Harry Potter spoiler thread. MOD tested and approved!

[Rasix]

Here you go.  I'll post something when I get back from lunch.

So, post spoilers from any and every Harry Potter book at will.

OK, here are some of my spoilerific thoughts:

I didn't like the breakup scene with Ginny and Harry at the end.  It felt way too Spiderman-ish for me.   Plus, I was a bit confused, did she actually agree to it, because it didn't seem like she was.  It almost seemed as though she was comfortable resigning herself to share whatever fate Harry was destined toward.  I think I need to re-read that scene. 

Plus, it doesn't make much sense to do that.  Voldemort doesn't seem to single out people based on links of kinship and love.  He just kills whomever is in his way.   He woudn't think to kidnap or kill someone's love interest because he doesn't understand or care about such connections.  Of course, this wouldn't stop the Death Eaters from using such tactics as Lucious Malfoy had in the past.  And Harry ignores the one thing that Dumbledore impresses on him as his advantage over Voldemort: love.  Harry missing the point is par for the course, but what else can you expect from a 16 year old kid with raging hormones that has the entire fate of a people on his shoulders.  However, this year he did a better job of identifying his most immediate threat with Draco.

Snape as the Half-blood Prince was perfect.  A student that was brilliant with potions and had a huge curious streak when it came to the Dark Arts. At first reading it came down to only two choices for me, Voldemort or Snape and I thought they'd be going to the well a bit too often if it turned out to be Voldemort.  I didn't see Snape's betrayal coming though.  I'd wager though that it's a combination of different oaths that required that he do it.  I'm sure he's sworn something to Dumbledore that allowed what happened to happen.  I'm just amazed at how much of a bad ass he was at the end against Harry.  Another Death Eater probably would have gotten shitkicked by Harry.

Dumbledore though, I think is permanently dead.  Snape may be able to cast spells without speaking, but Dumbledore got hit full in the chest with a vocalized killing curse. The color of the spell was consistent and I'm not sure he could just fake an audible spell like that.

Ack.. meeting time.

[kaid]

I think that whole harry ginny thing is probably going to be more fully thought out in the next book. He is doing the standard wanting to protect the woman he loves thing but frankly she has ALREADY been targeted and hell even possessed by voldemort once already. I am thinking that combined with being a weasly is well more than enough to put her high on the smite list regardless of what harry wants.

Also she fought directly against the death eaters twice now I don't think harry pulling a spiderman is going to do much but again probably also one of those young dumb macho things that is probably in character for him. I am guessing she will pull the ya whatever I am going to follow my man anyway even if I have to be sneaky about it at first path with him.

After all that happened at the end of the book I am not surpised that their thoughts and feelings are a bit addled I would wait to see the next book for what they really do.

kaid

[Merusk]

Dumbledore though, I think is permanently dead.  Snape may be able to cast spells without speaking, but Dumbledore got hit full in the chest with a vocalized killing curse. The color of the spell was consistent and I'm not sure he could just fake an audible spell like that.

I don't dobut that Dumbledore is dead.  However, the Phoenix Harry saw at the funeral seems suspicious to me.  Also, Harry seemed much more resolved, and to buck-up much quicker than after previous deaths, despite this being the closest one to him.  I almost expect some kind of freaky memory/ talent transfer spell on Snape's part.

I also really think that Snape made some sort of Unbreakable Promise to Dumbledore, which is why he trusted himi despite all signs to the contrary.  As good-hearted as Dumbledore was, he was showing Harry that he wasn't foolish enogh to just blindly believe good in all people when sharing his own memories of Voldemort.

Ginny, I believe, is strong-willed enough to let Harry think they're split up, since that's what he needs to believe so that he won't be distracted as he does what he needs to do.  Rowling has the stupid sense of nobility of the average 16 year old pretty pegged here.  Ginny obviously doesn't think it's over, and you can bet she'll be in the next book, helping out but waiting for things to be done so she can pick-up with him again. (Something that will happen in the last few pages, along with Ron and Hermione finally admitting things to each other.)

[Rasix]

Ginny, I believe, is strong-willed enough to let Harry think they're split up, since that's what he needs to believe so that he won't be distracted as he does what he needs to do.  Rowling has the stupid sense of nobility of the average 16 year old pretty pegged here.  Ginny obviously doesn't think it's over, and you can bet she'll be in the next book, helping out but waiting for things to be done so she can pick-up with him again. (Something that will happen in the last few pages, along with Ron and Hermione finally admitting things to each other.)

Yup, I expect her to be working with Neville and Luna and somehow popping out of nowhere with them to save Harry's ass.

Dumbledore's funeral was a bit of a unique thing for Harry.  Actual closure with a body and a ceremony.   No death he's experienced thus far has had any such conclusion.

[Merusk]

Speaking of Neville and Luna, I expect a hook-up there... just because it's the sappy sort of thing you expect in a series that's supposed to have a happy ending.  Two losers get comfortable with themselves and find they like each other and damn the world and what it thinks.

[Triforcer]

Here you go.  I'll post something when I get back from lunch.

So, post spoilers from any and every Harry Potter book at will.

OK, here are some of my spoilerific thoughts:

I didn't like the breakup scene with Ginny and Harry at the end.  It felt way too Spiderman-ish for me.   Plus, I was a bit confused, did she actually agree to it, because it didn't seem like she was.  It almost seemed as though she was comfortable resigning herself to share whatever fate Harry was destined toward.  I think I need to re-read that scene. 

Plus, it doesn't make much sense to do that.  Voldemort doesn't seem to single out people based on links of kinship and love.  He just kills whomever is in his way.   He woudn't think to kidnap or kill someone's love interest because he doesn't understand or care about such connections.  Of course, this wouldn't stop the Death Eaters from using such tactics as Lucious Malfoy had in the past.  And Harry ignores the one thing that Dumbledore impresses on him as his advantage over Voldemort: love.  Harry missing the point is par for the course, but what else can you expect from a 16 year old kid with raging hormones that has the entire fate of a people on his shoulders.  However, this year he did a better job of identifying his most immediate threat with Draco. 

Completely agree with this, it was my first thought after reading the book.

I think the Draco substory is the most interesting minor plot arc in the series thus far.  The books have never had any characters really change...they are constantly being misunderstood (everyone mistakenly thinks Harry/Sirius/Dumbledore is evil, they are really good) but never change.  The insignia on the chest instantly tells you what kind of person they are, now and forever.  I'm torn between believing Draco's actions in this book (the apparent decision not to kill Dumbledore, the crying in the bathroom) might be signs of redemption, and just believing he is ratty chickenshit little soul who is still pure evil but just doesn't have the stones to do his killing in person.  After all, he DID send a bottle of poisoned wine willy-nilly into the school and apparently wasn't too concerned that a fellow student almost died from his necklace.  I hope Rowling does something with this, but complete redemption is probably too much to hope for in one book...the first or second chapter of 7 will probably have his corpse showing up on Narcissa's door to teach her a lesson.  Its probably too happy-endingy of me, but I'd also like to believe that at least Petunia out of the Dursleys might amount to something too.

My theory on Snape is that he is STILL undercover for Dumbledore, and that his Unbreakable Vow to Dumbledore and Narcissa didn't necessarily conflict.  Finding 4 Horcruxes in one book is a hell of a lot of pages unless there is some Deus Ex Machina to deliver to Harry (or simply destroy) most of them.  We know Voldemort probably can't tell when a Horcrux is destroyed, so I wouldn't be surprised if Snape offs a few.  As to the final battle (Snape will be killed beforehand), Pettigrew obviously fills the Gollum role.

I'm also going to go out on a limb and say Harry bites the dust at the end of the next one.  I think the Ginny breakup foreshadowed that...a steady girlfriend would make it much more likely to me that he comes out alive.  As it is, he's already cut the one possible romantic tie.  All I can think of with those two is that scene from book 1 as Ron and Harry leave on the Express for the First Time, and the nine year old Ginny runs behind them crying.  I think that, sadly, tells the tale.

EDIT: the entire Ginny romance, on first read, came out of left field.  Harry had exhibited exactly zero interest in her before this book.  But I think Rowling really hit something here: we all have those friends we assume we could always hook up with if we wanted, but if they show any initiative on their own it shocks us and reminds us they aren't reserved as our backup.  Good insight into the psyche there.    

[Johny Cee]

My thoughts:

 - I like the way the Hermione/Ron bit is going.....  My biggest fear has been that Rowling will take the easy way out and hook up Harry with the main female lead.  They've both had other relationships now,  and they both have matured quite a bit.  Ron is starting to come into his own with his increased confidence,  being a Prefect,  and performance in Quiddich.

 - I liked Snape.  For the last six books,  we've had Snape be a complete pain in the ass,  with no real reason to believe he actually is on the side of Good.  He's been a two-dimensional character,  who could have been named "Harry's Faculty Foil" and no one would have known the difference.

  We not only see Snape as competant and taking sides,  we see him being subtle.  Obviously setting something up between the Dumbledore piece,  and his schooling Harry in what a real wizard looks like.

  I'd look for Snape to feed info to Harry/the Order.  I also wouldn't put it past Rowling to have Snape be the one to finish off Voldemort.  It would make a nice redemption cycle,  and come out of left field when EVERYONE assumes that Harry is going ot be the one to do it.

 - I think we have to assume RAB is Regulus Black.  I don't see any other possibilities,  and would be perfect to step into the tutoring role for Harry.  Especially if he brought a shit-load of knowledge about the Horcruxes.  It would also help to bring closure to Sirius' death.

 - The Ginny/Harry thing makes sense.  She's had a crush on him forever,  and she's been in the background for like 5 books now.  Besides,  she's competent with magic, brave,  and a good Quiddich player.

  Besides,  just from a plot standpoint she helps tie things off the best.  Something that Cho never did.  And I don't think Harry has expressed the least bit of interest in anyone else.

 - The Jesus Christ Pose (thanks Soundgarden...):  Yah, typical Christ metaphor.  Dumbledore sacrifices himself for others,  killed by maybe his foremost ally/disciple.  Helps fuel the idea that there was more going on there than just Snape offing Dumbledore.  It's the old "Judas betrayed Jesus because Jesus wanted him to" bit.

 - Political allegory:  I don't see the prisoner bit.  Stan is innocent,  and being held by the Ministry for political benefit.  Not sure how you can compare with the Guantanimo situation.  Those people aren't innocent,  it isn't generating good political benefit for Bush,  and the primary dilemma is they are being held without being charged with crimes in contravention of the Geneva Convention.

  The other obvious political message is Rowlings libertarianism.  She's being more Heinlein than Rand,  but still....  Politicians/government are generally buffons or crooked.  Her heroes are generally outsiders,  or those who refuse to dirty their hands in politics.  The big media is a laughingstock.  The main characters,  again and again,  push a message of personal responsiblity/personal morality.

  ALL of her heroes work outside the bounds of the legal system.

[Polysorbate80]

I'm not convinced Dumbledore won't turn up in the next book.  He knew Malfoy had been trying to kill him all year; I would bet he knew about Snape's Unbreakable Vow to take over if Draco failed as well. 

How to get around that?  Let Snape "kill" him; then Snape is in good with Voldemort and better able to play mole, and Dumbledore gets to look for Horcruxes without anyone dogging him.

The question to me is whether he returns from being dead/not-quite-dead, or they pulled a fast one and who/what got killed wasn't really Dumbledore.

Here's my own personal crackpot theory:

Dumbledore insisted he be the one to drink Voldemort's potion.  He also pointed out that it would most almost certainly not kill him, since V would want to question whoever broke in.

Thinking about Dumbledore's reaction to the potion ("I want to die!"), I wouldn't be surprised if it actually would not *let* him die (to prevent suicide from working, although I'm sure V would be happy to let him try), and hence provided some sort of protection from Snape's curse.

They returned to the school (Dumbledore saying he had returned "after a fashion" or some such) and D had Snape summoned to the top of the tower, knowing that the only way to get rid of Snape's Vow was to have Snape "kill" him.  Snape zaps him with the killing curse, vow is fulfilled, D is either dead-but-returning or not-quite-really-dead, and thanks to Voldemort's own magic and plotting, Snape is ingratiated to the Dark Lord and Dumbledore's free to work in peace (although book 7 may have Harry needing to revive the not-dead Dumbledore)

The irony all fits; remember D's lecture to Harry on how V is his own worst enemy, creating his own downfall by trying to prevent it by killing Harry.  Just interpret it as foreshadowing.

[Rasix]

I'm also going to go out on a limb and say Harry bites the dust at the end of the next one.  I think the Ginny breakup foreshadowed that...a steady girlfriend would make it much more likely to me that he comes out alive.  As it is, he's already cut the one possible romantic tie.  All I can think of with those two is that scene from book 1 as Ron and Harry leave on the Express for the First Time, and the nine year old Ginny runs behind them crying.  I think that, sadly, tells the tale.

Yep, it looks pretty unavoidable from the prophecy stand point.  Also, it could a possibility that when Voldemort gave Harry the scar, both of them somehow became a Horcrux for the other.  That would support the "None can die while the other survives."

I think as others have pointed out here, the romantic tie will be renewed in the next book.  This isn't just a silly infatuation like he had with Cho, this appears to be the real deal (as real deal as it can get when you're 16, heh).   He'll need Ginny from multiple stand points just to be able to face Voldemort.  Sadly though, I don't think this will help him as he'll likely die in her arms.  Yah, it'll be cheesy and forumlaic, but it's probably necessary.

EDIT: the entire Ginny romance, on first read, came out of left field.  Harry had exhibited exactly zero interest in her before this book.  But I think Rowling really hit something here: we all have those friends we assume we could always hook up with if we wanted, but if they show any initiative on their own it shocks us and reminds us they aren't reserved as our backup.  Good insight into the psyche there.   

I think the romance was just wonderfully done.  Two people, best friends, common interests, one has had a crush on the other for forever and has dated people semi close to him to distract herself, the other had just gotten over a silly infatuation and learned a lot in the process.  Rowling built it up very well, showing just terrific insight to the mind of a teenager. Harry's asking about Ginny all of the time, Hermione knowing what's going on the entire time.  Ron being blissfully ignorant.  The post Quiddich match  kiss was just a priceless scene and the fact that it resulted in them dating instead of a stupid rift between him and Ron was superb.

I found it really amusing how much more mentally mature that Ginny was than Ron.  Her "snogging" tirade was priceless.  The whole Lavendar Brown relationship with Ron was just hillarius.   It'll be interesting to see where Ron and Hermione go from here. It looked like for a small while that it might have been Harry and Hermione, but thankfully they didn't go through with that.

This book has just made me very optimistic about book 7.  She's left it really wide open outside of one event that we all know must happen.  There's just so many possibilities for the characters, for the plot, and for the outcome that I can't imagine it being anything other than fantastic.  Of course, it'll likely disappoint some people given that we all probably have our view of what we'd like to happen.

[Strazos]

http://pottercrash.ytmnd.com/

Language possibly NSFW

[HaemishM]

LE BRILLANT!

[Triforcer]

I'm also going to go out on a limb and say Harry bites the dust at the end of the next one.  I think the Ginny breakup foreshadowed that...a steady girlfriend would make it much more likely to me that he comes out alive.  As it is, he's already cut the one possible romantic tie.  All I can think of with those two is that scene from book 1 as Ron and Harry leave on the Express for the First Time, and the nine year old Ginny runs behind them crying.  I think that, sadly, tells the tale.

Yep, it looks pretty unavoidable from the prophecy stand point.  Also, it could a possibility that when Voldemort gave Harry the scar, both of them somehow became a Horcrux for the other.  That would support the "None can die while the other survives."

Eep.  The more I think about it, the more I think you might be right, at least as to Harry being a Horcrux for Voldemort.  That would explain the Parseltongue (Voldy's soul residing within him), and the prophecy.  That would be a helluva finish if Harry discovered he had to die in order for Voldemort to be killed.  The only thing that cautions me against this interpretation is that even if Harry had to die to get rid of the Horcrux, that means someone else still has to kill Voldemort in his physical body (which still has a piece of soul), and after all this buildup I just don't see someone else offing him while Harry's corpse cools nearby.

Of course, the treacly interpretation of the prophecy just involves interpreting "surviving" as leading a grim, obsessive existence (as both Harry and V do at this point) versus "living" (not being obsessed, smelling the roses, etc).   

[Shockeye]

I think schild would've done this if he could have.

[Rasix]

 

That's just horrible.  That's why I'd never go to one of those things, too easy to grief. That and it's incredibly dorky.

Ack, I think this type of act will get really bad for the next one.  I think when the next book comes out I'll just read it straight without turning on the TV or my computer until I'm done.   (I probably won't leave the house either.  Well, I didn't for this one at least  )

Reminds me of the time I was reading a message board I used to frequent and someone posted the twist of Minority Report in the topic.  Not that I minded that much because I didn't care about the movie.  Still, I remember being somewhat incensed by the sheer assholishness of the act.

[HaemishM]

I think schild would've done this if he could have.

Wow, that guy exudes Internet cool, right down to the "I suck at driving my mom's minivan" comment.

[Daydreamer]

Survey: Was anyone else completely and utterly not surprised by Dumbledore's death?  I mean, historically in any major series the mentor character that saves the protagonist's ass, and is as understanding and helpful as Dumbledore simply HAS to die or at least be serious removed from action to make the finally battle seem more inevitable and hopeless (despite the fact that the good guy always pulls it out in the end despite all odds).  Examples: Obi-Wan, Yoda from Star Wars and to a lesser extent Qui-Gon.  The season finale of Battlestar Gallactica.  And etc.

Also: take special note of the way the prophesy is phrase - "Neither may live while the other survives".  In conjunction with the shtick about choice, V being his own enemy, and Harry's spiel about guts and wits, and archtypal cliches about preserved innocence and etc., my guess is that Harry will NOT kill V directly, but will instead bring about his downfall indirectly.  Likely involving causing some grand scheme at world domination to backfire and Snape redeeming himself somehow by helping in a small but vital way.

[schild]

I would have done that with more style and panache.

Like a megaphone. Lights. Smoke grenades. Things like that. It would've been a truly ninja-griefer moment. Then I would've stolen one of their phat loots. That's what you do when you ruin an epic encounter, rite? Any my family has never owned a minivan.

[Strazos]

Yeah, I was looking for the megaphone as well...

[Riggswolfe]

Well here are my thoughts and feelings if anyone cares:

I liked the whole Ginny and Harry romance. For a long time I've wanted Harry with Ginny so was very happy when it finally happened. I also liked the writing of it, like Harry's jealousy and such.

I also am glad to see Ron and Hermione at least unofficially getting together at the end.

Now, about the next book, since we are all speculating:

I am thinking Dumbledore will come back somehow. I keep thinking back to the movie Dragonslayer where the hero had to revive his mentor towards the end. Remember how insistent Dumbledore was that Harry get Snape? He also froze Harry when I think it is very obvious Harry and Dumbledore together could take out Draco. His talk with Draco, besides trying to help him redeem himself, was also blatantly designed to stall him. My guess is he stalled so Snape could show up. His "begging" of Snape I think was very much akin to what he did with Harry. I think he was basically begging Snape to "kill" him. I will be very disappointed if Snape turns out to truly be evil at the end of book 7.

I think the next book will center around Harry and a trusted group made up of D.A. disciples. Harry's regulators if you will. My guess as to who they are:

Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville, Luna, Remus, Mad Eye, and maybe Fred and George.

I think in the end it will turn out that Harry is in fact one of Voldermot's Horcrux. I also fully expect the wording of the Prophecy to come into play "Neither may live while the other survives". 

I suspect Harry will die and my off the wall prediction is that it will be Neville who kills V.

[Pococurante]

EDIT: the entire Ginny romance, on first read, came out of left field.  Harry had exhibited exactly zero interest in her before this book.  But I think Rowling really hit something here: we all have those friends we assume we could always hook up with if we wanted, but if they show any initiative on their own it shocks us and reminds us they aren't reserved as our backup.  Good insight into the psyche there.

And it is very much in Rowling's view of the world.  She's admitted in any number of interviews that she hasn't had much luck with men in her life and that all the evil in her books comes from When Men Don't Do What Good Men Should.

Also she's made it clear she wants the series done and behind her.  Expect totality that not even a Dallas "it was all a dream" plot device could fix.

I will be very disappointed if Snape turns out to truly be evil at the end of book 7.

I can't see Alan Rickman playing that kind of villain.  He's always been more the absurd mock villain, more camp than killer.

[Llava]

Are they really going to get to make all 7 books into films?  Those kids are aging fast, they better hurry up.

[Rasix]

Are they really going to get to make all 7 books into films?  Those kids are aging fast, they better hurry up.

Pope shit in the woods?  They're a cash cow.   Anyhow, once they get past book 4 they can keep using whomever they have.  Hollywood has been turning 20-30yr olds into 15-16yr olds since the dawn of time.  The problems are in the current time frame when they're getting their growth spurts faster than normal.  Draco should be like 6'6" by the time the 5th book comes around.

[Riggswolfe]

I will be very disappointed if Snape turns out to truly be evil at the end of book 7.

I can't see Alan Rickman playing that kind of villain.  He's always been more the absurd mock villain, more camp than killer.

The reason I'd be disappointed is on many levels.

1) Him being a traitor to me undermines Dumbledore and also undermines the whole "love conquers all" theme.
2) It doesn't fit other things he's done. Like saving Harry in Book 1.
3) I just kinda want Snape to be a good guy.

I am also holding out hope that Draco may make the right choice when the moment comes. Let's face it. He couldn't bring himself to kill Dumbledore. He's not beyond redemption yet.

what can I say? I like redemption stories.

[Daydreamer]

Yea, Draco's partial change of heart was one of the best twists in HBP, and I look forward to seeing what she does with him in book 7.  Snape Junior, perhaps?

But as for the actors aging, bring it on.  I loves me the jailbait.  I just hope the direction is better in 4-7 than it was in the Prisoner of Azkaban movie.

[Llava]

I'd just like to say that I don't even read the books and I want Snape to be a goodguy.  Come on, the countercurse in the first one.  That was just classy.

Draco's too much of a little shit for me to like him.  If he didn't immediately start sniveling when he's in danger I'd probably be a big fan.

[Pococurante]

I always got the impression all the houses had to come together to face the greater threat.  Which means Draco joins the team, especially after the scene was set for him to resent his parents.

[Riggswolfe]

I always got the impression all the houses had to come together to face the greater threat.  Which means Draco joins the team, especially after the scene was set for him to resent his parents.

I don't see him joining the team. At best I see him shooting one of the Death Eaters in the back to give Harry that moment he needs in the final battle.

[Xilren's Twin]

The reason I'd be disappointed is on many levels.

1) Him being a traitor to me undermines Dumbledore and also undermines the whole "love conquers all" theme.
2) It doesn't fit other things he's done. Like saving Harry in Book 1.
3) I just kinda want Snape to be a good guy.

I am also holding out hope that Draco may make the right choice when the moment comes. Let's face it. He couldn't bring himself to kill Dumbledore. He's not beyond redemption yet.

what can I say? I like redemption stories.

So you're think that whole Snape going mental when Harry kept calling him a coward was because he knows he's really being very brave carrying out the extremely dangerous triple agent plan and this idiot kid keeps threatening to muck it up?

Dunno; I still can't get a good feel for it but my gut says he'll pull a vader in the end; too many similarities not to suspect it though I have yet to see any reason Snape would have ever been interested in the good side at all.  He was a thoroughly miserable person with a miserable life and that doesnt appear to have changed since he was teen.  There had to have been a more compelling reason for him to leave the death eaters in the first place than "he felt bad b/c now V was going to murder two people he didnt like anyway"...  Course if Dumbledore is really dead, the only way to learn it would be if Snape reveals it.  Perhaps that whole "power of love" thing will be whether or not Harry can forgive/trust Snape in the end to be on side of the right considering he currently blames him for the death of both D and setting up his parents to get offed.  Maybe it's Draco that happens with.  But I do agree that Dumbledore's whole death scene does smell like a staged event; no reason to paralyze harry for that whole thing other than to keep him from interfering in the plan.

As to Harry breaking up with Ginny for her own good, considering Ron and Herm. are planning on tagging along is doesnt seem to hold much water.  I suspect she'll be around lots.

Makes me wonder if the author herself knows how the series will end yet.  I like the fact that I can't get a bead on Snape and introducing some questions about Draco was nice too.  Makes me want to read the last one, unlike some other long series that just meander aimlessly...

Xilren

[Daydreamer]

Makes me want to read the last one, unlike some other long series that just meander aimlessly..

*cough*Robert Jordan*cough*

[Johny Cee]

Rowling strikes me as one of those authors with an outline.

Basically,  have a few major events that must happen at some point in the book,  and the rest of it is some kind of episodic story.  Things mesh together pretty well,  and there aren't a whole lot of inconsistencies.

I think Half-blood Prince is going to get knocked out of the Children's section though,  just for the Dumbledore stuff.

It's an interesting attempt to update and advance the target age group as the books move on.

[Ironwood]

It's a plan.  It's all planned.

I'm even starting to suspect that Draco himself is in on it.  I think Harry has more help than he realises;  Especially considering the last chapter.

(And, I now have to reread to find out about Regulus again.  Bollocks.  I don't even like these books...)


This one was miles better than the last, which was, to be fair, stinkyplop.

[Riggswolfe]

I'm even starting to suspect that Draco himself is in on it.  I think Harry has more help than he realises;  Especially considering the last chapter.

I don't think Draco is in on it. I'm also not totally convinced Dumbledore knew that Draco was the one trying to kill him. I think Draco just came face to face with a man and discovered that killing was alot harder than he thought it would be. Especially as Dumbledore is nothing but nice to everyone, including him.

[Ironwood]

I am totally convinced that Dumbledore knew.

What I'm not convinced about is Draco shedding any tears whatsoever over killing Harry or Dumbledore.  I think he was crying for other reasons.  After all, he was sharing with Myrtle.  I think the poor sod has had some change of heart.  Also, we never did get confirmation of a dark mark on him, did we ?

[Xilren's Twin]

It's a plan.  It's all planned.

Oh yeah, one think I forgot to mention.  You remember that when Dumbledore was trying to reason with Draco he flat out told him he could make it appear that he, Draco, and his mother had both been killed in a way that would convince V they were truly dead and thus they could be protected...

Personally leaning towards Dumbledore and Snape having discovered how to thwart the killing curse and just made it look like a death.  Would tie in nicely to why everyone seems to want the Defense Against the Dark Arts job yet no one seems to know exactly why it.

Xilren

[kaid]

Yes I found dumbledores speach to malfoy where he told him he could make voldemort believe him and his mother were well and truly dead interesting. If he can do this for somebody else why not himself. Also I found it interesting that a dumbledores PHEONIX burnt himself up on dumbledores body and made a tomb for him.

I do not believe great and powerful wizards are dead until you kill them 6 or 7 times cut the head off burn the ashes and scatter them to the four corners of the world.

kaid