A Missed Opportunity
Friday, January 11, 2008 at 03:03PM I just finished listening to "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" on my iPod.
In my opinion, J.K. Rowling missed a poignant moment in the last chapter. After Harry had defeated Voldemort and he, Hermione and Ron were talking to Dumbledore's Portrait in the Headmaster's office, Snape should've been there, residing in his own frame as a former Headmaster of Hogwarts.
I think that if I had written that chapter, Harry would have gone first to Snape's portrait. After all, it was Snape with whom he had unfinished business. Their eyes meeting for the first time since Snape had looked into Harry's eyes--Lily's eyes--as he died, this time with Harry's full understanding of what Snape had done for him. No words need have passed between them; the green eyes meeting the black eyes--this time with admiration and understanding, occlumancy unnecessary.
What's your opinion?
The Tales of Beedle the Bard--a hand made, hand lettered book by Rowling, of which there are only 7 copies. I don't know much about it, but it is beautiful in its handcraft.
Reader Comments (4)
You know, something has always bothered me about the whole being-able-to-talk-to-the-portraits deal. I think the opportunity you described would have been a beautiful and poignant addition.
Here's my question: why couldn't Harry have just found a picture of Dumbledor and asked him the things he needed to know?
When I read it for the first time, I wondered if they would come across another of Dumbledore's portraits; at the Ministry of Magic and then I wondered again when they were at Bathilda's. As far as I remember, the only portrait they knew about was at Hogwart's and it was so dangerous for them to go there that they only attempted it in great need.
I think the real reason, though, is that for all sorts of reasons, Harry had to figure it out on his own.
I think that Harry's naming of his child Severus was her nod to the fact that Harry carried no ill feelings for Snape. I can't run and look it up right now. Is that right? He did name one son after Dumbledore and Snape, right?
You're right. She did give it a nod. Albus Severus.
I think that Harry's naming of his child Severus was her nod to the fact that Harry carried no ill feelings for Snape. I can't run and look it up right now. Is that right? He did name one son after Dumbledore and Snape, right?
Maybe there wasn't a portrait of Snape yet because there wasn't time to get a frame up?
That's possible, but Dumbledore was already in his frame when McGonagall first went into the Headmaster's office after he died, so I would guess that Snape would be there as soon as he died, too.
Never got into the whole Harry Potter thing.....I have never even cracked open one of the books.