spoiler or set-up? (was: how many pages?)

[Petra Pan]

Alex Hogan wrote:
> I try very hard not to look at the illustrations, but
> unfortunatly my eye jumps up to it at times. I don't know why
> they had to do that, it tends to give away the main plot point
> of every chapter.
 
Julie:
> Fortunately I am usually so engrossed in the storyline I forget
> to look at the small illustrations above each chapter heading!
> When I remember I go back three or four chapters to see what I
> missed.
 
Petra:
I'm worse.  I'm finally doing my close re-reading and taking 
notes and because of that, finally paying attention to those
illustrations.  Practically brand new, they were to me.  I actually
find the chapter titles of most books more likely to spoil than the
illustrations.  Probably because I can't help but read the titles.  
For example, ch. 30 in DH is a spoiler to me.
 
I so prefer titles and illustrations that only make sense on
re-reading.  Not an easy task - practically calls for a snappy pun for
every chapter in order to lead readers to think one thing and then
during that chapter, turn our initial assumptions upside down. 
Instead of spoiling, such an approach sets readers up for the payoff
in the chapter.  So, you can probably guess that I don't get my
preference often enough.  <eg>
 
Did y'all notice that the symbol on the spine of the British edition
cover of DH is the same symbol used as the puzzle for the last WOMBAT?
I really like that - it's not a spoiler because until I read page 409
(US HB), I won't know what the illustration on page 405, on that book
spine, and behind the Secret Door at JKR's site, may or may not signify.
 
It was fun, upon reading page 409, to recognize that JKR had indeed
introduced the careful fan way back before even page 1 of DH to an
important sign.  A bit of an Eureka moment, a confirm solution to a
puzzle.
 
Julie:
> my favorite in DH was the one of Harry sitting on a rock staring
> so pensively into space (don't have the book with me, and I don't
> recall which chapter this illustration headed). I really felt for
> the poor boy...
 
Petra:
Now, you know if you ask, someone's gonna look it up.  <g>  It's ch.
25, page 502 (US HB).  Blow it up and it'd be nice as a coloring page.
Can't you just picture such coloring pages at the eateries for the HP
theme park?
 
Petra
a
n  :)