Caitlin S.

Caitlin Sheehan

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

J.K. Rowling

Fantasy

Just Right

Page 379

1. Right now, the main character Harry Potter is on the hunt for the evil wizard Voldemort’s Horcuxes. Horcruxes are objects that hold a piece of a person’s soul, which would keep them alive when they should have died. This comes at a terrible price, however. You can only rip your soul and put it in a Horcurx by committing murder. Voldemort has made 6 Horcruxes, because 7 is the most powerful magic number, and 6 Horcruxes as well as the part of soul in his own body would make him almost impossible to kill. Harry has already destroyed one Horcrux during his second year, Tom Riddle’s diary. The previously deceased Albus Dumbledore has destroyed another, the ring of Marvalo Gaunt, Voldemort’s grandfather. Ronald Weasley destroyed the third one just now, which is Salazar Slytherin’s locket. There are very few ways to destroy Horcruxes, such as basilisk venom, which only has one antidote, rare phoenix tears. The sword of Gryffindor is Goblin made, therefore keeps the properties of whatever magical substance strengthens it, and it was used to kill a basilisk. Just now, Ron Weasley returned after he left Harry and Hermione Granger, who accompanied Harry on the Horcrux hunt. When he returned, he found Harry drowning while trying to reach the sword of Gryffindor in a pond. He saved Harry, got the sword, and destroyed the Horcrux once and for all. However, there are still three Horcruxes left, and none of them know where they are. Will they find them?

2. I feel that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is a fantastic journey to a parallel world, one of magic. Every detail that can be thought of is, from magical modes of transportation (Floo Powder, Apparation, Brooms…) to incantations (Wingardium Leviosa, Stupefy, Levicorpus, Expelliarmus…) and sports (Quidditch) every detail is thoroughly described and included. Also, I like the intricate twists and turns in the plot such as Ron’s leaving, and former archenemy Draco Malfoy as a Death Eater (Voldemort’s follower).

3. So far in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, I have noticed the theme of trust. This theme has been shown in many ways, including the way in which Harry trusts Dumbledore’s directions (To find the Horcruxes and destroy them). Harry doesn’t know what to think about the rumors flying around about Dumbledore’s supposed misdeeds, inspired by the book The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore. Also, the way that Harry demands that they all trust each other in the Order of the Phoenix (An anti-Voldemort group) when the secret plan to move Harry to the Burrow is discovered. Most people would have been suspicious immediately, but Harry trusted his friends.

4. My favorite character is Harry Potter, for many reasons. For example, when he goes to Godric’s Hollow to visit his parent’s graves, he shows a different, more sensitive side of himself. Also, The way he trusts his friends is very brave, considering he is the most wanted person in the country. Finally, The way that he forgives Ron after he returns is touching. That is why Harry is my favorite character.

5. Right now, my least favorite character is Ronald Weasley. This is because he left Harry and Hermione, and didn’t come back for months. He left because he thought Harry knew more about where the Horcruxes were, and he didn’t like being hungry, and cold every day. Even though he did try to come back right away he should do more to make up for it than just say ‘sorry’.

6. I predict that Voldemort will soon find out that the connection between Harry’s scar and his mind is open again, and use it against him again, using Ginny Weasley as bait.