[HPforGrownups] HBP Deluxe Cover (Spoiler?)

[heather the buzzard]

No: HPFGUIDX 130387

Chancie wrote:

>Hi, I'm not sure if the group has discussed this or not, because I
>was on Vacation when the pictures were released.  But I was on 
>TLC just looking around, and came across a picture of the HBP 
>Deluxe cover. The web address is here for anyone who would like to look:
>http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/images/2005/05/hbpdeluxecover.html
>
>
>~*S*~
>~*P*~
>~*O*~
>~*I*~
>~*L*~
>~*E*~
>~*R*~
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>~*~*~*SPACE*~*~*~
>
>The cover shows Harry and Dumbledore walking in a very heavily 
>wooded forest.  It seems clear, to me at least, that it's the
>forbidden forest, and that it points IMO to Aragog being the
>connection to COS.  This picture in addition to Bloomsbury 
>having spider webs on it's site, and the title "Spinner End"
>can all point to Aragog.  Not that I proposing that he's 
>the HBP or anything, just that he's part of the plot.  Perhaps
>he knows who the HBP is?  Do any of you agree, or maybe just
>think that I'm trying too hard to make things add up?  
>Any other thoughts?
>  
>

heather adds:

I'm still not convinced on Aragog.  I mean, he might make an 
appearance.  But I doubt he's a major element to the story.  As for 
being the link to book 2  -- didn't JKR say she took out all references 
to the plot she moved to this book?  There is something she said Harry 
will learn more about that he first discovered in COS... I suppose that 
could have to do with Aragog... but what could Aragog know?  He came to 
Britain as a baby, I don't think he's ever known anything except Hagrid 
and the forbidden forest.

Besides which, the "Spinners End" chapter is #2 -- far too early for 
Harry to be in the forest looking for spiders.  I prefer the idea that 
it's a house, and love the idea that Harry is having his first ever 
birthday party there.

As for what they could be doing in the forbidden forest... besides 
Aragog, there are also centaurs, and thestrals, and Grawp, not to 
mention unicorns.  Any one of those might somehow be useful to the tale.

I'm more intrigued with this cover, by the fact that Dumbledore himself 
is out with Harry.  How often have we actually seen Dumbledore 'out and 
about' doing things?  His actions are mostly behind-the-scenes, or 
reactive, or limited to his office.  We know he does a whole lot, but we 
are not privy to most of it.  He gives Harry some cryptic clues then 
sends him off to do some task... or he has a heartfelt talk with him... 
but actually going out with him to do stuff?  I think the closest we've 
had to that is the MoM, and even then he didn't go *with* him per se, 
but showed up with the Order in order to rescue him.

heather the buzzard