue they would've tried to stop it), but wouldn't Dumbledore have had some sort of message delivered to them after his death explaining that Snape is still on their side? Just think: Any Pheonix member would now kill Snape on sight. If he really is good, Dumbledore wouldn't have wanted that.

Somebody on another board said that JKR, has said Harry dies in book 7 . Has anyone else heard that? I read that and started thinking about how "one can't live if the other survives" and the the speculation around Neville.

ARGH, when's book 7 being released.

I know she's not going to say until the book is released. It wouldn't be good for business (though I don't think that's her main reason). I just can't see her killing Harry. I don't see it fitting into the good-vs-evil theme, it goes against the prophecy, and I think she's personally too attached to her creation to kill him off. At least I hope that's all true.

 

[teacherforhi]

What happens to book sales of Book 7 if HP dies in it? I am sure 1st day sales and preorders will be huge but once parents hear that HP dies, will they buy the book for their kids? Will the toymakers be selling HP tombs? Are more people inclined to go see the eventual movie where HP dies or one in which he lives?

Even though Rowling has more money than the queen, the publishers and other companies that hold HP licenses will want the most $$$ they can get.

I'm sure the companies do want the money, but one thing I've always admired about JKR is that she has a vision for the series and has moved steadily toward that over all these years. If she feels that Harry 'needs' to die (which I sincerely hope that she doesn't), then I don't think that it matters that Warner Brothers won't make a movie of it or won't make as much money from a movie. That's the story she wants to tell.

 

[trappednabox]

I really don't think Harry will die in book 7. It could happen, but I think good will come out the better in the end. If not that would mean the LV kills Harry and evil would triumph. I don't think JK would give us that as an ending

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

I really don't think Harry will die in book 7. It could happen, but I think good will come out the better in the end. If not that would mean the LV kills Harry and evil would triumph. I don't think JK would give us that as an ending

I agree with you....although I think good COULD prevail in the end and Harry could die as well. He and Voldemort could both die.

But however, I don't think Harry will die....for a different reason. The rereadability of the series will suffer bigtime if Harry...this kid we've grown to love ends up dead after all this. It's like how most of the beloved fellowship survive in LoTR...people want to read and reread the books knowing it comes out all right in the end. Who the heck would want to do that with HP....or introduce it to their trusting future children if it ends in heartbreak?

I don't think that's the story JK wants to tell....

 

[trappednabox]

But however, I don't think Harry will die....for a different reason. The rereadability of the series will suffer bigtime if Harry...this kid we've grown to love ends up dead after all this. It's like how most of the beloved fellowship survive in LoTR...people want to read and reread the books knowing it comes out all right in the end. Who the heck would want to do that with HP....or introduce it to their trusting future children if it ends in heartbreak?

I don't think that's the story JK wants to tell....

If he dies I don't think I could reread them! & Your right I don't think I would pass them down either.

 

[vanyel]

I do think DD is dead though I think his death will serve a purpose that is revealed in 7.

I certainly hope HP doesn't die and I don't think he will though...

Can't decide whether Snape is good, bad or in-between. I'm going to reread the book before lending it to my daughter.

 

[gallaj0]

OK, I read through most of these pages, but after fininshing the book, I'm gonna go ahead and skip a couple; I hope I'm not repeating anything:

I don't think Dumbledore is gone for good; even if he's just stuck in a portrait, he'll be helping Harry out in the next book.

And it wouldn't surprise me at all if Snape's killing DD is a ploy to hid DD for more freedom to work unseen. I think that DD's hand, which he never did fully explain, other than to mention the same curse that ended up "killing" him, had a part to play in it.

So for Snape, he's my theory, hear it out before you judge; Snape considers Harry the son he never had. It has been revealed over the course of several books that:
1: Snape was smitten/in love with Lily (Evans) Potter all the way back in school; but resented her boyfriend/husband. He was, also, envious of their good fortune; good grades, Quidditch player, James' full blood heritage, and seeming prosperity.

2: We found out in this book that Snape was responsible for Voldy learning about the prophesy, and then killing Lily and James Potter, and ruining Harry's life.

3: The info DD had on Snape was fact 1 and 2. That after Voldy killed Lily and James, and marked Harry, Snape went back to DD, and confessed everything; his love for Lily, his devastation at causing her (and James') death, and leaving Harry an orphan.

4: This leads to DD giving Snape a post at the school, both so he can keep an eye on Snape, adn to give Snape the chance to instruct Harry once he gets there; that's why he never gave Snape the DADA job; even DD thought it was cursed.

5: If you look at all of Snapes' and Harry's interactions throughout the books, you can see how hard Snape pushes Harry, much harder than any other student; he is mmost cross when it seems Harry is not taking instruction as seriously as Snape knows he must; Snape knows better than anyone at Hogwarts how dangerous Voldy is, and how well Harry must be prepared; remember, Snaep knew of the prophesy too.

BAM

It all leads to Snape having Harry's best interests at heart through out the series, but not being able to show it without confessing his love and remorse for Harry's parents.

And the last book in the series concludes with Snape's ulitmate sacrifice to save Harry, allowing him to destroy Voldy; while Snape hangs on long enough to give his final confession to Harry, redeeming him in the eyes of both Harry, and the reader.

 

[Disney Debbie]

There is no doubt in my mind that DD and Snape had something worked out. And my reasoning is that DD put that spell on Harry. Why would he have immobilized him if it wasn't because he knew Harry would want to interfere and save DD's life? There's just no way JKR would have let DD die because he was stupidly trusting Snape. I think the reference to the making big mistakes was to fool us into thinking that - but I just don't believe DD could be fooled that easily.

I can't decide if DD is dead or alive - probably dead like Obi Wan Kenobi - so he can still come "back" to help Harry think things through.

I thought this book was VERY good - much better then the last one. I got really tired of Harry's teen age sullenness in the last one!

 

[jwann]

What about this scenario: Harry kills Voldemort, but in the process either burns out his magical ability, OR, by Voldemort's death it is discovered that all Harry's abilities were from him, thereby rendering Harry a Squib. I can see JKR 'burning her bridges' so to speak- Harry's alive but has no magical ability, therefore the series must end.

Yep - I'll buy this scenario - It goes along with my theory that Harry's scar could be a horcrux. With Voldy dead and the horcrux distroyed (?) then Harry could be left without magic...

 

[andromedaslove]

I definately think that RAB is Regulus Black. I know everyone keeps saying that he is dead, but as I was thinking about it earlier I realized that other people have faked their death. Sirius was in Azkaban because Peter Pettigrew had faked his death. If the Ministry of Magic or others in the wizarding community could tell by magical means if someone was dead or not then Sirius would never have been convicted, right?

Just some late night thoughts!!

Dana

 

[Sparx]

ok, at exactly midnight tonight I finished the book. I absolutly loved this one. Almost as good as PoA. I think that it was harder to read about dumbledore dying than it was Sirius, and Sirius was rough! I am not too sure about RAB yet, so no preditctions there. Over all preditcions, I think that somehow JK will 'burn her bridges' as someone else mentioned, but I doubt she will kill harry or remove his powers. JMO. And I have been saying since book one that Ron and Hermione would get together. I think that Harry and Ginny will get back together in the end. I also think that the idea of the scar as a horcrux is quite a possibility.

 

[Forevryoung]

1:30am I finished it (a little over 29 hours to read it) I went to work and actually slept last night... Well no sleep tonight. I'm sad that its "over"... Maybe I need to reread all of them in a row.

 

[Tinks]

It all leads to Snape having Harry's best interests at heart through out the series, but not being able to show it without confessing his love and remorse for Harry's parents.

And the last book in the series concludes with Snape's ulitmate sacrifice to save Harry, allowing him to destroy Voldy; while Snape hangs on long enough to give his final confession to Harry, redeeming him in the eyes of both Harry, and the reader.

This seems to be the leading theory/idea, but it leaves me so torn! I don't think anything Snape has done/will do could redeem himself in my eyes after this last book. I already disliked him and distrusted him and now he's killed Harry's last remaining father-like figure. I've run over so many ways he could be good in the end, but it still doesn't make me think he's o.k. I'd still have a hard time forgiving and forgetting.

Plus, on my re-read, Snape tells Bella and Narcissa that the information he passed to the Dark Lord helped murder the Bones and the Vances. How can that be justified?

Anyway, I hope that theory is right and I hope it's wrong. Clear as mud??!
I'm still having a hard time with this.

 

[Tinks]

I guess I need to know this from other readers...could you ever forgive Snape? If it turns out in the end that he saves Harry and Voldemort is destroyed, would you then say Snape was a good guy all the time and think he's a hero?

Can you tell this is really bugging me?!

I so don't want him to be a good guy in the end because I dislike him so much, but I think that is where the story is heading, too.

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

I think one of the most important things we should all take from this book is that you cannot get out of attending a wedding you've been invited to, even if you are the chosen one and have to go save the world.

 

[wasabi girl]

I definately think that RAB is Regulus Black. I know everyone keeps saying that he is dead, but as I was thinking about it earlier I realized that other people have faked their death. Sirius was in Azkaban because Peter Pettigrew had faked his death. If the Ministry of Magic or others in the wizarding community could tell by magical means if someone was dead or not then Sirius would never have been convicted, right?

Just some late night thoughts!!

Dana

I don't think it matters if Regulus Black is dead. He could have found the Horcrux before his death, put it somewhere before the death eaters found and killed him.

 

[Tinks]

I think one of the most important things we should all take from this book is that you cannot get out of attending a wedding you've been invited to, even if you are the chosen one and have to go save the world.