Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 "She also said in one interview that she changed one of the characters who died - so presumably if she said something before the book was finished, she didn't have any problem changing her mind about it." Interesting...and it could have been easy for her to say that, considering she could have killed George off instead of Fred, and it wouldn't have mattered too much. "I was hoping we'd see Norbert again, and maybe Professor Lockhart, who seemed to be getting his memory back. I thought we'd get more information on the exact contents of the note that Dumbledore left for Petunia." Oh, I was really thinking that the dragon at Gringotts would end up being Norbert and somehow recognize the kids, but alas... The note for Petunia is another mystery left unsolved, and one that I had forgotten about until you brought it up. Oh, and in book 5 or 6 (I forget which) when Petunia gets the howler and then talks about her sister and associating with the likes of "him", we now know who she meant! Also, the fact that in book 7, Petunia writes to Dumbledore to please admit her into Hogwarts...did that mean she had some kind of powers that she didn't admit to? I mean, why would a muggle want to go to Hogwarts?
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb I got the impression that Lilly and "Tuney" were close before Lilly went to Hogwarts and Petunia wanted to go and be with her sister, but was refused because she didn't have any magical ability. It was probably Dumbledore's refusal to admit her that led to her despising magic and witches/wizards so much.
Originally Posted By threeundertwo >>she could have killed George off instead of Fred, and it wouldn't have mattered too much.>> Or she might have been thinking to kill off Percy, but decided to give the death at that point in the story more impact.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb Percy's refusal to leave Fred's body was so touching it makes me misty thinking about it.
Originally Posted By nevadarebel In an interview this morning, she is doing an encylopedia of what happened to characters and she said that Ron was originally suppose to die in book 5 but she changed it. She said that the book will be in detail of what happened in their lives for the 19 years but it may take her some time because she needs a break so we may have to wait a while. Hammertime, thanks for that info, I went back and reread that and you are correct, it did sound like he was a big part of the family. I love how the relationship between Lily and Snape was played out and that he loved her until the minute he died. It showed a different side of him that I really would have liked to see more of because he was one of my least favorites.
Originally Posted By threeundertwo >>Ron was originally suppose to die in book 5 >> whoa. Glad she changed her mind on *that* one!!
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 "In an interview this morning, she is doing an encylopedia of what happened to characters and she said that Ron was originally suppose to die in book 5 but she changed it. She said that the book will be in detail of what happened in their lives for the 19 years but it may take her some time because she needs a break so we may have to wait a while." Oh, that's great news! I don't mind waiting either. I'm also very glad she didn't kill off Ron in book 5!
Originally Posted By Mr X **>>Ron was originally suppose to die in book 5 >> whoa. Glad she changed her mind on *that* one!!** I dunno...if it were a TOTAL re-write thing where Ron was the champion instead of that other kid Cedric...and he and Harry were fierce rivals throughout the book, and then RON was the one who died at Voldemort's hands...I think that would have been a WAY bigger impact.
Originally Posted By nevadarebel me too, the interview was on the Today show if you are interested in reading or watching it. I was so afraid when book 6 came out and there was rumor that someone died that it would be him. (Not that Dumbledore's death was any easier).
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb I would have been crushed if Ron had died, he's always been a favorite of mine. I also didn't want to see Hermione die because it would break Ron's heart (isn't it silly how I talk about these characters as if they were real people? I need a life).
Originally Posted By nevadarebel I agree completely. It was nice to see their love story played out in the last 2 books (well more than that but seriously in the last 2). I like how it was written such as he did not know what to do to console her so he put his arms around her. Little things like that were gentle reminders of how love should be.
Originally Posted By Shooba Here's the link to the interview: <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19935372/" target="_blank">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19 935372/</a> Excerpt: The encyclopedia would include back stories of characters she has already written but had to cut for the sake of narrative arc (“I've said before that Dean Thomas had a much more interesting history than ever appeared in the booksâ€), as well as details about the characters who survive “Deathly Hallows,†characters who continue to live on in Rowling’s mind in a clearly defined magical world. Hogwarts, for example, has a new headmaster (“McGonagall was really getting on a bitâ€), and Rowling said she can see Harry going back to give the "odd talk" on Defense Against the Dark Arts. That class, by the way, is now led by a permanent professor since Voldemort’s death broke the jinx which didn’t allow a teacher to remain in the position for more than a year.
Originally Posted By sherrytodd I went back this afternoon and re-read the chapter about Snape's memories. It didn't really affect me the first time I read it since I think I was combing through the book looking for information. But the second time I read it I got a little teary. He really loved Lilly. It was difficult for him to accept Harry because he represented James, but when it came to the time when Dumbledore revealed what was to be Harry's fate, Snape was horrified and angry over it. He was also the one that Dumbledore trusted to take care of and protect the students of Hogworts, while at the same time, being hated by them. The last thing Snape wanted to look at when he died was Harry's eyes which of course were Lilly's eyes.
Originally Posted By hopemax >In an interview this morning, she is doing an encylopedia of what happened to characters and she said that Ron was originally suppose to die in book 5 but she changed it. < In the link about the Today Show interview, she said it was Arthur Weasely, Ron's father, that got the reprieve.
Originally Posted By nevadarebel you are correct, my error. Sherrytodd, that was one of the saddest parts for me the 2nd time through, you could feel the love he held for her to the very end.
Originally Posted By seanyoda <<in book 7, Petunia writes to Dumbledore to please admit her into Hogwarts...did that mean she had some kind of powers that she didn't admit to? I mean, why would a muggle want to go to Hogwarts?>> How did Petunia write to Dumbledore? Snape suggested to Lily that there are wizards working undercover in the muggle Postal Service. Why would Petunia want to go to Hogwarts? To be with her sister of course. After Dumbledore replied with a rejection (kind though it was), Petunia's attitude changed.
Originally Posted By quincytoo Snape looking into Harry eyes and seeing Lily at the time of his death really got to me....That said, I think it got hard to swallow (because of the huge lump in my throat) when Hegwick died......And Lupin and Tonks.... I also liked when Harry was talking to his son and he said that Severus was one of the bravest men he had ever known. SOB SOB Good book and very sad.
Originally Posted By chickapin Going back MANY comments--I have wondered if the person doing magic later in life was Merope. Was she really a squib or just too downtrodden to produce magic acceptable to her father? I also thought JKR had said she would explain more about the ministry of magic--the locked room and the arch. I would liked to have known more about those.
Originally Posted By threeundertwo >>Voldemort’s death broke the jinx which didn’t allow a teacher to remain in the position for more than a year.>> I thought the jinx was a joke. Didn't Quirrel have the post for a while? I would also like to know more about the arch at the Ministry of Magic. From the interview: >>The author seemed more bothered by readers who peek at the ending first. "I loathe people who say, 'I always read the ending of the book first.' That really irritates me," she said. It's like someone coming to dinner, just opening the fridge and eating pudding, while you're standing there still working on the starter. It's not on."<< LOL, Don't worry, I didn't do that after all!
