Differences in UK/US version of HBP - potential spoiler I guess?

[Maria Elmvang]

No: HPFGUIDX 166302

Hi all,

Forgive me if this has already been asked. I didn't see it anywhere,
but the sheer number of posts does get intimidating occasionally ;-)

Apparently in the US and UK versions of HBP there are some quite major
differences in the text. Not just changed words, but actual added
sentences in the US version. One example comes from "Beyond Hogwarts"
(the article addresses clues as to why Dumbledore isn't dead after
all, which I don't believe is the case - he's dead as a doornail - but
the example is still interesting):

UK version:
"He told me to do it or he'll kill me. I've got not choice." "Come
over to the right side, Draco, and we can hide you more completely
than you can possibly imagine. What is more, I can send members of the
Order to your mother tonight to hide her likewise. Your father is safe
at the moment in Azkaban...when the time comes we can protect him
too...come over to the right side, Draco...you are not a killer..."
Malfoy stared at Dumbledore. (HBP UK Edition pg 552)

US version:
"He told me to do it or he'll kill me. I've got no choice." "*He
cannot kill you if you are already dead.* Come over to the right side
Draco, and we can hide you more completely than you can possibly
imagine. What is more, I can send members of the Order to your mother
tonight to hide her likewise. *Nobody would be surprised that you had
died in your attempt to kill me -- forgive me, but Lord Voldemort
probably expects it. Nor would the Death Eaters be surprised that we
had captured and killed your mother -- it is what they would do
themselves, after all.* Your father is safe at the moment in
Azkaban...When the time comes we can protect him too. Come over to the
right side, Draco...you are not a killer..." Malfoy stared at
Dumbledore. (HBP US Edition pg 591)
(emphasis mine to show added sentences).

Now these additions are not just small changes - they're quite major
ones, and one can't help but wonder why the 'translator' added them.
Was this his/her own doing, or after consultation with JKR or
something else altogether???

Do any of you know anything about this, or have any kind of insight to
offer? My parents are very puzzled by this, and would be very grateful
:-)

Thanks :-)

Maria

--
I believe in God like I believe in the sun
not because I see it, but by it
I see everything else
        --- C.S. Lewis