Some thoughts after HBP

[kchuplis]

No: HPFGUIDX 144911

After a second read of HBP I had a few thoughts, or just "wonderings":

How important is the sectumsempra curse in regards to book 7? It, of course, served 
the purpose of alerting Snape to Harry's possession of the HBP's book, but it seems to 
play more of a role than that. It is certainly the most evil spell Harry has ever used. 
But I just wonder if it will somehow be important in the denouement at all.

Harry's "noble hero" distancing of himself from Ginny seems little better than a 
bandaid to me. Just because one is not "with" said S.O. doesn't make them less cared 
for. One would know by now that the use of any Weasley as hostage (besides Percy 
probably) would be a good way to hold Harry over a barrel. I still continue to wonder 
what role this plays in Book 7. It just seems more that a "B" plotline to me.

How the heck is Harry supposed to be knowledgeable enough to continue on his own? 
It's fine and dandy to say he must continue without DD because the hero must be 
alone, BUT there is no way Harry would have known what to do (even with good luck 
and friends) in retrieving the horcux-that-wasn't and from DD's injury after retrieving 
the ring, we can assume all the horcruxes are going to be pretty significantly 
guarded. There is something missing here. I'm sure we'll find out what, but I just can't 
see Harry or even the trio being successful without older knowledge of magic. Heck, 
all Frodo had to do was get to the big obvious mountain. Harry seems to have a much 
more complicated task.

I still think it is DDM!Snape.  Let's face it, LV might be annoyed someone else killed 
Harry, but it would not be the end of that person. Snape could have easily done Harry 
in. Also, I thought it was signicant when Snape tells Harry (HBP pg. 603) "Blocked 
again and again until you learn to keep your mouth shut and your mind closed, 
Potter!" One last attempt to get the message to Harry that he HAS to master 
occlumency if he has any hope of defeating LV. (It has bothered me since the 
occlumency lessons that Harry hasn't worked harder at that.)

kchuplis