Page 519 - Missing Paragraph

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 86625

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "marephraim" <htfulcher at c...> wrote:
> An article on the EDP24 website 

> 

http://www.edp24.co.uk/Content/Community/Thetford/Story.asp?Brand=EDPONLINE&Category=COMMUNITY&ItemId=NOED05+Dec+2003+11:28:05:760
 

Alternate URL: http://tinyurl.com/y30c

> notes that a dyslexic fan of Harry Potter was reading OoP while 
> Listening along to the UK audo book and noted three phrases have 
> been changed, a sentence was missing and "one whole paragraph on 
> page 519 had been completely cut from the tape." The article 
> confirms that these changes and omissions were made at JKR's 
> request. 
> 
> My question: Does anyone know which paragraph was omitted? What 
> about the other altered or deleted material? It strikes me that this 
> could possibly alter our assessments of clues, etc., for the final 
> two books.
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> MarEphraim

My first impression was that the author of the article just assumed
that the changes were authorized by JKR, but the article indicates
that both JKR's agent and the publishing company, Bloomsbury,
acknowledge these changes at JKR's request. 

I read pg 519 in my UK hard cover edition (anybody have the UK
paperback edition?), and it takes place the next morning after Harry
has the dream of Voldemort talking to Rookwood about the correct way
to get the Prophecy for the Dept of Mysteries. 

The next morning, they are standing around in the courtyard discussing
Harry's dream; here is a summary of that page (too long to quote, but
this should help you find the appropriate page in other editions)-

Previous page -
"Sturgis!" gasped Hermione, looking thunderstruck. (Note: she has made
the connection between Sturgis arrest and his attempt to enter a
restricted area of the Ministry)

Top of the page-
"Sorry?" said Ron, looking bewildered.

Paragraph-
Hermione discusses her belief that Sturgis Podmore was bewitched by
Lucius Malfoy, and forced to try and steal the prophecy.

next-
Hermione gazes a Harry

next-
Harry says that Rookwood must have told Voldemort how to get the weapon.

Paragraph-
Harry says he didn't hear the whole conversation but knows that
Roodwood used to work in the Dept of Mysteries.

Paragraph- 
Hermione, deep in thought, points out that Harry shouldn't have seen
anything at all.

Next-
Harry is take aback.

Paragraph-
Hermione reminds Harry he is supposed to be learning to close his mind.

Harry-
"I know I am." ... "But..."

Paragraph-
Hermione tells Harry to forget what he saw.

Paragraph Narrative-
Harry is angry at Hermione and doesn't talk to her for the rest of the
day, which proves to be another bad one. People are constantly
discussing the escaped Death Eaters, and Gryffindors abysmal
performance at Quidditch against Hufflepuff, compounded by constantly
singing "Weasley is our King". By the end of the day, Filch has banned
the song.

Last paragraph narrative-
The week did not improve. Harry received two more 'D's in potion, he
was worried that Hagrid might get sacked, and couldn't stop dwelling
on his dream. 

The paragraph continues on to the next page. Harry doesn't bring up
the dream because he doesn't want another telling off from Hermione.
He wishes he could talk to Sirius about it, and tries to push the
matter to the back of his mind.

-- end summary --


I certainly don't see anything there that could be an error or in need
of any kind of correction. I doesn't appear to give away an secrets or
clues we shouldn't have at this point in time. And I can certainly see
other areas of the book the could have used a rewrite more that this
particular section.

The publisher confirms that the changes to the audio tapes will
eventually make it into the latest Bloombury printed editions of the
books. No indication whether the changes will make it into other
English language editions of the book.

Being the paranoid overly obssessed fans that we are, we must
speculate whether JKR gave away a clue that she hadn't intended to
give away, and must now read all kinds of deep hidden meaning into
ever paragraph of that page. Let the obssessing begin.

Just a thought.

bboy_mn