Covers for Deathly Hallows, Includes synopsis *spoilers* Options

[Dijares]

Okay, folks, here are the covers and synopsis for the 7th book.

Synopsis

Harry has been burdened with a dark, dangerous and seemingly impossible task: that of locating and destroying Voldemort's remaining Horcruxes. Never has Harry felt so alone, or faced a future so full of shadows. But Harry must somehow find within himself the strength to complete the task he has been given. He must leave the warmth, safety , and companionship of The Burrow and follow without fear or hesitation the inexorable path laid out for him!

In this final, seventh installment of the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling unveils in spectactular fashion the answers to the many questions that have been so eagerly awaited. The spellbinding, richly woven narrative, which plunges, twists and turns at a breathtaking pace, confirms the author as a mistress of storytelling, whose books will be read, reread and read again.

This portion is from the adult version:

Harry is waiting in Privet Drive. The Order of the Phoenix is coming to escort him safely away without Voldemort and his supporters knowing if they can. But what will Harry do then? How can he fulfil the momentous and seemingly impossible task that Professor Dumbledore has left him with?


Covers

UK Adult Version (full)

(IMG:http://www.harrypotterspage.com/images/photogallery/albums/userpics/normal_book7_uk_adult_full.jpg)

See the larger version here.

UK children's version (full)

(IMG:http://www.harrypotterspage.com/images/photogallery/albums/userpics/normal_booky_uk_child_full.jpg)

See the larger version here.

Go to next post to see the rest...

[Dijares]

US version (full)

(IMG:http://www.harrypotterspage.com/images/photogallery/albums/userpics/normal_book7_us_cover_full.jpg)

See the larger version here.

US version (cover only)

(IMG:http://www.harrypotterspage.com/images/photogallery/albums/userpics/normal_book7_us_cover.jpg)

See the larger version here.

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[Dijares]

Okay, upon looking closer at the UK version, did you happen to notice that it looks like a house elf is behind harry? His hand is holding onto Harry's shoulder, and his other hand is holding a sword/dagger.

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With all the gold on this cover, it looks like they're at Gringotts. What do you think?

Also, what is this? Possibly another horcrux?

(IMG:http://harrypotterspage.com/news/data/upimages/closeup02.gif)

Regarding the US cover, it looks like Harry and Voldemort are looking at the same thing. Could they be trying to get to something before the other one? Perhaps the last horcrux? Maybe this image above is the last horcrux, and all of Harry's quidditch training will give him the advantage of getting to it first. Plus, it looks like they're in some kind of arena with many people looking on.

Let me know what you think!

[Fizzing_Whizzbee]

All the previous covers have told us something about a pivotal moment in the story. I'm going to be making my arguments here based on the US covers just for referenece.

To use 'Prince' as a prime example, if I remember correctly, we saw the front cover months in advance. However, the back cover cas kept secret until it was tiem for the release or very close to it. As it turned out it showed the Dark Mark above Hogwarts. We didn't know exactly who died until the end of the book, but the cover told us before reading page one that something bad was going to happen.

As for the other covers...in 'Phoenix', it showed the circular room with all the doors in the Dept of Mysteries, 'Goblet' had the three tasks, and so on.

So, based on past covers, it is reasonable to guess that the last cover would be no different.

I'm trying to look at all three covers (UK Adult, Childrens, and US) to try and piece some things together for my guesses. So, here are my conclusions (I read the synopsis, but still working out how to tie it in to my guesses).

UK Adult...big picture of the locket. We all know what it is, a very good idea of who took it and where it ended up for a brief period of time. However, giving Mundungus' pilfering, we don't know if it is stil laround or who may have bought it. After all, most of Voldemorts followers are noble (i.e. pureblood & influential) and rather well off witches and wizards who would be able to purchase the locket. For all we know Kreacher could have said where the locket was and who to buy it from. So I think finding the locket will be one of the major pieces to the story and will probably be the last Horcrux found and destroyed. It will probably also be the one that Harry obsesses about finding because it was the one that got Dumbleore killed.

UK Childrens...I am going to agree with Dij on this that it is definately a house-elf (Dobby?) in the background holding the sword (presumably Godric's sword). I'm also going to agree that with all the gold and treasure, it suggests Gringotts. My best guess is that perhaps Bill or Fleur came across a lead and help Harry gain access to it.

US..It definately looksl ike Harry and Voldemort ar reaching for something (it is anyone's guess as to what though). It is my beleif though that it is the background that is the most important here though. Here's why. Stay with me a bit on this though.

We know that title of the book hints at spirits or something of that nature. We also know that Voldemort is obsessed with life, death, the afterlife, and gaining mastery over these elements. We also know that Voldemort seems to have an interest in ancient arcane arts and spells because (probably because they are more raw, brute force type of magic and it prevents a challenge to him to master yet another form of magic). Taking this into consideration, the only thing that came to mind was old nature based magic and lore. To be specific..Druidic magic. While the background does look like a stadium of some sort, I can also see it as a jazzed up type of Stonehenge. Something that hasn't fallen into disrepair (or perhaps a place that looks ruined to us Muggles but still in good repair to wizards...much like Hogwarts is). It would be place of powerful ancient magics, as well as a focul point for spiritual magic. It would seem a fitting place for a final duel to take place.

But, those are just my initial guesses. I'll try and refine them a bit more over the next few months and see how close I get.

[Dijares]

US..It definately looksl ike Harry and Voldemort ar reaching for something (it is anyone's guess as to what though). It is my beleif though that it is the background that is the most important here though. Here's why. Stay with me a bit on this though.

We know that title of the book hints at spirits or something of that nature. We also know that Voldemort is obsessed with life, death, the afterlife, and gaining mastery over these elements. We also know that Voldemort seems to have an interest in ancient arcane arts and spells because (probably because they are more raw, brute force type of magic and it prevents a challenge to him to master yet another form of magic). Taking this into consideration, the only thing that came to mind was old nature based magic and lore. To be specific..Druidic magic. While the background does look like a stadium of some sort, I can also see it as a jazzed up type of Stonehenge. Something that hasn't fallen into disrepair (or perhaps a place that looks ruined to us Muggles but still in good repair to wizards...much like Hogwarts is). It would be place of powerful ancient magics, as well as a focul point for spiritual magic. It would seem a fitting place for a final duel to take place.

This is very interesting. The entrance to the veil is arched. So, perhaps, if the veil is anything like the MOM, then there are many entrances/exits to it. Maybe what we see is inside the veil, and Harry and Voldemort are looking at an entrance (or a person in the veil - Sirius? she did say Harry would see Sirius again.). Perhaps all the people in the background are actually spirits? Hmmm, very interesting...

Really, voldemort looks like he's trying to protect himself, where Harry looks like he's grabbing at something.

And notice the curtains at the very font. Is that part of the entrance? The curtains are pulled/held back, too. There are the rocks/wood all over the ground, as if something major happened there beforehand.


Now....

Look again at the UK version. We see Hogwarts there, even though Harry isn't supposed to go back there. Remember that Jo has stated that there is a graveyard there that plays a big role (she said it HAD to be in the movie). the UK version shows smoke coming from behind the castle.


(IMG:http://harrypotterspage.com/news/data/upimages/closeup03.gif)

The smoke almost seems to be shaped like something...

[Fizzing_Whizzbee]

I must have missed the graveyard comment because I don't remember anything along those lines. Esepcially when at the end of 'Prince' they were trying todecide if they should bury Dumbledore there or not. I don't remember if the books said no headmaster or nobody in general had been burried at the school and I don't remember hearing mention a graveyard in the books up til now. Oh well, guess Jo needs a few new tricks up her sleeves.

I do see what you are saying about the curtains Dij. That puzzled me a little because it didn't look like the art was for someplace inside. But my Druid/Stonehenge type theory still would work because from what little I know about that group, they did believe if spirits, magic, and such and so another entrance would be plausable. And if something like that were to exist in a little out of the way corner of Hogwarts..even better. Ancient magic of both the castle and graveyard/henge combined. Good reason for Voldy to go there or to have some major pivotal moment take place there.

It is reassuring though to have Hogwarts pictured because it means that, even if it is brief, Harry will at least be back there and perhaps even decide to stay for his last year of school to do his research in relative safety and go Horcrux hunting during holidays. As for the smoke though, I see the photo (and it looks like the graveyard is either in or very close to the forrest), but I don't quite see where it seems to be forming an image.

This is a real special treat. It is a chance for the boards to get buzzing with theories again since things have been pretty dull as of late. Although, only so many theories the two of us can hash out gonig back and forth. Come on...where's the restof the crowd? I know you are all out there. hehe.

Please spell out ALL your words! Thanks...

This post has been edited by Nina79: Mar 29 2007, 04:39 PM

[Dijares]

OH, and did you notice that neither cover shows any wands? Where is it that they are going that they don't or can't use their wands?

[Fizzing_Whizzbee]

Actually, there were no wands shown on the covers of 'Stone', 'Chamber', or 'Prisoner' either. At least not in the US cover versions. Not sure about the UK.

We know that the two cant use their wands against each other anyways since their cores come from the same phoenix. I suppose they could always borrow a wand, but kind of a weak route to go. Its going to come down to some primal instincts to win this I think. Who has more luck, the quicker thinker, or simply who hits the hardest. Something along those lines. That or something along the lines of adeadlock because human magic doesn't work, but elf or phoenix magic help break the stalemate.

Personally I think they should just settle it with a nice broom race or Quidditch match. Although, things would not be very exciting that way unfortuately.

[Dijares]

Personally I think they should just settle it with a nice broom race or Quidditch match. Although, things would not be very exciting that way unfortuately.

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[baty4potter]

I'm going to just answer quickly and that has to do with what looks like Gringotts.

Maybe that is where the locket is and Harry, Ron and Hermione go in to get it?

As for the wands not being there... Remember, Ollivander is missing, did Voldemort have him taken so he could get a new wand made? This would mean that V and Harry could use their wands against each other.

[Fizzing_Whizzbee]

I'm going to just answer quickly and that has to do with what looks like Gringotts.

Maybe that is where the locket is and Harry, Ron and Hermione go in to get it?

As for the wands not being there... Remember, Ollivander is missing, did Voldemort have him taken so he could get a new wand made? This would mean that V and Harry could use their wands against each other.

Good theory..although I think Olivander disappeared on his own personally. He was always a little odd in his character. Like he knew more than he let on. It would be almost certain he knew that eventually Harry and Voldemort's wands would have problems. In which case I wouldn't be surprised if he saw it in his best interest to pack up and disappear in hopes Harry will win before comming back.

[Bunnyc]

Hi everyone. I've only just 'tuned' in and haven't had time to study the covers in depth, but my first reaction was that it's the ruins of the arch and the veil, but then that can't be right because the veil was black wasn't it? As for the 'person' behind Harry, holding the sword, I immediately thought of Dumbledore (or maybe even his brother???)

[baty4potter]

Hi everyone. I've only just 'tuned' in and haven't had time to study the covers in depth, but my first reaction was that it's the ruins of the arch and the veil, but then that can't be right because the veil was black wasn't it? As for the 'person' behind Harry, holding the sword, I immediately thought of Dumbledore (or maybe even his brother???)

Bunny!!!! I'm so happy to see you!!!

The person, *being,* behind Harry I believe is Dobby. Dij pointed that out to me. What do you think?

[Bunnyc]

Bunny!!!! I'm so happy to see you!!!

The person, *being,* behind Harry I believe is Dobby. Dij pointed that out to me. What do you think?

Hi Baty!! You're quite right.........I was so excited to see the new covers that I missed the big ear sticking out behind Harry. Gotta get these eyes tested.....I thought it was grey hair, lol.
Not too much longer to wait now but it's a worry that one of the publishers said that
he couldn't stop sobbing when he was reading the book.

[cruticus]

Does it look like it that in the UK Children's that the trio are sort of wearing hogwarts uniform, or is it like their daily outing lol...

also, with the house-elf in background im going with Dobby, becase he is bound to have some revenge in him..

[Arsi]

UK adult:
I would definately say Slytherin's locket, there is really nothing further to be gained by studying that cover.

UK childrens:
I would agree that it is Hogwarts on the back cover, and he will go back there at least for some time.
Not sure what sort of plant that is growing, and there seems to be some sort of fog or smoke rolling in...
Front Cover... Harry, Ron, Hermione and Dobby (?), who is holdying Gryffindor's sword, it appears to be Gringots, or somewhere else with lots of coin and other stuff around. Harry appears fixated on the dragon like statue (?) and appears to be reaching for it. From the animation of the coin, treasure, robes, other objects and their expressions, it appears as if they are being dragged back through the portal or doorway. The angle that Ron is at, would suggest backwards rather than forward movement. Harry appears to have been injured, his robe is torn and appears to have some minor cuts as well. All three appear to be looking in seperate directions with Ron being the most scared, so perhaps they are not alone.


US version
looks like some sort of arena, there are curtains, being drawn back for effect or what I am not sure. Voldemort and Harry appear to be wearing the exact same type of robes. They are not facing each other, and appear to be trying to summon or ward off an item or creature.

In US and UK childrens from what I can see, my resolution is not real good, that Harry does not have his scar visible in either one.

[baty4potter]

Hi Baty!! You're quite right.........I was so excited to see the new covers that I missed the big ear sticking out behind Harry. Gotta get these eyes tested.....I thought it was grey hair, lol.
Not too much longer to wait now but it's a worry that one of the publishers said that
he couldn't stop sobbing when he was reading the book.

I have to say that what was said about not being able to stop sobbing is scaring the bajeebers out of me also. I'm in the *I might not get to read the last book is she kills one of my kids off* mode. I'm hoping that isn't going to be the case.

[WickedWitchOfThe...]

My interpretation (and please forgive me if I repeat something said earlier by someone else, I didn't read through):

UK Adult: I looked at it, said "okay, that's simple enough" and moved on. But, I did also say the same thing about the UK HBP Adult cover, so there could be something more to it, something within the locket itself. It may need a closer look. I did like the inside jacket part cause it did seem to give us one bit of information. It does appear that the wedding will be one of the first things in the book.

UK Children's: At first this one was my favorite. But then I saw the entire cover for the US cover and let me say that there isn't even competition, the US cover kicks some major bootie! Sorry UK Kids cover fans, really I am! But, a cover with V and Harry on it, what tops that? LOL! Okay, enough of the side talk. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

The circular ball thingy (very technical term, yes, I know, lol) is rather interesting with the snake inside of it. What could it be? Could it be that it is Nagini and enclosed to highlight it's importance? I don't know. But for now that's all I've got.

Moving on, the smoke/fog. I'd like to think nothing important about it cause there always seems to be fog around the FF, if that is the very beginning/outskirts of the FF. But, it could be a fire. Not sure yet. The face in the clouds is practically screaming at me though. It's saying, "Look at me! Do you see me? Guess who I look like? Have you guessed yet? Surprised?" I have two words, "Very Interesting!"

I am extremely pleased to see Hogwarts on the cover. I still believe that Harry needs to go back to school. Jo said (paraphrasing) seven books for seven years of school. He needs to go back to become a fully trained, of age wizard. I do think he'll go to school and when he thinks he's found a Horcrux, will pull a DD and disappear for a few days, perhaps a couple weeks at a time.

What is blocking the light coming out of the open doorway? It seems as though something is hindering the full light from hitting the lawn. It could be nothing (and it probably is), but it could also be something.

We've got a Patronus. Like we didn't already know that Harry was going to use a Patronus in this book. That one's a given.

And now for the big cheese, the front cover. It's hard to tell where they are with so much light around, but with all that gold and treasure it either has to be a vault or a cave or something/somewhere where a person would keep a lot of that kind of stuff. I can even imagine something like that under Malfoy Manor. So it’s somewhere with a lot of gold and jewels. Most likely a Gringotts vault in my opinion. Notice the torso protector on the suit of armor though. It has what appears to be a serpent on it. The helmet appears to have a dragon. And it looks as though Harry’s glasses are reflecting fire shooting towards him.

Now, at first glance, it looks to me as though the trio are being attacked by the contents inside. It looks as though Ron is jumping backwards, like Hermione is moving forward trying to block it, and that Harry is also moving forward, completely intent on something in front of him. It looks as if it’s beyond the helmet, but it could be the helmet. Hard for me to tell. Note one other thing that may be nothing, but I have to put it out there. The silver piece located under Harry’s left elbow. Doesn’t it look as though there are wings on it? I don’t know, this just came to me, but I could be all wrong. But this seems as though it could have been Tom Riddle’s vault (before he became a wanted man, but after he was doing bad deeds and had acquired some gold), which Lucius has been taking care of, of course, and maybe the Cup is buried inside? Stupid, I know.

Unfortunately, the house-elf behind Harry is completely hard to tell who it could be. My first instincts bring me to Kreacher. He is Harry’s after all, and the lack of knitted hats leans me away from Dobby. But, the skin looks younger and that in turn leads me back to Dobby. So I don’t know who it is. There is no mistaking one thing though, the sword has got to be Godric Gryffindor’s. The description is perfect, which is funny cause the US cover for COS is completely inaccurate where it depicts the sword.

Now, all three of them have either got a horrible case of sunburn on their faces, are flushed from some heavy duty work, or are injured on their faces. Harry and Hermione have cuts and abrasions on the arms, so I’m leaning towards injuries on their faces and flushed. Sunburn? Nah! LOL! But what in the world are these kids wearing? Harry looks as if he’s wearing a shirt that’s too small for him. (Perhaps one that used to be too big, but he’s still wearing it now that he’s grown into, and partially out of, it). Hermione and Ron are wearing robes of some sort and different colors. I don’t think they’re dress robes, but I wouldn’t discount it completely.

US: Let me say it once again, WOW! At first I only saw the part with Harry, but the whole thing, WOW! It’s beautiful! But on with what I see.

The curtains, one appears to be tied back, one doesn’t, but it could just be shadows on it. They are frayed and brown, which throws off my “behind the veil are the DH” theory. The wood that is broken behind the curtains appears to have once been beams or poles of some type and are between V and the curtains and Harry and the curtains and chunk of stone. There may be more behind the wood closest to the curtains (on V’s side) between V and Harry as well. I say this because of the wood on the other side of Harry’s right hand.

We appear to be in an oval arena of some type. This is a new place. And it appears to not have one but two outer walls. It also appears to be a bit old because it is cracked in at least one place.

We’ve got spectators! Who are they? There are too many to be strictly DE’s, but DE’s and Order members should be enough. Or are they something else? (Let it go, WWW, they’re not in the veil, lol.)

And the best part, Harry and V. I first thought that both Harry and V were reaching out towards something Accioing it towards them, but after another glance it appears as though Harry is reaching out towards something, and V has thrust out his hands as though he wishes to reject it and is backing away. I did notice a couple things though, doesn’t that look like a locket around Harry’s neck? Also, where are Hermione and Ron? Nowhere to be seen. They could be in with the group of shadows, but I don’t think so. I think Harry is doing this on his own, whatever it is. (Finishing off V and WINNING, LOL!) And one more thing, they are both practically wearing the same robe. The only difference I see is that Harry’s doesn’t seem to have a hood whereas V’s does.

As a whole, very good covers. I especially like the fiery sunset look and the colors in the gems. Very nice and sure to bring about much speculation between now and the middle of July. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Also, I’ll catch up with everyone else’s thoughts later. I just can’t do it right now. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[potter_freak24]

does anyone else think the sword (on uk childrens cover) is the sword Harry got in Chamber of secrets. Also the being holding it. i think is Kreacher not dobby. from an interview Rowling did on order of the phoenix saying that they could not cut out kreacher because he is very important. but dobby has been cut out of all the other movies except CofS. So it is just my thoery that it is Kreacher not Dobby.

[Arsi]

On the UK kids..the front interior dust cover... ghostly looking deer, most likely "Prongs" coming back in some form to help Harry.