*SPOILERS!!* Chapters 1 through 5 *SPOILERS!!*

[Richard]

Hi all!

After a 1.5 hour wait I finally got my book! I was so excited, almost ran back to the hotel and started reading almost immediately! Here are my thoughts so far, and of course there are SPOILERS!

Two deaths already: first Hedwig. Wow, didn’t see that coming at all. Loved that Harry cried about her dying. She was his loyal companion everywhere. Then there was Moody, killed in action, which fits him of course.

The mystery is already unfolding. Loved the first chapter, at the Malfoy Mansion. Haven’t got a clue who the snitch in the Order is. My guess is Dung, yet that is way too obvious, so, not sure really. How action-packed was the Seven Potters chapter anyway! Can’t wait to see that in film.

Other random thoughts. Tonks and Lupin marrying, they didn’t wait for the grass to grow did they? Dudley apologizing. Rather weird, but I bought it in the context of the book. Ollivander, wow, that was unexpected! The two poems at the start were weird as well. Death and friendship, hmm, interesting.

And then there was some foreshadowing about Sirius’s mirror and the wand that made fire of its own (my guess is that Fawkes is behind it all). Oh, and don’t you hated that Skeeter woman! What a total ****** (excuse me for the language, but I’m not going to control myself for this book).

Well, gotta go and continue with the story. Love it so far!

Richard

PS Snape: definitely EVIL!!!!! I always thought so, and that has been increased after the first chapters of DH.

[* amanda]

I was SHOCKED about Hedwig and haven't been able to shake it from my mind!

Why is it that stories of deaths of animals are sometimes more shocking than the deaths of people? kudos to jkr for shock factor in these first chapters but RIP Hedwig.

I still don't think Snape's evil. so far.

[blackngold]

I agree. I am still on the fence with Snape. The one bit of the NY Times review was where they said the deaths come with unnerving speed. They weren't kidding. JKR really ratchets up the tension level first by telling you about the "bloodbath" and then putting everyone we care about in jeopardy from the get go.

[blackngold]

My first thought about the person the deatheaters had captured was that it was Lupin and the she was going to do him right off.

[blackngold]

I keep wondering why the Malfoys are estranged from Voldemort. Granted Lucious screwed up at the ministry and Voldemort was unhappy with him, but Draco did succeed in the plot to kill Dumbledore even if he didn't do it himself. Why are the Malfoys seemingly unhappy to be serving Voldemort? Is it out of concern for Draco?

[blackngold]

If Snape is on the good side, it must be tearing him up to watch people he knows and presumably cares a smidge about die.

[blackngold]

Always knew there was something dodgy about Dumbledore. Nobody could be that saintly.

Alright, I didn't but should make for interesting reading as the truth comes out. Love that everyone's favorite reporter is making a reappearance.

[* amanda]

blackngold said:

Always knew there was something dodgy about Dumbledore. Nobody could be that saintly.

Alright, I didn't but should make for interesting reading as the truth comes out. Love that everyone's favorite reporter is making a reappearance.

ahhh Rita. She reminds me of student journalists I worked with at my university paper. Utterly on a power trip - no integrity, just wanting their voice to be the loudest.

Love it.

Anyways, I don't buy that those are the absolute truths about Dd yet. I have a feeling Harry will find out more later in the book. I am pleasantly surprised that we are getting so much postmortem info on Dd's life.

[Tonks]

wow, what a way to start of the book!! i've been attempting to trudge through it all day, but have been so rudely interupted by work!

i was so hoping jk would tell us what dudley saw with the dementors in the 3rd chapter, and i thought it was somewhat weird how the dursley's acted upon their good-byes, but somewhat endearing all the same. it's heart breaking to see just how much harry was remembering about 4 privet drive and it almost seemed as if he would miss it....but we all know that's not true! lol. and HEDWIG!!! talk about CRUEL!! i agree amanda, sometimes the animal deaths are harder to handle than people deaths!

as for the snitch in the order, haven't a clue! mundungus would be too obvious. i was originally thinking snape but then was like "hellooooo, not after he killed dd would he be in the order!" lol. it's cute how ginny/harry and ron/hermoine are showing signs of affection without really trying. i think harry is going to find it more difficult to deny ginny's help......or it may give him even greater reason to.

now ollivander i saw coming, just not in that fashion. i wonder if harry will try to put his occlumens lessons to use and work at that, now that his scar seems to be opening him up again to visions.

ok, more to post later....gotta go home now!

[Richard]

Started my first reread of the book. Now that I'm reading it more slowly, I realize that everything sinks in more, and I get more emotionally involved in the story.

I noticed the following passage in the first chapter:

There were small noises of comprehension around the table. A broad, hunched woman with pointed teeth cackled.

Could this possibly be Umbridge??

Richard