*~* Muggles, Welcome to the Burrow! *~*

[RC Fan]

I am just very relieved to see the cover art, because I really think it looks very hopeful, and peaceful, and indicates that Harry lives. I never really thought Harry would die in the end, but this cover makes it more and more obvious to me that he does live.

I never thought of the cover art that way, but I hope you are right. If she kills Harry off, I don't think I would be ever be able to read the books again, and I have enjoyed them immensely.

 

[TurboKitty]

I honestly do not agree that we'll see Sirius again. In an interview I read somewhere, JK has stated that she doesn't bring anyone back from the dead. It would be too confusing for child readers. She was also asked at the time about ghosts and she said only certain people with special circumstances become ghosts in the world of her creation.

Albus will still be on the chocolate frog cards and his portrait, but it won't be the actual him, more of a memory, a moment of his life captured like a photograph.

 

[poohbear919]

I honestly do not agree that we'll see Sirius again. In an interview I read somewhere, JK has stated that she doesn't bring anyone back from the dead. It would be too confusing for child readers. She was also asked at the time about ghosts and she said only certain people with special circumstances become ghosts in the world of her creation.

Albus will still be on the chocolate frog cards and his portrait, but it won't be the actual him, more of a memory, a moment of his life captured like a photograph.

Well perhaps we won't see these beloved (to some) characters again... However, let's keep in mind they both have siblings (brothers, I'm pretty sure) that might pop up... Indeed these siblings may be able to give us much information and enlightenment.

I theorized once that I thought definitely a Dumbledore was killed, but not necessarily Albus Dumbledore... (My own little wish that I will hold onto until the commencement of reading DH...) Aberforth could hold a great deal of information that we don't know about yet.

I'd also love to see Regulus (I know, I know, he's supposed to be dead too) show up with some great stuff!

Rowling's given us back people who were proposed dead before (Wormtail) and she just may do it again...

 

[va32h]

I honestly do not agree that we'll see Sirius again. In an interview I read somewhere, JK has stated that she doesn't bring anyone back from the dead. It would be too confusing for child readers. She was also asked at the time about ghosts and she said only certain people with special circumstances become ghosts in the world of her creation.

Albus will still be on the chocolate frog cards and his portrait, but it won't be the actual him, more of a memory, a moment of his life captured like a photograph.

I think we might hear from Dumbledore in the form of a preserved memory or a letter. I hope so - he really didn't give Harry all the information Harry will need for his quest. (Like....how do you destroy a horcrux? Harry can't carry Basilisk fangs around with him all the time, and he doesn't know any other way!)

With Sirius, I have to wonder why JKR had him die in that specific fashion - falling through the Veil while still alive. It makes me think that the way Sirius died gives him some kind of "loophole" that will allow Harry to communicate with him. There are still those magic mirrors after all. Harry smashed one, but perhaps it could be fixed.

I would also like to see Regulus still alive and hiding out somewhere - have you noticed that when a character dies "offscreen" i.e. we are merely told about their death, they have tendency to not really be dead after all!

 

[AuroraBorealis]

Siblings?!?! Good grief... I could maybe see that in the first couple of books but by now even the most dense reader should get it!

Anyhoo, I was rereading OotP last night and am in the chapter with the first Occlumency lessons with Snape... I noted that Snape made a point of sharing with Harry that "The Dark Lord, for instance, almost always knows when somebody is lying to him. Only those skilled at Occlumency are able to shut down those feelings and memories that contradict the lie, and so utter falsehoods in his presence without detection." (JK Rowling, p. 531, HP & tOotP, US Hardcover Edition)

Good observation. This would make a good argument for GoodSnape but could also be flipped around to BadSnape, using occlumency to hide the truth from Dumbledore.

I do think we will see Sirius again. I don't know if it will be in bodily form, but I think he will reappear. I believe JKR has confirmed that the two way mirror will factor into book 7. His death was unique and took place in the Department of Mysteries where wizards were studying death. I think there is a "loophole" here.

Also, and I know this is a serious stretch, the cover looks like we are looking into/beyond the veil. Perhaps Harry does travel to the land of the dead to visit some loved ones.

Dumbledore is dead but I think he will be seen in book seven in memories. No return as a ghost for him! I know several of us are waiting for the "iron clad reason to trust Snape" memory!

he really didn't give Harry all the information Harry will need for his quest. (Like....how do you destroy a horcrux? Harry can't carry Basilisk fangs around with him all the time, and he doesn't know any other way!)

This is interesting! I've never thought about the process of destruction once Harry finds them! Your mention of RAB gives me the idea that perhaps RAB isn't dead and since he has (supposedly) destroyed the locket, he will assist Harry in destroying the others. If destruction of the ring turned DD's hand black, Harry has his work cut out for him. That will be some serious magic. I'd like to think Hermione's research, Slughorn, and perhaps a redeemed Snape would help with this.

 

[LuvOrlando]

-

 

[poohbear919]

Good observation. This would make a good argument for GoodSnape but could also be flipped around to BadSnape, using occlumency to hide the truth from Dumbledore.

Thank you for turning this theory around a bit! I was waiting for someone to do it - though I hope it's not true... Deep down I want Snape to be good - we'll just have to wait to see! (Sadly, I'm sick of saying this though... I wish the three months would move by a bit quicker than they are!)

This is interesting! I've never thought about the process of destruction once Harry finds them! Your mention of RAB gives me the idea that perhaps RAB isn't dead and since he has (supposedly) destroyed the locket, he will assist Harry in destroying the others. If destruction of the ring turned DD's hand black, Harry has his work cut out for him. That will be some serious magic. I'd like to think Hermione's research, Slughorn, and perhaps a redeemed Snape would help with this.

Good thoughts here, the destruction of the horcruxes is going to be obviously difficult... Harry's definitely going to have to use all resources available to accomplish this great set of tasks in front of him... RAB could help and honestly I never even thought of Slughorn... Perhaps McGonagall can help too - I feel like DD confided a ton in her too, she could be a great wealth of information for Harry and the others in this final book!

As I was searching around for information tonight I came across this information on Wikipedia that I'd never noticed before...

Someone from Harry's class, not Harry or Ron, and not "the one you think", will become a Hogwarts teacher. This seems to indicate that Hogwarts will indeed re-open, though possibly not until after the main events of Deathly Hallows have occurred.

Who in the world could this be referring to??? My guess is Neville (provided he lives!)

 

[AuroraBorealis]

I'm thinking Neville, too. Mostly because he's the least likely to have the skills to teach magic. Teaching at Hogwarts would be a nice ending for Neville, to show how far he has come from being "almost a Squib".

My other theories on the future Hogwarts teacher would be Hermione (for obvious reasons) or a redeemed Draco teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. How satisfying would Draco as a DADA professor be? But my money is on Neville.

Regarding the destruction of Horcruxes, I recently read an interview with JKR that said Dumbledore has given Harry advice throughout the books that will help him destroy the Horcruxes. Off the top of my head, I can't think of anything that would qualify but perhaps somebody else has noticed something?

I do think that DD's portrait in the Headmaster's office will be of some assistance. While it is not *actually* DD, we've seen portraits act and "think" pretty freely. It's as if they retain quite a bit of the essence of a person. And again, I think some Pensieve memories of DD will be used in this aspect.

I can't remember if this has been discussed but regarding RAB and the destroyed locket-- we saw that it took two people, DD and Harry, to even reach the faux horcrux. So who helped RAB get the real one? Somebody had to drink the poison so another person would grab the locket. But that other person couldn't have been a fully qualified wizard because the magic was set to detect more than one (Harry was not fully qualified yet...) So who was it? If RAB is Regulas Black, perhaps he took Kreacher?

 

[va32h]

I'm thinking Neville, too. Mostly because he's the least likely to have the skills to teach magic. Teaching at Hogwarts would be a nice ending for Neville, to show how far he has come from being "almost a Squib".

I think it's Neville too, as the herbology professor. Hermione is too obvious, and Ginny and Harry will have exciting careers...unless it's Ron, which would be very surprising!

Regarding the destruction of Horcruxes, I recently read an interview with JKR that said Dumbledore has given Harry advice throughout the books that will help him destroy the Horcruxes. Off the top of my head, I can't think of anything that would qualify but perhaps somebody else has noticed something?

I have not heard this before, but it gives me a good excuse to go back and read the books again! When it comes to finding the horcruxes, DD's advice to look for places and objects that LV would find significant is probably sound. Other than the general - know LV's weaknesses, use what he doesn't understand...I can't think of any specific advice off the top of my head, either.

In terms of destroying the horcruxes, I hope Harry teams up with Bill Weasley. Bill has been a curse-breaker for Gringott's for several years now, and should have experience with all sorts of nasty curses.

I can't remember if this has been discussed but regarding RAB and the destroyed locket-- we saw that it took two people, DD and Harry, to even reach the faux horcrux. So who helped RAB get the real one? Somebody had to drink the poison so another person would grab the locket. But that other person couldn't have been a fully qualified wizard because the magic was set to detect more than one (Harry was not fully qualified yet...) So who was it? If RAB is Regulas Black, perhaps he took Kreacher?

Kreacher is a possibility - I had another theory that Regulus didn't actually find the cave, he was sent there to put the locket in its place and set up the curses - to Voldemort's specific instructions (which is why Dumbledore says he recognizes LV's "style"). But instead Regulus plants the fake locket and runs off with the real one - that would solve the problem of how Regulus got past the enchantments, he wouldn't have had to if he were the one setting them up.

And if Reggie left in a hurry, it might explain why he set up the blood payment at the cave entrance, which DD thought was "crude" and beneath Voldemort's abilities. Maybe Regulus forgot, or could not seal the cave per Voldie's instructions.

 

[The_Horned_King]

As for the guess abot the teacher thing...I'm going to take it with a grain of salt since it's from Wiki(not the most reliable source for news) That said I will take a guess that it could be...
Nevil-Taking over Herbology
Luna-Would work well as a car of magical creaturs teacher
or...I remember someone being really good at the DADA lessons in the DA. Seeings as the DADA teacher is always changeing why stop!

Don't forget about Dumbledore's brother. He is sure to help!

 

[poohbear919]

As for the guess abot the teacher thing...I'm going to take it with a grain of salt since it's from Wiki(not the most reliable source for news) That said I will take a guess that it could be...
Nevil-Taking over Herbology
Luna-Would work well as a car of magical creaturs teacher
or...I remember someone being really good at the DADA lessons in the DA. Seeings as the DADA teacher is always changeing why stop!

Don't forget about Dumbledore's brother. He is sure to help!

I'm glad someone else is as skeptical about wiki as I am - it's definitely not my source for info, most of the time!

I only brought this quote up because it was cited from a transcripted conversation JK Rowling had somewhere... The quote was new to me, so I followed the link and indeed there it was, part of a conversation that she when doing a radio interview!

Oh - I never thought of Luna as possibly taking over - however she made it clear to say it was one of Harry's classmates... So I'm thinking it's someone from his year...

Draco might be a good guess too - that'd be scary, at least to my mind!

 

[AuroraBorealis]

I've read about the teacher thing too, but not from Wikipedia. Mugglenet, maybe?

Kreacher is a possibility - I had another theory that Regulus didn't actually find the cave, he was sent there to put the locket in its place and set up the curses - to Voldemort's specific instructions (which is why Dumbledore says he recognizes LV's "style"). But instead Regulus plants the fake locket and runs off with the real one - that would solve the problem of how Regulus got past the enchantments, he wouldn't have had to if he were the one setting them up.

And if Reggie left in a hurry, it might explain why he set up the blood payment at the cave entrance, which DD thought was "crude" and beneath Voldemort's abilities. Maybe Regulus forgot, or could not seal the cave per Voldie's instructions.

That is a good idea. He did give the journal to Lucius Malfoy, however, Malfoy had no idea it was a Horcrux. If Malfoy didn't know about the Horcrux and he was a "favorite" of V, why would RAB be told? I can't see V trusting somebody else to hide one for him. Especially in such an elaborate way and in a place that was significant to him. Wasn't V younger (fresh out of Hogwarts and working at Borgin and Burkes) when he obtained the locket? That might account for the "crude" style. A blood gift does seem like something a young Tom Riddle would find humorous. But your theory does make a lot of sense, especially considering the note RAB left which makes it sound like V wouldn't be looking for the locket for a long time and thus would not know if it had been destroyed.


All the discussion about future Hogwarts teachers makes me think...If Hogwarts reopens (and based on the UK children's book cover, it will) who will be the new DADA professor? I don't think JKR will introduce a new character now and I can't think of anybody who would be up for it. The DADA professor has always been significant to the plot (Quirrell, Lockhart, Lupin, Moody, Umbridge and Snape and also Voldy wanting the DADA job) so I will be surprised if this gets dropped in the seventh book. Although it might not even be important if most of the action is off Hogwarts grounds. Any guesses as to who might teach DADA?

 

[va32h]

All the discussion about future Hogwarts teachers makes me think...If Hogwarts reopens (and based on the UK children's book cover, it will) who will be the new DADA professor? I don't think JKR will introduce a new character now and I can't think of anybody who would be up for it. The DADA professor has always been significant to the plot (Quirrell, Lockhart, Lupin, Moody, Umbridge and Snape and also Voldy wanting the DADA job) so I will be surprised if this gets dropped in the seventh book. Although it might not even be important if most of the action is off Hogwarts grounds. Any guesses as to who might teach DADA?

Maybe an Auror? Kingsley Shacklebolt or Tonks. Or maybe the real Moody this time! That would make sense from a teaching standpoint and as protection for the school. I think there will be so few students returning that perhaps classes can be combined as well. Supposedly, JKR is not introducing any new characters in DH, so it would have to be somebody whose name we have already heard.

 

[SueM in MN]

Kingsley Shacklebolt or Tonks. Or maybe the real Moody this time! That would make sense from a teaching standpoint and as protection for the school.

That would make a lot of sense.

 

[poohbear919]

All the discussion about future Hogwarts teachers makes me think...If Hogwarts reopens (and based on the UK children's book cover, it will) who will be the new DADA professor? I don't think JKR will introduce a new character now and I can't think of anybody who would be up for it. The DADA professor has always been significant to the plot (Quirrell, Lockhart, Lupin, Moody, Umbridge and Snape and also Voldy wanting the DADA job) so I will be surprised if this gets dropped in the seventh book. Although it might not even be important if most of the action is off Hogwarts grounds. Any guesses as to who might teach DADA?

I want it to be LUPIN!!!

IMHO he's been the best DADA teacher thus far! (Of course Harry did a great job teaching DA, but he's going to be kind of busy doing some other stuff, don't you think!?!?!)

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

IMHO he's been the best DADA teacher thus far! (Of course Harry did a great job teaching DA, but he's going to be kind of busy doing some other stuff, don't you think!?!?!)

I agree with that! I love Lupin. He's one of my favorite characters and he was definitely the best DADA prof. they've had thus far. I would love it if JKR brought him back as the DADA professor BUT I have a feeling she wont. I think he's probably still going to find himself very busy doing business for the Order and trying to still convince some of the werewolves not to follow LV.

On the flip side of that, it would be nice if he was back at Hogwarts because then it'd give him a chance to spend some time with the lovely Tonks as opposed to having to be "underground" like he was in HBP.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Good stuff lately!

I definitely agree with Neville as a future herbology teacher.

And I like the idea of Bill getting in on the curse-breaking. I wonder if DD's hand was injured in destroying the other horcrux or getting it in the first place?

Regarding the destruction of Horcruxes, I recently read an interview with JKR that said Dumbledore has given Harry advice throughout the books that will help him destroy the Horcruxes. Off the top of my head, I can't think of anything that would qualify but perhaps somebody else has noticed something?

And I also agree that DD's portrait and penseive will come into play to help Harry. But I'm very curious about the bit quoted above, as well. I can't think of too much off the top of my head - maybe the bit about using love because it is the one power V doesn't have. I'll definitely be looking for more as I re-read, pre-DH.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

I agree; Lupin has been the best by far! I don't think he'll be back to teach, though. He resigned because he's a werewolf and I'm sure the few parents who allow their childen to return will still not be comfortable with a werewolf. He'll be too busy with the Order, anyway. I love Lupin, he seems to be the voice of reason to so many of the characters. I hope he and Bill get to take out Greyback in the end.

An Auror is a good possibility for DADA. Real Moody would be a good choice, too. Maybe Professor McGonagall will give up Transfiguration and teach DADA or Slughorn will take over. He's all about comfort and Hogwarts would be the safest place for him, at this point.

I wonder if the DADA job is still cursed so that nobody will last more than a year? I want to know why Dumbledore, knowing this, allowed Snape to take the job. Anybody else get the impression that DD, even though he has little regard for Divination, has a somewhat omniscient view and allows certain events to take place? It could be argued that Snape finally got the job for plot purposes but it also seems like DD was waiting for the right time so other events could happen, like his death...I don't know...just a thought...

 

[The_Horned_King]

First hands on with HARRY POTTER and the ORDER of the PHEONIX for the Nintendo Wii!
http://wii.ign.com/articles/779/779905p1.html
Sounds like fun!!! Swish and Flick!

 

[va32h]

I wonder if the DADA job is still cursed so that nobody will last more than a year? I want to know why Dumbledore, knowing this, allowed Snape to take the job. Anybody else get the impression that DD, even though he has little regard for Divination, has a somewhat omniscient view and allows certain events to take place? It could be argued that Snape finally got the job for plot purposes but it also seems like DD was waiting for the right time so other events could happen, like his death...I don't know...just a thought...

I have several ideas along this line. First, is that Snape knows his story to Voldemort (I'm only working at Hogwarts to spy on Dumbledore, really!) isn't going to work much longer. As we saw in the Spinner's End chapter, Voldemort has certainly noticed that Snape's behavior is ambiguous at best, and that his commitment to the evil side is not obvious.

And "Spinners End" is the perfect name for that chapter because it marks the end of the tale spun by Snape.

Dumbledore was seriously wounded destroying the ring horcrux. Perhaps it was a fatal wound, and Snape was merely able to postpone his death, but not prevent it.

Draco was given the "kill Dumbledore" assignment over the summer, when all these other events took place.

I believe that in the course of one summer (maybe even one month), three things happened: Snape feels pressure from Voldemort to be more open in his allegiance to V; Dumbledore sustains a fatal wound from the horcrux, but Snape is only able to delay his death, not prevent it; Draco gets the assignment to kill Dumbledore, and Snape learns of this plan.

Knowing all these things, Dumbledore decides to give Snape the DADA job. Dumbledore and Snape both know that if Dumbledore dies, Snape will not have an excuse to stay on as a teacher and spy for V - V will expect him to come and work for him openly. The DADA curse guarantees that Snape cannot return to Hogwarts. And Snape's vacancy as Potions master gives Dumbledore a chance to bring in Slughorn, whom Dumbledore needs because of the memory, and whom Dumbledore wants to protect from V. because of the memory

I don't think that during the summer Dumbledore anticipated that Snape would have to kill him. I think he (DD) expected to die from whatever gave him the blackened hand. That Draco would succeed and be in a position to kill DD came as a surprise to everyone, I think.

But Snape killing DD has a definite advantage in that Snape can plausibly tell Voldemort that he (Snape) must stay hidden and not work openly for V because he (Snape) has a huge bounty on his head as the killer of Dumbledore. This will allow Snape to work behind the scenes, hopefully sabotaging the Death Eaters from within.

Of course all this relies on you believing that Snape has been working for DD all along.