What do you think of the new covers. I love them they look great but Harry does look VERY old.

I'm actually not very fond of the main version cover...

Dumbledore and Harry both look nothing like what they have on other covers (Harry seems so old and his face is so long and dumbledore is looking more and more like gandalf) and it just shows them fighting in fire.....i don't know...i just think its missing something...

Fire was on the previous book too with the phoenix and now on this one and i do like it but it's just missing something....

Liking the adult version though....see my other post about if i think it might be the diary...

**gasp** That was sooo awesome!!

Wow... I felt like holding my own HBP in my hand right now. I did felt like that before, after the release date was announced but now it's complete with the cover...

Now... lemme see... looks like there's Dumbledore on the children's cover, doing... what? Twirling circles of fire out of his wand... like protecting Harry from something. Interesting...

And for the adult one, what in the name of Merlin is that book?? Seeing this one has a connection with CoS... you didn't think... **gasp** you didn't think it was Tom's Diary, is it? Hmm... from the movie, the cover is black. So scratch that. Any other *old* book that's been mentioned before AND worth putting on the cover?? (I wonder.....)

The Title On the Book says: Advanced potion making will harry pass this

Oh, shesh! I didn't notice there's a title on top of it there...

Advance Potion Making, eh? (I foresee loads of Snape's moment in this book... yay!!) Does this means Harry will be taking Potion for NEWT's then? I've looked thru HP Lexicon, it seems this book has never been mentioned before...

So, it seems like we'll see another powerful and very useful potion besides Polyjuice and Wolfsbane here...

i find that they are awful.....as usual.

love the adult version as always, really don't like the normal version (haven't liked any of them really).

Please note how the twisted teaching methods of Snape didn't hinder Harry in the subject. Just had it drummed into him. I had a maths teacher do the same to me, bullied me nearly every class. I learn't it all in the end. Got top grades.

(being the only assumbtion released to us by the covers, I am assuming Harry passed his Potion OWL)

With his death defying speed of flight, Invisibility tendances and inability to be killed. Super-ma gican Auror Potter here we go!

i dont really get the adult version of HBP....at all.

I really like the cover! But then I’d probably like it if it simply said Harry Potter and the Half-blood prince on a white background!

I'm sorry it’s probably terrible to say this but the phrase 'should have went to spec savers' comes to mind when looking at Harry’s glasses, they don't really do too much for him at all! But I’m sure he has more pressing things on his mind!
Plus his scar seems a little bit too low (IMHO).

But again I still really like it!

I can’t think of any explanation for the fire surrounding Dumbledore and Harry. I kind a thought it might have been Dumbledore’s Phoenix patronus, but it's not the right colour.
I agree that the 'Advanced Potion Making' book in the cover must mean Harry’ ill be taking NEWT potions! Which so long as Severus is taking the class can't be a bad thing!

I'm getting really excited now!
I want the book so much now! It's probably just as well I don't have it yet as I’m drowning in assignment at the moment.

I love the one with Harry and Dumbledore!

Libatius Borage = Nibbled by Borag, nice touch. I wonder who Borag is/was?

Edit: Just realised that Liba**** can mean loads of things
Liberation, reading, etc.


using:

'libatio is latin and means a religious sacrifice of something to drink...
and borage is a herb known to cause sweat eruptions' by Hobbes at 12:24 PM, 03-08-05

I think we can gather it would translate as:

A person who makes occasional out bursts for a good reason. Or something along those lines.

Based on a random early-morning assumption with little proof and a lot of speculation, I'm going to stick my neck out here and say:

There will be a new Potions Master at Horwarts and s/he may or may not be the Half Blood Prince.


Rumble!

Ooh, I must be back on form...I'm starting to formulate a couple of new theories...yippee!! Haven't come up with a new one for bloomin' ages!! Okay, here we go, what do you think of this...

I agree with Darth that I'm thinking there's going to be a new Potions master and that either he will be the HBP himself, a relation to him, or will help Harry discover something in history pertaining to the HBP that will help him. I think that this is finally the year where Snape is going to get the DADA position because no one else wants the job anymore anyway so Dumbledore thought why the heck not reward the poor guy for his persistence.

Under the new potions master, Harry starts to blossom in that area, which he has to do really if he's serious about becoming an auror and I think that's probably what the whole 'Careers Advice' thing was about in OotP. Furthermore, the author of that book, Borage - his name refers to a plant that is used to reduce depression and melancholy, fortify the spirit and improve courage - so I definitely think this guy is going to be a good influence on Harry, possibly a character along the same vein as Lupin. After all, poor Harry deserves a bit of a break in this book.

The kids cover with the flames...I'm thinking along the Gubraithian fire lines that someone mentioned in another thread the other day.

As for the character who gets it, looking like Dumbledore if he's finally getting cover status. He's been on the backs before, but never the cover as far as I can recall.

Any thoughts?

I agree that seems likely, but why would a character's name from the book be on the cover? Lockhart didn't get a mention

Snape shouldn't be allowed what he wants in life, he should remain bitter and twisted for all time Harry will pass his OWL and prove Snape that he is better than Snape gave him credit for. Which will angry Snape furthermore.

If Snape was DADA teacher, I wonder what stuff he would torture Harry with?

Ah, I should have made myself a bit clearer...I meant to imply that if the Potions classes are going to be significant enough to warant a mention on the cover, then the new teacher (not Borage...because he wrote the book) is probably a potions one rather than a DADA one. And, if he is a potions teacher, then the mention of the name on the cover implies that possibly the teacher will be a bit like 'Borage'...a balm for melancholia and depression - a positive influence on Harry. Do you know what I mean or have I just confused you even more?

And I do hope that you're not Snape-bashing there...I won't have that... I'll sentence you to the compulsory reading of 'If You Are Prepared' otherwise...

I think it would be a bit of a challenge for Harry and Snape actually...I can just imagine the battle of wits and skills that would be going on. Definite fodder for much debate there...

Ooh, look who's back with more theories?!! Really mate... compulsory reading of IYAP?! Lol!! Careful there dazzo... that'll definitely convert you to... understand the bitterness of Snape! I've been on the 'other' side before and look at me now...

That being said... I think it'll be somewhat refreshing to give Snape DADA post. I mean, that guy been rejected again and again for years now... it's been the talk among the students each year when the new DADA teacher is yet again someone other than him... and then, he did said that he would take no student unless they get an O for their OWL. So...

And the chapter 'Careers Advice' has to mean something other than showing how wonderfully McGonagall knocking down Umbridge...

And nice find there, Louise! I wouldn't have thought the name Borage came from a plant but then, didn't that always been JKR's style? Lupin, Lily, Petunia, Lavender and others. But you know what I think?

Most of the books kind of 'connect' to its author...

A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger ... and others...

But this one kind of don't... borage is a plant. Wouldn't it suit more if the author wrote a book on Herbology topic? But why Potions then?

And maybe it'll help if we compare this adult cover with the others...

PS - a bright red stone --> the Philosopher's Stone
CoS - two silver stone snake entwine with one another --> the entrance to the chamber itself
PoA - a stone building with a tower in the middle of a small island --> the Azkaban prison
GoF - a goblet with blue fire --> the goblet itself
OotP - a golden phoenix inside a flaming fire --> the symbolism of Phoenix to the organization

Now... an old tattered purple book that's torn at the edges with the title 'Advance Potions Making' by Libatius Borage ... it just has to say something about the half-blood prince! And from our discussion so far, it certainly looked like the new Potions Master to be the HBP... or has a close connection with the HBP...

But, what do you reckon?

Hey. I love Snape (not literally). His hearts in the right place, he just has real trouble breaking old habits (picking on little defenceless boys being one of them). But Alan Rickman, on the other hand, now... na, i'm kiddin'

'Borage is a herb known to cause sweat eruptions'. I suppose that would make some explosive chemisty leasons Borage Oil

It seems more and more likely that Snape would be a good choice for DADA as Harry needs that push to do well, and Snape would certainly push the right buttons to get Harry going.

With Potions being emphised by the cover of the book, does seem likely its going to be a main topic area for the book. And a replacement potions teacher would be that.

I don't see the HBP being the potions master though

Yeah, I see your point, but you've read Everlasting Day...you know how herbology and potions is kind of interconnected in my view anyway because they plants are one of the major things involved in potions making. I know that JKR often uses plays on words like that in her books though, and in the naming of the characters too actually. I mean, who'd have thought someone called Sirius would turn out to be a dog? (that was ironic sarcasm, by the way... ) Like...er....'Over the Edge of a Cliff' by Eileen Dover...

But yeah, that's the angle I'm coming from. I don't think that the potions master (if it does turn out to be someone new) would be the HBP because I think that would be a little too obvious for JKR and she's usually a bit more subtle than that...I think that the potions guy will be important in a more abstract way....intergral though...a bit like Lupin was, I suppose.

EDIT : Whoa-ho!! I've just read dazzo's post...**tee hee** OMG, the images that are floating round in my head right now....**phew** I've been sailing on the good Ship Snarry again...

Libatius to me looks like it could be a form of the Latin word libatio, which means libation.
According to Dictionary.com, libation has to do with liquids. Liquids...Potions...maybe its a volume dealing only with liquid potions. Are there any other types of potions? I have no clue what borage is, but everyone's saying it a herb. maybe the book deals with liquid potions using that herb. My guess is that Harry will have to use one of those potions for something important, kinda like the polyjuice potion. The potion porbably plays a extremely important role in the book though, since its on the cover. other than that im in the dark.

On the childrens one it looks as if there is a dragons wing on the corner!!! Maybe norbert returns?

The adult wersion is a potion book!!! Harrys in potions! Screw you snape

well from the look of the adult cover, it seems that potions or that book most be extremly important. Also it seems that the picture always relates to the title. So therefore that book has to do with the half blood prince somehow. Maybe it was their potions book when they were younger (since it seems rather old) or something or maybe the author is the half blood prince or the potions teacher is the half blood prince. i dont know. it could be anything.

it wouldnt be their old potions book because its advanced potions. also, we probably would have seen it in a hogwarts letter

MOD EDIT: The use of netspeak is not allowed in the forums. Your post has been edited.

well.....what we have to analyse is that.....both harry's and dd's wands are connected through the circle of fire.....not like dd protecting harry.....so looks like they are fighting together.....so dd may die in that fight.....dd never fought alongside harry (in oerson i mean).....so his last when he involves himself i guess
and.....one more peculiar thing is the positioning of the scar on harry's forehand its different......right above his nose bridge......mistake or some matter else??

MOD EDIT : The use of netspeak in the forums is not allowed. I see you're new here, I'd appreciate it if you have a read of our forums rules first before posting further. Your post has been edited.

What if Snape was the HBP???

Mmm....maybe. I guess with the cover, it's certainly reasonable to be thinking that now. It's certainly about time that poor guy got some recognition. I think it's pretty much certain, given the previous covers, that potions is an integral part to the plot in the next book, so sure, I can buy Snape maybe being a contender to the HBP.

Ok this is the info i could find out about the covers:

UK Children's Edition
1. The book is similar in colouring to COS, just a darker shade of blue. This could be a link to Jo Rowling's spoiler that COS is one of the most crucial books to the series. JK has also said the first chapter of HBP is the similar to the one she was going to use to start off the second book.

2. Dumbledore is protecting Harry, who looks scared and vulnerable. It's possible he's in a threatening situation with Voldemort.

3. The swirling fire looks like a pretty complex spell coming out of Dumbledore's wand. It could be some form of protection for them both.

4. It is interesting to observe the faces of Harry and Dumbledore. Depending on your interpretation, Dumbledore looks angry, scared, or just fierce and powerful. If Dumbledore has a glimmer of fear in his eyes, what could possibly make him scared?


UK Adult's Edition
1. The photo is a very old and battered copy of "Advanced Potion Making," which could mean Harry is somehow studying NEWT level potions!

2. Because the cover is tatty, and Harry can usually afford to buy his books new, it might be a clue to the history behind Snape - in what way did he save Voldemort? Could this tattered book be a clue?

3. With Snape being the potions master, this cover is clearly about him. When introducing the book, editor Arthur Levine specifically mentioned rumors about Snape being the Half-Blood Prince, but wouldn't say anything either way. This certainly makes it more likely that he is.

3. The author of the book is Libatius Borage. Libatius means "libation" (liquid offering) in Latin, and Borage is a medical plant. Whilst this could be one of JK Rowling's interesting names, could the name be a hint to what type of potions are inside (medical potions)?


I hope they help you

On that note (about Snape), it makes me wonder whether/how Snape helped LV defy death...

Maybe DD is protecting Harry, whilst Harry confronts a fear?


Couple more months people! Woot!

Or maybe Snape will protect Harry...I always said that I think someone is going to get poisoned, what with all those references to antidotes throughout the previous books.

I've read a few fanfics that questioned Snape's potions-related role in LV's longevity and some of them associated that with the reason why he left the DE's. Perhaps he'll be able to do something to reverse the process that gave LV his body back? Who knows?

Ooh....the wait has never seemed so long!!!

I like the Adult cover...simple yet it has that mysterious vibe about it, an I-want-to-know-more kinda aura surrounding it.

I don't quite fancy the Kids one...although that will most likely be the copy I get on the day coz the Adult covers only arrive in NZ much later

Harry does look a lot older and I dunno...just the combination of the orange flames with the green cover...doesn't sit too well with me. I feel the US cover has more of an effect on me. It's more engaging, more curious and more inviting.

As to whether any of it has to do with knowing more about Snape...hmmm, that's an interesting thought and I *do* have a feeling that JKR will reveal more about snape in HBP...

i think harry will study harder potions because of he wants a job...
we see in the children that they were in a fight. and they were very frightened. definitly dumbledore was saving harry from voldemort

----------------

H-E-R-M-İ-O-N-E loves R-O-N

H-A-R-R-Y loves L-U-N-A


RON LOVES HERMİONE
LUNA LOVES HARRY




ur so cute when you have a knife on your throat DRACO

i really like it, i think harry and dombeldor and the ring of fire make the book look reallly affected, but i don't like the blue border, it dusen't look nice, it totally clashest with the ring of fire.

i relly like the adult one, i think it relly cool the way there is only a book and nuthing else.

The big thing that will be revealed about Lily will probably be closely related to Snape. The adult book cover is pointing to Snape and not Harry passing his OWL's. Snape probably saved Lily or risked his life for hers in some way in their youth (after all Harry's parents did escape death at Voldemort's hands twice and we don't know how). Saving the Potter's would likely make Dumbledore trust Snape forevermore. The US cover alludes to the scene when Harry's looked into the pensieve - he discovered more about his parents and more about the deatheaters. So let's say this time he looks in and discovers more about his parents saved by a misguided deatheater, Snape, who then returns to the 'good' side.

has anyone noticed that it looks like Harry's scar is in a triangle? If you look at the really big picture of the child version you can see it. I wonder what it is.

Quidditchqueen281- I noticed that too! That is so weird, maybe they just drew it wrong or something? Nah, but i wonder why it's in a triangle??? Anyone have any thoughts?

I did not notice !
But you're both right, there's a triangle ! But I don't think they drew it on purpose.

According to the covers, I love the UK children's edition. This is very exciting to see Harry, next to Dumbledore, fighting we guess who. Dumbledore really seems to be afraid (and angry too). And Harry seems not to really understand what's happening. He's completly lost (and afraid too).
Oh my good ! I just can't wait to read this book !
(Since I read "Phoenix", I've always been afraid that Dumbledore died in the sixth book. And this cover doesn't reassure me at all !!!!

How am I going to stand waiting until july ???!!!

sorry for all the mistakes, i'm french and my english is far from being perfect (as you've already noticed !)

This cover is terrible... i was trying to stick with the same set throughout but this one is so bad i'm gonig to buy the US one

So your buying a book from the usa just because of a cover, wow thats a bit O.T.T (over the top) I mean gosh its just a cover its not like the story will change

(i am new on here so please bear with me!)

i was doing some research about "libatius borage" and apparantly, during medieval times knights used to take a libation/potion of BORAGE which was supposed to make them braver, more courageous and supply stamina, so.......

possibly harry is ever given or makes this potion in preparation for some battle/fight? maybe dumbledore knows about this potion and gives harry the advanced potions book to look it up, so that he can ease his worries about being the only person who has a chance of conquering Voldemort? and what if in the process of looking up this potion, harry discovers something about the half-blood prince?

i dont know, im baffling on here! what does anyone else think? (thanks)

That's pretty cool, and very interesting. How on earth did you find that out?
JK does like using words/names with duel meaning, and this might be another example.

Edit:

OK, I can put a bit more info into this...

Supposedly we all have Borage in our gardens, although I don't know what it looks like. This site: HERE in the Government and virtues section has a comprensive list of all the "properties" of Borage And Bugloss

They are:

• defence of the heart
• resist and expel poison or the venom of other creatures
• expel pensiveness and melancholy
• it helps to clarify the blood
• mitigate heat in fevers

Chiefly used as a cordial (concentrate solution), and are good for those that are weak in long sickness, and to comfort the heart and spirits of those that are in a consumption, or troubled with often swoonings, or passions of the heart.

Amongst other things.


Reference:
Melancholy: Sadness which lasts for a long period of time, often without any obvious reason
Pensiveness: To be thinking in a quiet way/ of quite thought

This is a really interesting discussion. I have some questions myself, after looking at the covers:

I agree that the Snape connection is intriguing. I wonder if there are any potions they learned earlier that will come into play again in this book (just like the polyjuice potion reappeared, for example)?

Luna Lovegood mentioned that the ministry has an army of heliopaths, which are fiery beings - do you think this could explain the fire on the main cover?

honestly you all think this potion book has something to do with snape it could mean other things aswell

Well, instead of criticising, perhaps if you gave some other options for people to consider?

This post was written by HogwartsHopeful90 on Mar 29 2005, 04:05 PM but has been transferred here as that thread has now been closed.

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ok just now as i was looking at the British Adult HBP cover, i noticed that the advanced potions book was very tattered. The Weasley's tend to get old, second-hand books, so i thought that maybe it was Ron in the advanced potions, as opposed to Harry, who gets all the new, good books....could be wrong, its just a theory!

Exactly what I was thinking! I mean, in book five Ron gets the Prefect position(even if DD did this because he thought Harry was busy) and JK does love torturing Harry so maybe Ron gets into Potions and Harry doesn't! That would make Harry pretty mad 'cause he wants to become an Auror.

[FONT=Times][SIZE=7][[B]][COLOR=purple]

I can't believe that nobody has noticed that the "ring of fire" on the UK kids' edition appears to emanate from a wand near bottom right, whose holder is unseen. This suggests to me that Harry and Prof Dumbledore are fighting their way OUT of said ring.

Any comments?

And can we have less of the "i like" and "I don't like" type of posts which are simply time-consuming pieces of utter boredom. This is a discussion, not a popularity poll!

Love & Peace to all my fellow Hogwartians.

well, duh!!!. Snape's the hbp ( half wizard/half vampire) and he' going to play a HUGE role in the next book. Hence the "advanced potion making" book...

Ok, i agree, i think that Snape will definetly have a bigger role in this book! I mean the adult cover has a potions book on it, AND JKR said that we will find out more about him. Also, i know i already said this, but i am positive that there is a triangle on Harry's head and i don't think that it's there on accident. What could it be?

ok, im not sure exactly what i'm missing, coz i just skipped past all the posts, so im just going to put down wat i think about the covers...

i love them both..expecially the childrens one. i read the first couple of posts and someone said he looked old..but you must remeber that harry is like...16 years old. u just gotta expect that. andi think the fact that it shows harry and dumbledore togethor, it means that there will hopefully be heaps of harry and dumbldore interactionk, which means maybe...private lessons and stuff.. anyway,

dont no cause he is 17

I guess the Half Blood Prince is Salazar Slytherin.
Jo stated she removed a lot of information from COS. I think the hollow information in it was about Mr. Slytherin. As Voldemort is half-blood, it's not unusual that Slytherin is also Half-blood, but trying to be classified as pure-blood. Slytherin also thought he was the greatest of the Hogwarts 4 founders. He may not be shy to call himself a prince.