Book 7 timeline

[slgazit]

No: HPFGUIDX 133571

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "joj" <joj at r...> wrote:
> I thought it was interesting that book 6 didn't end as the previous
5 had, Harry getting picked up by the Dursleys at the train station.

It would not have contributed anything to the plot at that point - the
only reason we always see the return trip is to add a small new twist
(e.g. Pigwidgon, Percy's romance,OoP confrontation with the
Dursleys,...) - there isn't anything to add here, methink.

> Will book 7 start there?  What will Harry be doing to prepare while
he's at Privit Drive ? (I can't believe he didn't question Petunia
about her knowlede of the wizarding world!)

I have no doubt that book 7 will spend some time at the Dursleys
(though perhaps not right in the first chapter). We need to see the
conclusion of that relationship and also the expected crisis to come
when Harry's protection there ends as he turns 17. I would not be
surprised if he is even attacked there on his birthday.

> How much time will pass in book 7?  If Harry doesn't attend school,
and I don't believe he will, (hopefully he'll go there but not attend
regular school) does the book have to follow the same timeline?

I believe that Harry will attend Hogwarts. All the hints in the books
suggest the final confrontation with Voldemort must happen there.
Somehow I would not be surprised if we even find a Voldemort in
disguise teaching the DADA class. He obviously wanted strongly to
teach it, and I doubt he had the noble goal of improving the students
state of knowledge in mind. There is something he wants or needs very
strongly that can only be done at Hogwarts - Chamber of Secrets,
artifacts in DD's office, Room of Requirement, something... not to
mention free access to Harry. I think Voldemort will try to study
Harry much more closely than he has in the past to figure out how to
defeat him (much like Harry and DD did in HBP).

> Does it have to end in the spring?  Harry sure has alot to do in
that time.  Look how long it's taken to destroy 2 horcruxes.  Harry
has to destroy 4 and then kill Voldemort.

That part confused me - Voldemort's body is also a Horcrux. It was
destroyed in the original attack on Harry. Would not that leave him
one Horcrux short to begin with?

Salit