Harry Potter Book Discussion *SPOILER ALERT*

[Clevernick]

I appreciate that Germans are sensitive, Laila, and so are Jews like me.

But I think it's important when you're writing a story about a tyrannical racist regime (and she's been working up to that since book one) to include "registrations" and genaeologies and dispossessions and all the other weapons of such a regime.

I don't think Nazi Germany was the first to invent such tactics, nor will they be the last. So it's important that we remember the tactics, and recognize them for what they are, and are repelled by them wherever we see them.

Being reminded of the latest and best-publicized users of those tactics is an unfortunate side effect, but I don't think it's a slam against Germany in particular. It's just a stark reminder that these ideas are out there, and if we're not in "Constant Vigilance", some politician can slip them by us again.

[MajesticFae]

I only recalled Nazi Germany because I'm fascinated with that era.

On a happier note. I've started over at the beginning, re-reading the entire Harry Potter series. Finished Philosopher's Stone and moving on to Chamber of Secrets today. I believe the Dursley's are even more horrible that I remembered them being.

I really wonder what happened to the Dursley's after Harry left Privet Dr. I know they were going with Diggle and *insert other Witch's Name I can't remember* somewhere... but I wonder what happened when they were with those two.

[^firefly^]

I like it that she (Rowling) left me with a couple of "I wonder..."s at the end of the last book. I was really pleased to see the transition in Dudley, though--that was a nice touch.

I try to do the same thing anytime a new book comes out in a series that I like. I re-read the entire series prior to buying the newest book. Sometimes it just isn't possible (too many books to go back and re-read) but I always enjoyed doing it for all the Harry Potter books. It's one of the things that makes the series so good, in my opinion--that I can go back and re-read it over and over and not get bored. I find little things I "missed" all the time.

[MajesticFae]

More Juicy Details!!! Rowling gave a bit more than what the Epilogue did... Hoorah!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19959323/

[Clevernick]

Hurrah indeed!

Well that kinda takes the wind out of my sails, though I think it's fascinating that my version was about to say basically the same things she just said! Maybe it was all obvious after all. I haven't written the new "jam-packed" epilogue, but my timeline echoes a lot of what she says in this article, Fae.

My timeline was something like this:

Shortly afterward: (June 1998)

They all have a big party around the fire and sing the yub nub song. Snape's and Dumbledore's ghosts clap along, smiling palely. Dumbledore threatens Snape with a ghostly bottle of shampoo.

All the bodies are buried. There is much wailing.

Hermione brings her parents back from Australia and disenchants them.
Hermione then arranges to be able to take her final exams late in the summer so she can actually graduate from Hogwarts.
While she's at it, she gets permission for Harry and Ron to try to do the same. She promises to tutor them both herself through summer school if necessary.
Molly Weasley helps George get his Wizarding Wheezes shop set up, and works hard to help out.

McGonagall as new headmistress directs the reconstruction of Hogwarts, and the new protective spells.

Among all the funerals, Kingsley takes charge and rounds up the Death Eaters, everyone with a tattoo on the arm has wand confiscated and goes to Azkhaban for now.
Kingsley consults with the surviving Order members to determine who else was seen helping on the Death Eater's side.

Ministry of Magic people who seemed a bit enthusiastic about their Death Eater roles are put in Azkhaban as well for treason. This includes Dolores Umbridge and anyone else who was caught seriously helping out the Death Eaters. Anyone who claims they were under Imperius curse or threatened is Veritaserumed. When the Veritaserum runs out, the Sorting Hat is pressed into use to help decide who is telling the truth.

Kingsley sends a delegation to talk to the Dementors, asking if they'd be willing to guard Azkhaban once more, but they aren't interested any more. They prefer feeding off depressed and anxious Muggles. Besides, nobody stops them from visiting Azkhaban when they want to anyway. THey're too powerful to bargain with at the moment.
For now, Ministry of Magic employees who Kingsley deems loyal are put in charge of guarding the prisoners, temporarily, while an alternate strategy is determined.

Hagrid talks the Giants into going back into the mountains.
Hagrid guilts the Centaurs and Giant Spiders into helping guard Azkhaban. Understanding how they nearly lost their freedom and their lives to these evil people, they each send a proud and enthusiastic delegation over to keep the Death Eaters in check.

With a lot of help from Hermione, Ron and Harry are allowed an extra 2 months summer school to study (until August) and actually pass their final exams, which qualifies them to work pretty much anywhere, except maybe as Aurors. Of course, it's unlikely any of them would be rejected from that job either, with their evident experience.


August 1998:
Career paths are chosen, though these may change.

Ron goes to help with George's shop, and he proves so able at it that Molly is able to go back to the Burrows. Ron convinces George to add a sports section to the shop, including Chess and Quiddich paraphernalia and, since George insists, cheating aids for both games.

Harry and Hermione get together and talk about how future Voldemorts can be prevented. They brainstorm for a while together and Hermione does some spells research. Then the two of them petition for a meeting with Kingsley and present these suggestions:

* Trace on the Unforgivable Curses. Trace (as in underage magic) would have a letter sent to anyone uttering such a curse without notifying the ministry in advance, requiring them to stand trial immediately. Instead of expulsion from Hogwarts, the penalty would likely be a prison term.
* Taboo on "Dark Lord", "mudblood", "blood traitor" similar to what was done on "Voldemort" before. Secret, of course. Anyone who says any of these is automatically registered as a racist and likely suspect in the case of any further race-hate crimes. The more often they say them, the more they're suspected. No prosecution or persecution at the time, but an eye is kept on them.

* The Battle of Hogwarts Memorial Tolerance Museum is erected in Diagon Alley, with displays showing how muggle-hating, pureblood mania, denial of reality, bureaucratic indifference, and professional jealousy all played their parts in the rise of the Death Eaters. Voldemort is always referred to as simply "Tom Riddle", and is downplayed in the exhibits, since no single person can take on the wizarding world alone. Those who helped him -- the Death Eaters, the Ministry, Umbridge, Fudge and Scrimgeour, the apathetic and the disbelieving, are all accorded large displays. All new Ministry of Magic employees are required to take a guided tour through the museum and pass a Probity Test (as in at Gringott's) before accepting employment.

Kingsley loves the ideas. In addition, he offers both Harry and Hermione jobs in Magical Law Enforcement and charges them with the implementation of these ideas. Hermione accepts, enters the training, and within 2 years is in charge of the Department. Harry declines because he's needed as full-time Defence against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts.

With Harry's money, a memorial to Padfoot, Moony, Wormtail and Prongs is erected (complete with the story of Wormtail's betrayal) in Hogsmeade, near the entrance to the pub.

September 1998:

Harry works hard as young DADA teacher. Since he's taught the subject before at Hogwarts he is pretty confident that the curse is broken,and indeed he develops an excellent curriculum over the next five years, and teaches not only his signature spell, but defenses against the Unforgiveables that he develops with Ginny. He also learns and teaches silent spellcasting, since, as Snape taught him, it's far too easy in a duel to counter a spell when it's spoken aloud.

Kreacher moves into Hogwarts and assists Harry in his classes, particularly with apportation and escaping.

Hermione captures and jails several escaped Death Eaters using her Trace, and develops a registry based on the Taboo. She hires new Aurors, including Ginny. to
replace the killed and turned ones.

Neville accepts job as Herbology assistant at Hogwarts.

Olympe visits Hagrid frequently, and has her residence added to the british Floo network so Hagrid can join her quickly at any time in France, and return instantly to Hogwarts.

Draco Malfoy becomes a professional Quiddich seeker and wins renown for England. He keeps his opinions on pure blood to himself, since they're very politically incorrect now.



August 2003:
----------
Umbridge leads a dramatic escape from Azkhaban, taking several ex-Death-Eaters and ministry stooges with her. Two centaurs and several spiders are killed in the escape.

The Daily Prophet blames Kingsley for the escape, and demands he resign and that Harry Potter take the Minister position. Kingsley is too wise for that, but offers Harry the Head of the Auror department. This time, Harry accepts, since he is confident that his curriculum will be carried on, with Kreacher assisting whatever professor is appointed. The press pressure abates and Hermione swings into action.

September 2003:

Hermione, now Head of Magical Law Enforcement, modifies and extends her Trace and Taboos and with Ginny and the Aurors, successfully tracks down the escaped Death Eaters. She brings a small army of Centaurs to recapture them, but cannot save Dolores Umbridge, who the Centaurs now claim as their own under their ancient code. They pronounce her guilty of Centaur-murder, take her away and she's never seen again. Her portrait in the Headmaster's office appears, but only as a pink kitten.

With the population of Britain becoming more cheery by the year, Harry convinces the now dwindling population of Dementors that it's in their own best interests to become guards at Azkhaban once more. The Dementors agree and replace the Centaurs, who were tiring of the job. The Spiders remain, having nothing against working with Dementors. Further escapes become unlikely.

Ron and George's shop has become a favorite for Hogwarts students, and opens up a second branch in the village of Hogsmeade, in a corner of Aberforth's pub. Aberforth runs the shop with the help of Luna Lovegood, and they're both well paid. Ron and George are becoming quite rich, which is good since Hermione doesn't earn much as an honest civil servant. Ron is also starting to gain more of a sense of humour.



George marries Fleur's younger sister Gabrielle, who has just graduated Beauxbatons. " 'e makes me laugh", she says.

Professor Sprout retires and Neville becomes Herbology professor. (Why doesn't he marry Luna? Dunno, but JKR says no)

Harry marries Ginny and Ron marries Hermione. James is born in 2004, Rose in 2005.


in 2017 when the final epilogue takes place, Harry has been promoted Minister for Magic. Hermione remains Head of Magical Law Enforcement.

Harry has reorganized the Ministry to keep a little human compassion in it. He deepens and warms the relationship with the Muggle Prime Minister, and appoints Arthur Weasley as liason. He reaches out to the Goblins, the Veelas, the Werewolves, the giants, and the House-Elves, and obtains either embassies or representatives in the Ministry for each group. He begins a 15-year campaign for additions to the International Agreement for Secrecy that incorporate agreements with the other magical sentient races. These overtures are rebuffed in France and Eastern Europe, for now, but he is patient.

[MajesticFae]

Fabulous, Nick.

[Clevernick]

...if there was any doubt, JKR has just confirmed these details:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/book...ef=mpstoryview

[GinSoakedGirl]

George marries Fleur's younger sister Gabrielle, who has just graduated Beauxbatons. " 'e makes me laugh", she says.

But since Georges brother is married to Gabrielle's sister this would perhaps make for an interesting relationship

But otherwise Genius!

[tired.of.vanilla{DJ}]

Totally my fav book of the series though. Who knew Harry was such a sub? *I mean come on, kissing the snitch and admitting he is off to die. How sexy was that! I can't wait for that scene in the movie...I am going to soak my pants! NOW that is a true sub.

[Ozme52]

Rowling kept her word too. Killed off several major characters but did a good job making us believe it would be one of the original kid characters.

Killed Snape, a pretty major character.
Killed Voldemort, the number one antagonist.

Killed Harry too for that matter... think about it.

[GinSoakedGirl]

Have often thought Snape would have made a good Dom

*fantasises*

[Ozme52]

LOL.

Here. I found this amusing... and obvious.

Just Another Year at Hogwarts

[tired.of.vanilla{DJ}]

Cute OZ