People. Let Dumbledore die. He was (probably) my favorite character. However, I know a good literary device when I see one! Dumbledore is dead. I don't think his brother will be brought into the story. This whole thing that you guys are concocting (esp. you thatsprofessortoyou) seems un-Harry Potterish----

Here's the story I have concocted from the past few pages of arguments back and forth: The trio realizes that they have to find the Horcruxes. Ron and Hermione, at the request fo their parents, have returned to Hogwarts, but Hermione has invented/ cast a spell that allows them to communicate b/w school and Privet Drive. The DA comes to rescue Harry. Ron and Hermione leave school...? Something happens in the Room of Requirement (maybe...) with Malfoy. (This is where the story begins to sound very mainstream or something like that) They leave- go and get the help of Aberforth- he's a funny fellow- doesn't seem like much- however, he soon reveals that there is more to him than meets the eye... (Brom from Eragon, anyone?) He's an animagus! Find horcruxes, ladeda, sing songs, listen to the Beatles, find more Horcruxes, pretty soon- the four (quite a comic bunch- oh ya- and at this point, Ron and Hermione are probably engaged and are snogging every chance they get) are in a Dragon race across Sweden- Dementors's begin to close in... DADADADUM! Oh no! Here comes... THE SAVIOR!!!!! and... Harry ends up fighting Voldemort at the Colleseum in Rome with the world watching. One final Horcrux is floating in the air and both Harry and Voldy cast ACCIO! and pull it from the sky... who gets the Horcrux? We don't know...

Wow. Quite a story. It sounds fun, witty, and humorous. Exactly what we want the book to be----- except that we want the funny parts to be seperate from the serious parts. I love each individual piece of the story- dragon race, snogging, Aberforth, but... all put together, its not what we we want DH to be, now is it?


(*I know, I'm killing the fun and I sound like your first grade teacher, but you can argue back- and I'm having fun too! )

RookWood THANKS FOR THE LINK!!!!

It gave us some insight without giving enough, just like her cover art.


At least we know the theory about the curtains is right!! Krissy15 was the first to bring up the likeness in the first and last book cover - curtains and others expounded on it.

I read some posts that people posted while I was looking up the first person who mentioned the two curtains and it put me off.


I guess my research amuses people. Like I said to my husband when he told me I would ruin it for myself if I guessed things correctly, "It's a game. It gives me something to do and puzzle over and when I read the last book and know what happens I will move on to something else that keeps my brain engaged."

Half the fun is picking up on the tidbits and researching, thinking. I guess when you put the different theories together they do sound funny but when we get together and brainstorm, even the bizarre, we are able to come up with more. You know 'two heads are better than one'

Cris

Yah, I guess the Proffesor's right- we're bound to figure out at least one thing that is actually going to happen in DH. And it is something for us to do... hmmmm- now, what was wrong with my Horcrux theory?

Of course when you put it all together like that, it doesn't sound like a very Harry Potter type story. You have taken pieces from everyone's theories and meshed them all together. What you have to understand is not everyone believes all of the theories. And what theories we do have, are just bits and pieces. Every now and then we try to theorize the story as a whole, but for the main part we are just disecting a small piece of the puzzle.

Also, we know DD is dead. There is no arguement there. However, that does not mean that Aberforth will not come into play. He is already set up in HBP to make an entrance in DH-Aberforth talking to Dung probably buying things of Sirius. This might be were the locket went to. But that's another topic. And even though I believe that Aberforth will come into play, doesn't mean that I believe that he will be essential to finding all the horcruxes. The trio will have the main responsibility of that. But again, that is off topic.

The main purpose of this thread is to try and theorize what events we can from just the covers. We would be greatly interested to hear your theories on the covers if you have any ideas you would like to discuss.

LittleRed7771

Now, I was reading back through this thread (pgs 1-16 or so) and I was amused to see I had a major brain fade. We discuss the chamber on the UKC being from Malfoy Manor. I guess I discounted it earlier because I was so gung ho to believe it was Gringotts. Wow, I appologize to all those who brought it up and I dismissed it. (RookWood I think you were one?)

I like the chamber under the sitting room floor (falling down through the arch); treasures and postions hidden; Draco's reflection and the fire would be from his wand, (maybe a dragon = draco). How utterly possible that is.

Cris

Something Professor just said reminded me of something. Remember when we were srguing that the boy all the way on the back of the dragon was Malfoy? Well, we settled on it being Ron- his blond hair was a reflection of the sunset. Well- what if Malfoy was a dragon animagus? Draco the dragon- it all fits!!!!! And Malfoy finally decides who's side he's on and helps the trio! See, Little Red I can be helpful!!!!

Well jctommy626 im going to have to disagree with you, because if draco was an animagus i dont think he could transform into a dragon because dragons are the most magical creatures in the wizarding world, and to be able to become one would take a really great wizard and im sorry draco dosent fit the bill

in response tojctommy626 draco-is-the-dragon theory:
yes, draco does mean dragon in latin! and yes you could say that the white tufty hair of the dragon is because of dracos light blond hair
however..... do you honestly think that draco malfoy is powerful eniough to transform into a dragon. in all honesty im not sure hes even powerful enough to be any sort of animagus at the moment, let alone having the ability to transform into a dragon!
im not ruling it out all together im just questionning your theory

Edit:
Avada Kedavra 44 soz, iv pretty much said the same thing, i think we did our posts at the same time!

back at ya!

Anyways, I see just one possible flaw with this. You said "falling down through the arch". However, from the looks on the cover, it appears that the trio is being sucked backwards back out of the arch. I guess it could be possible that there is a spell on the Malfoy's chamber that sucks intruders back out, but I'm not entirely convinced.

Don't get me wrong, there is a chance that the Malfoy's hidden chamber may come into play, but I think it will be with Draco's help to retrieve something he feels might be important in the war against LV. (Don't mind me, I'm convinced that Draco is going to end up good but that's another thread!) And I can't see what importance that will have to make the cover of DH.

I also don't see the possibility of Lucius having another horcrux. LV may have trusted him with one but to place two horcruxes in the care of one person would be foolish (at least in my opinion). And let's say for a second that LV did give Lucius a second horcrux, I would think after finding out what he did with the first one, he would reclaim the second to place it under better protection.

I'm sorry! Guess I see more than one flaw-at least in my eyes. I'm still "gung ho" with it being Gringotts on the cover-more precisely LV's fault.

Edit:


jctommy626 to you, too! I like the thought of Draco being the dragon. It has its merit. Draco=dragon. It makes sense. However, like white_bumblebee and Avada Kedavra 44 said, I can't see Draco being powerful enough to pull it off. He might surprise us, though!

Yea i guess we did white_bumblebee But its cool im glad to see that we share the same ideas about this topic

Wow- I refresh the page 5 minutes later and you guys all have something to say.

Okay- White Bumblee- you said yourself on the last page that Wormtail had help. Well, Draco was in cooperation w/ some of the most powerful dark wizards of his time for a long time during HBP- I'm sure they could have conjured up something (who knows, maybe even Voldey helped).

PS- I found this forum last night and since then I've been hooked- thanks guys! We're definitely the hottest forum right now.

yes jctommy626 wormtail had the help of three very talented wizards and after a very long time managed to become a.... rat!
help from others is good, but it can only get you so far, in the end its down to the presons capabilities! i dont think that draco malfoy is powerful enough to become the most powerful magical creature a dragon! but i may be wrong we will see!
also, im not convinced that it isnt malfoy on the dragon, if it is him that would rule him oiut of being the dragon! but its not close enough to prove whether its him or not unfortunately

also, yer i agree were are the hottest topic right now

Once agian i agree with white_bumblebee even with help i do not believe that draco could become a dragon even with the help of Lord Voldemort. Like you said white_bumblebee it all depends on the persons limits and i dont think that draco has what it takes to become the most magical creature. But hey i could be wrong

Okay- lets pretend that Draco himself is able to handle the physical (and mental) strain of becoming a dragon. Now what?

i dont really get ur drift there.. what do you mean lets pretend he was capable the what? what am i suppose to be answering, lets pretend hes the dragon and then come up with more ideas on what they're doing?? *confused*

Then i can see him transforming into a dragon But i know that draco means dragon in latin but if he really could transform into something that powerful do you think his animagus would be a dragon?? Ferret maybe

Lets say that Malfoy is a powerful wizard- his signs of weakness in HBP were not weakness in power, they were weakness in willingness to perform the tasks he was assigned to. So... Malfoy is powerful enough to be a dragon. His father started the animagus spell when he was young, when Lucius went to jail the other DE's and maybe Voldemort finished the job, - and after the transformation was complete, Malfoy just didn't try to turn into a dragon because he was scared. We all know that Malfoy's a bully- and that always shows he has bad confidence on the inside. Harry gives him a pep talk- Malfoy turns good- realizes how powerful he is- and BAM! He's a dragon. That far-fetched?


And that explains the dragon on the cover of the DH Deluxe Edition. (just to prove that we're still on topic)


Also: we are always saying that someone dies. Ron dies- Malfoy is the guy on the back of the dragon. (Although I like my first theory better.)

Don't let Draco fool you. Remember he is a pretty good Occlumence to keep his 'plan' away from Snape (and DD?). He might have more power than we think. Like Remus supposedly has.

As to the covers - I'm not saying they are going to Malfoy manor for a horcrux. They may be looking for things to lead to the horcrux or potions, portkeys or other important items.

Remeber the scene where Harry accidentally flooed into Borgin and Burkes and he saw the Hand, the cabinet and the necklace. We had no idea they would be anything. We have seen things in the RoR and we have seen and heard about things that Lucius needed to hide. Malfoy Manor could still prove important.

As a matter of fact.....Lucius was a, what is it called? oh yeah, he was on the board of Hogwarts, he had access and could 'take' important artifacts and hide them in his 'chamber'. Kind of an upscale Mundungus.

I am so sick of Theories!! I can't wait, I can't wait, I can't WAIT!!!

Cris

When i first saw the new cover art i nearly jumped out of my seat! Here;s why: This is my theory on the first cover art. . .

I am not sure that is the veil. The veil is described as a veil, not two curtains tied together. Just one piece of cloth.

I like the idea that it is symbolic of the beginning and end. The curtain on the back of the Sorcerors Stone was never explained, and many think it is the 4 poster bed, but i don't think so. The hand with the candle does not look like a normal hand to me, it looks like Voldemorts hand. The way Mary Grandpre has drawn it before is different from the way it is presented on the cover, the way she has drawn it is just one cloth. I don't think she would change it. I like the idea of the final show and it is symbolic of that. I think they are in some place where another horcrux is hidden. As for the shadows, no idea yet.

I have an idea, and it is sord of complex but bear with me. I posted it on another forum as well.

http://www.hpana-media.com/Books/HPDH/Book..._Childrens.html
There. A big close up of the childrens UK edition. This is a bit far fetched but bare with me. The snake in the orb looks like it has ruins more than scales. Those runes look like the symbols from the Runic alphabet, the Futhark.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Futhark#Mythological
Now, there is a theory out there of Dumbledore having close correlation with the Norse god, Odin. This ruin is associated with Odin, "In Norse mythology, the invention of runes is attributed to Odin, it describes how Odin receives the rune through his self-sacrifice." This would also go along with the theory that Dumbledore planned his death through self-sacrifice.

Also, the runes, "the runes are attributed with the power to bring that which is dead to life" Havamel is a poem with contributions to Odin, and one of the stanzas goes: A twelfth [spell] I know;
when I see aloft upon a tree
A corpse swinging from a rope,
Then I cut and paint runes
So that the man walks
And speaks with me.

A 12th spell. . .like the 12 uses of dragons blood?

Another stanza from the poem is as follows:

I know a sixth one if a man wounds me
with the roots of the sap-filled wood:
and that man who conjured to harm me,
the evil consumes him, not me.

A sixth one, like another use of it? It's interesting to note that a yew tree, which is associated with Voldemorts wand, is known as sap filled wood.

The runes are also associated with divination and oracles, somewhat, althought its hard to be accurate with it.

The whole dragon blood thing, dragon blood is associated with mythology and is used as medicine and protection and many other things. I think that what Harry has around his neck on the cover is a piuch with a vile of dragons blood. I don't think it is the locket. It looks more brown and clothy than a locket. Plus, Harry wouldn't show the locket in front of Voldemort and let him know about the horcruxes.

I know this is a bit far fetched, but that snake really does strike me as odd, and those scales look like more than scales. I know this also can't be trusted because it didn't come from JKR herself, only an illustrater, but it is still interesting nonetheless. I know, i know. . .highly unlikely any of this, but it is still extremely interesting. . .really far fetched. . .but interesting nonetheless. . . don't shoot!

Didn't JKR also say a while ago that Snakes play an important role and that we can guess a lot of the plot from looking at snakes in mythology?
http://www.accio-quote.org/articles/2000/0...-fry.html#part6
Snakes are sometimes associated with immortality. They often bite their tail and then coil around in circles to form spirals. The circles were seen as eternity. Called an ouroboros. In a Nordic myth, evil was give nby the Dread Biter, a snake, who coiled around the Tree of Life to try and suffocate it. The Tree of Life was an Ash tree, like wands are made of ash. Snakes were also associated with the underworld because they lived underground and dug holes deep into the earth. In some myths, characters would have to transform (transfiguration?) into a snake to go to the underworld.

Also along with the orb, i was thinking and thinking, and i was wondering why those stars are in the orb, so it got me thinking about star constellations, and i have no idea if this is legit or anything, because there are extra stars, BUT it is quite interesting nonetheless. I think i am thinking too deeply into it, BUT. . .Well, it could be the star constellation with Sirius or Regulus.Or, i may just be looking too much into it, but that orb REALLY is intriguing to me. Especially that window now. . .

Now, the dragon REALLY helps prove my theory a bit more. . .the two scenes depicted look VERY MUCH connected. . .the orangish look, the tatteredness, the expressions, i mean. . .it looks like the same scene. . .

I think the idea of the dragon being a annimagus is quite interesting, malfoy is an good choice as I believe he does have a strong magical power, but it could be a weasley, didnt rons brother charlie work with dragons in romania?

Also looking at the cover with the dragon, the boy at the back has got blonde hair, so it could be Malfoy, although Dudley Dursley is described in the books as having blonde hair and JKR has said that someone unexpected will show magical powers, could it be dudders?

I really like the cover with Potter and Voldermort, at first I wondered if they were some how working together for some reason, then I saw what someone else wrote, that they are both trying to get a horcrux.

The cover with the trio is really interesting, I would guess that they are falling down some kind of chute, possibly one that is hidden inside a vault at Gringotts, Voldermort is bound to have hidden one of his horcruxes there, its one of the safest places there is.

What a theory. Wow. Where's Professor? She'll love this one. Ok- so, I have absolutely nothing to add to that because that would require some research, which I don't have time for right now. All I can say is...wow. We all know that JKR loves to bring in Mythology- and although you wouldn't know it unless you did some research (which I have done in the past- I'm not that much of a lazy bum, but c'mon, school's out!) many plot lines follow the same story as a mythological character, which is what makes the stories so great; many have roots that are thousands of years old. And, from what Krissy said, we can assume that JKR may not come out and asy that this is the same story as from an old myth, but, the stoyr may follow a similiar plot line. I LOVE IT! However, it all rests on the fact that the snake has runes on it- which is a bit of a squint, if you ask me.

Ummmm... when i first posted this Felipe was posting at the same time and I must say I have never seen anyone condense everything they say into such a short little post. Everything she says makes sense! If only we could all make such logical posts...

Wow, Krissy15. That must have taken a lot of work to get all that. I'm impressed. There are a couple of things I'd like to comment about.

First, I completely agree that the thing around Harry's neck is not the locket. It looks more like a pouch to me, as well. You can make out at the top where it is tied closed and the material sticking up above the point of the tie. I've have wondered what might be in it and dragon's blood, which has been mentioned before on here, is a good guess. I have also thought about a potion that maybe Snape brewed for Harry to protect him, but I'm not sure.

Second, I don't really see runes in the snake. It looks like the folds and bends of the skin to me, but I may be wrong. I never was any good at finding shapes in objects like finding things in cloud formations and stuff.

Anyways, all in all, very well thougth out. Good job!

Krissy15, I love your theory!

I'm not going to repeat what others said, but i agree with LittleRed

One thing about malfoy being the dragon, I am under the impression that dragon blood would be easily obtainable to anyone from the order or the death eaters, if this is correct, then I don't see why if malfoy wanted to, he or one of his friends couldn't make some polyjuice potion using dragon blood. Unlike becoming an animagus, making the polyjuice potion requires little skill, even though it takes a month. I know this only lasts for an hour, but maybe if Malfoy turned good and was desperate to escape voldy, he could brew some potion and disguise himself and go and help the trio. Or, maybe voldy forces him to drink it to make draco fight for him, and then draco realises he's good.

Something like that, I know that was really unclear

Although I like the idea of using Polyjuice Potion, wasn't it said that it was only for human transformation? I might be wrong, but I thought to use the Poly. on any other transformation was kind of dangerous. Remember what happened to Hermione? It's a good thought, though. If it was done out of desperation, the side effects might be worth it! However, I don't see this as a likely idea. But you never know.

I am making a quick post because I just had a messed up tooth pulled and am on some great drugs. I know my limits and can't think out of a paper bag right now.

I want to think on Krissy's theory again, and in more depth.

Yes, polyjuice postion is only supposed to be used for people. Hermione was in the Hospital wing for weeks. However, if Draco was trying to hide from LV et al he may have not cared about the longterm effects. They knew Hermione came back and Draco figured he would, eventually too.

I have a hard time with it and think there is an easier reason, like it's just a dragon....but I'm not thinking at all right now.

Cris

I've skimmed over the last 5 pages so please forgive me if this as been mentioned before.

I've been re-reading the previous six books in preparation for the release of DH and I think I've found a location that matches the location on the deluxe book cover.

I believe the location to be in whatever country Durmstrang is located mainly because of the following quote from GoF:

Chapter 23, The Yule Ball, page 363: But ve have grounds larger even than these - though in vinter ve have very little daylight, so ve are not enjoing them. But in summer ve are flying every day, over the lakes and the mountains.

Now I know that on the cover there's a river rather than a lake but english isn't Viktor Krum's first language so it could just be getting is words mixed up.

Also J.K. Rowling said that Viktor would make a re-appearance in the last book, maybe they visit is country to ask for help.

Hmmm... Victor sounds right... but Ron and Hermione would be oveer at that point... it makes sense, and I don't know what JKR is planning, but for Ron and Hermione to realize that they are perfect for eachother, they would need Victor----- OR, the ultimate sacrafice- VICTOR KRUM!

HMMM, in Durmstrang country. That is very good. Good catch. Could Victor be the dragon Animagus? just kidding. We all know, as faux Moody pointed out, his head is full of sawdust....

I really like the location. The Buvarian/Germanic feel to the buildings and church, the mountains and river, it all looks Durmstrangish.

Cris

Well, he had help from Karkaroff to turn into that shark head- and he is powerful---- now we get on the Malfoy train again. Is he powerful enough? Does he have help?

Yeah, Durmstrang is a very good guess! Well done sakura blossom!

But hey, thatsprofessortoyou: What does Durmstrang have to do with Bavaria/Germany? Durmstrang is located in the north where it is much colder than in Scotland. You do know that Germany is south of Scotland, don´t you?

OOPS sorry, must have been the drugs talking. My appologies. Never respond when you aren't in your right mind.

But the buildings do have that Bavarian, Swiss Alps like look. And true the Durmstrang boys' attire looked more Russian than German.


Romania anyone?

Cris

Could be anywhere in Europe. But if the buildings are white, indeed, it could possibly be a clue that it is in the south. (well, maybe GrandPré just took artistic liberty...) On the other hand the realtively steep roofs indicate a rather rainy climate.
Weird.
I´d still say it´s near the "Durmstrang location". The mountains feature so prominently in the picture - it´s hardly possible to have that kind of setting in Romania, Germany or Great Britain, because it could be so easily atributed geografically. But if it is Durmstrang: who the heck would know if somewhere "up north" were a rock formation like this.

Tch...do some research please

It's the hot european countries that have white buildings, i go to portugal, spain and france a lot and everything is white over there because it reflects the heat. Near the mountains in Russia, everything is built in black to absorb heat. I know there are mountains on the deluxe cover, but all those countries - especially portugal, have forest covered mountains and lakes. Also, if the cover was set in a cold place, there wouldn't be fields of vegetables and crops growing.

Dear lovely Umbridge_must_die,
would you please read my post before you answer.
I wrote:

But if the buildings are white , indeed, it could possibly be a clue that it is in the south.(well, maybe GrandPré just took artistic liberty...) On the other hand the realtively steep roofs indicate a rather rainy climate.

I was dialectically dissecting the portrayal of the architecture. (Dialectically means a juxtaposition of thesis and antithesis, if that helps you out.)

The "typical" Russian house (if there is anything like that, it´s a big country, you know) is not black. Most of Russia has a continental climate: Winters are veeery cold, Summers are veeeery hot.

But I am glad you are travelling a lot. I value aim beyond succes.

I found some pics from Romanian villages and they actually do look a lot like the ones on the cover. I really did not search a lot for those. So I think they are pretty typical.

Okay, I am so curious about this circle symbol, and no one I found has answered this question yet, so I will ask. What was at that part of the spine on the other 6 books??? I think it was the stone, a snake, Time Turner, Goblet, Prophecy, Ring, wasn't it? If I'm wrong, please fix!!! I know people are really into symbolism, but I can't see that coming into play...I think that symbol is more concrete. Not something like Hermione going "This symbol represents friendship, so yeah, we should stick together!", no. It has to be somewhere...I wonder if it deals with anything religious, remember how Rowling wasn't going to answer questions about the religious aspect of the books, until it was published??? Hmmm....

I love those pictures!! They are so close to the picture.

Here is another one:
Rhine Valley Village

Here is a village in New Zealand:
here

check out the 'peak' pictures here

But again, artistic license and all that...


Cris

El Verte Veritas the pictures on the spine for the previous 6 books are:

PS - Dumbledore
CoS - An Owl
PoA - Padfoot
GoF - Another Owl, possibly Pigwidgeon.
OotP - A Poenix Feather
HBP - The Horcrux Ring

Personally I think the drawings on the spines don't give away a lot of information, the usually just point to a character or object that is present in the book but doesn't alway give away anything major about the plot.

The object on the spine of DH could have something to do with time since the Bloomsbury website as a countdown marker over the symbol.

Days away and I'm playing catch-up. So, the current theory has the cover not depicting GH, huh?

I've just been scouring the pages for additional clues hidden about GH. I still think that James having an animagus as a stag is indicative of a mountainous topography for GH. JKR did say his animagus form was important.

I recall reading somewhere that one of the major theories had GH in Wales somewhere. Anyone been to Wales?

i've been to wales! I didn't think before, but actually the weather and countryside is pretty similar to places ike Romania and Russia. It can get blindingly hot and frostbite cold. There are loads of mountains and lakes as well...

If GH is in wales then maybe James grew up there or something, and maybe he saw lots of stags, that's why his patronus is one.

At the moment i really think it's more likely to be closer to home than in romania/russia. The books have always been set in the UK and i think JK would have to have a really good reason to take the trio out of there. Also, thinking about the films, they might have to break that rule of only people from the UK being able to audition, which would be wierd, seeing as they've stuck to it all these years.

Oh, and dearest Thornberrycake, I know exactly what dialectically means, and perhaps if you'd cared to notice that i didn't say the typical Russian house was black, only near the mountains - which just in case you forgot, are cold. If THAT helps.

JKR has made it clear that Hogsmeade is the ONLY all-wizarding city in Britian. So, either James and Lily were living as Muggles in Godric's Hollow, or mostly Muggles live there anyway. Much like we were shown Snape living in Spinner's End.

One of the other characters was from Godric's Hollow, too. Oh heck, here is the cut and paste:


As for the village's exact location, there is speculation that Godric's Hollow is somewhere in Wales because when carrying baby Harry from Godric's Hollow to Little Whinging, Surrey, Rubeus Hagrid flew over Bristol — which is near the border between England and Wales. As Rowling was born and lived around the Bristol area, later moving to Chepstow, Wales, it is a possibility that Godric's Hollow could in fact be based on one of the locations she grew up in, perhaps Winterbourne, South Gloucestershire or Tutshill in the Forest of Dean. The references to this area of the United Kingdom in the books make them all a possibility.

Bowman Wright, the inventor of the Golden Snitch, was once an inhabitant of Godric's Hollow.

I think that this image's background is most likely in romania, bulgaria, or possibly ukraine because of
1. Krum described the Durmstrang school's landscape as being very musch like that of Romania or Ukraine . And Bulgaria (where Krum Lives) is right below Romania; and Krum is not likely to travel that far to get to school every year.

2. In GoF the Durmstrang Students Arrive in a ship, which means their school must be close to water and Romania borders the Black sea.

3.they are riding a dragon - Charlie works with dragons in romania.

all three of these fit all too well to be coincidence but the reason they are there is a whole other thing entirely

Mabye they are going to enlist the help of Durmstrang in the war against Voldemort?!?!

I was cheking some of the older posts and came across this by Potty-bout-potter:
"These next facts seem to fit with the Antipodean Opaleye:
native to: New Zealand (and Australia) - Dunno if this is New Zealand
habitat: valleys - Yes, it's in a valley
appearance: iridescent, pearly scales- the pinkish light reflects red in the pearly scales
size: medium - I don't know compared to other dragons
eyes: glittering, multicolored, with no pupils - no pupils
flame: vivid red - no flame
food: sheep
eggs: pale grey"

This is a very good observation and I thought, since someone earlier posted a pic of New Zealand that looked astoningishly like the landscape of the cover, that I would bring this very good point back into the light.

Potty-bout-potter also said:
"I know you don't want to hear about the animagus idea, however it sort of fits. We all know Aberforth got in to a little trouble due to a "goat incident". If we are correct that it is an Opaleye dragon, the we must consider two things. One Opaleyes are the only dragons who do not attack humans, and their favourite food to eat is.......GOATS. Could that be the reason Aberforth had to be hidden away at the Hog's Head. Of course there is the argument about why some animagus transform in to meager little animals like dogs, cats, and so on. But you're forgetting one major thing. Perhaps Albus isn't the only powerful wizard in the family. Perhaps Aberforth just concentrated all his power in to his animagus skills which he is no longer able/permitted to use. But then whay would he want to become a dragon. He also has a dragon's head that resembles a goat's head with the "goatee" on it's chin? like Aberforth and (as we know from Rita Skita they have charactoristic marks).
The only thing that makes me think that it's an animagus form is the horns on its jaw.
"You can't domesticate a dragon whatever Hagrid thinks. That's simply impossible."
-- J.K. Rowling (RC) So it would be a person."

I am just reposting this so that you can see what I saw and that is that this is a very good theory and is highly unarguable. And so that she and I can get some feedback on this.

I have been also wondering about JK´s quote:
"You can't domesticate a dragon whatever Hagrid thinks. That's simply impossible."

Obviously English is not my native language, but I have been asking myself if there were a difference between "domesticate" and "tame".
Judging from its Latin roots domesticate (domus = house) means keeping in or around the house. Whereas tame rather means to get a creatures devotion. (See: Taming of the Shrew).
This might be a way the trio could ride a dragon without contradicting JK´s quote.

I'd like to apologise now for having a go at you Thornberrycake, as the mods obviously are a little annoyed about it. I just don't like it when people patronise me.

Anyway, I see your point about the difference between taming and domesticating, and if you think that the trio have ridden on large wild animals like hippogriffs and thestrals before, they could probably do it with a dragon.

Anduril, good evidence for the aberforth animagus theory! I wouldn't be surprised if they asked Beauxbatons and Durmstrang to help because voldemort is a worldwide threat. Also, JK said we'd see Viktor Krum again, so maybe this is how we do.

meep!

Yeah... I was reading up... and I definitely think you've got something there, Anduril. It would fit perfectly for Beauxbatons and Durmstrang to be involved. This is a war! It's not just a simple battle between Harry and Voldemort... that comes later. We know that Voldemort has enlisted the aid of Dementors and Giants. It's not going to be a contained fight like a boxing match. This is huge and quite frankly the good side is going to need all the help they can get!

I would just like to point out, before I get any more undeserved praise, that the stuff I put in quotes was not my writing but that of Potty-bout-potter's. I would also like to say that even though Potty-bout-potter wrote those things first I would have gotten to them eventually - having read Magiacal Beasts and Where to Find Them myself - and the fact that I am very suspicious of the way Aberforth is presented in the books.

Actually, thinking about it now, I don't know whether Durmstrang would be able to help because Karkaroff dissapeared didn't he? If he was a death eater he may be unwilling for his school to fight against voldy because he is scared of him.

Oh wait, that was just from my vague memory of GOF. What happened to Karkaroff again?

Karkaroff is dead. He went on the run but didn't make it far. I would assume that he had recruited many of his students to the cause. At least the most able (I would have said best and brightest but Victor doesn't fit). Would Victor fall in this category? Is he a DE? My gut feeling is no. He seemed good.

When did this Potty-bout-Potter post this stuff about dragons? I've looked back over several pages and can't find it. I guess I brought it up again without having read that post, having just finished Magical Creatures myself.

As far as the new cover art, what is the brown patch on the ground behind the dragon? It is very obscure but almost looks like it could be the castle. This isn't remotely close to the drawings of JKR in regards to Hogwarts and the village. Could it be an artistic rendition?

Looking down the lake (or river) on the left it looks VERY much like the scene when Harry is riding Buckbeak in the movie. Almost identical....

I know, we are all just grasping at straws but....

Cris

If Karkaroff is dead, there must be a new headmaster at Durmstrang, so maybe they will be willing to help after all.

thatsprofessortoyou, I think that brown patch is a clump of trees on closer inspection, the don't look like a castle. I don't know why'd they be brown though.

On the similarities to POA, you're right about that, but I guess it must just be a similar scene, the deluxe copy wont be the most widely available, so it probably doesn't matter that they are similar.

Yep, according to HP Lexicon, Karkaroff died in the first week of the 2nd Wizarding War. He didn't last long.

Perhaps instead of Durmstrang itself, the group (or rather Hermione) will contact Victor for assistance. Victor will contact as many of the 'good' Durmstrang students as possible to help. I still believe that many of those students were from DE families.

I guess for logic reason, I will have to go back to my gut instinct when I saw the cover. The Dragon is Norbert - even though it doesn't quite look like his type of dragon - He, like Buckbeak, would remember the kindness Hagrid, /harry, and the rest gave him. Hagrid is still his 'mummy' right? Poor Norbert was mistreated by the other dragons, just like Hagrid said they would....so he is helping.

I really don't think JKR would add too much new....

Cris

JKR did say there would be no new major characters. Could a dragon be considered a minor character?

Somewhere on VTM I read a post indicating there was an instrument in DD's office in the GoF movie that looked just like the Book 7 spine symbol. Personally, I never noticed it; did anyone else?

If it is actually an instrument, I don't understand the etching on Bloomsbury's website? Or, perhaps they are unrelated?

Cris, I was also thinking over the snake in the orb. Since the entire Black house was decorated in serpents, do you think it could have something to do with Grimmauld Place?