Another Harry Potter thread

[BoobyJuice]

OK I know there are other nerds out there. Waiting. Wondering. Book 6, where are you?

I'm currently listening to the books on cd, again. I'm only up to book 4, but I keep thinking about book 5. It posed so many more questions for me than it answered. So here are some of the questions wandering about my brain:

• How do they all do on their OWLs? Especially Defense Against the Dark Arts?
• Does the DA continue?
• Who's going to teach DAtDA?
• When do Ron and Hermione (well, Ron really) finally realize they like each other?
• How is Percy going to react to the news that Voldemort is back? (remember him siding with the ministry of magic?)
• What happens with the Death Eaters in Azkabhan? With the dementors gone, do they all escape?
• Does Rowling let us know what Harry decides to do with his life, job, relationships, etc at the end of book 7? Or does he just step off the Hogwarts Express and the Dursley's aren't there?

I had more but without my husband to bounce all these ideas off of I can't come up with them.

So what do you think? And what are you wondering about?

[jen-mom]

A lot of similar thoughts here. But I'm even more curious about Harry's OWL score in Potions. And will he decide to go forward and take NEWT level Potions in order to become an auror, even though he hates Snape so much?

And I remember an interview long ago with JKR when she warned us not to trust Snape too much. So, why not? What will he do?

And Percy - uggh! At www.jkrowling.com Jo answers frequently asked questions. There's also a poll where people can choose the question she answers next. One of the poll choices right now is about whether Percy will go to the dark side. But, it's losing, so I don't know if she'll ever answer it.

Please publish book 6! (And please don't let Harry die at any point in the series)

[journeymom]

And I remember an interview long ago with JKR when she warned us not to trust Snape too much.

I don't want to hear that! Harry's relationship with Snape is the one thing I've been wondering about. Just today I was imagining that maybe Harry does something to redeem himself in Snape's eyes, so that Snape doesn't loath Harry so much. Maybe Harry would acknowledge to Snape that he thinks what his dad did to him was wrong. They're never going to be best buds, but at least Snape won't make Potions class a nightmare anymore.

Hermione reminds Ron and Harry repeatedly that Dumbledore trusts Snape, and therefore they should, too. But then at the end of Order of the Phoenix Dumbledore tells Harry he discovered he was wrong to think Snape would grow out of his hatred for James Potter. This could be foreshadowing...

Sigh. I think of Snape as a tragic figure. He's aggravating, true. Maybe it's because Alan Rickman plays him in the movie. I want Snape to be redeemed.

[BoobyJuice]

Oh I so wish I could get on to jkrowling.com or any of the other cool HP sites. We're on an old computer, hooked up to a phone line routed through the city over 100 miles away - toooo slooooow!

she warned us not to trust Snape too much

I missed that. hmm, why? I'm guessing Snape just can't get over howmuch he hates James and then Harry. Remember at the end of bk 3, Prisoner of Azkhaban, where Snape really doesn't care if Serius or Lupin are innocent? She portrays him as almost mad in his need for revenge at the end of that one. I think that was more a glimpse of how he feels and the rest of the time he's trying to hide it.

Personally I think Harry will do well - at least pass - his potions OWL. Two reasons, first without the tension between him and Snape something would be lacking in the books, so he can't get out of taking potions. Second, I remember her says something about how he actually find the exam pretty easy without Snape glaring at him and making comments.

I don't know if I can picture Percy actually going over to the dark side, but I also can't see how he'll reconcile himself with the Weasleys after all the horrible things he's said. Or how he'll deal with his hero, Mr Crouch, having actually done something against the rules (helping his son escape from Azkahban) and starting all of this in motion.

I'm waiting to hear that Neville got top marks on his DAtDA OWL!

[LiamnEmma]

What happens with the Death Eaters in Azkabhan? With the dementors gone, do they all escape?

It seemed to me that they had all escaped at the end of OOP (just re-read all of them too). That last duel scene pretty much made it clear that there had been a mass exodus at Azkaban.

When do Ron and Hermione (well, Ron really) finally realize they like each other?

My personal guess is halfway through Book 7. eta; I actually think they know now, but that they won't actually become an item until then...

Does the DA continue?

I don't think so since it was a response to The Toad.

Who's going to teach DAtDA?

This is always one of the most delicious parts at the beginning of each book--learning who will be teaching DADA.

How do they all do on their OWLs? Especially Defense Against the Dark Arts?

This answer is a little off-topic, but it always bothered me. It seemed to me that the time span regarding OWLS is off. When the twins took their OWLS, they learned their results before the end of the term, but for this book, Rowling has them waiting until July. That irks me, although I understand why she does it....

Does Rowling let us know what Harry decides to do with his life, job, relationships, etc at the end of book 7? Or does he just step off the Hogwarts Express and the Dursley's aren't there?

I can't wait to find out!

How is Percy going to react to the news that Voldemort is back? (remember him siding with the ministry of magic?)

I think we will ultimately see interesting things from this git....

I cannot wait until Book 6 arrives!

[jen-mom]

Originally Posted by LiamnEmma

It seemed to me that they had all escaped at the end of OOP (just re-read all of them too). That last duel scene pretty much made it clear that there had been a mass exodus at Azkaban.

There was, at one point, a mass exodus when the dementors stopped guarding there. But then at the end Dumbledore tied them all up at the Ministry of Magic, so presumably those that were there will be imprisoned again, somwhere, somehow.


I actually can't see Percy going over to the dark side, but I wouldn't call him all good either. Someone, in some book stated that the world is not divided into good wizards and death eaters. I think Percy is hungry for power, and only cares about Percy, so he will do what it takes to get ahead in life. I'm really curious to see her develop this character more - it's an interesting one!

[journeymom]

the world is not divided into good wizards and death eaters.

Exactly. I think Percy and Fudge and others like them have their own form of mundane, bureaucratic, unintentional evil that can be nearly as harmful as the death eaters' form, in that refusing to help, even hindering the good wizards with red tape and pedantic concern for rules eventually helps the bad wizards.

[LiamnEmma]

There was, at one point, a mass exodus when the dementors stopped guarding there. But then at the end Dumbledore tied them all up at the Ministry of Magic, so presumably those that were there will be imprisoned again, somwhere, somehow.

Ah yes, how could I have forgotten? Thanks for the reminder.

[ma2maya]

So I was at JKRowling.com last night and she has announced that she is pregnant with her third! She has said that she doesn't think this will disrupt finishing "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince", barring unforeseen circumstances.
Hope all goes well for her(and not just because I am anxiously waiting for Book 6 )
Kathy

[kimbalicious]

• How do they all do on their OWLs? Especially Defense Against the Dark Arts?
  
  I'm curious about that as well. I think those in the DA will have done pretty well.
• Does the DA continue?
  Don't think it will
• Who's going to teach DAtDA?
  I thought JKR said it will be a woman this time. I know some of the boards speculate on Molly Weasley.
• When do Ron and Hermione (well, Ron really) finally realize they like each other?
  Make a move Ron! I think it will be this book -- JKR in an interview (can't remember which) stated there would be some snogging soon (of course she didn't say who would be).
• How is Percy going to react to the news that Voldemort is back? (remember him siding with the ministry of magic?) I think he'll be horribly embarrassed (sp?) and will not be able to admit he's wrong. Personally I think he's going to do something incredibly foolish causing a disaster (Molly's death? Percy = Percival and he's notorious for causing the inadvertent death of his mother). Then he'll doing something noble to make up for it, but will it ever truly? Sorry -- got a bit too into tragedy there.
• What happens with the Death Eaters in Azkabhan? With the dementors gone, do they all escape? They escape, but live on the lamb. No more parties for Lucious at Malfoy Manor.
• Does Rowling let us know what Harry decides to do with his life, job, relationships, etc at the end of book 7? Or does he just step off the Hogwarts Express and the Dursley's aren't there? He dies killing Voldie.

I had more but without my husband to bounce all these ideas off of I can't come up with them.

So what do you think? And what are you wondering about?[/QUOTE]
I think Malfoy is going to turn out to be EVIL (absolutely no redeeming qualities) -- JKR has lamented how too many fans are "falling" for him. She thinks they confuse Tom for the character. Snape will die nobley. Ron will turn out to be Dumbledore (okay, I just think that would be too cool no matter how farfetched it is).
Arthur Weasley will be the next Minister of Magic. Oh, and is Remus actually James Potter?

[kimbalicious]

After reading over my own reply, I think I might need a new hobby. Obsessing over Harry Potter is making me a bit squirrelly -- I NEED book 6 NOW!

[journeymom]

I think Malfoy is going to turn out to be EVIL (absolutely no redeeming qualities) -- JKR has lamented how too many fans are "falling" for him. She thinks they confuse Tom for the character.

Help me here. I think I need a second cup of coffee. You're referring to Draco, right? Rowling thinks people confuse Draco with Tom Riddle?

[BoobyJuice]

Originally Posted by kimbalicious

So what do you think? And what are you wondering about?
I think Malfoy is going to turn out to be EVIL (absolutely no redeeming qualities) -- JKR has lamented how too many fans are "falling" for him. She thinks they confuse Tom for the character. Snape will die nobley. Ron will turn out to be Dumbledore (okay, I just think that would be too cool no matter how farfetched it is).
Arthur Weasley will be the next Minister of Magic. Oh, and is Remus actually James Potter?

I can totally see Malfoy turning out to be evil. It's one thing to play the mini-bad guy and something else to actually delight in someone's death (Cedric's).

hmmm, Snape dying nobley. Interesting. I've wondered what is going to happen wth Snape. Dumbledore insists he's "good" but his hatred for Harry has gotten to such a point that it is actually detremental

Remus is actually James Potter? Haven't heard anything about that one. Since James is one of the most famous deaths around, I'm not sure how that would work. What the theory?

[ma2maya]

Arthur Weasley will be the next Minister of Magic. Oh, and is Remus actually James Potter?

There has been a lot of speculation about these things but Rowling has said that Weasley will not be the minister of magic and that James and Lily Potter are dead. Of course, I suppose that wouldn't stop them from coming back as Hogwarts ghosts!

Another interesting theory I read was that Sirius was not really dead, just somehow trapped in the mist.

O.K. I would sign off from this thread saying I have more important things to tend to, but who am I kidding. DD is alseep and I am going to finish rereading Book 5!
lol

BTW-who do you all think the Half Blood Prince is? Rowling has hinted that it was alluded to in book 2. Hagrid? Justin Flinch-Fletchly?

[kimbalicious]

Originally Posted by journeymom

Help me here. I think I need a second cup of coffee. You're referring to Draco, right? Rowling thinks people confuse Draco with Tom Riddle?

Sorry, not Tom Riddle, but Tom Felton (the actor that plays Draco -- he has quite a big fan following).

[kimbalicious]

Originally Posted by ma2maya

There has been a lot of speculation about these things but Rowling has said that Weasley will not be the minister of magic and that James and Lily Potter are dead. Of course, I suppose that wouldn't stop them from coming back as Hogwarts ghosts!

BTW-who do you all think the Half Blood Prince is? Rowling has hinted that it was alluded to in book 2. Hagrid? Justin Flinch-Fletchly?

I had not heard that Rowling said Arthur would not be the next minister...do you know what interview that was?

The whole Remus is James (or actually is James in Remus' body) thing....I don't know Galadriel Waters puts forth a great argument in her books.

Halfblood Prince -- methinks Dean Thomas. If you check out JKR's website she has a whole bio on Dean. Turns out his father was Pureblood (Dean currently lives with his Mom & Stepdad) who the Deatheaters couldn't recruit and so killed him. Not to mention all of this was supposed to turn up in Chamber of Secrets and JKR maintains that some of what is in the 6th was originally intended for the 2nd. She also states that if you read COS correctly (I guess analyze it for all it's worth) there are enough clues/info to figure out the whole septology. Me I'm lazy, I just hit the boards

BTW dh thinks Halfblood Prince will be Dudley.

[ma2maya]

I had not heard that Rowling said Arthur would not be the next minister...do you know what interview that was?

Rowling recently posted it on her site(within the last week or so). I can't remember if it was in the rumours section or FAQ's about the book. Somebody had asked if he would be the next minister and she replied that he wouldn't.

On a kinda funny note-I have theory that socks are an important hint. O.k. this sounds really silly but hear me out. Harry is always receiving old pairs of his Uncles socks for xmas; a sock is what freed Dobby; Dumbledore saw him self wearing thick socks when he was looking into the mirror in Book 2; Harry hid the sneakascope in a pair of socks in Book 3; and there are many other examples of socks throughout all the books.

Of course following the logic of this theory could also put treacle pudding in the spotlight too! :LOL

[jen-mom]

Poor Ron if Molly Weasley teaches DATDA But boy, would that make for funny material!

[Mik]

Originally Posted by BoobyJuice

Oh I so wish I could get on to jkrowling.com or any of the other cool HP sites. We're on an old computer, hooked up to a phone line routed through the city over 100 miles away - toooo slooooow!

Try http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/welcome.cfm

Go on with the discussion, I can't wait for the two last(?) books.

[BoobyJuice]

Thanks for the link to the text only site. I can zoom around in there.

I just finished rereading book 5 and that one leaves so many questions open. I just read on the jkrowlings.com site that book 6 will be shorter than 5 - : that's less HP until the series ends. I am so not ready for this series to be over.

Rowling recently posted it on her site(within the last week or so). I can't remember if it was in the rumours section or FAQ's about the book. Somebody had asked if he would be the next minister and she replied that he wouldn't.

I just read a theory on one of the fan sites that seemed plausible - Susan Bones aunt (can't remember her name). She is the head of the Magical Law Enforcement dept at the Ministry of Magic. She presided over Harry's . . . trial is the only word that comes to mind . . . when he was accused of underage magic for getting rid of the dementors.

Ma2maya, socks are everywhere in these books! Don't know what they mean, but they are definitely around.

Who do you all think the Half Blood Prince is? Honestly, I don't know. There are so many possibilities. Now she is saying that there are big hints in the Chamber of Secrets. I'm sure once we read it it will be obviously, but there are just so many characters, each with some validity to the claim.