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

[AuroraBorealis]

Hello, fellow HP fans!

Just found the thread-- I'm super excited about this-- my signature says it all! (bgrizzle kindly let me "borrow" the pictures)

I came into the Potterverse late-- I hadn't read any of the books until I started working as a Youth Services Librarian. I then read all six books in a week and have re-read each several times since. I like being able to blame my obsession on my job and I seriously do talk about HP at least once a day with young patrons.

Some initial thoughts/responses to the thread so far:

I'm on the fence about Harry being a Horcrux (accidental or otherwise). I do think he and Voldemort are intimately connected as a result of the scar and this has been pointed out several times. At least one will have to die. I do think that Neville will play a big part in the final battle-- after all, it could have been him the prophecy referenced. Draco's alarm at Neville being sought out by Slughorn in HBP really stuck out to me-- as if the Death Eaters were watching Neville as well. Bumbling little Neville as the hero would be great!

Draco strikes me as a scared little kid. I don't think he has it in him to be truly evil. Rather-- he's just a product of his Dark family/environment and I think his actions and attitude are mostly a facade. I really hope he is redeemed in book seven.

Snape: I feel bad for Snape. He's clearly very unhappy and seems to have had a cruddy life thus far. I havn't quite decided where he stands and I often think he might just be working for himself. Dumbledore is not perfect and very well could have been deceived by Snape. A co-workers believes Snape is actually good and killed Dumbledore on his orders in order to make it possible for Harry to sacrifice himself in the end.

Weasley family: They have become Harry's wizarding family and I think Molly and/or Arthur might die like James and Lily did. Harry has saved Arthur, Ron, and Ginny already-- this might be very significant with the whole indebted-to-your-savior thing. If the twins die, I'm burning all my HP books! Charlie and Bill haven't been terribly significant thus far...but Bill and the werewolf thing... I truly hope Percy redeems himself, even if he's a huge prat. I don't think Ron will die; rather, I hope Ron doesn't die!

And now on-topic:

I don't care very much about the relationships. I think the idea of love that is referenced doesn't necessarily refer to romantic love but rather familial love. This is shown in Lily dying for Harry, Voldemort never having a family to love him, Snape having his own family issues, Harry's parent/son relationship with Sirius/Dumbledore/Molly Weasley, etc.

Hermionie and Ron were obvious forever! JKR isn't exactly subtle when it comes to dropping hints. I hope one doesn't die for the other as a result. I really want both to live.

Harry and Ginny-- eh, I can take it or leave it. Also-- isn't Ginny special since she's the first female Weasley in several generations? Or did I make that up? Could that be important?

Tonks and Lupin made me happy-- Lupin is one of my favorite characters and I'd like to see him catch a good break.

I wonder if Bill and Fleur's relationship/wedding is going to play a big part in book seven with the whole idea of love being a powerful, ancient magic? It was nice to see Fleur become accepted as family by Molly at the end of HBP when they bonded over their mutual love of Bill.

I'm also interested to see how the whole Petunia/family-love thing plays out... I have several theories on that but I'll save them for now.

Snape's worst memory... I'll have to think about that some more.


Whew! Long post! I look forward to future discussions!

 

[va32h]

I really really hate Harry/Ginny. It annoys me. Harry should end up alone.

I'm probably alone in this...but yeah

I wanted Harry to end up with some nice Muggle girl who could love him for being "just Harry" and not for being "The Boy Who Lived".

But I suppose I can see why H/G would work - they've got so much in common, being possessed by an evil lord can really bring people together!

 

[DisneyMomOK]

I 111111111111111

 

[SueM in MN]

I found a few interesting bits in an interview JKRowling gave in 2004, after Half Blood Prince was announced as the title of the 6th book, but before it was published.

Is Aunt Petunia a Squib?

Good question. No, she is not, but—[Laughter]. No, she is not a Squib. She is a Muggle, but—[Laughter]. You will have to read the other books. You might have got the impression that there is a little bit more to Aunt Petunia than meets the eye, and you will find out what it is. She is not a squib, although that is a very good guess. Oh, I am giving a lot away here. I am being shockingly indiscreet....................

In your stories, will Harry Potter ever grow up as a wizard?

Well, I don’t think it is giving too much away to say that he will survive to book seven, mainly because I do not want to be strangled by you lot, but I am not going to say whether he grows any older than that because I have never said that. You are good at putting me on the spot!.................

Why is the barman of the Hog’s Head vaguely familiar to Harry? Is he Dumbledore’s brother?

Ooh—you are getting good. Why do you think that it is Aberforth? [Audience member: Various clues. He smells of goats and he looks a bit like Dumbledore]. I was quite proud of that clue. That is all that I am going to say. [Laughter]. Well yes, obviously. I like the goat clue—I s******ed to myself about that one.......................

Is there more to Dudley than meets the eye?

No. [Laughter]. What you see is what you get. I am happy to say that he is definitely a character without much back story. He is just Dudley. The next book, Half Blood Prince, is the least that you see of the Dursleys. You see them quite briefly. You see them a bit more in the final book, but you don’t get a lot of Dudley in book six—very few lines. I am sorry if there are Dudley fans out there, but I think you need to look at your priorities if it is Dudley that you are looking forward to. [Laughter].

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

I really really hate Harry/Ginny. It annoys me. Harry should end up alone.

I'm probably alone in this...but yeah

no you're not alone. i remember reading about those two getting together and just thinking "what!?!? noo!! it's a joke, right??" i don't really think there's many girls in the HPverse that i think should end up with Harry. the only one that i ever thought would be kind of good for Harry was Luna. i just don't see the Harry/Ginny relationship at all.

and i don't think Harry will ever end up with Luna, so i'm going to agree with you, at the end of the series, i think he should be alone. but i'm guessing we're the only TWO that want this lol.

 

[Figment22]

I like Harry/Ginny in the books. My problem is that I'm not crazy about the young actress who plays Ginny in the films. It's probably the only casting that I don't care for (other than Gambon as Dumbledore, but IMO no one could have filled Richard Harris' shoes )

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

I like Harry/Ginny in the books. My problem is that I'm not crazy about the young actress who plays Ginny in the films. It's probably the only casting that I don't care for (other than Gambon as Dumbledore, but IMO no one could have filled Richard Harris' shoes )

well....i do agree, Ginny is a bit different in my head in the book, than she is portrayed in the movies. the actress just doesn't seem to have "it". but i still don't like Harry/Ginny in the books, either.

i kind of think that Gambon looks like Dumblebore, how i picture him. Harris just looked TOO old. Dumbledore is supposed to be spry and cunning and Harris, i just couldn't see him running around or doing the things that Dumbledore does in the last few books.

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

But I suppose I can see why H/G would work - they've got so much in common, being possessed by an evil lord can really bring people together!

Good point


I like Harry/Ginny enough. I guess I've been expecting it for so long that I've just sort of accepted it. I think Ginny understands him more than people think and I feel like they'll be a really good match

 

[CobraBubbles]

well....i do agree, Ginny is a bit different in my head in the book, than she is portrayed in the movies. the actress just doesn't seem to have "it". but i still don't like Harry/Ginny in the books, either.

i kind of think that Gambon looks like Dumblebore, how i picture him. Harris just looked TOO old. Dumbledore is supposed to be spry and cunning and Harris, i just couldn't see him running around or doing the things that Dumbledore does in the last few books.

I always liked Harris better, as the caring and calmed down version of DD. Not Gambin, who kind of attacked Harry in the last movie

 

[CobraBubbles]

Hello, fellow HP fans!

Just found the thread-- I'm super excited about this-- my signature says it all! (bgrizzle kindly let me "borrow" the pictures)

Welcome, I love the twins too, they are my favorite

Draco strikes me as a scared little kid. I don't think he has it in him to be truly evil. Rather-- he's just a product of his Dark family/environment and I think his actions and attitude are mostly a facade. I really hope he is redeemed in book seven.

I don't think he's truly evil. He was pretty pathetic in the last book. But it was clear through DD that we all make choices. Though, DD did, I think, sacrifice himself in part to help Draco so maybe he will make a difference. Perhaps against his father.

Snape: I feel bad for Snape. He's clearly very unhappy and seems to have had a cruddy life thus far. I havn't quite decided where he stands and I often think he might just be working for himself. Dumbledore is not perfect and very well could have been deceived by Snape. A co-workers believes Snape is actually good and killed Dumbledore on his orders in order to make it possible for Harry to sacrifice himself in the end.

I definitely think DD sacrificed himself to save Snape. For many reasons, for one...Snape is clearly more important that DD, he is on the inside, and it's been hinted at many, many times that he is very smart, and ahead of his years, and that he's a very powerful occlumens, which many people can't do. I personally think he and DD can probably communicate w/o talking, which can explain why they looked at each other for a second before AK. Snape always seems to know when Harry's around even when under the cloak...and always knows what he's thinking. It wouldn't be out of DD's character to order someone to do something like that, either. He ordered Harry to keep feeding him the potion no matter what. Harry didn't know (heck we DON'T know) if DD drinking that potion was killing him.

Anyway, welcome

 

[DisneyMomOK]

111111111111

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

My take on the Dumbledores... I loved the first one. Absolutely adored him. However, knowing what was to come in the later books, I wish that he had the "pep" that the new Dumbledore has. It's like the didn't get it quite right with either of them and needed someone who had really specific characteristics from both actor's protrayal. I agree that the new one seemed almost too much in GoF. There was something...forced? unnatural? Or not as natural as the relationship in the first three movies.

Ugh... I can't wait until July!!

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

I always liked Harris better, as the caring and calmed down version of DD. Not Gambin, who kind of attacked Harry in the last movie

yeah i don't get this whole "he attacked Harry" thing anyway. just because he grabbed him and said "you're sure you didn't put your name in!?" because he looked like he was just scared and wanted to know what the heck was going on.

 

[TinkInPink]

yes that scene was very un-dumbldoreish. if he cant pull that off how will he be able to do the slight head turn in his office when the DA is discovered and he signals harry to say no? in the name situation dumbledore would have calmly said his line while giving harry an extremely serious look. Probably using occlemency . To me Richard Harris is, was, and will always be Dumbledore to me.

 

[Glendamax]

OH gosh, it is SOOOOOO sad how excited I got whn I saw this thread! I know my eyes got REALLY big!

Now I'm gonna catch up! Can't wait till the next book!

ETA: Ok I can't get past page 2. I keep going to the links that are listed! Thanks for all the info. Now I'm going back to Mugglenet!

 

[CobraBubbles]

I guess, my thing is that Harris would have been good (obviously not when he was weak and sick) because he seemed so kind, and quiet and caring, but he was tough. If he was healthy he'd have been able to pull off whatever he had to do. He was a FABULOUS actor.

That's how I picture DD, very unassuming, but don't underestimate him!

 

[SueM in MN]

I guess, my thing is that Harris would have been good (obviously not when he was weak and sick) because he seemed so kind, and quiet and caring, but he was tough. If he was healthy he'd have been able to pull off whatever he had to do. He was a FABULOUS actor.

That's how I picture DD, very unassuming, but don't underestimate him!

I agree.
He looked very frail in the last movie he was in, but he still managed to pull it off.

 

[TurboKitty]

Wow, lots to chime in with my own opinion on here...

My mental image of Dumbledore was always Sir Ian McClellan (or dream casting, if he hadn't died, Robert Shaw). Richard Harris never did quite capture Dumbledore for me, and I actually prefer Michael Gambon. He has a little more sparkle and mischief in his eye than Harris showed.

I've always loved the idea of Harry and Ginny. They seem so suited, plus I remember JK talking (I think it was an interview) about her own parents meeting at King's Cross station and how she thought that was quite romantic, the hint being Harry's future interest is someone he meets at the train station. (I read/heard this interveiw during the great lull while we waited for GOF.) Back then though, there was a lot of Hermione/Harry shipping that I was against. There also used to be some speculation that Sirius and Remus might have been romantically linked (and read the squabble between them in the shrieking shack in POA and tell me there might not be a little tension there!) but that seemed perhaps a bit advanced for books aimed at that age...Would have made for a good storyline though. I think Tonks/Remus is okay, no great joy or hate for that pairing.

 

[tw1nsmom]

There also used to be some speculation that Sirius and Remus might have been romantically linked (and read the squabble between them in the shrieking shack in POA and tell me there might not be a little tension there!) but that seemed perhaps a bit advanced for books aimed at that age...Would have made for a good storyline though. I think Tonks/Remus is okay, no great joy or hate for that pairing.

Yeah, I think that subtext would be a slightly too adult/advanced theme for what at least began as a children's book series. I think a more likely interpretation would be that either Remus was still getting over his long standing anger at the belief that Sirius caused Lilly and James' deaths, or even more likely, Remus and Sirius always bickered like that and the jealousy you sense is that they both felt closest to James and probably competed for his attention. Also, I sense that Remus often acted as the voice of reason when they were younger. He strikes me as a slightly calming influence to Sirius and James' hotheadedness.

 

[WeirdTigger27]

yeah i don't get this whole "he attacked Harry" thing anyway. just because he grabbed him and said "you're sure you didn't put your name in!?" because he looked like he was just scared and wanted to know what the heck was going on.

I don't know if you've read the books or not, but there is hardly anything that spooks Dumbledore. He keeps his cool head no matter what is going on.

Professor Dumbledore was now looking down at Harry, who looked right back at him, trying to discern the expression of the eyes behind the half-moon spectacles.
"Did you put your name into the Goblet of Fire, Harry?" he asked calmly.
"No," said Harry. He was very aware of everybody watching him closely. Snape made a soft noise of impatient disbelief in the shadows.
"Did you ask an older student to put it into the Goblet of Fire for you?" said Professor Dumbledore, ignoring Snape.
"No,"said Harry vehemently.

No yelling. No grabbing Harry by the shoulders. Dumbledore keeps his cool unless it is nessesary not too. Dumbledore doesn't scare easily, or at the very least does not show it. It is very simply not his style, nor, in my opinion, is it Dumbledore's personality. That's why I do not like Gambon nearly as much as Harris.


(The quote above can be found in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire written by J.K. Rowling Paperback edition on page 276 published in the US by Scholastic. Please don't sue me.)