Posted on 07/17/2005 5:16:14 PM PDT by grellis
THIS THREAD IS INTENDED FOR READERS THAT HAVE COMPLETED THE BOOK! If you have not yet read the book, consider yourself warned: There will be spoilers on this thread.
For my fellow FReepers who have no intention of reading the book but would like to discuss the more controversial issues related to the work, I am asking you as politely as I can: DO NOT HIJACK THIS THREAD. We are all members of this forum and as such, it is not up to me to disallow anyone from participating in the discussion. That is why I am asking you--please do not hijack this thread. If you would like to discuss the more controversial aspects of the book, maybe you could start your own thread and ping us over there. If we are interested, we'll come.
That reminds me- I was so disappointed that there wasn't more Neville! He's one of my favorite characters. I was so happy to read that he got one of the last wands Mr. Olivander sold.
I don't think Petunia's a squib. Rowling goes to great lengths to make it clear that Lily is muggle-born.
The sword that Harry fought the basilisk with in CoS?
Could it be that Petunia is also a witch? And that Lily's powers were stronger?
In the early books it was always the Uncle who freaked out when Harry did things. Maybe it's just the way it was written but Petunia didn't seem especially suprised when Harry's hair grew back overnight.
Yeah, but we are all speculating. And, I find it strange the Rowling would go to the lengths to let us believe the carriages were horseless then reveal that they aren't. Going so far as to create an animal that can only be seen by someone who has seen a person be snuffed out. Then have Harry freak out so badly when he finally sees them in OOTP after Cedric's death. I mean we can all put IMO at the end of all of these posts...
Hmmmm.... There goes my head again. :-)
LMAO!! Maybe that is also how petunia gets her house so freakishly clean. It must be magic!!
At this point I would hope they weren't alive. Only because of how much Harry had to suffer because of his aunt and uncle. If his parents are alive, I am sure he will be really mad about that part -- although he would be happy that they are alive.
Of COURSE we're speculating! To me, that's the magic (pun intended) of the Harry Potter series. Not only has JKR sparked an interest in children to read, a lot of (supposedly sensible) adults on this thread and another I'm following are having fun with what to happen to fictional characters.
It's not great literature. But it is a fun read.
Now, something else to consider:
I know we've all read about the great bond between Lily and James, but could it be possible that a tiff will be revealed between them, that Snape found Lily heartbroken and they, um... consoled each other.
Then Lily and James patched thing up, but Harry is REALLY Snape's son? And he's been so awful to him because Harry had to go to Muggles because Snape couldn't claim him?
Hmmmm....
The sword that Harry fought the basilisk with in CoS?
It's in DD office hanging on the wall.
Keep in mind that Harry was only one year old when his parents were killed. Perhaps he didn't actually SEE it happen. Maybe he was wrapped up in a blanket? Maybe his mother was holding his head to her shoulder? Maybe he was in his crib in another room? His recollections of the time when they died only include hearing his mother scream with no associated visual images.
As you point out, though, it's all speculation. I just have a hard time believing they could still be alive when everyone else -- including Dumbledore -- acknowledges that they were killed.
As for the thestrals, that bothered me a lot but I think it is subtly explained: In order to see thestrals, one must witness death. I do not think Harry actually saw his parents die. He heard screams and saw a green flash. After witnessing Cedric die, he could see the thestrals. I am also reminded of what Rowling herself has said, and it is quoted somewhere on this thread--that, in a nutshell, dead is dead, even in the wizarding world.
I have long thought that Snape must have had a thing for Lily. So much hatred toward James...that can't be from teenage rivalry alone, can it? He lost the girl.
I really do wonder about how the professors spend their free time. Some of them we know live at the castle, but do they all? Do any of them have families of their own to go home to at night?
That would be crazy! I do remember from Harry following Snape in the pensieve that Lily came to his defense when James hung him upside down. I am thinking that there is a deeper connection between them....
So, if they did make an Unbreakable Vow or something similar way back when Snape returned repentant, who sealed their vow? My money, if that is the scenario, is on Lupin.
IIRC--I read HBP a little too fast, perhaps--the only remaining relic of Griffendor's is his sword, in the Headmaster's office. DD supposed that Voldemort was interested in a position at Hogwarts so he could have a shot at the sword, but it did not come to pass.
I know there could be many reasons, but I would really like his parents to come back. Snape loving/losing the girl, then causing her death may be why DD knows he can be trusted. Snape loved her. If Snape really killed Dumbledore because of Unbreakable Vow he made with Dumbledore or under his orders, Snape will have to do something major to get Harry to believe him, if he is still out to get rid of the Dark Lord. That will be interesting.
Now what good are the horcruxes? How does V get out of a locket or ring to do anything?
I also thought that Voldemort wanted to come back to hide something in the room of requirement where Harry hid his potions book, maybe he wanted to move something out of it. He may have made a horcrux while he was still in school.
Yeah, but remember in OOTP when Harry was in Snape's memory? Snape snarled at Lily, "I don't need your help, filthy mudblood." Unless it was just covering up for his crush, you know like picking on the object of your affection.
Well, now, that's interesting. Now we know that Snape himself isn't pureblood, is he?
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