I just finished last night. So many theories now, eh? I've enjoyed reading all of them, especially your's, Number_6!
This is some of what I figure based on the book and on what I've read here:
- Dumbledore is dead. The theories about him still being alive are extremely interesting and well thought out and make for some great discussion, but she said before the book came out that someone would be gone for good in this one (which leads me to believe that other "deaths" *cough*Sirius*cough* weren't "for good"). I think his portrait showing up that night in the headmistress' office solidified his death. Though, it would be wonderful to have him back...I loved reading his comments, especially in this book. Has anyone noticed how he and JKR seem to be so much alike?
- R.A.B. is Regulus Black. I figured that out at the second mention of the initials. It fits too perfectly not to be him. The kids figured that it had to be someone who knew Voldemort, and we all know Regulus was a Death Eater, but then realized how the Dark Lord was going about things and chickened out. And with someone (forget who) pointing out here that in book 5, Harry finds a locket that won't open in the Blacks' house, it all makes complete sense.
- Snape is not evil...not completely, anyway. I'm leaning toward Dumbledore telling Snape to kill him, or something to that effect. As for it all being part of a plan, I'd like to believe so. But JKR sort of made it seem in her interview that there really wasn't a plan (just how I took it)...but she could be putting up a front, as she does so well. I don't want to believe that Dumbledore would beg Snape for his life...begging him to do what Dumbledore asked him to do seems much more likely, imo. But I don't think he's fully good or fully evil...I believe it was Sirius who said in book 5 that no one is completely good or completely evil (although he saw nothing good in Snape or Kreacher). He could easily go one way or the other, but I tend to think he'll end up helping Harry in some way in the end.
- Harry being a Horcrux....friggin genius whoever mentioned that first on here...I NEVER would've thought about that! It fits, though, it really does. Not sure I want it to, though...cause seems like that would mean Harry would HAVE to die in order to kill Voldy. But, yeah, that's a very huge possibility! Nice thinking to all those who thought of that!
- Inferi...did anybody else pick up on that in Chapter 4 and immediately think of Sirius? omg, if he comes back as an Inferi, I think I'll have to wring JKR's neck!
- Tonks/Lupin - the only thing that really shocked me at the end! I never ever saw that coming! But what a cute couple they make! I'm so very happy with that pairing!
- Harry/Ginny - I think most of us kind of saw that coming...but do you think they'll end up back together in book 7? I certainly hope so.
- Neville/Luna - anyone else think they'll end up together?
I found this book to be much more enjoyable than the last two (even though there was no Sirius, except for small mentions of him
that certainly made it less enjoyable for me) But I also found the ending to be predictable. I knew after reading the chapter titles that Dumbledore would die, I knew after Chapter 2 that Snape would be the one to kill him, and I knew after the Sectumsempra chapter that Snape was the Half-Blood Prince (even though I thought he would be that because he'd be half vampire....which JKR pretty much shot down in that interview). The last chapter was certainly sad, but Dumbledore's death was no where near as devistating as Sirius's, for me. I guess because I saw it coming (as did Dumbledore) and because Dumbledore was so old and it was bound to happen sooner or later (...er...hopefully that doesn't sound too harsh and that you all know what I mean). I hate that he had to die, but I knew it had to happen because, like JKR said, in this genre the heros have to face the badie alone (or with a little help - i.e. Star Wars = Vader, HP = Snape?...maybe even Pettigrew (after all, Peter owes Harry his life) though I don't think we'll be hearing "Harry...I am your father" from either one of them at then end....then again...)
Someone mentioned earlier here that this one didn't feel like an HP book, and I have to agree. Although, I felt that way about 4 and 5 also (moreso about 5 than 4). I think it's because we're getting near the end and the sense of adventure is slowly going away...it's not all fun and games anymore. We're getting down to the final showdown. This isn't the same innnocent Harry we saw in the first couple of books; he, as well as the readers, are realizing the magnitude of the situation - he know's Voldy's back, he knows people are dieing, and he knows it's not going to stop until he does something about it. That's a lot of weight on a 16/17 year old, and I think the books reflect that.
Overall I enjoyed it, although it's no where near my favorite...that honor still goes to Prisoner of Azkaban, for several reasons: as someone said earlier, it has one of the greatest plot twists and lots of adventure; it's funnest of the series to read, imo; it was kind of dark and mysterious while still being light-hearted; it probably has the happiest/most hope-filled ending out of all of them (except for Pettigrew getting away); it was our introduction to Sirius *blush*
But yeah, I enjoyed 6, and I'd say it's probably my fourth favorite.
