I reckon its good ol' Norbert. The redness in the wings is probably the light shining through its papery thin wings.

Its hands aren't very human-like, as they have three fingers, not four, but i do agree that they look iffy.

I think they are flying over the area where the Burrow is as there are fields and it looks very countryside-like. This would also explain that he got the dragon from Ron's brother.
They are probably escaping from somewhere, maybe the Burrow was attacked by death eaters!!!! That would also explain why their clothes are in tatters.

I don't really know what they are looking at though...maybe the escaping death eaters on broomsticks? Or a huuuuge swarm of dementors, that would explain the mist and why they look scared, i would be too

If this dragon IS an animagus (i doubt it), then it would have features that someone has in their human form...Who has a short white beard or a piggy nose? (Dudley ) I don't know! Help me!

I don't really know why its eyes are white though...i don't think it is the imperius curse, becuase Katie didn't walk around with white eyes now did she?

Tell me what'cha be thinking!

I love this topic.

Now, for my own answers to Fish's well done questions...

1. Why would Harry be riding a dragon?
Well, aparently he is either escaping from somewhere dangerous, or desperately trying to get somewhere fast.

2. Where would he get it?
I like the idea of Charlie bringing Norbert back into the storyline.

3. How are they able to control it?
Hmm, the "Harry's-Parselmouth-Dragons-are-Serpentine" theory seems like a stretch to me, and also very Eragon. I'm very curious about the "misted eyes of Imperio-victims" theory. Can you Imperius a non-human being?? That would be very interesting.

4. Why does it have human-ish hands?
Well, I've never heard of a dragon's claws/talons described within the Harry Potter series, so a simple solution could be that this is how they look in Rowling's world. Of course, the Animagus theory comes back in here also.

5. What is the deal with its eyes?
My personal bet is one of two things.
1) It is Imperiused. In the books and the 4th movie this was described as having a blank, misted look to the eyes. This description fits here.
2) Simply... It's blind. Aragog was blind and was described as having white, milky eyes. This dragon's eyes definately look milky.

6. What breed do you think the dragon is?
I'd hazard a guess at a Norwegian Ridgeback just because I'm hoping it's Norbert. However, I cannot disagree that this dragon looks distinctly Asian...

I don't think people under the imperius curse show any physical signs of it. If they did it would be pretty easy for people to realize it when someone is under the curse. Rosmeretta was under the curse for a whole year and no one noticed. I really doubt they have milky eyes or anything because someone definately would have noticed her having glazed over eyes, especially Ron with how much he's always staring at her.

What about animals/creatures?

That's difficult because there's nothing to compare this theory to. We'v never encountered a creature under the Imperius curse, so there's no way to know if there would be any change in appearance.

Well, I suppose I can wait 4 more days to find out what the Dragon is really all about.

Of course you can, Mad Eye Moody used the imperius curse on the big spiders in the lesson in GoF (but in the film, they look more like giant, tailless whip scorpions )



Hmm, maybe, but in the picture, it seems to be looking at the same thing the trio are looking at, hardly the actions of something thats blind.



YES WE HAVE! (see above)

Ah, very valid points. My mistake on Moody's spider.

Yet, unless of course I am wrong again, the eyes are never described on Moody's test subject...

During the Goblet of Fire movie Krum's eyes are misted a pale blue-ish white, but as I said, movies do not stay to the book.

In any case, thanks very much BomChickaWowWow for correcting me on those points made. I guess this is one of those times when people are actually glad to be wrong

What are you're thoughts? I'm curious about your oppinion on this illustration.

But that was when Norbert was a baby. I could care less if Norbert comes back or not, but I really do not think the breed of dragon is a Chinese Fireball. Yes, I will give you that the description will not be exactly like FBAWTFT (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, for those who dont know) but it also wont be so drastically different. Smooth and Scarlet scales seem, to me, a most fundamental characteristic that wouldnt be changed. Yet, we see rough scales and only a hint of red, which may be blood (the wings are tatterered, after all).

In the same respect, it has been seven years since we last saw norbert and I certainly doubt he is going to be exactly as he was, just bigger. I'd imagine the purity of color would be skewed as he grew and became more active.. I would even suspect a change in color for scales from black to a more greenish, as can be seen in the picture.

The wings, however, are going to change in my opinion. I certainly doubt that a full grown dragon is going to have jet black wings... I am thinking biologically here.. when one has thin, stretched skin to provide for a wing, PLUS the setting sun in the foreground, the skin/sinew/blood/vessels (etc) will appear red in most species, I am thinking.

I do not think it is necessarily Norbert.. but I do think its a Norwegian Ridgeback.. you can see the prominent ridge on its back, as well as on its limbs.

But like you said, as with most theories, you will find evidence to support the one you believe.

~Albus

Have any of you notice that there is a huge difference between harrys clothes and Rons and Hermiones. I mean harrys clothes look like the vestiment of hogwarts or something like that but Rons and Hermiones look more like arab or formal maybe the clothes they use for a wedding maybe rons brother wedding. Im saying this form seeing the Uk version

1. Why would Harry be riding a dragon?
hunt330's thoughts are logical hypotheses. Is it also plausible in this fantasy the Trio are traveling to or from a venue because a dragon is powerful enough to arrive or leave the unknown place? Not necessarily geographic boundaries but rather trying to breach magical ones?

2. Where would he get it?
Canon usually points to the Black Market (Hagrid receiving Norbert's egg) and Dragon-keepers (Charlie Weasley taking Norbert away) being the wizard's means of interacting with dragons. In background information There are two reserves in the UK where it could have been living too.

3. How are they able to control it?
Fleur Delacour attempted to place her dragon (a welsh green?) into a trance, I think if more than one witch/wizard does the trance it may successfully bewitch a dragon for a bit (similar to the veela bewitching wizards at the World cup) of time.
Now that we canonically know the Imperius can be used on animals, does this mean the curse could submit a dragon's temper or are dragon's able to throw it off?

The fact they're wild beasts has been emphasized over and over in books and interviews. Does this hint dragons are immune to mental intrusions abrasive as the Imperius? -source-

Can a magical connection be made between people and wild creatures to accompany each other without subjugating instincts?
4. Why does it have human-ish hands?
Some lizards have hands which look somewhat like human digits:

* iguanas
* gila monsters
* bearded dragons

5. What is the deal with its eyes?
I'm less inclined to propose blindness and favor a reason such as bewitchment or the eyes being that way as the dragon grew up.

6. What breed do you think the dragon is?
Albus Dumbledore and jiggery-pokery have made interesting conjectures which should be kept in mind; I personally appeal to it being a rare hybrid dragon that has a mix of traits.

I would think that thats not very propable because, so far all animagus we have seen are well animals, and a Dragon, is a magical creature, which is a bit different I think. But then again hed is on Voldemort's side and as you know, even though Voldy might be an ****, hes really powerful. So theres always a propability =]

Sweet he is riding a dragon! I don't think it's a hungarian horntail though so I wonder who it is and perhaps even more importantly how he got it?


I think that the two with him are Ron and Hermione because last page of H.B.P Ron says " we're with you what ever happens"

I think flying a dragon falls under the catagory whatever happens

DRAGON RESEARCH PAYS OFF:

I made a thread discussing a possible solution to this question very recently.

Well, it doesnt really answer why Harry is ridding a dragon, but it really helps address how.

I most DEFINITLY think It's norbert.
The covers are incredible...
I also think that they may be in gringotts on the UK version of it...
quick question though.
There's no difference between the "child" version and the
"adult" version of the UK book is there?
I mean, other than a different cover, it's the same, right?

That's not a bad idea having them coming from the wedding after all we can all be sure Charlie will be at the wedding. I don't know why he would have a dragon with him but we know at least Charlie will be there. We also have no idea where the wedding will be. Will it be in France? Maybe for some reason they decided to have the wedding in Romania and the trio and Hagrid decided to go visit Norbert right before or right after the wedding then all of a sudden Harry's scare burns with pleasure/anger/some other strong emotion so they have to go flying off to figure out why LV is so happy/mad/whatever and their only form of transportation is Norbert so they have no choice. I definately don't believe that will happen I just decided to sound out a theory to see what people say. Thoughts?

Here's a really farfetched theory. I don't believe it myself but it came to me when someone else pointed out that maybe they were coming from a wedding because of the clothes Hermione and Ron are wearing. I just kind of formulated this insanely unlikely theory to get some responses:

That's not a bad idea having them coming from the wedding after all we can all be sure Charlie will be at the wedding. I don't know why he would have a dragon with him but we know at least Charlie will be there. We also have no idea where the wedding will be. Will it be in France? Maybe for some reason they decided to have the wedding in Romania and the trio and Hagrid decided to go visit Norbert right before or right after the wedding then all of a sudden Harry's scare burns with pleasure/anger/some other strong emotion so they have to go flying off to figure out why LV is so happy/mad/whatever and their only form of transportation is Norbert so they have no choice. I definately don't believe that will happen I just decided to sound out a theory to see what people say. Thoughts?

WOW Albus Dumbledore!

Where on Earth did you find that? That is truely amazing!

I too am excited at the prospect of what this find could mean. Well, the description of the eyes of this dragon disprove the theories that it was bewitched or blind. Also, would further support that, in that it is not inclined to harm them, so possibly it is inclined to help wizard-kind?

ok so iwas looking for info about harry being able to talk yo draons El cheeser puff pointed it out that snakes could be similar to dragons and harry might be able to talk to them) and this is what i found



i also found out that the latin word for basilisk is REGULUS coinsidense i think not. so maybe the dragon they are ridding is an animagus (REGULUS BLACK) and as stated above maybe the TREASURE that he is guarding is the locket HORCRUXE. what do you guys think???????????????????

alright so this is about the dragon on the front of the book

i was doing some reasearch about dragons and i found info stating that the basilisk was more of a dragon known as the basilisk dragon and i also found out that the latin word for basilisk is REGULUS so is it possible that the dragon on the front is regulus black?????

Hey crookshanks04 that was all really interesting stuff. Where did you find that?

One thing I thought of as far as the possibility of the dragon being Norbert and why Harry Ron and Hermione haven't just been ripped to shreds by it, is that Norbert was fairly large by the time he had left Hagrid's so maybe just the fact that he was around humans at his birth and for a while after that, then that would make him more of a tame dragon towards humans.

As far as the whole, Draco is an animagus theory, if that is the case. I don't think he was one the whole time. Draco is a death eater, he is also prone to using other people's ideas to his own means. Draco used the coins he communicated with Rosmerta with (an idea he stole from Hermione and the DA) Draco used the perruvian darkness powder (fred and george) Draco tried to poison DD with the mead because he heard Hermione say how filch couldn't check potions. I think that being around his fathers and death eaters enough, he probably saw that up until Wormtail escaped and told Voldemort everything, no one knew that Sirius was an animagus and that it was a very good disguise (it even helped him get past the dementors in Azkaban).

Maybe becoming an animagus in secret, or perhaps even under the dark lord's orders, could be a very effective tool. Or, if he has turned good, maybe he thinks that would be the best way to hide himself. I don't know. As I've said before, I highly doubt he actually is an animagus; but I think it would be extremely cool if he was.

I do, however, still feel that the fact that Draco's name means dragon has to have some significance. JKR places great stock in names, and often uses them to foreshadow things to come and to explain portions of her characters.

Actually, we have seen Ron's hair. It was on the back cover of CoS, plus it's described about a billion times throughout the series as 'flaming red'. As such, I do agree that the hair draws away from the fact that it could be Ron, but I believe that it may just be the artist's depiction of what his hair would look like in those conditions (weather, altitude, he's riding a dragon, etc...)

As for the dragon, I don't think it could be an Animagus because Animagus' always have a distinguishing feature (such as McGonagall's and Rita Skeeter's glasses shaped rims around the eyes), and besides the 'hand-like' appendages, nothing else really sets it apart as a person. Therefore I believe that it is Norbert, and it is simply Grand Pre's interpretation of what Norbert actually looks like. Take the Sorcerer's Stone movie, for example. Norbert is mostly red. It just goes to show that it's all a matter of perception.

I beleive that it works perfectly... if that dragon never hurts people.. and harry is able to speak Parstlemouth to it.. then why wouldnt they be able to ride it?

And im thinking the guy with Harry/hermione would be either:

Malfoy
or Lupin maybe?

they dont seem to make him look very old tho..

Impossible thankfully!

As The Infamous Fish said many a time...



So surely the person who made this picture would know? That means...RON IS ALIVE!!!! HOORAY!!!

*ahem*
aaanyway...

as for some questions people have posed...

Why would harry be riding a dragon?

well, Harry, Ron and Hermione's clothes look all in tatters. This means that they were probably been in a battle of sorts. Either involving wizards (death eaters) or maybe just trying to get onto the dragon (although this would be wrong according to the Opaleye theory (kudos to Albus Dumbledore for finding it )) I think that he is riding it to escape a place that has just been attacked (hence the clothes). Either the Burrow (as i've said before). However it is more likely NOT the burrow as Ron and Hermione are wearing SCHOOL robes. My theory is that Harry came on a rescue mission to Hogwarts to save his two best pals from the death eater infested school, a-and maybe G-Ginny got left behind! ARGGHHH!!! NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! . This would kind of make sense as Hogwarts is surrounded by mountains and there are mountains in the picture (i think so anyway, i seem to remember Harry saying he couldn't see mountains in the graveyard in GoF).

Where would he get it?

Hmmm, a tough one...I reckon he got it from Charlie at the burrow, maybe he got it for Bill and Fleur as a wedding present . Ooh! or maybe Hagrid got it as a present, he can be odd like that ... Another explanation is that it IS Norbert and Charlie thought they would like to see him...or something.

How are they able to control it?

If it is an Opaleye species of dragon, this would make controlling it unnessecary, or WOULD IT??? The description that Albus Dumbledore found (the poster, not the real guy) says that it doesn't KILL humans, it never says that humans can ride its back and control it.
I think that Harry can have control over it using parseltoungue, and it just makes it easier because its a nice species. But wait!... an interesting idea just hit me! In book one, when they tried to take norbert to the tower to get rid of him, Harry seemed to not be able to have total control over it (he might have, can someone check please? I have lost my PS book and i havn't read it in a while, but I remember it being a nuisance in that box). I still think that the finds by El Cheeser Puff are extremely interesting...well, we'll have to wait 3 more days to find out (i cant wait!!! )

Why does it have humanish hands?

I just think that it is how it was painted, many lizards have humanish hands, including Coco, my wonderful leopard gecko! (sorry). However, if it is an animagus, it would have features like its human form such as the short beard and piggie nose (like I said before). This is going too far but i'm gonna say it anyway. Could the dragon be mad-eye moody? I mean, he acts aggresivly and explodes sometimes with his fiery nature. Also, his eye looks odd (you know what i'm thinking folks) AND I cannot seem to locate a leg...i'm going to stop now, it's too farfetch'd...



(sorry again)

What is the deal with its eyes?

Well, the opal eye theory sounds the most convincing as we know peoples eyes are never described as going milky or white (just in the 4th film), they are just said to 'look weird' according to Katies pal (I can't remember her name, but i think it is Leanne).
If it was blind, it wouldn't be looking at the same thing that the happy trio are looking at would it?
Another wacky theory that i stated above is that the dragon is Mad-eye Moody...hehe...
but the simplest theory of all.............................................................................
is that the whiteness of its eyes is just the mist that surrounds them being reflected by the dragons shiny eyes. Good eh?

What breed is it?

Either...
An Opaleye (most likely)
Norbert (Maybe)
Another type (maybe but less maybe than the maybe for norbert)
Mad-eye Moody (I'll eat my hat if it is!)

now another question for you all to ponder...

what do you think it is looking at?

I reckon it is a massive swarm of dementors, this would explain the mist and why they look scared. Or it could be a Dumbledore shaped cloud...ooooOOoOOOooOOoooooOOoooOoOoo...

Wow, that was a mouthful...

anyone else's thinky thoughts?

----------THIS IS A DIFFERENT THINGYBOB---------------------------

WOW! i've just been reading the other post about 'Can Harry talk to dragons' and this dragon MUST be a chinese fireball!



That was quoted on that post. Doesn't it seem JUST like the dragon in the picture!
It has
-a fringe of golden spikes
-a snub-snouted face
-extremely protuberant eyes

They are also snake-like so Harry could talk to it!

I just thought people who havn't read the other post would like to know!

OH MY GOD I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
just looking at that cover gives me goosebumbs, a butterfly sensation in my stomach and shortness of breath! (and very slight light headedness) two days...

riding a dragon!!! the opal eye description sounds pretty good, it also says they dwell in valleys- there are valleys in that pic.

controlling it- yeah i bet harry can do something which controls it in some way as he is in the lead and has a connection to snakes (so maybe all reptiles). Or maybe someone's possessing it? we know voldie had to possess animals to live and he preffered snakes- i hope he's not possessing this one...

the mist- the dementors are probably on voldie's side now maybe they're all closing in for attack?

from the state of the trio it looks like they've escaped from one battle and are onto another- escaped from death eaters and off to finish off voldemort? i know on the back cover it says something like "harry has to leave the comforts of the burrow" or something, so maybe there was a fight at the burrow? i also like the theory that harry rescued ron and hermione from hogwarts... we'll have to wait and see!!! i can't wait!!!!!!!!!!:D

Very good theories everyone!

Concerning the species, here are my thoughts:

*Norwegian Ridgeback- This dragon depicted cantains some very similar attribute as the young Norbert. I would love for this loose end to come back and turn out the Hagrid really was right all along about his monstrous beings. They did turn out nice!

*Chinese Fireball- I am very much less inclined to believe this is of that breed. I can't argue that it doesn't look of Chinese origin, but personally, I just can't see why Rowling would make it a Fireball.

*Opaleye- Now I don't have my heart set on this yet, for only one reason. I hadn't heard of it before Albus Dumbledore enlightened me a few posts back. From it's definition, it seems to match exactlyt. NOw, if it had been mentioned in just the slightest way in the Harry Potter series, just one mention or side comment, I would say that this is definately our species.

So, having said that, let us say I am hoping for Norbert, but expecting and Opaleye.



Of course, now this brings us back to the reason why, and how they are riding this dragon. *NOTE* For anyone who hasn't read the other pages of this thread, it has been confirmed that Harry, Hermione and Ron are all depicted on the cover art riding the dragon.

It would make sense (sort-of) if Harry were able to communicate to ,and to an extent, control dragons. It has been repeated in history and mythology that they are kin to serpents.
However, being a fan of the Inheritance: Eragon Trilogy as well, I would hate for this to appear in Harry Potter. I would much rather one of the following to happen:

1) The dragon turns out to be Norbert. Also, the dragon-kind's extreme magical properties and hidden intelect will be revealed. Norbert perhaps remembers the Trio from when he was boprn, and wants to repay them for the kindness they, Hagrid, and Charlie showed him.
2) The dragon is an Opaleye, and has innate tendencies to help wizards whenever they can( work with me, please, and think of the Thestrals knowing how to help the D.A. reach the Ministry of Magic)
3) Simply, the Trio needs to flee in a hurry, a dragon is nearby( Charlie would no doubt be at his brother and Fleur's wedding) and one of the Trio Imperiused the dragon.

Any thoughts on all of this? Hope this wasn't too difficult to follow or understand...

alexis marie i dont remember the exact website it was but i searched basilisks and dragons and i found an informational website that was focused on dragons particularly the basilisk dragon.

as for why is he ridding a dragon?...

well since i think that harry can talk to dragons i think that the explanation could be simple... maybe its more convienient for all of them to ride the dragon together. hermione doesnt have a broom and doesnt like flying and its probably safer if harry can talk to it and controll it then deatheaters are less likley to try and attack/ambush them on a dragon as opposed to brooms. also maybe one of the horcruxes are in a place that they can only get to on a dragon... if harry could talk to them then LV probably can and that being such a rare (but very slytherinish) trait i could see him using that to protect one of the horcruxes.

OH! You've given me a thought crookshanks04!

I posted on a thread a while back about Voldemort using the Parseltongue trait to guard one or more of his Horcruxes.
I mean, in one of the books Dumbledore even said that he believed Harry was the first Parselmouth to enter Hogwarts since Voldemort did. It's definately a very very rare trait, and also one Voldemort prides himself in.

Thinking logically, what would be the ultimate protection over one of Voldemort's objects? Remember the archway in the cave that Dumbledore had to put blood on? Why not have a door exactly like that, except also have to say "Open" in Parseltongue? BAM! Now you have cut down on who could get near your Horcrux(es) drastically!

Back to the theory. Ok, picture this with me. In some place where Voldemort's Horcrux is hidden...

Ok new thought, this adds on to about 9 different threads and theories but I have to share it. Let's say Slytherin's(snake) Horcrux(locket) is protected by water(the lake), Hufflepuff's (badgers burrow) is protected by earth, Ravenclaw's (raven's fly) is protected by air, and Gryffindor's is protected by Fire ( I believe Gaunt's ring belonged to Gryffindor at one time, and Dumbledore's hand was burnt.

Now then, let us say the Trio is after Voldemort's Ravenclaw Horcrux. I, personally, would assume this is on i very high cliff (air). What if the cliff is guarded by an anciet, very strong, very evil dragon (Opaleye, Ridgeback, whatever...).

The dragon will immediately kill anyone who tries to climb the mountain/cliff. Even if one SOMEHOW manages to kill the dragon, there's still the problem of scaling this monstrous vertical cliff!

Unless... YES, unless you can control the dragon with a very rare gift(one which Voldemort believes he, and he alone possesses in this day and time). Then, the trio could attempt to fight off the dragon for it attacks them immediately(hence the tattered clothes), but Harry finally realizes he can't beat it, so he must join it.

Blah, blah, he talks to it in Parseltongue, the dragon accepts him as its master, it takes them up to the cliff and the awaiting Horcrux.

Well then, that is my amazingly spontaneous, crazy, whacked-up idea for the day! Enjoy

good work hunt330 that is pretty much exactly what i was thinking !!!!!!!

Aw! Thank so much for agreeing! Haha

I was entirely prepared for no one to understand at all what I was talking about, and dismiss it immediately. It's so good to feel like you're on to something, and then have others agree too.

Anywho, if this does turn out in the book, I think it will make a very exciting and interesting segment.

The speaking parseltounge to get to one of the horcruxes definately seems like a good way to hide it but I don't think JKR would use that again after already using it to get into the COS. She just seems like the kind of writer that wouldn't want to use the same thing twice to get into a hidden place.

well he wouldnt be talking parsletounge to get into somwhere (as in a pass word like the COS) but to controll the dragon to GET to the horcruxe. in HBP harry and DD had to go through a sort of obstacles that sort of represented LV and his ways. harry speaking parsletoung to controll the dragon to get to a horcruxe would be a clever voldy obstacle. thats what i was thinking anyways...

Maybe after all his years of working with dragons, Charlie Weasley has become an animagus and can turn into one? I know it's a long shot!

I am thinking that the mist is probably dementors and that the village is Godroc's Hollow as we know that is going to play a part in the book somewhere.

Hmmm...that's a good idea crookshanks04, but I don't really understand? I was under he impression the basilisk was a fictional creature, so why would there be a latin word for it? Can you post the link to the information you found on this?

Thanks!

Why shouldn't there be a word for a mythical creature? We say 'dragon' and 'unicorn' etc. and the Romans or whoever had myths, so why shouldn't they be able to name them?

Quote for emphasis.

If you have ever read Roman Mythology they have about a million different fictional creatures. And I am assuming that had words for those creatures, I don't know how else they would tell stories about them. Those words were then translated into english.

of course there is word for it just because the creature its self doesnt really exist the myths do and there are latin myths so there is a latin word for basilisk.

i found the info on wikipedia i searched basilisk and there is a sentence in () that says( REGULUS) in it and i was confused at what it meant so i searched the words (regulus basilisk) on the wikipedia search and the search brought up regulus being the latin word for basilisk !!!

hope that helped ??????????

Here is the link. from Wikipedia.

Here is something else I found that is interesting:
found here.

I think it all just goes to prove that JKR does her research. Everything is linked but not literally correct. for example: That is not the way Harry killed his basilisk.

The second reference goes on to say:

Which would definitely by LV.

I don't think our dragon is a basilisk is Regulus but I love the research. It was something new I had never looked at...

Cris