So, like I did with OotP, my analysis of HBP.
WARNING: THERE ARE SPOILERS IN THIS POST. If you're a slowpoke (j/k) and haven't finished HBP by now, DO NOT READ THE CONTENTS OF THIS POST. I'm putting them under a LJ cut so I can't be blamed for spoiling it if you haven't read it. Get it? Got it? Good.
Why the sudden switch of fandom obsessions? First it's SW, now it's HP, it seems. I put SW on the back burner for now because HP has snagged the spotlight. Just don't get me started on the Animorphs series, lol. That'll get me going.
ANOTHER WARNING: If you haven't read HBP and you still clicked the link, shame on you. Seriously. Go finish the freakin' book. If you don't have the freakin' book and are reading this, you suck and should buy the book. If you can't buy the book, I have a copy on my mom's computer, and I'll be happy to get it to you (only if you don't have the book, of course. If you have it, there's no point in having the ebook too, is there?). Continuing past this point means that you have read all 652 pages of HBP and that you are willing to hear my thoughts on the book after the first reading. If you meet that criteria, go ahead. If not, go away.
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So it's two days after the release of the sixth book in the Harry Potter series,Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. J.K.R. (who prefers that her fans refer to her as Jo) left her readers torn at the end of the book. The "Snape's really a good guy--no, really!" fans are devastated, the "I ♥ Dumbledore" fans are distraught, and the HP sleuths are left scratching their heads at the clue left for them.
An interview with Jo recently provided this tidbit of knowledge: "I think I give very clear pointers as to what Harry will do next," she said. "There is plenty to guess at...at least one thing I think people will probably deduce, there is a mystery left at the end, but I think they might already know the answer if they think about it."
Harry will go after the remaining Horcruxes next. Personally, I believe that there are only seven, and no more. Why? Because the number seven seems to appear a lot in the books (ex. seven Weasley children, seven years in school, seven books, Ron's seven O.W.L.s). He'll go back to the Dursleys' one last time, go to Godric's Hollow, and not return to Hogwarts. I bet the school'll reopen, but he nor Ron nor Hermione will go.
The mystery at the end: who is R.A.B.? That too is obvious. Jo planted the name Regulus Black three times near the beginning of the book, seemingly for no good reason. It was planted to remind the readers that he existed and bring back memories of his character (which had only been introduced in OotP), even if it was subconscious. Then, six hundred pages later, these initials pop up, and almost instantaneously, the name Regulus Black comes to mind. My question: would that name have come up had Jo not planted it near the beginning? I don't think so. That means Sirius' brother will play a large role in #7.
Dumbledore's death wasn't a huge shock, as there were rumors around the 'net about him dying. What does shock me about it is the fact that I haven't seen Jo's reaction to the death. When writing OotP, she said that she cried while writing the part where Sirius died, because she knew he was gone for good. This time around, nothing. Dumbledore's been around longer, and I'd bet that Jo would be more attached to him than Sirius because of his relationship with Harry. Even though it's unlikely, Dumbledore may not be dead. Not completely, at least. He lives on through things like portraits, Chocolate Frog cards, even the memories stored in the pensieve. It's just an interesting thought because of the lack of reaction this time.
Snape's being the HBP also wasn't that huge of a shock. I'd spent last summer theorizing about the identity of the HBP after the announcement of the title, and I'd come up with Dumbledore and Snape. Dumbledore because he was noble (princelike), and for all we knew, could be half-blood. And Snape because it'd just be funny. For once, I don't believe that the title had much to do with the book itself. Sure, Harry was getting info from the HBP via the potions book and learned new spells that way, but it seemed to be a minor plotline. The Horcruxes and the history of Voldemort seemed to take over, which was likely, considering that Jo herself said that this book and Chamber of Secrets were closely linked, and some of the plot for this one was almost used in CoS.
So, six books down, one to go. I'm guessing it's about two years out from now. And, considering Jo said it'll be shorter than OotP, I'm guessing around 800 pages (OotP was 815). I'm pretty sure it'll be longer than GoF (734 pgs.) and way longer than HBP (which came in at 652 pgs). A lot of things will happen in this book. Harry, obviously, will come face-to-face with Voldemort, and will have to duel somehow. Considering the wand situation in GoF, one or the other may have a new wand or have found a way to perform spells without one. Voldemort will die, as the series is about HP, and that would just be sick to kill off the star of the series. I think Snape will either die or somehow redeem himself and assist HP on his quest to kill LV. Sadly, I think a Weasley will die, most likely one of the more prominent ones (Ginny, Ron, Fred, George, Mr. & Mrs. Weasley). I don't think Harry and Ginny will be getting back together. I see Ron and Hermione possibly becoming a couple because of how they acted in HBP. Bill and Fleur will get married, Tonks and Lupin will stay together and may end up married too. Jo's finishing off the book with a sort-of epilogue where her readers find out what happened post-HP vs. LV. I think the only way Harry would die is if it was immediately after defeating LV or if they die at the same time.
Anyway, about Harry + Ginny. I don't think they will get back together, but it'd be interesting if they did. Harry looks just like his father. Ginny resembles HP's mom. If they were together, Harry would finally have the family he'd never really had, because everything would have come full-circle.
About the locket that was swapped for the real Horcrux. Take a look at this quote from OotP, p. 116, US version: "...also a heavy locket that none of them could open...". They found a locket while cleaning Grimmauld place. If R.A.B. was Regulus Black and had swapped the lockets, the one in Grimmauld Place may very well be the one HP will be looking for because Regulus was a Black, and GP was the "most ancient and noble house of Black".
If that theory holds true, then this next one has a chance of being so: Mundungus Fletcher, while taking things from GP, may have very well taken the locket and sold it. Who would he have sold it to? The bartender at the Hog's Head. Why would the bartender be important? Jo refuses to deny claims that the bartender is Aberforth Dumbledore, Albus' brother (she actually questions how her readers guessed that one, leaving me to believe that it's pretty much true). Now, Jo states in an interview that a member of the Order will be prominent in the 7th book, and it'll be someone we've heard of but don't know much about. Aberforth's a member of the original Order. We've heard of him, Albus Dumbledore was found at the Hog's Head a lot, and we don't know much about him.
I've heard the theory of Ginny being a Horcrux, and I find it to be as good as most. The theory says that in CoS, Tom Riddle made a statement saying something like "She poured her soul into me, and in return, I poured a little bit of my soul into her." Instead of the portion of the soul being destroyed with the Basilisk fang through the diary, it was transferred. I think it may be unlikely, but it's still a good theory that holds its ground.
Jo promised we'd find out something HUGE about Lily in HBP. What? That she was good at Potions? That she was wanted in Slytherin? Whoop-de-deedly-freakin'-doo. Where's the HUGE thing? I'm going to be on the lookout for it during my insanely slow rereading of HBP. I took my pace slow during my first reading, only doing about 100 pages an hour. 1.6 pages per minute. This time, I'm taking it even slower, to about a page a minute, because I'm scanning for clues now, looking for possible hints about the 7th book. Fun, fun, fun.
Anywayz, those are my current HBP theories and observations. They'll probably change after a point, but that's them for now.
So that's that. Shame on those who haven't read HBP but read the contents of the LJ cut. May Lord Voldemort hex you if you do.
Why the sudden switch of fandom obsessions? First it's SW, now it's HP, it seems. I put SW on the back burner for now because HP has snagged the spotlight. Just don't get me started on the Animorphs series, lol. That'll get me going.
ANOTHER WARNING: If you haven't read HBP and you still clicked the link, shame on you. Seriously. Go finish the freakin' book. If you don't have the freakin' book and are reading this, you suck and should buy the book. If you can't buy the book, I have a copy on my mom's computer, and I'll be happy to get it to you (only if you don't have the book, of course. If you have it, there's no point in having the ebook too, is there?). Continuing past this point means that you have read all 652 pages of HBP and that you are willing to hear my thoughts on the book after the first reading. If you meet that criteria, go ahead. If not, go away.
-----
So it's two days after the release of the sixth book in the Harry Potter series,Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. J.K.R. (who prefers that her fans refer to her as Jo) left her readers torn at the end of the book. The "Snape's really a good guy--no, really!" fans are devastated, the "I ♥ Dumbledore" fans are distraught, and the HP sleuths are left scratching their heads at the clue left for them.
An interview with Jo recently provided this tidbit of knowledge: "I think I give very clear pointers as to what Harry will do next," she said. "There is plenty to guess at...at least one thing I think people will probably deduce, there is a mystery left at the end, but I think they might already know the answer if they think about it."
Harry will go after the remaining Horcruxes next. Personally, I believe that there are only seven, and no more. Why? Because the number seven seems to appear a lot in the books (ex. seven Weasley children, seven years in school, seven books, Ron's seven O.W.L.s). He'll go back to the Dursleys' one last time, go to Godric's Hollow, and not return to Hogwarts. I bet the school'll reopen, but he nor Ron nor Hermione will go.
The mystery at the end: who is R.A.B.? That too is obvious. Jo planted the name Regulus Black three times near the beginning of the book, seemingly for no good reason. It was planted to remind the readers that he existed and bring back memories of his character (which had only been introduced in OotP), even if it was subconscious. Then, six hundred pages later, these initials pop up, and almost instantaneously, the name Regulus Black comes to mind. My question: would that name have come up had Jo not planted it near the beginning? I don't think so. That means Sirius' brother will play a large role in #7.
Dumbledore's death wasn't a huge shock, as there were rumors around the 'net about him dying. What does shock me about it is the fact that I haven't seen Jo's reaction to the death. When writing OotP, she said that she cried while writing the part where Sirius died, because she knew he was gone for good. This time around, nothing. Dumbledore's been around longer, and I'd bet that Jo would be more attached to him than Sirius because of his relationship with Harry. Even though it's unlikely, Dumbledore may not be dead. Not completely, at least. He lives on through things like portraits, Chocolate Frog cards, even the memories stored in the pensieve. It's just an interesting thought because of the lack of reaction this time.
Snape's being the HBP also wasn't that huge of a shock. I'd spent last summer theorizing about the identity of the HBP after the announcement of the title, and I'd come up with Dumbledore and Snape. Dumbledore because he was noble (princelike), and for all we knew, could be half-blood. And Snape because it'd just be funny. For once, I don't believe that the title had much to do with the book itself. Sure, Harry was getting info from the HBP via the potions book and learned new spells that way, but it seemed to be a minor plotline. The Horcruxes and the history of Voldemort seemed to take over, which was likely, considering that Jo herself said that this book and Chamber of Secrets were closely linked, and some of the plot for this one was almost used in CoS.
So, six books down, one to go. I'm guessing it's about two years out from now. And, considering Jo said it'll be shorter than OotP, I'm guessing around 800 pages (OotP was 815). I'm pretty sure it'll be longer than GoF (734 pgs.) and way longer than HBP (which came in at 652 pgs). A lot of things will happen in this book. Harry, obviously, will come face-to-face with Voldemort, and will have to duel somehow. Considering the wand situation in GoF, one or the other may have a new wand or have found a way to perform spells without one. Voldemort will die, as the series is about HP, and that would just be sick to kill off the star of the series. I think Snape will either die or somehow redeem himself and assist HP on his quest to kill LV. Sadly, I think a Weasley will die, most likely one of the more prominent ones (Ginny, Ron, Fred, George, Mr. & Mrs. Weasley). I don't think Harry and Ginny will be getting back together. I see Ron and Hermione possibly becoming a couple because of how they acted in HBP. Bill and Fleur will get married, Tonks and Lupin will stay together and may end up married too. Jo's finishing off the book with a sort-of epilogue where her readers find out what happened post-HP vs. LV. I think the only way Harry would die is if it was immediately after defeating LV or if they die at the same time.
Anyway, about Harry + Ginny. I don't think they will get back together, but it'd be interesting if they did. Harry looks just like his father. Ginny resembles HP's mom. If they were together, Harry would finally have the family he'd never really had, because everything would have come full-circle.
About the locket that was swapped for the real Horcrux. Take a look at this quote from OotP, p. 116, US version: "...also a heavy locket that none of them could open...". They found a locket while cleaning Grimmauld place. If R.A.B. was Regulus Black and had swapped the lockets, the one in Grimmauld Place may very well be the one HP will be looking for because Regulus was a Black, and GP was the "most ancient and noble house of Black".
If that theory holds true, then this next one has a chance of being so: Mundungus Fletcher, while taking things from GP, may have very well taken the locket and sold it. Who would he have sold it to? The bartender at the Hog's Head. Why would the bartender be important? Jo refuses to deny claims that the bartender is Aberforth Dumbledore, Albus' brother (she actually questions how her readers guessed that one, leaving me to believe that it's pretty much true). Now, Jo states in an interview that a member of the Order will be prominent in the 7th book, and it'll be someone we've heard of but don't know much about. Aberforth's a member of the original Order. We've heard of him, Albus Dumbledore was found at the Hog's Head a lot, and we don't know much about him.
I've heard the theory of Ginny being a Horcrux, and I find it to be as good as most. The theory says that in CoS, Tom Riddle made a statement saying something like "She poured her soul into me, and in return, I poured a little bit of my soul into her." Instead of the portion of the soul being destroyed with the Basilisk fang through the diary, it was transferred. I think it may be unlikely, but it's still a good theory that holds its ground.
Jo promised we'd find out something HUGE about Lily in HBP. What? That she was good at Potions? That she was wanted in Slytherin? Whoop-de-deedly-freakin'-doo. Where's the HUGE thing? I'm going to be on the lookout for it during my insanely slow rereading of HBP. I took my pace slow during my first reading, only doing about 100 pages an hour. 1.6 pages per minute. This time, I'm taking it even slower, to about a page a minute, because I'm scanning for clues now, looking for possible hints about the 7th book. Fun, fun, fun.
Anywayz, those are my current HBP theories and observations. They'll probably change after a point, but that's them for now.
So that's that. Shame on those who haven't read HBP but read the contents of the LJ cut. May Lord Voldemort hex you if you do.