HBP Spoilers - Another set of 1st Impressions

[Debbie]

Just a few thoughts, before I dive into a reread.  I'm way behind 
everyone as always (had to read in snatches yesterday in between 
other commitments), and I drafted this before reading everyone 
else's first thoughts, then tried to adjust to deal with things that 
have already been said.

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I liked this book *so* much better than OOP, and found the ending 
full of fascinating things to speculate about, more than enough to 
keep us busy until Book 7 comes out.   I loved the prevailing theme 
of potions (and note how well it dovetails with the sixth obstacle 
to the Stone in PS/SS).  I did find some of the going-to-class and 
who-got-how-many-O.W.L.s a little tedious, so I am intrigued by the 
possibility that Harry will skip Hogwarts in Book 7.  

Almost all my predictions were wrong (probably mercifully so).  
Except for Draco, who not only joined the DEs but also vindicated 
what I wrote 3 years ago that his cowardice would be the key to his 
redemption.  This book also showed him to be capable of smart and 
resourceful ideas (I loved the reappearance of the Vanishing 
Cabinet) as well as foolishly amateur at times. 

Dumbledore's death - to me, this was all about Dumbledore saving 
Draco from certain death at Voldemort's hand and not about killing 
Dumbledore.  That whole conversation with Draco was a delaying 
tactic until Snape arrived to fulfill his vow; Dumbledore knew Draco 
couldn't finish him off.  And this is exactly the sort of thing that 
Dumbledore does all the time - he let Draco sample the DE path, and 
now Draco will get a second chance he would not have otherwise had 
if Dumbledore had not died.  I don't think it tells us anything 
about Snape at all.   

As for Snape's motivation and loyalty, I didn't believe even as I 
read the book that Snape could be working for Voldemort, thought 
everyone's astonishment about Snape's supposed betrayal was 
misdirection.  Though I suspect he serves the side of the Good only 
to the extent that their aims comport with his own desire to avenge 
everyone who has ever wronged him.  As Harry says to 
Dumbledore, "Haven't you noticed, Professor, how the people Snape 
hates tend to end up dead?"  I think we may discover in the end that 
the only master Snape truly serves is himself.    

R.A.B. - I decided it was Regulus before turning to the next page of 
the book.  And I think we have already seen the real locket at 12 
Grimmauld Place.  From OOP ch. 6:  

"He threw the box aside into the sack where they were depositing the 
debris from the cabinets. . . . There was a musical box that emitted 
a faintly sinister tinkling sound when wound, and they all found 
themselves becoming curiously weak and sleepy until Ginny had the 
sense to slam the lid shut; also a heavy locket that none of them 
could open . . . . Several times, Kreacher sidled into the room and 
attempted to smuggle things away under his loincloth, muttering 
horrible curses every time they caught him at it."  

My first thought was that that particular Horcrux was part of the 
stash that Mundungus sold off, but I now believe that Kreacher may 
still have it hidden in his cubbyhole, that he has or will deliver 
it to Narcissa, and that Draco may be involved in its destruction.  

Whoever suggested Harry as Horcrux (really just another name for the 
Stoned!Harry theory) hit the nail right on the head, I think.  I may 
have to go order John Granger's books after all this time.  And I 
had written here that Neville had bought her wand just before 
Ollivander's disappearance, but I see that Jo has beaten me to it. 

And finally, who spilled their Love Potion all over my brand new 
book!? <g>  I thought there was a little too much emphasis on Who 
Likes Whom (and way too much snogging in the Gryffindor Common 
Room), but overall it was a nice counterpoint to the Merope/Tom Sr 
backstory.      

Debbie
who will start the rereading immediately and this time will be 
taking notes