Harry Potter Complete Book Spoiler Thread

[Blondy876]

I just finished it about 5 minutes ago. I'm still crying, my kids think I'm nuts. I just can't believe it. I mean I was pretty sure it was coming but still.

"I'm not worried Harry, I'm with you."

I just can't believe it. I feel like I've lost a friend.

 

[MrsKreamer]

he was representing Slytherin house at the end of the book. I'd imagine he's stay on. I wonder if he'll train Harry to be a metamorphamagi? (or however you spell it) Slughorn turned himself in a couch in the begining...I bet he'd train up Harry in light of his coming adventure.

Um - how did Harry get his firebolt back? Did he get it back at the end of OoTP? (i know - so trivial!) heheh

In OotP Tonks said you have to be born a metamorphamagi, you can't train to be one. Besides turning into a couch is transfiguration, metamorphamagi is changing things like you hair and nose, not into another object completely.

 

[ashjohnson80]

I just finished the book yesterday and i thought it was definately the best one. I still can't beleive that Snape actually killed Dumbledore.

 

[Jockaroo]

I finished last night and have spent awhile looking over everyone's comments. One thing I think that is important is the theme of this book--love. We see many varieties of love expressed here. False and obsessive love via love potions (Ron and Voldemort's mom); love of a child for his parents (Draco); a mother's love and willingness to go against the Dark Lord seen in Narcissa; an unacknowledged deep love (Hermione for Ron); teen angst infatuation (Lavender and Ron); a strong love growing from friendship (Harry and Ginny); and a love for a true friend and mentor which grows as the mentor weakens as seen with Harry toward Dumbledore. We also see what can happen when one grows up without love. Since Harry's greatest strength is his ability to love this book helped provides him with the different types of love and how to see the differences. This will help him overcome Voldemort.

I have to say I was very surprised with this book. I did think Snape was the HBP when Harry opened the book and the small writing was discribed. The only other time small writting was described was in book 5 when Harry saw Snape taking the DADA OWL test via the pensive memory. I did think Dumbledore would die before the series and thought it possible with this book since he was so physically weak. Never dreamed Snape would do it. I honestly thought that Dumbledore had found a way to give his hand to Snape in order to create the unbreakable vow--that was why it was dead. Also, we may have a left=evil/sinister and right=good/pure thing going on. After all the DE have the dark mark on the left hand. I too wonder if R.A.B is Regulus. Maybe the Quibbler Luna had in book 5 was sort of right. Maybe Regulus is the musician Stubby who looks like Sirius?

I am about 80% sure Dumbledore is dead and that it was worked out with Snape. I will be 100% sure if the portrait in the headmaster's office speaks. I think he sacrificed himself to protect Draco (and his family), Snape and Harry. I think Harry will need to come to terms with his hatred of Snape before he can fight Voldemort. I hope we see Fawkes in book 7--he is one of my favorites.

 

[ashjohnson80]

Fawkes! I love him/it too! I started crying when I read that it was singing mourning for Dumbledore, that is what made me lose it.

 

[bananiem]

When I was reading it I assumed the liquid was the horcrux and so DD would have to die to destroy the horcrux. Then the locket showed up so I'm not sure. Somebody else (RAB) had drank the liquid too apparently.
I was disappointed in the way a character would be used for a bit and then not really brought up again or useful to the storyline after their little bit. Bellatrix, Mungus, the new prime minister... Just seemed like filler or just to keep them in our memory maybe?

 

[Tiffa]

Ok just finished too, I would have been sooner if the medication I was taking didn't knock me for a loop - I think that killing DD was planned he did say "Severus please" so did it mean please kill me or please help me?? I think Draco will still reap the wrath of Vol because he did not do it Snape did. So again we will be waiting another couple of years for the last book - of course she does this on purpose look at the sales!

 

[Aneille]

I was disappointed in the way a character would be used for a bit and then not really brought up again or useful to the storyline after their little bit. Bellatrix, Mungus, the new prime minister... Just seemed like filler or just to keep them in our memory maybe?

I don't think any of the characters are neccessarily fillers. I think they were as you said reminders and also seeds planted for the next books.

I think the fact that Mundungus is stealing from the Black heirlooms is going to be important at some point in book 7. We didn't get to learn too much about the new prime minister except that maybe's he's a vampire according to Luna, but due to his position he will play a role in Book 7 I am sure. And also it may turn up to be very important that he does speak to the Prime Minister of the Muggle world. And Bellatrix is an important connection for Draco and I don't think it will be the last we see of her.

Like you however I was wondering when the Prime Minister was going to come back into play. The other 2, Mundungus and Bellatrix since we already knew them didn't stand out as much to me.

 

[harleyquinn]

Unfortunately, as best I can tell, JKR has NO plans for more HP after Book 7. Most recently she did an interview (which I read in its entirety on an HP fansite) on Saturday, saying she absolutely was not doing any more HP. She has previously ruled out the prequel idea, saying she did not want to do it a la Star Wars. (LOL, with all the parallels drawn there!)

I am not opposed to the "Snape is still good" theory, would make me much happier than I am now. I DO believe DD is dead, though I feel certain that in some way he will still be able to help Harry, even if it is only in preparation. I, too, noticed the flame incident at the funeral, and thought of the phoenix. And I also wonder where Fawkes has gone. Maybe to the OotP Headquarters? After all, he was used as a messenger... So perhaps we will see him again.

I'm happy with all the relationships, and hope that somehow Harry and Ginny will work out, though if he dies in 7, guess it wouldn't much matter! There is bound to be something of interest in Godric's Hollow. There has been speculation before about Godric being Gryffindor's first name, thereby making Godric's Hollow more than just the place Harry's parents died.

As for the book itself, I personally found it much more readable and enjoyable than OotP. And that is spoken not just as a fan, but also as a holder of a degree in English! JKR has said herself that she felt she rambled on too much in OotP, and I agreed with that assessment. On the other hand, HBP was a bit more predictable (in some ways) than I would have thought. I had figured out early on that Snape was the HBP. As to the books being too old for him or any of Harry's parents' friends...hello! This is 20+ years later than their days in school, and they're *still* using the same textbook! I'm also not surprised by DD's death, because we all know that in the end, Harry must face Voldemort one-on-one. I'm just hoping there are not too many casualties along the way!

BTW~Go Tonks!!

I think you and I are long lost twins!! You said everything I was thinking, even about the interview she just did!

The other thing about that interview that I want to point out is she said it will be "I fear at least two more years" before the next book.

I'm so shocked that everythone thought of Regulus! I was so proud of DH when he came up with that.

I also thought I'd have a hard time convincing people that Snape is still good, but most of us seem to be on the same page. The big thing for me is that no one in the Order will trust him. I think it bodes for very interesting things.

As for Draco, I seem to remember JK saying that he would not turn good in the end. I don't think this necessarily rules out him helping Harry, but I wanted to bring it up.

I was a little disappointed that I had so much stuff figured out before the end, and the only real big shocks to me were the horcruxes (which are too cool), and Snape doing the deed. But I was so happy that most of the book was so light. I really had a hard time with OotP, because I thought there as just too much anger and too much Umbridge!

One more thing! I had a HP party on Wednesday (I'm a children's librarian) and I told everyone to be prepared for Dumbledore dying, and that I hoped that Harry and Ginny and Lupin and Tonks would hook up. I almost freaked when they revealed the reason for Tonks behavior. It was right in the middle of all the sadness at AD's death, and I started jumping up and down (with tears running down my face). What an awesome moment!

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

Once again, I put my keen and penetrating mind to the task, and as usual (probably) come to the wrong conclusion. Anyway...

I was just reading a transcript of an interview given at Edinburgh Castle the night of HPB's release, and one question and answer got me thinking:

David Moulds for the News of the World - How does Aunt Petunia know about dementors and all the other magical facts she knows?
JK Rowling: Another very good question. She overheard a conversation, that is all I am going to say. She overheard conversation. The answer is in the beginning of Phoenix, she said she overheard Lily being told about them basically.

Is that true?

JK Rowling: Yes. The reason I am hesitant is because there is more to it than that. As I think you suspect. Correctly, but I don't want to say what else there is because it relates to book 7.

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

Now, considering Slughorn's constant carrying-on about Lily's Potions skill, she would very likely have known Snape pretty well. What if the "awful boy" who told Lily about the dementors was not James, but Snape? And how might that come into play in HP7?

 

[Barb D]

I've been trying to keep up with this thread, but may have missed some in the middle...

One thing I noticed in this book is how much Harry has matured since the last book. I really liked the way he treated Luna and Neville - making it clear that they were his friends, and asking Luna to the Christmas party as friends. Also, I liked that he didn't try - as much - to go off on his own, and was willing to tell Mr. Weasly and Dumbledore about things he found out when he did.

I wonder how the story would have changed if Harry had "confessed" about the potions book to Dumbledore? That was one secret he continued to hide from Dumbledore.

I think I think that Dumbledore is really dead, and that he sacrificed himself for the good of Harry, Draco, and Snape. But it won't surprise me to find out that it was all a trick...especially since Dumbledore had just made that speech to Draco about hiding Draco by people thinking he (Draco) was dead. In either case, I definitely think Snape and Dumbledore planned it together, and that Snape is still a conflicted good guy.

Last comment...I was SO glad that JK Rowling stopped using so many ellipses.....I found them so distracting in Book 5 .....

 

[mcnuss]

I think the fact that Mundungus is stealing from the Black heirlooms is going to be important at some point in book 7.

My DD said the same thing. She thinks maybe he has one of the hoarcruxes and doesn't even know it. She thinks that Kreacher may have (or have had)something too. If he was ordered by a previous master to hide something, then he would not be able to reveal it. Perhaps if RAB really is Regalus then maybe Regalus gave Kreacher the real hoarcrux? And maybe Mundungus stole it?

 

[lntsmom]

but here's my thoughts.

I'm not sure Dumbledore is dead. Does it seem odd to anyone else that the new portrait of him in the Headmaster's room was described as looking as if he was just asleep. Why? The other portraits communicate...why wouldn't he have been telling what he knew?

And, what was actually in the bowl...the liquid he drank. Don't you think it was odd that Rowles never had Harry or Dumbledore say, "obviously this is a ___ potion..."

It isn't like Rowles to leave loose ends.

Also, everyone comments that they can't believe Dumbledore was mistaken about Malfoy. And, why would Dumbledore have frozen Harry...if he knew Harry could have helped him. Perhaps he needs to APPEAR to be dead.

I think it's also questionable at the funeral scene where it's commented that Harry knew what must be in the purple blanket. Yeah????

On the other hand, she has been quoted as saying this book shook her, and that she has had to kill off everyone who could help Harry so the final book will be more dramatic.

I can't believe book 7 is going to be as straight-forward as book 6 seems to say it will be.

Guess we'll have to wait until '07 or '08 to find out!

 

[trappednabox]

OMG! I finished reading it today & I still like !!!!!!! I don't really now what to think!

 

[teacherforhi]

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.

 

[lntsmom]

reflections on the posts so far.

First, Rowlings has already said that the whole Aunt Petunia story will wrap up in book 7. Go to Mugglenet.com...there's a link to a very recent interview with her where she states that.

Also, I believe Snape and Dumbledore were working together...and I'm still not sure Dumbledore is really dead. The sorting hat has said for 3 years that the only way to stop Voldemort, save Hogwarts, is for all the houses to work together.

I thought from Goblet of Fire on that in the end, Draco will step in and be the deciding difference between whether Harry or Voldemort wins the second war.

I'm still not too sure that Neville won't be a deciding factor, too....

 

[trappednabox]

But wouldn't Voldemort know that Snape is really working with Dumbledore since he's so good at knowing what everyone is thinking?

 

[faery grandmother]

My theory is optimistic still--despite all the tears:

Dumbledore did know about Malfoy's plotting and Snape's promise. His pleading was for Snape to apply the curse, so Draco would not have to do it, to save face in front of the other DE's and to save his family. Dumbledore's faith in Snape will pan out in the end.

Snape IS on the side of good. Not only did he not kill Harry (I know LV wants to do that, but Snape really does hate the son of his old tormentor.) But he also could have killed Hermoine and Luna outside of his office, and did not. He could have killed Hagrid and did not.

Snape has more to him than meets the eye, and Malfoy is lucky to have Snape with him.

But, like everyone, I will have to wait now to see Book 7! So long to wait!!!

 

[padams]

But wouldn't Voldemort know that Snape is really working with Dumbledore since he's so good at knowing what everyone is thinking?

LV knows what HP is thinking because of the connection between them that occurred when LV tried to kill HP as a baby. Has it been said that he knows what anyone else is thinking?

Snape is, according to many quotes in the books, very skilled at occlumency or closing his mind. DD had Snape try to teach HP to close his mind to LV in OotP. It seems that Snape would be able to close his thoughts to the Dark Lord if he was suppose to teach HP to do the same.

 

[trappednabox]

But if LV is that powerful, wouldn't he be able to know what Snape is thinking anyway? if not then Snape is more powerful?