h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

a number of my best friends have read it as well! our current debate is this: did sirius die because of the curse bellatrix hurled at him (but then the only one we know is avada kedavra, which flashes as a green light, but it was a red one that struck him), or did he die when he fell through the arch? (for those of you who haven't gotten there, i'm *really* sorry!) and what is that arch anyway? is it a portal connecting the world of the living and the afterlife? if so, why in space is it located in a forum? (hey, the hall had row upon row of benches)

and... even stranger... what did luna mean when she said the dead were just on the other side, and you could hear them talking, and that it didn't mean that they would never see their dearly departed again? can the dead be summoned???

I think the veil is indeed a something-or-other connecting the worlds of the living and the dead, but I don't think it means easy access between the two. I think Luna was saying that the dead will be seen again when the living also go 'beyond the veil' as it were. It is a comfort to her (and Harry) that the dead can be heard behind it, because it means that death is not the end.

I just joined h2g2 yesterday, so I'm new. With the arch, I think Sirius got hit by red light, which is the color of "Stupefy," so I think he got thrown into the arch and died there. Also, isn't Voldemort impervious to Avada Kevadra? And Harry can't use his wand against Voldemort without Priori Incantem happening, so I wonder how he'll kill Voldemort. I can't imagine Voldemort killing Harry.

i disagree - priori incantem only happens if two opposing spells collide. if one doesn't cast a spell, it will hit.

Dumbledore called the room, "The room of death" (IIRC), so i think it was the arch that killed him. It seems to be some kind of link between the world, and the afterlife of some kind.

I think red is the stunner, yes, but it could well be something else as well, there aren't that many colours, and there are a lot of spells.

Tango

Oh, voldemort *was* immortal, before he was nearly killed. I think he needs to build up his power again before he can be immortal now.

I have a feeling whichever of V or H die, it will be more mundane than Avada Kedavra. Something like being thrown off a cliff. Or prehaps they will die in the same way as sirius.

I'm not willing to guess who will kill who at this stage. It will certainly happen at the end of book 7, so HP can die without leaving the story without its main character. (JKR did comment on that during the interview)

Tango

How come HP couldn't see the thestrals before, when he had seen he parents killed?

Tango

Um, when were the Thestrals around and he didn't see them?

Pulling the carriages to and from the train.

Tango

Erm... I need to read books 3 and 4 again...

(I know that in the first year, Hagrid takes them across the lake... in the second year they arrive in the car! ...do they go in thestral-drawn carriages in the third and fourth year?)

End of 1st year, end of 2nd year, beginning and end of 3rd and 4th years.

If you read the bit in book 5 when he first sees them in front of the carriages it is clear that he has seen the lack of them there before.

Tango

Ah, now I kinda get it. So the point would be, did he actually see Voldemort kill his parents? I don't think he did, in which case the first time he saw someone killed was Cedric in book 4, which is why he couldn't see them before then... although, he should have been able to see them at the end of book 4, but I don't remember whether he did then or not.

No, he didn't see them at the end of book 4... maybe they don't use the carraiges at the end of term? It's probably a mistake though.

I'm sure he saw he parents killed because he remembers it when he is near dementors.

Tango

maybe you have to see it (the death/s) and remember? 'cos harry didn't remember seeing his parents die until he encountered the dementors, and even then he didn't remember seeing them die - he could only hear them in his head...

here's something for you lot to speculate on: will the final confrontation with voldemort include neville longbottom? seeing as he was one of the two prophecised candidates... i know he wasn't the one marked by voldemort, but we've been seeing him develop powers at an amazing rate in book 5... kinda makes you wonder if it was independent of the prophecy, or if it has anything to do with neville's newfound talents...

I think that Neville will become a part of the clique that Harry Ron and Hermione are. Harry and Neville will be together when Voldemort is killed, and may even use a combined curse or something to get rid of him. The fact that either of them could have the one prophecised about leads me to believe that they have some sort deep connection, and that this connection will be what helps to bring voldemort down.

Any I've just got to say....Ginny Weasly has really come into her own in the 5th and I reckon that she'll be a major part of the final 2 books
Ginny rocks.

Kasei

bat-bogey hexes... it's interesting what she's turned out to be - from shy potter fan to gryffindor seeker...

I'm glad Ginny stopped being in love with Harry cuz now she talks when he's around, and she's a really cool character. Though, I would like them to end up together in the end.

I think Harry and Ginny would make a good couple too. If they actually got together then I doubt Ginny would be shy around him, which, as you say, would be a good thing. Ginny looks like she's going to be a very interesting character in the last 2 books.

So, how long to think it will be before book 6 is published? She said it would be shorter, and that she's already started it, so that should be a good thing. I'm going to guess Xmas 04 at the latest, but hopefully much earlier, maybe this time next year.

Tango

Well I hope the next book comes out sooner rather than later.....I'm already having Potter withdrawals. Shouldnt have read "order" so quick me thinks.

I even found myself logging onto the warner bros Harry Potter site the other day just to curb my cravings.....sad huh?

Kasei

nah it'd be better if Harry and Cho went out - they're a match made in heaven!