CoS was almost HBP: What does that mean?

[meltowne]

No: HPFGUIDX 137300

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "lupinlore" <bob.oliver at c...> 
wrote:
> In our discussions about HBP, I don't think I've seen a discussion 
> of one salient fact that came up in JKR's interviews, that she 
> almost named the second book HBP.  Furthermore, she said that no 
> trace of the HBP storyline remained in CoS, as she thought the 
story 
> more appropriate for sixth year as opposed to second.
> 
> Now, this raises all sorts of interesting questions.  Her statement 
> implies that she originally intended for some of the events in HBP 
> to happen in the second book.  Which ones?  And what does that mean 
> for the importance of the events of HBP?  Does that make them more 
> important, or less important?  And does that cast any light at all 
> on the infamous question of Severus Snape?

I suspect that the Half-blood prince in that book may have been Tom 
Riddle, not Snape.  If it it was to be introduced through a second-
hand book, I doubt it would have been Harry's book - why would he 
have had a second-hand book?  Remember he does end up buying his own 
new book, and borrows the HBP book until the new one arrives.

As for events that could have happened in book 2 - maybe Harry 
attacked Draco in her original draft, assuming he was the Heir of 
Slytherin.  That would give him detention with Snape, and given him 
the chance to see all the things his father got into trouble for - 
but we weren't intoduced yet to the marauders, so they might have had 
to come out early too.

I doubt she would have used 2 special books - instead the diary 
wouldn't have existed, or maybe it would have had Half Blood Price in 
the cover, instead of Tom Riddle's name. Then Tom would have 
progressed from Prince to Lord.