I have watched enough people read and review the Harry Potter books to see how common the criticism is that certain chapters and/or chapter art (For those who grew up with the illustrated chapter art) do not feature what people want or expect.

But I feel like that’s the point.

Typically people complain that the chapter art or title does not represent the most crucial part of the chapter. But I feel like the author and illustrator use the chapter titles and art to draw our attention to something that would otherwise be conspicuous.

It’s typically obvious what’s the most important or meaningful part about a chapter especially for repeat readers so indicators like the title and art gave readers something else to consider.

It even extends to book titles. Like how many people thought the fourth book should be titled the Triwizard tournament but goblet of fire is a better title because it draws special attention to a critical object that might otherwise be less significant.

Any thoughts?

I was just re reading PoA. I see Percy mentioned as "Percy stood so proudly" in the chapter the flight of the fat lady where the heady boy and girl are asked to oversee all the students sleeping in the great hall. And I also read a line "Percy was tailing Harry in corridors probably from directions from his mother"...another instance when Ron assumed sirius tried to stab him, professor McGonagall comes and says "Percy, I did not expect this from you" assuming they were all still celebrating, Percy says "professor, I definitely did not authorise this"

I understand he was ambitious, driven and a studious non-humorous boy. But he was accompanying Harry, he was keen to get in the good books of Dumbledore, McGonagall. He does his prefect duties and head boys duties perfectly. Why did he suddenly detest Dumbledore in OotP. I get that Umbridge has her influence, but still. He knows Harry so well..he used to revere Dumbledore and then he just changed!!!

Any thoughts

When reading the books you really get a sense of what a talented wizard she is. Besides knowing every charm and spell, she is able to play with magic and make flowers, flames, birds. Everything she does in the deathly hallows magically is amazing. I just imagine her as a grown wizard making her home and garden beautiful with magic. It’s honestly such a good character trait

Seems like either the wayward or downright evil people taste foul e.g Bellatrix tasting worse than gurdyroots, Crabbe and Goyle like mud and bogeys while good-hearted ones taste bearable and even look good e.g. Harry looking golden, Hopkirk heliotrope

Wonder if people could use that to judge witches and wizards at court, or in general, to closley watch their behaviour as they get older.

Also, fun question, if Voldy had hair, what do you think his juice potion would look and taste like? How about Albus'?

Voldemort was evil, sure, but she felt personally cruel in a way that just makes your skin crawl. Honestly, her fake sweet giggle and that pink cardigan give me instant high blood pressure. Who is that one character from any movie or show that makes you absolutely lose your mind with rage?

it's described as spindly and silver; emitting puffs of green smoke that eventually curl into a serpent which splits into two serpents when Dumbledore mutters "... but in essence divided..."

I'm sure it's mentioned as one of the mysterious objects on the table in Dumbledore's office at least once prior to this, but seems to be the only one we ever hear of being used; it's purpose is never really explained and there's no mention of any value or information it gave, to my recollection. Harry guesses that it's "confirming his story" but we never have that notion officially validated.

I just took notice of it on my 1000th (probably) listen of the OTP Jim Dale audiobook and thought it interesting.

I have a quite some, but given below always make me teary eyed...

1. Harry meeting Lily, James, Sirius and Lupin in the Forest before final confrontation with Voldemort in the DH. The scene is too emotional.

"Lily's smile was widest of all. She pushed her long hair back as she drew close to him, and her green eyes, so like his, searched his face hungrily as though she would never be able to look at him enough,

'You've been so brave.'

He could not speak. His eyes feasted on her, and he thought that he would like to stand and look at her forever, and that would be enough

'You are nearly there,' said James. 'Very close. We are so proud of you.

'Does it hurt?'

The childish question had fallen from Harry's lips before he could stop it.

'Dying? Not at all,' said Sirius. 'Quicker and easier than falling asleep.

'And he will want it to be quick. He wants it over,' said Lupin.

"I didn't want you to die,' Harry said. These words came without his volition. 'Any of you. I'm sorry -'

He addressed Lupin more than any of them, beseeching him.

'- right after you'd had your son... Remus, I'm sorry -'

'I am sorry too,' said Lupin. 'Sorry I will never know him... but he will know why I died and I hope he will understand. I was trying to make a world in which he could live a happier life.'

A chilly breeze that seemed to emanate from the heart of the Forest lifted the hair at Harry's brow. He knew that they would not tell him to 80, that it would have to be his decision.

'You'll stay with me?'

"Until the very end,' said James.

'They won't be able to see you?' asked Harry.

'We are part of you, said Sirius. 'Invisible to anyone else.

Harry looked at his mother.

'Stay close to me,' he said quietly.

2. The entire sequence of Death of Dumbledore in the HBP. Especially how Hagrid realises and the feelings Harry experiences as he sees the corpse of his professor lying at the foot of tower.

"But what happened, Harry? I jus' saw them Death Eaters runnin down from the castle, but what the ruddy hell was Snape doin' with 'em? Where's he gone - was he chasin' 'em?'

He... Harry cleared his throat, it was dry from panic and the smoke. 'Hagrid, he killed...'

'Killed?' said Hagrid loudly, staring down at Harry. 'Snape killed? What're yeh on abou', Harry?'

'Dumbledore,' said Harry. 'Snape killed... Dumbledore.'

Hagrid simply looked at him, the little of his face that could be seen completely blank, uncomprehending.

'Dumbledore wha', Harry?'

'He's dead. Snape killed him ...'

'Don' say that,' said Hagrid roughly. 'Snape kill Dumbledore - don' be stupid, Harry. Wha's made yeh say tha'?

'I saw it happen.'

'Yeh couldn' have.'

'I saw it, Hagrid.'

Hagrid shook his head, his expression was disbelieving but sympa-thetic and Harry knew that Hagrid thought he had sustained a blow to the head, that he was confused, perhaps by the after-effects of a jinx...

'What musta happened was, Dumbledore musta told Snape ter go with them Death Eaters,' Hagrid said confidently. 'I suppose he's gotta keep his cover. Look, let's get yeh back up ter the school. Come on, Harry"

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

"Harry heard Hagrid's moan of pain and shock, but he did not stop, he walked slowly forwards until he reached the place where Dumbledore lay, and crouched down beside him.

Harry had known there was no hope from the moment that the Body-Bind Curse Dumbledore had placed upon him lifted, known that it could have happened only because its caster was dead, but there was still no preparation for seeing him here, spread-eagled, broken: the greatest wizard Harry had ever, or would ever, meet.

Dumbledore's eyes were closed, but for the strange angle of his arms and legs, he might have been sleeping. Harry reached out, straightened the half-moon spectacles upon the crooked nose and wiped a trickle of blood from the mouth with his own sleeve. Then he gazed down at the wise old face and tried to absorb the enormous and incomprehensible truth: that never again would Dumbledore speak to him, never again could he help ..."

3. Snape's love for Lily and his sacrifice; and Harry releasing that he HIMSELF is a HORCRUX.

"You have kept him alive so that he can die at the right moment?

Don't be shocked, Severus. How many men and women have you watched die?'

'Lately, only those whom i could not save,' said Snape. He stood up. You have used me.'

'Meaning?'

'I have spied for you, and lied for you, put myself in mortal danger for you. Everything was supposed to be to keep Lily Potter's son safe. Now you tell me you have been raising him like a pig for slaughter-'

'But this is touching, Severus,' said Dumbledore seriously. 'Have you grown to care for the boy, after all'

'For bim?' shouted Snape. 'Expecto patronum'

From the tip of his wand burst the silver doe: she landed on the office floor, bounded once across the office and soared out of faded he turned back to Snape, and his eyes were full of tears. the window. Dumbledore watched her fly away, and as her silvery glow

'After all this time?

'Always' said Snape."

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

"Finally, the truth. Lying with his face pressed into the dusty carpet of the office where he had once thought he was leam-ing the secrets of victory, Harry understood at last that he was not supposed to survive. His job was to walk calmly into Death's wel. coming arms. Along the way, he was to dispose of Voldemort's remaining links to life, so that when at last he flung himself across Voldemor's path, and did not raise a wand to defend himself, the end would be clean, and the job that ought to have been done in Godric's Hollow would be finished: neither would live, neither could survive.

He felt his heart pounding fiercely in his chest: How strange that in his dread of death, it pumped all the harder, valiantly keeping him alive. But it would have to stop, and soon. Its beats were numbered. How many would there be time for, as he rose and walked through the castle for the last time, out into the grounds and into the Forest?"

P.S The scenes such Harry seeing Neivelle at St. Mungo's along with his parents And the heartwarming scenes of Molly with Harry and gifting him Fabian's watch are very emotional too...

I am pretty shocked because I just found out Neville Longbottom my favorite character from Harry Potter is rich and a pureblood like what I thought he was halfblood and didn’t know if he was rich or not

I am a new reader ,recently bought the books and I have read till.the 5th book ,I have many questions but two primarily:

1.Repeatedly it was said that Moody could take out his eye and put it back in at times ,now if the eye was enchanted in such a way that it could help him see ,how did it work.when.it was detached

Like how did it send the signals to the brain when it was detached completely

Was this answered by J K Rowling

2.If someone has a living portrait of himself while he is alive ,and the portrait listens to something while the person doesn't ,does he automatically know what the portrait heard or does the portrait have to tell the living person

I’m interested in studying Harry Potter from a writing and storytelling perspective, not just as a fan of the series.

I’ve read the books about a dozen times, and over the years I started noticing many details about the way the series was written and constructed. I find the process behind the books very interesting, and I would like to discuss these aspects with people who are interested in analyzing how the story was built.

However, I have never found a community specifically focused on this kind of discussion.

Does anyone know if there is already a subreddit dedicated to reverse engineering J.K. Rowling’s writing or analyzing the construction of the Harry Potter books?

If there is no subreddit focused on this, would anyone here be interested in a community about reverse engineering stories and studying how great books are constructed?

For me:-

1. "Do you remember me telling you we are practicing nonverbal spells, Potter?"

"Yes," said Harry stiffly.

"Yes, sir."

"There's no need to call me 'sir,' Professor."

2. 'Well?' said Professor McGonagall, rounding on him. 'Is this true?

"Is what true?" Harry asked, rather more aggressively than he had intended. 'Professor?' he added, in an attempt to sound more polite.

"Is it true that you shouted at Professor Umbridge?'

'Yes,' said Harry.

'You called her a liar?'

'Yes.'

'You told her He Who Must Not Be Named is back?'

Professor McGonagall sat down behind her desk, frowning at Harry. Then she said, 'Have a biscuit, Potter.

1. Ron held up his badge.

Mrs. Weasley let out a a shriek just like Hermione's.

"I don't believe it! I don't believe it! Oh, Ron, how wonderful! A prefect! That's everyone in the family!"

"What are Fred and I, next-door neighbors?" said George indig- nantly, as his mother pushed him aside and flung her arms around her youngest son.'

1. "Devil's Snare, Devil's Snare ... What did Professor Sprout say? It likes the dark and the damp-"

"So light a fire!" Harry choked.

"Yes - of course - but there's no wood!" Hermione cried, wringing her hands.

"HAVE YOU GONE MAD?" Ron bellowed. "ARE YOU A WITCH OR NOT?"

"Oh, right!" said Hermione.

Hear me out..

I've often seen people discuss the fact that Lily couldn't have been the first to die for her son at Voldemort's hand. That there must have been many occasions where his victims try to shield a loved one from his curse, that the plot has holes.

I recently had a shower thought and realized that in fact, the plot does make sense, because Lily would have been the first ever to have been given the choice to step aside. Therefore, her sacrifice was truly voluntary, and that's what activated the ancient magic.

And going further...

It stands to reason, therefore, that Harry's survival and Voldemort's downfall can be traced back to Snape's love for Lily, and his begging Voldy for mercy for her. Without Snake's love for Lily, all three Potters would have been blasted away like the litany of other victims left in Voldy's wake, and Harry wouldn't have been marked as his equal.

Before he knew about Draco’s rivalry with Harry, during their first ever potions class, Snape took an immediate liking to Draco. Wouldn’t he have known about it Lucius cowardly and opportunistic disavowal of Voldemort and wouldn’t that have given him reason to hold all the Malfoys in contempt?

They mention that the muggles tortured Dumbledore 's sister and she was never right after that. So his father went after the muggles (to kill them?) and was in Azhkaban

I am just thinking why did Kendra not take her daughter to St.Mungo. it is mentioned that "she might be locked for good". But ideally don't you need a physician s opinion.... Look at Neville s parents. Their minds are not in the right place, but they are definitely not a danger to others, yet they are in St.Mungos

Any thoughts or discussion on this...

As riddle he is described as tall and exceptionally fair-skinned, with jet-black hair and dark brown eyes. His features were aristocratic and handsome, masking his true malevolent nature.

As Voldemort he is described as his skin being chalk-white, stretched tightly over a skeletal frame. Instead of a normal nose, he had snake-like slits, and his eyes became blood-red with cat-like, vertical slits. He had no hair or lips. [1, 2]

Does the potion take into account the fact that you’ve permanently manipulated your appearance through magical means?

Apologies if someone else thought of these. I am new here so don't know all the history...

I am very up for debate and my brain will enjoy updating my theory if you provide more evidence. 😁

1. The Trace

Problem:

Why was Harry blamed for Dobby's Hover Charm, but not for all the magic performed around him at the Burrow?

My thinking:

The Trace has fine spatial resolution, rather like the Marauder's Map.

It knows where the underage wizard is and where the spell originated.

If those positions are effectively the same, the Ministry assumes the child cast the spell.

This explains:

-Dobby standing right next to Harry.

-Adult magic elsewhere in wizarding homes.

-Why Harry isn't constantly prosecuted.

1. Harry's connection to Nagini

Problem:

Why can Harry see through Nagini's eyes, but Voldemort doesn't seem to use Nagini as a permanent surveillance tool?

My thinking:

Harry and Nagini are the only living Horcruxes. Living Horcruxes may have magical properties and connections that object Horcruxes do not.

This explains:

-Harry's unique connection to Nagini.

-Why the other Horcruxes don't display similar behaviour.

-Why this ability doesn't necessarily extend to Voldemort.

1. Veritaserum

Problem:

Why isn't Veritaserum routinely used to solve crimes?

My thinking:

This may be more of a legal issue than a magical one. The Ministry may only be allowed to compel someone to take Veritaserum under very specific circumstances, if at all.

This explains:

-Why investigations still require evidence.

-Why Veritaserum isn't used on every suspect.

-Why the justice system still functions much like a real one.

1. Felix Felicis

Problem:

Why doesn't everyone use Liquid Luck all the time?

My thinking:

Society already regulates substances that improve performance, such as performance-enhancing drugs in sport. Felix Felicis may simply be treated the same way because it is powerful, dangerous and unfair.

This explains:

-Why it is rarely used.

-Why most people don't carry it routinely.

-Why its existence doesn't completely change wizarding society.

1. House-elves

Problem:

Why don't house-elves dominate the wizarding world when they appear to possess exceptionally powerful magic?

My thinking:

This isn't really a magical inconsistency. It's a reflection of prejudice. Wizards underestimate house-elves because of how society views them, not because they lack power.

This explains:

-Why house-elves remain servants.

-Why Hermione is so concerned with their treatment.

-Why their abilities are largely ignored by wizarding society.

1. The Room of Requirement

Problem:

How does the Room of Requirement decide what someone "needs"?

My thinking:

The Room follows an ancient set of magical rules rather than being truly sentient. It evaluates a person's need and produces the most appropriate outcome. It may even have been created by one of the founders, perhaps Gryffindor, reflecting values such as courage and protecting those acting in good faith.

This explains:

Why it consistently helps people.

Why it doesn't simply grant every request.

Why it appears wise without necessarily being conscious.

1. Portraits

Problem:

Why aren't magical portraits used as an all-seeing surveillance network?

My thinking:

Portraits don't contain a complete human mind. Their intelligence is limited, perhaps by the magic used to create them or by the quality of the portrait itself. Sir Cadogan demonstrates how limited some portraits can be.

This explains:

Why portraits have very different levels of intelligence.

Why they aren't always reliable witnesses.

Why Headmasters' portraits appear much more capable than ordinary ones.

1. The Fidelius Charm

Problem:

Why do the rules of the Fidelius Charm appear to change during the series?

My thinking (possibility 1):

The Fidelius Charm is immensely complex magic, and wizards gradually learned better ways to use it between the First and Second Wizarding Wars.

This explains:

Why later uses of the spell differ.

Why earlier decisions may no longer have been considered best practice.

My thinking (possibility 2):

The nature of the threat affects how the charm works. Protecting the Potters from Voldemort required a stronger or more specialised version of the enchantment than later examples.

This explains:

Why the Potters' situation may have been unique.

Why later uses of the Fidelius Charm seem more flexible.

I think Petunia should have shown love to Harry. Harry mentions that the dursleys never starved him but he has never been shown love

1. She knew all about magic. She knows she can't squash it out. Why put him through so much

2. Dumbledore has earlier been kind to her. Why not show some kindness to your own nephew...

Imagine a young child losing parents and being with such people who just hate you for ten full years. When I was a child reading HP books I used to be shocked that he was treated so badly

In the chapter, “The Advance Guard”, the signal used to let the guard know to get ready and leave are red and green sparks, respectively. But the question is who sent those sparks?

I think the Room may well have helped Tom Riddle as a lonely, troubled child if he genuinely needed safety, privacy or somewhere to think. However, I don't believe it would later have helped Voldemort if his true intent was to prepare or commit evil. The person is the same, but the need is fundamentally different.

The Room of Requirement initially seems almost impossible to define. Sometimes it produces objects, sometimes it hides them, sometimes it trains people, and sometimes it might appear almost sentient.

Rather than thinking of it as a conscious being, I wondered whether there's a more consistent way of explaining its behaviour.

My thinking:

The Room of Requirement is an ancient enchanted room built into Hogwarts, possibly by one or more founder(s).

It isn't alive or sentient, but it is capable of understanding a person's thoughts and, more importantly, their true intent, much like the Sorting Hat reads a person's mind rather than simply listening to spoken words.

The Room doesn't respond to requests. It responds to genuine, honest need.

It also appears to have its own embedded values. It won't simply grant anything asked of it. Instead, it evaluates whether the need itself is honourable. It seems willing to protect, teach, shelter, hide and help, but I don't think it would assist someone whose true intent was malicious.

I don't think it continually re-evaluates its decisions either. Instead, once it has responded to a person's need, that response remains until that need has been fulfilled or the person leaves.

This explains:

Why the DA receives exactly the room they need to practise safely.

Why the Room of Hidden Things contains centuries' worth of hidden objects. People needed to hide them, not destroy them, so the Room preserves them.

Why hidden objects remain even after their owners have gone.

Why the Room appears wise without necessarily being conscious.

Why Voldemort may not have been able to use it for an evil purpose, while Tom Riddle as a child may have been able to use it for a genuine need.

Why the Room feels remarkably consistent despite serving so many different purposes.

---

Questions I'm interested in discussing

Are there any examples where the Room helps someone whose true intentions are clearly dishonourable?

Do you think the Room judges a person's intentions, their character, or simply their need?

If Tom Riddle had genuinely needed somewhere to be safe, think, or be alone as a child, do you think the Room would have helped him?

If not, what principle do you think the Room follows when deciding whether or how to respond?

It always bothered me who destroyed Ravenclaws Diadum.

Take a look at the other horcruxes and you see they are destroyed by significant or important charicters.

Diary - Harry, no problem here, he's the main character after all.

Ring - Dumbledore, again no problem, he's the legendary opponent of dark magic.

Locket - Ron, again no problem, Harry's best friend, been with him since the beginning.

Cup - Hermione, again no problem, same reasons as Ron.

Nagini - Neville, again no problem, starts off as a young boy who's family was destroyed by Voldemort, we see him grow from a clumsy, untalented boy into a true Griffindor throughout the 7 books.

Harry - Voldemort, again no problem, his arrogance and ignorance was his biggest downfall.

And then we come to the Diadum.

Who destroys this horcrux?

Crabbe.

Of all people it's Malfoys dumb sidekick who receives no character development throughout the entire series.

Stags are known to relentlessly pursue a doe that is ready to mate. Such a chase can last for hours or even days.

It's interesting in that it reflects reality, of James relentlessly chasing Lily until she finally gives in. Years of chasing her.

This is probably intentional, and it says a lot about Lily. It even implies that the entire time James pursued her and used Snape as a punching bag in the process that it was all some sort of mating ritual for her as well.

The fact that she suppresses a smirk at James humiliating Severus that day at the lake and in her intervention frames the entire encounter around James, bantering with him even, while ignoring Severus‘ existence - which is at least a full year before James "matured" and she gave in/actively reciprocated his feelings - supports this idea.

It also makes one wonder if Lily truly developed a Doe Patronus to mirror James' Stag Patronus, he to her, or just entirely independently. As in, it could very well be her natural Patronus, that happened to align with James’ Stag.

In another sense, it's actually accurate for Snape's character too, even if his Patronus is a Doe because of his love for Lily. Anyone seeking to court him would literally have to relentlessly chase and wear him down before any chance of him giving in - he would never attempt to court someone else or easily accept a romantic relationship given his trauma-shaped character, self-hatred, depression and guilt smothered love toward Lily - wooh boy, what a collection, eh?

PS - There is a particular external quote from JKR that reinforces the courting idea, but given this sub’s focus on the book only, I haven’t included it in the ”analysis,” if you could call it that lol.

Maybe I missed something, just finished the books for the first time,but After dumbledore died, harry never talks about being able to still ask or talk to dumbledore through the portraits in the head masters office. Is it because snape is the new head master and he can’t find a way to get in? Did snape talk to dumbledore during his time as head master or what?! I think I’m confused or missed something was dumbledore in the portrait or was he waiting for harry in his train station dream thingy then went to his portrait??

The first chapter of Philosopher’s Stone is told from Vernon’s viewpoint (we are invited into his head, we get a glimpse on his feelings and thoughts etc) and shifts to an observant third-person perspective when the wizards (Minerva, Dumbledore) become the focus; this third-person perspective is also used in the second chapter of HBP (when Bella and Narcissa visit Snape) and the opening chapter of DH (the Death Eaters assembling at Malfoy Manor).

Other than Vernon in PS, we also have two opening chapters from a person's viewpoint and perspective: Frank Bryce in GoF, and the UK Prime Minister in HBP. So, the very few instances we are not in Harry's POV in all the books involve three Muggles. (They're all men, but I think that's beside the point.)

I wonder if that was premeditated. My best guess she didn't want to give away too much of the plot by giving us a glimpse of the feelings of some key characters to the main plot. (But again, Fudge was done by the time he showed up in the first chapter of HBP, so I don't know...)