Re: The Plot. The Writing. The Other Technical Things.
Camilla Send a noteboard - 27/11/2010 11:59:36 AM
Why have they arranged portkeys for everyone else? Harry needs it, but everyone else can apparate. It seems a little silly. Yes, I can see the value as a device to heighten the suspense and suggest that something horrible has happened to them because they did not arrive on time, but it does not work within the plot. Much like including Mundungus in the plan to save Harry -- there must be better candidates available. Rowling's writing improves, but sometimes she gets carried away by devices which she does not bother to back up.
Lupin assumes the person who betrayed them did not know there would be seven Harrys (Harries?), but Snape must have known (if I recall correctly, he was the one to suggest it to Mundungus). Just sayin'. The same goes for cursing George's ear. It sounds bad, but it really isn't.
I like very much that Dumbledore told Lupin and Kingsley to trust Harry. And that Harry gets to know that he told them. It makes me warm and fuzzy inside.
We've discussed how the war is real before, but the sequence of deaths and near-deaths in the move from Privet Drive is what really makes it clear to me that at this point Rowling has no incentive to keep anyone alive anymore.
The wand problem shows up. Both in that Harry's wand acts of its own accord, and through the vision revealing that this is despite the fact that Voldemort has taken the precaution of using Lucius' wand. Do we ever get a satisfactory explanation of this? Is it down to the horcrux in Harry?
We also learn of Mad-Eye's precautions against Snape at Grimmaud Place.
And we learn of the use of remorse to heal a splintered soul, as something excruciatingly painful -- which we'll see towards the end of the book in Snape's memories.
Lupin assumes the person who betrayed them did not know there would be seven Harrys (Harries?), but Snape must have known (if I recall correctly, he was the one to suggest it to Mundungus). Just sayin'. The same goes for cursing George's ear. It sounds bad, but it really isn't.
I like very much that Dumbledore told Lupin and Kingsley to trust Harry. And that Harry gets to know that he told them. It makes me warm and fuzzy inside.
We've discussed how the war is real before, but the sequence of deaths and near-deaths in the move from Privet Drive is what really makes it clear to me that at this point Rowling has no incentive to keep anyone alive anymore.
The wand problem shows up. Both in that Harry's wand acts of its own accord, and through the vision revealing that this is despite the fact that Voldemort has taken the precaution of using Lucius' wand. Do we ever get a satisfactory explanation of this? Is it down to the horcrux in Harry?
We also learn of Mad-Eye's precautions against Snape at Grimmaud Place.
And we learn of the use of remorse to heal a splintered soul, as something excruciatingly painful -- which we'll see towards the end of the book in Snape's memories.
*MySmiley*
structured procrastinator
structured procrastinator
The Great Harry Potter Re-read: Book 7 - The Deathly Hallows
- 24/11/2010 07:47:44 PM
6341 Views
Suggestions - tell us what we could do better for this final discussion.
- 24/11/2010 07:48:22 PM
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The series as a whole: overall thoughts about the Harry Potter universe and all it contains
- 24/11/2010 07:49:21 PM
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Overall thoughts for The Deathly Hallows
- 24/11/2010 07:50:12 PM
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This might be the only book other than the first where I actually like Harry.
- 30/11/2010 03:13:25 PM
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Argh, I keep mixing everything up with the movie!
- 04/12/2010 03:45:24 PM
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Re: Argh, I keep mixing everything up with the movie!
- 04/12/2010 10:33:03 PM
2741 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
2800 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
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Chapters 1-3: The Dark Lord Ascending, In Memorian, The Dursleys Departing.
- 24/11/2010 07:51:29 PM
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Characters: Voldemort, the Death Eaters, Harry, Dodge, Dumbledore, Skeeter & the Dursleys
- 24/11/2010 07:52:55 PM
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Snape, Draco, Lucius, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Harry, Ms Burbage, Dumbledore, and the Dursleys.
- 24/11/2010 11:46:16 PM
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Draco, female Death Eaters, Dumbledore.
- 25/11/2010 04:44:36 PM
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Re: Draco, female Death Eaters, Dumbledore.
- 25/11/2010 04:53:25 PM
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As Katie said, the husband is still around.
- 26/11/2010 10:56:30 AM
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Re: Charity Burbage
- 25/11/2010 06:47:43 PM
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Re: Charity Burbage
- 25/11/2010 06:48:52 PM
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Dudley
- 30/11/2010 03:16:25 PM
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Agreed, but she just went overboard too far early on for it to be credible now.
- 06/12/2010 08:44:48 PM
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Plotting, writing, early themes.
- 24/11/2010 07:53:33 PM
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Anything else? *NM*
- 24/11/2010 07:53:46 PM
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other stuff
- 24/11/2010 11:47:54 PM
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I've always thought Rowling went overboard with the Nazi links.
- 25/11/2010 04:26:58 PM
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Re: I've always thought Rowling went overboard with the Nazi links.
- 27/11/2010 01:20:44 AM
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Chapters 4-6: The Seven Potters, The Fallen Warrior, The Ghoul in Pyjamas *NM*
- 26/11/2010 07:27:53 PM
1373 Views
Characters: Harry, the Order, Hedwig, Mr & Mrs Tonks, Voldemort, etc
- 26/11/2010 07:29:48 PM
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Harry, the twins, Mr and Mrs Tonks, Lupin, Mr and Mrs Weasley, Scrimgeour and Hermione
- 27/11/2010 11:56:17 AM
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Re: Harry, the twins, Mr and Mrs Tonks, Lupin, Mr and Mrs Weasley, Scrimgeour and Hermione
- 30/11/2010 02:52:12 PM
2900 Views
The Plot. The Writing. The Other Technical Things.
- 26/11/2010 07:30:35 PM
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Re: The Plot. The Writing. The Other Technical Things.
- 27/11/2010 11:59:36 AM
2938 Views
Yes, Dumbledore gives a very complex answer about the wand thing
- 01/12/2010 08:44:57 PM
2559 Views
Any other thoughts? *NM*
- 26/11/2010 07:30:49 PM
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Chapters 7-9: The Will of Albus Dumbledore, The Wedding, A Place to Hide
- 29/11/2010 06:39:52 PM
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The characters: usual suspects, Scrimgeour, Doge, Krum, Luna, Xenophilius, etc.
- 29/11/2010 06:41:41 PM
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I just realized something about Krum.
- 06/12/2010 09:00:28 PM
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The action.
- 29/11/2010 06:42:10 PM
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Hermione and obliviate.
- 30/11/2010 02:23:51 PM
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Re: Hermione and obliviate.
- 30/11/2010 03:24:06 PM
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I think this was a Rowling mistake. It happens
- 01/12/2010 08:32:25 PM
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Agreed, though a rather blatant one that someone should have caught... *NM*
- 06/12/2010 08:18:58 PM
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Kreacher quoting Regulus raises an interesting point...
- 06/12/2010 08:33:02 PM
2797 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
1376 Views
Sorry. *NM*
- 06/12/2010 08:34:06 PM
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Please, sir, may I have some more? *NM*
- 29/11/2010 06:44:14 PM
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I love the use of Patronuses (Patroni?) as messengers.
- 30/11/2010 02:59:04 PM
2653 Views
Chapters 10-12: Kreacher's Tale, The Bribe, Magic is Might
- 01/12/2010 11:41:40 PM
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Characters: more of the trio, Kreacher, Mundungus, RAB and Umbridge
- 01/12/2010 11:42:34 PM
2543 Views
Hermione and Ron, Sirius, Regulus, Kreacher, Lupin, Harry, Scrimgeour
- 02/12/2010 09:11:21 AM
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Re: Hermione and Ron, Sirius, Regulus, Kreacher, Lupin, Harry, Scrimgeour
- 04/12/2010 10:55:34 PM
2867 Views
Seconded. Righteous anger is more fun than whiny angst-anger. *NM*
- 06/12/2010 09:41:16 PM
1324 Views
I'm not sure why we're supposed to be surprised about Scrimgeour.
- 06/12/2010 09:46:27 PM
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Two things about Mafalda Hopkirk.
- 06/12/2010 09:54:53 PM
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Weaving the plot, the writing, and thematic matters.
- 01/12/2010 11:43:25 PM
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The fidelius charm discussion, the invisibility cloak, the taboo, transfiguring food, and fear.
- 02/12/2010 09:14:21 AM
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Re: The fidelius charm discussion, the invisibility cloak, the taboo, transfiguring food, and fear.
- 02/12/2010 02:12:29 PM
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Re: The fidelius charm discussion, the invisibility cloak, the taboo, transfiguring food, and fear.
- 02/12/2010 02:35:06 PM
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Re: The fidelius charm discussion, the invisibility cloak, the taboo, transfiguring food, and fear.
- 02/12/2010 04:16:14 PM
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And? And? And? *NM*
- 01/12/2010 11:43:46 PM
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Did we have a discussion for a previous book about how many wizarding schools there are?
- 04/12/2010 10:21:42 PM
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Re: Did we have a discussion for a previous book about how many wizarding schools there are?
- 04/12/2010 10:32:17 PM
2639 Views
Chapters 13-15: The Muggle-Born Registration Commission, The Thief, The Goblin's Revenge *NM*
- 04/12/2010 11:01:25 AM
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Characters: Ministry members, the trio, Ted, Dean, Dirk, Goblins, Phineas Nigellus
- 04/12/2010 11:07:57 AM
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Umbridge, Mr Weasley, Percy, Phineas Nigellus, Ron and the second trio
- 04/12/2010 09:59:45 PM
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Re: Umbridge, Mr Weasley, Percy, Phineas Nigellus, Ron and the second trio
- 06/12/2010 10:41:08 PM
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Re: Umbridge, Mr Weasley, Percy, Phineas Nigellus, Ron and the second trio
- 06/12/2010 10:45:17 PM
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Plotting, writing, theming.
- 04/12/2010 11:08:47 AM
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Apparating and the fidelius charm, some good plotting and the food problem.
- 04/12/2010 10:01:16 PM
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Anything else? *NM*
- 04/12/2010 11:10:52 AM
1382 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
2628 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
2602 Views
Chapters 16-18: Godric's Hollow, Bathilda's Secret, The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore
- 06/12/2010 09:57:00 PM
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Characters: Harry, Hermione, Bathilda, Dumbledore and others
- 06/12/2010 09:57:52 PM
2788 Views
Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
- 06/12/2010 10:02:13 PM
2769 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
- 06/12/2010 10:14:26 PM
2834 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
- 06/12/2010 10:18:15 PM
2964 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
- 06/12/2010 10:34:15 PM
2622 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
- 06/12/2010 10:36:18 PM
2660 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
- 06/12/2010 10:39:58 PM
2873 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Hermione and Harry, Voldemort and Rita Skeeter.
- 06/12/2010 10:42:27 PM
2579 Views
I was interpreting it as sheer sexism, but you might be right.
- 07/12/2010 08:47:11 PM
2631 Views
Re: I was interpreting it as sheer sexism, but you might be right.
- 07/12/2010 08:55:54 PM
2591 Views
Lights! Camera! Action!
- 06/12/2010 09:59:52 PM
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But wait! There's more!
- 06/12/2010 10:00:34 PM
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Chapters 19-21: The Silver Doe, Xenophilius Lovegood, The Tale of the Three Brothers
- 08/12/2010 08:47:04 PM
2642 Views
Characters: Harry, Hermione, Ron, Lovegood ... and not many more. *NM*
- 08/12/2010 08:49:28 PM
1413 Views
Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 09/12/2010 12:01:57 AM
2778 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 09/12/2010 03:04:11 PM
2815 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 09/12/2010 08:03:05 PM
2716 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 09/12/2010 11:48:08 PM
2878 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 10/12/2010 08:44:01 PM
2722 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 10/12/2010 09:00:44 PM
2658 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 10/12/2010 09:16:48 PM
2672 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 10/12/2010 09:19:38 PM
2639 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 19/12/2010 06:58:04 PM
2618 Views
Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore.
- 20/12/2010 09:36:17 AM
2692 Views
What was that again about Hermione not being so good at thinking on her feet?
- 09/12/2010 07:52:23 PM
2637 Views
Action, plot, writing, theme: the Deathly Hallows explained at last.
- 08/12/2010 08:50:53 PM
2755 Views
Re: Action, plot, writing, theme: the Deathly Hallows explained at last.
- 09/12/2010 12:04:37 AM
2693 Views
Re: Action, plot, writing, theme: the Deathly Hallows explained at last.
- 09/12/2010 03:25:53 PM
2749 Views
I don't think it works that way. They aren't "used up".
- 09/12/2010 06:52:29 PM
2580 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
2362 Views
- 10/12/2010 04:19:56 AM
2362 Views
They're not so annoying yet, now.
- 09/12/2010 06:56:46 PM
2532 Views
Re: They're not so annoying yet, now.
- 09/12/2010 11:52:02 PM
2701 Views
Plus, it totally cheapens ability and skill if you have some "magic (magic) wand".
- 10/12/2010 08:56:28 PM
2691 Views
- 10/12/2010 08:56:28 PM
2691 Views
Re: Plus, it totally cheapens ability and skill if you have some "magic (magic) wand".
- 10/12/2010 08:59:41 PM
2804 Views
- 10/12/2010 08:59:41 PM
2804 Views
Chapters 22-24: The Deathly Hallows, Malfoy Manor, The Wandmaker.
- 10/12/2010 09:11:32 PM
2521 Views
Characters: The Trio, the Malfoys, Dobby, a number of others. *NM*
- 10/12/2010 09:12:30 PM
1398 Views
Hermione, Harry, Lupin, Greyback, Draco, Lucius, Bellatrix, Dobby, Dumbledore
- 10/12/2010 11:23:09 PM
2899 Views
Re: Hermione, Harry, Lupin, Greyback, Draco, Lucius, Bellatrix, Dobby, Dumbledore
- 13/12/2010 08:47:27 PM
2686 Views
Re: Hermione, Harry, Lupin, Greyback, Draco, Lucius, Bellatrix, Dobby, Dumbledore
- 13/12/2010 09:26:58 PM
2890 Views
On a side note about wands
- 14/12/2010 06:05:13 PM
2672 Views
Yes, I've caught myself immaturely sniggering on occasion, too.
- 14/12/2010 08:59:26 PM
2704 Views
- 14/12/2010 08:59:26 PM
2704 Views
Re: Yes, I've caught myself immaturely sniggering on occasion, too.
- 14/12/2010 09:04:43 PM
2751 Views
- 14/12/2010 09:04:43 PM
2751 Views
Plot, writing, themes. *NM*
- 10/12/2010 09:13:37 PM
1363 Views
An epiphany, Gollum, wands, the fidelius charm, grief, love and a strange blurring
- 10/12/2010 11:24:05 PM
2540 Views
Re: An epiphany, Gollum, wands, the fidelius charm, grief, love and a strange blurring
- 20/12/2010 01:00:38 PM
2738 Views
Re: An epiphany, Gollum, wands, the fidelius charm, grief, love and a strange blurring
- 20/12/2010 07:32:48 PM
2740 Views
Chapters 25-27: Shell Cottage, Gringotts, The Final Hiding Place
- 13/12/2010 10:03:15 PM
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Characters *NM*
- 13/12/2010 10:03:29 PM
1335 Views
Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
- 14/12/2010 05:16:51 PM
2743 Views
Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
- 14/12/2010 10:04:09 PM
2716 Views
Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
- 14/12/2010 10:19:04 PM
2794 Views
Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
- 14/12/2010 10:37:00 PM
2641 Views
Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
- 14/12/2010 10:45:36 PM
2775 Views
Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
- 20/12/2010 03:33:49 PM
2806 Views
Re: Harry, Fleur, Ron, Griphook, Lupin, the dragon, Bellatrix and Voldemort.
- 20/12/2010 07:35:51 PM
2962 Views
Plot, action, etc. *NM*
- 13/12/2010 10:04:02 PM
1320 Views
red herring, fidelius charm information and full circle.
- 14/12/2010 05:17:11 PM
2545 Views
Other things. *NM*
- 13/12/2010 10:04:23 PM
1251 Views
Film stuff
- 14/12/2010 05:17:18 PM
2593 Views
Excellent point.
- 14/12/2010 10:05:01 PM
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Re: Excellent point.
- 14/12/2010 10:09:53 PM
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Sometimes Rowling's parallels are far too simplistic and unsophisticated.
- 20/12/2010 03:39:50 PM
2613 Views
Chapters 28-30: The Missing Mirror, The Lost Diadem, The Sacking of Severus Snape *NM*
- 16/12/2010 01:07:20 PM
1368 Views
Characters *NM*
- 16/12/2010 01:07:31 PM
1299 Views
Aberforth and Dumbledore, Neville, Ginny, Luna, McGonagall, Harry, Percy, Fleur and the twins
- 16/12/2010 11:52:46 PM
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Re: Aberforth and Dumbledore, Neville, Ginny, Luna, McGonagall, Harry, Percy, Fleur and the twins
- 20/12/2010 05:16:13 PM
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Re: Aberforth and Dumbledore, Neville, Ginny, Luna, McGonagall, Harry, Percy, Fleur and the twins
- 20/12/2010 11:02:45 PM
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Re: Aberforth and Dumbledore, Neville, Ginny, Luna, McGonagall, Harry, Percy, Fleur and the twins
- 26/12/2010 08:43:03 PM
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Writing, action, plot, theme, yadda yadda yadda. *NM*
- 16/12/2010 01:08:04 PM
1347 Views
red herrings, solutions, evil Hogwarts and the forces of good
- 16/12/2010 11:53:56 PM
2676 Views
Re: red herrings, solutions, evil Hogwarts and the forces of good
- 20/12/2010 05:38:46 PM
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Re: red herrings, solutions, evil Hogwarts and the forces of good
- 20/12/2010 11:06:01 PM
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Other things. *NM*
- 16/12/2010 01:08:25 PM
1364 Views
Chapters 31-33: The Battle for Hogwarts, The Elder Wand, The Prince's Tale
- 19/12/2010 07:56:39 PM
2633 Views
Characters: far too many to mention.
- 19/12/2010 07:58:41 PM
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Too many to mention, indeed.
- 20/12/2010 09:30:54 AM
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The action, and plot advancement and completion.
- 19/12/2010 08:00:09 PM
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memories, cinematic moments and parallels.
- 20/12/2010 09:32:27 AM
2467 Views
Chapters 34-36: The Forest Again, King's Cross, The Flaw in the Plan
- 20/12/2010 07:31:27 PM
2535 Views
Characters: Voldemort, Harry, Dumbledore, Ron, Hermione, et al.
- 20/12/2010 07:32:15 PM
2593 Views
Harry, Dumbledore, Neville, the Malfoys, Molly and Voldemort
- 20/12/2010 11:28:19 PM
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Tying up the plot.
- 20/12/2010 07:33:00 PM
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Narnia, blood, revenge of the downtrodden, sacrifice, plans and souls
- 20/12/2010 11:29:44 PM
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Epilogue: the future.
- 20/12/2010 07:35:06 PM
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