Harry's writing arm and artwork for the books.

[redeyedwings]

No: HPFGUIDX 138128

Laura wrote:

> > My theory is that it is artistic license.  The thought
> is that a withered and blackened hand would be ugly and
> unappealing on the cover, so they conveniently ignore it.
> The right hand vs. left hand thing is due to the artist's
> conception of balance and appeal. IMO. 
> 
> Who would have thought, though, that the clasped hands on
> the British children's edition cover would be Snape and
> Narcissa?  Why does Snape's (?) hand look so much older?
> At least Harry's wand is in his right hand.  Dumbledore's
> though is in his left hand, with his right hand not visible.

Don't think anyone has raised this possibility that - with the 
incredible amount of secrecy and worries over plot leaks and early 
copies getting out and everything, perhaps JKR and her publishers 
gave the artsists' a very stilted version of what they wanted, 
eg, "Dumbledore and Harry surrounded by a ring of fire with wands 
drawn" or "two hands clasped with a fiery bond linking them" - in the 
hopes that no more leaks would spring from the artists' telling their 
friends, 'Hey, they asked me to draw DD's hand all withered and 
black ... I bet he bites it in the new one...'

So we end up with superficially accurate, but ultimately flawed, 
cover artwork, but JKR keeps her plot to herself until the book 
drops ... Just a suggestion.

Redeyedwings