Unfogging the Half-Blood Prince Cover Art

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.
Maybe it's a different kind of pensieve or some evil thought or thought about how Harry's parents died. Green light, Avada Kedavra.
I see solid gas with vapor coming out of it. That is exactly what is shown on cover.
Also, maybe that gas is not green. Maybe it's the lighting or the theme color of the book. . aka green eyes, avada kedavra

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.

It's a good thought, but I doubt JKR would go down that rode of the 'sacrifice and return'. She might be actively trying to steer clear of any LotR related plot lines, especially with two characters (DD and Gandalf) who are so similar, being old, bearded wise wizards who help save the world and all that. It's a still good thought though, best not to rule it out in the list of ideas :tu:

hmm...good speculation with the snape idea:
No now I think Snape is the HBP because of the adult version
those usually get to the point of the title
DD and Harry could be learning about GG I think
a possibilty maybe anyway...

but what are DD and GG??

hmm...good speculation with the snape idea:
No now I think Snape is the HBP because of the adult version
those usually get to the point of the title

mm..I didn't know tha...mainly because here in Spain there aren't too much original books. So who knows...

DD and Harry could be learning about GG I think
a possibilty maybe anyway...

It could be. I don't like to expect things from books (from anything in general :p ). But I suppose this could be the book that finally shows us the night at Godric's Hollow (the infamous brewed-for-13-years chapter perhaps? :eyebrows: ). And GOdric's story. I mean, we have known about Salazar, even about his heir..and nothing about Godric, the other side of the coin, and his heir, if there's one *coughharrycough* :p

And well...the only possibly way I would like Harry to discover what happened the night his parents died, it's with Dumbledore. With Dumbledore caring and trying to understand as well.

Now I've seen the covers I'm even more positive about what I thought: in book five Dumbledore and Harry were almost in different worlds. In this one, vould be quite the opposite. He and Harry will be really close (you know, the end is coming, so...)

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.

:sad: :sad: I'm trying my best to avoid such thoughts, but you know...I'm really dreading the sixth book. I don't want HIM to die!!! :upset: But I'm aware he's a strong nominee.

And by the way...I've been reading about the fire on the UK cover. ANd to me Dumbledore's wand is working. Dumbledore's patronus, maybe? mmm...I really think this somehow related to fawks..

OMG, I have to stop thinking, stop looking at the covers and stop counting days... :D :D

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.

It does indeed look like the fire is eminating from Dumbledore's wand; but why would he cast fire around himself and Harry? If he is trying a protective spell, I don't think wrapping someone in fire will work :huh: .

My guess is he is preparing to use Fawkes to teleport himself and Harry out of there.

For example using both book covers to tell the story:

Harry and Dumbledore sneak into Voldemorts lair to sneak a peak at his pensieve (US Cover), but Voldemort returns prematurely from Bingo and Harry and Dumbledore have to get out of there quickly.

I originally posted this in the thread for the discussion of the cover art editorial, but it applies here too. I haven't read all the posts, so sorry if this has already been discussed to death.
I think that Dumbledore will die in book 6. I know that JKR is very creative, but she also uses a lot of archtypes and stuff from other stories. In a lot of Hero's Journey stories, the mentor has to die. Gandalf in LOTR (he didn't really die, but he couldn't help Frodo at the end), Obi-Wan and Yoda in Star Wars, etc. The mentor dies and gives the hero the chance to fulfill his destiny--Alone.
As far as the covers...Mary GrandPre reads the books, UK children's artist does not, I don't know about UK adult artist. Maybe we should put more weight on GrandPre's illustration. I do think it's a pensieve, but don't know what they're watching.
No one has discussed much why Harry's wand is in his left hand. Notice we can't see his right arm/hand at all. Maybe something happened to his hand or arm, causing him to use his left hand. Do heros often lose a body part? I'm thinking of Anikan's hand and Frodo's finger. This is pure speculation, but a possibility.
And of course, who is the HBP? Possibly Snape, probably not DD, I think a student.

As for Harry's right arm-I don't think it's that significant. JKR is always telling us fans to stop making parallels to Star Wars, so if something happened to Harry's hand, it would be a bit weird.

I agree with you, though, that Dumbledore will likely die in Book 6. When I saw the cover that thought immediately jumped into my head, emphasized by the fact that the US and UK children's book both have Harry with Dumbledore on the cover.

I read in this thread some posts about certain shapes in the flames of the UK child cover. When I was triing to see if I could find them, a came across what appears to be the shapes of 3 faces. Well call me crazy if you like but...

tell me what you thing about that, am i just seeing things???!

If you zoom in 2 or 3 times you'll be able to see them better.

I read in this thread some posts about certain shapes in the flames of the UK child cover. When I was triing to see if I could find them, a came across what appears to be the shapes of 3 faces. Well call me crazy if you like but...

tell me what you thing about that, am i just seeing things???!

If you zoom in 2 or 3 times you'll be able to see them better.

No you're not crazy. Me and my roommate both looked and found faces. What I find interesting is that they seem to be at the tip of Harry's wand....reminds me of Book 4. I don't know what that could mean. I disturbs me a little bit to see faces in flames....it brings in mind the eternal flames of hell.

It does indeed look like the fire is eminating from Dumbledore's wand; but why would he cast fire around himself and Harry? If he is trying a protective spell, I don't think wrapping someone in fire will work :huh: .

My guess is he is preparing to use Fawkes to teleport himself and Harry out of there.

For example using both book covers to tell the story:

Harry and Dumbledore sneak into Voldemorts lair to sneak a peak at his pensieve (US Cover), but Voldemort returns prematurely from Bingo and Harry and Dumbledore have to get out of there quickly.

Bingo :rotfl:

What I find interesting is that they seem to be at the tip of Harry's wand.
yeah, i noticed that too. What could that mean? Any ideas? And who could these faces represent? The death eaters?

Anyone else saw them??

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?

I think it's a pensieve. I think that DD is showing Harry how he defeated Grindlewald in 1945, b/c harry has a similar task on his hands trying to defeat LV ans will probably ask DD how he did it. DD will just show him via the pensieve - IMHO DD looks knowing on the cover while Harry is looking on in anticipation and wonder.

I really do think it is a pensieve on the cover. I don't recall anything else we have learned about that looks like that. Perhaps they're looking at dumbledore's memories of the time when Voldemort was in power before to see if he has any major weaknesses we haven't discovered already. It would kind of be like reviewing a tape of a team before a big game.

yeah, i noticed that too. What could that mean? Any ideas? And who could these faces represent? The death eaters?

maybe it means that the faces are someone close to Harry, like his parents or Sirius. But that's too much like the 4th book so I really don't think we'll see something like that. It could be people who were very successful in fighting dumbledore so they are important to Harry. Although the faces could be death eaters I just don't see the connection there. I mean other than the obvious they work for Voldemort and Harry is against voldemort.....perhaps it could mean that in this book Harry will kill someone....probably not. I can't see JKR having Harry kill anyone other than voldemort. Hurt and imprison yes but kill them no.

Sorry if I'm repeating anyone, but I haven't had time to read all the posts.
I think that on both the US and UK childrens covers it seems to be showing Dumbledore and Harry as equals, maybe fighting together as a team on th UK cover. I tink that they will make friends again after the arguements in ootp, but that Dumbledore will die, as without this Harry will still lean on him for support when he should be doing things for himself (like Giles leaving in Buffy so she stands on her own two feet). I also noticed that on the UK Childrens cover they both terrified, and from this I'm guessing that they aren't facing the death eaters. I can't imagine Dumbledore being scared of death-eaters, and I imagine that Harry would look angry rather then terrified if faced with the poeple who killed his parents and Sirius. So maybe it's an army of evil creatures, that even Dubledore and Harry are afraid of. From the fire I would think dragons were most likely, and this fits with JKR introducing things a few books before they really become important (baby norbert and then the 1st task).
Back to the US cover, I agree with the idea that it is a pensieve, but it looks much bigger and more ornate then Dumbledores. Perhaps it could be a big ministry pensieve or something, with important historical events stored in it. Then the HBP could be someone from wizarding history. My other idea is that the green ligh is the Avada Kedavra curse, and the pensieve is showing either Lily and james's deaths (maybe from Voldie's POV) or the first time the killing curse was used.
Well I didn't mean to ramble that much, and again I'm sorry if I've repeated things that have already been posted.

I've never heard of DD being terrified. He is couragous and is normally described as brave and the only on Voldemort fears but you never hear of him being terrified. I don't see how the look is supposed to be a terrified look either.

maybe it means that the faces are someone close to Harry, like his parents or Sirius. But that's too much like the 4th book so I really don't think we'll see something like that. It could be people who were very successful in fighting dumbledore so they are important to Harry. Although the faces could be death eaters I just don't see the connection there. I mean other than the obvious they work for Voldemort and Harry is against voldemort.....perhaps it could mean that in this book Harry will kill someone....probably not. I can't see JKR having Harry kill anyone other than voldemort. Hurt and imprison yes but kill them no.

Yeah, you're probably right about the death eaters. I also think that Harry wont kill anyone beside V. Maybe we're just seeing things that aren't there and those faces are just oddly shaped flames!! :lol: But they certainly seem "face-ish".

I also thing that it's a pensieve on the cover. And that DD will teach Harry some cool new powerfull speels to help in the fight against Voldy and the DE (I wonder if Harry will have to confront them, especially Bella, in this book, I hope so... it would be nice to see Harry kick some DE b*t :) )

Why would DD had to conjure the flames? they sure seem like the one he send to Voldemort in the MoM. They can also be related to Fawkes, but why would they be coming out of DD's wand?

I also noticed that on the UK Childrens cover they both terrified, and from this I'm guessing that they aren't facing the death eaters. I can't imagine Dumbledore being scared of death-eaters, and I imagine that Harry would look angry rather then terrified if faced with the poeple who killed his parents and Sirius.

I don't agree. DD expression could mean fear yes, but to me, Harry seems more surprised then scared. And if you look closer to Harry's glasses you can see what appears to be a beam coming their way, I know that probably it's the flames reflection, but... :huh:

I was thinking that maybe, by judging from the covers of the American and British adult versions, that Snape and Dumbledore are going to teach Harry to make a Pensieve or some other equally complicated and probably important potion.

These covers are supposed to show the danger and the adventure within. They wouldn't have pictures of Harry and Dumbledore sitting down to tea because that would be boring. Of course they have excited expressions on their faces since it would also be boring for them to look placid or happy.

I also don't think that the covers on the two books depict the same event. Usually the American and UK covers are different.

Also nothing can be construed from Harry holding the wand in his left hand since Mary Grandpre has done that consistently on her illustrations.

This is my first post, so hopefully I do it right. :-)
I hope I don't repeat what's already been said...

I think the American cover is showing Harry and Dumbledore looking into a Pensieve. It might not be DD's though, maybe it could be Voldemort's?? I think DD has a look of surprise while Harry looks determined.

My theory on the old potions book is that it belonged to, or was used by Voldermort. I think it might have the link to what it is he did to keep himself from dying from the AK.

I think the ring of fire on the UK children's cover could have something to do with Fawkes...

I haven't read through every single page of text so I'm sure I'll be repeating somebody.

I think all the covers are great, personally. I'm pretty sure the US cover is of Harry and Dumbledore looking into an old Penseive, not quite like Dumbledore's but still showing someone's memories. The UK children's version is really cool, because it shows Dumbledore in that rare state of wrath he gets into when he REALLY wants to put somebody down (thinking end of Goblet of Fire ). I see the fire coming off the tip of his wand and I was reminded of that spell Dolohov (I think that was the Death Eater) did in the DoM scene of Order of the Phoenix, the one that KO'ed Hermione. Assuming that Dumbledore hasn't lost his voice at that point, I wonder if that was the full version of the spell.

The UK adult's version is wonderfully vague, just that one Potions Book. I think that Harry either somehow made it into Advanced Potions, which would mean more forced encounters with Snape, or that maybe it's an old book borrowed from somebody. We all know that Snape has a bigger role in HBP and Book 7 and what better way to put him in the spotlight more than in his own Potions classes from Harry's POV. I know a lot of people want to see him as the new DADA teacher, but I think that won't happen. He had his chance in PoA. :P

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?

whoa, let's remember that he is now Voldemort, not Tom Riddle. With his turning to the dark side, he ditched his old name.

Plus, as we see in OotP, Dumbledore is changing. He shows his weariness more and more with Voldemort's return. We should expect to see more changes in the paradigm of his personality. And i would say that it looks more like rage then fear. Kind of like he is about to go ape on Voldemort or something. All I know is, I can't wait for that particular scene....[Laughs like a giddy little school girl]

whoa, let's remember that he is now Voldemort, not Tom Riddle. With his turning to the dark side, he ditched his old name.By changing his name, he tried to raise himself above the situations of his birth and hide his unfavorable past from the world, and himself. Its another form of escapism or, more specificly, a lie. No matter what he does, inside he's still just Tom Riddle. Dumbledore shows us that much.

Ok. Since Jk said CoS and HBP are related, I think that it is Salazar Slitherin's penseive in the Chamber of Secrets. I believe that some of the book will be in the chamber and this will provide some insight into heirs, the halfblood prince and all that good stuff. if the green isn't because of slitherin, it might have something to do with lily's eyes though I think that is highly unlikely.

On the UK cover, Harry and Dumbledore are surrounded in a spirally, circular flame. Dumbledore does something similar to this in the Ministry of Magic in OotP. I dont know exactly what it says but after the centaur shattered under the avada kadavra curse, Dumbledore waved his wand like a whip and a long thin flame came out and encircled Voldemort. So i think it is the same spell and we will see it again in the sixth book along with a penseive in the chamber of secrets.

Hm.. The first thing i saw, was the little pillar thing. Dumbledore could be showing Harry something in the past, something that reveals maybe something about Sirius? Voldemort? The Veil? or maybe the Half Blood Prince! Either way, Harry seems interested, and he also has his wand out. Dumbledore as well. Harry always prods his wand in a penseive before going in it. He could be looking through a penseive. (I regret saying what I am about to say, but sorry) I think these are Dumbledore's last few moments, with all of us. I think maybe he's showing Harry the answers to everything. Everything he needs to know. I also feel like the prince, may not be half blood. He may be a pure blood. But that's not the point. I think the cover, is mainly Dumbledore showing Harry who the Half Blood Prince is, and the history of everything it's his last words to Harry before he passes on. It's only a theory, but then again, it could be the truth. I just hope it's a theory. Dumbledore is, and always will be my favorite character besides Sirius and the Weasleys. But sometimes the worst happens to the best.
*sigh*

-Maansi

http://www.xanga.com/luvztotalk247

yeah babeh!

About the UK adult cover. I think it can mean one of two thinghs. And it don't necessarily means something about Harry owl's results.
IMO, it can mean that either:

1) has we already know, in this book we'll learn a great deal about Voldemort, so it's possible that the books contains the potion(s) Voldemort used to prevent him from dieing, remember the "put a stopper to death" speech.

2) it means that Harry some how gets to NEWT potions. Maybe Snape will finally have the DADA post or maybe DD makes Snape accept him.

Right now, I think that the first one is the most likely. But I also think that Harry will somehow have Newt potions.

i thought that by a heliopath, you meant a person who cannot lose blood or they will die

LOL!


Now getting on topic I´ll put together the theories that more pleased me.

The pensieve in the cover is from Salazar Slytherin. In it Harry will discover something about Godric Gryffindor (that is the HBP) and that Salazar and Tom Riddle are the same person. he will also find out what happened in the Godric´s Hollow in the evening he was there jus like a baby, not as 18 years old Harry.

They will be caught in that room ( what means they are not in Hogwarts, and then they are not in the chamber) and then will go to the UK children´s cover.

No you're not crazy. Me and my roommate both looked and found faces. What I find interesting is that they seem to be at the tip of Harry's wand....reminds me of Book 4. I don't know what that could mean. I disturbs me a little bit to see faces in flames....it brings in mind the eternal flames of hell.

If there really are faces in the flames I think that they might be the Heliopaths that Luna spoke of. Not as dramatic as she had described, but every myth/legend has to be based on a grain of truth, right?

This is just a thought but JKR said that we would be finding out why DD trusts Snape. Since the potions book is old, could it possibly be Snapes? Could the unidentified bowl be a pensieve showing Harry why DD trusts Snape? Could Snape be the HBP? It could make sense since Slytherine is supposed to be a full-blooded house. No one knew that Voldie was a half-blood. Bellatrix came unglued when Harry told her that her beloved Voldie was a half-blood. If Voldies followers found out that Snape was a half-blood then they would turn on him. Causing Snape to run for his life and coming to the side of the OotP in order to save himself. In OotP Serius shows Harry his family tree and said that all the full-blooded witches/wizards were interrelated....but there was no mention of Snapes family on that family tree. Keep in mind that Serius's mum would blast family members off the tree if they married poorly and then didn't list their offspring.

HBP Cover -UK Adult Version (http://www.hogwarts-gallery.org/galleries/Books/hbp_adultbloomsbury.jpg)
Shows the book "Advanced Potion Making"!!! So does this mean Harry passed his Newts and is taking Advanced Potions with Snape? I think so!

HBP Cover -UK Child Version (http://www.hogwarts-gallery.org/galleries/Books/hbp_childbloomsbury.jpg)
Dumbledore and Harry with firey spells around them. I wonder if they will be fighting together?

HBP Cover -Scholastic Version (US?) (http://www.hogwarts-gallery.org/galleries/Books/hbp_scholasticcover.jpg)
This definately the pensive! But as to what they are seeing we will just have to wait to see! But if I were to make a guess I would say it would have to be Dumbledore's memories of how Snape joined the good side.

Mugglenet.com has a very good editorial on the cover art of the books! You guys should check it out!!!!!!!!!! P.S. I didnt see any faces but i'll look again:)

oops...an update on the faces I do see them!!!!!! I sort of see a man in googles or glasses, and some weird evil smiley!!! Thats cool

Very interesting. Let's look at the US cover.
The covers of the previous US Scholastic releases since CoS alll showed something from the climax of each book: Harry, Ginny and Fawkes flying out of the Chamber, Harry and Hermione on Buckbeak for PoA (with Sirius' shadow and Dementors looking on), Harry in the labyrinth of the final task (with Sirius as dog, a dementor, and other notables featured or looking on) for GoF, and Harry (with the Order and DA looking on) in the Department of Mysteries for OotP. In comparison, the cover to HBP is barren. It features no one else besides Harry and Dumbledore. There are no overt onlookers, and it doesn't even seem to be much of a climax piece. Either GrandPre was asked specifically to keep things vague, or many things will change in the HBP for the climax of the book to involve only Harry, Dumbledore, and a pensieve.

I'd like to do a comparison of the Bloomsbury children's covers, but I don't have copies readily available. Looking at the HBP Bloomsbury copy, this seems more likely a scene from the climax of the book. However, I am surprised that this climax seems to only include Harry and Dumbledore--no DA, no Order, and no friends. Knowing Harry's importance as the only one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord, I don't think security has been loosened around Harry, and to leave him supported only by Dumbledore implies a very dangerous situation indeed. This isn't to say that Dumbledore can't handle it. In all likelihood he can. But I find it highly suspect that other characters are missing from a situation that threatens the entire wizarding world.

You have a point about climaxes being prominent on the covers. Maybe Harry and Dumbledore encounter something in the pensieve (if it is, indeed, a pensieve), or maybe something that comes out of it, that causes the image we see in the UK children's version? Maybe it's something that Dumbledore has to fight against, or at least has to protect Harry from? That would certainly link the significance of only Harry and Dumbledore being on those two covers. That would be climatic in my eyes, especially if something happened to Dumbledore as a result.

Okay guys, I have some really far out theories/ideas to hash over with you.

Whizbang..you are really good at understanding mythology and anagrams and the use of herbs, etc. so I am going to ask you to help me with all of this....me & my friends in the mugglenet chat room came up with these ideas...so hat's off to "FireBreathingHorntail", "Wizened", and "don't take me siriusly"...we had a great chat this morning...I would like to take it farther and hope you all can help me.

First: Think about the authors name on the book of potions...I believe it is libilius borage...this last name sounds much like "storage"...remember the "Pillar of Storge" (or think of it as Storage) debacle over the name of book 6??? Now look at the American Cover...the pensieve or whatever it is is on a pedestal or a pillar...so maybe there was a grain of truth in that "pillar of storge/storage" rumor. Whoever started the rumor got that term/title from something. There could be something to that...maybe the pensieve or whatever that bowl thing is....is on the "pillar of storge/storage" or something like that??? And they are looking at the night that LV attacked the potters. Maybe they are viewing the past somehow??? The light is green, and doesn't an AK curse come out of the a wand as a green light??? Maybe that's the night that LV attacked the potters???

Second: Now do a search on libilius borage...you will find that borage is a herb...something to do with oil....Whizbang...this is where I really need your help, I don't have the internet saavy to do this kind of thing...maybe the herb, borage is used in a potion??? We talked about how the mythological characther "Voldermortist" was done in by a simple potion. maybe borage and that puss stuff from Neville's plant are ingredients to a potion??? Hmmm...now work with me on the next idea...it'll freak some of you out...

Third....What if Lily used the herb borage while feeding Harry. In other words gave the herb to Harry in his food or through breast feeding? It is a leaf that can be used in salads....it's edible...maybe this is a part of Harry's "protection"...

Or, what if Snape helped LV along in his precautions against death by using borage and that is why he didn't die...(JKR said we should be asking ourselves why LV didn't die the night the AK rebounded off of Harry and onto him.) The herb borage is also used for dry skin problems like psorisis, exzema (sp those words wrong I know) LV has scaley skin now...he looks like a snake! Whatever he is...he's creepy! He might need a little ligament potion to rub on his nasty skin! LOL!

Fourth: I wonder is this pillar with a pensieve thingy on it is in that room where the door melted Harry's knife???? Maybe that is what the flames are all about on the UK children's book.

So, if anyone is good with anagrams...I found something about bee's and borage when I looked on some kind of website, I don't know where I was...I was just everywhere and getting no where! I've heard people talk about DD and bee's and a link there somehow. Oil was connected to borage, it must be ground up and somehow crushed into some kind of oil.

I'm just grasping at all kinds of ideas and we had such a good chat going this morning on the mugglenet chat, that I thought I would do a search on the forums to see if anyone had come up with some of the same stuff.

We think that all 3 bookcovers are connecting the same event, for what it is worth. I personally think that the herb borage and the fact that libilius borage is the author of the potions book on the cover of the UK adult version is meaningful, and the fact that the pensieve/cauldron/bowl or whatever it is, is on a pillar, is just too much of a coincidence to "the pillar of storge" rumor and the author's name is borage which rhymes with storge and it is a herb...I don't know...sounds like there could be a link. I'm rambling...ahhhh!

Also...doesn't a phoenix burst into flames when it is reborn? Maybe there is an ancient Phoenix in that room in the DEPT. of Mysteries, and it was going through a burning when Harry tried to unlock the door. (Oh my gosh, I cannot turn my brain off!)

Help me Whizbang...Help me! LOL!

What do you guys think?

i love the uk childs version, it beats the us one hands down, i think that in the uk one, dumbledore is protecting harry, with some form of protective spell, or is teaching harry, or both. But i definantley harry will be getting private lessons off dumbledore in hbp. on the us version i think it is a pensieve, and i think dumbledore is maybe showing harry some important past event, maybe more on the nite of voldermorts downfall with the gren being the avadra kedavra spell, or maybe the revelation about lily. the uk adults version, confirms for me that harry will take potions, though i dont think he will have got an E or O in his owl but i think dumbledore will make snape accept him, or dumbledore will take him himself. anybody agree with these theories??

go to this site to read about borage (the herb) I found out some very interesting stuff at this site. It's getting very interesting!

http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/b/borage66.html#par

Another question for you all to help me with...

Do you think that since we have 3 chapter titles and 3 bookcovers that there could be a connection there? Because I can see a connection between borage use in a potion and Felix Felicus....Can any of you?

Now to connect the other two bookcovers with the chapter titles??? I don't know, just thinking outloud with y'all!

Can't wait to hear from you WHIZBANG!

I think DD is protecting Harry with the flame whip spell he used on voldemort in the MOM. that Voldemort turned into a snake.

The potions book implies it to be pretty important in this book.

And i agree that DD and Harry are looking into a penseive and i also agree that they are looking at the night Harry's mom died from AK curse. Remember J/k said we should be wondering why Harry and Voldemort both survived that night! What better way to try and get answers than to look at that moment in 3rd person in the penseive? Harry was to young to fully recall the incident but with the help of the penceive he may be able to see/ remember something useful?
Leon

ultimate sacrifice: I read that information on the link you had. The most interesting thing on there is that it is said to have been used for serpent bites....interesting connection.

Some information I found on Borage. I've put the more interesting parts in italic. Especially the link to courage is remarkable. Most important quality of a Gryffindor is being brave, if I remember correctly.

Borago officinalis

Borage is an annual plant (Borago officinalis) that grows wild in the Mediterranean countries. Also known as Bugloss and Burrage, the hollow, bristly, branched stem of Borage grows up to 2 feet tall. Typical parts of the plant used include the leaves, flowers, and oil from the seeds.

Borage is typically found in the following forms: a tea, tincture, juice, or oil. The word Borage is a Celtic derivative from 'borrach', meaning 'courage'. However some assert that the name might be derived from the Latin 'borra', which means 'rough hair' due to the hairy leaves and stems. Borage tea was given to competitors in tournaments of medieval times as a moral booster. "I, borage bring always courage", was a popular rhyme of the day. The belief that Borage flowers nourish the adrenal glands may be why they have long been thought to bolster courage.

Borage has been historically used for various medicinal purposes over the years as an aperient, diaphoretic, diuretic, emollient, febrifuge, galactagogue, pectoral, and tonic. Borage is good for reducing fever and for restoring vitality during convalescence from illness. Its diaphoretic action is also credited with some antidotal effect against several poisons. This herb also exhibits some calmative properties that make it useful for nervous conditions. Borage has also been recommended in the past for pleurisy and peritonitis due to its calmative and anti-inflammatory action.

I think that DD is showing Harry how he defeated Grindlewald in 1945, b/c harry has a similar task on his hands trying to defeat LV ans will probably ask DD how he did it.

I've been wondering if we'll get information on DD defeating Grindlewald. At the end of OoTP, Harry has learned it's up to him to defeat Voldemort and how many other wizards can he talk to about such a task? We have seen that Harry often doesn't ask a question that many of us would like him to ask, but perhaps he'll ask this one.

I have read through more than half of the posts here, and now my vision is blurring. Has anyone noted that there seems to be something tucked into the potion-making book? About one-third of the way in, there's a section that looks different from the other pages. Maybe a folded page tucked in?

It's been pointed out that the book looks very old. But maybe it's not that old, but only damaged. Perhaps it belonged to one of Harry's parents, and was retrieved from their destroyed home?

Looks like there's a doodle on the book cover, a bit above left of the author's name. Hmm. Wasn't James Potter doodling on his DADA Owl exam paper.

James's book, maybe?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Just hope this cover for HBP also means more Snape, lots more Snape, more more Snape in the book.

I have read through more than half of the posts here, and now my vision is blurring. Has anyone noted that there seems to be something tucked into the potion-making book? About one-third of the way in, there's a section that looks different from the other pages. Maybe a folded page tucked in?
Yes, Leeza, I did notice that and have mentioned it in my posts, way back, so you probably missed it. The folded paper has a drawing of a face about 3/4 of the way down. I think this is probably the half-blood prince, but I can't make out who it is, even looking at the extra-large covers. Let us know if you have any thoughts on who this might be.

Thanks, Desraelda! I looked up your original post, too, and read other comments about the mystery doodle.

I see what you mean about the face--spooky! (Although my coworkers are swearing that there's no face and that I'm seeing things! :upset: )

I can't see any reflection in the glasses....it's driving my crazy!

I want to see it too, the same with the book!

There are so many excellent ideas here!!!

I really like both the UK and Us Children's covers. I also like the way they made Harry look more mature on the cover of the UK version. He still doesn't look quite 16 on the US version to me but I really like the colors and the subject matter.

I read someone saying that maybe he is watching the night his parents were killed and I was thinking the same thing. Perhaps DD is now tutoring Harry himself this year to prepare him better and he is taking him through these difficult memories to better inform Harry and to actually see what happened that night himself. (if he hasn't already).

I Love the idea that someone said that he might be able to look into his mother's or father's pensieve. They could have saved out some memories knowing that they were in danger and left them in DD's safekeeping.

I think Harry might have done well on his OWL for potions because it wasn't Snape GIVING the test. He said he had done ok and maybe it was good enough to get him an OWL. It does look as though Advanced potions are on the menu though and him not having class with Snape would be so strange. (probably a nice change for him...) I agree when someone said that perhaps Dumbledore will choose to teach him Advanced potions himself.

I am thinking that perhaps Dumbledore is the Half Blood Prince. I don't know how popular this idea is but I have thought, ever since we found out he likes sherbert lemons, that he may have grown up in proximity to muggles. He also takes the muggle news paper. It seems that the most powerful wizards are actually NOT pure blood, so this would go along with that theory as well. He seems to be intimate with so many muggle things.

I am heartily intrigued that they don't want us to see the back of the books as it will give out too much information... Well Hello!!!! I really need to see the back of that book now!!!

Ok, not patient enough go through all post. But about the American cover. If it is a pensieve, will Dumbledore be giving Harry occlumancy lessons himself? Or will he use it to show Harry more history from his past or info on th HBP? Either way, since green is one of my faverite colors, I think it looks super cool.

i definantley think harry will be getting tutored of dumbledore in HBP and will help harry become 'more powerful'

My thoughts

The Half Blood Prince

It is evident from the UK Adult cover that Harry will study potions at NEWT standard. However, there are two snags with this- the first is obvious. Snape will not allow anyone to enter the class unless they have achieved an O (outstanding)at OWL, and Harry is unlikely to get that. But we all know Snape has always wanted the DADA position. With Harry likely getting less than an O, I believe Gongagall will stick to her promise to do anything to help Harry become an auror; she will speak to Dumbledore, who will appoint Snape for the DADA position, thus allowing Harry to get in NEWT potions with: (I predict it will be an impressive E).

It is inevitable that Snape will get the DADA position, because if he doesn't, there has been no point in having this storyline of his desire for the job, making it an unsolved, redundant thread of the overall story- loose and careless writing which I don't believe JKR is capable of.

The second snag is subtle; Snape being appointed for the DADA position does not explain why the subject of potions is important enough to merit a cover image. But his replacement will. Every adult UK cover has been directly related to the title- it would explain things very well if Snape's replacement for the potions position were the Half-Blood Prince; this would explain why Harry will still be able to take potions and why a book concerning potions is important enough to be on the cover.

Bonus Predictions:

-The description of the character that appeared behind the door on JKR's website? It's of when we first properly see the HBP, either at the tables at the Welcome Feast or it's a more detailed description when Harry sees him up close, i.e. in Potions class.

-The penseive we see on the US cover is Tom Riddle's. According to many sources, we are going to find out loads of stuff about Voldemort; wouldn't a Snape-style penseive memory suffice neatly? A bit overused, I know, but dude, it's Voldemort. Who cares about originality- we all know we want it. Badly.

-Harry and Dumbledore will come within inches of death, it's uncertain whether Dumbledore will survive. Another Voldemort encounter? Probably. Books 1,2,4,5 all follow the pattern of ending with a Voldemort confrontation. Book 3 is exempt, but it was an incredibly symbolic event; the second prophecy becoming true, Harry saving Pettigrew's life and he escaping to raise his master.

What do you think?

I agree entirely. It is a very good theory, atleast the one about the Adult and US covers....the otherone is a bit vague.

By the way Jewal...your sig is awesome

I was going to say the exact same thing about the adult cover. I definetely think Snape will get the DADA position this year. But maybe instead of McG teaching Harry, they might get a new Potions teacher?

As far as the UK book cover I might have a theory? You remember how Hagrid mentioned it is rumored that dragons guard the high security vaults. Well maybe Harry and DD have to break into Gringott's to get something? Maybe the pensieve that's on the US cover? They could be blocking the fire with a shield of some kind and that's the fire swirling all around them?

I know it's a theory and very far-fetched but let me know what you think

I read as many posts as possible but could not get through all 849 of them, so excuse me if the following has already been posted. I checked out the UK Adult version (Hi-res) using magnification. Did anyone yet notice that beside Libalius Borage's name there is a name written in ink? It is hard to see but it appears to be "Harry". Also next to the binding of the book carved into the table is what appears to be a wizard holding a wand in his left hand and somethink in his right possibly a shield. Could these be clues?

So the half-blood prince may be a character in the pensieve? It could be, because a prince of wizard world in 20th century may seem odd.

i cant see anything in ink, or anything carved, i cant magnify it in anyway, i really wanna see it, can anybody set up a link to a magnified version of the book??

I read as many posts as possible but could not get through all 849 of them, so excuse me if the following has already been posted. I checked out the UK Adult version (Hi-res) using magnification. Did anyone yet notice that beside Libalius Borage's name there is a name written in ink? It is hard to see but it appears to be "Harry". Also next to the binding of the book carved into the table is what appears to be a wizard holding a wand in his left hand and somethink in his right possibly a shield. Could these be clues?
Ephraim, I tried to see the name in ink, and the picture to the side, but I didn't see that. I was looking at the name on the book, and I think it begins with a 'T'. I enlarged the image and negated the colors (this made the name easier to read). I have attached my enlarged picture, so others can see what I see.

The US-Cover shows for me clearly a pensieve, for this speaks if you look at a really big picture of that cover, you can see runes. Harry got his own wand there, so I think its about Harry's own memories.

In my own theory I refered to that CoS, GoF and HBP are part of a chain this is confirmed IMO by the fact that things in HBP were at one stage meant to be written in book2, also in GoF we learn the first time about pensieves.

CHAPTER THIRTY - THE PENSIEVE

The sword had once belonged to Godric Gryffindor, founder of Harry's House. He was gazing at it, remembering how it had come to his aid when he had thought all hope was lost, when he noticed a patch of silvery light, dancing and shimmering on the glass case.

Interesting sentence which might show the connection between all three books rather nicely. But to the part I wanted to point out:

A shallow stone basin lay there, with odd carvings around the edge: runes and symbols that Harry did not recognize.

A basin is usually round, ovalic. Looking at the cover that one is too oval, seems to be made out stone and got odd carvings around the edge.

Confirmation, its a Pensieve on that cover.

"At these times," said Dumbledore, indicating the stone basin, "I use the Pensieve. One simply siphons the excess thoughts from one's mind, pours them into the basin, and examines them at one's leisure. It becomes easier to spot patterns and links, you understand, when they are in this form."

That one is important, it seems that in HBP its important to examine Harry's thoughts in that form, says from a POV outside Harry's own.

The question would be, which event did ask for something like this?

Then Harry's scar burst open and he knew he was dead: it was pain beyond imagining, pain past endurance — '
He was gone from the hall, he was locked in the coils of a creature with red eyes, so tightly bound that Harry did not know where his body ended and the creatures began: they were fused together, bound by pain, and there was no escape — '
And when the creature spoke, it used Harry's mouth, so that in his agony he felt his jaw move . . .
'Kill me now, Dumbledore . . .'
Blinded and dying, every part of him screaming for release, Harry felt the creature use him again . . .
'If death is nothing, Dumbledore, kill the boy . . .'
Let the pain stop, thought Harry . . . let him kill us . . . end it, Dumbledore . . . death is nothing compared to this . . .
And I'll see Sirius again . . .
And as Harry's heart filled with emotion, the creatures coils loosened, the pain was gone; Harry was lying face down on the floor, his glasses gone, shivering as though he lay upon ice, not wood . . .


This said I think neither of the two Book Covers is telling us much, rather is it a look back into OotP. In case of UK, its a scene out of the Pensieve, US its showing them standing before the Pensieve. Only the Adult-Cover is spoiling more.

There you see a very worn book, what means it can't be Harry's nor one of the people in his year. Its rather that this book is from his parents or from somebody else. Snape perhaps.

The text book on the adult UK cover does indeed seem well-worn. But the people we have seen purchase used books are the Weasleys, not Harry. [That does not preclude someone giving Harry the book, though.]

The text book on the adult UK cover does indeed seem well-worn. But the people we have seen purchase used books are the Weasleys, not Harry. [That does not preclude someone giving Harry the book, though.]

I doubt a second hand book looks that worn after all people should pay for that something but looking at this book, I didn't pay anything for that.
Therefor I think its an old one maybe similar to CoS though...

I was looking at the name on the book, and I think it begins with a 'T'. I enlarged the image and negated the colors (this made the name easier to read). I have attached my enlarged picture, so others can see what I see.

The name on the book is definitely Libatius Borage. HPANA has gigantic pictures of the covers, and you can see the name pretty clearly:

http://www.hpana.com/imageviewer.cfm?nid=18529&f=hbp-uk-adult.jpg

It makes sense... 'libatius' probably comes from 'libation,' which essentially means liquid. Borage is an herb. Liquid borage... it's like a potion itself, so it's a clever name for someone who wrote a potion book.

That one is important, it seems that in HBP its important to examine Harry's thoughts in that form, says from a POV outside Harry's own.

The question would be, which event did ask for something like this?

I said earlier that I'd predicted that the penseive was Riddle's, since we are supposed to learn a lot about Voldemort in this book, and the very act of analysing Voldemort's memories is easily cool enough to merit a cover page.

But it is true that the scene on the US cover could easily depict DD and Harry analysing one of Harry's memories. I highly doubt that the penseive has anything directly to do with the Half-Blood Prince, or if it is, it does not belong to the HBP- all Grand Pre's covers have never been directly related to the title, unlike the UK Adult ones.

To answer your question, I think if Harry is going to recall something from his memories in the Penseive, then I think it will be an especially important event. It is possible that we have witnessed the event already- perhaps DD wants a 1st hand eye-witness of Voldemort's revival, although I think this is a bit unlikely.

But take this for sure; the scene/s contained in the Penseive are immensely important to the storyline. This is a JKR-esque teaser; giving us some information but not the meat of it!

The name on the book is definitely Libatius Borage. HPANA has gigantic pictures of the covers, and you can see the name pretty clearly:

http://www.hpana.com/imageviewer.cfm?nid=18529&f=hbp-uk-adult.jpg

It makes sense... 'libatius' probably comes from 'libation,' which essentially means liquid. Borage is an herb. Liquid borage... it's like a potion itself, so it's a clever name for someone who wrote a potion book.

I had a look at your link, but it doesn't seem that clear to me. The first name could start with a worn "t" instead of a worn "l", and a couple letters in the first name are virtually worn off. Also, it seems clear that it's "Boragi", not "Borage", definitely looks like an "i" at the end of the last name.

I said earlier that I'd predicted that the penseive was Riddle's, since we are supposed to learn a lot about Voldemort in this book, and the very act of analysing Voldemort's memories is easily cool enough to merit a cover page.

But it is true that the scene on the US cover could easily depict DD and Harry analysing one of Harry's memories. I highly doubt that the penseive has anything directly to do with the Half-Blood Prince, or if it is, it does not belong to the HBP- all Grand Pre's covers have never been directly related to the title, unlike the UK Adult ones.

To answer your question, I think if Harry is going to recall something from his memories in the Penseive, then I think it will be an especially important event. It is possible that we have witnessed the event already- perhaps DD wants a 1st hand eye-witness of Voldemort's revival, although I think this is a bit unlikely.

But take this for sure; the scene/s contained in the Penseive are immensely important to the storyline. This is a JKR-esque teaser; giving us some information but not the meat of it!

In my opinion, DD & Harry are looking at VM's visit to Godric's Hollow. JKR said we'd find out more about that night, and it would seem important to try to find out just why VM was blasted apart, and Harry lived.

HERMIONE 238

Wow! Great First Post! I agree... Harry does look determined and DD looks surprised.

I loved your idea that the book could be Voldemorts. What an excellent idea! It totally makes sense that it could be his and it could help us find out what he did to avoid death. I love all your ideas!!!

PS... Thank you Dark Emperor! I like it too! :)

I don’t think Jk would write an entire novel on the steps Voldermort took to avoid death, but it will discuss the issue and maybe his history, why he turned to the evil side etc. HBP will deal with a lot of information on all of the characters pasts - strengthen the plot lines for the finish in Book 7. The cover art is very interesting and UK Children’s cover is well illustrated, what I would give to read the book, it could be suggesting that Dumbledore is either protecting Harry or maybe even teaching him a.k.a Defence Against The Dark Arts.

The name on the book is definitely Libatius Borage. HPANA has gigantic pictures of the covers, and you can see the name pretty clearly:

http://www.hpana.com/imageviewer.cfm?nid=18529&f=hbp-uk-adult.jpg

It makes sense... 'libatius' probably comes from 'libation,' which essentially means liquid. Borage is an herb. Liquid borage... it's like a potion itself, so it's a clever name for someone who wrote a potion book.

Thanks for the link rjade! It is pretty clear.

We know that the last name would not be "Boragi" because the font for the last 'i' would not match the 'i's in Libatius. The only letter I would question is the 't' so "Libatius" might be "Libalius". But I would put my money on Libatius.

My opinion:

Harry may be looking into the penseive at his own memories of the night James and Lily died, If you recall, in Book one, Harry had several eerie dreams early on featuring a green eerie glow and an evil laugh in the background. This may be all that Harry remembers clearly and conciously of that night. Perhaps the pensieve is showing Harry's consious memory of the event on the outside, while if Harry were too enter the pensieve, the memory would include his "repressed" and/ or forgotten memories of that night that live only in his subconcious, which were tapped slightly in book three when Harry was attacked by the dementors. The dewould be able tro bring out the saddest or worst or most disturbing memory from any part of the mind, consious or subconcious. Perhaps Harry must look at the night in the pensieve in detail, and find out exactly how Voldemort (almost) died.

My other idea would be that Harry will learn to control his mind connection between himself and voldemort, and Voldemort's memories will be placewd in the pensieve. Harry can, as of Book 5, describe exactly how Voldemort feels, and in some occasions, vaguely why. Perhaps it could gwet even deeper. Could Harry learn to take Voldemort's thoughs? Better yet, could Harry put false thoughts into Voldemort's mind as Voldemort did to Harry? ]


All this from the cover. Woah. Tell me if I make any sense or if Im babbling. (please excuse my grammar.)

I think we saw in Snape's Worst Memory, just how far Harry can 'travel' away from the individual whose memory he is viewing. We also learned that he can see and hear what other people are doing (and it doesn't make sense to me that Snape was consciously hearing the Marauders speaking with each other, but I have been wrong about a lot of things and this could be another mistake). In short, SWM could have been meant to prepare us for whatever occurs in the pensieve scene depicted on the US cover. Could the viewing Harry move away from his baby self and see and hear what was happening in other parts of the house? Or at least the part of the house within 'range' (whatever that happens to be)?

i think that the book in the uk adult is dumbledore old book of potion
now he is teaching Harry, i also think it's a new teacher in potion and that he is the HBP

^^^^ Hey fellow Quebecer!

I'm sorry but I'm am going to have to dissagree. I would love to agree and believe that Snape will no longer teach potions and therefore create a happy enviroment for Harry... but no I definently don't see it happening.

I don't think the cover is the pensive (isn't it sopposed to be silvery?) And remember the artist said she paid great attention to the colors to please us fans.

I think it's probably one of dumbledoors contraptions (for example the one he asked in ensence divided in OoTP) I see green, Which could mean many things because we have seen extreemly positive (lily's eyes) and negative (slitherin) referals to the color green. It definently as to do with one or the other.

^^^^ Hey fellow Quebecer!

I'm sorry but I'm am going to have to dissagree. I would love to agree and believe that Snape will no longer teach potions and therefore create a happy enviroment for Harry... but no I definently don't see it happening.

I don't think the cover is the pensive (isn't it sopposed to be silvery?) And remember the artist said she paid great attention to the colors to please us fans.

I think it's probably one of dumbledoors contraptions (for example the one he asked in ensence divided in OoTP) I see green, Which could mean many things because we have seen extreemly positive (lily's eyes) and negative (slitherin) referals to the color green. It definently as to do with one or the other.

Well, the US version of OoP was all in blue, but it had no connection whatsoever to anything, just art. I think the same is true of the green color for HBP US version. As far as the pensieve, only the thoughts are silvery, not the pensieve itself. From GoF, chapter 30, "A shallow stone basin lay there, with odd carvings around the edge: runes and symbols Harry did not recognize. The silvery light was coming from the basin's contents, which were like nothing Harry had ever seen before."

Two out of three book covers feature Harry and Dumbledore. Regardless if Dumbledore is the HBP, it is clear that their relationship is restored an Dumbledore plays a HUGE role. Harry did surprisingly well on this Potions O.W.L. and moves on to N.E.W.T. level, thus explaining the UK adult book cover. I see the potions textbook as very old, with the binding worn and the pages a little off, but I see nothing tucked inside the book, as overs have done.

Just my 2 cents worth.

I think that because JK said that book 6&7 are like one big book that dumble door will die at the end of this one or the beginning of the next one. and i wonder what will be on the back of the US cover, because for all of the books the cover opened up makes one big picture(not so much in OotP but DEFINATLY in the first four)

Another thought about that Potions book on the UK Adult cover, if no one has mentioned yet. A lot of people has said it's an old textbook, but could it, perhaps, be from the Restricted section of the Hogwarts library? I've just finished PS/SS the other day and something camne to mind while reading the "Mirror of Erised" chapter:

PS/SS Chapter 12:

"...Harry wandered over to the Restricted Section. He had been wondering for a while if Flamel wasn't somewhere in there. Unfortunately, you needed a specifically signed note from one of the teachers to look in any of the restricted books, and he knew he'd never get one. These were the books containing powerful Dark Magic never taught at Hogwarts, and was only read by older students studying advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts."

Now, I'm certain that Harry has a high enough mark to get into OWL-level DADA. I wonder if the Restricted Section will come into play again because of that and if that's where Harry will find the book? If Harry doesn't make OWL-level Potions, then he has to get the book from somewhere and that would be an ideal place to go if he wants to work something out about his destiny.

The restricted section will definetly come up again in the future books, and the book on the cover looks like it could have come out of there. Good point magic hat.

I know almost for sure i´m only repeating what some people have said, but, I don´t think the thing that Harry and dumbledore are looking at in the american cover is a pensieve. None of the descriptions we´ve been given have said anything about the pensieves being on pedestals or the thoughts in them being anything other than silvery gray. If we relate the us cover with the british adult cover I think we can infer that a very powerful potion is a central point of the story (which would also we´ll see a lot more of snape), I think that the bowl that´s set on the pedestal contains a potion that Harry has to make along with Dumbledore (hence the cover). The remaining cover that features Harry and Dumbledore surrounded by fire is, in my opinion, a scene that comes after the potion making and it has something to do with heliopaths ¿maybe Voldemort has an army of his own?

I know almost for sure i´m only repeating what some people have said, but, I don´t think the thing that Harry and dumbledore are looking at in the american cover is a pensieve. None of the descriptions we´ve been given have said anything about the pensieves being on pedestals or the thoughts in them being anything other than silvery gray.

Just to play devil's advocate a bit, I don't think the fact that we've never heard of a pensieve as being set on a pedestal, is enough to disqualify it from being a pensieve. I imagine that a pensieve is usually set down upon something, whether it be a table, desk, pedestal, etc, and that they aren't usually sitting on the floor. Do you see my point? Just because we haven't seen a pensieve on a pedestal doesn't mean it isn't just that. However, I'm not saying it is a pensieve, I'm reserving judgment. I just don't think that what you said is enough to disqualify a pensieve from the running, because it sure does look like one. :p

If we relate the us cover with the british adult cover I think we can infer that a very powerful potion is a central point of the story (which would also we´ll see a lot more of snape), I think that the bowl that´s set on the pedestal contains a potion that Harry has to make along with Dumbledore (hence the cover).

Just to clarify what I was saying above, since I can't tell if I'm being clear or not. We've never seen a potion being made on a pedestal. However, that doesn't mean that a potion can't be made on one. :)

Point well taken Atherella just because we haven´t seen a pensieve on a pedestal doesn´t mean one can´t exist, I guess the meaning of the vessel we see on the cover depends on the purpose JKR has for this book; if she means to give us the back story to the Harry Potter tale then it should be a pensieve, instead if she means to have the caracters start preparing for the battle with voldemort then the contents of the vessel could be a potion.

The Half-Blood Prince covers are really the best out of all the others. It's much better artwork, and it gives more clues. Such as.....an old book, a gigantic room of fire with Harry and Dumbledore, and Harry and Dumbledore standing around some sort of...I dunno, what is that thing?

I really like the covers.
Most interesting is that Harry and Dumbledore are together on both- maybe they start spending a lot more time together or Dumbledore starts giving him private lessons to prepare for vanquishing Voldemort!

It looks like Haryy continues potions in HBP or maybe that book is one of Dumbledore's that they use during their private classes- could explain why it's so old?!

These covers are GREAT! (have to point that out, congrats and thanks to the illustrators).

However, what i think this all means is a bit different.

I think Dumbledore will be teaching Harry Occulmency. (Which is whats going on in the *green* cover).

I think Dumbledore also shows Harry his own battle with Grindleward or whatever. I think the likness between the two of them and that battle will be very important. (this being the firey cover)

However, i do not believe than Snape will leave potions to teach DADA.
Iv always said it, and i'll say it again.
Its not that Snape is not *aloud* to teach DADA, its that he is valuable to Harry with teaching potions.
Snape is probably the best potions teacher the school has seen.
I think, even if Harry gets a bad grade in potions, Snape is *forced* to accept Harry into his class.
I also think, given that Dumbledore will be teaching Harry occlumency, Snape will personally be teaching Harry Potions as an extra lesson as it was with occlumency.
This is why i think the book on the last is so old. I think its Snapes personal potions text. The reason i think this is because of the state of the book, and how some of the pages are lined, but in a vertical direction (meaning someone has added more to the book, in a way where they will remember it, or whatever. A sort of guidline to his learning).

If its not this, i believe the book is owned to the HBP, and Harry came across it somehow.

Either way, Harry will be needed to learn potions (possibly a way to defeating Voldemort). And Dumbledore will be his guide in some way or form.

I believe that JKR told us several months ago that we should be asking ourselves..."Why didn't Lord Voldemort die" the night that the AK curse rebounded onto him..I wonder if the advanced book of potions cover is a hint towards that end.

I have often thought that there is a reason why Snape is still alive...Lord Voldermort had to have heard him in book 1 when he confronted Quirrell, so why is he alive. I am guessing that Lord Voldemort must need something from Snape because Snape most likely helped him with his precautions against death when he was a DE, most likely a potion of some sort. The name on the front cover of the UK version is either Libalius or Libatius Borage...Borage is a herb used for many things applicable to the HP plot and Libalius/Libatius is so close to the word "Libation" that it must be connected to the root word in some manner...so, I'm guessing that there is a potion in that book that Snape used to help Lord Voldemort, and I am also guessing that the herb Borage is meaningful to the plot as well.

I wonder if the description of the "lion man" that we found in the safe on JKR's website last fall is the description of Libalius/Libatius Borage???? I wonder if he is going to be the new potions master or the new DADA teacher at Hogwarts????

Too Many questions and Too long to wait!!!

Hello everyone!
I haven't checked this forum in months and I haven't had a chance to read the whole thread.

As many of you mentioned, the first thing that struck me was that harry is with dd. they obviously will be spending some time together doing magic.
what if that pedestal in the DoM? I'm sure what they could be doing there, but I think it's a possibility.

I think that the US cover is more intriguing than the UK kids version. The UK version seems to depict so kind of battle, and it's not hard to imagine who Harry and DD would be fighting against.
What I thought was interesting in the US version is the look on DD's face. It's almost as if he were curious or surprised. On the other hand, Harry's expression doesn't say much, but he holding his wand with a pretty firm grip, as if he was ready to attack.

Random thoughts and impressions:
Green cover: my immediate assumption (which isn't to say my correct assumption) was that the bowl _was_ a pensieve. The fact that it was on a pedestal suggests formality of some kind, and that the setting is not Dumbledore's office, where we would expect it to be on the desk. On the other hand, maybe the cover artist just thought it would be more pictureskew. That the light from the pensieve is green might suggest that whatever is being looked at is green. ??

Firey cover: The firey ribbonlike thing between Dumbledore and Harry's wands reminded me of the golden thread at the end of GoF (can't see how that would fit though, so probably just a random connection). Their posture suggests that there is some kind of fight going on. It may just have been the small image, but it looked as though the wands were actually burning up in the fire, rather than just producing it.

I think Harry and Dumbledore are in the CoS and that pensieve belongs to either SS or LV but more likely to be LV. I think thats how we'll find out about LV birth and everything. And if it's SS then I think the UK book cover is showing something harry and DD incounter while in the pensieve. But I was wondering though what if that pensieve show the secret to defeating LV or showing how or who taught him all the Dark Arts he knows.

I believe that JKR told us several months ago that we should be asking ourselves..."Why didn't Lord Voldemort die" the night that the AK curse rebounded onto him..I wonder if the advanced book of potions cover is a hint towards that end.

I have often thought that there is a reason why Snape is still alive...Lord Voldermort had to have heard him in book 1 when he confronted Quirrell, so why is he alive. I am guessing that Lord Voldemort must need something from Snape because Snape most likely helped him with his precautions against death when he was a DE, most likely a potion of some sort. The name on the front cover of the UK version is either Libalius or Libatius Borage...Borage is a herb used for many things applicable to the HP plot and Libalius/Libatius is so close to the word "Libation" that it must be connected to the root word in some manner...so, I'm guessing that there is a potion in that book that Snape used to help Lord Voldemort, and I am also guessing that the herb Borage is meaningful to the plot as well.

I wonder if the description of the "lion man" that we found in the safe on JKR's website last fall is the description of Libalius/Libatius Borage???? I wonder if he is going to be the new potions master or the new DADA teacher at Hogwarts????

Too Many questions and Too long to wait!!!

Snape still has an important role to play, as so many people are so keen on noting. He's the "other one who ran away" that Voldemort referred to in GoF, the other one besides Karkaroff he said would die. He'll definitely have a hand on Harry's continued education, though I believe it'll still be in Potions. I just can't see (or maybe I just don't want to see) Snape as DADA instructor. It's possible, but I don't see how just yet.

It'll be interesting to see how the grudge match between Harry and Snape plays out in HBP, now that Harry knows how Snape suffered at the hands of his father, James. I wonder if the grudge will sink another couple levels or will it begin to lighten up a bit.

I saw the book 6 covers! I absolutely love them! Especially the US version. It created this mysterious and exciting mood. I think it represents that Harry is getting more mysterious now.
I wonder why Harry is with Dumbledore in the cover. Wasn't Dumbledore afraid that he might see You-Know-Who's eyes in Harry's eyes? Why would he not be afraid anymore?
Maybe Dumbledore or someone else will teach Harry Occlumency? [sp?]

Snape still has an important role to play, as so many people are so keen on noting. He's the "other one who ran away" that Voldemort referred to in GoF, the other one besides Karkaroff he said would die. He'll definitely have a hand on Harry's continued education, though I believe it'll still be in Potions. I just can't see (or maybe I just don't want to see) Snape as DADA instructor. It's possible, but I don't see how just yet.

It'll be interesting to see how the grudge match between Harry and Snape plays out in HBP, now that Harry knows how Snape suffered at the hands of his father, James. I wonder if the grudge will sink another couple levels or will it begin to lighten up a bit.

I don't think this grudge will ever lift but I am really curious to know how potions will play a factor in HBP. And I am also curious to find out why that potions book is so darn old and beat up. Was it the HBP's book from long ago. Is it Ron's second hand book? Whose is it and just how old is it? Could they learn about the HBP from a used text book they get their hands on possibly through the Weasley's second hand shopping and if so how does it play a role in the book? Snape has to have something to do with it but WHAT!? Is it July yet?

I am really curious to know how potions will play a factor in HBP.

Me too... I think the UK adult book cover heightened everyone's curiosity about potions 300% :)

Me too... I think the UK adult book cover heightened everyone's curiosity about potions 300% :)
Definitely! After I saw the hi-res picture, I couldn't stop thinking about it. But why is the book so old? Harry can afford to buy his books new so that leads me to believe it is someone else's book.

Harry can afford to buy his books new so that leads me to believe it is someone else's book.

Hmm I like that thought...

And I liked the cover right away when I saw it, but I agree with all the talk on Potions...

Definitely! After I saw the hi-res picture, I couldn't stop thinking about it. But why is the book so old? Harry can afford to buy his books new so that leads me to believe it is someone else's book.

Yeah, there are lots of possibilities. It could be an old book that Hermione or someone finds in the library. It could be a book that belonged to Dumbledore/McGonagall/Snape/someone and they gave it to Harry because it will help him somehow. It could have belonged to the half blood prince. It could have belonged to one of Harry's parents (and to many before that, considering the book is so old). It could be the textbook for Snape's advanced potions class, and this happens to be someone's old copy of it --Ron's maybe, as you guessed. There are lots of possibilites! It's very interesting.

Yes, those are all very interesting possibilities that you listed.

(I love that Jude Law picture)

Yeah, there are lots of possibilities. It could be an old book that Hermione or someone finds in the library. It could be a book that belonged to Dumbledore/McGonagall/Snape/someone and they gave it to Harry because it will help him somehow. It could have belonged to the half blood prince. It could have belonged to one of Harry's parents (and to many before that, considering the book is so old). It could be the textbook for Snape's advanced potions class, and this happens to be someone's old copy of it --Ron's maybe, as you guessed. There are lots of possibilites! It's very interesting.

I'm still going with my Restricted Section theory. There's no way that's being left out in the last two books, since Harry will be taking Advanced DADA. Since Potions is a requirement to become an Auror as well, and that book will likely have a clue as to how Harry can take out Voldemort, the Restricted Section would be the best place to find that.

When I saw the US cover I thought pensive and the thought they were looking into Harry's memory's because there might be something vital there as Harry's never seems to concerned with what is going on around him. Then I saw the UK covers and well just thought Harry had made into advanced potions along with Hermione (bet Snape would die if Neville made it into that class) as far as the other cover the one with Harry and Dumbledore surrounded by fire well it seems they would be in great danger of something but not fire as they can do a simple spell so the fire will not hurt them so I don't know.

I was reading up on that website about the herb, Borage, and this information seemed to take on another meaning for me...

"According to Dioscorides and Pliny, Borage was the famous Nepenthe of Homer, which when drunk steeped in wine, brought absolute forgetfulness."

It dawned on me that possibly this herb mixed into a drink could be used to assist in the effects of veritiserum, because if someone believes something to be true or if someone has no memory of something, then they could not give the information...
then I thought of NEVILLE...could this Libalius/Labatius Borage book of Advanced Potions have something to do with Neville's continued forgetfulness???

Just another thought and of course, July 16 is still too far away!

I'm still going with my Restricted Section theory. There's no way that's being left out in the last two books, since Harry will be taking Advanced DADA. Since Potions is a requirement to become an Auror as well, and that book will likely have a clue as to how Harry can take out Voldemort, the Restricted Section would be the best place to find that.

Yeah, it's possible that the book is in the restricted section. I thought about that when I was thinking about someone finding it in the library.


(I love that Jude Law picture)

Lol thanks, I think it's hilarious :)

I believe that JKR told us several months ago that we should be asking ourselves..."Why didn't Lord Voldemort die" the night that the AK curse rebounded onto him..I wonder if the advanced book of potions cover is a hint towards that end.

I have often thought that there is a reason why Snape is still alive...Lord Voldermort had to have heard him in book 1 when he confronted Quirrell, so why is he alive. I am guessing that Lord Voldemort must need something from Snape because Snape most likely helped him with his precautions against death when he was a DE, most likely a potion of some sort. The name on the front cover of the UK version is either Libalius or Libatius Borage...Borage is a herb used for many things applicable to the HP plot and Libalius/Libatius is so close to the word "Libation" that it must be connected to the root word in some manner...so, I'm guessing that there is a potion in that book that Snape used to help Lord Voldemort, and I am also guessing that the herb Borage is meaningful to the plot as well.

I wonder if the description of the "lion man" that we found in the safe on JKR's website last fall is the description of Libalius/Libatius Borage???? I wonder if he is going to be the new potions master or the new DADA teacher at Hogwarts????

Too Many questions and Too long to wait!!!
Interesting. A libation is a drink, often an alcoholic beverage. Libation is also an offering of liquid to the gods, ancestors, etc. Libatius sounds like an adjective describing something - the borage? Drinkable borage?

Borage was used by the romans mixed with wine. Some used it for courage before battle.

Drinkable courage? Does sound like something from Snape's cookbook. http://websmileys.com/sm/evil/2.gif

Hmmmm...... Maybe Snape will teach DADA and there will be a new potions professor this year? That book looks pretty beat up. Libatius must be getting on. Of course, Binns didn't live through most of the history he teaches, so that's irrelevant.

The Lion is the personification of courage, so maybe you're on to something. Interesting..... I wonder if that book belonged to Flamel. It looks so old.

I wonder if that book belonged to Flamel. It looks so old.I like that idea whizbang121; it could be where the method for extracting the elixir of life is kept.

You know the first letter of the author’s second name in the book looks a lot like an R. The name is long enough to be Lupin Remus.

Could be anything thought as it is hard to make out on my computer monitor.

The Lion is the personification of courage, so maybe you're on to something. Interesting..... I wonder if that book belonged to Flamel. It looks so old.

Oh My Goodness, Flamel, what a great idea! Flamel is an alchemist, right? So, does an alchemist primarily dabble in potions? Borage is used to ward off the effects of snake bites as well! There are just too many options!

Here's the description of the character that JKR left in the safe on her website last fall, just to refresh everyone's memory.

"He looked rather like an old lion. There were streaks of grey in his mane of tawny hair andhis bushy eyebrows; he had keen yellowish eyes behind a pair of wire-rimmed spectacles and a certain rangy, loping grace even though he walked with a slight limp."

Can't you just visualize Harry sitting at the Gryffindor Table at the feast and describing the newest professor at Hogwarts? hmmm

I like that idea whizbang121; it could be where the method for extracting the elixir of life is kept.

You know the first letter of the author’s second name in the book looks a lot like an R. The name is long enough to be Lupin Remus.

Could be anything thought as it is hard to make out on my computer monitor.
Tane, you might like the views available at HPANA Largest book 6 covers online (http://www.hpana.com/news.18529.html)
It can help with lookin at/for details...

To TheMagicHat, RJade, and others: love reading your ideas about the UK adult cover--my favorite of the three because potions suggests Snape, and he is my favorite character. I posted earlier in the thread that the book may not necessarily be that old--but, rather, damaged. Maybe something that survived the destruction of the Potters' home?

I posted earlier in the thread that the book may not necessarily be that old--but, rather, damaged. Maybe something that survived the destruction of the Potters' home?
See, as a chemist I wonder if it doesn't have potion damage from being close to the cauldron (but that is more likely to affect whatever page the book is opened to than the cover in most cases).

See, as a chemist I wonder if it doesn't have potion damage from being close to the cauldron (but that is more likely to affect whatever page the book is opened to than the cover in most cases).
It does look like it's been dropped in battery acid.

The desk it's on is interesting too. http://www.cosforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=21203

This a pattern from the left side of the book. It reminds me of a photo I've seen of Hemingway leaning back in a chair .... with a big hat. :D

It does look like it's been dropped in battery acid.

The desk it's on is interesting too. http://www.cosforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=21203

This a pattern from the left side of the book. It reminds me of a photo I've seen of Hemingway leaning back in a chair .... with a big hat. :D

Ha! you crack me up, Whiz, Hemmingway, huh? With a big hat even!

Can you see him? :agree:

He's smoking a cigar, I think. Either that or he was up all night waxing his moustache.

Can you see him? :agree:

He's smoking a cigar, I think. Either that or he was up all night waxing his moustache.

Hemingway? Pretty funny. I see what you're referring to, but it's probably just a coincidence, like people who see celebrities in potato chips and sell them on ebay. Unless it's a portrait of someone else, maybe the book's author?

No such luck. I think I found Timon and Pumbha though.

I still thinks it looks a little like the Blody Baron, but I can see it your way too. It's funnier your way.

Can you see him? :agree:

He's smoking a cigar, I think. Either that or he was up all night waxing his moustache.

I must be totally unimaginative! I don't see it! I'm sorry, I do not see it! LOL!

I don't see anything reflecting in the glasses of DD and Harry either on the new bookcovers! Everyone is seeing these things in the bookcovers, so I click on them and even on the big, large, gigantic images...I DON"T SEE ANYTHING! Ahhhhh!

Not sure if this has been said but here it goes ... since the British adult cover is has a advanced potion making book on it's cover this means that Harry gets an "O"(Outstanding) on in Potions on his owls b/c in OOTP Page 663 AE McGonagall says to Harry that if he wants to become an Auror he must take advanced potions with Snape and that Snape only takes those who get an "O" on their potions section of the O.W.L.'s

Hey i think Lumina is on to somthing. I can't belive i didn't pick up on it earlier. "Advanced Potion Making" Harry needed to score high on his OWLS in potions in order to still be eligible for Arorer training. One of the classes requiered was NEWT level potions. I think Lumina is right that this might be a sign that Harry passed and will once again be in Professor Snapes potion class.

Hey i think Lumina is on to somthing. I can't belive i didn't pick up on it earlier. "Advanced Potion Making" Harry needed to score high on his OWLS in potions in order to still be eligible for Arorer training. One of the classes requiered was NEWT level potions. I think Lumina is right that this might be a sign that Harry passed and will once again be in Professor Snapes potion class.


Yup. I'm hoping that we will FINALLY fully understand Snape. He is such a mysterious character. I really think there will be a lot on Snape in the 6th book. He seems as if he could really be an important character, and obviously from the fact that the only thing on the uk adult cover is the advanced potions book, snape has to have a larger role in HBP. I hope he doesnt make Harry's life even more hellish with advanced potions though...thats like having to take advanced calculus with an evil teacher who all you want to do is avoid...

Drinkable courage? Does sound like something from Snape's cookbook. http://websmileys.com/sm/evil/2.gif
Although I hope we're going to be looking at something slightly more metaphysical than what "drinking your courage" normally means id est getting so thoroughly inebriated that you are physically incapable of being afraid or, come to that, thinking.


Everyone is seeing these things in the bookcovers, so I click on them and even on the big, large, gigantic images...I DON"T SEE ANYTHING! Ahhhhh!
Well, there's always a sane one in every bunch ;-)

How about the label on the front of the book. Suggests there was originally a "Not to be taken out of the library" sticker on the front, or perhaps a name label if it was someone's textbook, which was removed by whatever unpleasant substance made the book look so battered. Not that that moves us on much.

How about the label on the front of the book. Suggests there was originally a "Not to be taken out of the library" sticker on the front, or perhaps a name label if it was someone's textbook, which was removed by whatever unpleasant substance made the book look so battered. Not that that moves us on much.

Now, I do see that place on the book where it looks like a label has worn off or has been torn off! I do see that!! Yay!

On the UK kids cover, it looks like that fire is coming from DD's wand. Wonder if this is a similar protection type of spell that he used on LV in the Dept . of Ministries dual.

Looks ike the pensive will be the HP version of "Backto the Future." To understand what will happen, Harry needs to understand what came before.

But why use a pensive. Why not ask the Sorting Hat?

Looks ike the pensive will be the HP version of "Backto the Future." To understand what will happen, Harry needs to understand what came before.

But why use a pensive. Why not ask the Sorting Hat?
Ask it what? Not about the deaths of James and Lily....How would the Hat know? About Godric and Salazar? About some student from long ago who was the HBP?

I've just been studying the US-cover for a moment, and two things strike me as interesting (besides the magic being performed):

1) The pillar (of storgé, anyone :p ) has some inscriptions on the top piece. I've tried to enhance the photo - and it looks like ancient engravings. I think i see the letter Pi (ancinet greek), but it might just be my imagination.

2) I've mirrored Dumbledores face and enhanced the photo and the similarity between the two is stunning. The eyes, the mouth, the nose, the posture - everything looks like the artist is trying to make a point? It could just be his style of painting, but that would be sooooo boring.

I've just been studying the US-cover for a moment, and two things strike me as interesting (besides the magic being performed):

1) The pillar (of storgé, anyone :p ) has some inscriptions on the top piece. I've tried to enhance the photo - and it looks like ancient engravings. I think i see the letter Pi (ancinet greek), but it might just be my imagination. The markings at the top of the 'basin' remind many of the description of the pensieve. If it is a pensieve, it should potentially have 'ancient runes' around the rim. [Lol, pillar of storge! :rotfl: ]

2) I've mirrored Dumbledores face and enhanced the photo and the similarity between the two is stunning. The eyes, the mouth, the nose, the posture - everything looks like the artist is trying to make a point? It could just be his style of painting, but that would be sooooo boring. Just to note, the artist for the US covers is a woman, Mary Grandpre....She has been quoted as saying the art is becoming sparser as the series progresses (less detailed, fewer subjects).

here are the British covers from Bloomsbury
hey are u from england? Is that wat they really look like? im from england 2!
iloveharrry7

I think we will definitely find something out about Snape, or several things. The reason I say this is, Harry is most likely going to be in his advanced class, since the book for it is on the cover. Also, this to me portrays that Snape will be a big part of the plot, because obviously he is the teacher of that class, and they specifically targeted him with the cover. It was no other teachers advanced subject on there, but Snape's.

Hey i think Lumina is on to somthing. I can't belive i didn't pick up on it earlier. "Advanced Potion Making" Harry needed to score high on his OWLS in potions in order to still be eligible for Arorer training. One of the classes requiered was NEWT level potions. I think Lumina is right that this might be a sign that Harry passed and will once again be in Professor Snapes potion class.
didnt he pass out on 1 of the o.w.ls? If it was potions how will he become an auror? Doesnt he need that class to become 1?
iloveharry

didnt he pass out on 1 of the o.w.ls? If it was potions how will he become an auror? Doesnt he need that class to become 1?
iloveharry


That was his history exam. :)

The markings at the top of the 'basin' remind many of the description of the pensieve. If it is a pensieve, it should potentially have 'ancient runes' around the rim. [Lol, pillar of storge! :rotfl: ]

Just to note, the artist for the US covers is a woman, Mary Grandpre....She has been quoted as saying the art is becoming sparser as the series progresses (less detailed, fewer subjects).


Maybe its getting harder for her because so many things are being revealed in the last two books, and they obviously wouldn't want the cover to reveal everything.

i think that hermonie failed the history exam , because her small brain shut down, maybe she just had noo clue. She was probaly thinking about ron and NOT HARRY, and failed.
iloveharry

i think that hermonie failed the history exam , because her small brain shut down, maybe she just had noo clue. She was probaly thinking about ron and NOT HARRY, and failed.
iloveharry

I wonder what Hermione would do if she ever did fail an exam? Just a thought...But back to the subject...

I don't think Hermine would fail an exam anyway. She was always good at History of Magic, wasn't she?

Still, I don't think she failed anything. :)

Yup. I'm hoping that we will FINALLY fully understand Snape. He is such a mysterious character. I really think there will be a lot on Snape in the 6th book. He seems as if he could really be an important character, and obviously from the fact that the only thing on the uk adult cover is the advanced potions book, snape has to have a larger role in HBP. I hope he doesnt make Harry's life even more hellish with advanced potions though...thats like having to take advanced calculus with an evil teacher who all you want to do is avoid...
Come on, we all know that advanced calculus is fun, even with evil teachers. Ah I still remember a teacher who started speaking Chinese to answer some questions that a Chinese student asked. Ah I miss computing volumes and fluxes using funny abstract symbols ...

But back on topic. I think we all should know that Harry will get an 'O' for his Potions OWL because Snape has a large role to play in the story yet, and I can't imagine JKR letting Harry out of Snapes class that easily! I think Snape will be there to torture Harry untill the bitter end!

Many people speculate that Dumbledore will die, but I was wondering, what if Snape sacrifices himself to save Dumbledore at the end of the next book? I was thinking this could lead prompt Dumbledore to tell Harry (in his nice wrap up speach at *** end) why he trusted Snape.

I know that the US cover artist reads the book before drawing the cover art, but do the other artists? I think somebody said that the British artist doesn't read the book, but how do they know what to draw?

Maybe its getting harder for her because so many things are being revealed in the last two books, and they oviously wouldn't want the cover to reveal everything.
I agree that she doesn't want to give away the plot, but is marking a memorable event from the books. The front cover from OotP is also rather sparse, showing only Harry (with his wand in his left hand, even though the books state that he is right-handed) in a room with three open doors (could possibly conjecture seeing part of one closed door) and a lot of candles whose flames are bent to show movement? wind? [Trying to look at it from an "I haven't read the book yet" standpoint, but it is hard to be objective when I have read the book.]

It just makes me wonder if the memorable event for the US cover of HBP comes as late as the memorable event on the US cover of OotP...

I have a theory on the cover art that maybe Dumbledore on the cover of the UK children edtion is really Aberforth, Albus's brother.Does anyone else agree that Dumbledore looks a bit weird on the cover?

This is mainly because hints towards Aberforth have been hidden throughout all the books, and he was a member of the original Order. My theory is that he may be the new DADA teacher, or if Snape get DADA, then the new potions teacher (just a theory of my own, ignore it if you wish).

I think Snape will finally get his DADA position. Only speculation. Because it is NOW the second war. This is serious. Kids need to KNOW what is going on, and how to stop it.
Then we can get a new potions teacher, I base that on the UK Adult cover, Potions being on it. Potions is going to be important, the teacher that is. So, it will be a good twist to get a new Potions teacher, not a DADA professor.

I really don't think that Snape will ever get the DADA job....I just think it would be too close to being a Death Eater again....but who knows. I DO think that Harry gets into advanced potions though based on the book. But I still think Snape will teach it because he is very very good at potion making.

I really don't think that Snape will ever get the DADA job....I just think it would be too close to being a Death Eater again....but who knows. I DO think that Harry gets into advanced potions though based on the book. But I still think Snape will teach it because he is very very good at potion making.
I think if Harry is to become an Aurour (sp?), he will have to be in Advanced Potions and I also think his owls foreshadowed that. When he was taking the test, the first question he answered was on the Poly Juice potion! I don't think the book necessarily has to do with Harry being in Advanced Potions b/c the book looks old and Harry has more than enough money to be buy a new potions book. Therefore I think that potions book could be one of many people's text:
1) It could be a Weasley's book since they do buy things second hand.
2) It could be an old text book of one of Harry's parents or one of the Marauder's
3) It could be Snape's old text book
4) It could be a Death Eater's or even Tom Riddle's
5) The Half Blood Prince's textbook
6) Could it be one of the books from the restricted section of the library?

Just a few of my ideas on whose book it could be... What do you think?

Personally I think that all of the covers, (British and American) Show Harry being involved in Potion Making, and which also means he is taking advanced potions in his year.

Does this mean that Harry will have to make a very important potion?

I was just looking at the British version and found that the thing DD and Harry are holding in there hands are not wands.
I could be wrong but in the American version the wand Harry is using is straight but in the other version the thing he is holding is crooked and hot and not at all like a wand.

I was just looking at the British version and found that the thing DD and Harry are holding in there hands are not wands.
I could be wrong but in the American version the wand Harry is using is straight but in the other version the thing he is holding is crooked and hot and not at all like a wand.
Artists are no doubt influenced by sights and events from their own lives. Smooth, straight wands may be how many of us visualize wands (including Grandpre it seems)--that would be the type used by 'magicians' at carnivals, on some tv programs and in some movies. I think the use of the natural wood grain, even to following some of its growth contures, feels...more authentic in a way.

JKR has made a point of telling us (in the books and on her website) what wood types make up the wands we see in the books. There is significance in the woods chosen (and the cores, but we don't see those in the art).

So while the pieces of wood held by Dumbledore and Harry on the children's UK cover may not look like the wands of our own imaginations (straight and smooth), perhaps they do depict the artist's view of wands (or the determination to go against the grain :D ). And, as you said, headlessnick, they could be something else entirely!

The Speculation about the Adult Bloomsbury art puzzles me...the covers were very pretty , but they did not they relate particularly to the plot of the novel, loosely yes, but they did not tell much:


PoA (http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/074757362X.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg)
GoF (http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/0747573638.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg)

The latest cover shows even less:

OOTP (http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/0747569401.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg)

There was not even one gold plated Phoenix in the novel. :angel:

I'm taking my speculation with a grain of salt.

HBP Adult UK from HPANA (http://www.hpana.com/imageviewer.cfm?nid=18529&f=hbp-uk-adult.jpg)

Well... I love wordplay. In fact, one of my favorite things about JK Rowling's writing is that she seems to have the same love of wordplay. Everything is aptly named from places to candies.

That said...

Some of you have mentioned finding out that borage was steeped in wine and drunk.

Borage is a herb used for many things applicable to the HP plot and Libalius/Libatius is so close to the word "Libation" that it must be connected to the root word in some manner

I do believe if there is any question as to the readability of the name on the textbook, that that is the best evidence supporting the author's name of Libatius Borage.

Libation is beverage.

It's entirely clever naming the author of a potions text Libatius Borage. It could be important in a number of ways relating to wordplay... for example...

Borage bringing courage: "In HBP, so and so is DRUNK ON COURAGE"
"In HBP, so and so must DRINK COURAGE"

Borage bringing forgetfulness: "The HBP has been FORGOTTEN"

OK so what's the connection with potions?

It dawned on me that possibly this herb mixed into a drink could be used to assist in the effects of veritiserum, because if someone believes something to be true or if someone has no memory of something, then they could not give the information...

Veritaserum is a potion that Snape, the potions master, threatens Harry with but later does not follow through with that threat when given the opportunity by Umbridge.

Also, veritaserum could be Snape's undoing you know. If he's a spy, he definitely doesn't want Voldemort administering veritaserum during one of their conversations. I can imagine a counter would be a good thing for Snape to have handy... I also think perhaps this might have a "courage" twist too. Snape's pretty courageous for chancing so much when it's so obviously easy for Voldemort to find out the truth about his loyalties.

I thought of NEVILLE...could this Libalius/Labatius Borage book of Advanced Potions have something to do with Neville's continued forgetfulness???

And again a connection to Neville... who does fairly awful in Potions classes because he fears Snape so much.

About the representation of the book: yes it's worn(well-loved? much-used?) so it's probably not a new book from Diagon Alley. It does have a label that's been ripped off and indeed it could be a Restricted tag or a nameplate. There are two letters remaining on that tag... one is certainly an uppercase A, the next looks like an H. On the pages sticking out, there are remnants of writing also... it looks like writing as opposed to printed text and it is rather small.

Another tidbit: if the seven tasks seven books theory is to be believed, the sixth task is Snape's potions and so shapes up the theory! There is a potion to move forward(through black flames) towards confrontation with Voldemort, and a potion to go back to safety(through purple flames). Purple is a color associated with royalty and we are supposed to learn more about Snape in HBP. There's also in HBP the heavy theme of choices regarding what's difficult and what's easy. It's possible Harry is presented with an "out" in the form of the Half Blood Prince(purple flames) so that he does not have to face Voldemort to fulfill the prophecy... that'd be easy for him. More difficult would be to move forward to face him and possibly face death(black flames).

Altogether I do think Snape's important. He may or may not be the Half Blood Prince. Potions will be important(even if the adult UK covers were nonsensical before I can't see Bloomsbury coming up with "Libatius Borage" on their own.) The HBP may have something to do with Potions or with "drinking courage" or may just have been "forgotten" by the wizarding world.

Tane, you might like the views available at HPANA Largest book 6 covers online (http://www.hpana.com/news.18529.html)
It can help with lookin at/for details...Thanks for the link, I now know why everyone is talking about Libatius Borage. Most adult book covers are the main objects used in the book that catalyses the plot line.

PS = The stone
CoS = Two serpents entwined and we are still trying to figure that one out now
PoA = The prison of Azkaban
GoF = The actual Goblet of Fire
OotP = The Phoenix that saves Dumbledore's life
HBP = An advanced potions book by Libatius Borage

Perhaps the spraying of Neville’s plant, Mimbulus Mimbletonia finally shows some strange effects on those that where caught. Then again it could be an important ingredient in a very powerful potion.

CoS = Two serpents entwined and we are still trying to figure that one out now

It matches the imagery of the Chamber entrance.

And then, at last, as he crept around yet another bend, he saw a solid wall ahead on which two entwined serpents were carved, their eyes set with great, glinting emeralds.

The UK adult cover for CoS doesn't seem to have the green eyes (but the pic is not very large on the Bloomsbury site and I don't have a copy of that version of Book 2...), and doesn't look like the movie version of that entrance. Is that where the 'figuring out' comes in?

Thanks, Tane, for the refresher on other UK adult covers. The first 5 certainly seem to be related to the titles in quite a literal fashion!

definatly related

It matches the imagery of the Chamber entrance.


The UK adult cover for CoS doesn't seem to have the green eyes (but the pic is not very large on the Bloomsbury site and I don't have a copy of that version of Book 2...), and doesn't look like the movie version of that entrance. Is that where the 'figuring out' comes in?

Thanks, Tane, for the refresher on other UK adult covers. The first 5 certainly seem to be related to the titles in quite a literal fashion!Not quite, I was thinking about the two serpents seen in the silver instrument, they where separate and then became entwined. I saw the CoS adult book cover on amazon and it showed the green glowing eyes so I would go with your suggestion of the gate entrance rather than the two serpents seen in the silver instrument. Then again it could represent both parts of the book.

In my opinion, the US cover is better...but then I've been looking at the same person draw them and..well..yeah.

But I like the whole pensieve thing and the green cover. :p

Not quite, I was thinking about the two serpents seen in the silver instrument, they where separate and then became entwined. I saw the CoS adult book cover on amazon and it showed the green glowing eyes so I would go with your suggestion of the gate entrance rather than the two serpents seen in the silver instrument. Then again it could represent both parts of the book.
But the silver instrument is from Book 5, and the artist for the cover of Book 2 would have no clue as to what was coming in a book that wasn't even written at the time...

This is mainly because hints towards Aberforth have been hidden throughout all the books, and he was a member of the original Order. My theory is that he may be the new DADA teacher, or if Snape get DADA, then the new potions teacher (just a theory of my own, ignore it if you wish).
Quite possibly, but I'm sticking to my guns about Aberforth being the barman in the Hog's Head. I can't remember who originally suggested it, but it's just too neat a theory not to adopt, even if it's completely wrong.

Then we can get a new potions teacher, I base that on the UK Adult cover, Potions being on it. Potions is going to be important, the teacher that is. So, it will be a good twist to get a new Potions teacher, not a DADA professor.
If JK is going to give potions a central position, as the adult UK cover suggests, then it would be good to have a potions teacher who allowed Harry to concentrate on the actual subject instead of bullying him. The one time Harry did any potions without Snape (Polyjuice Potion in bk2) it succeeded very well even though it was supposed to be far to difficult for them. Even though that was a joint effort with Ron and Hermione, it suggests that if only Harry was taught by a better teacher he might be very good at potions.

I was just looking at the British version and found that the thing DD and Harry are holding in there hands are not wands.
It looked to me as though the wands were perishing in the fire they were producing.

If JK is going to give potions a central position, as the adult UK cover suggests, then it would be good to have a potions teacher who allowed Harry to concentrate on the actual subject instead of bullying him.
I'd like to see Snape remain the potions teacher, Harry get less than 'O' on his potions OWL, and another teacher (or Headmaster :eyebrows: ) give Harry instructions in potions. With any luck, the new DADA teacher will be a good guy who knows his potions, too, and he/she will teach Harry after class hours (or during breaks in the DADA class schedule). Luckier still, I think, would be Dumbledore giving Harry potions lessons....

But most people seem to think Harry will get 'O' on his potions OWL; or that Snape will become the DADA and there will be a new potions teacher in his place that accepts students with lesser passing grades...

And what I would like to see and what will really happen....Not likely to match, are they? :lol:

Quite possibly, but I'm sticking to my guns about Aberforth being the barman in the Hog's Head. I can't remember who originally suggested it, but it's just too neat a theory not to adopt, even if it's completely wrong.

Jo did confirm that Aberforth is the Hog's Head barman at the EBF. :)

Why is the barman of the Hog’s Head vaguely familiar to Harry? Is he Dumbledore’s brother?

Ooh—you are getting good. Why do you think that it is Aberforth? [Audience member: Various clues. He smells of goats and he looks a bit like Dumbledore]. I was quite proud of that clue. That is all that I am going to say. [Laughter]. Well yes, obviously. I like the goat clue—I s******ed to myself about that one.

I remember reading about the barman and going Dumbledore's brother...Nooo...well ya...hahaha!! I figured a puzzle out!! hehehe Sorry it was a moment of joy for me.

Do you think that the book could be less to do with Harry learning potions then the reader learning about Snape?
Afterall, Harry would not have a well worn book at his disposal, but Snape, he probably has thumbed through his books alot over the years. Just a thought.

HBP Adult UK from HPANA (http://www.hpana.com/imageviewer.cfm?nid=18529&f=hbp-uk-adult.jpg)

About the representation of the book: yes it's worn(well-loved? much-used?) so it's probably not a new book from Diagon Alley. It does have a label that's been ripped off and indeed it could be a Restricted tag or a nameplate. There are two letters remaining on that tag... one is certainly an uppercase A, the next looks like an H. On the pages sticking out, there are remnants of writing also... it looks like writing as opposed to printed text and it is rather small.


I think I'd like to raise a possibility about the letters on the label in that picture. Schoolkids usually put labels on their textbooks to identify them if they get lost, and I'm assuming this was the purpose of this label. So, the writing we see could possibly be a name.

Like you said, the first letter there is clearly an A. You said that the second letter there looked like an "h", which it does. However, an "h" may also be seen as a "b", which for my purposes, I'm going to assume it is. It is impossible to clearly see the next letters, however, I do think that there is room there for two more letters, although it might be pretty tight. If there are two letters, they are all lowercase and are all shorter than the "b". For my theory, let's insert a "u" and a "s" there. There is also a fair amount of space between the "A" and the "h" or "b", so it can be assumed there should be another letter there to connect them into one word. Let's try an "l".

So, if we put it all together, my theory says that the letters are: A-l-b-u-s. In conclusion, I put forth the idea that this is the old potions textbook of Albus Dumbledore. He's been out of school for a while, so it makes sense that his old textbook would be pretty old too.

Of course, my theory is based on a lot of assumptions. One thing I noticed that could be a problem with my theory is the lack of any writing indicating that "Dumbledore" was written on the label as well. If you're going to put your first name on a label to show who it belongs to, putting your last name would probably be a good idea too.

Just thought it would be interesting to throw out there, especially if Dumbledore and Harry are making a potion in the American cover art if the bowl is not a pensieve, or modifying it in some way if it is.

But those letters look like they would be at the end of someone's name....If the label had the purpose of identifying the owner, wouldn't the name be written a bit larger than proposed by fitting 'Albus' in that little bit of space?

In the AMerican kids version, I think the green light is coming from the Penseive, but the Penseive is not usually green. Maybe the memory it is showing has green something in it?

But those letters look like they would be at the end of someone's name....If the label had the purpose of identifying the owner, wouldn't the name be written a bit larger than proposed by fitting 'Albus' in that little bit of space?

That is a major flaw that I recognized when I was typing up my idea, but I still figured it warranted throwing it out there.

To be honest, I like the idea of Dumbledore and Harry using a potion to modify the pensieve more than my original idea.

I don't know is anyone has broached this yet, but do you see Dumbledore with a wand in the American Cover version? All I see is him waving his hand over the "potion" and Harry monitoring. Perhaps Dumbledore is teaching Harry how to use non-wand magic.
Just a thought..................

I don't know is anyone has broached this yet, but do you see Dumbledore with a wand in the American Cover version? All I see is him waving his hand over the "potion" and Harry monitoring. Perhaps Dumbledore is teaching Harry how to use non-wand magic.
Just a thought..................
Not a bad thought...but if Albus was teaching Harry wandless magic, wouldn't Harry also be without a wand? Or do you see that as possibly being a bit of artistic license? :huh:

I've been trying to get through this thread for days. What a lot of ideas. My responses to some of them:

The penseive's not in the Chamber of Secrets, IMHO. That caved in, didnt' it? As far as I know no one dug it out.

The penseive isn't Snape's unles she got one because he got tired of borrowing Dumbledore's, because he was using Dumbledores in OotP.


Albus doesn't have to teach Harry wandless magic. Harry's been doing wandless magic since he was small. He might help him learn to control it, but he doesn't need to teach him.

Harry could very well have gotten a good grade on his potions exam, good enough to get into a NEWT class. He does badly for the same reason Neville does, because of Snape. Snape wasn't at the exam. I think both of them will have passed, to Snape's disgust.

BTW, I was very disappointed to learn that Mary Grandpre' only met Jo once and does not collaborate with Jo, and that she only has two months to read the books and do the drawings. That means we are getting Mary's ideas in her drawings of what is important, not necessarily Jo's.
If that's the case, Mary's drawings might not mean as much as we think they do.

The penseive's not in the Chamber of Secrets, IMHO. That caved in, didnt' it? As far as I know no one dug it out.
The pensieve is not in the book Chamber of Secrets at all. The passage that caved in probably did cave in sometime during the book, though we don't learn of that until Book 5.


The penseive isn't Snape's unles she got one because he got tired of borrowing Dumbledore's, because he was using Dumbledores in OotP..
Of course the pensieve does not belong to Snape, as per your reasoning :tu:


Albus doesn't have to teach Harry wandless magic. Harry's been doing wandless magic since he was small. He might help him learn to control it, but he doesn't need to teach him..
Exactly. Harry needs help with control in many ways, not just for wandless magic.

Harry could very well have gotten a good grade on his potions exam, good enough to get into a NEWT class. He does badly for the same reason Neville does, because of Snape. Snape wasn't at the exam. I think both of them will have passed, to Snape's disgust..
And how did he do on the written portion? All those years of not paying attention and not taking good notes paid off with an excellent grade? :huh: [Okay, I know I am in the minority on this one. I will find it incredulous that someone with his poor study habits gets a top grade....]


BTW, I was very disappointed to learn that Mary Grandpre' only met Jo once and does not collaborate with Jo, and that she only has two months to read the books and do the drawings. That means we are getting Mary's ideas in her drawings of what is important, not necessarily Jo's.
If that's the case, Mary's drawings might not mean as much as we think they do.
Considering the items seen on her other five covers, I would say Grandpre does a good job of picking a prime moment from the book to portray on the cover. Good thing she does the artwork, JKR is so paranoid about giving things away that the covers probably wouldn't have more than the title on a colored background! :lol:

About wandless magic -- Jo told us that basically you need a wand to do really controlled magic. I'm not sure why DD would take the time to teach Harry wandless magic if it won't be useful to him. I imagine there has to be many more important, and more useful things he can teach him.

Do you need a Wand to do Magic??

Jo - You can do unfocused and uncontrolled magic without a wand (for instance when Harry blows up Aunt Marge) but to do really good spells, yes, you need a wand.

More coverart from TLC
check it out. Interesting Hermione and Ron on one side and Ginny on the other, thoughts anyone?
per request of TLC i had to remove the image, here's the link to it, sorry :(
The Leaky Cauldron (http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/)
Big Image (http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/images/2005/03/scholstandupbig.html)
Huge Image (http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/images/2005/03/scholstanduphbphuge.html)
again sorry
...

A bit more added to the huge image (I didn't look at the big image). Looks like more people are in the background in the huge image.

In the lower left next to the "50 days" sign, Ron and Hermione looking up at Harry and DD. And Ron looks a bit serious.

On the opposite side, looks like Ginny looking up at Harry and DD.

And above Ron and Hermione, just above the skyline, is the Dark Mark.

A bit more added to the huge image (I didn't look at the big image). Looks like more people are in the background in the huge image.

In the lower left next to the "50 days" sign, Ron and Hermione looking up at Harry and DD. And Ron looks a bit serious.

On the opposite side, looks like Ginny looking up at Harry and DD.

And above Ron and Hermione, just above the skyline, is the Dark Mark.
I hope that Dark Mark over Hermione and Ron isn't foreshadwoing for those two, if you recall why Death Eaters usually sent it into the air :scared:

It says "Find out in 50 days," but there's still 107 days until the book's release. Does that mean they're going to announce who it is before July 16? That seems a very poor choice..

It says "Find out in 50 days," but there's still 107 days until the book's release. Does that mean they're going to announce who it is before July 16? That seems a very poor choice..

Oh blimey I hope not! :huh: That would be pretty dumb. Maybe...... actually, I have no idead why it says 'find out in 50 days'

Edit: Oooh, I was just checking out TLC and this '100 days till HBP campaign' thingy starts on my birthday! kool! Not so much to get excited about, coz it's all just adverts and stuff but kool anyways!

OK all, I just had a theory,but what if Harry isn't the last
remaining Potter, we don't know for certain.Now just think about
this,just like Hagrid found out he has a half brother (Grawp),so
here is the weird part,this relative of harry's is the HBP,and as
Jo said their is an heir of gryffindor,and they just now find out
that Lily and James had another son besides harry,also finding
out that he is the one who has magic later in life as Jo said. I
know it way out there but Jo could do it because she is the
author,let me know what you think. Makes sense don't it I mean.

It says "Find out in 50 days," but there's still 107 days until the book's release. Does that mean they're going to announce who it is before July 16? That seems a very poor choice..I doubt it - this is probably a poster to be released in book stores on the 50 day mark to increase excitement. Other possibility - the graphic is for their website and the 50 day is a place holder for a countdown.

OK all, I just had a theory,but what if Harry isn't the last
remaining Potter, we don't know for certain.Now just think about
this,just like Hagrid found out he has a half brother (Grawp),so
here is the weird part,this relative of harry's is the HBP,and as
Jo said their is an heir of gryffindor,and they just now find out
that Lily and James had another son besides harry,also finding
out that he is the one who has magic later in life as Jo said. I
know it way out there but Jo could do it because she is the
author,let me know what you think. Makes sense don't it I mean.

No, I don't think so. Lily and James were killed when Harry was one year old. That means that, if they did have another son, he would have been no more than about 3 months old (provided that James managed to get Lily back into bed for some action right after Harry was born). This means that this 'other son, Harry's brother' would have been in the house during Voldy's attack when Lily and James were killed. This other baby would have died too because Lily spent her time protecting Harry, and the house was left in ruins, so it would have been crushed under the rubble. And if it didn't die under the rubble straight away, it would have later because Hagrid only retrieved Harry from the ruins.

I'm betting that Lily would not have left the 'other baby' and said to herself 'right, I'm only going to protect Harry and sacrifice myself for him because I've safely hidden my other baby under the bed......' I'm not a mother, but I sure as Hell know that any mother would put her life on the line for ALL her children.

It's not like Lily and James could have had this 'other child' when Harry was older, because they were dead.

Sorry, but this theory just doesn't work because there just wasn't enough 'plausible' time for Lily and James to have another child. It's possible, but come on, James was not so heartless enough to make Lily pregnant again so soon after she had given birth to Harry.

Edit: This is the wrong thread for HBP related theories, you should go here: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Discussion #8 (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=45191)

It says "Find out in 50 days," but there's still 107 days until the book's release. Does that mean they're going to announce who it is before July 16? That seems a very poor choice..


No that's the promotion bookmarks that are going to be given away with the 50 day mark.

Gily Ann

I doubt it - this is probably a poster to be released in book stores on the 50 day mark to increase excitement. Other possibility - the graphic is for their website and the 50 day is a place holder for a countdown.

Good point, Mugglenet stated them as countdown 'stands' and said to look out in local book shops and libraries. Perhaps these get sent to libraries and book shops on the 50 day mark, with a pack of sheets with every number down till 1, so that the stand can be changed? Kinda like flipping pages on a calendar when the month is up (but for this stand, the page will be flipped when the day is up).

That's what it seems like to me anyway

Or it could be a pad, like a pad of sticky notes, so that when it's 49 days til the release date they can just pull off 50 and there's 49. That's what I thought anyways. Like proverb a day calendars sort of.

i'm guessing that the potion book on the UK adult version indicates that potions is going to b important. perhaps what dumbledore and harry are looking at on the american version is a potion harry made or they found or something.
or maybe it just goes to show that harry passed his potions OWL!

Ok well we all know that Green is the color of the Avada Curse... so maybe that's what this is symbolising. I don't know for sure but that looks like some sort of bowl... and on the UK edition, do you notice how old Dumbledore looks. We've only been made aware of how old he is in OoTP, and I think that says a lot... watch out, a death may be near. :td:

In the new art is that Ginny or Lily on the right?
What do you guys thing?

I immediately thought it was Ginny, but now I'm not so sure. MuggleNet is saying it's Ginny, I wonder if they know for sure.

In the new art is that Ginny or Lily on the right?
What do you guys thing?


I thought it was Ginny. It's funny how it could be either Ginny or lily

I thought Ginny right away but my friend who has seen it too thought Lily. Though I dont know why she would be in the pic and look alive and well. I could understand if it was a ghost but it isnt. Anyway its exciting!

Or it could be Luna... but I think since the hair is red, they assume Ginny.

Or it could be Luna... but I think since the hair is red, they assume Ginny.

Um.. really doubt that it is luna. The hair is most definately red and she kinda looks like ron on the other side so my vote is for Ginny.

If it is Ginny, Then Why include her picture. Maybe she is important to the plot more than we thought in the past.

Well they all seem to be looking up at the Dark Mark. We know that the DE put it over the house of their victums... Does someone close to them die?

It's definitely Ginny, guys. Mary Grandpre's treatment of Lily looks like this. (http://www.hogwarts-gallery.org/picture.php?cat=265&image_id=3391&expand=169,169,169,169)

The entire thing is a massive photoshop job. There are "feathering" artifacts around Ginny's head, which has been blown up from small to larger than Ron and Hermione together. The Dark Mark appears to be intended to be over a house or town, not over any specific character's head. It also has photoshop artifacts around it. This is just the kind of stuff you find in a doctored photo.

Everything has been moved around for the sake of design. We'll learn nothing from this pic other than the fact that a certain girl and boy are standing VERY close to each other, and that the Dark Mark appears at least once in the story.

I think it's Ginny alright. It's clearly a teenage girl, not a woman.

Well they all seem to be looking up at the Dark Mark. We know that the DE put it over the house of their victums... Does someone close to them die?

Maybe it means one of the Weasleys is going to die. Like Percy....

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's Ginny now. It matches Ginny on the back of the US Chamber cover.

I wonder why Ginny is there at all.

I'm making huge assumptions, but maybe Ginny is welcomed into the Trio? Making is a Quartet? 4 kids, best mates - kinda like the Marauders? History is repeating itself maybe? Anyway, I think either this, or HMS Chocolate is granted it's wish! (Huzzah! :p )

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's Ginny now. It matches Ginny on the back of the US Chamber cover.

I figured it was. It looks more like Ginny than anyone else. And closest would be Lily. Have we even seen a picture of Lily? Well back onto the topic. Ginny must be important enough to the plot to have her put in there with Ron and Hermione. At least that is my thinking.

Maybe it means one of the Weasleys is going to die. Like Percy....


If only is was Percy *advid Percy hater* Anyway like Polychrome said its over some kind of town ... Well it could be Percy but who else do we know that live in some kind of town that the Trio would visit?

I wonder why Ginny is there at all.

I'm making huge assumptions, but maybe Ginny is welcomed into the Trio? Making is a Quartet? 4 kids, best mates - kinda like the Marauders? History is repeating itself maybe? Anyway, I think either this, or HMS Chocolate is granted it's wish! (Huzzah! :p )

If they are the marauders again, let's not hope that one of them goes bad....:no:

I think Ginny will become closer with the Trio in the next books. I think she'll refuse to be left out. It's strange that she's on her own on that stand-thing though.

If only is was Percy *advid Percy hater* Anyway like Polychrome said its over some kind of town ... Well it could be Percy but who else do we know that live in some kind of town that the Trio would visit?

Well what town is it. Godric Hollow. Is it going tell us more that happened that night 16 or so years ago. If it doesn't which town and why?

I think Ginny will become closer with the Trio in the next books. I think she'll refuse to be left out. It's strange that she's on her own on that stand-thing though.

That's what I think too. She has to play a very important part, or the person who made it just likes Ginny and wanted her to be on the stand-thingy ( :rotfl: I like that name)

It looks to me that the mark is over Hermione and Ron... cna they die and leave Harry alone??? :(

Have you seen Ron's expresion? Maybe they will have a serious fight with Harry.

Ginny is alone there, waiting for Harry. Maybe he becomes arrogant like his father and doesn't want his friends anymore. That's the feeling I get, but I REALLY don't want that to happen! :(

It looks to me that the mark is over Hermione and Ron... cna they die and leave Harry alone??? :(


As I just said, the Dark Mark also displays some proof of photoshopping by the slight fuzz around it, as well as coloring inconsistencies. (The Dark Mark is presumably transparent.) Which means it has been moved from its place in the original picture.

My guess is that they are looking up at it. They can't do that if it's directly above them. Since scholastic was against making the back cover public, it may be over an important building somewhere.

If they are the marauders again, let's not hope that one of them goes bad....:no:

Oh god yeah........ well, maybe they will just be like the Marauders in the way that they are 4 students who get into loads of trouble and stuff like that? (as a matter of fact, they already have, but not a four)

And whilst Hermione, Ron and Ginny seem to be standing outside (see the silhouettes of the buildings in the background), we know that they can't really be looking up at Harry and Dumbledore can they? Unless Harry and DD get turned into giants and decide to wave their wands over a massive penseive/potion that's on top of a really tall pillar....... Then again, the positions that Hermione,Ron and Ginny are in might not be a scene from the books, they could just be there because they are main characters.........

Oh heck, a blabbering on again!

My guess is that they are looking up at it. They can't do that if it's directly above them. Since scholastic was against making the back cover public, it may be over an important building somewhere.

Or maybe that could work

My first thought (foolishly) was that the figure on the right was a mermaid (but they aren't that good-looking, so...). Ron and Hermione have much more detail in their torso clothing as their bodies are lost in the 'mist' at the bottom. Why is the figure on the right even less defined? So my next thought was Lily. I don't see a huge difference between the figure in the right corner and the one in the link Polychrome provided, and I put the pics side by side. The hair is a bit longer on the HBP poster, but both suggest a bit of wave in the bangs. Both have wider spaced eyes. The noses don't quite match (how long between the drawings, close to 8 years I think), but the mouths are similar.

Because of the red hair...It could be Lily (who died young) or Ginny.

Voting Ginny here. I am willing to bet that Ron, Hermione, and Ginny are standing together looking up at the dark mark. Whoever put together that promotional item combined two completely separate pictures.

That Dark Mark and the one on JKR's website look like decent matches....The first thing I thought of (again, foolishly) was "Spoiler Warning"--it is right next to the 50 days portion....:lol: Then I read the posts here and had that notion dispelled!

When I saw the town, I also thought of Godric's Hollow. But it could be Hogsmeade, I suppose. Probably only a very slight chance that it points to security at #12 being breached and the Order finding the mark there....

Maybe the photoshopping items are from the back cover, Polychrome?

In the new art is that Ginny or Lily on the right?
What do you guys thing?

What new art? I went and looked through the posts..skimmed I should say...and didn't see what you were talking about. Could someone give me a link of whatever it is?

Oh and look what I came up with in study hall when I was really really bored:

(He's sad because....uh, he has the right to be..and that's just what I drew for his mouth before it became Harry :D)

You can see the new artwork here (http://www.mugglenet.com/viewer/?image_location=/hbpstandee.jpg)

Ah, thanks...

Is that like the rest of the cover or what? Is that what's going to be on the back or something? I don't know what we've covered on here about it..heh...we, ha not really me...but I know you probably think that the two people are Ron and Hermione..but I think that it is Ginny who is standing there..

Hmm..maybe the seperation of the two people means something??? Ha, it's canon..or bacanon (book cover canon..wow I'm a freak) Hermione and Ron on one side and Ginny waiting for Harry on the other...

But yeah, they seem to be looking up at the dark mark...

Wow..I can't wait for this book...3 more months..only three! But then when you say July, it seems so far away..

Hey, speaking of artwork, how did you like mine :D Soo pretty huh?

Look: (mugglenet)
As we reported to you earlier today, Scholastic is starting to get its promotional engines revving. Check out this cool Half-Blood Prince countdown stand with new Mary Grandpre art! Ron, Hermione, Ginny, the dark mark...

So yeah, it is Ginny down there...from what I read all the way down there they were debating it, but I haven't looked at any recent posts, and I guess it's already been settled so up there ^^ was pointless.. :p

In the new art is that Ginny or Lily on the right?
What do you guys thing?

It looks as if it is supposed to be a woman - she looks older than do, say, Ron or Hermione. That would suggest Lily. Moreover, it is about time that JKR finally develops Lily - it is now or VII, and VII seems kind of late.

However, Ginny would be 15, and a lot of 15 year old girls look as adult as they will until they begin to sag a bit. Moreover, GrandPre's drawings are a bit general - they could blur any number of years.


Really, we can only rule out non-red-haired females (and all males). For example, it is remotely possible that it is Molly Weasley, although this seems unlikely - she should appear older than that.

Ok well we all know that Green is the color of the Avada Curse... so maybe that's what this is symbolising. I don't know for sure but that looks like some sort of bowl... and on the UK edition, do you notice how old Dumbledore looks. We've only been made aware of how old he is in OoTP, and I think that says a lot... watch out, a death may be near. :td:

Although green is the classic color of poison (although few really are green!), green also symbolizes life, as plants are green. It also is the color of Harry & Lily's eyes.

It also makes a nice contrast with the dark blue of OotP.

Usually, death is given black for a (lack of) color.

When I saw the town, I also thought of Godric's Hollow. But it could be Hogsmeade, I suppose. Probably only a very slight chance that it points to security at #12 being breached and the Order finding the mark there....


I'm thinking it's Hogsmeade. The artwork appears to show Ron and Hermione looking up at the Dark Mark, and they wouldn't have been able to see it at Godrick's Hollow, would they? Unless they're all i the pensieve, of coursel It could also be some new place we haven't been yet (Spinners End?).


Whoever put together that promotional item combined two completely separate pictures.


It might even be three pictures, and the column is just the artistic device used to separate them:

1. One with Harry and Dumbledore looking into the basin (pensieve?).

2. One with Ron and Hermione looking up at the Dark Mark.

3. One with Ginny (or Lily, or someone else entirely) also looking up at the Dark Mark.

Maybe the 2nd and 3rd pictures are of the DM appearing over the same town - once in the present (Ron and Hermione) and once in the past (Lily). I'm not sure I believe that, but I guess it's possible.

It's definitely Ginny, guys. Mary Grandpre's treatment of Lily looks like this..

Actually, looking at the picture leaves me more convinced that it is Lily. The hair is longer, but that is minor - also Lily was supposed to look 10 years older in the mirror than she would have looked when she died. (Shorter hair shows that.)

The problem is that because the figure is looking up, leaving the faces at very different angles (especially the very oblique angle of this onlooker), and because of GrandPre's featuring is fairly general, it is tough to be certain.

About the thing that Dumbledore and Harry are looking into . . . Some people are saying that it looks too big to be a Pensieve. I was thinking maybe it's an old Pensieve, it is cracked.

Maybe it's a Pensieve left behind by somebody who died a long time ago. So Dumbledore and Harry would be looking into somebody's memories? Maybe Godric Gryffindor's?

Actually, looking at the picture leaves me more convinced that it is Lily. The hair is longer, but that is minor - also Lily was supposed to look 10 years older in the mirror than she would have looked when she died. (Shorter hair shows that.)

The problem is that because the figure is looking up, leaving the faces at very different angles (especially the very oblique angle of this onlooker), and because of GrandPre's featuring is fairly general, it is tough to be certain.

It says on Mugglenet that the three people are Ron, Hermione, and Ginny looking up at the dark mark.

It says on Mugglenet that the three people are Ron, Hermione, and Ginny looking up at the dark mark.
That's Andrew's opinion, and without some statement from a source, I don't think it should be taken for granted.

Why is the figure on the right shown in a more supine position than Ron and Hermione?

That's Andrew's opinion, and without some statement from a source, I don't think it should be taken for granted.

Why is the figure on the right shown in a more supine position than Ron and Hermione?

Maybe te dark mark is meant to be more above her, but drawn on the other side...but then that goes against what I say about misleading covers..but I don't think it means much..

But is that just the back cover or the rest of the front cover or what? I don't think anyoe answered me, but I'll go and check again..

It also looks like there is someone standing beside Ginny..but I don't think that's importnat...wow, I don't seem to think anything is important..

And why can we see Ron and Hermione's bodys but not Ginny's?

I have pulled up two images and set the three figures side by side. The one on the right has indistinguishable clothing, yet Ron and Hermione are in heavy jackets. There is a faint outline in the lower right corner that may be a hand, palm out. The head of the figure on the right is tilted very differently than the other two.

Yeah, I see the hand, I hadn't noticed it before. It looks purple-ish. Maybe it is meant to be silver, and maybe it is Pettigrew's hand..I don't know.

I'm still pretty convinced that the girl is Ginny. I don't know why, but I just think it is..It could be Lily, because we are going to learn more about her past, but I don't see why it couldn't be Ginny either.

Oh well..:)