Of This and Other Worlds

For anyone who hasn't already seen it, junediamanti has written a brilliant essay on the location of Spinner's End. Not only does it come with pictures (one of which, supplied by julian_black in comments, is positively delicious -- Fred?!) but the comments are hysterical, especially this exchange between junediamanti and tapedeck. (And for those few left scratching their heads and wondering what the joke is about, here's the sketch they're referring to.)

Or, in other words, the refined version of the theories I've been expounding on for the past week or so, in one handy linkable place (for those of you who've been asking if they could link). Thanks to everyone who contributed suggestions, objections, and questions for me to answer -- the idea has been much improved and refined in the process.

( The [Hor]crux of the Matter: An Essay With Many Spoilers )

( Warning: MASSIVE, DETAILED SPOILERS ahead )

I'll add more comments as I think of them.

So I guess this latest answer on JKR's official FAQ to the question of how the Order members communicate (and can anybody explain to me how on earth we would have figured that out from reading GoF, the way Jo thinks we all should have???) would strongly suggest that Snape does, in fact, have a Patronus. (Ironic, since cesario suggested last night that it was highly possible he couldn't cast one due to a lack of happy memories, and at the time I was inclined to agree with her. I wonder what Snape's happy memory is?)

In the past, JKR has said that she can't tell us what Snape's Boggart or his Patronus are because it would "give too much away". Well, I think I know what his Boggart is -- ( probable HBP spoiler ). But his Patronus? Something "unique and distinctive" to him, so that nobody could possibly mistake it for anyone else's Patronus? I'm stumped.

Oh, also, I thought of another thing today while doing the dishes. What is it about domestic chores that causes me to think of wacky new HP theories? But anyway: ( another highly possible spoiler for either HBP or Book Seven, your mileage may vary )

I have read the back jacket copy from the US edition that was posted yesterday, but deliberately avoided reading the first chapter excerpts floating around my f-list, because I know that if I start reading any part of the book I won't be able to resist the temptation to open it as soon as I get it and then I'll be up for the rest of the night finishing the thing off, which is just not feasible when you have two preschoolers. I shall start it as soon as I wake up on Saturday morning, which will probably be early, because my brain is doing the giddy kid-at-Christmas thing already...

Oh, man, I thought the Conan Doyle HBP parody I linked to last night was brilliant, but the William Carlos Williams had me in fits. "Beardy"? Hee!

You can find the current list of Guardian HP pastiches here. Apparently they're updating all week.

I'm trying to cut back on the time I spend online, and will probably do some more pruning of forums, communities, feeds and journals from my reading list in the near future. No ill-will is involved toward anyone involved in said forums, communities, feeds and journals; no personal judgment is intended and, I hope, no offense given. See my userinfo for more details.

* * *

I must be more excited about HBP than I thought (ah, who am I kidding -- I've already cancelled my online order and am planning to drive across town at midnight to buy the thing from a local bookseller just so I can be sure of having it RIGHT AWAY) because I spent all last night dreaming about it, one dream after another.

In the first dream, I had a copy of the book on the release date and was wandering around the grounds of Hogwarts and in and out among crowds of students and professors reading it. But for some reason the idea of brushing past a real-life Harry, Ron, Hermione and occasionally Snape was of much less interest to me than reading the actual book. Among other things, I was boggling over the fact that some of the text was highlighted in fluorescent orange and lime green, plus there was a little box on one of the pages that played a mini-movie when pressed.

Unfortunately, there was very little Snape in the dream HBP, but what there was, I enjoyed so much I made squeeing noises anyway. No big revelations I recall, just a lot of Snape being Snape in a manner I found both amusing and strangely endearing. And then, of course, Real Snape turned up and made some vitriolic comments about my lack of attentiveness, but that only succeeded in making me grin fondly at him. I guess I missed him more than I thought, or else I have been watching House episodes and reading transcripts to the extent that I have conflated the two characters, which is probably more likely. (I made my husband watch "Three Stories" and "Honeymoon" this weekend. House is H.'s new hero and soulmate, and his only regret is that he can't come up with snappy comebacks like that himself.)

There were two more HBP dreams, but I'll spare you the details, since I'm sure they bear no resemblance whatsoever to the reality of a) how and when I will get the book or b) what's in the book. I don't even feel like making predictions at the moment, except to reiterate my long-standing assertion (I've been convinced of this since GoF) that Dumbledore will die in Book Six, leaving Harry feeling more helpless and vulnerable than ever as he faces the final confrontation with Voldemort.

And now, off to make breakfast...

We know a few new things: ( Spoilers and Speculations )

I was kind of meh before this, but now I'm pumped. Especially now I've seen that UK adult cover. Whee!