So, so true.

Richard Griffiths is reported to also share July 31 as his birthday!

What I would like to know is why they took the thestrals to the Ministry of Magic when the book clearly states that the entrance hall to the Ministry is lined with fireplaces and there was an unwatched fireplace in Prof. Umbridge's office. Wouldn't that have been faster?

i would imagine that all other fireplaces would have been watched though... it may have been very obvious when they arrived... you have little control what situation you arrive in through the floo network... now that the fight at the ministry is done... who can see them that could not before?

Considering the fact that Harry is not exactly warmly welcomed by the ministry throughout this book and that Order members would be standing guard, I don't think think that the floo network would have been my first choice either. Also, if using the floo network it is a one at a time approach which would make it easier for them to be caught and detained.

I don't know if anyone could see them that could not before. Who actually saw Sirius fall within the shroud? Something else I suppose I will have to try to determine as I re-read the book.

By the way, welcome to BOL registered use ankovar. No better place to make your first post than in a discussion of all things Harry (Potter, that is).

i know i'm rereading again and haven't gotten that far but on first count i think neville saw sirius "die" in quotes since we are still unsure about the veil and it's hidden meanings i know ron wasn't in the room, can't remember where hermione was.

Thanks for the welcome. I've been using BOL for a while. It's great.

Ugh! I left my copy of OOTP on the kitchen table. (There goes my lunch plans ).
But I do recall that Hermione was out of commission too. The only two students in the room were Neville and Harry. (Both boys included in the prophecy. hmmmm) I agree about the floo network, and the Inquisitoral Squad was still in the school even though Umbridge was 'busy' in the forest. The thestrals were a good choice.
What is going to happen to Buckbeak? He is such a good Hippogriff.

And welcome to our HP thread Ankovar . Varied opinions and theories are wonderful!

well maybe now that those sooo interested in buckbeaks death are caught as death eaters he can go back to hagrid... wouldn't hagrid just be in heaven.
The HP thread helps make the work day worth while plus we can wile away the time till #6 comes out...

I don't know why Buckbeak couldn't be set free. I mean, how would they be able to recognize a hippogriff anyway?

If Harry and Neville were the only ones present, I guess nobody new will be able to see the thestrals. Oh well, at least they know that Harry isn't losing his mind after the lesson on them and then actually getting to ride them.

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The HP thread helps make the work day worth while plus we can wile away the time till #6 comes out...

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It would be nice if Hagrid could have him, then Harry can visit Buckbeak too!

could neville see them before? i can't remember i thought only harry and luna could...

Yes, he could. He saw his Grandpa pass away.

I saw a Plum Feather Writing Set at Barnes & Noble Online. Is that the quill you were talking about Hermione?

It was not that one, the one I saw was a little bigger. But, this one is nice. Notecards included and red ink. I will have to stroll on over to B&N at lunch to check them out again. My B-Day is next week and my husband could use a list.

I'll be at the Mall of America this weekend so I'll check the B&N there. I really can't wait until they open their new store. I would be dreading the car trip, but I have all 23 CDs ready and waiting. Jim Dale is quite the entertainer.

I'm not married so I guess I'll have to make a birthday wish list and let my credit card company get it for me.

What impact do you think Lucius, etc. being arrested will have on young Draco, Gregory and Vincent?

I need to get me those audio CD's. I'll be driving to San Antonio at the end of the month, which is a 9 hour trip more or less. They would keep the kids entertained for the ride.

I still need to get the British version but it won't be out for a while longer.

Jim Dale does a wonderful job. My kids will shut right up when I start one of the CD's.

The story comes alive with the different voices that he performs. It's amazing, it's just like magic!

I laughed so hard when first I heard him impersonating Petunia.

i'd love to get the cd's but i think my fiance would say overkill
i think draco et al will have to be much more careful now, though dumbledore may be kind and let them come back, lets just say he should be looking at them a lot closer now. I wonder how snapes relationship with them will change, i mean unbeknowst to them he is now working against their fathers? i think draco may be gunning for harry even worse now.

since harry was unable to do one of the "unforgiveable curses" on bellatrix, because he did not "truly mean it" (kinda like turning to the dark side)... do you think dumbledore could? i mean he's the only one lord V fears? just a random thought.

Kind of makes you say, "What was Dumbledore thinking making Draco a prefect?" .

great point... didn't think of that before... maybe there'll be a nice show down of the prefects... ron and hermione against draco... oohh wouldn't that be fun! but then again what about what the hat said that the houses must unite to save the school...