HBP: The initial reaction/over-reaction...

[mijan]

Oh my fucking head... that is definitely my new favourite book of the series.  PoA has been de-throned.  I finished reading it almost nine hours ago, and have been absorbing and processing it ever since.  I'm taking the time tonight to post my reaction to one of the final chapters... the one which seems to have the most people's trousers in a twist... and the one which has me the most excited.

Note:  The following is an over-enthusiastic ramble, thick with spoilers, and dripping with speculation.  Enter at your own risk!

 

Dumbledore was putting on an act up on the tower!  It's brilliant!  And even while Harry was dueling with Snape, Snape was GIVING HIM ADVICE!  Harry will only realize it later.  Trust me, I know. I've never been so sure of something in my life.  Go back and read that scene again... That whole chapter, even.  Look at how carefully things were played

Can you picture Dumbledore, who duelled with Voldemort like he was dancing a very dull cha-cha, BEGGING to ANYONE?  He was intentionally putting Snape in a position of power, giving his illusion of fear so that Snape could have that "status" as a weapon later.  It was so rehearsed, it's hilarious.  And Dumbledore KNEW what Draco was attempting to do, so of course he knew what Snape was planning along with him!  And he was perfectly ready for it!  To the WELL ORGANIZED MIND!!! Haha! Dumbledore knew!

Now, as Harry battled Snape, notice that while Snape was angry, until Harry goaded him, he NEVER struck at all, not even in the slightest.  And then, when severely goaded, he only gave Harry a relatively mild punishment.  He didn't want Harry cursed.  Yes, Voldemort wanted Harry alive, but the other DE wasn't going to kill him.... just torture him.  Snape put a fast stop to that... But even while he and Harry were dueling, he was giving Harry very carefully placed ADVICE.

Look at what he says... that Harry needs to learn to keep his MOUTH SHUT AND HIS MIND CLOSED.  Nonverbal magic, and an Occluded mind.  Things he's been TRYING to teach Harry, and things that would be valuable TOOLS.  If Snape wasn't trying to help Harry, he *might* have told Harry to shut up, but he wouldn't have said to keep his "mind closed".  THAT was the key to the whole scene.

That wasn't just Snape needing to throw a final insult at Harry's ineptitude.  It was actual advice.  Snape had a VERY important cover to maintain.  So considering that he was being watched, he did what he could to A) throw a final jab at Harry - because yes, Snape did find him to be a younger version of James, and wasn't too fond of Harry personally, and B) give Harry a last desperate piece of advice, no matter how harshly presented.

On a different tangent, Snape was well aware of Draco's ambiguity (as was Dumbledore).  Snape is going to safeguard Draco... of course.  Draco has a lot of thinking to do.  We haven't seen the end of him.  Draco has reached  a whole new realm of complexity, ambiguity, and uncertainty.  It's EVERYTHING that we could have ever hoped for regarding our favourite little obnoxious ferret.  He only made his feeble attempts on Dumbledore's life out of fear for himself and his family.  He didn't want to do it... not really.  Hell, he was crying over it!  Can you believe this?  One of the best fandom!Draco cliches, and the fandom was right!  It's brilliant!  We all wished and wanted, but assumed it could never happen.

The one thing to remember is what single characteristic still defined Draco's actions: Cowardice and fear.  Not malice... well, except for his attack on Harry in the compartment of the Hogwart's Express... but even then, he could have done worse.  Hell, Harry almost killed Draco, not the other way around, but that's a tangent for another day.  In fact, it's late, and I'm dead tired.  However, I plan an in-depth character analysis of Draco for another day.  Oh, this is everything I could have wanted! 

Stay tuned, my dears!

Comments

[curia-regis.livejournal.com]

*agreed, agreed and agreed about Snape*

I will cry if Snape is really evil in the seventh book. Although... one thing I do fear is that Snape has done this all for Dumbledore until now... but what next? Without his mentor, Snape could easily become a real Death Eater again. :\

[mijan.livejournal.com]

Wah! Log back in! You gotta take a look at this!

http://www.livejournal.com/users/mijan/19826.html

Seems uncanny now, if you look at a couple of the stanzas, yes?

[aerynalexander.livejournal.com]

I love Snape even more now than I did before. He made the best of a bad situation and kept his composure under unimaginable stress. I'm awed by the strength of his character. Of course, writing Harry/Snape is going to be tough for a while.

The way things went down with Draco leaves me feeling a bit better about the book than other developments. About which I must stop ranting before I need blood pressure medication. Fanon can now dust itself off and walk away smirking in regard to Draco. That makes me very happy.

[siren-mage.livejournal.com]

omfg, you are so awesome. I was hoping against hope that there was some kind of clue leaving Snape not completely evil and looking back, you're so right. I love you. Also, I am totally with you about Draco. I was amazed to watch him become the Draco Malfoy that I've known and loved after two years in the fandom. I mean, I never expected that. I was so sure he was going turn out to be a truly evil bastard in this book the same way I was positive that Narcissa was a horrible mother and all the warm maternal fandom feelings were just fandom cliches. It was unexpected to see the Malfoys loving each other in the way that they did, and it was a pleasant surprise to see the human side of Draco Malfoy. In all honesty, Draco's storyline, which tied in with the 'WTF is going on with Snape' storyline, was what really kept me reading. Eventually the lame attempts at romance side stories and half of the Voldemort backstory will fade and I'll have to go back and read all the tedious bits again, but what happened with Draco and Snape will be canon that sticks. Rather like the trip into Snape's pensieve in OotP.

I'm interested to see where this goes in canon, but more interested to see how the fandom takes all of this and runs with it. I, myself, can't seem to stop the plot bunnies from multiplying. Book Six is officially the book that inspired the plot bunny orgy. Leastways, in my twisted mind.

I also can't wait to check out your in-depth analysis of Draco. I'm just all aflutter, Draco Malfoy fangirl style, of course. ^.^

[somedayvet.livejournal.com]

I also agree with you about Snape. The way everything was worded makes it clear that he is still fighting on the side of good. I also wonder if the whole conversation that Hagrid overheard was in reality about Snape having to kill Dumbledore if the time came down to it. It would be a tough position to be in, to have to kill your mentor, but I think Dumbledore would rather Snape do it than anyone else. I think the hatred on Snape's face was hatred for his actions, not for Dumbledore.

I also loved the whole Draco story line, it's clear he is having second thoughts about the oh so wonderful Voldemort. It seemed to me he made it clear that he was doing everything he was doing for love of his family, not so much that he truly believed in what he was doing. Look at the fear when Dumbledore mentioned Greyback harming his friends. I don't think he ever really wanted anyone to get hurt, he just did what he thought he had to for his safety and the safety of his family.

I thought it was a wonderful book, although some of the romantic side stories seemed a bit tedious, but overall I am a very pleased customer.

[leialiai.livejournal.com]

OMG SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE is an understatement I believe.

[kannnichtfranz.livejournal.com]

I've got to hand it to JKR, I never read any Draco/Myrtle before... argh, I need sleep...

[eleal.livejournal.com]

The moment i read about Snape's "Unbreakable Vow" I knew that there was going to be some serious trust issues between Snape and Harry. I think that Dumbledore was begging...begging Snape to kill him. He knew, at this point, that it was either him or Snape. If Snape did not kill him, fulfilling Draco's orders, then he himself would die for not living up to his vow. I believe that Dumbledore knew how important Snape's role as a spy was. I also think that he knew that while he was still alive, Harry would always be second in command. If Harry was going to be leader he needed to be, he couldn't do that when he still counted on Dumbledore.

Oh yeah, and "OMG squeeee"!

[kurla88.livejournal.com]

Things that various people pointed out:

Dumbledore and Snape are both leglimens and could have been communicating up on the tower.

The potion was probably going to kill Dumbledore anyway. He wanted to save Harry from the guilt that would have ensued. He wanted to save Draco from the guilt that would have ensued. He wanted to save Snape (who is incredibly valuable) from dying. If Snape hadn't killed him the other DEs would have.

I love people. They have such brilliant theories. I totally agree on Snape still being good. I gave up on him for a little bit, but just a very little bit. ;)

[hobbes75.livejournal.com]

I didn't think Snape was really evil, basically because of the Unbreakable Vow and b/c of when Dumbledore was telling Harry about how after he refused the Defense Against the Dark Arts position to Voldemort no teacher lasted longer than a year and if he gave Snape the position, he must not have been expecting him to stay, for some reason. But you've given me a bunch of other reasons to believe Snape isn't evil! Not that I would mind if he were, but part of me wants Harry to realize, at the end, that Snape really was always trying to help him.

With the exception of all the romantic side stories, HBP is such an improvement over OotP. Fandom!Draco made my day.

[inspiredlife.livejournal.com]

Oh, I absolutely agree with you. Snape killed Dumbledore, at his request then amidst his grief, tries to give Harry a final lessons. I love Snape even more now; what a great character. And, as far as I'm concerned, the Snape/Harry ship is sailing strong.

As for Draco, I was so happy to see this human side of him. I've suspected for a while that it was there. Granted, Draco has a lot of thinking to do now but I think he proved that he can't be like other DEs. As you saidm he was only acting out of fear for his parents. Hopefully, Snape will be able to guide him.

Oh, my head is still a jumbled mass of scattered thoughts. But this is what I'm left with. I loved the book. I don't think Snape is eveil in the slightest and there is hope for draco. OMG SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[rumil-minyatur.livejournal.com]

That's definately the best thought out reasoning for it I've seen so far. Mostly over on FA people are wildly clutching at straws to try and explain it away, but you've really made it sound more plausible and believeable.

And finally, finally, a more 3D Draco. Squeeeeeeeeeeee!

[singlewoman.livejournal.com]

Oh I so completely agree. Dumbledore begging for his life? No way. Begging for Draco's life? Yep! His plea to Snape was the same as his plea to Harry, remember what you promised me. Besides to skilled Legilimens just staring at each other? Can only imagine what was being said in their minds. I am wondering just how Sanpe is going to explain to Voldemort why Draco did not kill Dumbledore. I fear greatly for Snape. This will set him in good stead with Voldemort, but at waht cost to his soul? He killed the man he regarded as his mentor, as a father. Dumbledore drove him crazy, but he truly loved and respected him. If JKR rally makes Snape evil she and I will have harsh words! Because Michelle, you are so correct in your assesment of the "duel" between Snape and Harry. Snape was teaching him the whole time. Hell, he finally taught Harry about potions, even though neither one knew it at the time.

RAB is definately Regulus Black. Who else could it be?

Harry obsessing over Draco much? Way more than Ginny. The only time he really thought about Ginny was when she was with Dean.

Yea for Remus and Tonks! Can so totally see them as a couple.

OK, long rant. Could go on, don't want to bore anyone.
Kathleen

[sirigorn.livejournal.com]

Yay.

You convinced me. I am now happy again. :D

[oboros.livejournal.com]

wow that poem! *hugs* I think yesterday I was seeing through Harry's eyes at the end of the book. Thank you (amongst others) for showing me the Snape way. *cries for Snape*

[http://users.livejournal.com/_la_pistolera/]

I'm so glad you had the same thoughts about Snape.

[natabug.livejournal.com]

Have you seen garlandgraves's ranty/discussiony thing on all things locket and Snape? It's very excellent.

Psyched for Draco analysis .... :D

[(Anonymous)]

I so agree. I was like "OH MY GOSH SNAPE DID WHAT?!" and was all ready to have Harry kill him, and then he gave him that bit of advice and I said, "Wait, is he trying to HELP?"

I still hated him for it, though, but you made me think. And I had to rush in and tell your comments about Draco word-for-word to my doubtful mother because the way you put it was the best so far. The fandom was right! I'm so glad.

All my weird friends think Draco's getting AKed, but I think he's too important for that. This opens up a whole new vista of possibilities.

[mijan.livejournal.com]

*cries with you*

[aethen.livejournal.com]

I agree. Dumbledore was a million times more manipulative in this book than in the past, and he was a lot more obvious about it. The way he died does several things... It placates ANY DEs that might have thought Snape was a traitor (ie Bellatrix), it helps keep Draco alive without forcing him to be a a killer, and it gives Harry yet another reason to want Voldie dead.

On a slashy note, it's interesting that Harry always seems to notice how handsome the young Tom Riddle is. Not that I see them getting together, but Harry seems to notice the physical charms of men more than women.

Your sooo right

[ravyn-09.livejournal.com]

So did you catch that right away about snape and dumbledor? I Almost didn't catch it. I did find that dumbledore being defencless so easy...was just off. What ever happened to wandless magic? Ya ok he was poisoned...and it was most likely to help go with the plot. The real dumblee is pobably hunting down the rest of the artifacts.

Shit I'm getting off topic...well sort of. Anyway, I didn't catch that it seemed like a ploy, UNTIL I read snapes line "Blocked angain, and again, and again until you learn to keep your mouth shut and your mind closed, Potter!". That's when I stopped...read the line like three times. Stopped holding back tears cuz of dumbledore, And read the entire scene again, from where they landed on the from the broomsticks....hehe Dumbledore on a broom...I don't know why but I never pictured that before.

But what really got me wondering was when Dumbledores (fake/maybe not) body was on the ground undernieth the tower. How did he fall? Harry was the last one upthere right? The body was still up there when he ran after the others right....or had it fallen? HOW~ Maybe thats when the switcharoo happened. I honestly don't know.

But I don agree with you that HBP has been deemed my favorite not. Sorry POA. That one was my favorite too.

Did you read the book all in one shot like I did? I bought it at midnight. Came home and started reading. I had booked off the day in advance just so I could do so. But I read it straight through 10-12 hours or more...including pee breaks.

And don't laugh when I say this. But when I was done I went to my computer to see if you and read it yet and droped a line. I dont' know why but I wanted to know what you thought about it.

OMG and the Draco development...its just so yummy. You know I'm not sure what I'm more excited about book 7 or what kind of fanfiction this is going to Ignite. specially h/d, because its not so unbelievable now. (would you kill me if I said I also really liked Ginny in this book? Man she was a force to recond with!). I'm especially looking forward to what you product. Honestly reading Eclipse has made me read all of you work that I can get my hands on. ...ok that just sounded stalkerish...hehe...i'm not! I just find that you keep to the characters, you don't butcher them. You make it believable that it could happen if certin situations arrieved. And book 6 proved you right. (well besides the way Mrs. Malfoy thinks of her son). Its very likely that Draco would have done that if the story went that way....but enough with the 'what if's

Man this is a long coment!

What are your veiws on Harry's relation with the book that belonged to the half blood prince (snape). You think he's going to retrieve it? I think that book would be more of a clue to Harry about what snape is like, than based on their last encounter. For example, why didn't he take the book Harry. Sure Harry lied. But this is snape we are talking about. If he wanted the truth out of Harry he would have got it!!!! One of the reasons (which you might think stupid) I think he let Harry keep it, and not pursue the subject (I mean come on, He asked once, recieved a lie, and leaved it at that!)is because, he may think Harry can learn something else from that book.

Anything else I should put? I can't remember what I was going to say....SHIT~! I hate it when that happens.

Well on a final note. I'm looking forwar to the last three chapters, and maybe and epiloge, for eclipse. Just so you can get working on what those crazy plot bunnies, I just know, are thinking up something wicked for post-HBP

Well see ya,
Luv
Ravyn

I forgot!!!

[ravyn-09.livejournal.com]

Don't you think that JKR Has kind of set it up for the series could possibly be more than 7 books. Cuz I know in one of her interviews last year I think, She said that she was considering making more than 7. But ya thats the thing I forgot.

Luv
Ravyn

Re: Your sooo right

[(Anonymous)]

I totally agree about Dubmledore and Snape! I also find it telling that on the way back from the cave while suffering the aftereffects of drinking the potion Dumbledore insists that he needs to see Snape, not Madam Pomfrey. Dumbledore is a shrewd and experienced wizard and I don't believe for a second that Snape could have worked as a double agent right under his nose for all these years and not raised any suspisions. Also, Harry's explanation that Dumbledore believed Snape's story of remorse over the Potters' death just doesn't hold water, I didn't buy it and neither did Dumbledore! Hopefully we will find out the real reason the late headmaster trusted Snape in Book 7.
Elena

[singlewoman.livejournal.com]

Is Harry the Gryffindor horcrux? I think he could be. Also, I bet that Mundungus selling some of Sirius' possesions will have major consequences in book 7. Can Draco return to Hogwarts in book 7? And I fear greatly that Snape will die in book 7. I mean, is there really a happily ever after for him? Just a few more thoughts.
Kathleen

Re: Your sooo right

[(Anonymous)]

"But what really got me wondering was when Dumbledores (fake/maybe not) body was on the ground undernieth the tower. How did he fall? Harry was the last one upthere right? The body was still up there when he ran after the others right....or had it fallen? HOW~ Maybe thats when the switcharoo happened. I honestly don't know."

Snape's curse threw him off the tower. Last paragraph of chapter 27:

...silent and unmoving he was forced to watch as Dumbledore was blasted into the air. For a split second, he seemed to hang suspended beneath the shining skull, and then he fell slowl backward, like a great rag dol, over the battlements and out of sight.

[mijan.livejournal.com]

If Harry is a Horcrux, I don't think that he's one that Voldemort intended. He'd meant to originally kill Harry... not to use him. If he created an unintentional Horcrux in Harry, he did himself a severe disservice.

[fkmaguire.livejournal.com]

All of these theories have made me happy. I actually didn't think that this was the best book though. I don't know exactly why... I think it had something to do with the flow... and Snape revealing who the HBP was seemed pretty anticlimatic for waiting all of this time... And all the fanfic cliches... ^_^ But I hadn't thought of half of the theories both in this post and in the comments. Thanks all for giving me my faith back!

[mirrorwakes.livejournal.com]

Severus ... please - he was begging Snape to kill him! It's obvious! What were they fighting about before...? Snape didn't WANT to do it, but Dumbledore made him (and the Vow of course).

Can you just see the plot for the next book?!?!?! Wanderer!Harry, Ron and Hermione! *Squee*
Snape's obviously going to have a hand in killing Moldywarts!
Oh I agree! H-BP is the best of them all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE IT I LOVE IT I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*Pants*

Mirror

Re: Your sooo right

[ravyn-09.livejournal.com]

Oh ya....hehe thanks. I guess my brain was still mushy from being up for over 26 hours. I completely forgot that paragraph. oops.

[mijan.livejournal.com]

Breathe, dear. ;)

[corellianrogue]

First off, don't know why I didn't friend you ages ago, I've been on your yahoo group for like forever. :) Anyway, on to the squeeing...

The first time I read the tower scene, I had no idea what to think, although the begging struck me as odd. There was no way in my mind that Dumbledore would ever beg... EXCEPT to make himself look convincing to those who don't know him while sending a VERY important message to those who do (including the readers?) : something is going on beyond the obvious.

OMG, when I read the scene with Draco and Myrtle (heck, when Myrtle first says "he's not afraid to cry") I did a little happy dance that I was at least partially right that Draco (and therefore Slytherins in general) are not the cold-blooded killers general opinion takes them to be. That, and the thought that I couldn't wait until some fanfic writer out there writes the AU version of the crying scene and turns it into a "Draco sees the light and comes over to Harry's side and they live happily ever after" scene. :) I'm sure it won't be long.

I was shocked how much the fandom got right. Either JK's playing to her readers or there are some psychics out there. I'm not sure which way I lean on that one. :) Oh my, definitely rambling there, yes? Well, I shall go. Off to read some H/D to heal my battered psyche. Cheers.

[mijan.livejournal.com]

I almost stopped right there, in the middle of the chapter, and wrote that AU. In fact, I yelled out loud, right there, "COMFORT HIM, HARRY YOU FOOL!" I might have to do it, just to make us all feel better... but I'm already writing the notes for the next chapter of Eclipse. I'm finding that some of the revelations in HBP about the Malfoy family work beautifully with my plot, and I can include that stuff. Plus, I have a year-7 one-shot I want to write too... involving Harry's and Draco's next encounter. So much to write... *sigh*

[(Anonymous)]

Another thought: At the funeral Dumbledore's body spontaneously combusted and for a fraction of a second the whisps of smoke resembled a rising hoenix. Does that mean that Dumbledore will be reborn from the ashes like a phoenix? In any event, I think that Dumbledore will communicate with Harry in Book 7 through his portrait in the Headmaster's office and those chocolate frog Wizard cards. Does anybody know if there is a portrait of him at the Ministry of Magic?
Elena

[rensong.livejournal.com]

Hey there! Just thought I'd pop in to say "hi" since I begged you so prettily for your user name so I could read your spoilers. ;)

Anyway, *very* good speculation. I haven't read the book yet, but I have read all the rest of my friends' reviews, and from what I've read, I'd have to agree with you on Snape's position. I'll also be sure to keep an eye open for any other hints and possible foreshadowing along those lines. :)

That said, I shall stop stalking you now and start waiting anxiously for the next chapter in Eclipse instead. ;)

~ Maren
(aka, ofsongandflame)

[geekyxgirl.livejournal.com]

GAH! I totally feel the same exact way! Everyone who read the book so far are screaming, "TRAITOR TRAITOR!" but I mean think about it! Didn't you see all the obvious signs between Harry and Snape? Here's what I posted on my lj:

First of all, a lot of people are speculative as to whether Snape really did betray the light side. I mean, there's a whole thread about it on FA, but unfortunately the server is super busy (as I expected!). So in the mean time I'd like to discuss it.

I mean, there are a million people out there who just took what they read in for solid fact, but -- REALLY -- Snape wouldn't just turn his back like that on all Dumbledore's obviously done for him -- keep him safe from Azkaban, give him a job, have faith in him despite his past alliances. And remember when Snape saved Harry's life (numerous times btw) in Sorceror's Stone because he owed it to James for what happened during the time of the Marauders? I mean, just looking at his character, especially since I've grown so fond of him over the years, makes me think that he couldn't have just turned his back on everything he's been fighting for for so long.

Now the real reason I think he killed Dumbledore?

Okay, take this situation. Snape made the Unbreakable Vow with Narcissus, promising he'd keep Draco safe from harm or it would evidently cost him his life. Now, if Draco fails to do what Voldemort wished, he will be killed, as with the rest of his family. So when you think of it that way, he didn't have a choice, and I personally feel Dumbledore would've understood.

See, if Snape had let Draco kill Dumbledore, he'd be doing exactly what Narcissus feared and what she begged him to stop Draco from doing. On the other hand, not killing Dumbledore would've put them in more danger from Voldemort, so either way Snape would've died and broken his vow.

Hope someone's getting this.

Another thought that wandered through my head -- and is most unlikely but it's a thought anyway -- is what if Dumbledore wasn't dead?

I don't know, ever since GoF and the end of OoTP, Evil!Dumbledore is what I had expected the most to discover, not Dead!Dumbledore. We all remember the whole "triumph" in Dumbledore's eyes at the end of GoF and people still wonder why he kept all that information from Harry so long until OoTP.

So dead? Hmm .. The horrible part of me that lacks so much remorse keeps thinking and wondering and speculating, but the other part that cried during his death scene is screaming that he's dead and I should just leave his soul to rest in peace (without harmful accusations). Complicated isn't it?

Yeah, we're all confused, but I am completely convinced Snape is NOT evil!

♥Aly from GnH

[geekyxgirl.livejournal.com]

Gah! I was screaming my head off! *dies* But I guess the whole rushing to Draco's side after he fell sort of made up for it! *swoons*

♥Aly

[mijan.livejournal.com]

LOL... yeah, it makes up for it... as much as Harry *could* make up for it... after almost killing poor Draco.

[ravyn-09.livejournal.com]

That's exactly how I look at it. It almost sounds stupid, but I almost want to take that scene as face value, JUST so I know I didn't cry for no reason. hehe. But it definatly puts a twist in the storyline that's for sure

[mijan.livejournal.com]

See, I'm quite convinced that Dumbledore, as a corporeal being, has died. He was ready.

[morkeleb-black.livejournal.com]

*presents teh Captain with an Award for Being Psychic* Your non-poem was obviously taken straight from JKR, my dear - are you a Legilimens? >_<

Also, loving the Snape-theories, I agree completely. Far too much hatin' going on towards poor Snape right now - can these people not READ?

And omg, such a great day for H/D shippers. :D Enough subtext to keep us happy for a century, and Developed!Ambiguous!Draco.

Jaz

a bit belated

[lunalovegoddess.livejournal.com]

I know it's a bit belated, as I have just returned from vacation, but I wanted to chime in.
First: I love Eclipse! ^-^
Second: I wish you could take the mountain lion with you, as well.
Last: Dumbledore's death...
From the first book/movie, someone (most likely Hermione) tells Harry that as long as Dumbledore is there, Harry is safe from Voldemort. What do you know? Dumbledore is called away from Hogwarts, and Quirrel tries to steal the Stone. So, I expected that Dumbledore would die in the sixth book, leaving Harry without external protection. I had thought that Snape would become the new DADA professor as well, since it fit the pattern of having been denied the position until there were no other suitable candidates left. I anticipated that Snape would be conflicted and that he was the Half-Blood Prince. I even guessed correctly that Draco's Detour referred to Borgin & Burkes'. However, I was stunned at first when someone blurted out that Snape kills Dumbledore. I thought Voldemort would kill him.
What an amazing book! Honestly, even though I guessed things correctly, it was like there was a person whispering, "That's not the whole story; look over here!" The tower scene struck me immediately as a play put on for Harry's benefit, as well as Voldie's. I had to re-read the chapter to be sure, and afterwards, my love and I came to the same conclusions as you.
Thanks for reading this rather long-winded post. @-@

Re: a bit belated

[mijan.livejournal.com]

Quite alright! It was one hell of a book! Lots to talk about. And yes, the scene on the tower was definitely a show, but not just for Harry's benefit... also for the other DE's around. At least, the part after they'd arrived.

Re: a bit belated

[lunalovegoddess.livejournal.com]

^_^ Good luck with your decision on the new job.

~on FAP, Anam Cara, AKA BrendaLee~

[mirrorwakes.livejournal.com]

Don't wanna! *Hugs*

Mirror

[mijan.livejournal.com]

*pets* *huggles*