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
6292 Views
Suggestions - tell us what we could do better for this final discussion.
- 24/11/2010 07:48:22 PM
2568 Views
The series as a whole: overall thoughts about the Harry Potter universe and all it contains
- 24/11/2010 07:49:21 PM
2595 Views
Overall thoughts for The Deathly Hallows
- 24/11/2010 07:50:12 PM
2641 Views
This might be the only book other than the first where I actually like Harry.
- 30/11/2010 03:13:25 PM
2549 Views
Argh, I keep mixing everything up with the movie!
- 04/12/2010 03:45:24 PM
2771 Views
Re: Argh, I keep mixing everything up with the movie!
- 04/12/2010 10:33:03 PM
2705 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
2758 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
2790 Views
Chapters 1-3: The Dark Lord Ascending, In Memorian, The Dursleys Departing.
- 24/11/2010 07:51:29 PM
2706 Views
Characters: Voldemort, the Death Eaters, Harry, Dodge, Dumbledore, Skeeter & the Dursleys
- 24/11/2010 07:52:55 PM
2738 Views
Snape, Draco, Lucius, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Harry, Ms Burbage, Dumbledore, and the Dursleys.
- 24/11/2010 11:46:16 PM
2811 Views
Draco, female Death Eaters, Dumbledore.
- 25/11/2010 04:44:36 PM
2893 Views
Re: Draco, female Death Eaters, Dumbledore.
- 25/11/2010 04:53:25 PM
2738 Views
As Katie said, the husband is still around.
- 26/11/2010 10:56:30 AM
2733 Views
Re: Charity Burbage
- 25/11/2010 06:47:43 PM
2742 Views
Re: Charity Burbage
- 25/11/2010 06:48:52 PM
2667 Views
Dudley
- 30/11/2010 03:16:25 PM
2576 Views
Agreed, but she just went overboard too far early on for it to be credible now.
- 06/12/2010 08:44:48 PM
2778 Views
Plotting, writing, early themes.
- 24/11/2010 07:53:33 PM
2657 Views
*spoilers for book 7* 
- 24/11/2010 11:47:19 PM
2755 Views
- 24/11/2010 11:47:19 PM
2755 Views
Re: *spoilers for book 7* <--- 
- 27/11/2010 11:42:47 AM
2879 Views
<---
- 27/11/2010 11:42:47 AM
2879 Views
Anything else? *NM*
- 24/11/2010 07:53:46 PM
1230 Views
other stuff
- 24/11/2010 11:47:54 PM
2540 Views
I've always thought Rowling went overboard with the Nazi links.
- 25/11/2010 04:26:58 PM
2479 Views
Re: I've always thought Rowling went overboard with the Nazi links.
- 27/11/2010 01:20:44 AM
2582 Views
Chapters 4-6: The Seven Potters, The Fallen Warrior, The Ghoul in Pyjamas *NM*
- 26/11/2010 07:27:53 PM
1354 Views
Characters: Harry, the Order, Hedwig, Mr & Mrs Tonks, Voldemort, etc
- 26/11/2010 07:29:48 PM
2681 Views
Harry, the twins, Mr and Mrs Tonks, Lupin, Mr and Mrs Weasley, Scrimgeour and Hermione
- 27/11/2010 11:56:17 AM
2929 Views
Re: Harry, the twins, Mr and Mrs Tonks, Lupin, Mr and Mrs Weasley, Scrimgeour and Hermione
- 30/11/2010 02:52:12 PM
2861 Views
The Plot. The Writing. The Other Technical Things.
- 26/11/2010 07:30:35 PM
2497 Views
Re: The Plot. The Writing. The Other Technical Things.
- 27/11/2010 11:59:36 AM
2898 Views
Yes, Dumbledore gives a very complex answer about the wand thing
- 01/12/2010 08:44:57 PM
2526 Views
Any other thoughts? *NM*
- 26/11/2010 07:30:49 PM
1361 Views
Chapters 7-9: The Will of Albus Dumbledore, The Wedding, A Place to Hide
- 29/11/2010 06:39:52 PM
2509 Views
The characters: usual suspects, Scrimgeour, Doge, Krum, Luna, Xenophilius, etc.
- 29/11/2010 06:41:41 PM
2633 Views
I just realized something about Krum.
- 06/12/2010 09:00:28 PM
2541 Views
The action.
- 29/11/2010 06:42:10 PM
2479 Views
Hermione and obliviate.
- 30/11/2010 02:23:51 PM
2537 Views
Re: Hermione and obliviate.
- 30/11/2010 03:24:06 PM
2615 Views
I think this was a Rowling mistake. It happens
- 01/12/2010 08:32:25 PM
2628 Views
Agreed, though a rather blatant one that someone should have caught... *NM*
- 06/12/2010 08:18:58 PM
1307 Views
Kreacher quoting Regulus raises an interesting point...
- 06/12/2010 08:33:02 PM
2760 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
1352 Views
Sorry. *NM*
- 06/12/2010 08:34:06 PM
1352 Views
Please, sir, may I have some more? *NM*
- 29/11/2010 06:44:14 PM
1278 Views
I love the use of Patronuses (Patroni?) as messengers.
- 30/11/2010 02:59:04 PM
2607 Views
Chapters 10-12: Kreacher's Tale, The Bribe, Magic is Might
- 01/12/2010 11:41:40 PM
2508 Views
Characters: more of the trio, Kreacher, Mundungus, RAB and Umbridge
- 01/12/2010 11:42:34 PM
2500 Views
Hermione and Ron, Sirius, Regulus, Kreacher, Lupin, Harry, Scrimgeour
- 02/12/2010 09:11:21 AM
2790 Views
Re: Hermione and Ron, Sirius, Regulus, Kreacher, Lupin, Harry, Scrimgeour
- 04/12/2010 10:55:34 PM
2831 Views
Seconded. Righteous anger is more fun than whiny angst-anger. *NM*
- 06/12/2010 09:41:16 PM
1295 Views
I'm not sure why we're supposed to be surprised about Scrimgeour.
- 06/12/2010 09:46:27 PM
2823 Views
Two things about Mafalda Hopkirk.
- 06/12/2010 09:54:53 PM
2607 Views
Weaving the plot, the writing, and thematic matters.
- 01/12/2010 11:43:25 PM
2612 Views
The fidelius charm discussion, the invisibility cloak, the taboo, transfiguring food, and fear.
- 02/12/2010 09:14:21 AM
2633 Views
Re: The fidelius charm discussion, the invisibility cloak, the taboo, transfiguring food, and fear.
- 02/12/2010 02:12:29 PM
2701 Views
Re: The fidelius charm discussion, the invisibility cloak, the taboo, transfiguring food, and fear.
- 02/12/2010 02:35:06 PM
2444 Views
Re: The fidelius charm discussion, the invisibility cloak, the taboo, transfiguring food, and fear.
- 02/12/2010 04:16:14 PM
2707 Views
And? And? And? *NM*
- 01/12/2010 11:43:46 PM
1344 Views
Did we have a discussion for a previous book about how many wizarding schools there are?
- 04/12/2010 10:21:42 PM
2712 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
2593 Views
Chapters 13-15: The Muggle-Born Registration Commission, The Thief, The Goblin's Revenge *NM*
- 04/12/2010 11:01:25 AM
1467 Views
Characters: Ministry members, the trio, Ted, Dean, Dirk, Goblins, Phineas Nigellus
- 04/12/2010 11:07:57 AM
2586 Views
Umbridge, Mr Weasley, Percy, Phineas Nigellus, Ron and the second trio
- 04/12/2010 09:59:45 PM
2809 Views
Re: Umbridge, Mr Weasley, Percy, Phineas Nigellus, Ron and the second trio
- 06/12/2010 10:41:08 PM
2735 Views
Re: Umbridge, Mr Weasley, Percy, Phineas Nigellus, Ron and the second trio
- 06/12/2010 10:45:17 PM
2637 Views
Plotting, writing, theming.
- 04/12/2010 11:08:47 AM
2763 Views
Apparating and the fidelius charm, some good plotting and the food problem.
- 04/12/2010 10:01:16 PM
2813 Views
Anything else? *NM*
- 04/12/2010 11:10:52 AM
1364 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
2589 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
2563 Views
Chapters 16-18: Godric's Hollow, Bathilda's Secret, The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore
- 06/12/2010 09:57:00 PM
2595 Views
Characters: Harry, Hermione, Bathilda, Dumbledore and others
- 06/12/2010 09:57:52 PM
2752 Views
Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
- 06/12/2010 10:02:13 PM
2721 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
- 06/12/2010 10:14:26 PM
2790 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
- 06/12/2010 10:18:15 PM
2924 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
- 06/12/2010 10:34:15 PM
2590 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
- 06/12/2010 10:36:18 PM
2622 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
- 06/12/2010 10:39:58 PM
2831 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
- 06/12/2010 10:42:27 PM
2541 Views
I was interpreting it as sheer sexism, but you might be right.
- 07/12/2010 08:47:11 PM
2592 Views
Re: I was interpreting it as sheer sexism, but you might be right.
- 07/12/2010 08:55:54 PM
2552 Views
Lights! Camera! Action!
- 06/12/2010 09:59:52 PM
2569 Views
But wait! There's more!
- 06/12/2010 10:00:34 PM
2572 Views
Chapters 19-21: The Silver Doe, Xenophilius Lovegood, The Tale of the Three Brothers
- 08/12/2010 08:47:04 PM
2609 Views
Characters: Harry, Hermione, Ron, Lovegood ... and not many more. *NM*
- 08/12/2010 08:49:28 PM
1393 Views
Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 09/12/2010 12:01:57 AM
2735 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 09/12/2010 03:04:11 PM
2780 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 09/12/2010 08:03:05 PM
2667 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 09/12/2010 11:48:08 PM
2840 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 10/12/2010 08:44:01 PM
2683 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 10/12/2010 09:00:44 PM
2622 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 10/12/2010 09:16:48 PM
2622 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 10/12/2010 09:19:38 PM
2596 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 19/12/2010 06:58:04 PM
2573 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 20/12/2010 09:36:17 AM
2645 Views
What was that again about Hermione not being so good at thinking on her feet?
- 09/12/2010 07:52:23 PM
2599 Views
Action, plot, writing, theme: the Deathly Hallows explained at last.
- 08/12/2010 08:50:53 PM
2717 Views
Re: Action, plot, writing, theme: the Deathly Hallows explained at last.
- 09/12/2010 12:04:37 AM
2645 Views
Re: Action, plot, writing, theme: the Deathly Hallows explained at last.
- 09/12/2010 03:25:53 PM
2704 Views
I don't think it works that way. They aren't "used up".
- 09/12/2010 06:52:29 PM
2537 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
2320 Views
- 10/12/2010 04:19:56 AM
2320 Views
They're not so annoying yet, now.
- 09/12/2010 06:56:46 PM
2491 Views
Re: They're not so annoying yet, now.
- 09/12/2010 11:52:02 PM
2666 Views
Plus, it totally cheapens ability and skill if you have some "magic (magic) wand".
- 10/12/2010 08:56:28 PM
2653 Views
- 10/12/2010 08:56:28 PM
2653 Views
Re: Plus, it totally cheapens ability and skill if you have some "magic (magic) wand".
- 10/12/2010 08:59:41 PM
2767 Views
- 10/12/2010 08:59:41 PM
2767 Views
Chapters 22-24: The Deathly Hallows, Malfoy Manor, The Wandmaker.
- 10/12/2010 09:11:32 PM
2483 Views
Characters: The Trio, the Malfoys, Dobby, a number of others. *NM*
- 10/12/2010 09:12:30 PM
1369 Views
Hermione, Harry, Lupin, Greyback, Draco, Lucius, Bellatrix, Dobby, Dumbledore
- 10/12/2010 11:23:09 PM
2849 Views
Re: Hermione, Harry, Lupin, Greyback, Draco, Lucius, Bellatrix, Dobby, Dumbledore
- 13/12/2010 08:47:27 PM
2650 Views
Re: Hermione, Harry, Lupin, Greyback, Draco, Lucius, Bellatrix, Dobby, Dumbledore
- 13/12/2010 09:26:58 PM
2853 Views
On a side note about wands
- 14/12/2010 06:05:13 PM
2635 Views
Yes, I've caught myself immaturely sniggering on occasion, too.
- 14/12/2010 08:59:26 PM
2662 Views
- 14/12/2010 08:59:26 PM
2662 Views
Re: Yes, I've caught myself immaturely sniggering on occasion, too.
- 14/12/2010 09:04:43 PM
2714 Views
- 14/12/2010 09:04:43 PM
2714 Views
Plot, writing, themes. *NM*
- 10/12/2010 09:13:37 PM
1342 Views
An epiphany, Gollum, wands, the fidelius charm, grief, love and a strange blurring
- 10/12/2010 11:24:05 PM
2502 Views
Re: An epiphany, Gollum, wands, the fidelius charm, grief, love and a strange blurring
- 20/12/2010 01:00:38 PM
2699 Views
Re: An epiphany, Gollum, wands, the fidelius charm, grief, love and a strange blurring
- 20/12/2010 07:32:48 PM
2699 Views
Chapters 25-27: Shell Cottage, Gringotts, The Final Hiding Place
- 13/12/2010 10:03:15 PM
2534 Views
Characters *NM*
- 13/12/2010 10:03:29 PM
1316 Views
Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
- 14/12/2010 05:16:51 PM
2701 Views
Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
- 14/12/2010 10:04:09 PM
2670 Views
Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
- 14/12/2010 10:19:04 PM
2760 Views
Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
- 14/12/2010 10:37:00 PM
2602 Views
Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
- 14/12/2010 10:45:36 PM
2741 Views
Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
- 20/12/2010 03:33:49 PM
2762 Views
Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
- 20/12/2010 07:35:51 PM
2916 Views
Plot, action, etc. *NM*
- 13/12/2010 10:04:02 PM
1297 Views
red herring, fidelius charm information and full circle.
- 14/12/2010 05:17:11 PM
2502 Views
Other things. *NM*
- 13/12/2010 10:04:23 PM
1228 Views
Film stuff
- 14/12/2010 05:17:18 PM
2557 Views
Excellent point.
- 14/12/2010 10:05:01 PM
2528 Views
Re: Excellent point.
- 14/12/2010 10:09:53 PM
2565 Views
Sometimes Rowling's parallels are far too simplistic and unsophisticated.
- 20/12/2010 03:39:50 PM
2568 Views
Chapters 28-30: The Missing Mirror, The Lost Diadem, The Sacking of Severus Snape *NM*
- 16/12/2010 01:07:20 PM
1350 Views
Characters *NM*
- 16/12/2010 01:07:31 PM
1277 Views
Aberforth and Dumbledore, Neville, Ginny, Luna, McGonagall, Harry, Percy, Fleur and the twins
- 16/12/2010 11:52:46 PM
2827 Views
Re: Aberforth and Dumbledore, Neville, Ginny, Luna, McGonagall, Harry, Percy, Fleur and the twins
- 20/12/2010 05:16:13 PM
2637 Views
Re: Aberforth and Dumbledore, Neville, Ginny, Luna, McGonagall, Harry, Percy, Fleur and the twins
- 20/12/2010 11:02:45 PM
2655 Views
Re: Aberforth and Dumbledore, Neville, Ginny, Luna, McGonagall, Harry, Percy, Fleur and the twins
- 26/12/2010 08:43:03 PM
2671 Views
Writing, action, plot, theme, yadda yadda yadda. *NM*
- 16/12/2010 01:08:04 PM
1322 Views
red herrings, solutions, evil Hogwarts and the forces of good
- 16/12/2010 11:53:56 PM
2628 Views
Re: red herrings, solutions, evil Hogwarts and the forces of good
- 20/12/2010 05:38:46 PM
2603 Views
Re: red herrings, solutions, evil Hogwarts and the forces of good
- 20/12/2010 11:06:01 PM
2840 Views
Other things. *NM*
- 16/12/2010 01:08:25 PM
1337 Views
Chapters 31-33: The Battle for Hogwarts, The Elder Wand, The Prince's Tale
- 19/12/2010 07:56:39 PM
2591 Views
Characters: far too many to mention.
- 19/12/2010 07:58:41 PM
2493 Views
Too many to mention, indeed.
- 20/12/2010 09:30:54 AM
2872 Views
The action, and plot advancement and completion.
- 19/12/2010 08:00:09 PM
2635 Views
memories, cinematic moments and parallels.
- 20/12/2010 09:32:27 AM
2421 Views
Chapters 34-36: The Forest Again, King's Cross, The Flaw in the Plan
- 20/12/2010 07:31:27 PM
2497 Views
Characters: Voldemort, Harry, Dumbledore, Ron, Hermione, et al.
- 20/12/2010 07:32:15 PM
2554 Views
Harry, Dumbledore, Neville, the Malfoys, Molly and Voldemort
- 20/12/2010 11:28:19 PM
2665 Views
Tying up the plot.
- 20/12/2010 07:33:00 PM
2507 Views
Narnia, blood, revenge of the downtrodden, sacrifice, plans and souls
- 20/12/2010 11:29:44 PM
2637 Views
Epilogue: the future.
- 20/12/2010 07:35:06 PM
2584 Views