HBP
Please beware of gigantic spoilers.
See my HBP memories for all the theories I believe.
I read the book in the first 60 hours I had it. I plan to re-read it starting sometime this week. This is the first book I've felt I have to re-read so soon.
Yes, I'm feeling the same as most people right now, mostly indescribable, but also a mixture of happiness, sadness, and confusion. I never expected to think that Harry wounldn't be going into his 7th year. I had always thought it would be like book 6: Still at school, but in the presence of war. Everything has changed now, Harry Potter is not the same, and I don't think it ever will be.
While reading the book, I've felt scared, happy, confused, proud, discusted, sad, hurt, excited, shocked and I've smiled, cried, and laughed. Of everything, my heart hurts the worst, having the strings pulled so many times, though my eyes could make a run for its money.
Here are my reactions chapter by chapter:
Ch. 2 - Spinner's End
Questions (Some are out of place, having just thought of them while reading this chapter):
-How can people be in prison if the dementors are on the dark side?
-Who heard the original prophecy, but only heard half of it and told Voldemort? SNAPE.
I also realized that Snape was the one Voldemort had named, "One has left me forever," in Book 4.
Ch. 3 - Will and Won't
Ch. 4 - Horace Slughorn
-How did Dumbledore know what Umbridge said to the centaurs in Book 5? ("Filthy half-breeds.")
-How did Dumbledore know where to find Horace if he moves around?
Note: Dumbledore corrects Harry to Professor Snape A LOT.
Ch. 5 - An Excess of Phlegm
Ch.6 - Draco's Detour
Question:
-Malfoy could be a Death Eater, but why would Borgin that afraid of him? Draco is only 16.
Ch. 7 - The Slug Club
Ch. 8 - Snape Victorious
-Could Snape and Malfoy have set everything up from Knockturn Alley to Snape leading Harry to school? (I forgot where I got this and even where I was going with it. I just had it written down for this chapter, but I don't remember it all).
Ch. 10 - The House of Gaunt
-What are the markings on the rim on the Pensieve? What do they mean?
-How did Harry know to ask, "Who was Bob Ogden?" when Dumbledore was telling Harry about him?
-Who was the "dark young man, possibly troubled, one who dislikes the questioner" that Trelawny had mumbled about from her cards?
Ch. 11 - Hermione's Helping Hand
Points:
+1 Harry/Hermione
+1 Ron/Hermione, +1 R/Hr, -1 R/Hr, +1 R/Hr
Yes, a lot was going through my head as I added and subtracted points, so many things were going on that I didn't know what to believe.
Ch. 12 - Silver and Opals
Points: +1 Harry/Ginny
Question:
-What was the significance of the Hog's Head barman standing with Mundungus outside the Three Broomsticks? Why did he walk away?
Ch. 14 - Felix Felicis
Ch. 19 - Elf Tails
Ch. 20 - Lord Voldemort's Request
Ch. 23 - Horcruxes
-Can you get your soul back from a Horcrux and put it back inside you?
-Why is it not ideal to have horcruxes other than having to kill someone?
-How did Dumbledore know Slughorn had told Voldemort about Horcruxes?
Ch. 24 - Sectumsempra
-When had Slughorn used his Felix Felicis?
Ch. 25 - The Seer Overheard
Ch. 26 - The Cave
Ch. 28 - Flight of the Prince
Ch. 29 - The Phoenix Lament
My thoughts of how it will end: Harry will die killing Voldemort, his only purpose in life to kill him. And the Wizarding world will be at peace, forever in the debt of the memory of Harry Potter.
P.S.- I just thought about this, Harry's mother's spell will no longer work once Harry turns 17. So he'll have no powers against Voldemort, no Voldemort not being able to touch him, no "power the Dark Lord knows not." So what Dumbledore said about that Harry can defeat Voldemort, that he can love, doesn't matter now does it? Or does it?
And some more things I forgot and only just remembered while reading others' reviews:
See my HBP memories for all the theories I believe.
I read the book in the first 60 hours I had it. I plan to re-read it starting sometime this week. This is the first book I've felt I have to re-read so soon.
Yes, I'm feeling the same as most people right now, mostly indescribable, but also a mixture of happiness, sadness, and confusion. I never expected to think that Harry wounldn't be going into his 7th year. I had always thought it would be like book 6: Still at school, but in the presence of war. Everything has changed now, Harry Potter is not the same, and I don't think it ever will be.
While reading the book, I've felt scared, happy, confused, proud, discusted, sad, hurt, excited, shocked and I've smiled, cried, and laughed. Of everything, my heart hurts the worst, having the strings pulled so many times, though my eyes could make a run for its money.
Here are my reactions chapter by chapter:
Ch. 2 - Spinner's End
- Snape!? But he must just being spying on Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Dumbledore must have made a plan for Snape to be a spy for the Order. He can only be saying things Dumbledore told him to say...Right? (At this point, I fully believed Snape to still be on the Good Side).
- Does Snape really live there? I don't think so because, "The place had an air of neglect, as though it was not usually inhabited." This gave me even more reason to believe that Snape was only there and saying he was on Voldemort's side because it was Dumbledore's plan.
- "He wouldn't give me the [D.A.D.A.] job, you know. Seemed to think it might, ah, bring about a relapse...tempt me into my old ways." So did Dumbledore think Snape was under a curse as a Death Eater in the first place (which gave him good reason to beileve Snape was really on the Good Side) or did he think he really was a Death Eater, then simply came back to the Light Side?
Questions (Some are out of place, having just thought of them while reading this chapter):
-How can people be in prison if the dementors are on the dark side?
-Who heard the original prophecy, but only heard half of it and told Voldemort? SNAPE.
I also realized that Snape was the one Voldemort had named, "One has left me forever," in Book 4.
Ch. 3 - Will and Won't
- I realized JKR was using some new vocab in this book: fug, smattering, higgledy-piggledy, battalion
Ch. 4 - Horace Slughorn
- Here, when Dumbledore had just said that he would be giving Harry private lessons, I thought Dumbledore was the Half-Blood Prince because the summary on the book said that, "Harry receives some extraordinary help from the mysterious Half-Blood Prince."
-How did Dumbledore know what Umbridge said to the centaurs in Book 5? ("Filthy half-breeds.")
-How did Dumbledore know where to find Horace if he moves around?
Note: Dumbledore corrects Harry to Professor Snape A LOT.
Ch. 5 - An Excess of Phlegm
- Something was definitely different about Tonks, though I didn't think it was because of Sirius' death, nor could I have imagined it was because of her love for Lupin. I only thought that maybe she was under a curse, but it didn't seem likely. I just knew it wasn't all about Sirius.
- I loved when Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were all talking to each other. They were talking like teenagers and I realized how fast they had grown up.
- When Harry told Ron and Hermione about the prophecy, my heartstrings were pulled so hard, and that is one of the parts where my tears have stained the pages.
Ch.6 - Draco's Detour
Question:
-Malfoy could be a Death Eater, but why would Borgin that afraid of him? Draco is only 16.
Ch. 7 - The Slug Club
- Harry felt a twinge of annoyance towards Ginny. Yes, I caught that. When she said to Harry that she couldn't find a compartment on the train with him because she had to meet Dean. +1 Harry/Ginny
- I couldn't believe Malfoy had done that to Harry. It seemed like an unHPish thing to do, like only grown teenagers would do it. So grows my realization that they have grown up. Soon after that, I thought that it was rather funny.
Ch. 8 - Snape Victorious
- Harry thought that Snape read his mind when he told him not to use the Invisibility Cloak. Here, it just dawned on me that all the times Harry thought that Snape seemed to be able to read his mind (all the way back to Book 1), that Snape was really reading his mind using Legilimency.
- A couple of times now, Harry has shown signs of liking his hero position: Hoping people were wondering where he was and hoping they thought he was in some heroic battle. (I thought this could be some clue of what would happen in the future, but it came to nothing).
-Could Snape and Malfoy have set everything up from Knockturn Alley to Snape leading Harry to school? (I forgot where I got this and even where I was going with it. I just had it written down for this chapter, but I don't remember it all).
Ch. 10 - The House of Gaunt
- Here, I found that Dumbledore was not the Half-Blood Prince after re-reading the summary as it only said that Harry was getting help from the HBP and that meant the Potions book.
-What are the markings on the rim on the Pensieve? What do they mean?
-How did Harry know to ask, "Who was Bob Ogden?" when Dumbledore was telling Harry about him?
-Who was the "dark young man, possibly troubled, one who dislikes the questioner" that Trelawny had mumbled about from her cards?
Ch. 11 - Hermione's Helping Hand
Points:
+1 Harry/Hermione
+1 Ron/Hermione, +1 R/Hr, -1 R/Hr, +1 R/Hr
Yes, a lot was going through my head as I added and subtracted points, so many things were going on that I didn't know what to believe.
Ch. 12 - Silver and Opals
Points: +1 Harry/Ginny
Question:
-What was the significance of the Hog's Head barman standing with Mundungus outside the Three Broomsticks? Why did he walk away?
Ch. 14 - Felix Felicis
- It was all Ron/Hermione. But then... -1 R/Hr. And then, +1 Harry/Ginny
Ch. 19 - Elf Tails
- The ghost of a long-haired woman passed when Hagrid was saying he hoped the school wouldn't close. Any significance?
- Page 402: Aww, *tear* +1 R/Hr
Ch. 20 - Lord Voldemort's Request
- Voldemort did curse the D.A.D.A. position so that no teacher lasts longer than a year. So that means that Snape won't be the teacher next year (assuming there is a next year). But does the curse do anything else but not allow the same teacher for more than a year? Like actually cursing the teacher themselves? If so, what will happen to Snape?
Interview with JKR: Every year since Harry has been to Hogwarts the defence against the dark arts teacher has left Hogwarts or died every year. Does that mean that something will stop Snape from being the defence against the dark arts in book 7?
JK Rowling: "Yes. I really can't say more than that. That is because one of those questions that is a very good question and everyone would like to know the answer but it gives a lot away. There must obviously be a new one." - So does that mean the school will open next year?
Ch. 23 - Horcruxes
- I never thought to think why Voldemort stayed alive when he attempted to kill Harry. I just always asumed since he was so powerful, that he just couldn't die.
-Can you get your soul back from a Horcrux and put it back inside you?
-Why is it not ideal to have horcruxes other than having to kill someone?
-How did Dumbledore know Slughorn had told Voldemort about Horcruxes?
Ch. 24 - Sectumsempra
- Page. 533-534. Added 1 million points for Harry/Ginny. This was just too good. Too perfect. When I read it, I couldn't contain screaming in happiness and jumping around in excitement. I don't even really know why, H/G was not my One True Pairing, I had even doubted that it would be true. But there's no mistaking how happy I was, literally, I was jumping. I need to go find some icons.
-When had Slughorn used his Felix Felicis?
Ch. 25 - The Seer Overheard
- I still didn't really think Snape was on the Dark Side. When Harry found out that it was Snape who overheard the prophecy, I thought it was Dumbledore's plan to have Snape hear it and then tell Voldemort the part of it he heard. This would make Voldemort mark a man as his equal, the only hope of destroying Voldemort. (Because if Voldemort had not found out about the prophecy, he wouldn't have thought to kill Harry (or Neville for that matter) and he wouldn't have created his equal, like Dumbledore said). Though there is one flaw in the thought that Dumbledore had planned it, Dumbledore said he did not know that Trelawny was going to make a prediction the night they were meeting, therefore, not able to make a plan for Snape to overhear it.
Ch. 26 - The Cave
- I had always thought that the cover was that of Harry and Dumbledore during one of their private lessons with the Pensieve. I never thought to re-examine the cover and notice that the Pensieve-like basin was standing on a column and that Harry had his wand out and realize that it wasn't one of their lessons.
- "I am not worried, Harry. I am with you." Aww, it was just too much what with Harry saying repeatedly, "Here, Professor, drink this," in a cracking, higher voice unlike his own, and helping the weak Dumbledore out of the cave. More tear-stained pages.
Ch. 28 - Flight of the Prince
- Do you have a choice to break an Unbreakable Vow? Must be, since Ron said that you would die if you did break it. If not, Snape could've only been acting of the Vow of which he made to Narcissa. And that is the only thought I have left of Snape still not being on the Dark Side, though it is very unlikely. I am about 98% sure that Snape has been on the Dark Side all this time. I am now 100% sure that Snape is good. (See my HBP memories for the theory.)
- Locket initials: R.A.B. Any thoughts anyone? Regulus Black. See my HBP memories for the theory.
Ch. 29 - The Phoenix Lament
- While reading this chapter, it seemed impossible to be so happy only a few hours ago about Harry/Ginny. I kept waiting for something to happen that would change the view that Dumbledore was dead. Much like I did when Sirius died in Book 5. But nothing came, and I had to put the book down and weep, only glancing at the book to find myself pouring out more tears. At this time, I hated the book. I couldn't believe that I had been so eagar to get it as soon as I could less than 2 days ago. Everytime I looked at it, I had to scream and cry. It was horrible. I hated the book for killing Dumbledore and leaving Harry all alone to do the task of finding the Horcruxes. I even felt alone, knowing that Harry would no longer have the help that I thought was neccessary. How would Harry have found out or even began to think where to look for the Horcrux without Dumbledore? No matter what Dumbledore said, I think Harry's only purpose of life was to be the one to try and defeat Voldemort, which makes me feel even more alone for Harry. Like he's not even supposed to be with Ron and Hermione, he's different, he doesn't belong to a normal life. This brings me to...
My thoughts of how it will end: Harry will die killing Voldemort, his only purpose in life to kill him. And the Wizarding world will be at peace, forever in the debt of the memory of Harry Potter.
P.S.- I just thought about this, Harry's mother's spell will no longer work once Harry turns 17. So he'll have no powers against Voldemort, no Voldemort not being able to touch him, no "power the Dark Lord knows not." So what Dumbledore said about that Harry can defeat Voldemort, that he can love, doesn't matter now does it? Or does it?
And some more things I forgot and only just remembered while reading others' reviews:
- Who is going to be the Secret Keeper for the Order now? Can it even be changed now that the orginal is dead?
- R.A.B is probably Regulus Black. Maybe that's why Voldemort killed him, because he found out about the Horcrux?
- Draco's the one who was with Myrtle. Aww. I felt sorry for him, for the first time, sorry. And now what will happen to Draco? I'm sure he'll still remember what Dumbledore had told him last...
- Harry's not going back to school. I never theorized this. I'd always assumed that Book 7 would be like Book 6: Harry still at school, but also handling the war. It just seems unreal, but as I've said above, it is really like he doesn't belong there anyway.
- I knew Dumbledore had to die soon to let Harry finish his destiny by himself, but I had expected it much later, like in the middle of Book 7, after Dumbldore had helped most of the way so that all Harry had to do was find and kill Voldemort. It also seems unreal that Harry still has so much left to do, and not really having any way of finding out how to do it.
- Which is your favourite member of the Order of the Phoenix?
JK Rowling: "I keep killing all my favourite members of the Order of the Phoenix, but there is one member of the Order of the Phoenix that you have not yet met properly and you will well, you know that they are a member, but you haven't really met them properly yet and you will meet them in seven, so I am looking forward to that."
Who is it? - As I've been reading others' theories, I am becoming increasingly interested in theories of Dumbledore's death being planned and acted out by him and Snape (from sivullinen). Though I mainly doubt these theories, there's always a fleeting chance.
- Ok, wow, this theory is blowing me away. Harry could himself be a Horcrux. Here's an entry from unplottables. (Read the comments). And also karaz's thread in those comments is very good.
- Here's more about the Snape still being good theory, here. And be sure to read the comments as well.
- Added: I don't think Harry is a Horcrux anymore.