posted
Since those of us that have finished it are DYING to talk about it, I thought I'd make it a special thread. Anyone who reads this thread without having completed reading book #6 first will have some nasty curse put upon their eyes. =)
Posts: 1787 | Registered: Jul 2004
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posted
What a fantastic idea! I've been dying to talk about it, and I have yet to see anyone who has finished the book here!
So the thing that got me the most was Snape really being bad--he was my favorite character! I loved the idea of a character who was bad, but who changed their ways and worked for good. The idea people can change and that it isn't neccesariy to be a likable person to be good. BUT to kill DUMBLEDORE!!!! shocking.
Now I really hope no one reads this who hasn't read the book!
So do you think the final book will take place in Hogwarts? It seemed to end with the idea that Harry was off to find the peices of Voldemort's soul and head to the final battle.
Posts: 1640 | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
My impressions: 1) Getting this was easy (I decided it would be after last time). Maybe it's because I live in Idaho, but we went to the bookstore at 12:05, no pre-order, picked up the book, and were out of there by 12:15. There WERE long lines there, but that seemed to be because 90% of the people there were more concerned about the 'party' then about paying attention or getting out. Silly people. 2) Finished 3 a.m. Sunday morning. I was busy, okay! 3) I feel the writing was MUCH better than the last book and this may be my favorite installment in the series. Smoother flow; more consistent characterization; Harry seems more mature, etc. 4) Maaan the romance was satisfying in this one! MUCH better than the disastrous Cho Chang fiasco. I think it showed a lot more maturity from Harry...though I wouldn't have minded having as many details after the romances were solidified as we had before they were solidified. 5) I have to say, I am SO angry and disappointed with Snape. I just can't believe he did that. I mean, he was always a slime, but I wanted to trust him SO MUCH simply because Dumbledore did and Dumbledore was so wise and good. I didn't want the evil assessment of Snape to be correct! 6) I was more shocked and tense with book 5...but that could be the lithium talking. I've been afraid for many books about this tragedy coming to pass...I still can't speak it...what shall we do without Dumbledore? And how can Harry NOT come back to Hogwarts?!
Speculation: I really, really think Harry is going to die in book 7. It's the classic archetype for this story type; his character is now defined only by his position as The Chosen One who must kill Voldemort. But I WANT him to live. I want Harry to kill Voldemort, destroy the Death Eaters, finish his education, marry Ginny, and become Headmaster of Hogwarts, or at least DADA teacher. Dang archetypes.
I don't know how I shall last till book 7....waah!
Posts: 1787 | Registered: Jul 2004
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posted
I so agree about the romance being better--though what was that about breaking up at the end? Ginny it seems will probably stick around anyways--she is all ready a target. Though for the archtype to work, she would have to die if they stayed together. That seemed to be why Dumbledore had to die. Harry has to be alone, he can't depend on others anymore.
I also think this one was less tense then the fifth, maybe because I knew someone was going to die. And from the beginning of this installment there was forshadowing of Dumbledore's death.
Posts: 1640 | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
-- -- I have a different take on Snape. I think he didn't want to kill Dumbledore, he did it because of the unbreakable vow. I guess he could've broken the vow, but he would have died (and even though I don't think he wanted to do it, I don't think he's quite that self-sacrificing), and I suppose Dumbledore would've been killed anyway.
And I agree that it would have been cool to hear more about Harry and Ginny. I figured Harry was going to hook up with someone this year and was disappointed when I realized it was going to be her. By the time it happened I was glad though.
Maybe it is only my hope speaking, but I don't think so. Dumbledore isn't really dead and he had some sort of plan worked out with Snape to make it look like Snape killed him, when he really didn't. All through the book, they talked about nonverbal spells. So couldn't it be that while Snape said "Avada Kedavra," his concentration was on another spell that lifted Dumbledore over the edge and lowered him to the ground, where he arranged for his "body" to be found. It was some time before anyone actually went over and looked at him. Or here's another theory. Remember at the funeral where Dumbledore's body burst into flame and Harry thought he saw something rising from the ashes?
Also, although I can't think who R.A.B. is, didn't the locket that Harry picked up from beside Dumbledore's body seem different to him from the one he saw in the basin in the cave? There is something going on here!!!
I just think there is far more here than meets the eye. Dumbledore insisted that Snape be the one brought to help him. He trusted Snape absolutely. How likely would it be that he was fooled?
Of course, if J.K.Rowling has some different and weird idea going here, it might be that Dumbledore is dead and Snape did kill him--but I don't think so.
It is possible that, although Harry will surely do away with Voldemort once and for all in book 7, he will die in the process. But to me that would just be such a wrongheaded way to end the story. I have no guarantee that J.K.Rowling isn't that wrongheaded, but I certainly hope she is not. Surely he and Ron and Hermione and Ginny will triumph in the end and live happily ever after. Isn't this supposed to be a children's story? If it was an adult story from the get-go, I could expect a disappointing and depressing ending, as some authors think that is required to make their book more meaningful, but a children's story...?
Well, those are my optimistic thoughts. But it was a good book and there was lots going on and we learned a bit more about Voldemort and had a great read!
posted
Sorry. I went back and put them in. Some of us don't use Today's Active Topics, so it's not on our radar screen to think about the first couple of lines showing. I was already writing my post when you posted your explanation of why you wanted us to use dashes at the beginning. I'm really sorry.
posted
I didn't even know about that way of looking at the topics! That is very convienient! --------------------------- -----------------------------------
I hope that is enough!
Tyro--I was thinking the same thing at first, that Snape killed dumbledore becuase Snape knew D was dying anyway and knew that serving the Order of the Phoenix by continuing his charade was more important then any one person's life. But Snape's little fight with Harry Potter seemed to reveal more anger--I'm going to have to go back and read it some more.
The books seem to be focusing ever more on Harry Potter's role--isolating him as the one who will take on Voldemort--removing those who would stand with him or between him and danger. Snape, even though he hated Harry Potter, was another person who stood in between Harry and Voldemort. Perhaps Snape will turn out to continue to be on the side of the good, but it seems unlikely.
I don't know if harry potter will die--it would make it so J.K.R never would be forced to write another Harry Potter book. But I don't think he dies--but like Frodo, how does the hero go on to live a normal life?
My question remains, what happens to Hogwarts? Does year seven end up being spent in search of Voldemort's soul and the final battle ranging all across England?
Yeah. It's okay. (I already was foolish enough to read someone elses post on my own, so you actually didn't say anything I hadn't seen. Just warning you all for others...)
Posts: 5045 | Registered: Jun 2001
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posted
------------I am really trying this, Pace, really!-------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------
Fawkes left when D died, but I think that D is dead for good. If he were to come back it would take attention off of HP and it would seem a little bit Gandalf like.
posted
Pamone, are you going to read it? I kind of wish I'd taken it slower, so it'd last longer, but I just wanted to know what was going to happen!! I suppose I could have found out what happened and then taken it slower. Posts: 1640 | Registered: Apr 2005
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I think DUmbledore is reeally dead, remember when Harry and Professor McGonogal (sp) went into the headmaster's office and his portriate was hanging there? That says to me that he is really dead.
I have a theory about Snape killing Dumbledore. I think he personally did it so that Malfoy would not have to. He recomitted to evil so that a child would not have his soul destoryed by murdering someone.
I think that Harry and Ginny are not really broken up. I think she will not give up easily and will stay in the picture. Harry may think that he can be alone and do this all by hismself but past books have proven that his friends are true and will be there to help him.
Posts: 635 | Registered: Aug 2004
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posted
For people who can't figure out the spoiler space:
Copy the following sentence and paste it at the first of your message:
This thread contains spoilers about the book "Harry Potter." Do not click it on if you don't want to know what character gets what fate at what part of the book, because you will find it out here. Copy and paste this sentence at the first of every post.
It really has been more than annoying. Apparently more people click on "active topics" than most people thing.
posted
This thread contains spoilers about the book "Harry Potter." Do not click it on if you don't want to know what character gets what fate at what part of the book, because you will find it out here. Copy and paste this sentence at the first of every post.
Without reading any of the book yet, I know that Snape is really a bad guy, and that Dunbeldorf is dead, and that Snape may have killed him.
Snape is still my favorite character, and I think the final tragedy will be in the next book when some well-meaning main character kills him. (My prediction already).
I think Dumbledore was already dying anyway, from what he drank in the cave, and that it was incurable. I think he wanted Snape so desparately before he died so that Snape could kill him so that his death would not be wasted. I think Dumbledore felt it was extremely important that Snape kill him for two reasons -- One, so that Voldemort would trust Snape completely enough to be defeated, and two so that Malfoy would not have to do it (as somebody else mentioned). I think Dumbledore probably even wanted Harry to see Snape kill him so that the connection between Harry and Voldemort would confirm to Voldemort that Snape was true to him.
I think Snape and Dumbledore's conversation that Hagrid overheard signified that Snape did not want to kill Dumbledore, and Dumbledore was saying, "Too bad, you already agreed to do it." (Not in those exact words, but I'm too lazy to look it up). Dumbledore's ultimate sacrifice (even if I think he was dying anyway) and in a way Snape's ultimate sacrifice too. I think this is why he reacted so strongly when Harry calls him a coward.
Harry also says that Dumbledore was actually "pleading with Snape" before he kills him. I think he was pleading with Snape to go ahead and do it -- he was afraid that Snape would not be able to go through with it.
On a much lighter note, Fleur was a great surprise. I love it after Bill has lost his looks and Mrs Weasley says, "and he was going to be married." Fleur immediately says, "But he won't change his mind just because he got bitten by a werewolf!" I think we too often judge beautiful people as being superficial when that is not always the case.
I think Harry and Ginny are a perfect match, and of course we all saw Ron and Hermione in the making.
posted
This thread contains spoilers about the book "Harry Potter." Do not click it on if you don't want to know what character gets what fate at what part of the book, because you will find it out here. Copy and paste this sentence at the first of every post.
Please. Copy and paste this sentence at the first of every post. The long lines just aren't working.
Now I know that people think Snape might be killed as well.
posted
This thread contains spoilers about the book "Harry Potter." Do not click it on if you don't want to know what character gets what fate at what part of the book, because you will find it out here. Copy and paste this sentence at the first of every post.
Wayfaring--that is brilliant about Snape. I think Dumbledore had some way to communicate with Snape prior to the show down with Draco, either before they got to the office or through Snape's tallent at that mind reading stuff. Also about Snape dying, that works, because if he is on the side of the good guys then he can't be the one who destroyes Voldemort.
Posts: 1640 | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sorry, Quark. That was just a way-out-there prediction for book seven. I guess I didn't put in enough of these!________________________.
posted
This thread contains spoilers about the book "Harry Potter." Do not click it on if you don't want to know what character gets what fate at what part of the book, because you will find it out here. Copy and paste this sentence at the first of every post.
That's what I was thinking too wayfaring. Also, RAB? Anyone else thinking Regulus Black? I think the stage is set very nicely for Voldemort's downfall--surrounded by Snape (who I maintain is good deep down somewhere), Wormtail (indebted to Harry)...whoever RAB is, unless it is Regulus (who was killed...or was he?)
Was anyone else scared when they introduced Inferi that Sirius would be making a reappearance?
Is anyone else smacking themselves about Snape being the HBP? All the signs are there, of course--why didn't I see it!?
posted
This thread contains spoilers about the book "Harry Potter." Do not click it on if you don't want to know what character gets what fate at what part of the book, because you will find it out here. Copy and paste this sentence at the first of every post.
I, too, cannot see Harry abandoning Hogwarts, as it is the only home he has known. Hagrid is there and I think that the end of the book shows clearly that even if Harry doesn't want to care for magical creatures that Hagrid is very important to him as a friend.
The only part of the book that rang a little false to me was Harry and Ginny's break up. I just cannot see Ginny saying "okay, you go after Voldemort as I knew you would, so long!". Doesn't fit.
Snape as a deeply undercover good guy holds emotional appeal, but his hatred for Harry and love for the dark arts makes this highly unlikely. I'd love to think that Dumbledore has orchestrated it all, but I doubt that Snape has the humility needed to be a good guy, IMHO.
Loved this book almost as much as #3. The story seems to flow much better than Phoenix. Harry is growing up before our eyes. *snif*
Posts: 240 | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
This thread contains spoilers about the book "Harry Potter." Do not click it on if you don't want to know what character gets what fate at what part of the book, because you will find it out here. Copy and paste this sentence at the first of every post.
Oh yes, about the break up: Did anyone else see in their heads Spiderman walking down the hill leaving the redhead standing there? Posts: 5737 | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
This thread contains spoilers about the book "Harry Potter." Do not click it on if you don't want to know what character gets what fate at what part of the book, because you will find it out here. Copy and paste this sentence at the first of every post.
Spiderman . . .
I have to admit I didn't see it a as a break-up though, just a postponement, (like getting called on a mission )
I agree that Snape really does hate Harry, but even heroes have their flaws . . . Snape has plenty of them, but that is part of what makes him so appealing.
I like the idea of Regellus (sp?) Black as RAB. Remember the locket they found while they were cleaning Sirius's house that nobody could open? Maybe it is hidden in Kreature's cupboard? And could Dumbledore be wrong about the possibility of the Gryffindor sword being a horcrux?
This book raised as many questions as it answered . . . I can't wait for the next one.
I do think this book was more plot-driven and had less character development. Hermione in particular seemed uninspired in this one. And Neville was practically nonexistent.
Posts: 160 | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
This thread contains spoilers about the book "Harry Potter." Do not click it on if you don't want to know what character gets what fate at what part of the book, because you will find it out here. Copy and paste this sentence at the first of every post.
weeds, what do you mean, it's just a book? Humph! (just kidding--we are all very aware of the difference between reality and make-believe)
Well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see what's gonna happen.
posted
This thread contains spoilers about the book "Harry Potter." Do not click it on if you don't want to know what character gets what fate at what part of the book, because you will find it out here.
OK, I have to admit I thought of Spider-man when HP broke up with Ginny. But I also thought of Superman 2 and every other archetypal 'hero' story I've known -- that is where a character is defined almost solely by their status of being a 'hero.' There are many stories where there are 'ordinary people' who become heroes through some sort of action, but there are many stories where there is a full Hero, whose sole purpose of existence is one Great Heroic Act. They are generally loved, but often cannot maintain the relationship, because being the 'hero' comes first. They often die, or ride off into the sunset never to be seen again, once that singular act is performed as well, because now their existence is complete. And while I love traditional folklore, I hate this archetype. No one should be defined by a single act they need to do. No one should be denied a family because of this role. But I also recognize that Ms. Rowling is very good at making this along the lines of traditional folklore (which is one big reason, IMHO, why it's so universally popular) and it might follow those patterns anyway. Sigh.
This all being said...I don't think Dumbledore is alive. I would really, really like him to be, and I can't help but think of a hundred tricky scenarios where it was all an elaborate scheme, but they broke the cardinal rule of Coming Back: there was a completely identifiable body. Aside from the fact that Dumbledore fills the role of Mentor, which traditionally must be completely removed (often, though not always, by death) before the Great and Last Confrontation.
Still...Ron and Hermione are not disappearing from the picture, so with them as significant assistance (particularly since no one else, not even McGonagall, knows the details of the finding of the locket), I am hoping that the last book will be far more 'social' and collaborative than tradition dictates. I am not sure the new Minister of Magic should be rendered completely inert or, worse, on the side of evil, and it seems to me like the remaining Hogwarts staff could still be seriously helpful. So many details, so many details....<wanders off muttering to self>
Posts: 1787 | Registered: Jul 2004
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posted
Quark, Here's a hint for you. If you are going to be upset about spoilers, perhaps you shouldn't use features that give you a preview of posts the first few days after a major pop-culture event happens (Harry Potter book comes out, Spiderman/Terminator/whatever movie comes out, etc.).
Posts: 2205 | Registered: Feb 2002
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posted
-- -- RAB = Regulus Black is a clever idea (I sure didn't think of it), but I don't think it will fly because Dumbledore said that the Black house was automatically owned by the next person in the Black family. There are no Blacks alive, which is why Harry could inherit it.
Man I'm a Potter nerd.
Posts: 2205 | Registered: Feb 2002
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posted
This thread contains spoilers about the book "Harry Potter." Do not click it on if you don't want to know what character gets what fate at what part of the book, because you will find it out here.
JimClay, why would Regelus have to be alive in order to be RAB?
Posts: 160 | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
No problem, Quark. And I'm sorry for venting a bit. It wasn't even primarily about you- I just wish people in general would chill out.
Posts: 2205 | Registered: Feb 2002
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posted
Note when posting spoilers adding blank lines ala:
-- --
Is not adequite to guard against exposure of text in the active topics display. Active topics compresses all contiguous white space (tabs, blanks, line returns, line feeds are all white space) into one space character.
Thus if Add 20 blank lines to the top of my message everybody will still see the content because those 20 lines are compressed into a single space.
FYI, for why sentences are prefered as header text, as opposed to other stuff.
Posts: 10846 | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
OKAY Jim, I'm going to be spray painting my car while it sits on your street, I'm not going to take any precautions so if you drive by expect to have some paint drops fall on your car. You won't mind driving a different way, now will you?
This thread is imposing on all those that have not read the full book yet. Why is it fair for us to change our habits just so you can have this discussion?
Doesn't that make all the other threads that much more inconvenient for us?
Posts: 10846 | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
Actually, FBN/Jim et al (not sure who was agreeing with who... I hate Mondays), it's pretty common nettiquitte to post proper spoiler space when discussing things that others might consider spoilers. It's just common courtesy.
If you don't like the warning sentences above (which were lovely), you could also use this to copy and paste:
spoiler space spoiler space spoiler space spoiler space spoiler space spoiler space spoiler space spoiler space spoiler space spoiler space spoiler space spoiler space spoiler space spoiler space spoiler space spoiler space spoiler space spoiler space spoiler space spoiler space spoiler space spoiler space spoiler space spoiler space
Thanks to everyone for their consideration of others who may not have had time to steal HBP from their children yet, but still want to enjoy the ease of using the Active Topics page.
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I didn't want the evil assessment of Snape to be correct!![[Grumble]](graemlins/grumble.gif)
I've been afraid for many books about this tragedy coming to pass...I still can't speak it...what shall we do without Dumbledore? And how can Harry NOT come back to Hogwarts?!![[Taunt]](graemlins/taunt.gif)
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