First stills of new Harry Potter film released

'Order of the Phoenix' is due for release next July
'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' due out in 2008

Key quote "We probably got it on the 30th take. My God, it was fun. We were awkward and nervous at first but once we got it, it was fine." Daniel Radcliffe who plays the character of Harry Potter

Story in full HARRY Potter fans have been given a sneak preview of the latest movie with the release of the first stills from Order of the Phoenix, the fifth film in the series based on JK Rowling's books.

In one image, Daniel Radcliffe, the actor who plays the young wizard, is seen crouching in an grimy alleyway as he attempts to defend himself from an attack by the Dementors.

In another, Imelda Staunton, who plays Dolorees Umbridge, the latest teacher of the dark arts, stands in Hogwarts school wearing a pink tweed poncho. Maggie Smith, as Minerva McGonagall, clasps her arms round Emma Thompson, looking uncharacteristically frumpy as Sybil Trelawny.

Imelda Staunton as Dolorees Umbridge; Maggie Smith as Minerva McGonagall with her arms round Emma Thompson as Sybil Trelawny; & David Bradley as Argus Filch.

David Bradley is also back as Argus Filch, the caretaker and bane of Harry's existence, in a role he has played since Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in 2001.

The images are the first officially sanctioned stills from the film, which is set for release next July. Their release comes just weeks after Warner Brothers executives fought to remove grainy home video from the internet showing Radcliffe and his co-stars Rupert Grint and Emma Watson filming a scene at King's Cross station in London.

British settings for the film have ranged from the Leavesden Studios near Watford to a Buckinghamshire park where the village of "Hogsmeade" was created. The movie has also been shot at locations in Scotland including Glenfinnan, Glencoe and Glen Etive.

Tantalisingly, there was nothing offered of Harry's first kiss with Cho Chang, his fellow Hogwarts pupil played by Katie Leung, the 18-year-old actress born in Motherwell. Crew members who have worked on all five films looked on sentimentally as the two played out the scene - again and again.

"We probably got it on the 30th take. My God, it was fun," said Radcliffe recently. "We were awkward and nervous at first but once we got it, it was fine."

Nor was there any news of Helena Bonham-Carter, who has been enlisted in her first Potter film to play Bellatrix Lestrange, a fanatical "death eater" devotee of the evil Lord Voldemort.

Grint is again at Radcliffe's side as the teen wizard Ron. Now 18, and fresh from premiering his film Driving Lessons in Edinburgh, he insists he will see out the Potter films in the part. Watson returns as their friend Hermione, having recently earned straight As in her GCSEs.

The other returning talent includes Robbie Coltrane, Michael Gambon, Ralph Fiennes, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman and Julie Walters.

George Harris, who appeared in the British gangster film Layer Cake, will make his first appearance in the Potter film franchise as the wizard Kingsley Shacklebolt.

Closely watched will be the performance of Evanna Lynch, 14, who was picked from among 15,000 candidates in a contest to play Harry's ally Luna Lovegood.

For the latest episode in the seven-story series, Warner Brothers is gambling on a British director, David Yates, whose background is in television films such as The Girl in the Café, Sex Traffic and State of Play.

The sixth instalment in the series, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, is to follow in November 2008.





Luna Love God






Bonnie Wright as Ginny Weasley, Shefali Chowdhury as Parvati Patil, Oliver Phelps as George Weasley, Afshan Azad as Padma Patil, Katie Leung as Cho Chang, James Phelps as Fred Weasley in Warner Bros. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - 2007




Ryan Nelson as Slightly Creepy Boy, Nick Shim as Somewhat Doubtful Boy, Bonnie Wright as Ginny Weasley, Shefali Chowdhury as Parvati Patil, Oliver Phelps as George Weasley, Afshan Azad as Padma Patil, Katie Leung as Cho Chang, James Phelps as Fred Weasley, Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, Matthew Lewis as Neville Longbottom, Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley, Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood, William Melling as Nigel and Alfred Enoch as Dean Thomas in Warner Bros. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - 2007



Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, Matthew Lewis as Neville Longbottom, Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley in Warner Bros. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - 2007



Imelda Staunton as Dolores Umbridge in Warner Bros. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - 2007



Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley in Warner Bros. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - 2007



Emma Watson as Hermione Granger in Warner Bros. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - 2007



Imelda Staunton as Dolores Umbridge, Emma Thompson as Sybil Trelawney, Maggie Smith as Minerva McGonagal and David Bradley as Argus Filch in Warner Bros. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - 2007




Emma Thompson as Sybil Trelawney, Maggie Smith as Minerva McGonagal in Warner Bros. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - 2007



Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley, Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter and Emma Watson as Hermione Granger in Warner Bros. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - 2007



The Dursley's - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - 2007

ah i love the D.A. picture...i want it as a poster!! (but where's Cho Chang's friend?)

i cant wait for it...the movies and the last book...

thanks for the info.

no problem I am also a Harry Potter fan , i love all the books and the films July 2007 is soo far yet im really excited all ready! the first time ive seen the DA picture it gave me goosebumps!

its now my wallpaper

hey since Cho Chang's friend isnt in the picture...[spoiler]do u think that Cho Chang will be the snitch?[/spoiler]...that would be crazy!

i like Luna...i think the girl playing her looks right...i like Umbridge as well, people think she should be more toadlike but i think that the actress is very good, and i dont think she wold do a bad job.

its weird in the DA picture, Ginny is dressed like a boy...WTH!? haha.

i think the order of the phoenix was the least entertaining out of all the books. i wonder how the movie will turn out.

hmm..i guess the first part of the book was a little boring, but things really speeded up towards the end..i cant wait to see how they film that chase with the death eaters at the ministry's office

-edited thanks to dr jung for the correction x]
July 13, 2007 is the release of Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix!
and
November 21, 2008 is NOW CONFiRMED the release of
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince MOVIE =D

i should know this XD
imma hpfreak lol
they've grown sooo much

They both got haircut!! THANK GOD.
I really don't like long hair on Rupert and Dan lol.
Can't wait for this movie!!
And I swear Emma just get prettier and prettier while Rupert got hotter and hotter LOL.

you got the years backward.. haha (:
I can't wait............. 10 more months!! woohoooo..

Looks promising, although I'm not getting my hopes up seeing that I was so disappointed w/ HP & The Goblet Of Fire...I hope the writers will get it right this time and not cut out major stuff from the book.

I was wondering about ChoChang's friend too...either they'll cut out the whole "snitch" scene or somebody else will be. But who?

Anyhu, what happened to guy who plays "Dean Thomas" dang he grew so much. From The Goblet I thought Neville was freaggin' tall but seeing Dean now, it's like ! Whatever he's drinking, he should give some to Daniel & Rupert

And I'm really to hear that there's only a year apart from Order of the Phoenix to The Half-Blood Prince, really happy

Thnx for the info btw.

yeah it got me wondering too,since Cho's friend isn't in the picture, actually my sister warned me about this book when I was about to read it , told me that if i didnt like azkaban then i wouldn't like phoenix being the atmosphere of the book is dark and all. but as I read through it, i was surprised that I actually liked it, and the DA stuff got me all hyped also the part where harry had his first kiss, the dates, him batling his personal demons , but secretly I was hoping for the pairing of Herm and Harry , although Ron is getting really hot and tall too, I just hope the original cast will carry through movie 7, it would be a pain to watch other actors playing their parts. I am excited to get my hands on the last installment , and the movies too , 2 years wait for phoenix is practically killing me. I think that the actress playing umbridge is a good choice she's got this sinister look in her. Yeah I just noticed , why is ginny dressed like a guy? lolz but she is prettier ain't that right? and ofcourse Emma is has grown soo much too and prettier! I dnt like harry's hair cut it looks awkward , Ron's too but somehow Ron carries it off cooly.

hahaha i love the girl who plays Luna. Have you guys seen the interview with her when she was first cast? HAHA she is seriously Luna Lovegood, its so so bizarre but really cute because she does seem really out of it in real life as well. haha it was a REALLY good choice.

ooohh~ u got me curious...can u pls give a link to that video if there is one? thank u!

EDIT: oops, nvm...found it one youtube ^ __ ^

July can't come fast enough

Hmmm...I never thought about that little issue with Cho and her friend and the DA. We'll just have to wait and see.

I'm so excited about this movie!!! And then the possibility that the last HP book will be out the same summer?

ahh can't wait
i love my harry potter..

wow the twins look ancient..

hahaha~ evanna was indeed cute in that interview of hers..her voice is so soft and kinda husky and the way she talks is jst cute she reminds me of dakota fanning a bit~ but even dakota speaks more animatedly than she does

Official Harry potter Logo :





Luna's Radish Earrings Designed by Evanna Lynch

Last week we had our first look at official photos from the upcoming Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, including this photo of Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood. In the photo she is seen wearing some radish earrings. As mentioned on our recent LeakyMug from California, we can now confirm that yes indeed, Evanna herself designed those radish earrings, proving a what a dedicated (and very cool) fan of the Harry Potter book series she is to bring those kind of details to the movie role of Luna. As mentioned in the latest LeakyMug, she told us on-set that she designed jewelry, but the question of who made the earrings was up in the air when we left.

Also, in this photo of the Trio, you can see them standing in a dark room , in front of a dirty old looking fireplace. WB has confirmed to us that the photo is indeed from the Hog's Head Inn at Hogsmeade.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix will be released next year on July 13, 2007.

Set and props pictures:

Hagrid's hut:





Behind the scenes picture:


BBC Feature of OOTP:






New pic of emma and Dan



Pic of Hogsmead Station:








What do we know about book 7?

Book 7
New WOMBATs and more at JKR.com
Topping off the best week in Potter news in a long while, a handful of updates have been added to our favorite author's site. Firstly, the much-anticipated second round of WOMBATs (Wizards' Ordinary Magic and Basic Aptitude tests) have arrived. Go to the Room of Requirement (by clicking the eraser on the desk) and you will find the door unlocked. For instructions on beginning the test, click the "Read more" link below - but for fun, try and figure it out yourself first!

Now for the other updates. In the news, Jo gives us the latest on the eBay situation and discusses the "honor" of HP topping this year's list of the most-banned books.

Also, JK's diary has a new entry concerning the process of creating a new word for the books, which she did yesterday.

In the rumors section, Rowling slams: "Stubby Boardman is Regulus Black," "Book 7 will be called 'Harry Potter and the Graveyard of Memories'," and "Snape was hiding under the Invisibility Cloak on the night the Potters died." Finally, Brazilian site Potterish.com is the latest winner of Jo's fan site award.
Read more...
Posted by Ciaran on Sep 29th | 1118 Comments | Submit News | Categories: Book 7
Report on Book 7 release
We told you earlier that READ magazine, which we had previously believed to be a Scholastic magazine, reportedly included a blurb in their latest edition about Book 7 coming out next summer. Scholastic now tells us READ is not a Scholastic publication. Any inkling we had about this being true has now vanished. Sorry!
Posted by Ciaran on Sep 14th | comments disabled | Submit News | Categories: Book 7
JKR.com updates galore
Certainly making up for the long period without updating, JK Rowling has added a new diary, news, and Extra Stuff entry to her official site. In her diary, she apologizes for the lack of updates recently and talks about her experience in New York for "An Evening With Harry, Carrie & Garp."

Also, a NAQ (never asked question) was added to the Extra Stuff section: Why did Dumbledore have James' invisibility cloak at the time of James' death, given that Dumbledore could make himself invisible without a cloak? You can discuss this in our forums here. Finally, in the news, she makes a post entitled "Book 7 Update," which we've all been dying to hear about:

Now that I'm back from New York, the only real news is that I'm continuing to work hard on the book. I've done quite a lot, and I'm really enjoying it, though every now and then I look up and realise that it's THE LAST ONE. You might think I'd have got used to that idea during the sixteen years I've been planning seven books, but it still keeps hitting me... no more Harry after this... and then I bury myself in book seven again and tell myself I've still got plenty to write.
Read more...
Posted by Ciaran on Sep 13th | comments disabled | Submit News | Categories: Book 7
JK clarifies rumor regarding Book 7 progress
On Friday we reported that the Daily Mirror spoke to JK Rowling at a tea party in Edinburgh, celebrating the release of Driving Lessons. Regarding the progress of Book 7, the UK tabloid quoted Jo as saying, "I'm up to about 750 pages now." At the time, we told you it was highly unlikely JK would give away how many pages she's written. Now we have confirmation in the form of an update to the the Rubbish Bin at JKR.com:

Oh pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease. I haven't written 750 pages of book seven, and if I had, I'd be very worried, as I'm not close to finishing it yet.

I was at the tea party for Driving Lessons, though, so this isn't pure fiction. The journalist reports that I said that Rupert is 'absolutely terrific' in the film. He is, so that bit shouldn't be in the rubbish bin at all.
Posted by Ciaran on Sep 11th | comments disabled | Submit News | Categories: Book 7
Rumor: JK 750 pages into Book 7
Rupert Grint's brand new film Driving Lessons hit theaters today in the UK. To coincide with its release, a tea party was held earlier in Edinburgh. According to the Daily Mirror, JK Rowling went along to support Rupert.

She tells The Ticket she is half-way through writing the seventh and possibly final book, but the 41-year-old Scottish author is keeping tight-lipped over rumours she's planning to kill off Harry.

"I'm up to about 750 pages now, but I'm not telling anyone what happens to Harry," she says. "I've just come along to support Rupert who's absolutely terrific in Driving Lessons."

Please take this with a pinch of salt. The Daily Mirror is a British tabloid, not exactly known for its accurate reporting. We agree Jo probably said she's half-way through, like she's been saying since June, but we doubt she would reveal how many pages she's written.

We are currently working on confirming this. Thanks to Danny for the link!
Posted by Ciaran on Sep 8th | comments disabled | Submit News | Categories: Book 7
Voldemort voted Baddest Baddie in the BigBadRead
Lord Voldemort was voted the number one villain in the BigBadRead, an online Bloomsbury poll to find the UK's favourite literary villain from a children's book.

Here's what Jo had to say about this "honor":

I am thrilled and honoured beyond words that Lord Voldemort has been voted best villain in the Big Bad Read poll. I am not sure how he would react to knowing that he had won a Muggles' unpopularity poll. A mixture of pleasure that you recognised his power and menace, coupled with fury at your nerve at mentioning his real name, I think. His author, however, is absolutely delighted.

I am sorry not to be there in person to join your celebration of literary evil, but Lord Voldemort requires my constant presence at the moment, as his Dark plans are unfolding in all their grisly glory. I hope those of you who voted for him in the Big Bad Read enjoy reading about him in book seven, where he finally gets the legroom for which he has been aching during all those years in exile.

I have always felt that cardboard baddies make weak heroes and that Harry deserved a really deluxe model, so I have done my best to make Lord Voldemort a real person, red eyed and snakelike though he might be. He, of course, is one of the reasons the Harry Potter books are often banned, but I remain of the firm belief that we need our imaginary villains, the better to brace ourselves for the ones we need to fight in reality.

Voldemort heads an extremely distinguished list, and I shall enjoy picturing him at the head of the table, while Sauron [#2], Lex Luther [#4] and Mrs. Coulter [#3, from His Dark Materials] glower at him, awaiting their chance to topple him. In the meantime, thank you again, on his behalf and mine, for the great honour.

Rounding out the top ten were The Joker (Batman), Count Olaf (A Series of Unfortunate Events), The Other Mother (Coraline), The White Witch (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe), Dracula, and Artemis Fowl respectively.
Posted by Emerson on Sep 4th | comments disabled | Submit News | Categories: Book 7
Coverage: Harry, Carrie, and Garp Night 2
We just left the second night of "An Evening with Harry, Carrie, and Garp" where JK Rowling answered some BIG questions for everyone. Here's the new facts:

- Other than Harry, Jo would most want to bring Hagrid into the real world.
- There's more to Aunt Petunia than meets the eye, and we'll find out what's unique about her in Book 7.
- Don't expect Dumbledore to pull a Gandalf.
- Dumbledore IS really dead. "Everyone needs to move through the five stages of grief" and get past his death. She also apologizes to DumbledoreIsNotDead.com for ruining the purpose of their site.
- Jo's future after Potter includes taking a long break from writing. She also plans to release a young children's book (currently half-written) that is shorter than any Potter novel.
- The librarians in the Potter novels have to be evil, otherwise the students would have nice librarians to help them find all the information they need. "Hermione wouldn't have to do any work!"
- Author Salman Rushdie, along with his son, came to ask, after a detailed theory, if Snape is good or bad. Jo replied that "your opinion was correct." Rushdie's opinion, unfortunately, was hard to follow.
- After being asked if there was one question fans should have asked by now but haven't, Jo couldn't reference any question in particular.
- While taking a shower before the reading today, Jo said that she had come up with a different title for Book 7 that would work better than her current title. No word on which title will be used, though.
- Stephen King said he was scared of Death Eaters, to which Jo replied, "I scared Stephen King."
- Moderator Soledad O'Brien asked the three authors who from their books they'd invite to dinner. Stephen immediately said he'd invite Harry and Hermione.
- While Jo is listing the characters who she'd invite to dinner, she names the trio but then pauses. The crowd begins to shout out other characters, but Jo responds, "I'm the only one who knows who lives through the series," accidentally implying that she could only list characters who make it through the final book. Her final two choices (after realizing what she said) were Dumbledore and Hagrid.

Whoopi Goldberg once again kicked off the night. Actor Tim Robbins introduced Stephen King, Stanley Tucci (starring in Devil Wears Prada) introduced John Irving, and Kathy Bates introduced Jo. All three of the writers read the same passages that they read last night.

UPDATE: Reader Kate sent us this report from last night. It includes some extra details on what Jo said regarding Book 7.

UPDATE 2: You can see two videos from last night here, thanks to Deepty.

UPDATE 3: Photos here, thanks to Bess Maines.
Posted by Andrew on Aug 2nd | comments disabled | Submit News | Categories: Book 7
Coverage: JKR's first charity reading
MuggleNet was in attendance earlier tonight at the first of two charity readings co-hosted by JK Rowling. The show opened up with celebrity actress Whoopi Goldberg praising children for their interest in reading. Next, actress Kathy Bates provided a detailed introduction for Stephen King. She talked about her obsession with King, along with the roles she's played in his film adaptations.

A surprise appearance by Jon Stewart stoked the crowd up when he came on stage to introduce JK Rowling. Typical Jon Stewart, in his speech, he described how his five-month-old son has been standing outside of a bookstore waiting for Book 7 for three months now. At the end of his speech, he said he should be sitting out there with all of us.

With that said, a video to introduce Jo had her in her home holding a yellow portfolio. In it, she said, was the final chapter of Book 7. "I feel like the camera will be able to see right through this if it's too close," she remarked.

A gigantic standing ovation met Jo as she walked out onto the stage in her special high-heels (with a snake on each). With the warm welcome out of the way, she grabbed her US paperback copy of Half-Blood Prince and began reading at the part where Dumbledore takes Harry back in time to when he originally found Tom Riddle.

After reading, Jo took five or six questions from the audience. The first one asked what Hermione would see in the Mirror of Erised, to which Jo replied she would probably see Voldemort dead, and herself and Ron living happily ever after. Another question had Jo responding that we'll find out more about how potions and the connection between a wand and a wizard work in Book 7.

Tomorrow we will have a report on night two of An Evening with Harry, Carrie, and Garp!
Posted by Andrew on Aug 2nd | comments disabled | Submit News | Categories: Book 7
JKR expects some 'bereavement' after Book 7
JKR expects some 'bereavement' after Book 7 At this morning's press conference in New York City, JK Rowling talked a little about deaths in the seventh Harry Potter book: "I guess some people will loathe it; some people will love it."

She also spoke about life after Harry: "On the one hand, I am going to feel sad. Harry's been an enormous part of my life and it's been a turbulent phase of my life and he was always the constant. So there will be a sense of bereavement. But there will also be a sense of liberation because there are pressures involved in writing something as popular. Wonderful though it's been, I think that there will also be a certain freedom in escaping that particular part of writing Harry Potter.

"I feel quite liberated, I can just resolve the story now. And it's fun in a way that it hasn't been before, because finally I'm doing my resolution."

Check out some pictures of Jo at the event here.

If you were in the area this morning and managed to snap some photos of Jo, please let us know!

UPDATE: A report by Reuters includes some additional quotes from the author. Thanks, Richard!

UPDATE 2: Higher quality photos here.

UPDATE 3: Veritaserum has an audio clip from the entire conference here.
Posted by Ciaran on Aug 1st | comments disabled | Submit News | Categories: Book 7
British Lit Expert:
James Krasner, professor of English and British Victorian literature at the University of New Hampshire, has spoken out on the recent media frenzy over two characters dying in the seventh book...and why it won't be Harry who meets his death:

"Whenever an author's books become very popular in his or her lifetime, as is the case with Rowling, a tug of war starts between the author and the fans about who the characters really belong to. Rowling, like Conan Doyle (creator of Sherlock Holmes), is trying to assert her control. She's reminding us that Harry is her character, not ours; she can kill him if she wants to. Doyle actually did kill off Sherlock Holmes, but Rowling won't go that far because she cares about Harry. Conan Doyle was really sick of Holmes," Krasner says.
To read the entire article, click here. Thanks to Donald for the link!
Posted by Andrew on Jul 18th | comments disabled | Submit News | Categories: Book 7
EW's Book 7 death predictions
In the latest edition of Entertainment Weekly, the magazine offers their odds on various characters perishing in the final Harry Potter book. The odds are summarized below, but you can see the full article here.

Ron: 20-1, Ginny: 6-1, Hagrid: 3-2, Hermione: 50-1, Snape: 2-1, Harry: 9-2, Voldemort: even odds.

Thanks to Heather, Terry, and Kim for the scan!
Posted by Ciaran on Jul 8th | comments disabled | Submit News | Categories: Book 7
Scholastic hopes for 2007 release of Book 7
Fans have speculated that HP 7 will hit shelves a year from today, and now an article by CNN Money describes how a 2007 release for the final Harry Potter book is just what the struggling American publisher needs. Scholastic's shares have fallen by 6 percent this year, and because of this drop, it has become more expensive for the company to borrow money.

The company is optimistic that its profits won't completely flat-line following the publication of Harry Potter 7. Drew Crum, an analyst with Stifel Nicolaus who follows Scholastic, said: "Post Potter, Rowling is on record saying she'll continue to publish books. Given Scholastic's relationship with her, they should be in good position to work with her. Of course, it will be nearly impossible to duplicate Potter but anything she writes will create some demand."

Thanks to Mark for the tip!
Posted by Ciaran on Jul 7th | comments disabled | Submit News | Categories: Book 7
Article on Bloomsbury outlook predicts HP7 in 2007
Back in May, Bloomsbury co-founder Liz Calder predicted that the seventh book in the Potter series would be released in 2007. Now, a new article released by Reuters also predicts the aforementioned:

Harry Potter fans will have to wait until next year for the latest installment of the boy wizard's antics to come out in hardback. The paperback version of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince has gone to number one since its launch, the company said.
Although not a direct quote from Bloomsbury, any news is good news for those skeptical of a release as soon as next year. Articles that state this type of information will typically receive this news from analysts who have an inside track or are well-informed with how these companies do business.
Posted by Andrew on Jun 29th | comments disabled | Submit News | Categories: Book 7
Character death odds, from the online experts
USA Today wanted to know which characters the "experts" thought were going to die in Book 7, so they asked me and Melissa from TLC to give some odds. Here's what we said. Even though they called us separately, notice the similarity of the numbers we provided.

For those of you in the Chicago area, ABC 7 may be broadcasting tonight a recorded interview where I go a little more in-depth than just pulling some numbers out of my butt, but I'm not sure exactly when it will air. As soon as I know, you'll know.
Posted by Emerson on Jun 28th | comments disabled | Submit News | Categories: Book 7
Full coverage: JKR on Richard & Judy
Full coverage: JKR on Richard & Judy JK Rowling's live interview on the UK afternoon talk show Richard & Judy has just concluded. Although the presenters lacked any in-depth knowledge of the series, if you're anything like me, you'll love Jo even more after watching it.

You can find full coverage of the interview below:

Video: here, thanks to Nick.

Transcript: here.

Screencaps: here, thanks to Natalie.
Read more...
Posted by Ciaran on Jun 26th | comments disabled | Submit News | Categories: Book 7
Popular search: Book 7 rumors
Yahoo! has published a top 20 list of the most-searched-for rumors on the world's second biggest search engine. Rumors related to the seventh book in the Harry Potter series topped the chart, followed by Sopranos and X-Men 4 rumors.
Posted by Ciaran on Jun 21st | comments disabled | Submit News | Categories: Book 7
Publisher says 2007 Book 7 release is likely
Publisher says 2007 Book 7 release is likely While on her visit to India, Bloomsbury co-founder Liz Calder said in an interview that she suspects the final Harry Potter book will be released in 2007.

"One more 'Harry Potter' only but she [Rowling] said from the beginning that she would write seven. So she would not write another one after this. But Rowling would write other books for us. The next 'Harry Potter' book is likely to come out in 2007. I hope so."
Read more...
Posted by Ciaran on May 25th | comments disabled | Submit News | Categories: Book 7
Scholastic stocks to soar before Book 7
Stocks of several educational publishers rose on Wednesday after a report released by Drew Crum stated that they had long-term investment opportunities. Consequently, investors quickly snapped up shares in three major publishing companies and Crum was particularly bullish about Scholastic, the American publisher of the Harry Potter books:

"We are compelled by the potential upside in the shares given the impending publication of 'Harry Potter' number seven, when considering the stock's history of advancing and peaking ahead of a book release."

Debunked Rumors


Before each Harry Potter book comes out, there are always people who will try to turn theories they've concocted into fact, or even those who will simply create rumors for the fun of it. Currently, there are a few about Book 7 and below you can find the ones which JKR has debunked.

Character Information

* Dumbledore is really dead. He is not in hiding and is not coming back.
* There will be no character named "Icicle," and JK said that she didn't recall saying there ever would be
* Dumbledore is not Harry's relative
* Harry is not related to Voldemort and he is not related to Salazar Slytherin
* Lily Potter is not alive
* Lily was not a Death Eater
* Crookshanks is not an Animagus
* Neville is not the son of Peter Pettigrew
* Remus Lupin does not have a twin brother
* Petunia is not a Squib
* Dumbledore is not Harry/Ron from the future
* Mrs Norris/Crookshanks will not be discovered as an Animagus

Plot Information

* Harry will not become Minister for Magic
* Peter Pettigrew’s silver hand will not kill Lupin
* Lupin will not return as a DADA professor
* The prophecy refers to Harry, and not in any way to Neville
* The final part of the prophecy does not mean Harry has to kill Neville, or vice versa

Other

* The title of the book will not be "Harry Potter and the Pyramids of Furmat"
* No prequel books are planned (no books before Harry's time at Hogwarts)
* "Keeper of the Keys" has no secret meaning
* The Sorting Hat is not a horcrux



Possible Couples



So who will hook up in Book 7? Below you can find a list of likely pairings we compiled after the events of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This page will give you a general idea of who we believe will get together in the next book, but if you're looking for hardcore shipping analysis, head on over to the editorials section. To see who was suspected of coupling in Book 6 before its release, click here.

If you think there should be more or less people on this page and you have a good argument to support your ship, e-mail an editorial (not just an email saying who you think will couple) to the Editorials staff. Please read their submission tips before emailing them. If they like it, we may post it here.

"ship" = relationship


Harry and Hermione

From Emerson and Melissa's interview with JK Rowling on July 17th, 2005:

ES: Harry/Hermione shippers - delusional!

JKR: Well no, I'm not going to - Emerson, I am not going to say they're delusional! They are still valued members of my readership! I am not going to use the word delusional. I am, however, going to say — now I am trusting both of you to do the spoiler thing when you write this up. I will say, that yes, I personally feel - well it's going to be clear once people have read Book 6. I mean, that’s it. It’s done, isn’t it? We know. Yes, we do now know that it's Ron and Hermione. I do feel that I have dropped heavy hints.


Ron and Hermione

After reading Half-Blood Prince, I'm sure most of you will agree that Ron and Hermione will eventually hook up. Although they never did anything in Book 6 to indicate they're now officially an item, we know this is due to the massive and more important events taking place elsewhere (like Dumbledore's death). I'm sure we'll see these two properly confess their longings in the next book. After what happened in the penultimate novel (Ron's jealousy of Hermione dating Cormac McLaggen and Hermione's jealousy of Ron and Lavender's relationship), this pairing is a sure thing. Besides, JKR confirmed this in her interview with MuggleNet/TLC.


Harry and Ginny

At Dumbledore's funeral in HBP, Harry told Ginny they could no longer be together.

"Ginny, listen.... I can't be involved with you anymore. We've got to stop seeing each other. We can't be together." (HBP, pg. 646)

Harry explains to Ginny that if Voldemort discovers they are an item, she may be in danger. Ginny protests saying she doesn't care, but Harry refuses to let another loved one die at the hands of Voldemort. There is a small possibility that their relationship may rekindle in Book 7, but I seriously doubt it. Harry has bigger things to do.


Draco and Pansy

A likely couple... pre-Book 6. Since Prisoner of Azkaban, the pair has been almost joined at the hip. For example, when Buckbeak bites Draco in Book 3, we see Pansy absolutely devastated. We also see hints of a relationship in Book 6:

Malfoy, ssunshineing, lay back down across two seats with his head in Pansy Parkinson's lap. Harry lay curled uncomfortably under the cloak to ensure that every inch of him remained hidden, and watched Pansy stroke the sleek blond hair off Malfoy's forehead, smirking as she did so, as though anyone would have loved to have been in her place.

Pansy clearly likes (if not loves) Malfoy and looks up to him, but I can't say that Malfoy feels the same way about her. He enjoys Pansy's company but only because she fawns over him and gives him royal treatment. Besides, even if he did like her, he's too busy with other things - just like Harry is too busy with his Horcrux quest to stay in a relationship with Ginny.


Hermione and McLaggen

It's obvious Hermione went to Slughorn's party with Cormac just to make Ron jealous. Not gonna happen.


Won-Won and Lavender

Again, just Ron trying to make Hermione jealous. That relationship is over.


Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour

These two are engaged and have a wedding planned for the opening summer in Book 7, so unless something goes seriously wrong, these two are sticking together.


Hagrid and Maxime

We actually didn't see much of these two together in Book 6, but our bet is they're still "close" - and who knows how their relationship will develop in the seventh book?


Ginny and Neville

It's a longshot, but as Ginny is now Harry-free, she might take more of an interest in Neville. They've always been close - even if Ginny is friends with him partly out of pity.


Luna and Neville

Although we haven't seen much interaction between these two, there have been a few times of note where the pair have worked together: Department of Mysteries battle, the Death Eaters/Order fight following Dumbledore's death, and Dumbledore's funeral. Luna and Neville also have something in common - the "loss" of a loved one. Luna's mother died when she was young, and Neville's parents barely recognise him. Also, the two are hardly the most popular kids at Hogwarts. Perhpaps, they'll comfort each other in the dark times expected in Book 7?

Edit: Nope. JK crashed this one.


Tonks and Lupin

We see from the hospital wing scene at the end of HBP that Nymphadora and Remus do have feelings for each other; the only thing that's keeping the relationship from developing at this point is Lupin pulling away because of his lycanthropy. We think he'll come to his senses eventually, though, especially in these times, where it's most important to keep loved ones close.


The following couples were considered pre-Half-Blood Prince, but we really don't believe stand a chance now. However, if you have a strong argument for why any of these couples could work, please e-mail your thoughts to the editorials section and, again, if they like 'em, we'll post them here.

- Ron and Luna
- Harry and Luna
- Harry, Ron, and Hermione Love Triangle
- Hermione and Krum
- Hermione and Draco
- Ginny and Draco
- Ginny and Colin
- Ginny and Neville
- Percy and Penelope
- Harry and Susan Bones
- Harry and Cho



Confirmed Information


On this page you can find several points of information we know about Book 7. Each of these points have been confirmed by an official JK Rowling source.

Character Information

* We will find out something "incredibly important" about Lily Potter
* We will find out who R.A.B. is
* We will discover more about Dumbledore's past
* We will discover where Snape's loyalties lie.
* Something will be revealed about Petunia Dursley, although it will not be that she is a Squib
* Viktor Krum will return (World Book Day, 2004 interview)
* We will see a reappearance of Dolores Umbridge - "It's too much fun to torture her not to have another little bit more before I finish." (MuggleNet/Leaky Interview)
* JKR has said, "There is a character who does manage, in desperate circumstances, to do magic quite late in life, but that is very rare..."

Plot Information

* Harry will face Voldemort for the final time
* Harry will be attempting to find and destroy Voldemort’s remaining Horcruxes
* Harry will return to the Dursleys' during the school vacation, but the magical protection Dumbledore arranged will expire on his 17th birthday when he comes of age
* Harry will visit Godric's Hollow
* There will be a reappearance of the two-way mirror
* We will see the wedding of Fleur and Bill Weasley
* The fact that Harry "has his mother's eyes" will prove to be an important plot point
* At least one character will die

Other

* The last word is expected to be "scar," but may change
* We will finally learn the full reason why some people become ghosts when they die and others don't
* The final chapter, which has already been written, will detail what happens to the characters that survive
* There will be no more Quidditch matches





Loose Ends


Because Book 7 is going to be the last book in the series, we can assume that it's going to tie up all of the loose ends that have accumulated over the years. Here's a list of those questions that will probably be answered in the last Harry Potter book. If you think we've missed any, e-mail them directly to sarah at staff dot mugglenet dot com (not sara at staff dot mugglenet dot com, nor Sara (Editor) on the feedback form, as they are two different people).


* Will Hogwarts open up again? And if so, will Harry, Ron, and Hermione attend for their seventh year?
* Is Snape good or evil?
* What is the significance of Harry having his mother's eyes?
* Why did Dumbledore trust Snape so much?
* Why was Voldemort prepared to let Lily live after killing James to get to Harry that night at Godric's Hollow?
* Who is R.A.B.?
* Are Dumbledore and Sirius actually dead?
* What bad memory was Dudley forced to encounter when he was attacked by the dementors in Order of the Phoenix?
* Where are the remaining Horcruxes? And furthermore, was Dumbledore right about what the remaining Horcruxes are?
* With Dumbledore dead, who will lead the Order?
* Is Bill Weasley a full werewolf?
* Did Voldemort go to Godric's Hollow alone the night he tried to kill Harry?
* Will the two-way mirror that Sirius gave to Harry come up again?
* Is the relationship between Ginny and Harry really over? Will they get back together in the end?
* What was the 'gleam of triumph' in Dumbledore's eyes at the end of Goblet of Fire?
* How will Peter Pettigrew repay his life debt to Harry?
* What lies beyond the veil in the Department of Mysteries?
* If Dumbledore and Petunia were in contact before Harry was taken to Privet Drive, then what were they discussing in their letters? Thanks, T.M. Howard
* Who was "that awful boy" who Petunia referred to in OOTP? Was it James, or was it somebody else? Thanks, Pranav
* Will Ron and Hermione's relationship finally come to be, or will something happen that prevents it?
* What were Lily and James' occupations?
* Will Dumbledore's portrait be of any use to Harry?
* What will Percy do now that the Ministry has been proven wrong and Dumbledore is dead?
* Where did Fawkes go at the end of Half-Blood Prince?
*
* What did Dumbledore see or experience after he drank the potion in the cave in HBP? Thanks, Linda
* How did the Potters and the Longbottoms 'thrice defy Voldemort'? Thanks, Kyle
* Assuming Hogwarts will open in Book 7, who will be the DADA teacher? Thanks, Kimmi
* Again, if Hogwarts remains open in Book 7, who will teach Transfiguration if Professor McGonagall becomes headmistress? And will Slughorn remain to teach potions for a second year although he said he would only be there for one? Thanks, Alex Yee!
* Will the terms of the Prophecy be fufilled? If so, will Harry kill Voldemort, or will Voldemort kill Harry? Thanks to Rachel, Kevan, Keith, and Sarah
* On her website, JKR stated that "there IS a significant - even crucial - answer" to the following question: How and why did Dumbledore have James' invisibility cloak? What is the significance of this? Thanks, Phil
* What happened to Ollivander, and since there was no sign of a struggle, who's side is he on? Thanks, Michael




^^ credits to mugglenet.com, leakycaouldron

Wow! Talk about info overload! But thnx for this bits-and-pieces infos. Big fan of HP but only to the extent of reading the books & watching the movies...don't have the patience to visit all the HP sites (only visited, ages ago, JK's official site =).

The "Evening w/ Harry, Carrie, & Garp" sounds wonderful! It must've been fun being part of that audience, anyhow, do u know if they're airing it on t.v.?

Can't wait for the 7th book...but thinking about it is kind sad (no more HP after? ), though, glad too at the same time; finally, the answers and conclusion to all these conundrums, from book 1 till 6.

I hope JK's slip-up (giving the 3 main characters as her choice) then saying only she knows who will survive is true. Don't want Harry to die

There will be no Dobby in the fifth movie, but Kreacher will be in it.

And that raises the question how Harry and the DA will find out about "The Room of Requirement".


And speaking of W.O.M.B.A.T.'s, I got "Exceeds Expectations", which shocked me to bits!!! I seriously thought I was going to get "Dreadful".

wow, that was amazing information thanks samgirl! i didnt realize some of those stuff were even in the first six books~ i should probably start rereading them before i forget entirely

Wow. Dudley looks crazy different! Evanna Lynch looks good for Luna.

George and Fred look like old men now..........

Aww man, i can't wait!!!!!!!

but it's a JULY!!! TTOTT;

i have freaken school!!!

argh.

anyway, i'll sneak out and watch the movie!! XP

ron is lookin gooodddd!!!!!!!!!

MTV: Dobby Out, Kreacher in for "Order of the Phoenix"
OotP Film
Posted by: Sue - October 6, 2006, 4:18 pm
Comments (89) | Average: 4.3 (102 votes)
MTV.com is reporting today that Dobby the House Elf will NOT be seen in the upcoming Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. In an interview with actor Toby Jones, who voiced the part of Dobby in Chamber of Secrets, Mr. Jones remarks on why he thinks the part was written out this time, noting:

"I know that the filmmakers have a problem with each new film because the books are getting longer — there's so much to include in them," Jones remarked.



The article also goes on to say that Kreacher WILL be in, and notes the possible role the nasty house elf has with the disappearance of that mysterious locket from 12 Grimmauld Place.

One scene to look out for in the movie is whether or not Kreacher is seen taking a locket from Harry or Hermione while the pair clean Sirius' house. Since author J.K. Rowling has informed the screenwriters on what's important to include in the movie adaptations, a shot of Kreacher with the seemingly innocuous silver locket would go a long way towards proving once and for all that "R.A.B." is none other than Sirius' younger brother Regulus, a former Death Eater who was rumored to be hunted down and killed by the Dark Lord himself.



Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix will be in theaters next July.

General Facts Not Disclosed in the Books

(Facts go from newest to oldest, with newest on top)


* Prefects can take points; Ron got it wrong in Order of the Phoenix, which makes him a pretty poor prefect, eh?
* Fred and George Weasley were born on April Fool's day (no joke).
* Ginny Weasley's first name is Ginevra, and she is the first female Weasley born for "several generations," says JK.
* Arthur Weasley has two brothers.
* Molly Weasley's maiden name is Prewett.
* Crookshanks is half Kneazle.
* The infamous Weasley cousin who was cut from the books was called Mafalda. She was in Slytherin.
* Dean Thomas's father was killed by Death Eaters when he refused to join them. Neither Dean nor his mother know this.
* Dean Thomas was named Gary in the first drafts of the Philosopher's Stone.
* Hagrid, Lily, and James were in Gryffindor. (Hagrid was NOT in Hufflepuff.)
* There are about a thousand students at Hogwarts. (True, that doesn't seem right, but J.K. said so, and she's the boss.)
* James Potter was a Chaser on the Gryffindor Quidditch team (although he was named a Seeker in the movie).
* Hermione's birthday is September 19th; Ron's is March 1st.
* James Potter inherited lots of money and didn't need a well-paying profession.
* James Potter inherited the Invisibility Cloak from his father.
* Witches and wizards have longer life-spans than Muggles.
* The Gringotts' goblins return the Muggle money they acquire back into circulation.
* The approximate value of a Galleon is about five pounds ($7.30 or 8.00 Euro), though the exchange rate varies.
* Dumbledore is 150, McGonagall is 70 (and is really an old softy; she just doesn't act like it), Snape is 35 or 36.
* Hogwarts' school motto, "Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus," means, "Never tickle a sleeping dragon."
* If placed in front of a mirror, the inscription on the Mirror of Erised ("Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on whosi") reads, "I show not your face but your heart's desire."
* The happiest people do not become ghosts (12) (therefore we can take it that ghosts are people that died while sad, angry, etc. Myrtle was teased, Nearly Headless Nick didn't have his head completely chopped off, the Bloody Baron was...lonely?)
* The Hogwarts teachers do not stay at Hogwarts during the Christmas holidays. However, Filch, Hagrid, and Dumbledore do.
* A few of the Hogwarts professors have spouses, but that information is restricted for reasons we will find out about later. (5)
* To remove the tail that Hagrid gave Dudley in the hut on the rock, the Dursleys went to a private hospital where the staff was very discreet, and said that a wart had gone out of control. (9)
* Aragog is an Acromantula (see "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them"). (6)
* Dragons can't be domesticated, no matter what Hagrid thinks. (6)
* There is more to the cats in the story (Crookshanks, Mrs. Figg's cats, Mrs. Norris, etc.) than meets the eye. (9)
* The animal an Animagus turns into is a reflection on his/her personality. (8)
* For Hagrid, keeping dangerous creatures is all about overcoming something that could kill him. (6)
* Azkaban is in a sea north of the North Sea. A very cold sea. (12)
* You can do unfocused and uncontrolled magic without a wand (like when Harry blows up Aunt Marge), but to do really good spells, you need a wand. (5)
* Muggle education is not required for wizard children prior to attending Hogwarts. (9)
* A magical quill detects the birth of every magical child, and records it in a book; Professor McGonagall sends an owl to each child when he or she turns eleven. (14)



Book Dedications


Ever wondered what the dedications at the beginning of each Harry Potter book mean? You can find all the answers on this page!

* Harry Potter and the Philosopher/Sorcerer's Stone

For Jessica, who loves stories, for Anne, who loved them too, and for Di, who heard this one first.

Explanation: Jessica is JK Rowling’s twelve-year-old daughter. Anne was Jo’s mother, who unfortunately died of Multiple Sclerosis on December 30th, 1990. Dianne (or “Di") is Jo’s younger sister, and she read Philosopher/Sorcerer’s Stone first before Jo sent it off to be reviewed.

* Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

For Sean P.F. Harris, getaway driver and foulweather friend

Explanation: Jo met Sean at the age of eleven at her secondary school, Wyedean. From JKR.com: “He was the first of my friends to learn to drive and that turquoise and white car meant FREEDOM and no more having to ask my father to give me lifts, which is the worst thing about living in the countryside when you are a teenager. Some of the happiest memories of my teenage years involve zooming off into the darkness in Sean's car. He was the first person with whom I really discussed my serious ambition to be a writer and he was also the only person who thought I was bound to be a success at it, which meant much more to me than I ever told him at the time.”

* Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

To Jill Prewett and Aine Kiely, the godmothers of Swing

Explanation: Jill Prewett and Aine Kiely were JK Rowling's flatmates when she lived in Portugal. They used to visit a club/restaurant called "Swing" very regularly. Because they spent so much time there, Jo called themselves its godmothers. (Thanks, Charlotte!)

* Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

To Peter Rowling, in memory of Mr Ridley and to Susan Sladden, who helped Harry out of his cupboard

Explanation: Peter Rowling is JK Rowling's father. Mr Ridley refers to Ronald Ridley, an old family friend of the Rowlings. This man's name was the inspiration for Ron Weasley's name. We are not certain who exactly Susan Sladden is, but it could be the Susan Jo once referred to in an interview as the woman who used to look after Jessica (Jo's daughter) while Jo worked on the Harry Potter books. (Thanks to the HP Lexicon via Lesley!)

* Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

To Neil, Jessica and David, who make my world magical

Explanation: Dr. Neil Murray is Jo's husband, Jessica her daughter and David her son.

* Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

To Mackenzie, my beautiful daughter, I dedicate her ink and paper twin

Explanation: Mackenzie Jean Rowling Murray, Jo's third child, was born on January 23rd, 2005. According to JKRowling.com: "She is ridiculously beautiful, though I suppose I might be biased."

According to Emerson, who saw Mackenzie when he visited Jo's house to interview her: "She's a cute pink ball."

"I dedicate her ink and paper twin" - Mackenzie and Book 6 were being "made" (developed/written) around the same time, and were both finished (born/published) almost simultaneously, hence Mackenzie's "ink and paper twin".

You can e-mail in information you may have regarding any of the people on this page to ciaran at staff dot mugglenet dot com and make the subject "Book Dedications."

Return to Little Things


Death Clues : oOTP
JK Rowling has hidden a lot of clues in OOTP that tell us who is going to die before they actually die! However, it takes a cunning eye to spot them...


* On page 60 of the American edition of OOTP, just as they enter number twelve Grimmauld Place, it says "The other's hushed voices were giving Harry an odd feeling of foreboding; it was as though they had just entered the house of a dying man."

* On Harry's first night at Grimmauld Place, the entire house sits down to dinner. In total, thirteen of them eat together. According to Trelawney in POA, when thirteen people dine together, the first one to rise is the first to die. No prizes for guessing who rises first here: "Sirius started to rise from his chair." NOTE: This is arguable as Ginny is not sitting at the table at the time, but she may be counted as "being" in the room and eating with the others, thus it can still count as foreshadowing.

* Sirius' house is number twelve, Grimmauld place. The Grim is a sign that death is coming. -Thanks Kristin

* When Fred and George were levitating dinner onto the table at 12 Grimmauld Place, they lost control of one of the knives. It dropped and embedded itself into the table right very near Sirius. This could be foreshadowing Sirius' death.

* On page 462 of the UK version, it says "Harry had an unpleasant constricted sensation in his chest; he did not want to say goodbye to Sirius. He had a bad feeling about this parting; he didn't know when they would next see each other." This speaks for itself; the part about them never seeing each other again was true in the end.

* A lot of people say that Sirius' Animagus form (big, black, shaggy dog) is uncannily similar to the Grim and so his death was coming from when we first met him in POA.

* In Chapter 9, Sirius says, "It's a matter of time before Voldemort moves into the open; once he does, the whole Ministry's going to be begging us to forgive them. And I'm not sure I'll be accepting their apology." Why? Because he's dead by then. -Thanks LizzyBeth.

* In Book 1, Chapter 15, when Hagrid, Harry and Hermione run into the Centaurs, Ronan makes the pronouncement, "Always the innocent are the first victims." Everyone thought Sirius was guilty, but he turned out to be innocent.

* On page 477 of the American edition of OOTP, Sirius says, "This is how it is-- this is why you're not in the Order-- you don't understand -- there are things worth dying for!"

* In St. Mungo’s, when they are going to visit Mr. Weasley- 'They climbed a flight of stairs and entered the "Creature-Induced Injuries" corridor, where the second door on the right bore the words 'DANGEROUS' DAI LLEWELLYN WARD: SERIOUS BITES.' If you put these words on a sign, they would read:

Creature-Induced Injuries
Dangerous
Dai Llewellyn Ward
Serious Bites

Take the first word of each of these and what do you get get? Creature Dangerous Dai Serious? No - Kreacher dangerous, Die Sirius...

* In the American book, the first page shows the book title and an illustration. There is a picture of Sirius' Animagus form leaving 12 Grimmauld place. It shows that Sirius would be leaving something; in this case, it was life. -Thanks Elz P

* Page 20 of the UK edition: "The darkness pressed on his eyes like a weightless veil." This looks like foreshadowing to me! -Thanks Adam

* Sirius tells Harry, Ron and Hermione to call him "Snuffles." To snuff it means to die, foreshadowing the death of Sirius.

* On page 741 of the American version, about in the middle of the page, Kreacher says, "Master will not come back from the Department of Mysteries!" he said gleefully. "Kreacher and his Mistress are alone again!" He meant this literally. -Thanks Jess

* On page 75 of the American version, Molly Weasley says: "The meeting's over, you can come down and have dinner now, everyone's dying to see you, Harry." This is very unlikely to be a death clue, but I thought I'd mention it all the same. -Thanks Sila

* On page 773 of the American version: Harry goes up to the archway and the veil in the Department of Mysteries. He gets up to the archway and calls for Sirius, possibly foreshadowing Sirius's death by calling for him at the place of it. -Thanks Eli

* On page 717 of the UK edition, in the battle between Dumbledore and Voldemort, it says, "Dumbledore was stood in front of the golden gates." The golden gates could be associated with heaven or the afterlife, hinting towards his death in Book 6. -Thanks Breanna




Death clues : half Blood

K Rowling has hidden a lot of clues in HBP that tell us who is going to die before they actually die! However, it takes a cunning eye to spot them...


* On page 113 of the American edition, Narcissa Malfoy says: "I see that being Dumbledore's favorite has given you a false sense of security, Harry Potter. But Dumbledore won't always be there to protect you."

* On page 166 of the American edition, Harry, Ron, and Hermione talk about Dumbledore's arm and Hermione says, "It looks dead."

* On page 551 of the American edition, Dumbledore says to Harry: "If I tell you to leave me and save yourself, you will do as I tell you?"

* On page 573 of the American edition, the following occurred:

Dumbledore drank [the potion], and no sooner had he finished than he yelled, “KILL ME!”

“This - this one will!” gasped Harry. “Just drink this . . . It’ll be over . . . all over!”

* On page 167 of the US edition:

"Well, there's one good thing," he said savagely. "Snape'll be gone by the end of the year."
"What do you mean?" asked Ron.
"That job's jinxed. No one's lasted more than a year .... Quirrell actually died doing it.... Personally, I'm going to keep my fingers crossed for another death...."

As it turns out, it was a death that got Snape out of the job for next year (presumably, anyway). - Thanks, Amy.

* On page 543 of the American version, Professor Trelawney gives a major clue about Dumbledore’s death when she explains how she is foreseeing calamity and disaster:

"If Dumbledore chooses to ignore the warnings the cards show-" Her bony hand closed suddenly around Harry’s wrist. "Again and again, no matter how I lay them out," and she pulled a card dramatically from underneath her shawls. "The lightning struck tower," she whispered. “Calamity. Disaster. Coming nearer all the time."

Seems as if another one of Trelawney’s predictions was right. - Thanks, Chelsea

* On page 549 of the US HBP, Harry yells at Dumbledore:
"Haven't you noticed, Professor, how the people Snape hates tend to end up dead?"
You could relate this to the fact that Snape later stares at Dumbledore "with revulsion and hatred etched in the harsh lines of his face" before he kills him. This would suggest that Snape isn't actually working for the good side. - Thanks, Cristyn


* On page 197 of HBP (US Edition) Dumbledore says, "I make mistakes just like the next man. In fact, being - forgive me - rather cleverer than most men, my mistakes tend to be correspondingly huger."
This could foreshadow the fact that Dumbledore's possible mistake in trusting Snape led to his death. - Thanks, Danielle


* One of the chapters in this book is entitled "Phoenix's Lament." A lament is "a cry of sorrow or grief", so obviously Fawkes would lament over Dumbledore.




Things You've missed :

Sorcerer's/Philosopher's Stone

* They could hear footsteps, Filch running as fast as he could towards Peeves' shouts.
"Oh, move over," Hermione snarled. She grabbed Harry's wand, tapped the lock and whispered, "Alohomora!"
The lock clicked and the door swung open -- they piled through it, shut it quickly and pressed their ears against it, listening.
"Which way did they go Peeves?" Filch was saying. "Quick, tell me."
"Say 'please.'"
"Don't mess with me, Peeves, now where did they go?"
"Shan't say nothing if you don't say please," said Peeves in his annoying singsong voice.

Then, as you know, they turn around to face Fluffy who is glaring at them and about to attack. They were inside that room for quite a while listening to Peeves and Filch before they turned around to see Fluffy. Why didn't Fluffy attack as soon as they entered the room? Possibly because of Peeves' singsong voice, which might have started putting Fluffy to sleep. Fluffy didn't start baring his teeth until after Filch and Peeves had left.


* Professor Quirrell, in his absurd turban, was talking to teacher with greasy black hair, a hooked nose, and sallow skin.
It happened very suddenly. The hook-nosed teacher looked past Quirrell's turban straight into Harry's eyes -- and a sharp, hot pain shot across the scar on Harry's forehead.

That sharp burst of pain did not come from Snape, but from Quirrell's turban, where Voldemort was "hiding." It should have been obvious after finishing the book, but for many of us, it wasn't!


* After the students finish their exams and are lounging around by the lake, Harry gazes at an owl flying toward the school with a letter in its mouth. The letter that owl was carrying was the "urgent letter from the Ministry" that lured Dumbledore away from the school.


* Sunshine daisies
Butter mellow
Turn this stupid, fat rat yellow!

Ron uses this spell in an attempt to turn Scabbers yellow. It doesn't work. Hermione wonders if it's even a real spell. But perhaps the reason the spell didn't work was because Scabbers wasn't actually a rat - it was Pettigrew in rat form. (Thanks, Holly!)

* In the "enormous, old" reference book where Flamel is mentioned, it says that he was 665 years old as of "last year." That means he was the 666 (the Mark of the Beast) when the book was published.



Chamber of Secrets

* "In that case, perhaps we can return to my list," said Mr. Malfoy shortly. "I am in something of a hurry, Borgin, I have important business elsewhere today."

JKR has just told us Mr. Malfoy is doing something else today that may affect the story line: he ends up in Flourish and Blotts next and puts the diary into Ginny's cauldron. What was his business? And did it involve the diary somehow?



Prisoner of Azkaban

* When Harry and Hermione are using the Time Turner, JKR writes in extremely subtle things that occured the first time around, such as Harry and Hermione having to hide in a closet from themselves. The Time Turner stuff is pretty complicated, here is where our Time Travel analysis can be found.


* Chapter 11, The Firebolt: " GET-HIM-OUT-OF-HERE!" Ron bellowed as Crookshanks's claws ripped his pajamas and Scabbers attempted a wild escape over his shoulder. Ron seized Scabbers by the tail and aimed a misjudged kick at Crookshanks that hit the trunk at the end of Harry's bed knocking it over and causing Ron to hop up and down, howling with pain. Crookshank's fur suddenly stood on the end. A shrilll, tinny whistling was filling the room. The Pocket Sneakoscope had become dislodged from Uncle Vernon's old socks and was whirling and gleaming on the floor."

At first, we think that it was Crookshanks that made the Sneakoscope whistle. But later on in the story we find out that Peter Pettigrew (aka Scabbers) was causing it as he attempted to escape off of Ron's shoulder. (Thanks, Carmen!)



Goblet of Fire

* After Harry sends the food package off to Sirius, he sees an eagle owl with a note in its mouth soar past Hagrid's cabin toward the castle. That eagle was carrying Voldemort's order to Crouch Jr. that he should stop Crouch Sr., who had escaped, at all costs.


* "Should I go and get someone?" said Harry. "Madam Pomfrey?"
"No," said Dumbledore swiftly. "Stay here."
He raised his wand into the air and pointed it in the direction of Hagrid's cabin. Harry saw something silvery dart out of it and streak away through the trees like a ghostly bird. Then Dumbledore bent over Krum again, pointed his wand at him, and muttered, "Ennervate."

And then a couple of paragraphs down:

The sound of thunderous footfalls reached them, and Hagrid came panting into sight with Fang at his heels. He was carrying his crossbow.

Could this be the way members of the Order signal each other?

Edit: Indeed, it is the way the members of the Order signal each other!



Order of the Phoenix

* The number Mr. Weasley punches into the telephone to get into the Ministry of Magic, 62442, spells "MAGIC" on the phone pad.


* "Step over here," said the wizard in a bored voice. Harry walked closer to him and the wizard held up a long golden rod, thin and flexible as a car aerial, and passed it up and down Harry's front and back.

The thing that the guard uses to check Harry is a Secrecy Sensor. (Submitted by Kel.)


* Chapter 30, Grawp, pg 677
"Warrington of the Slytherin Quidditch team reported to the hospital wing with a horrible skin complaint that made him look as though he had been coated in cornflakes."

Back in Chapter 6 ("The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black"), Sirius got "a bad bite from a silver snuffbox; within seconds, his bitten hand had developed an unpleasant crusty covering like a tough brown glove." He (Sirius) then says that it must have been Wartcap powder. Fred and George then snuck the snuffbox of Wartcap powder. They may have later given the powder to Lee and told him to put it on Warrington (or anyone he didn't like, really), as his symptoms seem to be very similar to Sirius'.



Half-Blood Prince

* In Chapter 28, "Flight Of The Prince," after Harry and Dumbledore's retrieval of the locket in the cave, it is discovered that the locket contains a piece of paper with a small note.
To the Dark Lord
I know I will be dead long before you read this
but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret.
I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can.
I face death in the hope that when you meet your match,
you will be mortal once more.
R.A.B.

Could the real locket be the same locket Harry found in Order of the Phoenix? In Chapter 6, "The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black," Harry finds a "a heavy locket that none of them could open..."

* The initials of the person who wrote the note inside the locket are R.A.B. These initials can be Regulus Black, Sirius Black's brother, where coincidentally, a locket was found in Grimmauld Place.



Miscellaneous

* A witch or wizard's wand size is selected in direct proportion to their height. Hagrid is huge, and he has a 16-inch wand. Voldemort is tall, and he has a 13-inch wand. Ron is tall and he has a 14-inch wand. Harry is average height, and he has an 11-inch wand. Umbridge is extremely short, and her wand is described as being very short. (Submitted by Patil.)

that girl who'll play as luna lovegood is sooo cute.
while most of the other casts looks kinda old to be be playing as hogwarts students.
but still, it's been a while and i'm itching to see them again on big-screen. ^^

I'm really excited abou this movie =) Better be better than the 4th one though. They left out S.P.E.W. -___-

oo dear, i still have to read the 5th book =X HOw many books are out right now, 6?..right? ahh

In the fifth movie, they're going to leave out "Weasely Is Our King". What a complete dissappointment.

why do they look angry in all of the pictures o.0;

I totally love these books, i can't wait till the seventh one comes out. July 13 2007 i can't wait

and as for the fifth movie coming out the same summer, same month, it makes it even better.

Well, the Ministry does try to take over Hogwarts and control what the students can and can't do, so there isn't much to be happy about when the Ministry is punishing you for saying that Voldemort is back and you are just trying to get everyone to become aware of what is going on.

SNAPE: Dumbledore's Man Through and Through
An original editorial by Dan McAllister


I’m sure we can all agree that the actions of Severus Snape in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince are very surprising. It is my belief that Snape’s behavior throughout the book (including the murder of Dumbledore!) makes sense only if Snape is a good guy, not a bad guy. Please hear me out before you dismiss this theory out of hand.

Let’s examine selected scenes from HBP in which Snape appears or is mentioned. I will show you how each scene supports my theory that Snape is Dumbledore’s man.

Spinner’s End (Chapter 2)

Assume for a moment that you are Severus Snape and that you are loyal to Dumbledore. Your mission for the Order of the Phoenix is to spy on Voldemort by pretending to be a faithful Death Eater. Narcissa Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange have just shown up at your door, and Narcissa wants you to swear an Unbreakable Vow to protect Draco and to kill Dumbledore if Draco can’t. How can you refuse without showing your true loyalty, especially with Bellatrix Lestrange questioning your loyalty to Voldemort? You can’t.

I contend that, whether good or evil, Severus Snape had no choice but to make the Unbreakable Vow, to show his loyalty to the Death Eaters. If you read carefully, there is a clue that Snape is reluctant to make the vow:

"And, should it prove necessary, if it seems Draco will fail," whispered Narcissa (Snape’s hand twitched within hers, but he did not draw away), "will you carry out the deed that the Dark Lord has ordered Draco to perform?"
There was a moment’s silence, Bellatrix watched, her wand upon their clasped hands, her eyes wide.
"I will," said Snape.

Snape’s hand twitched. This is certainly not ironclad proof of anything, but I believe it shows Snape’s hesitance to make the vow.

The Unbreakable Vow (Chapter 15)

In Chapter 15, Snape drags Malfoy away from Slughorn’s party and the two argue about Draco’s mission. Harry overhears the tail-end of the argument.

"Listen to me," said Snape, his voice so low now that Harry had to push his ear very hard against the keyhole to hear. "I am trying to help you. I swore to your mother I would protect you. I made the Unbreakable Vow, Draco-"
"Looks like you’ll have to break it, then, because I don’t need your protection! It’s my job, he gave it to me and I’m doing it. I’ve got a plan and it’s going to work, it’s just taking a bit longer than I thought it would!"
"What is your plan?"
"It’s none of your business!"
"If you tell me what you are trying to do, I can assist you-"

It is Ron who explains what Snape is trying to do in this scene.

"Course, you know what they’ll all say? Dad and Dumbledore and all of them? They’ll say Snape isn’t really trying to help Malfoy, he was just trying to find out what Malfoy’s up to."

I believe Ron’s got it half right here -- Snape is trying to find out what Malfoy’s up to so that he can inform Dumbledore and the Order, but also so that he can better protect Malfoy, as the Unbreakable Vow requires. Snape was forced to make the vow, but he’s trying to use it to help him spy on Malfoy for the Order. There is evidence that Snape has told Dumbledore about Malfoy’s mission and the Unbreakable Vow in Harry’s next lesson with Dumbledore.

Dumbledore listened to Harry’s story with an impassive face. When Harry had finished he did not speak for a few moments, then said, "Thank you for telling me this, Harry, but I suggest that you put it out of your mind. I do not think it is of great importance."
"Not of great importance?" repeated Harry incredulously. "Professor, did you understand-?"
"Yes, Harry, blessed as I am with extraordinary brainpower, I understood everything you told me," said Dumbledore, a little sharply. "I think you might even consider the possibility that I understood more than you did. Again, I am glad that you have confided in me, but let me reassure you that you have not told me anything that causes me disquiet."
Harry sat in seething silence, glaring at Dumbledore. What was going on? Did this mean that Dumbledore had indeed ordered Snape to find out what Malfoy was doing, in which case he had already heard everything Harry had just told him from Snape? Or was he really worried by what he had heard, but pretending not to be?

We can’t be positive of what is going on here, but I believe that Snape had indeed informed Dumbledore of everything. I hope you will too by the end of this editorial.

Dumbledore’s Murder (Chapter 27)

In the moment when Snape murders Dumbledore, we are meant to believe that Snape has betrayed Dumbledore. Dumbledore pleads with Snape, but Snape kills him with a quick Avada Kedavra.

If you accept that Snape has told Dumbledore about the Unbreakable Vow and Malfoy’s assignment, Dumbledore’s actions in the scene do not make much sense. He knows that Snape made an Unbreakable Vow to kill him! Why would he plead for his life when there is no way that Snape could break the vow? The answer may surprise you. Here’s the relevant text:

"We’ve got a problem, Snape," said the lumpy Amycus, whose eyes and wand were fixed alike upon Dumbledore, "the boy doesn’t seem able-"
But somebody else had spoken Snape’s name, quite softly.
"Severus…"
The sound frightened Harry beyond anything he had experienced all evening. For the first time, Dumbledore was pleading. Snape said nothing, but walked forwards and pushed Malfoy roughly out of the way. Three Death Eaters fell back without a word. Even the werewolf seemed cowed. Snape gazed for a moment at Dumbledore, and there was revulsion and hatred etched in the harsh lines of his face.
"Severus… please…"
Snape raised his wand and pointed it directly at Dumbledore.
"Avada Kedavra!"

Snape is not a stupid man. On the contrary, he has proven himself to be very bright over the course of the series. He arrived on the rooftop, saw Dumbledore defenseless, and he saw two broomsticks, just as Draco Malfoy did.

Malfoy stepped forwards, glancing around quickly to check that he and Dumbledore were alone. His eyes fell upon the second broom.
"Who else is here?"

Snape is a smarter guy than Malfoy -- two broomsticks and only one rider? I contend that Snape knew or suspected right away that Harry Potter was somewhere nearby concealed by his Invisibility Cloak. With this information, Dumbledore’s pleading makes more sense. He is not pleading for his own life. He is pleading for Snape to save Harry’s life! And Snape does exactly that. He hurries the Death Eaters off the rooftop immediately.

Harry felt as though he, too, were hurtling through space; it had not happened...it could not have happened...
"Out of here, quickly," said Snape.
He seized Malfoy by the scruff of the neck and forced him through the door ahead of the rest..."

In fact, Snape saves Harry’s life again near Hagrid’s house. A Death Eater has apparently used the Cruciatus Curse on Harry.

But before he could finish this jinx, excruciating pain hit Harry; he keeled over in the grass, someone was screaming, he would surely die of this agony, Snape was going to torture him to death or madness-
"No!" roared Snape’s voice and the pain stopped as suddenly as it had started; Harry lay curled on the dark grass, clutching his wand and panting; somewhere above him Snape was shouting, "Have you forgotten our orders? Potter belongs to the Dark Lord -- we are to leave him! Go! Go!"

Just after Snape reveals that he is the Half-Blood Prince, it appears that he is going to kill Harry, but I do not think that was his intention in this scene:

"Kill me, then," panted Harry, who felt no fear at all, but only rage and contempt. "Kill me like you killed him, you coward-"
"DON’T-" screamed Snape, and his face was suddenly demented, inhuman, as though he was in as much pain as the yelping, howling dog stuck in the burning house behind them, "-CALL ME COWARD!"
And he slashed at the air: Harry felt a white-hot, whiplike something hit him across the face and was slammed backwards into the ground. Spots of light burst in front of his eyes and for a moment all the breath seemed to have gone from his body, then he heard a rush of wings above him and something enormous obscured the stars: Buckbeak had flown at Snape...

Snape loses control of his emotions and hits Harry with a nasty spell, but he did not use Avada Kedavra on Harry, as he could easily have done. I believe that Snape would’ve run away even if Buckbeak had not flown in to save the day. If Snape wanted Harry dead, he had the opportunity just a moment before, when Harry was being tortured.

There is one final clue that makes me believe Snape is still Dumbledore’s man. When Flitwick arrives at Snape’s office to tell Snape about the Death Eaters' attack, Snape stupefies Flitwick and encounters Hermione and Luna outside his office and tells them to help Flitwick. Here is Remus Lupin’s comment in Chapter 29:

"It’s not your fault," said Lupin firmly. "Hermione, had you not obeyed Snape and got out of the way, he would have killed you and Luna."

This begs the question: If Snape is a Death Eater through and through, why didn’t he kill Hermione? For Snape, it was a perfect opportunity to dispatch the annoying, know-it-all Mudblood, whom he has hated since Book 1, with a quick Avada Kedavra. Hermione, believing Snape to be an ally, would’ve been caught completely off her guard.

In conclusion, I believe Hagrid was exactly right when he explained his initial reaction to Snape’s behavior:

"What musta happened was, Dumbledore musta told Snape ter go with them Death Eaters," Hagrid said confidently. "I suppose he’s gotta keep his cover. Look, let’s get yeh back up ter the school. Come on Harry…"

Hagrid is right on the money. Snape, having made the Unbreakable Vow (remember, he had no choice -- he had to make it), was going to have to kill Dumbledore. Dumbledore knew it, so he used it to his advantage. Snape is now ideally positioned to betray Voldemort and help Harry in Book 7.

Snape is not the vicious murderer that we are supposed to take him for. He was forced into making the Unbreakable Vow, and, once he made it, he used it to his advantage to try to spy on Malfoy and to gain the trust of the Death Eaters, the better to help Harry in Book 7. Severus Snape is Dumbledore’s man, through and through.

And let’s not forget the most important thing in Snape’s favor: Albus Dumbledore trusted Severus Snape. And, as Lupin says:

"It comes down to whether or not you trust Dumbledore’s judgement. I do; therefore, I trust Severus."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harry Potter and the Seventh Piece of the Puzzle
An original editorial by Jen

Firstly, have my assurance that I’m not a completely-obsessed-minute-detail-of-every-line-and-sentence kind of fan. It’s too much hard work for me to be like that. I just thought a really good summary was needed of what we know rather than what we think we know. Because we think we know a lot. For example: we think we know that there are seven Horcruxes. We think we know that R.A.B. is Regulus Black. We think we know that Dumbledore was right, and Nagini and one other item were made into Horcruxes. But do we actually know this?

What we actually know is that Voldemort considered the idea of Horcruxes because of his fear of death. He thought that by splitting his soul no one would stand a chance of killing him, effectively making him immortal. And Voldemort considered seven to be the most powerful magic number, so Dumbledore thinks there will be seven Horcruxes in total. This isn’t completely guaranteed, however. Did he manage to get all six murders and Horcruxes made before and after his ‘death’? This is a very important question; if he didn’t manage to do it before his ‘death’, then it will be easier to narrow down the ones he did afterwards...if he did any afterwards that is.

What we know is that Voldemort created one Horcrux and put it in his Diary. We know he put one in the ring. And we know he put one in the locket. And we know they can be destroyed, but apparently each one is destroyed differently (I doubt very much that Dumbledore destroyed the ring with an inky basilisk tooth). And Voldemort’s guarded them all very well. Even Dumbledore met his end, let’s face it, because of searching for those Horcruxes. And Dumbledore was the most powerful wizard in the world.

Anything else anyone says that we ‘know’ is, I’m afraid to say, complete rubbish.

Now then, on to the real point of this editorial. I’ve told you what we know and what we think we know, but now I want to provide evidence for what I think I know. Don’t go running off laughing when you see some of my theories. They’re not really that far fetched… well most of them aren't. And I’ll be putting any facts into the ‘know’ section and any theories into either the ‘we think we know’ or the ‘I think I know’ one, so it’ll all be clear which ones you can ignore. Right, on to the number seven.

Part One: The Number Seven

“Can you only split your soul once? Wouldn’t it be better, make you stronger, to have your soul in more pieces? I mean, for instance, isn’t seven the most powerfully magical number, wouldn’t seven-?”
Tom Riddle, HBP page 466.

When I read these words, and the words that followed afterwards, I was filled with a kind of fear. My initial thoughts were that there had to be a mistake. Seven? Why seven? And how can Harry possibly destroy SEVEN by the end of it all?

I scanned my memory for any other really important mentions of the number seven, and the first thing that came to mind was actually not a line of Dumbledore’s, not a quote at all… it was the number of books in the Harry Potter series: seven.

This brought up new and exciting possibilities. The first of my ideas is that there’s got to be a Horcrux in each book. And if that’s so, that means Harry’s only got one left! And this theory isn’t too far off.

First Book = Voldemort himself

Second Book = The diary

Third Book = The cup

Fourth Book = Nagini

Fifth Book = The locket (if we’re going with the theory that the locket was the one found in Grimmauld Place)

Number Six = The ring

Number Seven = The Seventh Piece of the Puzzle

There are two gaps here. Someone cleverer than me can probably fill them in accordingly. I think the position of each Horcrux is pretty obvious really.

That was the original idea I had. Seven books, seven Horcruxes. It all seemed to fit. But isn’t this just a little… over the top? And there’s a huge gap in number three where I couldn’t think of any Horcrux found, so I put the cup there with no real reason why (this is also the only book when Voldemort doesn’t appear in any shape or form). Although this theory was certainly interesting, and it could have been the reason for the number seven, it wasn’t what I went with. I’d love for someone else (I can’t believe I’m the only one to think of this – that would be ridiculous) to go through and find out what the Horcrux is. It would be a fantastic way (if it was true) of predicting every Horcrux but one – the last one.

But that idea was only that, an idea. Nothing more.

I did some very basic research on the number seven to find out what makes it so powerful and why that might mean JK chose to have seven Horcruxes. Some of these things range from the plainly obvious to the not so obvious. So, first thing’s first: to the Bible.

"By the seventh day God finished what he had been doing and stopped working. He blessed the seventh day and set it apart as a special day, because by that day he had completed his creation and stopped working. And that is how the Universe was created."
Genesis 2:1 – 2:4.

It was the most obvious thing I could think of, and even though I’m not a Christian myself that was what came to mind first. From this point of view, seven is certainly a very important number. Whether this would matter to Voldemort or not (he doesn’t strike me as being very religious) I don’t know, but it’s certainly one of the main reasons seven is considered lucky in our culture, or, as Voldemort said, "magically powerful."

There are seven days in the week (this is because of the lunar month of 28, which, when divided by four, makes seven, and also because of the Story of Creation in Genesis). Earth is the seventh planet in the solar system if you go inwards towards the Sun. Seven is the sum of four + three, both of which are also considered highly important numbers. There are seven colors in the rainbow as well (far-fetched I know, but still, it’s a seven).

I’m not here to write an analysis on the number seven because I’m not nearly clever enough and I don’t really think it’s that important at this point. Plus, I’m pretty sure it’s already been done somewhere. And besides, all that is comparatively useless evidence compared to the one, big, major piece I’ve got for there being seven Horcruxes.

I chose to believe there were really seven Horcruxes, not because of the perfect symmetry with the books, or because of seven’s symbolic meaning, but because Voldemort says so. It’s the most obvious piece of evidence you can have. Whatever Voldemort considers to be important simply has to be important. If Voldemort thinks the number seven is the most powerful magically, let’s face it, it probably is. And that is why I think I know that there are seven Horcruxes.

Part Two: The Diary, the Ring and the Locket

So, if there are indeed seven Horcruxes, what are they? Well, there are four we know for sure, including the diary, the ring and the locket (assuming, that is, that the locket wasn’t just a trap set by Voldemort to catch us all off guard). The fourth known piece of soul is of course within Voldemort himself.

Right, onto each Horcrux separately. First the diary. Now, for this one we have perhaps the most information. Voldemort murdered someone (I’m going to assume that it wasn’t Moaning Myrtle he murdered, as many people have suggested. I was under the impression that for a Horcrux to be made, Voldemort himself would have to commit murder, and technically here the Basilisk killed Myrtle, not Voldemort). We don’t have much information to go on as to who it is he killed here, but we can narrow it down slightly. Firstly, when he asked about Horcruxes, Professor Slughorn said the following:

“Look sharp Tom, you don’t want to be caught out of bed after hours, and you a prefect…”
HBP, page 463

And then the evidence from CoS:

"Tom Riddle had been at Hogwarts fifty years ago, yet here he stood … not a day older than sixteen."
CoS, page 227

At sixteen, Riddle was a prefect. We can assume he was either in his fifth or sixth year at Hogwarts. This fits both his age and his status as a prefect. But who did he kill to make the Horcrux diary? Not Myrtle, as I’ve already proved that wrong (or at least, I think I know it’s wrong). And not any of the Riddles, because Tom Riddle was already wearing the ring before he asked about Horcruxes. So whom? Surely the only conclusion to be gained from this is that Voldemort was killing more people than we’ve heard about, even at sixteen.

But whomever he killed, the diary was a Horcrux:

“Powerful enough to start feeding Miss Weasley a few of my secrets, to start pouring a little of my soul back into her…”
CoS, page 229

It almost makes me want to hit myself repeatedly on the head, it was there, staring us all in the face, "…my soul back into her…"!

Moving on, because if I look at that line any more I think I’ll cry… Harry of course destroys the diary (it’s relatively easy to destroy actually) with the basilisk tooth. I wonder if he could have just stamped on it, would that have hurt Riddle, or was it only the basilisk poison that finished him off? (Then again, Ginny tried flushing him down a toilet. I wonder if he felt that…)

What we know, however, is that this particular Horcrux was destroyed, and very effectively so.

"Riddle was writhing and twisting, screaming and flailing and then… He had gone."
CoS page 237

It’s surprisingly easy now to see the connection between HBP and CoS. And perhaps the thing that Harry discovered in CoS that related to HBP was simply that Riddle could put his essence, or as we now know, part of his soul, into an object.

Moving on then, to the ring.

I would have liked to hear more about this curse that was on the ring, because it’s the first real sign we get of the power Voldemort has to hurt Dumbledore. Before then they dueled, but neither of them seemed to sustain any serious damage. And yet this single curse is enough to nearly kill Dumbledore, as he admits:

“Had it not been – forgive me the lack of seemly modesty – for my own prodigious skill, and for Professor Snape’s timely action when I returned to Hogwarts, desperately injured, I might not have lived to tell the tale.”
Dumbledore, HBP, pages 470-1

A number of things jump out at me from this passage, not least of which that Professor Snape (who I am convinced is evil) saved Dumbledore’s life, but that Dumbledore was, let’s face it, nearly killed. And this was just one curse! Just one Horcrux! Harry isn’t nearly as powerful as Dumbledore (yet), and he doesn’t have multiple lives if he messes up. I can’t see how he’s going to destroy all of these Horcruxes without it resulting in his own death, but that’s just what I think.

Someone else should probably go deeper into Snape’s part in this story. Does Snape saving Dumbledore mean he knew about the Horcruxes? If so, then surely he will have told Voldemort that Dumbledore was trying to destroy the Horcruxes. Surely he’ll assume (because he knew about the private lessons with Dumbledore as one of Harry’s detentions was cancelled because of them) that Harry also knows about the Horcruxes? Surely Voldemort will know Harry will be trying to destroy them? Surely this means Voldemort could put even more protection around them?

These questions are too many and too complicated for me to answer in this editorial (which is already turning out to be amazingly long and revealing far too many points for me to examine).

I’m pretty positive that when Dumbledore says the Horcrux was destroyed, he meant it. Therefore we know it was destroyed. What we don’t know, however, is if he destroyed it before HBP or during it – the curse could have been lying in wait at the Gaunt’s house and not in the actual ring, so that when Dumbledore tried to pick the ring up he was cursed. We also seem to know that the object can somewhat survive the destruction or removal of the soul, as remnants of the diary remain and Dumbledore retained the ring.

Onto the locket then. And here we reach the ends of fact and move firmly into "we think we know" territory. We think we know that the locket was a Horcrux; in actual fact, there’s no canon proof it is, just Dumbledore’s assumptions (which I have to admit are probably right). We know R.A.B. took the locket but we don’t know if he (or she) managed to destroy it. Most of us think we know that R.A.B. is Regulus Black. This isn’t a fact – it’s just what we think.

What do we know about the locket?

“'See this?' he (Marvolo) bellowed at Ogden, shaking a heavy gold locket at him, while Merope spluttered and gasped for breath."
HBP, page 196

"She slid back the fine, filigree clasp and flipped open the box. There upon the smooth crimson velvet lay a heavy golden locket.
Voldemort reached out his hand without invitation this time and held it to the light, staring at it.
'Slytherin’s mark,' he said quietly, as the light played upon an ornate, serpentine S."
HBP page 409

We know that it was one of Slytherin’s possessions, and that it’s got its own magical qualities. Voldemort murdered Hepzibah Smith just to get his hands on it (although that doesn’t really surprise me if he can kill his own grandparents just to make the murder look neater). He took the locket and Hufflepuff’s cup and disappeared for a decade, presumably making the two items Horcruxes in this space of time.

And then we get into the really shady area. Voldemort hid this Horcrux in the cave (more on that cave later), and somehow, someone named R.A.B. stole it, replaced it with a fake locket, and vanished. Presumably Voldemort never knew that this had happened.

"To the Dark Lord,

I know I will be dead long before you read this, but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret. I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can. I face death in the hope that when you meet your match, you will be mortal once more.

R.A.B."
HBP, page 569

This topic has been pretty much exhausted already, but I know that when I read the initials R.A.B. the first person I thought of was indeed Regulus Black, and that’s what most of us thought. And until a better candidate comes up, that’s who we think we know it is.

I love the idea of Kreacher helping Regulus to get the Horcrux (a very brilliant theory by LadyTory). And the theory that the trio have already found the locket at Grimmauld Place was very good as well. I can see that happening, but remember, it’s not fact, it’s only what we think we know.

Did R.A.B. manage to destroy the Horcrux? How? If Harry can destroy one at just twelve years old, then surely an adult wizard could; but then again, Dumbledore barely survived getting the ring. Is this third Horcrux gone then? Many people assume it’s not, and I’d have to agree with them. If R.A.B. is Regulus Black, then perhaps Voldemort had him killed before he could destroy it, and it lay there in the house… but this isn’t canon. Regulus could have destroyed it, in which case there are only four Horcruxes left to find, which brings us to…

Part Three: The Cup and Nagini

She opened the lid. Harry edged forwards a little to get a better view and saw what looked like a small golden cup with two finely wrought handles.

"A badger,” murmured Voldemort, examining the engraving upon the cup. "Then this was…?” “Helga Hufflepuff’s -”

Voldemort and Hepzibah Smith, HBP page 408

This, like the locket, was stolen from Hepzibah Smith and (we presume) turned into a Horcrux. Voldemort seems to have a habit of turning valuable things into even more valuable things. And we must assume he’s hidden it with numerous protective spells. This is the one item I feel we can confidently say has been made into a Horcrux. It may not be quite as important to Voldemort as the locket was/is, but it’s still one of the founders' items, and it’s incredibly valuable. As to where it is… I’ll come to that later.

The Sixth piece of Voldemort’s soul is (according to Dumbledore) inside Nagini the snake. This depends on whether or not Voldemort finished making his Horcruxes before his "death." If he didn’t, then I believe Nagini is indeed the sixth Horcrux. If he did, however, create all the Horcruxes before his "death," then I’m afraid to say I think it unlikely that Nagini is one of the Horcruxes. She’s surely only mortal after all, why put part of your soul into something that could die? I personally believe that Nagini is indeed a Horcrux (let’s take Dumbledore on his word; he was only wrong about a few things in his entire lifetime, why should Nagini be one of those things?).

Part Four: The Seventh Piece of the Puzzle

At last we reach the real point of this editorial, to tell you what I think the seventh piece of the puzzle is. What is the seventh mysterious Horcrux?

Well, we all know what Dumbledore thinks it is. He believes that Voldemort would have been drawn to the idea of using an item from each of the four founders as a Horcrux. He had Slytherin’s: the locket. He had Hufflepuff’s: the cup. So that left Gryffindor’s and Ravenclaw’s objects.

Dumbledore believed that Gryffindor’s sword was the only known relic and was therefore safe. Ravenclaw’s however, he did not know about. But are these the only possibilities? I don’t think so. As Dumbledore explains:

“He (Voldemort) seems to have reserved the process of making Horcruxes for particularly significant deaths. You (Harry) would certainly have been that. He believed that by killing you, he was destroying the danger the prophecy had outlined. He believed he was making himself invincible. I am sure he was intending to make the final Horcrux with your death.”
Dumbledore, HBP page 473

If Voldemort was indeed planning this, then that implies (to me at least) that he would have had the item he was planning to make into a Horcrux with him at the time. But there can be no doubting that this failed. The Horcrux was not created, the item (whether it was Ravenclaw’s, Gryffindor’s or something else) was either destroyed with the house or left at the scene and forgotten.

What was this item? I believe this was Ravenclaw’s object, and I also believe it was lost and is now useless to Voldemort. But that doesn’t explain where the seventh Horcrux is. I read a long time ago the Changeling Hypothesis, both on Red Hen and The North Tower (#s 23 & 24).

The second I read the word "soul" in the description of a Horcrux I was instantly reminded of the theory. And I do not believe the theory is impossible, even now.

Could the seventh Horcrux be Harry himself?

This is of course just a theory, but the evidence for the Changeling Hypothesis can surely apply here as well. It would explain so much. I’m not going to go into details here, as the theory has already been brilliantly explained both at Red Hen and at the North Tower. But that’s what I think anyway.

Not quite sure? How about these other ideas then. The Sorting Hat, as one of Gryffindor’s objects, could surely be valuable to Voldemort. I’m not sure if he’d ever have gotten time to convert it into a Horcrux, though.

Or how about this idea then: Hogwarts itself is a Horcrux? I know it sounds a bit dodgy (not much evidence for this one I know), but Voldemort is making items he feels a connection to into his Horcruxes. And didn’t Dumbledore and Voldemort say that Hogwarts was where Tom Riddle had always felt most at home? Didn’t Voldemort try to get a job there? Dumbledore assumed he was looking for one of the founders' objects, but what if he was actually waiting so he could murder someone and convert the castle into a Horcrux?

I did say my theories would be wild and a bit strange.

Part Five: Hidden Treasures and Puzzles

Right then, on to the next part of the puzzle, how to destroy these seven Horcruxes (in whatever form they may be). This part is almost completely "I think I know."

Firstly, I think Harry will try to find out who R.A.B. is. Yes, we all think it’s Regulus Black, but Harry doesn’t. Give him time to prove us right (or as the case may be, wrong). If it is Black he’ll undoubtedly head back to Grimmauld Place. I don’t foresee many problems here when it comes to destroying this Horcrux, if it is indeed in Grimmauld Place. UNLESS, of course, Dumbledore’s fidelius charm has ended with his life, in which case I see problems ahead in the shape of Severus Snape telling the death eaters about the house.

After this, he’ll have a lot to think about. He’ll have destroyed three out of seven Horcruxes. He should now begin looking for Helga Hufflepuff’s cup. And this, I believe, will be either at Borgin and Burkes (a place Voldemort might have felt a connection to) or at the orphanage (another place with which he had a connection).

It will be extremely well guarded. Harry will need all his skill (and probably quite a bit of Ron and Hermione’s as well) to get to it. I’m sorry to say that I can’t see all of the trio making it through safely. There will be curses, and it’s far too easy to imagine Ron or Hermione going in first…

The same can of course be said for the seventh Horcrux, the unknown one. If it’s something of Ravenclaw’s or Gryffindor’s, then it will be hidden just like the cup, and it’ll be just as hard to reach.

Five down, two to go (or four down, three to go if you’re going with the whole "Harry is the seventh Horcrux" theory). Harry will now head off to his final battle with Voldemort, at Voldemort’s lair.

I’ve wondered for a long time where this lair might be. I think it’s fair to say that the Riddle House stands as good a ch