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Clues revealed in special edition Harry Potter cover

Posted: Friday, June 08, 2007 9:30 AM by Jen Brown
Filed Under:

This morning, Scholastic editor Arthur Levine revealed the special edition cover of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” on TODAY...

The seventh and final book in the series, printed with the traditional cover, will have a record-setting first printing of 12 million copies when it reaches the public on July 21.  The special edition book – which has 816 pages compared to 784 pages in the regular edition and costs $65 (suggested retail price) -- will have just 100,000 copies printed.  (Why put out a special edition?  Apparently there's quite a demand.)

Arthur said the image on the cover is one of his favorite scenes in the book and he specifically asked that it be the image of the deluxe cover.  This is how Scholastic describes the scene:

“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."

I have lots of theories about the final book, but none of them involve this scene.  How about you? Does this give you any clues as to how the series will end?

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Comments

This looks like the end of the story, Harry lives, the trio flies off into the sunset (or back to Hogwarts) on Norbert, our "friendly" dragon from Book 1.

Dan, League City, TX (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 10:46 AM)

Wow. Nice picture. I know the previous commentor was kidding, but what if that is Norbert? Luckily that waste Ginny is nowhere in sight.

Gia Jolie, Phoenix Arizona (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 11:29 AM)

The coloring of the dragon, more particularly the eye, leads me to believe that they're riding an Antipodean Opaleye, which is native to New Zealand and Australia. How would they have gotten one of those? Perhaps with the help of one Charlie Weasley?

Jen, Orland Park, IL (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 11:32 AM)

I always thought Norbert would come back - Hagrid had to put up with a lot of flack for the babying he gave his "special" animals - this is the ultimate payback!

Marcia Pecor, Staunton, VA (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 11:39 AM)

Norbert!

Lynn Massengill (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 11:39 AM)

I agree that it might be Norbert (it should be anyway) and I don't care where they are flying off to as long as they are alive.

Zelma Kinser, West Monroe, Louisiana (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 12:34 PM)

you guys all rock

me, my city, my state (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 12:38 PM)

loved the art work , but will wait to see what happens , still hope Harry and Hermione end up as mates for life , they make a perfect couple. It`s to bad it will end with this one though.

jim ,ontario, or (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 12:38 PM)

Wouldn't it be great if some of the money from this special edition went to benefit kids, maybe in literacy or even to feed them!

CJ Sickler, Columbia, TN (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 12:40 PM)

Norbert is a sexy beast!

Ali Jay (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 12:48 PM)

I dont think this is Norbert. Norbert is a Norwegian Ridgeback, which is described as having "jet black ridges along its back." That sounds uncomforable to ride on. I think it is an Opaleye or a Romanian Longhorn.

Jenny Meadows, Folsom CA (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 12:51 PM)

" Luckily that waste Ginny is nowhere in sight." Harry would disagree, she is his favorite person to snog with after all. The picture does not give any clues other than "their clothes in tatters" indicates another fight with he who can't be named.

Bill Sweetsir, Howell , MI (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 1:20 PM)

Of course it's Norbert, and isn't that the yellow brick road in the bottom right corner/

jack, palm beach, fla (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 1:21 PM)

Gia Jolie, what do you have against Ginny? She is way less annoying than that always-blubbering Chinese girl. It would rock if that was Norbert.

Lisa, Baltimore, MD (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 1:23 PM)

This cover seems much more fantastical and less personal to any of the characters than in Order of the Phoenix or The Half Blood Prince. Hopefully it is from the end. It just doesn't display a problematic situation as the others do.

Rachel, Plano, TX (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 1:26 PM)

I have a feeling that they used Norbert to find a horcrux, but why not apparate? That is the question?

kelsey, osprey, fl (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 1:29 PM)

Probably the dragon that guards Gringotts Bank in which the trio breaks into.

R. Downey (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 1:30 PM)

I am 57 and have enjoyed Harry Potter from the first one I saw. Sorry to see it ending, but then all must end eventually in life. I think Harry Potter will live on in the minds of all who have read the books. Thank you J.K. Rowling

Carol Ann Ellis, Toledo, Ohio (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 1:32 PM)

A couple of observations... 1. It appears that Ron and Hermione are wearing robes (school robes?) and Harry is not. Perhaps a clue to the Hogwarts open or no and whether Harry attends for his final year. 2. It just fits that Norbert would return. Kinda makes ya all warm and fuzzy inside thinking that might be the case. Norbert knows his mommy!

Rick Hunt, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 1:32 PM)

Note that the dragon's wings are torn & tattered as well...hmmm.

Rebecca; WI (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 1:36 PM)

My grandsons looked at the picture and their first remark was, "WOW! What a neat video character that will be! Bet it's the baby dragon Hagrid had."

Grandmama Uno, St. Louis, MO (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 2:07 PM)

I don't know that it's actually the trio...supposedly they all left school for this year and two of the dragon-riders have school robes on. Maybe Ginny & Zacharias?

Jennifer, Mesa, AZ (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 2:12 PM)

aww yeah harry potter

Shannon Campbell (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 2:23 PM)

An wild guess, but what if Hagrid is an unregistered animagus and he transforms to a dragon. Hagrid would love to be a dragon in his animagus form. And unless it is a dragon which can understand, isn't it impossible to ride or control a dragon.

Subhendu, Bangalore, India (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 2:24 PM)

Is that a horntail?

Tina (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 2:30 PM)

Wasn't Norbert a Norwegian Ridgeback? This dragon does look to have a ridge running down his back!

Carla Sadlier, Columbia SC (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 2:42 PM)

Wow, looks good. I'm happy to see it. But ist that Norbert?

Chris, Germany (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 2:49 PM)

I bleieve it is norbert and they are fleeing a group of dementors hence the mist and they re on there way to rescue a captured Ginny

Nate L, PA (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 3:26 PM)

The dragon is in obvious pain, note the eye and claws of the poor beast. This is exactly why dragon riding was taken up at last years G8 summit with all but Japan and England declaring that it should be banned.

Keith Black, Dallas, TX (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 3:31 PM)

I think it's the dragon from Gringotts, after they've broken into the vault (Hepsibah Smith's or Godric Griffindor's) and taken what they needed. You see the reflection of the dragon's fire in Harry's glasses on the book cover. Not sure where they're going, but can't wait to find out!!

Tina, Rochester NY (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 3:49 PM)

nice cover! Sorry to see it end!

Shellie (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 3:58 PM)

I think ron and hermy will be together it has been building for so long. Hagrid can't transform it takes years to learn and he only has basic skills thanks to his umbrella even after it turned out he did nothing wrong i don't think h ever got a proper wand (am I wrong?). I hope harry lives and snape dies i always thought he was a dark wizard.

Harry fan (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 4:20 PM)

They're going to Godric Hollow, of course. That's where James and Lily lived.

D S York PA (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 4:30 PM)

I spent all summer last year reading the first 6 books... I can't wait for this one!!! I will hopefully attend my first(and last) HP midnight release party. Love that cupboard!

Kiki, Fremont, CA (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 4:41 PM)

If you look at it the boy in the back doesnt have the flamin red hair it looks like blonde, i would say that it is ginny and another student from hogwarts not ron and hermione

Adrian Guerra, Clovis, CA (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 5:02 PM)

3 souls finally at Peace. Safe from wizardry and spells. On last journey to be with their only true freind during all their adventures. Need I say more. Good nite Harry,,Hermoine,,,Ron. Thanks j.k.r.

sergio m. martinez il. (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 5:08 PM)

ofcource that's Norbert

hunain,pakistan (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 5:10 PM)

Snape will die, but it will be protecting Harry. And finally, all you nay-sayers will realize that he has been on Dumbledore's side this whole time! I don't think that's Norbert.

SnapeGirl, New Jersey (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 5:11 PM)

dats a different kinda dragon!i think this dragon must be a gift of someone to harry

khan,PAK (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 5:16 PM)

no not godrics hollow to abvious. think more discreat like the remains of harry's house from when he was a baby

Nate L (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 5:23 PM)

About two years ago I heard the last word of the final book is 'scar'. So maybe, ".. and off they flew, Ron, Hermione and Harry Potter... wind upon his scar?" -- Proof why I don't get paid to write.

Julie, SLC, UT (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 5:23 PM)

Does anyone know how to order the special edition copy of the book?

Christi, OK (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 5:24 PM)

To CJ- JKR donates huge amounts of money to various charities. Also, maybe it's the dragon from the Triwizard Tournament? Maybe we get to see Krum again!

Jane Doe, Seattle, Washington (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 5:39 PM)

I love the pic. of the dragon. I wish I could get a jigsaw puzzle made of it. Be glad when the book comes out so I can started reading it,tho,sorry to see it come to an end. I have enjoyed every book thus far. I am 61 and a grandma,Thanks for an adventure for a life time.

Genie Burns, West Jordan,Utah (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 5:47 PM)

Snape isnt a dark wizard. he did everything on dumblydores orders. Poor snape... High price to pay to prove your loyalty. But he and harry will never like each other. Just as good people sometimes dont get along. so do good wizards. For 2 ppl to not get like each other, it doesnt have to be one good one evil. As for why dumbly dore ordered snape to kill him or to throw a curse that APPARENTLY seems like a killing curse while he says a non-verbal spell silently, is anyones best guess. (remember, u really have to mean a killing curse, simply saying the spell doesnt work)

John Doe, Seattle, Wash (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 5:48 PM)

I can't wait till this book and movie 5 come out. Too bad this will be the final book in the series, but hopefully JK Rowling will delight us with a new project to keep us guessing for the next 10 years... Predictions: Hermione and Ron get together, as do Ginny and Harry. Voldemort croacks in the end due to running out of horcruxes. I do think the dragon has something to do with getting rid of a horcrux or two. I'm afraid Lupin will give up the ghost in this one as well. Snape is not the traitor everyone thought he was at the end of the sixth book, but chooses the non-dark side.

John V. (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 6:05 PM)

In all honesty I have never read, or even attempted to pick up a Harry Potter book. Nothing against it, just not my thing. But I will however, comment on the artwork and the description it was given. When I first looked at the art work the first thing that came to my mind was, "Well, how did they get there?" Pretty acurate summary on the descriptionee's part.

Valerie Estrella (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 6:15 PM)

Harry has been one of my favorite "I don't want to be a hero,but if I have to be, I'll be a darned good one.",characters ever I think. Hermoine is just plain annoying, and those kind always get the pushover guys, so she'll definately end up with Ron Weasely. (Hermoine Weasely?) Sigh, alas all good things must end. I just hope it isn't Harry who ends. (Personal note: Danial Radcliffe has turned into a major hottie!)

Harry Fan (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 6:18 PM)

If Rowling says one of her dead characters gets a reprieve, maybe she's referring to Dumbledore, who could have left part of himself in a horacux...maybe his pensieve, or Griffidor's sword, or maybe even Fawkes.

Another Harry fan (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 6:45 PM)

As a 62 year old Grandfather of nine and a Greatgrandfather of three wonderful children I am looking forward to the next instalment of Harry Potter. Hopefully Harry will finely understand that he will become a great wizerd and one day, maybe become Headmaster at Hogworts. The new book cover is OUTSTANDING.

M. E. Butler, Tucson, AZ. (Sent Friday, June 08, 2007 7:00 PM)



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