HBP covers - the Potions book....

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 125764


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Hannah" <hannahmarder at y...> 
wrote:
   
Hannah: 
> The interesting thing about the Potions book is that it 
> looks so old and battered.  Now, I can't see Harry having a second 
> hand book, since he's not exactly strapped for cash, so I wondered 
> if this was a bit of a red herring.  Perhaps it isn't *Harry's*  
> book at all, but a young Snape's.  Since the USA ed. shows DD and 
> Harry looking into a pensieve, it's safe to say there will be more 
> glimpses into the mysterious past.  I'm guessing this is where 
> we'll see Sirius again.

Geoff:
Interesting that this immediately sent my mind off on another track 
and I went running to canon.....

'They dropped their voices as they entered the muffled stillness of 
the library.

Madam Pince, the librarian, was a thin, irritable woman who looked 
like an underfed vulture.

"Moste Potente Potions?" she repeated suspiciously, trying to take 
the note from Hermione; but Hermione wouldn't let go.
"I was wondering if I could keep it," she said breathlessly.
"Oh, come on," said Ron, wrenching it from her grasp and thrusting it 
at Madam Pince. "We'll get you another autograph. Lockhart'll sign 
anything if it stands still long enough."

Madam Pince held the note up to the light as though determined to 
detect a forgery but it passed the test. She stalked away between the 
lofty shelves and returned several minutes later carrying a /large 
and mouldy book/ (my emphasis). Hermione put it carefully into her 
bag and they left, trying not to walk too quickly or look too guilty.'

(COS "The Rogue Bludger" pp.123-24 UK edition)

Could our mysterious new book be another ancient volume lurking in 
the Restricted Section waiting to be discovered? A little more 
speculation to keep us going for the next 129 days?