Book Covers

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 166587

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "hickengruendler"
<hickengruendler at ...> wrote:
>
> Hickengruendler:
> 
> The Book covers for the British (adult and children) 
> and U.S. (children edition) are out.
> 
> ...edited...

bboyminn:

Just a few thoughts -

VAULT/TREASURE-

I don't think this is a Gringott's vault, they just seem
too hard to get into and I can't see any reason for the 
plot going there. However, -

Clearly, the Trio is in battle, they are all tattered 
and injured. So, I speculate the following -

- Hogwart's vault. This could be part of the Battle of 
Hogwart that I have so often predicted. The Trio could
be running in battle and have stumbled into Hogwart's
Treasury. Certainly Hogwarts has its own treasury, 
which contains the Founder's endowment, plus alumni
endowments.

This Treasury Vault could be some independant room or
it could be a room hidden within the Room of 
Requirements.

This could also account for the presences of a house-
elf and the Gryffindor Sword.

- Slytherin's Hoard. Slytherin left the school so he
may not have left his endowment to the school. So,
there could be a private Vault somewhere where Slytherin
kept his treasure. Perhaps in or near the Chamber of
Secrets; I've been looking for a way to bring that 
place back into the story.

- Smith Treasury. I do agree that this could be the
trio breaking into Zachary Smith's private vault on the
assumption that he is related to Hepzibah Smith, the
last known possessor of the Hufflepuff Cup. 

Though, if Tom stole the Cup, and it was missing when
Hepzibah's estate was resolved, what is it doing there
now?

- NOT Harry's Vault. The vault in question has too much
non-currency treasure to be Harry's vault. Harry is
moderately rich, but he is not known to have suits of
armor, fabulous gems,  and other assorted treasure. And
again, I find it unlikely that the Trio would engage in 
battle within the confines of Gringott's Bank. 


Mysterious Creature -

The mysterious creature that others have commented about
is really just a Bloomsbury logo; either a full dog with
an arrow in its mouth or just a dog's head with an 
arrow in his mouth. If you zoom in, it is clear that this
dog has been added to the artwork and is not part of the
original.

Mysterious Creature with a Sword-

Thanks to others for pointing out that it is NOT Ron that 
is holding the Sword. Close inspection shows what is 
clearly a house-elf behind Harry and the Elf is holding
the Sword. I have to conclude that this is Dobby. Dobby
is extremely loyal to Harry, and would not be afraid to
fight as other Elves might be. Personally, I just can't
see Kreacher fighting /with/ Harry; against him maybe,
but not with him. I wouldn't mind a bit if Kreacher was
dead at the start of the next book.

UK Back Cover -

Can we all agree that this is an exterior shot of Hogwarts?

UK Back Cover Text -

Harry is waiting at Privet Drive for the Order to come 
and get him again. That's odd, where are Ron and Hermione,
I thought they were going to be at Privet Drive with him?
Perhaps this is later at Privet Drive, perhaps Harry
second visit there. 

US Full Cover -

- Harry and Voldemort. Harry and Voldemort seem to be 
concerned with something off page, something in roughly
the position of the reader. So, I very strongly suspect
the presence of a third party or perhaps entity.

Could it be Harry and Voldemort in the Dept of Mysteries
Death Chamber looking into the Veil?

Though, I don't mind the idea that we are seeing Harry
and Voldemort already behind the Veil at some kind of
ghostly/spiritual tribunal, and the perspective of the
reader is that of the people in the Death Chamber looking 
into the Veil to the /other/ side.

I'm not sure how much weight we can give to the specific
architecture. That could just be artistic style. 

Another problem is the broken wood and rocks in front of
the curtain, again is that just artistic style or is it
conveying significant information. It certainly doesn't 
match previous descriptions of the Veil. Though if they 
are already behind the Veil, then we can't predict what
we would or wouldn't be likely to see.

In addition, we see Sky above in the cover, is that
artistic style, enchanted ceiling, or real sky?
Enquiring minds want to know.

EYES-

Note Voldemort's eyes appear to be on Harry, but Harry's
eyes do NOT appear to be on Voldemort. Again, some third
party is drawing their interest and they are reacting to
it; whatever it may be.


That's about all I can think of for now.

Steve/bboyminn