Legion World Forums LEGION COMPANION The Anywhere Machine Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Spoilers)

I know we've got some dedicated Potter fans here, myself included.

On her web site today, J. K. Rowling revealed (to those who decipher the clues) the title of book 7:

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

No other information, such as release date, was revealed. Still, it's nice for some info on the most anticipated book of all time.

Hmmmm... not sure if I care for that title. I think it might be my least favorite of the 7 titles.

I think "Harry Potter and the Death of Voldemort" would have been better, although it might be spoilerish

welll Spellbinder, looks like we have different perspective on the title. I, for one, like it a lot. It does ring true when JK Rowling announced that there would be some deaths (at least two) in the book, makes the title sounds appropriate. IMHO.

I'm with Cru on this one. Librarians and teachers everywhere are just going to have a ball explaining what "Deathly Hallows" means. And I'm sure most of the people who try to say it will say "deadly hollows".

Then again they did change the title of the first book to "Sorcerer's Stone" for the US market, assuming American kids would have no idea what a "Philosopher's Stone" was.

I'm almost positive that Schoolastic will change the title for us un ed-u-ma-ca-ted folks in North America.

And Spellbinder, do you really think Voldemort will be the only major character to die?

Doubt they can now - if Philosopher's Stone was the title of a later book, that'd probably have come out with that title.

Well, as long as Voldemort goes instead of Harry, that's the main thing

I expect that mutually assurred destruction will be the state of affairs.

Anyone who thinks that Harry will survive the final book is in major denial.

GASP!

OK, so could someone please explain to me what this title means? I've been looking for the word 'hallows' in on-line dictionaries (hey, I'm far away from my books), and can't find it. 'to hallow', in the sense of 'to sanctify', yes, but I have no idea what the noun means.

Deathly Hallows = Shallowly Hated

From The New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary

And two sets of definition as a noun, from the same dictionary:
So, Harry Potter and the Holy Corpses or Harry Potter and the Dying Cries, basically. I expect the ambiguity is deliberate.

It's almost irrelevant what they call it, really, given the size of the readership.

It may as well have been called Harry Potter and the Compulsory Purchase...

"Harry Potter and the Seventh Title"

I have a question for you, not trying to be smartassed, but...

I was in the book store a few weeks ago and some guy was almost trying to argue with one of the store clerks that Rowling wouldn't kill Harry, but would let him off the hook. He was a fan of the series and yet he clearly wanted Harry dead.

And as it turns out, there seems to be a lot of folk that want him to die with snaker ray. what gives? Why do so many people want him to die?

Thanks.

Thanks, Reboot, very informative posting. My read on this: either HP and the killing shriek or HP and the deadly shrine. Ambiguous, indeed. And really, really dark.

the title doesnt do much for me you think she could have worked monkeys into the title.

As for Harrys death I suppose in part it's down to the fack that Miss Rawlings has said a major character is going to die presumably one of the big three. The past four or so books have set up Ron and Herminie as a couple so we all want to see that. Also It doesnt help that Daniel Ratcliff is saying he want's Harry killed off when he gets the chance. Also if Harry lives it's almost like the windows open for sell out post Hogwarts books. I imagine she will be thrown insane amounts of money to write further books so it will be interesting to see if this occurs.

Count me in for denial. I'll be very disappointed if after all he's been through, Rowling kills the character. Harry deserves to live on in the imaginations of the readers. I'm a big rereader, so I can't imagine having much fun rereading the books when I know he's dead at the end. Blech. Also, remember that these are ostensibly children's books--again, there will be a lot of upset people if any of the big three die. Hell, I'm still waiting for Dumbledore to show back up (I know there's a body, but he went over the side of the castle wall. Plenty of time to substitute a fake corpse. Denial, denial, denial!).

I dunno...if part of Voldemort's soul is in Harry (i.e. Harry's a horcrux), he might have to die. I don't want him to die, but there's certainly evidence that Rowling could be setting that up in Half-Blood.

I believe, if you read closely, that JK has been preparing readers for a 'life's not always fair' death since book 2. I just don't see, if JK stays true to her story and style so far, Harry surviving to the end of the last book.

I'm hoping that Harry just dumps Ginny and finds true love with Luna Lovegood. She's quirky, but I like her alot, and think she understands Harry better than that fickle Weasely girl

Hey, I love Ginny! I like her and Harry's romance the best!

Actually, I don't think Harry will die at all. Its just soooo obvious that Rowling can't really do that, we've been expecting it since like Book 3 or 4. I think there's got to be more to it with bigger twists at the end.

Luna should get with Neville--he needs all the love, especially after he becomes a shining star in this one and gives Beatrix Lestrange her commupance. Unless he's the one that dies... ...(I really like Neville)...

I second that - Neville and Luna all the way. I know Rowling herself said it won't happen but that's beside the point. At any rate, I don't think Harry's really in mortal danger. It just wouldn't be much of an ending to the series if he died. I don't think Ron or Hermione are in for it either nor Ginny. There's going to be a happy ending I think, though I'm sure a fair few of the supporting cast won't make it through. Pretty sure we'll be losing a Weasly or two.

oh what about Snape? Do you think that he'll get killed or get a reprieve? I remember JK saying that there will be at least two characters killed and one getting a repreive.

Also hmmm what about Drago Malfoy?

I think Draco might be the one who gets the reprieve.

The real truth with Snape will probably be one of the secrets of the new book.

I can't help but agree with Matt--there's really no way Harry will die, as well as Ron, Hermoine or even Ginny. I just can't see it happening, and at this point, its almost too expected. The rest of the cast though, is possible. I wouldn't be surprised to see a few Weazley's and Hagrid get it, the latter being the hardest, most emotional scene to read.

I have a bad feeling about Neville, even though he's probably my favorite character. Assuming one of the deaths will be from Harry's friends, Neville would have the most impact. But on the other hand, Rowling says one of the students will someday teach at Hogwarts and I'm in the Neville-for-Herbology camp.

I figure Malfoy will scrape through at least long enough to get a shot at redemption - I'm waiting for the Sorting Hat's notion of the houses uniting to pay off in the last book and Malfoy making amends for his actions in HBP would be a good way.

I wouldn't be surprised if Lupin and Peter Pettigrew both die, closing out the story of the Marauders. Percy Weasly probably will get it while protecting his family after a last ditch change of heart.

I bet this is going to be a big book if she's going to avoid too many dangling threads in the end. There's a lot of things still in play and I'm sure there's going to be a lot of time spent on the mechanics of tracking down the Horcruxes. I do hope it's out this year but I guess the Order of the Phoenix movie will keep me happy, it looks very promising.

Book 7 out July 21st, baby! Yeah!

Percy dying is a great idea.

I'm more or less okay with almost anyone dying, except for the trio. I would very much like to see them make it out the other side of the series.

I'm expecting at least one teacher to die, at least one student to die, and most likely one Weasely to die.

I'm expecting Ginny to die. My reasoning:

Harry's special protection from Voldemort came about because his mother died to save his life. But according to Book 6, that's only effective up to his 17th birthday when, by wizarding standards, he's no longer a minor.

So once he achieves majority, what sort of "love protection" would be effective for him?

Not saying I want to see it happen, just thinking logically and tragically.

Throw in a few members of the Order, Moody and Shacklebolt maybe. In my overall hopes for happy endings I'm hoping Tonks, Lupin and Bill (and Fleur) make it through. Viktor Krum seems like a candidate for a death scene too. Lately I've been thinking Arthur Weasley and Lucius Malfoy will both die. They're such a matched pair in many ways that it seems like they'll either both live or neither one will.

SPOILERS!

US and UK cover art revealed!

Click on the thumbs for some giant versions of the US and both UK covers (the UK ones include the jacket blurbs. I prefer the US version.

Wow. Don't you think that image of Harry with a sword sticking out of his chest is a little graphic for a children's book? It's just so... Infinite Crisissy

As always, in preparation for the next book coming out, I am in the process of re-reading the entire series. I am currently on Book 3, and should have the first six finished by mid-June.

And to begin getting ready for the 5th movie, I started downloading movie wallpapers for my computer.

Sigh... there's just no hiding the fact that I am just one big geek

Crujectra, I read the whole series for a few months last year. It was a great ride.

Just reread Book 6 to gear up for 7! I finally was convinced to read them all after Book 5 came out, and totally fell in love with them, and then reread the whole thing for Book 6 (which is why I only reread Book 6 this time).

CANNOT WAIT for this!

Oh, and the new movie too!

*choke*

Upon said recent reread, I now firmly believe it may be Hagrid that bites the dust for quite a few reasons. But I hope if it happens that its as well written as can be expected and makes me cry like a baby!

Why does it have to end??? Can't J.K. take 5 years off to live her fantasy life(if i was that rich I would disappear) and then return with Harry going to college???

CK, Hagrid seems as good a guess as any.

I saw that Rowling is doing a signing the night the book is released, probably an allnighter nearly. I can picture the last ones in line that speed read half the book while waiting telling her off for killing off Mad-Eye Moody or whoever. Brave lady.

Crujectra, we've got a OOTP wallpaper too. The one of all the kids that says "The Rebellion Begins." I like seeing Neville in the posters! I think this is going to be the best movie yet.

Me too. CANNOT WAIT for the battle at the Ministry. Harry actually chasing Voldemort! Preparing to use an Unforgivable Curse! I remember after reading that scene after what Beatrix did to Neville and what happened to Sirius and just, right along side Harry, finding myself wanting revenge.

It seems next to impossible, but I'd love if not only Luna and Neville (and Ginny, my girl ) getting some screen time, but some of the others too during the D.O. stuff. It seems likely since so many of them have been around for so many movies.

Well, you stop and figure that there will be the DA scenes, as well as the Ministry Battle, and Fred and George leaving Hogwarts, so there should be chances for several of the background actors to shine a little. It will be nice to see someone other than Harry and Draco get to do some magic.

There is a Harry Potter theme park opening in Orlando!!! Yes! I live an hour away! It's being done by Universal Studios I think and if any of you have been to Islands of Adventure you should get pumped about this. It's going to be high quality.

Well, I guess I was reading more slowly than anticipated, because last night I just started re-reading Book 6. Still will finish in plenty of time for Book 7's release, though.

Looking forward to the 5th movie next week, especially having just finished the book yesterday. So many good things to happen. I also watched 3 different trailers last week over at The Leaky Cauldron . It looks really good.

Still not sure what to expect from Book 7. I'll be interested to see if Hogwart's is open, and if so, how much of the book will take place there, since Harry, Ron and Hermione will be looking for Horcruxes. Also, what will be the final fates of characters like Draco Malfoy (is he really evil, or just misunderstood), and Severus Snape (bad guy, or following orders). And will we find out what (and who) is lurking behind the veil in the Department of Mysteries?

And, of course, who will live and who will die? And, perhaps, who will be resurrected? There are many characters to choose from, and although some of the deaths in past books have been lesser characters (Amelia Bones, for instance), you know that no one is going to be safe in the final book. With so many Weasleys, for instance, you just no that one of them (probably Percy) will not live to see the end. And what about teachers? Will little Professor Flitwick be able to duck and cover when the poop hits the fan? Will the Durseleys finally welcome Harry into their family, or will they grieve at his funeral?

Of course, the biggest question will be "Can you resist the temptation to go right to the end of the book to see if Harry is still "The Boy Who Lived?"

Inquiring minds want to know!

I'm trying to figure out the best way to buy this book. I think I'll go early Saturday, but not to the big party thing -- too much chance for spoilers. Plus, I read about a woman who showed up a little late for one of those with Book 6, and someone spoiled it for her in the parking lot when he shouted it out the car window as the car he was in was leaving. Bastard.

Or maybe I should just bite the bullet and preorder from Amazon. Can they even guarantee it at this point with so many preorders?

Anyway, I am going to resist the urge to jump to the end. It'll be hard, though.

I pre-ordered from Amazon, and they are delivering it to me on the day of release. I think they are guaranteeing delivery on orders made before July 11th. That's what I did with the last two books, and it's worked out fine.

Of course, I'm an Amazon Prime customer, so I get free 2-day delivery. I'm not sure how much delivery costs for non-Prime customers, so even with their discounts you might still end up paying a little more than you might in the stores.

This isn't a bash at anyone that enjoys the current state of Pottermania, but personally I can't wait for this last book to come out so JK Rowling will be revealled as the one-trick pony I always suspected she was and never bother us again.
She bugs me almost as much as bloody Paris Hilton.

I wish I could find a billion dollar one trick pony

Star Boy:

You've got to be kidding. At least JK Rowling came by her fame by displaying writing talent, even if it is limited (something that will need to be proven by a failed attempt at writing something else, I guess). Paris Hilton is talented at nothing more than self-promotion, and the media actively participate in her show.

I was thinking more of the oversaturation in the media of stuff that isn't 'real news' than any comparison of talent. At least JK's only everywhere when a new book comes out, as opposed to Paris, who's everywhere all the time.

And admittedly, I pulled out of the Potter saga after... uh... 4 books and 2 movies? I think I realised I'd be far more interested in a story about the Ministry of Magic in more of an adult readers vein, and HP was never going to be that, so I dropped out.
So maybe the latest ones are magnificent works that merit the general acclaim?

I changed the title of the post, but I'd also like to come to an agreement that we don't post any spoilers here for at least about a week or so after the book comes out. What do you all think? I guess some alleged spoilers have started leaking out but I'm trying to stay far from them. Nobody likes a spoilsport so let's all be nice. Does a week sound like enough? Too much?

I'd say a week sounds fine, Matty. Most people will be getting them at the release parties or the day after, so that will provide plenty of time to read it.

We're getting ours via Amazon but I'm going Go-Kart racing on Saturday afternoon for my brother-in-law's birthday. I suppose bringing along my new Harry Potter book would sort of undercut the mood of manly competition.

By the way, we saw Order of the Phoenix Saturday - I thought it was the best one yet especially in light of all the cuts. A few things should have been left in that weren't like Snape's goading of Sirius but there were very few of those overblown film sequences like the unending flying car business in Chamber of Secrets or the overdone dragon chase in Goblet of Fire.

Hey good news and bad news....but I will not spoil this....you will need to copy and paste this - if you want to know if Harry will live or die....Ron live or die....or Hermoine live or die??? so there's the link -

http://www.zendurl.com/h/hallows/

Yes they do have pictures of the story (at least 7 of them...enjoy or be more patient wait til the release day. Hugs to you all!

I saw reports today that there are photos of at least three different versions of alleged pages from the book. I'm not clicking there, but if you do, know that it likely isn't the real ending.

I have no problem with waiting a week to discuss the book. However, I would also have no problem with adding "Spoiler" to the title of this thread on the day of release and letting people discuss it as soon as they want to. Really, that's no different than what we do for new issues of comic books.

Mind you, as weak as I am, it's probably better to wait, because I can never seem to not read spoilers

Apparently you should avoid the New York Times is you don't want to be at all spoiled before the book comes out.

It's too bad they couldn't have waited a couple of days to do this. Regardless of whether or not the journalist purchased the book in a store, I think the whole world realizes that the book is supposed to be released Saturday.

I guess we're supposed to spend the next couple of days in underground bunkers if we want to keep the suspense going

Well, I have pre-paid for my copy. The bookstore is having an event on Friday night and then start selling at midnight.

I am debating with myself whether to go. Part of me wants to have the book asap. Part of me is thinking that it will be a madhouse there and will I be able to catch the subway home (the last train out of that station is at 12:23)

I have to go visit a sick friend on Saturday morning, so I figure that by the time I get home from doing that UPS will have delivered my book and I can start reading that afternoon.

If I don't sleep that night, I will probably have the book finished sometime Sunday

G-d has saved me from the midnight madhouse. As an Orthodox Jew, I can't be at the store Friday night, so I'll be redeeming my pre-payment receipt at Wal-Mart at around 9:45 PM Saturday night.

Madhouse's FUN! heh...went there three times in a row. but not this time. :\ but I loved there anyway. Fun to watch kids and adults dressing up and playing and running around amok in Borders bookstore. It made me smile.

i'm closing my eyes and posting blindly in this thread cause i don't wanna be spoiled. i'm going be drinking (butter beer?) at elephant bar until about midnight and then heading over to a midnight release party at barnes n' noble (next to the bar) in emeryville, ca. if it's not terribly warm i plan to rock my homemade gryffindor scarf...

It's almost unbearable to think that, at this very moment, my copy of Book 7 is sitting next door at the UPS Distribution Facility.

So close, and yet so far...

I've decided to go to the bookstore tonight, but if it is too crowded, I'll go home and return tomorrow. It is a small store, so, I don't know how many people can actually be in the store.

Emeryville's a nice place! plenty of parking and easy to walk around the mall. Is it near the movie right? or on hmmm Shellmound Ave? right?

My copy is sitting in a box in my office--about five feet from me, but I'm not allowed to open the box till tomorrow. The library was allowed to have the books for "opening day", if we promised not to let them out of their boxes until then. We were required to keep the box in a secure place, so the manager's office was it! I placed a hold on my copy several months ago to ensure I would have it.

Well, I got my copy last night. The line was not too long and I was able to catch the last train home.

I was in Harvard Square and there were a couple of bookstore there. The city of Cambridge closed off a couple of streets. Many people were dressed in costume. The bookstore I went to had an employee in costume tossing out Enchanted wands (twizzlers) and power pops to the people in line.

Right after 12, this one guy was walking along the line with a copy and offering to sell it for $80. Another guy walked by letting out whoops like he had heard the best news ever. I don't think anyone took him up on it. And a woman on the subway took a picture of me reading the book.

I am about to start ch.9 (page 160) It has been an enjoyable read so far.

I went to a party last night at an independent bookstore. They had a fortune teller and a Stump the Wizard contest. (The "wizards" were 10 and 11, and as far as I could tell, no one stumped them all night.) People who had preordered the book and last-minuters like me who purchased it there prepaid and were given numbers. Then at midnight, we lined up by number and got our books.

My friends were 18 because they preordered months ago, but I was 141, and my biggest fear was that someone would get the book, turn to the end and spoil it somehow, but no one did.

I pulled an all-nighter and just finished it. I wound up taking a 3-hour nap this afternoon because I just couldn't keep my eyes open. And since my goal was just to finish it this weekend, I went ahead and dozed.

I had a spoiler scare this morning, though, when I had to take my car in. I took the book with me and was reading in the waiting area. Then I hear another guy start to talk about it with the guys behind the desk! I peeked around the corner, ready to ask them to stop, but he was just talking about HP in general because his wife had gone to Kmart early this morning and was part of a mob buying the book. No spoilers, though. Whew.

I finished it at 2 Am this morning. I won't spoil a thing... just wanted to say that I enjoyed it.

I finished at about the same time. I loved it.

A few comments:

1. the spoiler page posted earlier in the thread is completely out to lunch.

2. Never, Ever threaten a member of Molly Weasley's family, no matter how bad you think you are...

3. Do not piss off Neville Longbottom...

4. Luna is a whole lot smarter than you thought

5. What, No Quiddich?

Ye gods, am I truly one of the few to have gotten through the book? I didn't buy my copy till yesterday afternoon, although I have irritated and alienated all those who love me by my obsession with finishing the book...and the (not a spoiler) random tears that have come every few minutes since reaching the last quarter of the book. The last coming from a regular old nearly thirty six year old white male father of two....somewhat under the influence of mojitos, but still...when can we talk about it? Do we need a separate thread?

I have an HP horror story-- I work at a Barnes and Noble-- we had a fun Friday night release party, crowded but good-spirited. Saturday, a young woman who was our cashier for the afternoon handed a copy of the new HP book to a customer who opened it up and read the last page outloud.

Luckily, no customers were around the front of the store at that moment, but the cashier was a big HP fan. She burst into tears, and was pretty much inconsolable for awhile.

I'm sorry I wasn't near the front to throw this jerk out of the store, but she was the only employee there (a moment well-picked by the creep, I'm sure).

I just don't get what goes through some people's minds, sometimes. I'm not a Potter fan (only because I haven't read them yet-- no judgment attached), but I can *so* relate.

Well, I finished reading it about 10 PM Sunday night, and I thought it was great. Pretty much all my predictions were wrong, but it was so well-executed, I can't be upset about that.

I just finished. I can't remember the last time I tore through a book this quickly! A great story and a great conclusion to the series!

I was a little surprised when Voldemort pulled out a machine gun and murdered the Hogwarts teachers.

Obviously Miss Rowling is a fan of Scarface

Oh yeah... the woman who sits in the cubicle across from me bought the book, but has decided to wait until her vacation in three weeks to read it. If anyone near me starts talking about the book, she gets all irritated and bitchy.

I'm sorry, but if you decide to wait three weeks to read a book that everyone is talking about, then you should invest in some earplugs.

Just finished...so tired...can't wait *whinces* for movie...

I didn't read the books until this year. I had watched all the films. and I must say, reading a saga without delay(well about 3 months) was a lot of fun.

I have enjoyed the series. this last novel was really good. the epilogue was well done. it explained a lot but left much to your imagination.


now here's my question: in the same way that Marvel Zombies or Star Wars has been done to death , how many horrible ways can the Potter franchise be extended? how about Potter Generations,Hogwarts: the early years, or maybe Potter alternate earth where house elves rule supreme? I am laughing, but you just know some suits are trying to convince JK to sign on the line.

o

She seems to be doing pretty much exactly whatever the hell she wants to do; however, I wouldn't be terribly surprised in a few years to see her pull a Conan Doyle and bring Holmes back.

Well, apparently she has announced that there will be another Harry Potter book written at some point. This will be an Encyclopedia, which will give more detailed character backgrounds that didn't make it into the series, and some glimpses of what happened to characters after the end of the series.

She said not to expect it tomorrow, as she wants to take a little break first.

Well I finished it this morning.

The story didn't let me down. I think there was a mistake in the story but I need to check it out. <span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text"> The goblin steals the Sword of Griffindor and then Neville has it later</span></span>

I felt the epilogue was a hastily written tack on. It also reminded me of those movies (like Animal House) where during the ending credits we see the characters and a "what happens to them" is flashed on the screen.

And I was glad to see my favorite character <span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text"> Severus Snapes redeemed in the end. Although I found his love of Lily Potter (nee Evans) a little creepy.</span></span>

Based on the epilogue, I wouldn't be surprised if <span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Rowling did a series with the Weasley/Potter cousins at school together. Sort of a "Hogwarts: The Next Generation".</span></span>

that doesn't sound bad. I just hope there aren't any bad spin-offs like: the adventures of Dudley, or Kreacher in Charge.

hey Quislet. in response to your two points: (1) the item in question is available to those in need, and are performing an heroic deed. that's why it appeared when it did.

(2) just think of that Police song, Every Breath You Take. unreturned love/obsession is creepy.