Who is Snape's source, and why is he telling Voldemort? He no longer has the access to the Order which would make it likely for him to obtain the information, so he could escape it. Is it so that he will be in favour and gain the Headmastership? That would seem the most sensible explanation for me at this point. But I cannot remember. Has he gotten the information from Mundungus?
I've been wondering that too. Mundungus makes sense. (Especially given Mossman's point below).
How has Voldemort come by the information that he must be the one to kill Harry? Has he simply deduced it from earlier failed attempts by others?
Is it that he knows it must be him, or that he wants it to be him so he knows it's done, plus revenge?
And Wormtail's hand is touched on as there is a trace of silver when he leaves the room. Just in case we forgot.
Oh yes. Heh.
There is the whole sub-plot of Dumbledore's past, which is central to the book. Discovering Dumbledore is about as important as defeating Voldemort, I think, and while the Voldemort story is the plot cupon part of the book, Dumbledore's back history is the nod back to the detective story structure of the earlier books. In these chapters we are told that Dumbledore's father killed muggles and that Dumbledore loved them.
I love learning more about Dumbledore. I always found him to be too knowing, so finding out that he was perhaps the most impressive student Hogwarts has ever seen makes that calm knowingness easier to accept.
And then the clues that will later put this into question: the grand tour that was planned but never happened, Dumbledore forced to take care of his siblings rather than make the most of his talents, the death or Ariana (with Dumbledore's feeling of guilt hidden in Doge's assurance that of course he must be guiltless) leading to an estrangement from Aberforth. And, of course, the duel with Grindewald, which is so central to the whole plot of the book. There is so much there already in the first newspaper clipping. Even "the greater good". And then that is followed by the dangling suggestions of the Skeeter interview.
Rowling uses the tabloids so well, I think.
There is also the blue eye in the mirror fragment, which Harry takes to be Dumbledore, but which will (if I recall correctly) turn out to be Dobby.
I never thought it was Dobby. Aberforth makes more sense, especially as Harry thought it was Dumbledore, and we'd just been told about D's family.
It is interesting that the magical community is for once intruding on the Dursleys' lives in a protective way. In order to protect them against a worse violent intrusion, of course -- perhaps that invalidates it. But I think this is the first time magic has been used to help them. I thought it worth noting since it has been a topic before.
Well, that's because they refused to accept the magical world. It's only been used "against" them in the past because of their attitude to it. Apart from Dudley and the Dementors, that is.
*MySmiley*
Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. - Groucho Marx
Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. - Groucho Marx
The Great Harry Potter Re-read: Book 7 - The Deathly Hallows
- 24/11/2010 07:47:44 PM
6150 Views
Suggestions - tell us what we could do better for this final discussion.
- 24/11/2010 07:48:22 PM
2474 Views
The series as a whole: overall thoughts about the Harry Potter universe and all it contains
- 24/11/2010 07:49:21 PM
2507 Views
Overall thoughts for The Deathly Hallows
- 24/11/2010 07:50:12 PM
2546 Views
This might be the only book other than the first where I actually like Harry.
- 30/11/2010 03:13:25 PM
2461 Views
Argh, I keep mixing everything up with the movie!
- 04/12/2010 03:45:24 PM
2682 Views
Re: Argh, I keep mixing everything up with the movie!
- 04/12/2010 10:33:03 PM
2611 Views
Going all the way back to the beginning in a number of ways, all of them so far excellent.
- 07/12/2010 10:19:33 PM
2646 Views
Having finished it again... it's good, at times great, but not the best book in the series, imho.
- 26/12/2010 08:19:47 PM
2700 Views
Chapters 1-3: The Dark Lord Ascending, In Memorian, The Dursleys Departing.
- 24/11/2010 07:51:29 PM
2610 Views
Characters: Voldemort, the Death Eaters, Harry, Dodge, Dumbledore, Skeeter & the Dursleys
- 24/11/2010 07:52:55 PM
2642 Views
Snape, Draco, Lucius, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Harry, Ms Burbage, Dumbledore, and the Dursleys.
- 24/11/2010 11:46:16 PM
2715 Views
Draco, female Death Eaters, Dumbledore.
- 25/11/2010 04:44:36 PM
2804 Views
Re: Draco, female Death Eaters, Dumbledore.
- 25/11/2010 04:53:25 PM
2639 Views
As Katie said, the husband is still around.
- 26/11/2010 10:56:30 AM
2628 Views
Re: Charity Burbage
- 25/11/2010 06:47:43 PM
2648 Views
Re: Charity Burbage
- 25/11/2010 06:48:52 PM
2567 Views
Dudley
- 30/11/2010 03:16:25 PM
2496 Views
Agreed, but she just went overboard too far early on for it to be credible now.
- 06/12/2010 08:44:48 PM
2687 Views
Plotting, writing, early themes.
- 24/11/2010 07:53:33 PM
2559 Views
*spoilers for book 7* 
- 24/11/2010 11:47:19 PM
2661 Views
- 24/11/2010 11:47:19 PM
2661 Views
Re: *spoilers for book 7* <--- 
- 27/11/2010 11:42:47 AM
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<---
- 27/11/2010 11:42:47 AM
2783 Views
Anything else? *NM*
- 24/11/2010 07:53:46 PM
1174 Views
other stuff
- 24/11/2010 11:47:54 PM
2437 Views
I've always thought Rowling went overboard with the Nazi links.
- 25/11/2010 04:26:58 PM
2385 Views
Re: I've always thought Rowling went overboard with the Nazi links.
- 27/11/2010 01:20:44 AM
2493 Views
Chapters 4-6: The Seven Potters, The Fallen Warrior, The Ghoul in Pyjamas *NM*
- 26/11/2010 07:27:53 PM
1296 Views
Characters: Harry, the Order, Hedwig, Mr & Mrs Tonks, Voldemort, etc
- 26/11/2010 07:29:48 PM
2583 Views
Harry, the twins, Mr and Mrs Tonks, Lupin, Mr and Mrs Weasley, Scrimgeour and Hermione
- 27/11/2010 11:56:17 AM
2811 Views
Re: Harry, the twins, Mr and Mrs Tonks, Lupin, Mr and Mrs Weasley, Scrimgeour and Hermione
- 30/11/2010 02:52:12 PM
2771 Views
The Plot. The Writing. The Other Technical Things.
- 26/11/2010 07:30:35 PM
2411 Views
Re: The Plot. The Writing. The Other Technical Things.
- 27/11/2010 11:59:36 AM
2805 Views
Yes, Dumbledore gives a very complex answer about the wand thing
- 01/12/2010 08:44:57 PM
2420 Views
Any other thoughts? *NM*
- 26/11/2010 07:30:49 PM
1297 Views
Chapters 7-9: The Will of Albus Dumbledore, The Wedding, A Place to Hide
- 29/11/2010 06:39:52 PM
2423 Views
The characters: usual suspects, Scrimgeour, Doge, Krum, Luna, Xenophilius, etc.
- 29/11/2010 06:41:41 PM
2534 Views
I just realized something about Krum.
- 06/12/2010 09:00:28 PM
2445 Views
The action.
- 29/11/2010 06:42:10 PM
2355 Views
Hermione and obliviate.
- 30/11/2010 02:23:51 PM
2450 Views
Re: Hermione and obliviate.
- 30/11/2010 03:24:06 PM
2506 Views
I think this was a Rowling mistake. It happens
- 01/12/2010 08:32:25 PM
2531 Views
Agreed, though a rather blatant one that someone should have caught... *NM*
- 06/12/2010 08:18:58 PM
1253 Views
Kreacher quoting Regulus raises an interesting point...
- 06/12/2010 08:33:02 PM
2658 Views
Er, I posted this in the wrong place. That's what I get when I try to catch up. Sorry. *NM*
- 06/12/2010 08:34:06 PM
1294 Views
Sorry. *NM*
- 06/12/2010 08:34:06 PM
1294 Views
Please, sir, may I have some more? *NM*
- 29/11/2010 06:44:14 PM
1227 Views
I love the use of Patronuses (Patroni?) as messengers.
- 30/11/2010 02:59:04 PM
2515 Views
Chapters 10-12: Kreacher's Tale, The Bribe, Magic is Might
- 01/12/2010 11:41:40 PM
2410 Views
Characters: more of the trio, Kreacher, Mundungus, RAB and Umbridge
- 01/12/2010 11:42:34 PM
2403 Views
Hermione and Ron, Sirius, Regulus, Kreacher, Lupin, Harry, Scrimgeour
- 02/12/2010 09:11:21 AM
2690 Views
Re: Hermione and Ron, Sirius, Regulus, Kreacher, Lupin, Harry, Scrimgeour
- 04/12/2010 10:55:34 PM
2732 Views
Seconded. Righteous anger is more fun than whiny angst-anger. *NM*
- 06/12/2010 09:41:16 PM
1239 Views
I'm not sure why we're supposed to be surprised about Scrimgeour.
- 06/12/2010 09:46:27 PM
2733 Views
Two things about Mafalda Hopkirk.
- 06/12/2010 09:54:53 PM
2509 Views
Weaving the plot, the writing, and thematic matters.
- 01/12/2010 11:43:25 PM
2516 Views
The fidelius charm discussion, the invisibility cloak, the taboo, transfiguring food, and fear.
- 02/12/2010 09:14:21 AM
2540 Views
Re: The fidelius charm discussion, the invisibility cloak, the taboo, transfiguring food, and fear.
- 02/12/2010 02:12:29 PM
2609 Views
Re: The fidelius charm discussion, the invisibility cloak, the taboo, transfiguring food, and fear.
- 02/12/2010 02:35:06 PM
2339 Views
Re: The fidelius charm discussion, the invisibility cloak, the taboo, transfiguring food, and fear.
- 02/12/2010 04:16:14 PM
2611 Views
And? And? And? *NM*
- 01/12/2010 11:43:46 PM
1290 Views
Did we have a discussion for a previous book about how many wizarding schools there are?
- 04/12/2010 10:21:42 PM
2623 Views
Re: Did we have a discussion for a previous book about how many wizarding schools there are?
- 04/12/2010 10:32:17 PM
2506 Views
Chapters 13-15: The Muggle-Born Registration Commission, The Thief, The Goblin's Revenge *NM*
- 04/12/2010 11:01:25 AM
1416 Views
Characters: Ministry members, the trio, Ted, Dean, Dirk, Goblins, Phineas Nigellus
- 04/12/2010 11:07:57 AM
2490 Views
Umbridge, Mr Weasley, Percy, Phineas Nigellus, Ron and the second trio
- 04/12/2010 09:59:45 PM
2714 Views
Re: Umbridge, Mr Weasley, Percy, Phineas Nigellus, Ron and the second trio
- 06/12/2010 10:41:08 PM
2647 Views
Re: Umbridge, Mr Weasley, Percy, Phineas Nigellus, Ron and the second trio
- 06/12/2010 10:45:17 PM
2549 Views
Plotting, writing, theming.
- 04/12/2010 11:08:47 AM
2660 Views
Apparating and the fidelius charm, some good plotting and the food problem.
- 04/12/2010 10:01:16 PM
2716 Views
Anything else? *NM*
- 04/12/2010 11:10:52 AM
1307 Views
It may be a stretch, but with all the Nazi references, any WW2 reference is gonna catch my eye.
- 06/12/2010 10:09:04 PM
2496 Views
Re: It may be a stretch, but with all the Nazi references, any WW2 reference is gonna catch my eye.
- 06/12/2010 10:17:42 PM
2475 Views
Chapters 16-18: Godric's Hollow, Bathilda's Secret, The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore
- 06/12/2010 09:57:00 PM
2512 Views
Characters: Harry, Hermione, Bathilda, Dumbledore and others
- 06/12/2010 09:57:52 PM
2655 Views
Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
- 06/12/2010 10:02:13 PM
2632 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
- 06/12/2010 10:14:26 PM
2702 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
- 06/12/2010 10:18:15 PM
2829 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
- 06/12/2010 10:34:15 PM
2495 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
- 06/12/2010 10:36:18 PM
2535 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
- 06/12/2010 10:39:58 PM
2746 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
- 06/12/2010 10:42:27 PM
2448 Views
I was interpreting it as sheer sexism, but you might be right.
- 07/12/2010 08:47:11 PM
2494 Views
Re: I was interpreting it as sheer sexism, but you might be right.
- 07/12/2010 08:55:54 PM
2466 Views
Lights! Camera! Action!
- 06/12/2010 09:59:52 PM
2472 Views
But wait! There's more!
- 06/12/2010 10:00:34 PM
2480 Views
Chapters 19-21: The Silver Doe, Xenophilius Lovegood, The Tale of the Three Brothers
- 08/12/2010 08:47:04 PM
2521 Views
Characters: Harry, Hermione, Ron, Lovegood ... and not many more. *NM*
- 08/12/2010 08:49:28 PM
1333 Views
Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 09/12/2010 12:01:57 AM
2631 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 09/12/2010 03:04:11 PM
2694 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 09/12/2010 08:03:05 PM
2558 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 09/12/2010 11:48:08 PM
2736 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 10/12/2010 08:44:01 PM
2577 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 10/12/2010 09:00:44 PM
2523 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 10/12/2010 09:16:48 PM
2527 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 10/12/2010 09:19:38 PM
2506 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 19/12/2010 06:58:04 PM
2474 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 20/12/2010 09:36:17 AM
2552 Views
What was that again about Hermione not being so good at thinking on her feet?
- 09/12/2010 07:52:23 PM
2504 Views
Action, plot, writing, theme: the Deathly Hallows explained at last.
- 08/12/2010 08:50:53 PM
2612 Views
Re: Action, plot, writing, theme: the Deathly Hallows explained at last.
- 09/12/2010 12:04:37 AM
2538 Views
Re: Action, plot, writing, theme: the Deathly Hallows explained at last.
- 09/12/2010 03:25:53 PM
2574 Views
I don't think it works that way. They aren't "used up".
- 09/12/2010 06:52:29 PM
2432 Views
up up down down left right left right b a select start. look at me I have 99 horcruxes!
- 10/12/2010 04:19:56 AM
2218 Views
- 10/12/2010 04:19:56 AM
2218 Views
They're not so annoying yet, now.
- 09/12/2010 06:56:46 PM
2398 Views
Re: They're not so annoying yet, now.
- 09/12/2010 11:52:02 PM
2578 Views
Plus, it totally cheapens ability and skill if you have some "magic (magic) wand".
- 10/12/2010 08:56:28 PM
2556 Views
- 10/12/2010 08:56:28 PM
2556 Views
Re: Plus, it totally cheapens ability and skill if you have some "magic (magic) wand".
- 10/12/2010 08:59:41 PM
2661 Views
- 10/12/2010 08:59:41 PM
2661 Views
Chapters 22-24: The Deathly Hallows, Malfoy Manor, The Wandmaker.
- 10/12/2010 09:11:32 PM
2388 Views
Characters: The Trio, the Malfoys, Dobby, a number of others. *NM*
- 10/12/2010 09:12:30 PM
1306 Views
Hermione, Harry, Lupin, Greyback, Draco, Lucius, Bellatrix, Dobby, Dumbledore
- 10/12/2010 11:23:09 PM
2749 Views
Re: Hermione, Harry, Lupin, Greyback, Draco, Lucius, Bellatrix, Dobby, Dumbledore
- 13/12/2010 08:47:27 PM
2558 Views
Re: Hermione, Harry, Lupin, Greyback, Draco, Lucius, Bellatrix, Dobby, Dumbledore
- 13/12/2010 09:26:58 PM
2736 Views
On a side note about wands
- 14/12/2010 06:05:13 PM
2535 Views
Yes, I've caught myself immaturely sniggering on occasion, too.
- 14/12/2010 08:59:26 PM
2570 Views
- 14/12/2010 08:59:26 PM
2570 Views
Re: Yes, I've caught myself immaturely sniggering on occasion, too.
- 14/12/2010 09:04:43 PM
2616 Views
- 14/12/2010 09:04:43 PM
2616 Views
Plot, writing, themes. *NM*
- 10/12/2010 09:13:37 PM
1281 Views
An epiphany, Gollum, wands, the fidelius charm, grief, love and a strange blurring
- 10/12/2010 11:24:05 PM
2407 Views
Re: An epiphany, Gollum, wands, the fidelius charm, grief, love and a strange blurring
- 20/12/2010 01:00:38 PM
2606 Views
Re: An epiphany, Gollum, wands, the fidelius charm, grief, love and a strange blurring
- 20/12/2010 07:32:48 PM
2607 Views
Chapters 25-27: Shell Cottage, Gringotts, The Final Hiding Place
- 13/12/2010 10:03:15 PM
2435 Views
Characters *NM*
- 13/12/2010 10:03:29 PM
1261 Views
Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
- 14/12/2010 05:16:51 PM
2601 Views
Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
- 14/12/2010 10:04:09 PM
2570 Views
Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
- 14/12/2010 10:19:04 PM
2651 Views
Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
- 14/12/2010 10:37:00 PM
2502 Views
Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
- 14/12/2010 10:45:36 PM
2646 Views
Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
- 20/12/2010 03:33:49 PM
2673 Views
Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
- 20/12/2010 07:35:51 PM
2812 Views
Plot, action, etc. *NM*
- 13/12/2010 10:04:02 PM
1242 Views
red herring, fidelius charm information and full circle.
- 14/12/2010 05:17:11 PM
2409 Views
Other things. *NM*
- 13/12/2010 10:04:23 PM
1168 Views
Film stuff
- 14/12/2010 05:17:18 PM
2453 Views
Excellent point.
- 14/12/2010 10:05:01 PM
2433 Views
Re: Excellent point.
- 14/12/2010 10:09:53 PM
2465 Views
Sometimes Rowling's parallels are far too simplistic and unsophisticated.
- 20/12/2010 03:39:50 PM
2452 Views
Chapters 28-30: The Missing Mirror, The Lost Diadem, The Sacking of Severus Snape *NM*
- 16/12/2010 01:07:20 PM
1295 Views
Characters *NM*
- 16/12/2010 01:07:31 PM
1222 Views
Aberforth and Dumbledore, Neville, Ginny, Luna, McGonagall, Harry, Percy, Fleur and the twins
- 16/12/2010 11:52:46 PM
2743 Views
Re: Aberforth and Dumbledore, Neville, Ginny, Luna, McGonagall, Harry, Percy, Fleur and the twins
- 20/12/2010 05:16:13 PM
2532 Views
Re: Aberforth and Dumbledore, Neville, Ginny, Luna, McGonagall, Harry, Percy, Fleur and the twins
- 20/12/2010 11:02:45 PM
2547 Views
Re: Aberforth and Dumbledore, Neville, Ginny, Luna, McGonagall, Harry, Percy, Fleur and the twins
- 26/12/2010 08:43:03 PM
2563 Views
Writing, action, plot, theme, yadda yadda yadda. *NM*
- 16/12/2010 01:08:04 PM
1270 Views
red herrings, solutions, evil Hogwarts and the forces of good
- 16/12/2010 11:53:56 PM
2534 Views
Re: red herrings, solutions, evil Hogwarts and the forces of good
- 20/12/2010 05:38:46 PM
2504 Views
Re: red herrings, solutions, evil Hogwarts and the forces of good
- 20/12/2010 11:06:01 PM
2744 Views
Other things. *NM*
- 16/12/2010 01:08:25 PM
1281 Views
Chapters 31-33: The Battle for Hogwarts, The Elder Wand, The Prince's Tale
- 19/12/2010 07:56:39 PM
2496 Views
Characters: far too many to mention.
- 19/12/2010 07:58:41 PM
2390 Views
Too many to mention, indeed.
- 20/12/2010 09:30:54 AM
2757 Views
The action, and plot advancement and completion.
- 19/12/2010 08:00:09 PM
2538 Views
memories, cinematic moments and parallels.
- 20/12/2010 09:32:27 AM
2327 Views
Chapters 34-36: The Forest Again, King's Cross, The Flaw in the Plan
- 20/12/2010 07:31:27 PM
2401 Views
Characters: Voldemort, Harry, Dumbledore, Ron, Hermione, et al.
- 20/12/2010 07:32:15 PM
2453 Views
Harry, Dumbledore, Neville, the Malfoys, Molly and Voldemort
- 20/12/2010 11:28:19 PM
2569 Views
Tying up the plot.
- 20/12/2010 07:33:00 PM
2414 Views
Narnia, blood, revenge of the downtrodden, sacrifice, plans and souls
- 20/12/2010 11:29:44 PM
2540 Views
Epilogue: the future.
- 20/12/2010 07:35:06 PM
2500 Views