Hog’s Head PubCast #26: Deathly Hallows Deluxe Edition Cover Art

I love the idea that the dragon is Draco. (Haven’t we compared him to Eustace before on SoG?) Ah, how much I would love that. It might also indicate that Draco will in some way help them on their quest. (Whether he’ll aid willingly or not is the real question.)

On the Scholastic site it says that David Saylor, Vice President, Creative Director, of Scholastic described the art as:

Set during a highly dramatic sunset, Harry, Hermione, and Ron–clothes in tatters–cling atop a flying dragon in this astonishing artwork created by Mary GrandPré for the deluxe edition. As mist creeps down towering hillsides to a village below, questions arise about where the trio is headed and what has led them to this spellbinding moment.

This could be his opinion of the picture. I don’t know what influence he wields for the artwork or what he is privvy to as far as the book’s content, though. I assume Mary GrandPré knows what happens, so maybe he does, too. Would be interesting, though, if it were some of the other DA members.

Someone over at the HP Progs site mentioned that they thought this may be Dumbledore? What do you guys think about this? His “fingers” do look very long and he does appear to be a very old dragon. Do we know about any other very old dragons in the series?

In HBP, we learn that Draco had learned how to do Occlumency, had apparently mastered the Imperious curse, one of the Unforgivables, and also brewed Polyjuice Potion (I know, there was that theory Harry had that Draco stole the Polyjuice Potion, but I find it difficult to believe he could have stolen enough for use throughout the whole year). So is Draco suddenly some sort of Wizard Prodigy?

I find it hard to believe he was able to do all of the above without some substantial help from somewhere. I find it almost impossible to believe he also mastered becoming an Animagus, and turned into a Dragon. The Amazing Bouncing Ferret seems much more likely as his Animagus form.

All of that said, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone was an Animagus who turned into a Dragon. I just don’t think it’s Draco.

I can’t wait to hear the podcast. I was too busy earlier to even look for it, let alone listen.

Perhaps the dragon is Aberforth performing magic late in life.

Dragon’s claw/hand appears intact, so I assume it’s not Dumbledore. That plus the fact JKR told us DD wouldn’t be doing a “Gandalf”, and coming back as a dragon is definitely doing a “Gandalf”

Have no idea why and how Draco could be an animagus, but if he were, surely it would be as a weasel or a member of the rodentia family, and not a dragon.

But, having stared long and hard at the hair of the young male sitting behind the reclining (and most likely ailing) young female, I am not sure that it is Ron. It’s someone with light coloured hair. Does Krum have light hair? Does Neville? In the movies Tom Felton has blond hair, but I don’t know if Draco has. Or is it actually Ron, but the artist depicted carrot red as closer to dark blonde?

And what about the reclining female? Is she hurt? Is that why Harry and unknown male are riding a dragon, to get the female to Madam Pomfrey? And who is she anyways? Hermione? Ginny? Luna?

I am just a wee bit tempted to say Harry’s with Luna and Neville, because that’s the trio I expect to go beyond the veil, if anyone does go. So this could be them on their way back.

This is just me speculating. Not a shred of evidence. Except that Ron usually has a look of comical panic on his face on covers, and the kid in the back looks fairly serious. And his hair is not very red.

Yeah. I think it was artistic licence too.

Also, now that I’ve looked at the image for a while I don’t believe the hair of that dragon is blonde. It’s silvery, and it’s arranged like a beard. It’s probably just an ordinary dragon or an animagus who’s an elderly man (Aberforth?).

I’m starting to wonder how much traveling they’re going to do. Theories abound, placing them in Romania, Egypt, India, Bulgaria, Gringotts, beyond the veil…it’s overwhelming how many places they could possibly end up visiting! Rowling has certainly done a great job revealing enough to catch our attention and concealing just about everything else!

Ooooh, maybe Charlie is good with dragons because he’s a dragon animagus? That would be awesome! Great idea Rehan!

Pip, are you sure you aren’t thinking of Dumbledore’s patronus? I know JKR has said his patronus is a phoenix, but I don’t think we know if he is an animagus.

You all are brilliant!

I think it’s safe to guess that Dumbledore had an animagus form. Wasn’t he the Transfiguration teacher during Armando Dippet’s headmastership? And McGonagall has an animagus form now, not to mention that Dumbledore was much older than she is. Hmmm.

I don’t think Dumbledore would be a dragon. It doesn’t really fit his personality, and (thus far) they usually suit the character:

Ron = Jack Russell Terrier (playful, lovable, brave), Hermione = Otter (playful, intelligent, a bit tempermental), McGonagall = Tabby Cat (prim, graceful, snappy when angry), Sirius = Dog (loyal, playful, reckless), Wormtail = Rat (self-explanatory). Dragons are supposed to be extremely difficult to tame, and that would probably suit Dumbledore, but so are Phoenixes. Dragons are intimidating, dangerous, and probably very tempermental. I’ve heard many people speculate that Snape would have a Dragon patronus for these reasons (although I like the Augrey theory better).

Hasn’t Rowling said in an interview that she chose Dumbledore’s name because it was an old fashioned word for bumblebee? She mentioned that since he likes to humm she could imagine him buzzing about the castle. Is that a hint, or just her mention of his fondness for music? I can’t really imagine him as a literal bumblebee. I like considering him a Phoenix.

About Snape’s Patronus: what is the Augrey theory?

Aaah… one of my favorite theories! Augurey: Irish Phoenix, greenish-black, looks like an underfed vulture (Fantastic Beasts). I believe that Madam Pince is Eileen Prince, Snape’s mother – she also looks like an underfed vulture. And the Augurey is a Phoenix, which would confirm the alliance with Dumbledore. I love this idea!

The forms of someone’s Animagus and Patronus can be easily mixed up, because they are both animals and show something about who you are. But I think there is an important difference.

When JKR was asked, if you can choose what Animagus animal you become, she said: “No, you can’t choose. You become the animal that suits you best.” So, this seems to have to do with your character, your personality.

The Patronus, on the other hand, has to do with a happy memory. To me it always seemed to take the form of an animal, that symbolizes what or whom a person loves most. (However, I don’t remember if this was explicitly said in the books.)

Harry’s Patronus is a stag – his father’s Animagus form.
Dumbledore’s is a phoenix – a symbol for death and resurrection.
Cho’s is a swan – very beautiful, but somehow sad and a bit theatrical.
Hermione’s is an otter – an animal of the same family as weasels, and the Weasleys live near Ottery St. Catchpole.
Tonk’s Animagus turned into a wolf after she fell in love with werewolf Remus.

Therefore, I think the Augurey would rather fit Snape’s Animagus form (although I don’t think Snape is an Animagus). I always imagined his Patronus to be something completely contrary to what everybody would expect, a symbol for a person he loves (if you believe he is capable of love, as I do). A unicorn would be an appropriate symbol for Lily, for magical power and innocence. And a bumblebee would indeed be perfect for representing Dumbledore.

Reyhan, the underwear only seems to be dingy. Actually, it is grey, because Snape always washed it together with his black cloaks. He refused to let enslaved House Elves do the washing for him. How do you like this marvelous theory?

Rena, I do indeed like that theory.

All these months we’ve been thinking that Snape’s underwear issues were a confirmation of his moral decrepitude, when in fact they were a sign of moral worthiness: unlike his more socially successful peers, Snape refused to take advantage of slave labour and did his own laundry. I bet he only bought Fair Trade potion ingredients too. And only used blood from free-range dragons.

Reyhan’s a card… should be dealt with.

Boom boom

Ah, wait. Rena already basically covered that. (How did I miss that?) Oops.

I love the idea that Snape cared about House Elf Rights! It’s a very cute thought, but the very cuteness of it makes me label it improbable (not impossible).

And that’s why Dumbledore sent Snape to the kitchens to fetch Winky at the end of Goblet of Fire!