Unfogging the Half-Blood Prince Cover Art [Archive] - Page 4

ComicBookWorm

March 9th, 2005, 11:31 pm

I'm bored, and since no ine else is posting, I'm assuming your bored too. So have fun with these:

Bothering Snape (http://www.luckystarscattery.com/Potter.swf)

Trouble at Hogwarts (http://www.potterpuppetpals.com/trouble.html) You may have noticed that there is a little box under the screen on the left side. Clicking this box will pause the movie. The triangles on either side allow you to go forward or backward frame by frame. When Voldemort AK's Snape, pause the movie and go frame by frame forward. Eventually, in one of the frames, the green light forms a star. Click on the star...

Aisha (http://www.eviltrailmix.com/aisha.swf)

Sexy Snape (http://www.eviltrailmix.com/snapesexy.swf)

Hermione Britiny (http://members.lycos.nl/likwi/britmione.htm)

Snape's Potion (http://members.lycos.nl/likwi/potion.htm)

Puppet Pal Movie Music (http://www.eviltrailmix.com/potter.mp3)

You can find more info on the people behind the Potter Pals here (http://www.potterpuppetpals.com) and here (http://www.livejournal.com/community/potterpals/)

Make your own Potter Puppet Pal! (http://users.ameritech.net/jello_o/ppptemp3.swf)

So, feel free to start appreciating these incredibly funny movies. :)
You're not supposed to advertise websites anywhere but the Daily Prophet. I suggest you remove these links before the mods see it and give you a violation.

pottergirl28

March 9th, 2005, 11:41 pm

what about a pensieve in the department of mysteries? maybe harry goes back and sees the night of his parents death? maybe dumbledore was there to witness it? i dunno, just a thought

Kidgray

March 10th, 2005, 12:03 am

I definitely think the American version is best. The UK kids' cover is the worst, to me. Dumbledore definitely looks like Gandalf shouting, "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!", and Harry looks like he's about to wet himself. He also looks like a nerd. The UK adult one is good though, because it's interesting and thought provoking. I like the American one best though, because of:
The colors-Magical, mysterious
The expressions- they aren't as one demensional as the UK kid's cover. Most people think Dumbledore is teaching Harry something, but it looks like they're on guard, and in danger to me. I love Dumbledore's expression. It shows a different side of him. He looks worried, edgy, suspicious, alert...and Harry looks like he's prepared for action.
I heard someone talking about the loopy writing. They used the same writing for OOTP, and Dumbledore had written a small letter about the location of the OOTP in that book. Perhaps he wrote something about the HBP? Just a theory.
(Sorry if I offended anyone with my book cover opinions. As an artsy person, the covers mean a lot to me)

AuroraBeryl

March 10th, 2005, 12:10 am

I definitely think the American version is best. The UK kids' cover is the worst, to me. Dumbledore definitely looks like Gandalf shouting, "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!", and Harry looks like he's about to wet himself. He also looks like a nerd.

I'm so glad that I wasn't drinking anything when I read this. My keyboard would have been ruined from snorting liquid all over when I laughed. I think it was the "He also looks like a nerd" part, especially.

But, eh, I'm happy with the American cover. It's green and I love green... so, yeah.

Kidgray

March 10th, 2005, 12:14 am

I've been holding that in for awhile...heh.
Oh and someone said that the writing looks more spikey than loopy... I think that's right, now that I've looked at it more. Snape?
I was going to draw the US version for art class, but my teacher said I couldn't because it's copyrighted. *grumble*

CousinWeasley

March 10th, 2005, 12:26 am

Personally, I still FIRMLY believe that the character to be killed of in HBP is going to be Snape. He has some strong connection to Harry, some unspoken loyalty, that will be put to the ultimate test in this book. Why? One, it seems likely that he had deep feelings for Harry's mother Lily (would explain his antagonism toward his rival/Harry's dad, James). Second (and this is where I hang most of my hunch on), is Voldemort's words at the end of GOF - that the Death Eater who left his service forever will die. Third, kind of out there ... it makes a great bookend to Sirrus's death - Harry loses someone he really loves AND someone he THINKS he really hates (and I think if Snape does die, it will affect Harry as significantly as Sirrius's death did).

delemtri

March 10th, 2005, 12:43 am

I'm pretty sure there's a phoenix in the fire of the UK kids' edition.

mindslave

March 10th, 2005, 1:48 am

wow this seeing stuff in the fire thing has really taken off. I don't see the things you guys see, but i still see the hook, and whiskers. No offense but I think they are way more obvious than the phoenix and lion. The hook and whiskers seem to suggest that someone is standing just out of the picture. The hook that i see seems to be connected to the stick of fire that juts out in the lower right corner, just above dd's robes. I see the whiskers above that, they seem to trail out of the picture also.

Stayce

March 10th, 2005, 2:03 am

I think it is a pensive and that Harry and Dumbledore are both looking back to gain knowledge of something and the only thing I can think that Harry would need to see rather than be told is the actual attack or something about the HBP that he needs to interprete himself.

Snape0102

March 10th, 2005, 2:36 am

pegoheart144

March 10th, 2005, 2:38 am

The adult book is more has more interest for me. Advanced Poition making. Look at the book it is tattered. Harry has money and buys his book not second hand. Maybe he has to make a poition later on in the year.

The book covers have got me really looking forward to the book coming out now.

On the other ones is that DD or someone else. Everyone is assuming it is DD but you should never assume. However I do believe it is the pensive.
Maybe the Potions book is from the restricted section of the library. That's why it's all tattered.

I'm wondering if the pensieve belongs to someone other than Dumbledore. Maybe he has access to the pensieves of previous headmasters of Hogwarts even going back to the founders.

me_potter_fan

March 10th, 2005, 2:46 am

i think the pensive was godric gryffindor

sirusvilla

March 10th, 2005, 2:49 am

These covers are sweet. I never knew that two different covers were printed in the UK. I like the UK kids one the best. Seeing Harry and Dumbledore, side by side with wands ready is sweet. Plus, look at DD. He looks like he's about to go ape on someone( or alredy going ape). As far as the object on the American cover, I initially thought it was a pensive, but after looking at it some more, I think it is a potion. To use a pensive, the user prods the contents with his or her wand, and DD seems to be waving his hand over it(perhaps adding an ingrediant or moving some steam to observe the contents). Plus, when harry views pensieves in the other books, he stoops low over it with his face practicaly touching the surface. And finally, the substance is described as kind of gray or silver, if I am remembering right. So I say it's a potion, or perhaps simply the top of the pilar thing. Maybe there's some inscription on it? well i cant wait until july 16.

Oh yeah, also I find it awesome that in two of the three covers, DD and Harry are working together on something. Usually DD does the butt kicking while Harry ducks, at least when the two of them are together.

me_potter_fan

March 10th, 2005, 2:49 am

sirusvilla

March 10th, 2005, 2:52 am

just realized something... on the American cover the words "and the half-blood prince" are written in spiky scrawl. In OotP Snape writes a large "D" on top of Harry's essay and the letter is described as spiky. Maybe this could be another clue, besides the potions textbook on the adult UK version, that Snape is the HBP. I know it could just be the way the illustrator decided to write the title but i thought i should bring it to everyone's attention anyway. Tell me what you all think.
That's a good idea, but I don't think that it is a hint. Maybe if all three were in spiky print...

my friend agrees but me and my master dont
What?

me_potter_fan

March 10th, 2005, 2:54 am

What?
i call one of my friends master for fun

sirusvilla

March 10th, 2005, 2:54 am

oh, ok.

me_potter_fan

March 10th, 2005, 2:57 am

i think that dumbledore is going to die in the 6th book. does any one else agree ?

mindslave

March 10th, 2005, 3:24 am

I agree that he will die at the end of the book. I wish he wouldn't though...

Yankee Squib

March 10th, 2005, 3:44 am

Okay I'm usually not that interested in the covers I just want to read the book, but something caught my eye looking at the UK childrens version, and the US as well.

One I thought that the color was going to be purple? That was for the US cover. Also I would like to see the back because on all of the US covers the back always had a continuation of the front art work.
Two, the UK children version show Dumbeldore with a frightened look on his face. This seems far fetched to me. He was as calm as a still lakes water when facing Tom in OotP, so why would he show fear now?

The UK Art work is far superior than the US version in my opinion. I would like to see more realistic art work for the covers.

TigerSnake

March 10th, 2005, 3:56 am

i just realized something... on the American cover the words "and the half-blood prince" are written in spiky scrawl. In OotP Snape writes a large "D" on top of Harry's essay and the letter is described as spiky. Maybe this could be another clue, besides the potions textbook on the adult UK version, that Snape is the HBP. I know it could just be the way the illustrator decided to write the title but i thought i should bring it to everyone's attention anyway. Tell me what you all think.
When I saw how Half-Blood Prince was written in the US cover, I also thought of that "D" Snape wrote on Harry's paper. (was it his paper? or Ron's?) Anyway, maybe Snape is the HBP, although I'm not sure on that, so don't attack me saying I'm wrong. Lol. But then again it might just be a coincidence.
However, there might be a possibility that the illustrator, using details from the up-coming book, wrote the title Half-Blood Prince the way the HBP, himself, writes. --just a theory

genesis

March 10th, 2005, 4:11 am

I compared the script of Order of the Phoenix to Half Blood Prince, and they look about the same. However, Half Blood Prince is slightly sharper then OOTP. In OOTP the letters and words seem to flow into each other, but not in HBP.

jkr_fan99

March 10th, 2005, 4:35 am

*takes deep breath and rubs eyes after skimming all 23 pages of this thread* :wow:

Katze - where did you get the picture in your signature? I notice things in your signature that aren't in other pictures of the cover (besides the red noses).

[IMG}hphbp.jpg[/IMG}

There is a lightning bolt and several letters swirling in the green mist. Any guesses on the significance of these?

Trisha

March 10th, 2005, 6:16 am

Wow, this thread is sonic!
About the spiky handwriting in the title of HBP, maybe the writing is Snape's... from back in the day when the young idealist thought his potion-making would resurrect the "Half-Blood Prince" aka Tom Riddle, heir to the Slytherin estate.
This way J.K. is right about Voltemort not being the Half-Blood Prince -- he just claimed that he was to get a following.

LadyofthePensieve

March 10th, 2005, 6:27 am

Please don´t beat me now, but I have to tell you something strange!

When I was watching the adult cover of book 6 (Advanced Potion-Making) I realised the item has something to do with the plot. Each item of the adult covers are plot related.

Maybe Half-Blood Prince is a nickname (or just funny name) for a Potion?

Well, I will disapparate now.

annelizabeth

March 10th, 2005, 6:37 am

LadyofthePensieve:

What are the other covers of the adult editions? Also, do you know if the adult editions are from Bloombbury only, or do Scholastic and other publishers have their own?

tarachristwen

March 10th, 2005, 7:25 am

why the uk adult cover version is so different with the us cover version and uk children version???

what is with the advanced potion making book in uk adult version??
is harry going to take advanced potions for future use?????

and the thing where harry and dumbledore are looking at a basin or something...is it a pensieve???????????????????????

ME_LOM

March 10th, 2005, 10:01 am

I think that the thing on the podium on the American cover is a potion because on the British adult cover there is an 'ADVANCED POTION MAKING' book.

me_potter_fan

March 10th, 2005, 10:11 am

I Think it is Godric Gryffindor's pencive

ME_LOM

March 10th, 2005, 10:14 am

I Disagree. IT MUST BE A POTION!!!
at least in my mind!

me_potter_fan

March 10th, 2005, 10:19 am

i think that the book is rons because its in bad condition

ME_LOM

March 10th, 2005, 10:21 am

You think the potion book is ron's.
One more thing. Why does it say my gender is undisclosed? i am MALE

Mundungus Fletc

March 10th, 2005, 10:26 am

Why does it say my gender is undisclosed? i am MALE

You need to go to 'magical me' (at the top of the page on the left) and then edit profile. It gives you the chance to specify gender - you get a pretty blue ikon next to your name

ME_LOM

March 10th, 2005, 10:26 am

The potion making book has to mean something. I wonder who Titillius Boelge or whatever his name is is.

filius

March 10th, 2005, 11:35 am

I Think it is Godric Gryffindor's pencive
I don't think it's Gryffindor's. That just seems so completely out of place. I think it's Dumbledore, since we already know he has one.

I Disagree. IT MUST BE A POTION!!!
at least in my mind!
Well, it was described as a "basin" which is what a pensieve is described at, it's definitely a pensieve. Whoever heard of a potion being made in a basin? :huh:

Im Mental

March 10th, 2005, 11:37 am

I think its Harry's memory of what happened the night his parents died. He has a wand after all, and dumbledore doesn't.

eaimua

March 10th, 2005, 1:26 pm

Looking at all the UK adult book covers they show something literal from the title. Book 1 was the philosopher's stone and the cover was a pic of the philosopher's stone. book 2 chamber of secrets, picture.... I think they Uk book cover is very informative not about the plot but about what/who exactly the Half-Blood Prince is.

rjade829

March 10th, 2005, 1:38 pm

I think its Harry's memory of what happened the night his parents died. He has a wand after all, and dumbledore doesn't.

That's quite possible. Maybe Harry gets his own pensieve in this book (if the basin is indeed a pensieve). That would be really interesting.

AmeliaBones

March 10th, 2005, 2:00 pm

i think that dumbledore is going to die in the 6th book. does any one else agree ?

I think I agree with you me_potter_fan. I already thought he'd die at the end of book 6, and the hints that he and Harry are going to have some adventure together on these book covers, in which he is not his usual cool self, bodes badly. Just look how much Sirius featured in OOTP. We all know what happened next... :upset:

TheMuffinMan

March 10th, 2005, 2:01 pm

I don´t know what it is, but it doesn´t look like a pensieve (at least not the way I imagine them)
If it is a pensieve harry is the only one who has a wand so maybe thay are looking to one of harry´s memories and analizing it.
The green reminds me of a potion. When they add a new ingredient it changes its colour and a lot of smoke comes out. It looks like green smoke. (the pensieve do not produce smoke, right?)

Excerpt from page 583 of the American GOF. The Penseive:

He looked around for the source of the light and saw a sliver of silver-white shining brightly from within a black cabinet behind him, whose door had not been closed properly.

<small snip>

A shallow stone basin lay there, with odd carvings around the edge : runes and symbols that Harry did not recognize. The silvery light was coming from the basin's contents, which were like nothing he had ever seen before. He could not tell whether the substance was liqiud or gas. It was a bright, whitish silver, and it was moving ceaselessly; the surface the surface of it became ruffled like water beneath wind, and then, like clouds, seperated and swirled smoothly. It looked like light made liquid -- or like wind made solid -- Harry couldn't make up his mind.

Excerpt from Ootp page 840 American Edition. The Lost Prophecy:

He bent down, slid back a catch, and took from inside it the shallow stone basin, carved with runes around the edges.

Go here to see the penseive (Yes, it's a penseive!) up close... (http://www.mugglenet.com/viewer/?image_location=harrypotter6_HR.jpg)

http://tinypic.com/220wt0

Given that description, that bowl looks like a penseive to me!

I think we can safetly assume it's a penseive...

I think its Harry's memory of what happened the night his parents died. He has a wand after all, and dumbledore doesn't.

*sigh*

I keep repeating myself...

Okay, look at it from this perspective.

That theory would be easier to beleive, if there was more evidence to back it up. The does not show Harry prodding the penseive, it does not show him waving his wand over the penseive, it sdoes not show his wand even near the penseive.

Dumbledore, however is holding his hand above the penseive.

SO far we have seen 2 diferent ways to veiw a memory from a penseive, and we have seen 2 diferent ways to activate it.

Who's to say that Dumbledore isn't using the penseive in a passion we have yet to see? Penseive's seem to be very complicaated, and very powerful, and ancient magical artifacts. They probably have nmore then one function, and have diferent ways of activating it, which result in different uses.

I beleive Dumbledore is using the pensive in a way we have yet to see, but will discover in the next book. The new fassion in which Dumbledore is using the pensive, most likely requires you to raise your hand above the surface of the pensieve, and concentrate. And that's most likely the reason there is a greenish fog/mist surrounding them.

Also, look at the way they're possitioned. Dumbledore is standing above the penseive, raising his hand above it, and peering into the depths. Harry is leaning over slightly, and has is wand poised.

Hold on, I just had a weird idea...

Okay, what if a new function of a penseive can be a kind of training thing. Maybe the penseive liquid materializes into a past self of dumbledore, or someone Dumbledore remembers, and Harry finght's the memory for training...

It's a really "out there" theory, worthy of Luna Lovegood, but you have to admit, that would be pretty cool if that was what they were doing...

atherella

March 10th, 2005, 2:19 pm

The Washington Post named the object as a pensieve in an article yesterday.

Wednesday, March 9, 2005; Page C14

Harry and Professor Dumbledore staring transfixed into a pensieve as thoughts swirl around them in a murky green background.

That's the image Mary GrandPre has created for the cover of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." GrandPre's illustration for the sixth book in J.K. Rowling's series about the boy wizard was released yesterday. The book goes on sale July 16.
link (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A18590-2005Mar8.html)

The article does include statements made by Mary GrandPre, but the actual part about the object being a pensieve isn't made clear as to whether GrandPre made that statement or not. So, take it with a grain of salt, but it sure does look like a pensieve.

Rhinoseri

March 10th, 2005, 2:43 pm

TheMuffinMan

March 10th, 2005, 3:04 pm

I can't read through all 23 pages, so this has probably been said before, but yeah...

Anyways, take the adult cover as an example. Some people are looking at it any saying "Oh, he'll take Advanced Potions this coming year! Well done, Harry!" Well, yes, but what is the significance of it, and how does it relate to the Half Blood Prince? It has to in some way, especially since it is the only major thing on the cover. If it was a cover like the PS/SS cover, and the advanced potions book was just sort of floating around in the background, that'd be one thing, but it is in very front and center of attention, so we can safely assume that it will be of some importance. I'll try not to ramble on for much longer, but we can compare it to some other books we've seen in the series. I wont use the Lockhart books, for they were of barely any importance, but take the book the trio used to make the Polyjuice Potion: Most Potente Potions. I'd say that book was quite important, they definately found out quite a bit from from the potion, even if it didn't tell them directly who opened the chamber. But, the book, Most Potente Potions, was not displayed on the cover. Another thing suggesting that the Advanced Potions Making book will be something very important.

If it were the American cover, or the UK childrens cover, we could probably assume it's important, but due to the fact that it's the UK Adult's edition, it probably isn't that signifigant in the story.

UK Adults SS/PS: Picture of the Hogwarts train. Signifigant to the story? I think not. But they had it for the cover anyways.

UK Adults COS: picture of the Ford Angelia. Sure it get's them to Hogwarts, adn it helps them escape in the forest, but does it hint anything from the story, or tell us anyhting important? Nope.

UK Adults POA: this one is more helpful. It gives us a scene from the story, but, again, does it give us any idea whot he prisoner of azkaban is? Does it show us anything that could help us figure out the plot of the story? Not really.

UK Adults GOF: Some scary chinese dragon. There is a dragon at one point in the story, but it does not give us any information on what the goblet of fire is, what it does, what it is used for, or why there is a dragon.

Uk Adults Ootp: a statue of a pheonix that's on fire... Oooookay... This one explains itself...

Now moving onto the two other covers- Harry and Dumbledore. They could be doing a lot of different things. Whatever it is they're doing, it's somehow related to what the Advanced Potion Making book has to do.

Not necesarily. None of the Adult UK book covers, were in any way related to the American edition, and the Uk childrens version was simply a more cartoony version of the Adult edition.(except for the new covers...)

Let's compare and use the Goblet of Fire covers for an example. In the American version, it shows the champions as the main objects, and some smaller things off in the background to do with the tournament. On the British cover it shows Harry in his broom fighting with the Hungarian Horntail. Anyways, both these covers have to do with the Triwizard tournament. So why couldn't the Advanced Potion Making book and Harry and Dumbledore together be related?

Yes, but see the title of the book was Goblet of Fire.

Not, Harry Potter and the Triwizard tournement. None of us knew that there was a triwizard tournament till we read the book, so really, the cover had nothing to do with the title, it had to do with a certain scene from the plot.

And looking at the covers, we can already tell these are scenes from the plot...

A theory that has crossed my mind is Harry not passing his OWL with Snape, but still having to take Potions, but now with Dumbledore. Maybe it's just because he wants to be an Auror, Dumbledore agrees to help, and they become closer aquainter afterwards. But something tells me that there's more to it than that. Maybe there's a certain potion that would protect Harry even more, maybe the Half blood prince comes from a potion, sort of how Voldemort came back into real physical form at the end of the fourth book, by using a potion. The possibilities are quite endless.

I agree with this statement. it is quite possible that HArry does not pass his O.W.L's in potions, and therefore, has taken the initiative to learn it himself. That would explain why he has an old book. He does not have a potions book on his book list, therefore at schoolm, he must use a school volume to study. Or, Harry will get tutor'd by Dumbles, but instead of using a new book, Dumblydoor chooses an older, volume formhis own personal library, that is more advanced, and has better potions.

As for the theory that Harry will take a potion to unlock "the power he knows not" or takes a potion to reveal the halfblood prince:

I don't think that's gonna happen. I personally think that the power Voldie know's not is the ability to love, have mercy, and be compassionate.

Heh, long rambling post...

Met by an equally long, and rambling post :p

THEPATRONUS

March 10th, 2005, 3:09 pm

I think the advanced potions book cover is what Harry is going to have to work on because McGonagal says to madam Umbridge that she will do everything in her power to make sure Harry will do good in all his subjects, maybe Harry has to make up for his less than good marks in potions.

ronaldweaslee

March 10th, 2005, 3:50 pm

One thing that makes unsure of it being a penseive is that there are no runes carved around it... also Dumbledore never had his penseive on a pillar or anything like that.

Cine

March 10th, 2005, 3:51 pm

Eurgh, I don't like the purple font of the US cover. It looks pretty bad. But maybe that's just me.

But anyway, this is so exciting! It does look a bit like a pensieve, but if it is, it's completely different from how I imagined it. Maybe it's not Dumbledore's, but somebody else's?

chrisbll85

March 10th, 2005, 4:57 pm

I gotta question JK said HBP as something to do with what harry found in the chamber of secrets but is she talking about the book or movie?

Could someone please let me know???

Mountainforest

March 10th, 2005, 4:59 pm

Well, that h would keep potions was to be expected. he wouldn't get rid of Snape that easely...

I don't think it's a pensieve, and that it has something to do with timetravel seems ridiculous to me. The most interesting in my eyes, is that Harry and Dumbledore are standing together on two of the three covers, and not as teacher and student, but equal. Dumblore is the one with the kwnoledge, Harry the one with the power. That sounds good because that means Harry will be a lot more involved, and will get to know a lot more.

Machiavelli

March 10th, 2005, 5:03 pm

I gotta question JK said HBP as something to do with what harry found in the chamber of secrets but is she talking about the book or movie?

Could someone please let me know???I think what she said was that HBP has something to do with something Harry discovered in 'Chamber' meaning the book itself, rather than just the chamber. Logically anything important in CoS the book would have been included in the movie... at least that's the theory!

chrisbll85

March 10th, 2005, 5:09 pm

I think what she said was that HBP has something to do with something Harry discovered in 'Chamber' meaning the book itself, rather than just the chamber. Logically anything important in CoS the book would have been included in the movie... at least that's the theory!
OK, so do you mean just the word "Chamber" or inside the chamber?

buckbeakbabie

March 10th, 2005, 5:10 pm

Eeep, posted in the wrong cover thread...

Briar Filth

March 10th, 2005, 5:12 pm

Machiavelli

March 10th, 2005, 5:32 pm

OK, so do you mean just the word "Chamber" or inside the chamber?Here's the quote I think you mean:

I was delighted to see that a hard core of super-bright fans knew that the real title was once, in the long distant past, a possibility for 'Chamber of Secrets', and from that deduced that it was genuine. Certain crucial pieces of information in book six were originally planned for 'Chamber of Secrets', but very early on (first draft of Chamber) I realised that this information's proper home was book six. I have said before now that 'Chamber' holds some very important clues to the ultimate end of the series. Not as many as six, obviously, but there is a link.

From the text version of JKR's site here (http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/news_view.cfm?id=77)

So it seems to imply to me that the entire book is what she means. 'Chamber' is in quotes and used to replace the full title. In other words - the important clues are found in the whole book and not just in the chamber itself.

There's another, better quote, I'll try to locate it.

edit: Here it is -

The link I mentioned between books two and six does not, in fact, relate to the 'Half-Blood Prince' (because there is no trace left of the HBP storyline in 'Chamber'.) Rather, it relates to a discovery Harry made in 'Chamber' that foreshadows something that he finds out in 'Prince'.

Again from the text version of JKR's site here. (http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/faq_view.cfm?id=56)

TheMuffinMan

March 10th, 2005, 8:38 pm

One thing that makes unsure of it being a penseive is that there are no runes carved around it...

Really?

http://www.mugglenet.com/viewer/?image_location=harrypotter6_HR.jpg

The rune's aren't carved in the basin itself, the runes are carved along the RIM of the penseive.

also Dumbledore never had his penseive on a pillar or anything like that.

That is what leads us to beleive it's someone else's penseive.

chrisbll85

March 10th, 2005, 8:44 pm

Here's the quote I think you mean:

I was delighted to see that a hard core of super-bright fans knew that the real title was once, in the long distant past, a possibility for 'Chamber of Secrets', and from that deduced that it was genuine. Certain crucial pieces of information in book six were originally planned for 'Chamber of Secrets', but very early on (first draft of Chamber) I realised that this information's proper home was book six. I have said before now that 'Chamber' holds some very important clues to the ultimate end of the series. Not as many as six, obviously, but there is a link.

From the text version of JKR's site here (http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/news_view.cfm?id=77)

So it seems to imply to me that the entire book is what she means. 'Chamber' is in quotes and used to replace the full title. In other words - the important clues are found in the whole book and not just in the chamber itself.

There's another, better quote, I'll try to locate it.

edit: Here it is -

The link I mentioned between books two and six does not, in fact, relate to the 'Half-Blood Prince' (because there is no trace left of the HBP storyline in 'Chamber'.) Rather, it relates to a discovery Harry made in 'Chamber' that foreshadows something that he finds out in 'Prince'.

Again from the text version of JKR's site here. (http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/faq_view.cfm?id=56)

I didn't see any discovery that he made in "Chamber" that would foreshadow something in "Prince" :huh: . What do you think if you don't mind me asking?

Machiavelli

March 10th, 2005, 8:53 pm

I didn't see any discovery that he made in "Chamber" that would foreshadow something in "Prince" :huh: . What do you think if you don't mind me asking?Me? No idea unfortunately. Could be to do with the whole Heir of Slytherin thing... could be Fawkes... I think there's a thread about it somewhere and people have likely dissected the book to see what was discovered in CoS (and only CoS) but I'm afraid I don't know where!

Pulling around to be back on topic... erm... yup, it's a pensieve!

chrisbll85

March 10th, 2005, 9:06 pm

Me? No idea unfortunately. Could be to do with the whole Heir of Slytherin thing... could be Fawkes... I think there's a thread about it somewhere and people have likely dissected the book to see what was discovered in CoS (and only CoS) but I'm afraid I don't know where!

Pulling around to be back on topic... erm... yup, it's a pensieve!
:rotfl: This is my theory on the hole book cover thing. It could be that on the U.S. book cover Dumbledore is making a potion/looking into harry's/someone elses memories to try to release that power Harry has inside of him. The power he mentioned in OoTP. And the U.K. Adult version is showing the book they use, the U.S. version is showing is showing them making the potion/looking into harry's/someone elses memories to release the power and the U.K. children's version is showing that power being released and harry having to harness that power over the last to book. Anyway's i know it's probably not right but I don't think I've heard that theory yet :eyebrows: . So what do you all think :huh:

TheMuffinMan

March 10th, 2005, 9:18 pm

All my compilled evidence that the object on the cover of HBP American edition, is indeed, a penseive.

Excerpt from page 583 of the American GOF. The Penseive:

He looked around for the source of the light and saw a sliver of silver-white shining brightly from within a black cabinet behind him, whose door had not been closed properly.

<small snip>

A shallow stone basin lay there, with odd carvings around the edge : runes and symbols that Harry did not recognize. The silvery light was coming from the basin's contents, which were like nothing he had ever seen before. He could not tell whether the substance was liqiud or gas. It was a bright, whitish silver, and it was moving ceaselessly; the surface the surface of it became ruffled like water beneath wind, and then, like clouds, seperated and swirled smoothly. It looked like light made liquid -- or like wind made solid -- Harry couldn't make up his mind.

Excerpt from Ootp page 840 American Edition. The Lost Prophecy:

He bent down, slid back a catch, and took from inside it the shallow stone basin, carved with runes around the edges.

Go here to see the penseive (Yes, it's a penseive!) up close... (http://www.mugglenet.com/viewer/?image_location=harrypotter6_HR.jpg)

http://tinypic.com/220wt0

Given that description, that bowl looks like a penseive to me!

I think we can safetly assume it's a penseive...

I think its Harry's memory of what happened the night his parents died. He has a wand after all, and dumbledore doesn't.

*sigh*

I keep repeating myself...

Okay, look at it from this perspective.

That theory would be easier to beleive, if there was more evidence to back it up. The does not show Harry prodding the penseive, it does not show him waving his wand over the penseive, it sdoes not show his wand even near the penseive.

Dumbledore, however is holding his hand above the penseive.

SO far we have seen 2 diferent ways to veiw a memory from a penseive, and we have seen 2 diferent ways to activate it.

Who's to say that Dumbledore isn't using the penseive in a passion we have yet to see? Penseive's seem to be very complicaated, and very powerful, and ancient magical artifacts. They probably have nmore then one function, and have diferent ways of activating it, which result in different uses.

I beleive Dumbledore is using the pensive in a way we have yet to see, but will discover in the next book. The new fassion in which Dumbledore is using the pensive, most likely requires you to raise your hand above the surface of the pensieve, and concentrate. And that's most likely the reason there is a greenish fog/mist surrounding them.

Also, look at the way they're possitioned. Dumbledore is standing above the penseive, raising his hand above it, and peering into the depths. Harry is leaning over slightly, and has is wand poised.

Hold on, I just had a weird idea...

Okay, what if a new function of a penseive can be a kind of training thing. Maybe the penseive liquid materializes into a past self of dumbledore, or someone Dumbledore remembers, and Harry finght's the memory for training...

It's a really "out there" theory, worthy of Luna Lovegood, but you have to admit, that would be pretty cool if that was what they were doing...

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

Originally Posted by Washington Post
Wednesday, March 9, 2005; Page C14

Harry and Professor Dumbledore staring transfixed into a pensieve as thoughts swirl around them in a murky green background.

That's the image Mary GrandPre has created for the cover of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." GrandPre's illustration for the sixth book in J.K. Rowling's series about the boy wizard was released yesterday. The book goes on sale July 16.

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

One thing that makes unsure of it being a penseive is that there are no runes carved around it...

Really?

http://www.mugglenet.com/viewer/?image_location=harrypotter6_HR.jpg

The rune's aren't carved in the basin itself, the runes are carved along the RIM of the penseive.

also Dumbledore never had his penseive on a pillar or anything like that.

That is what leads us to beleive it's someone else's penseive.

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

:rotfl: This is my theory on the hole book cover thing. It could be that on the U.S. book cover Dumbledore is making a potion/looking into harry's/someone elses memories to try to release that power Harry has inside of him. The power he mentioned in OoTP. And the U.K. Adult version is showing the book they use, the U.S. version is showing is showing them making the potion/looking into harry's/someone elses memories to release the power and the U.K. children's version is showing that power being released and harry having to harness that power over the last to book. Anyway's i know it's probably not right but I don't think I've heard that theory yet :eyebrows: . So what do you all think :huh:

On the matter that maybe Harry will take a potion to unlock "the power he knows not" or takes a potion to reveal the halfblood prince:

I don't think that's gonna happen.

I, personally, think that the power Voldie know's not is the ability to love, have mercy, and be compassionate.

I think that potions will have a definate importance in the story, but I really don't like the idea of him just taking a potion and *poof* super Harry to the rescue...

But hey, I'll keep an open mind about it...

eaimua

March 10th, 2005, 9:18 pm

MissssSnape

March 10th, 2005, 9:28 pm

I have looked many times at the cover arts (like so many of us) and I have noticed a few things. Two of them have the same characters and the third an artifact. What can the pictures mean? I will discuss each of them separately

The US edition:

Lots and lots of green, green can mean many things and have been discussed a lot so I won't go on about that but one thing struck me the basin looks a lot like an old pensive and that made me wonder. What is in the pensive. The pensive in OOTP is described as having grey swirling mist in it and when i look at the green you can see the swirling but why green? I think it has to do with the night the Potter's died. The Avade Kedavra curse is described as green coming from a wand. So i think that is what dumbledore is showing Harry. When I look at Harry's face I can see he looks eager but also scared which would be logical if you are (going to watch) watching your parents die. They could also be making a potion which goes with the UK adult edition

The Uk Children edition:

I think this one doesn't reveal much. there is obviously a battle going on where Dumbledore is protecting Harry with a fire spell. Harry looks ready to attack but I also get the idea he is surprised looking at his eyebrows and a little fearful. I wonder with what they are battling but you can't make that out from anything even tough I have been studying the reflection in Harry's glasses

The UK Adult edition:

This one can mean anything but I will tell you some of my thoughts. I was looking at all the pictures of the adult version and each of them show the thing that is in the tittle. PS shows the stone, COS shows the entrance, PoA show Azkaban, GOF shows the goblet and OOTP shows a phoenix. Continuing from this The picture should show the HBP but its a book and old book to be precise. The writer (Tibatius Borage) could be the HBP or anything related to potions (Snape the HBP :D).
If it is about the writer then who is he? Is he maybe described on that tidbit of information JK gave? Or maybe he is the new potion master but where does that leave Snape?
Now to get back that it is an old book can mean several things: It's a library book but why is it important then?
It's an Heirloom from someone to someone, but who to who? Maybe Sirius to Harry or even from his parents?
It could ofcourse also mean that Harry is taking advanced Potion or even Ron it is after all an old book.

The covers leave so many riddles and I really wonder what they all picture but then again

Patience is a virtue

PotionStudent

March 10th, 2005, 9:31 pm

I didn't see any discovery that he made in "Chamber" that would foreshadow something in "Prince" :huh: . What do you think if you don't mind me asking?

I was myself wondering what the interest of the COS was, always found it the least fun of the books... What am I missing?
Different things Harry discovers in that year:
The chamber (duh!)
Voldemort's "past" as a mixed-blood orphan
Voldemort's very first victim, Moaning Myrtle
House elfs
Memory charms

I rack my brain, but fail to see how any of those can lead to another bookful of events / important follow-up :grumble: . but hope that list helps! Feel free to add.

Blacklabel

March 10th, 2005, 9:44 pm

I'm a brit, so I don't know this, but on the other US covers, are the 'and the......' parts of the title written in the same style as on the HBP cover? (some have said it is a Snape-like scrawl). I was just wondering if this Snape-like scrawl was used on the other US covers?

No the 'and the.....' parts of the title are not all drawn in the same style. and the Sorcerer's Stone looks to be carved into the stone above an archway. And the Chamber of Secrets looks to be painted in thick red letters(like 'enemies of the heir beware' on the wall). And the Prisoner of Azkaban is on a scroll of parchment in capital letters with sharp serifs. And the Goblet of Fire is on like a placard... in thicker capitals than PoA's, but similar style of serif letters. And the Order of the Phoenix is silver, ghostly and somewhat loopy... reminds me of the mist from a pensieve.

None of the first five have spiky writing.

Wickeddude343

March 10th, 2005, 9:49 pm

i'm thinking that the US cover means that Dumbledore will be teaching or showing Harry something important, like maybe the thing about learning more about Voldie that JK mentioned

eaimua

March 10th, 2005, 10:14 pm

The Uk Children edition:

I think this one doesn't reveal much. there is obviously a battle going on where Dumbledore is protecting Harry with a fire spell. Harry looks ready to attack but I also get the idea he is surprised looking at his eyebrows and a little fearful. I wonder with what they are battling but you can't make that out from anything even tough I have been studying the reflection in Harry's glasses

Interesting, when I first saw this cover I thought Gandalf. I'm don't think they are in the middle of a battle (yet) in the picture. It appears more like they are walking down a dangerous pathway (which may have no light) and they know somehting is out there but they are not sure where it will attack from. Hence they are looking back although Dumbledore is leading the way. Dumbledore is of course trying to protect Harry The cover might be showing just when they are attacked.

The UK Adult edition:

This one can mean anything but I will tell you some of my thoughts. I was looking at all the pictures of the adult version and each of them show the thing that is in the tittle. PS shows the stone, COS shows the entrance, PoA show Azkaban, GOF shows the goblet and OOTP shows a phoenix. Continuing from this The picture should show the HBP but its a book and old book to be precise. The writer (Tibatius Borage) could be the HBP or anything related to potions (Snape the HBP :D).
If it is about the writer then who is he? Is he maybe described on that tidbit of information JK gave? Or maybe he is the new potion master but where does that leave Snape?
Now to get back that it is an old book can mean several things: It's a library book but why is it important then?
It's an Heirloom from someone to someone, but who to who? Maybe Sirius to Harry or even from his parents?
It could ofcourse also mean that Harry is taking advanced Potion or even Ron it is after all an old book.

The covers leave so many riddles and I really wonder what they all picture but then again

Patience is a virtue

Exactlly what I was thinking and I've tried to get people focused on this in the thread but nobody else seems to agree (or even want to discuss it). 'A HBP' may even be a term used to descibe some special magical state that we don't know about yet i.e. There is a potion that can make someone a HBP and its a very good/bad thing to be!! The book could then have the potion that makes you one, hence its the relation of the title.

Edit: To analyse further; directly comparing this book cover to the other book where the title referred to a person that we didnt know, POA, maybe the book cover just has something to do with Half-Blood only?

Another Edit: Ok I have way too much free time.... To link the Uk kids cover with the US cover: the space between Harry and Dumbledore in the UK kids is green! Maybe they were coming from the place in the US cover?!?!

MrsWhhichch

March 10th, 2005, 10:28 pm

:rotfl: This is my theory on the hole book cover thing. It could be that on the U.S. book cover Dumbledore is making a potion/looking into harry's/someone elses memories to try to release that power Harry has inside of him. The power he mentioned in OoTP. And the U.K. Adult version is showing the book they use, the U.S. version is showing is showing them making the potion/looking into harry's/someone elses memories to release the power and the U.K. children's version is showing that power being released and harry having to harness that power over the last to book. Anyway's i know it's probably not right but I don't think I've heard that theory yet :eyebrows: . So what do you all think :huh:

My husband, who gives me a very hard time for spending my time reading opinions on fiction, just tossed off a theory about the new cover art. Can the green light be the green light from Harry's memory of his first encounter with Voldemort? When he was 1 year old, I mean? That would mean that he is looking at his own memory in the pensieve. If he needs to remember the incident perfectly in order to figure out how to defeat V-mort, wouldn't the pensieve be the way to go? That's how Dumbledore recalled the prophecy perfectly, with the pensieve. What do you guys think? Is my spoilsport husband
:p on to something?

PatronusGyrll

March 10th, 2005, 10:36 pm

Well I have been thinking sice I saw all of the covers yesterday and the Cover that gets me is the Adult UK Cover...If you guys didnt see it has a Potions book on it. I think that Snape is finally going to get his DADA job, because lets face it..who better to teach a class like this in the midst of Voldemorts return than a former Deatheater. I think he will teach them amazing spells....and I am hoping Dumbledores army still has their thing going. I wonder if Dumbledore would bring in another Potions master, or if Snape can handle both positions??....hmmm...something to think about. I just know that I cant wait to read this book..I think I may get the book on CD this time as well because I am going to be so excited, I am not sure if I could even steady my hands to turn the pages :rotfl:

Well see ya guys

BLAUrabe

March 10th, 2005, 10:38 pm

Does anyone think that McGonagall being determined to teach harry in OotP was a foreshadowing of Dumbledore? I mean, we can basically assume that Dumbledore is teaching Harry in Half Blood Prince. But McGonagall was taken away so even though she had a chance to help Harry she never got around to it. Dumbledore won't really have long to teach Harry if he's killed in HBP, now, will he? I mean McGonagall was hit and Dumbledore could *sniff* be removed from the wizarding world. I can't see Dumbledore leaving in the sixth book, when he does, it must be in the seventh. hmm what if Dumbledore becomes immortal? I don't know if anything points to that but if he DOES that would not be fun. Remember Dumbledore wants to die when he's ready. It's just the next big adventure. And certainly Dumbledore won't be ready until after Harry has defeated Voldie. So this doesn't look good either way....

Mugglelvr

March 10th, 2005, 10:42 pm

jasper

March 10th, 2005, 11:07 pm

I think the picture of the Pensieve on the American cover is there because in book six, Dumbledore pulls another strand of memory out of his mind and shows Harry what happened to his parents that night in Godric Hollow.

The other way around. The memory comes out of Harry's mind since he was the one there, not Dumbledore.

crimsonking

March 10th, 2005, 11:12 pm

Ankaa

March 10th, 2005, 11:28 pm

Okay, I'm really considering not posting my opinion simply because you guys have said everything already and it's all brilliant! Nevertheless, here is my nonsensical ranting:

1) UK children's cover - I think that both Dumbledore and Harry look terrified--as if something extremely unexpected and horrifying is occurring. The fire--is it from Dumbledore's wand or is something/someone attacking Harry and Dumbledore? Maybe the fire is from Fawkes (unlikely, but why not)? Assuming that Dumbledore is releasing a surge of energy, we have to conclude that something extremely dangerous (most likely Voldemort himself) is attacking and endangering Harry. Also, I noticed that Harry's scar is illuminated and Harry's glasses seem to be reflecting a portion of the attacker or object that is viewed by both characters in the scene.

2) US Cover - Here the scene is completely different--one of caution and anticipation. Harry has his wand at the ready, almost as if Dumbledore cautioned him to brace himself. Dumbledore is putting forth a wary hand. My guess: this scene precedes the one presented on the UK children's cover. Dumbledore and Harry appear to be looking into a Pensieve, but why would such an action require so much care? After all, a Pensieve presumably contains physically harmless memories--nothing that could give Harry bodily injuries.

3) UK adult cover - I believe this scene is a precursor to the US cover: Dumbledore and Harry are creating some kind of potion, possibly related to a Pensieve. This is farfetched, but perhaps they are attempting to recreate the night Voldemort attacked baby Harry. The pressing question is why Voldemort did not die on this night? How would it be possible to retrieve this traumatic memory from Harry's mind? A powerful potion courtesy of Snape....

Sorry if this is useless repetition of previous material.

Mugglelvr

March 11th, 2005, 12:00 am

The other way around. The memory comes out of Harry's mind since he was the one there, not Dumbledore.

Yes, sorry - >>>>>>fingers type faster than brain functions sometimes <<<<

delemtri

March 11th, 2005, 12:35 am

lion...lol

look at the pic of the pensieve:
http://www.mugglenet.com/books/chapterpics/images/ootp/originals/_ootp28.jpg
it is very wide.
now look at the closeup of the cover:
http://www.mugglenet.com/viewer/?image_location=harrypotter6_HR.jpg
it looks like the pensieve, but on a large pedastal. it also has runes on its rim, just like the pensieve descriptions...

It really doesn't look like the pensieve to me, and it doesn't look like it has runes, just a repeated design. I still think it may be related to Sirius's arch.

TheMuffinMan

March 11th, 2005, 1:08 am

It really doesn't look like the pensieve to me, and it doesn't look like it has runes, just a repeated design. I still think it may be related to Sirius's arch.

*sigh*

I really don't like argueing with you delemtri because I have a lot of respect for you on the love thread, and we are often working together...

But there's just so much evidence pointing toward it that it's a penseive. The washington post said it was a penseive! And, though I don't have the quote with me right now, I beleive even the artist that draws the cover said that it was a penseive...

*sigh* Just read this.... (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?p=1958898#post1958898)

delemtri

March 11th, 2005, 1:24 am

*sigh*

I really don't like argueing with you delemtri because I have a lot of respect for you on the love thread, and we are often working together...

But there's just so much evidence pointing toward it that it's a penseive. The washington post said it was a penseive! And, though I don't have the quote with me right now, I beleive even the artist that draws the cover said that it was a penseive...

*sigh* Just read this.... (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?p=1958898#post1958898)

Like I said - it just doesn't look that way to me. What you see as runes don't appear to me as such. In terms of the book's content, too, I don't understand why Dumbledore would need to show Harry something in a Pensieve if he put all of his cards on the table at the end of OOTP (which it seemed to me he had).

Kimmetje

March 11th, 2005, 1:27 am

GrangerGal

March 11th, 2005, 1:34 am

It was revealed that it is a pensieve in the washington post today. It was on another thread

Memnoch

March 11th, 2005, 1:36 am

It loks to me as though the penseive has been set on a pedestal. I don't see why runes or lack thereof would make a difference. No one said penseives don't have runes on them.

GrangerGal

March 11th, 2005, 1:37 am

Here is the Washington Post article http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A18590-2005Mar8.html

LunaFaze

March 11th, 2005, 1:43 am

Oh God, just seeing the covers gives me a knot in my stomach! I thought that that in the American Version that what harry and Dumbledore were standing over was a Pensieve my self. I thought maybe it was showing Harry some history of Voldemort based on DD's memories or something- like something to give Harry some insight on what steps LV took, or why LV is so terrified of DD. But on the other hand I hope what they're looking at is something we're not yet familiar with. The UK's kid cover is entertaining, it kind of reminds me of old school fantasy art the way that Harry and DD are walking through the flames. Although I llike the cover art for the American version best, i have to say that the UK adult's is definitely the most intrigueing. I can't figure out whether that's Harry;s new book for advanced potions because of passing the OWL OR if it's Snape's old copy !

GrangerGal

March 11th, 2005, 1:45 am

delemtri

March 11th, 2005, 1:47 am

It is a pensieve... here it is
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A18590-2005Mar8.html

If they had attributed that quote to MGP, I'd agree. As it is, I know more about Harry Potter than whatever Post writer did that article, so with no attribution I'll stick with my opinion over theirs. :)

bookworm_97123

March 11th, 2005, 1:49 am

I suppose dozens of people wrote this before me, but anyway: on the cover of the American Chamber of Secrets we saw the entrance of the Chamber itself; on the cover of the Prisoner of Azkaban we saw the shadow of the prisoner himself; on the cover of Goblet of Fire we saw the Goblet itself and on the cover of the Order of the Phoenix we saw few members of the Order. All of the American covers featured Harry too.

Book 6 is entitled Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Harry's on the cover and Dumbledore. Could DD be the HPB?

Scholastic (this american harry potter publisher) has stated that they won't be releasing the back cover because it reveals a key plot point. (Sorry I don't have a link to it. Its mentioned on Mugglenet somewhere...)

Most likely all the interesting information that would help us is on the back cover. Including, the possible identity of the Half-Blood Prince.

IMHO I think that there is a good chance that the pensieve is from the Chamber of Secrets and contains SOME memories of Slyzaar Slytherin. It certainly appears to be old enough.

TheMuffinMan

March 11th, 2005, 1:58 am

If they had attributed that quote to MGP, I'd agree. As it is, I know more about Harry Potter than whatever Post writer did that article, so with no attribution I'll stick with my opinion over theirs. :)

Ooookay... :tu:

I value being on good terms with you much higher than being right in this silly arguement, so I'm just going to drop it... :)

delemtri

March 11th, 2005, 2:26 am

Ooookay... :tu:

I value being on good terms with you much higher than being right in this silly arguement, so I'm just going to drop it... :)

I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just saying I might be right. ;)

Siriusly_Addicted

March 11th, 2005, 3:05 am

Scholastic (this american harry potter publisher) has stated that they won't be releasing the back cover because it reveals a key plot point. (Sorry I don't have a link to it. Its mentioned on Mugglenet somewhere...)

Most likely all the interesting information that would help us is on the back cover. Including, the possible identity of the Half-Blood Prince.

I saw this on Mugglenet. I feel sorry for Emerson & company, because spoilers are unavoidable. If the back cover contains major spoiler information, it's only a matter of time before someone who works for a printer or other entity involved in the publication process slips the news onto the 'net. They won't even need the whole book - just the cover.

Considering what happened to Emerson last time, the unfortunate people working the Mugglenet site can probably expect something similar this time around. They and the COS mods need to adopt Moody's motto of CONSTANT VIGILANCE!

Let me just take this opportunity to say, well in advance, that we appreciate their efforts to keep us informed and also keep inconsiderate persons from telling us what we don't want to know!

atherella

March 11th, 2005, 3:54 am

If they had attributed that quote to MGP, I'd agree. As it is, I know more about Harry Potter than whatever Post writer did that article, so with no attribution I'll stick with my opinion over theirs. :)

I agree with you to a certain extent delemtri. I posted the Washington Post statement earlier in this thread and put a little disclaimer to take it with a grain of salt. The article does contain quotes from GrandPre, but that comment about it being a pensieve is mentioned at the top and isn't directly attributed to GrandPre. It wasn't quoted by her, only by the author of the article. I have a feeling if this were actually confirmed by GrandPre, or anyone directly related to JKR or Bloomsbury, we'd be hearing a lot more about it than one little blurb in the Washington Post.

That being said though, I do think it is a pensieve, but wouldn't be surprised at all if I am wrong. :)

About the back cover....

Looking for the synopsis on the back side of the HBP jackets?
US and UK publishers Scholastic and Bloomsbury have informed us that this time, they won't be releasing images of the back of the Half-Blood Prince jackets until July 16th because they reveal important plot details. In 2003, pictures of the back jackets were released, so this is a new strategy for them. Usually the summary on the back is printed to encourage people to read the book without giving away the story.

TheMuffinMan

March 11th, 2005, 4:07 am

3...2...1...

:birthday: Happy :birthday: Birthday :birthday: To :birthday: Me!:birthday:

And Happy Red Nose Day!

(Though it may not be my birthday where you live, it is where I am! Yay for me!)

Pfff... I'm so immature!

Katze

March 11th, 2005, 4:09 am

ikuko

March 11th, 2005, 4:24 am

_uh

March 11th, 2005, 4:39 am

luvygrifindor

March 11th, 2005, 4:55 am

What are all the little symbols and letters coming out of the pensieve? In the cover art? I just noticed them as I was looking at a close up in a signature below. There are things coming out in the swirl around them, or going in.

HedwigOwl

March 11th, 2005, 4:57 am

My husband, who gives me a very hard time for spending my time reading opinions on fiction, just tossed off a theory about the new cover art. Can the green light be the green light from Harry's memory of his first encounter with Voldemort? When he was 1 year old, I mean? That would mean that he is looking at his own memory in the pensieve. If he needs to remember the incident perfectly in order to figure out how to defeat V-mort, wouldn't the pensieve be the way to go? That's how Dumbledore recalled the prophecy perfectly, with the pensieve. What do you guys think? Is my spoilsport husband
:p on to something?

Yes, I think he is. I happen to agree that's a possibility. Harry has his wand out, so he may have removed the memories to view them in the pensieve. The only ones still alive from VM's attack at Godric's Hollow are Harry and VM.

luvygrifindor

March 11th, 2005, 4:59 am

I thought those were runes eteched into the side of basin. So I figured it was the Pensieve. But on both of the Childrens covers, Dumbledore and Harry both looked ready to fight, or already in a fight.

I wonder what the green light represents? Maybe Avada Kedavra. I'm sure someone has already posted this, I'm just reiterating.
Ooh! good paying attention. I am wondering that if that possibly were not a pensieve, but they were making a potion right there, then since Harry and Voldemorts wands do not work right against each other, then possibly the are brewing a death potion, Avada Kedavra in liquid form. beisdes I just noticed all of those little markings coming out of it in a closer up pic too. I was convinced that It were a pensieve but now I am wondering other wise!:eyebrows:

ComicBookWorm

March 11th, 2005, 5:21 am

I really don't think it's in character for Dumbledore or Harry to brew a death potion. I also don't think that's what JKR has in mind either. It's too nasty and ugly an approach.

tarachristwen

March 11th, 2005, 5:30 am

I Think it is Godric Gryffindor's pencive

i don't think so...

he lived long time ago and i don't think he will leave behind a pensieve for the future generations....

and i also think the thing harry and dumbledore are looking at is a potion...

Hedin

March 11th, 2005, 6:39 am

I agree with you to a certain extent delemtri. I posted the Washington Post statement earlier in this thread and put a little disclaimer to take it with a grain of salt. The article does contain quotes from GrandPre, but that comment about it being a pensieve is mentioned at the top and isn't directly attributed to GrandPre. It wasn't quoted by her, only by the author of the article. I have a feeling if this were actually confirmed by GrandPre, or anyone directly related to JKR or Bloomsbury, we'd be hearing a lot more about it than one little blurb in the Washington Post.

I agree that the article saying it is a pensive really shouldn't be worth too much. In fact, that article came out a day after the cover had been released and uses quotes and other phrases that was in the original AP interview with GrandPre (which gave no mention of a pensive). I think the author and/or editors just put their opinion in on this. However, we won't know til we read the book because I don't think any official in the know would come out and say one way or the other.

Athinker

March 11th, 2005, 6:50 am

Could it possibly be Harry's pensive...I mean is there an age requirement for these things. All we know is that they are a composition of thoughts and memory's right. So maybe someone, Dumbledore, gave one to Harry.

By the way is it me or is the UK adult version of the book cover way cooler then the US version...I don't even want to mention how non-appealing the children's version looks like.

Trisha

March 11th, 2005, 7:07 am

Or if the pensieve is another artifact from the Malfoy travelling exhibit of the Lord Voltemort Library....
It could contain clues about the time Tom Riddle killed his father and grandparents. Maybe the resurrection in the cemetary isn't the first time Dear Ol' Dad helped his son with a spell.
And that in turn may hold the key to defeating Lord V.

rettop yrrah

March 11th, 2005, 10:50 am

Its not a pensieve or a potion its the top of 'The Pillar of Storgé'

Finally a rational explanation!

a lot more rational than alot of the other explanations at least.

:eyebrows:

Mugglelvr

March 11th, 2005, 11:05 am

I wonder what the fire in the UK edition could stand for, maybe for a heavy battle with Dumbledore as well which might indicate Hogwarts and that Hogwarts might be attacked. I don't think Dumbledore is on that cover for nothing and he sort of stands for safety at Hogwarts and LV might attack Hogwarts when Dumbledore might not be there. It might also stand for Dumbledore's dead, giving some honour to his character.

I wondered that too. I blew up the cover - Dumbledore has a very scared look on his face. The fire - could it be a dragon? I don't know - but the look on Dumbledore and Harry's face is one of fear.

eaglepink

March 11th, 2005, 11:52 am

History of Magic? Divination? You really sure about that?

For the sake of the plot it is kind of obvious that he passed potion-making. The subjects he is most likely to have failed in is history of magic and astronomy since these subjects are the ones that is of less interest to the plot, wich is more set with current affairs. In the case of astronomy there was also the Hagrid incident during exams wich might had an effect on Harry's performance.

Divination is a tricky thing to predict. According to Harry's interest and the rubbish that the exam seemed to be focused on he schould have failed. But with Firenze teaching I don't think that JKR are about to make Harry give it up. He has so far contributed far to much with interesting twists to the plot. A theory is that the things Harry made up in his divination exam test did as much sense as the rubbish that the examiners had in mind and he will go on having his divination lessons.

/Johan

Teatime

March 11th, 2005, 12:59 pm

PotionStudent

March 11th, 2005, 2:59 pm

If the... whatever Dumbledore and Harry are looking in isn't a pensieve nor the Pillar of Storge :elaugh: , nor a potion cauldron (not deep enough, IMO), what could it be?! :huh:
I'd tend to stick with Occam's razor and think it's a pensive, personally. But of course, I may be 100 percent wrong! I just couldn't believe that the "chamber pots" room was anything important, I thought Dumbledore was just pulling karkarrof's leg, for example. :p

Machiavelli

March 11th, 2005, 3:07 pm

It's important to remember that the cover art is not necessarily a literal depiction of a scene in the book but is inspired by a scene and made graphically attractive and interesting. So facial expressions, wand hand and use, even the pillar might or might not be mentioned in the actual text.

On another note - those of you who haven't yet donned a red nose here's what you need to do: create a red-nosed graphic of your choice (katze has a great one!) - if you don't have access or aren't sure how to do it, you might want to owl someone who has a red nose for advice and help, follow the link in my signature and post your masterpiece on Mundungus' thread. One post is allowed per member, and for each post Mundungus and Ana-Magus will donate 10p to Comic Relief. This is one of JKR's favorite charities, and is a golden pound organization so every bit of money raised will actually go to do the good work. The thread closes at midnight so if you haven't posted yet please think about doing it. And spread the word!

TheMuffinMan

March 11th, 2005, 4:26 pm

I'm with Delemtri, The Washington Post hasn't quoted anyone reliable as saying it's a pensieve and the image doesn't entirely fit the description (no runes)... And I just don't see why Harry would have his wand ready as if prepared to perform some kind of spell if he's about to look in a pensieve.

:grumble: :grumble: :grumble: :grumble: :grumble: :grumble:

The problem people have with the whole Runes thing is that they make the mistake of assuming that the runes are located along the bottom of the basin.

But they are not, and have never been said to do soo in canon. Canon states that the runes are marked upon the RIM of the basin!!

Look at the picture of the pensieve:

http://www.mugglenet.com/books/chapterpics/images/ootp/originals/_ootp28.jpg

See...

There are no runes or markings along the bottom or sides of the penseive. They.Are.Along.The.Rim

now look at the closeup of the cover:
http://www.mugglenet.com/viewer/?image_location=harrypotter6_HR.jpg

When looking at the Edge/Rim of the basin, you can SEE the markings and runes that run along the rim of the basin.

As for Harry having your wand out means that they are making a potion:

Have you ever read how you work a penseive?

Because if you did, you wouldn't have made such a rash assumption as that...

Ankaa

March 11th, 2005, 4:34 pm

First of all, Happy Belated Birthday to TheMuffinMan!! :D

Okay, so I'm just wondering whether anyone knows of any green potions mentioned in Harry Potter so far? I'm still debating as to whether the thing is a pensieve or potion. I agree with everyone that the Washington Post article may be a mere opinion; however, it makes so much sense for the object to be a pensieve--I mean, why would anyone stand over a bubbling potion, wait, and look at it expectantly--unless something unpredictable is supposed to happen. That's the main reason I tried to merge the two ideas--a potion used in a pensieve? But that's too farfetched. Hmmm, enough rambling. What does everyone else think?

Machiavelli

March 11th, 2005, 4:34 pm

:grumble: :grumble: :grumble: :grumble: :grumble: :grumble:

The problem people have with the whole Runes thing is that they make the mistake of assuming that the runes are located along the bottom of the basin.

But they are not, and have never been said to do soo in canon. Canon states that the runes are marked upon the RIM of the basin!!

Good point - and the image you posted makes it seem pretty clear that the cover image is consistent in iconography with the pensieves the artist has already designed. The shape is the same, the rune placement is the same... if she has done something other than a pensieve it's a very strange and confusing graphic choice to have made. The only thing I can think of is perhaps this is meant to be an ancient artifact that pre-dates pensieves but inspired them - so it has the same shape but a slightly different function.

Teatime

March 11th, 2005, 4:41 pm

Muffinman, how *do* they work the pensieve then? Sorry, I always thought that they just sort of tap their minds with their wands and draw their thoughts out... which would mean the image makes sense if Harry was removing his own thoughts, which I suppose is a possibility.

But I'm confused, why does he need a wand to make a potion?? And what has potions got to do with it, anyway? Sorry, I know I'm probably being very thick but please do enlighten me! :upset:

SnorkackCatcher

March 11th, 2005, 4:54 pm

I'd like to return to what people make of the UK children's cover. It makes me think of the "fire whip" Dumbledore used in the Ministry fight against Voldemort:
Dumbledore had drawn back his wand and waved it as though brandishing a whip. A long thin flame flew from the tip, it wrapped itself around Voldemort, shield and all. For a moment, it seemed Dumbledore had won, but then the fiery rope became a serpent, which relinquished its hold upon Voldemort at once and turned, hissing furiously, to face Dumbledore.This seemed to almost work when Dumbledore tried it by himself - do you reckon he'll be teaching Harry to do whatever it was so they can both cast it at once for greater effect? The flames certainly seem to be coming out of both wand tips.

Aliennation

March 11th, 2005, 7:54 pm

Mrnozzie

March 11th, 2005, 8:48 pm

Are the British covers actually on the books, or are they sleaves like the American covers? The reason I am asking is that I don't understand the need for two different covers in the UK. If it is just a sleave then couldn't you just pull the sleave off if you were embarrassed by reading a children's book?

The covers are printed on both the sleeve and the book, making it almost impossible to get rid of the cover without ripping the book to pieces! Hope that helped!

Noz

Todd1700

March 11th, 2005, 8:48 pm

I find the U.S cover interesting. Some say it appears to be Harry and Dumbledore brewing a potion but I side with those who say they are looking into a pensive. Why? Well Harry has his wand in hand. Wands aren't used to brew potions ("there will be no silly wand waving or incantations in this classroom") but wands are used to extract memories and put them into a pensive. The green glow could be from the avada kedavara spell used to kill his mother or the one Voldemort tried to kill Harry with. Harry witnessed these events but as an infant and they are locked in his brain. But these early memories would be impossible for him to recall,...EXCEPT through the use of a pensive. Perhaps Dumbledore feels he is finally ready to view these events so that they can get a clearer view of what happened that night. Or perhaps he is showing Harry how to extract these painful memories and place them in a pensive to make him less vunerable. Remember this line, "the dementors affect you more because there are true horrors in your past, Harry. Horrors your classmates could scarcely understand." Remember the dementors have sided with Voldemort and I doubt that we have seen the last of them. Also it would be a way to safeguard Voldemort from seeing the events of that night should he invade Harry's mind again. Remember Snape removed memories that he did not want Harry to see before he began their Occulamency lessons.

Angelfeathers

March 11th, 2005, 8:50 pm

I find the U.S cover interesting. Some say it appears to be Harry and Dumbledore brewing a potion but I side with those who say they are looking into a pensive. Why? Well Harry has his wand in hand. Wands aren't used to brew potions ("there will be no silly wand waving or incantations in this classroom") but wands are used to extract memories and put them into a pensive. The green glow could be from the avada kedavara spell used to kill his mother or the one Voldemort tried to kill Harry with. Harry witnessed these events but as an infant and they are locked in his brain. But these early memories would be impossible for him to recall,...EXCEPT through the use of a pensive. Perhaps Dumbledore feels he is finally ready to view these events so that they can get a clearer view of what happened that night. Or perhaps he is showing Harry how to extract these painful memories and place them in a pensive to make him less vunerable. Remember this line, "the dementors affect you more because there are true horrors in your past, Harry. Horrors your classmates could scarcely understand." Remember the dementors have sided with Voldemort and I doubt that we have seen the last of them. Also it would be a way to safeguard Voldemort from seeing the events of that night should he invade Harry's mind again.

That actually makes a lot of sense. So Harry could relive the night his parents died, it would help desensitze him to facing Voldemort, as well, as gather vital information. Dumbledore had probably been wanting to do this for ages, but since, he only told Harry the truth about everything last year, he gave him a little break over the summer, but now that he feels Harry is ready...I'm rambling, but you see where I'm going with this.

Todd1700

March 11th, 2005, 9:08 pm

Also perhaps Dumbledore has concluded that the link between Voldemort and Harry is such that Harry will never be able to completely block him from his mind, especially when asleep. Voldemort spent the entire last book trying to get his hands on the prophecy locked in the Ministry of Magic but in the end it was destroyed. That prophecy has now been revealed to Harry. Obviously information that Voldemort wants this badly will have to be safeguarded and what better way than in a pensive. Perhaps a special one that not just anyone can use or view.

Fun stuff to think about. I can hardly wait for this book.

Angelfeathers

March 11th, 2005, 9:10 pm

Also perhaps Dumbledore has concluded that the link between Voldemort and Harry is such that Harry will never be able to completely block him from his mind, especially when asleep. Voldemort spent the entire last book trying to get his hands on the prophecy locked in the Ministry of Magic but in the end it was destroyed. That prophecy has now been revealed to Harry. Obviously information that Voldemort wants this badly will have to be safeguarded and what better way than in a pensive. Perhaps a special one that not just anyone can use.

Ooooh, you think real well. Those're some first-class brain-meats you got, Todd.

tao

March 11th, 2005, 9:39 pm

Todd: To be fair I think wands are used to stir potions in canon.
I am sure the thing on the US cover is a pensieve because of the look of the "smoke". That is to say it doesn´t look like smoke but exactly as JK described thoughts in a pensieve, you cannot say if it´s a gas or a liquid and it whirls after you stir it. The only thing that doesn´t fit is the colour but to me that´s just because green looks better than silver as a book cover.
Of course the pensieve also fits the description of a pensieve and not the one of a cauldron.

Isn´t it kind of creepy that we know that the backcover will give something important away about the plot, so important that they won´t reveal it until the book comes out? I totally exspect to see the Half Blood Prince on the back of the book now. Of course that could be a trick as well.
Oh well I don´t care, when I have the book in my hands it´ll be OK. When I read it I´ll know who the HBP is anyway.

The covers are printed on both the sleeve and the book, making it almost impossible to get rid of the cover without ripping the book to pieces! Hope that helped!I think that´s so unecessary, why can´t they just leave the books in one colour with the title and author in silver letters on the spine, like it was in the good old days. I never appreciated pictures on my books. There are no colourful pirats on my copy of the "Treasure Island". :grumble: I´ll admit that this doesn´t matter that much but still...

crimsonking

March 11th, 2005, 9:42 pm

its a pensieve...they are looking into it at harry's memory of Godric's Hollow.

why would it be related to the veil???

tao

March 11th, 2005, 9:50 pm

Are you asking me? I don´t think anybody talked about the veil latly, I sure didn´t. Sorry but I´m a bit confused.
I could imagine that they are looking at the night his parents died, but I don´t accept that as a fact yet.

Maurven

March 11th, 2005, 9:57 pm

This hasn't been addressed to my knowledge, and I'm not sure where to put it but...

If you google Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, and search images, you come up with a reddish cover that looks like, if nothing else, a very good imitation of Grandpre's art. It also looks plausible as a cover, with pheonix feathers, thestrals, a menacing figure (Snape or the HBP) and an older Harry. Anyone know anything about this?

HermioneLuvsRon

March 11th, 2005, 9:58 pm

I haven't ever cared about it and don't now, but it does look like a penseive..

Anyway, I stopped by to say that, sorry, but I like the US ones better..maybe because I've always seen them like that but I jsut like them better. And why do there have to be so many editions of the cover...and book..

I mean, like they can't change the main story...what do they change in the UK and US editions..like the word bathroom into..lou..or however you spell it..

I never quite figured this one out :p

PaD_fOoT

March 11th, 2005, 10:01 pm

I also believe that it's a pensive and I think that it might mean that the half blood prince is from the past *hint the pensive* but I don't know...I just can't wait til it comes out!!!

HermioneLuvsRon

March 11th, 2005, 10:06 pm

I also believe that it's a pensive and I think that it might mean that the half blood prince is from the past *hint the pensive* but I don't know...I just can't wait til it comes out!!!

Maybe James or Lily WAS the half blood..well not Lily...she can't be a prince, but maybe James was the Half Blood Prince...

AHH I THINK I AM NOW BIASED!!!

ha that sounded weird..

That is now my theory..that James was the Half Blood Prince and I'll come abck after I read the book and he will be and I was right and I might be too shocked to post but I will find out that I was right and I said it right here right now!!

This is my...declarance thingy..that I think James is the Half Blood Prince..but I'm not debating about this I have no proof....

Yeah I'm really bored and I sound like an annoying little 8 year old but that's okay I'm going cosmic bowling and I cant wait...

My friend is moving though.. :upset: to Arizona..where it is boring and they don't have their own language and...I'm mad..

Okay I'm done with my 8 year old post

Till

March 11th, 2005, 10:08 pm

:wow: Just when you think you've seen it all...from the hideous U.K PS and Cos covers (wich I ripped off, they were paperback), to the U.S chapter pictures...you see this:no:!

The U.K cover art hurts my eyes, I don't even wanna look at that again, so I'm not going to figure out what it's accually supposed to be. I'm going to have to paste something over it when I get my coppy. Seriously.

I was pleasantly surprissed with the U.S cover, that one looks OK for a change.
The adult cover is interesting too, Advanced Potion Making huh? :huh:

Praise Ien van Laanen and Anne Lammers, who make the beautifull Dutch coverart, and will undoubtfully come upp with something brilliant :)
Not that I'm going to wait for that, Dutch version won't be there till November :(

M_Heroine

March 11th, 2005, 10:28 pm

tao

March 11th, 2005, 10:52 pm

I found it. It´s just fanart, it says it made for the Mugglenet book 6 design contest. It´s pretty but s/he made his eyes brown. Sorry I cannot link.

whizbang121

March 11th, 2005, 11:19 pm

Maybe James or Lily WAS the half blood..well not Lily...she can't be a prince, but maybe James was the Half Blood Prince...

AHH I THINK I AM NOW BIASED!!!

ha that sounded weird..

That is now my theory..that James was the Half Blood Prince and I'll come abck after I read the book and he will be and I was right and I might be too shocked to post but I will find out that I was right and I said it right here right now!!

This is my...declarance thingy..that I think James is the Half Blood Prince..but I'm not debating about this I have no proof....

Yeah I'm really bored and I sound like an annoying little 8 year old but that's okay I'm going cosmic bowling and I cant wait...

My friend is moving though.. :upset: to Arizona..where it is boring and they don't have their own language and...I'm mad..

Okay I'm done with my 8 year old post
I have friends in Arizona.

James is the half blood prince. Hmmm..... I always thought James was a pureblood, but I guess it never really says that anywhere, does it?

Mugglelvr

March 11th, 2005, 11:39 pm

I wonder what the fire in the UK edition could stand for, maybe for a heavy battle with Dumbledore as well which might indicate Hogwarts and that Hogwarts might be attacked.

When I first saw the children's edition cover, I thought, maybe Harry and Dumbledore were fighting dragons, but when I enlarged the picture, it appeared that the fire was coming out of the end of Dumbledore's wand. So, maybe the fire was to protect him and Harry from something?

Aliennation

March 11th, 2005, 11:41 pm

Ok forgive me if this has been asked already. I'm trying to catch up, I'm on page 14, but I can only read so fast at work and I wanted to know what ya'll thought about this. Did anyone notice that on the UK Children's cover the background behind Harry and Dumbledore is green while the background outside the flames is black? Could the fire be a new form of tranportation or even a transportation by Fawkes out of a battle? What do you think?

LostMiracle

March 11th, 2005, 11:44 pm

I dunno if anyone has mentioned this yet - its nearly midnight and i have to get up early tomorrow so i CIN'T sit and read through 26 pages of theories but has anyone mentioned the possible connection between the green on the US cover, the colour of Harrys eyes and the colour of the Avada Kevadra curse? Also on the UK childrens cover there is a bit of green background between harry and dumbledore.

Also on the UK childrens cover - anyone else notice that dumbledore looks scared?

I agree with you Aliennation - fawkes is definately going to be important - why else would dumbledore name his secret organisation after it?

hatramroany

March 11th, 2005, 11:45 pm

the american color is green, but in all the books when you take the cover off the actual book is made of two different colors (book 5 was silver and blue) is there any clue on what color it would be this time?

Aliennation

March 11th, 2005, 11:47 pm

The covers are printed on both the sleeve and the book, making it almost impossible to get rid of the cover without ripping the book to pieces! Hope that helped!

Noz

Thanks Mrnozzie!!!! That answers my question

Mugglelvr

March 12th, 2005, 1:05 am

Also on the UK childrens cover - anyone else notice that dumbledore looks scared?

I notices how scared Dumbledore looks on the children's cover. As a matter of fact he looks more afraid then Harry. Harry looks sort of surprised, but Dumbledore definitely looks scared.

Paintball

March 12th, 2005, 2:30 am

My theory about the American cover is that the pensive is being used by Dumbledore to teach Harry how to understand and control his emotions. If the wand is placed to the heart rather then the brain then emotions are removed and placed in the pensive. The green light might be emotions rather then memories.

DominicMazoch

March 12th, 2005, 2:31 am

Harry has green eyes. A clue?

Genevieve

March 12th, 2005, 3:14 am

The covers are printed on both the sleeve and the book, making it almost impossible to get rid of the cover without ripping the book to pieces! Hope that helped!

Noz

Oh VERY cool and NOT fair. I always take the US covers off so they won't get ripped but like to go back and look at the picture. . . are you listening Scholastic?!!

A random thought, on both the US and the UK childrens cover I think that the artists are trying to show the look of power the Dumbledore's described as having. It looks like he is concentrating very hard, NOT scared. Or maybe that's my imagination, if Dumbledore's scared, then I will be scared and that would be embarrassing as I'm approaching 40. . . :rotfl:

Regulus11

March 12th, 2005, 3:21 am

You know what Salem? I don't want to go out on a limb, but you just may be right about . . . all that. :evil:

Green - for St. Patrick's Day!http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0304/feiertage/feiertag-smiley-013.gif

You know, green is actually a very magical color, and nearly all the people in the books wear green from time to time, from McGonagall to Trelawney to Harry, himself. Snape never wears green, though Phineas Nigellus - the ultimate Slytherin - definitely does.

I thought the green was important too. Maybe he will finally learn something about his mother in the pensieve. Whatever it is, it's going to be GREAT!

moonlite

March 12th, 2005, 9:02 am

The adult cover is interesting too, Advanced Potion Making huh? :huh:

Yea I know, the UK adult cover is really... intriguing. I mean, does it mean Harry will be taking NEWT potion classes with Snape, and these will be important?? Hmm....

Dashriprock

March 12th, 2005, 10:28 am

Gosh, you guys, last I saw this thread was on Tuesday, and when I posted it only had 9 pages!!! :wow:

You know, before all this, I never even knew they HAD separate covers for the US versus UK childrens' versus UK adults' versions!!

I already posted my thoughts about the cover, on the other thread, about "pensieve on cover of HBP confirmed".
Though I will say this...someone posted, a LONG ways back, about how the "and the Half-Blood Prince" on the cover of the American book, is written all spidery, different than the "and the Chamber of Secrets/Prisoner of Azkaban/etc." books' font. But it looks to me like the same handwriting used in the "and the Order of the Phoenix" in that book. Probably doesn't matter at all, it's just something I realized the other day when I looked at my copy of OotP.

jordmundt6

March 12th, 2005, 11:16 pm

Hey everyone. I guess I'll be saying over what's been said before.

First off--The US front cover ROCKS, definitely the best of the three, though not the most informative. It looks like Dumbledore's definitely teaching Harry, and this probably has something to do with extremely advanced DADA, but--Could it also be Alchemy or blood magic (two of Dumbledore's specialties?). That plinth--dunno, might that be in the Room of Requirement or--stranger still in the CoS itself and not Dumbledore's office? All interesting questions. The UK Children's cover is EXTREMELY disappointing (the flames remind me of Dumbledore's spell to make the fountain water into a molten prison for Voldemort.

The UK adult version is consderably more informative--a copy of "Advanced Potion-Making." So, Harry will definitely be studying Potions in his 6th year. One thing though. The book looks battered to the point where it's falling apart. Harry always buys himself new books. Could this be Ron's or Neville's copy? Could Dumbledore be taking time out to personally instruct Harry in Potions because Snape refuses to admit him? But I think neither Harry nor Snape will get off that easily. I expect to see Harry, Hermione, Neville, and Draco in NEWT Potions together. Ooh, what a motley crew that'll be.

As for History of Magic, considering how little ANYONE pays attention in there, one solid and concise correct answer might be enough for Harry to scrape an Acceptable. The question is, whose notes did he see during the test? He didn't take his own. He borrowed Hermione's and they went on for pages and pages (typical Hermione, she probably spent her free time in that exam hour writing a criticism of Plato's Republic or something). So if they weren't his and they weren't Hermione's whose were they? Did he actually perform wandless Legilimency on Parvati? That's highly unlikely, but I just thought I'd throw it out there as an OWL-related question.

moaningnell

March 12th, 2005, 11:42 pm

Beth1977

March 13th, 2005, 12:04 am

This might be out there, but I keep thinking about the pensieve and the green light that is coming from it. Could it be that Dumbledore is creating a new pensieve for Harry, like the way he created the portkey in OotP to bring the Weasleys and Harry to Grimmauld Place?

GryffindorSeeker

March 13th, 2005, 1:25 am

I'm predicting..... Since Harry and Dumbledore are together on two of the covers, that must mean that Harry hasn't murdered him... that's always good. I'm guessing that it might mean that Dumbledore is going to teach Harry Occlumency, although, I don't have anything to prove that. It's just that that was the first thing that came to mind when I looked at the cover. But what is this bowl shaped thingy-ma-bob??? A pensieve? That's the only thing I can think of. The American cover looks as if Dumbledore is directing Harry quietly for some reason... :huh:

Lavender Brown

March 13th, 2005, 2:05 am

The only thing I can decide on, is that I think that this will be the book that Dumbledore dies in. I believed this long before the covers came out (even before OOtP came out, I believed Dumbledore would die in 6 or 7), and now that he is so prominent on both covers, I think this will be his last book. I hope not though.

Dark_MoonFlower

March 13th, 2005, 2:18 am

Dashripock, the Order of the Phoenix cover had the name written to look like smoke, i think.
I am pretty sure that the cover has a pensieve on it.
I was thinking that maybe the first chapter that JK as in store for us and could have been in book one and three, is not the going to show the night harrys parents died. It just seems so obvious, doesn't it? So i think in this book, Dumbledore is going to take an active role and become Harrys mentor and will teach him most of what he thinks is important. I think the US cover represents a scene probably in the middle to near end of the book, where Harry will have to pull his memory from his head of the night his parents die and relive it.

I think this would be plausable. Harry may relive it with Dumbledore and maybe analyze what went on and maybe this will help Harry to figure how to destroy Voldemort in book seven. I also think the pensive is either dumbledores in better detail--remember dumbledore is like 150 years old, you'de think he would have had a pensieve for many years so it may be worn. Or it could be a Potter heirloom that goes back for centuries and it now is Harry's.

I think Snape will have an awesomely big role in this book and i think he may be the half blood prince. The spidery writing on the front cover of the US cover and the spell book on the UK adults. And aren't we supposed to learn more about Snape in this book?

I think Harry will be in N.E.W.T Potions, but he would not have gotten an O. I think he may have gotten an E, but Dumbledore took initiative and made Snape take him grudgingly, so harry can be the best he can be and farther his knowledge.

Oh, yes...i think dumbledore will die. If not in this book then sometime in the beginning or middle of book seven. Dumbledore just can't be their for the final battle, Harry must do it alone. So dumbledore will give harry everything he needs to know by mentoring him in HBP. Also, if you noticed, harry could still talk to dumbledore when he died. All of the portraits in the headmaster office. Obviously they would have one of him. So they can keep conversing but dumbledore could not get in the way of the battle.

Well thats my two cents...

moonyrox75

March 13th, 2005, 2:36 am

i hate to say this but i think that dumbledore is goin to die. cedric was the first to die and he was on the cover of the US version. next was sirius and he too was on the cover (backside). now dumbledore is on the cover i cried noooooooooooooooo as soon as i saw it. i know we dont know if anyone is on the backside but im pretty sure he will die.
also i think that based of UK adult version harry will be taking NEWTs potions. i also think that there is goin to be an advanced potion that dumbledore and harry will use

HedwigOwl

March 13th, 2005, 2:38 am

I'm just wondering if they have just been transported somewhere by fawkes, as he normally disappears and reappears in flames or they may be travelling by flo powder,mind you the flames would be green if that was the case. I do prefer the English books to the American one, though it is really good, mind you whats with the adult cover, its completely different to the childs copy, why a potions book when harry and dumbledore are on both the childs English copy and similar on the American version. Whats the point to that I wonder,

I think that's a fairly good guess, it's probably related to Fawkes somehow. Along with your theory, protection by Fawkes could be another possibility. I know a few posters have criticized the UK children's cover, but I think it's awesome. I think all the covers offer some information to ponder. The US cover clearly shows a pensieve, likely Harry viewing memories about Godric's Hollow, in my opinion. I wonder if the UK adult version with the Potions book points to either something key that Snape does (maybe a potion for VM that un-does a previous one?), or something Snape passes along to someone else in the event that Snape gets found out and killed?

moonyrox75

March 13th, 2005, 2:42 am

jordmundt6

March 13th, 2005, 3:32 am

Good guess but three problems. The flames look like either they're coming from the wands (in which case it isn't Fawkes Apparating) or that Dumbledore and Harry are combatting them (in which case it isn't Fawkes Apparating either). The other problem is that the fire looks too large and sustained to be caused by Fawkes moving from place to place. Still, very well considered.

As for creating a pensieve--the smoke and vapor are the wrong color and the basin (or whatever it is) doesn't look to be full of liquid, does it? :huh:

HedwigOwl

March 13th, 2005, 4:04 am

Good guess but three problems. The flames look like either they're coming from the wands (in which case it isn't Fawkes Apparating) or that Dumbledore and Harry are combatting them (in which case it isn't Fawkes Apparating either). The other problem is that the fire looks too large and sustained to be caused by Fawkes moving from place to place. Still, very well considered.

:

Fair point. I went back and looked at the cover again, and you're right, it does seem to come from DD's wand....you have to admit, though, it's very Phoenix-like.

funnyhoney88

March 13th, 2005, 6:51 am

Im Mental

March 13th, 2005, 12:21 pm

i hate to say this but i think that dumbledore is goin to die. cedric was the first to die and he was on the cover of the US version. next was sirius and he too was on the cover (backside). now dumbledore is on the cover i cried noooooooooooooooo as soon as i saw it.

Harry, Hermione, Mad Eye, Fawkes, Krum, Fleur and many others have been on the covers and have not died. So, that is a really bad assumption.

Briar Filth

March 13th, 2005, 12:38 pm

the basin (or whatever it is) doesn't look to be full of liquid, does it? :huh:

How would you know? You can't see in it. It could be full of anything, including liquid.

Hpwiz

March 13th, 2005, 12:41 pm

Harry, Hermione, Mad Eye, Fawkes, Krum, Fleur and many others have been on the covers and have not died. So, that is a really bad assumption.
Now there r only 2 people on the cover. Do u think Harry's going to die when there is another book to go? Now I'm not saying I think it's true, but it was a good guess. Hopefully there's a backside w/ people on it.(cough*****LUPIN******coughcough)

As for creating a pensieve--the smoke and vapor are the wrong color and the basin (or whatever it is) doesn't look to be full of liquid, does it?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the books they describe the pensieve as a bowl full of liquid, but not really liquid, more of a very solid gas.

lemon tea

March 13th, 2005, 12:54 pm

Okay, well this really isn't important I suppose, but still. In the UK Children's cover, did anyone else think of that scene in the Fellowship of the Ring movie when Gandalf is fighting that big thing (whose name I can't remember except for the fact that it began with a G) and Gandalf "died"? You know...YOU SHALL NOT PASS! Now, (to me) Gandalf and Dumbledore have been sort of similar, old, wizards, mentoring to those who are smaller, powerful, used a fire whip...oh gee that was in that same scene! Not to mention similarities between LotR and Harry Potter. So I thought that maybe Dumbledore would sacrifice himself for Harry, but then come back. But not as himself, maybe a memory. I'm probably really off, this is just my opinion.

Hmm, good thought! When I first saw the cover I thought, hey, this looks so familiar to me... But I never thought of that. You're right though, it's probably not important and I doubt it was the intention of the illustrator... but interesting still. Who knows, it might foreshadow something of that sort, however unlikely it is.
Oh, and the thing you meant is a Balrog... unless I'm much mistaken. ;)