Scholastic Reveals Cover Art for the Deluxe Edition
Scholastic has revealed the cover art for the Deluxe Edition of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Of course, the art was done by Mary Grand Pre.
There isn’t too much to prognosticate on but I wanted to offer my one major opinion. It could be bogus or not but here goes. Harry, Ron and Hermione (I think that’s Ron and Hermione) are riding a dragon in the picture. Call me crazy, but I think the dragon is the animagus form of Draco Malfoy (Dragon of Bad Faith). Look at the white blonde hair and the grey eyes on the dragon. I think it says it all.
Opinions?
Penny:)
By the way, if you’re thinking of ordering the Deluxe Edition, why not order it through the HPProgs Bookshelf?
June 8th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
You are so right, I definitely think it’s Draco.
June 8th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Oh my gosh… I wish I hadn’t seen that. Too much information!
June 8th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
Yes, those pain meds you’re on must be some real good ones! I hadn’t thought of it being an Animagus, that’s fascinating.
Okay, I think you’re wrong about prognosticating. I think there’s plenty to prognosticate about. Here are some questions, I’ll ask them and you can answer them in your next podcast, how’s that?
Their robes are tattered. On the UK children’s edition cover, only Harry is wearing tattered clothing. So, how do these two facts tie together? How did they get tattered clothing, was it getting the dragon to let them ride it or something else? Why are they riding it? Where are they going? And put together a timeline — which comes first, second and third, the treasure-room scene from the UK children’s edition cover, the confrontation between Harry and Voldemort on the regular Scholastic edition cover and this dragon picture? And one more question, is it Norbert? If not, what kind of dragon is it?
I’m so excited that this has come out. I’ve been waiting for it since early May (the Deluxe HBP cover art came out May 11, I checked). Now, I’m done. I’m going to stop checking Harry Potter news sites 7 times a day, because I’ll just find something that will spoil me. I’ll still listen to podcasts, I think there are a few, including yours, that I can trust not to spoil me.
June 8th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
I agree that there are several interesting correlations between this cover and the children’s covers. 1) Harry’s seems to be wearing the same clothes (at least the same shirt) in both US versions. 2) Mrs Lovegood says only Harry’s robes are tattered in the UK version, but Hermione has scrapes and bruises on that cover, which could correlate with this new picture. 3) all three covers have the same sunset color scheme.
I’d like the dragon to be Norbert, but I’m never right when I guess those things. I do agree with Mrs Lovegood, however, that the sequence of the 3 covers is very interesting, as they all may have occurred on the same day.
June 8th, 2007 at 7:20 pm
Oh boy! I like dragons. I don’t have any unless you count the Bearded Dragon eating crickets and squash downstairs. I am totally at a loss. Mind is a blank. It just reminded me of the Never Ending Story and the poem about the smiling young lady from Niger. From what I can read about Dragons I don’t see any reference about any of them being domesticated or intelligent as in the last dragon with Sean Connery as the dragon’s voice. Most of the fantastic beast refernces describe large dragons as having a taste for human prey. That being said I cannot shoot down the animagus theory to allow for the ride and the doscile expression of this beast. I am not certain Draco would have the power to become such a monster as animagus tend to follow personality traits. I think of Draco more as the white ferret he was transfigured into by the fake Moody in GOF. I thought of transfiguation being used to turn Draco into a dragon but it wouldn’t be by a good guy as why would you want to turn your nemisis rival into a dragon? Wouldn’t be to smart. What I am seeing is an older fully developed beaste with full horns and greyish hair and perhaps a blinded eye with slightly worn wings. If there is such a thing as a reasonable dragon that could speak like say Aragog the spider(who still liked to eat people) Perhaps Harry is guiding an older blind dragon as part of a deal for aid or information. Or it could be Draco the Dragon for all I know. Shoot me now!
June 8th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
Based on the book Fantastic Beasts and where to find them, I’ve come to the conclusion that this dragon is antipodean opaleye. Look at the scales and multi colored pupil-less eyes. Correct me if I’m wrong, but check it out.
June 8th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
I forgot that dragon is also known to be non aggressive and only attacks when hungry.
June 8th, 2007 at 7:38 pm
There are some rumors flying around that the dragon is an Animagus and might be Albeforth Dumbledore. It’s another one of those mysteries that won’t be solved until July 21. Sigh.
Mrs. Lovegood posed good questions that I’d love to hear discussion about, as well!
What’s really odd is I saw the Deluxe Ed. cover and thought “Good – Harry, Hermione and Ron all survive!” I have no idea where that thought came from, but there it is…
June 8th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
Yeah I was thinking it was an opel eye too as that is as close as I could find. It does look old to me with the grey hair and full cracked horns. Assuming it is not an animagus where would you come across such a beast? Romania? Could it have been a guard for a treasure or horcrux? I like what was beening said about the clothing. All three look tattered and bruised. One item that is curiously missing is the talisment or whatever that was around Harry’s neck in the regular cover. More coffee!
June 8th, 2007 at 9:02 pm
It looks like a dragon, but I initially thought it was a thestral
June 9th, 2007 at 12:33 am
Yay Im a new listener. Heres my take:
Doesn’t it take years to become an animagus? For some reason I dont see Draco taking the time and effort, or having the motives to become an animagus before he got his mission from Voldemort. And how would he have kept that a secret during those years of trying to becoming one? I mean, a dragon is pretty big. Where would you go to hide yourself when you finally transformed, especially in Hogwarts. The only place I can think of is the forbidden forest but Draco has always showed obvious fear and apprehension when it comes to the forest.
My first take on the dragon is that it looks old and a little worse for the wear. Its horns are cracked and the wings look a little tattered. It was a definitely parallel to the way Harry, Ron, and Hermione look, but they obviously dont look old. The white hair on the dragon make it look kind of like an old man to me.
Just a few thoughts.
June 9th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
For some reson I thought of Norbert when I saw the dragon.
idk, could he just be in one book and sent away forever?
maybe, but yeh.
That dragon being Draco would be awesome!
June 9th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
[...] HP Progs: Draco’s the Dragon? [...]
June 9th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
and maybe they are flying over godrics hollow.
but i dont remember them talking about any bridges.
oh well, minor detail, no problem.
June 9th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
I think I’d have to agree with Tani on this one. I looked at it the first time last night and my girlfriend (a graphic artist) complained that the dragon had white hair… “Why would a dragon have white hair?!” — That’s when it hit me… it is Dumbledore!
I think there has to be more of Dumbledore in the final book.
It just wouldn’t be the same without him.
Now… on the other side… there has been no mention of a type of magic to take a wizard’s soul and place it in an animal or animal form upon death. To introduce a new type of magic in the final book would be another “time-turner” calamity IMO.
Just my … prognostication for the day.
-Shaun
June 10th, 2007 at 8:59 am
Pocket Dragons Rulz!!!!
June 10th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
No, I don’t think it is Draco. Norbert, maybe?!
June 10th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
Dood, that’s so insane, but you might just be right… Great theory, Penny.
I still want it to be Baby Norbert making a comeback.
June 10th, 2007 at 4:35 pm
In response to J’s comment: You’re right that becoming an animagus would take a lot of skill and effort, and hiding an animal that size would be no small task. (Haha) But think of Peter Pettigrew. The Marauders were still in Hogwarts when they managed to turn into their animagus forms. James and Sirius were obviously more skilled than Peter and helped him along. Last we saw of him, Draco was possibly on the run from Lord Voldemort. How’s that for motive for going into hiding? (It wouldn’t have been known that dragon was the animagus form.) We know for a fact that Snape is helping the Malfoy family, and Snape is a very capable wizard. I could see him tutoring Draco, and continuing to fulfill his vow to Narcissa.
June 10th, 2007 at 11:41 pm
I would say that it’s Norbert before Draco. When did he find time to become an animagus in between all that ploting Dumbledore’s demise and commiserating with Myrtle? Of course, if it is an antipodean opaleye, than obviously not Norbert either. Although, Fantastic Beasts says the opaleye is a native of New Zealand/Australia, so either it’s a very long way from home or the trio is.
June 11th, 2007 at 1:14 am
I believe it is a Opal Eye Australian dragon. And yes, it might be Draco. But also: Harry is NOT wearing the amulet around his neck. This could be after the confrontation with Voldemort-they look as if they have been in a fight, and Hermione is laying down, she may be injured. The village they are flying over in daylight (it looks like the invisibility booster is broken again!
) could be Hogsmeade (as it has mountains and lake around it), but as Hogwarts is not in the background, or prehaps Godrics Hollow, Little Hangleton, or even Ottery St Catchpole. If this is in England it is probebly in summertime. Maybe you guys could prognosticate on whether they are flying away from something or towards something?
June 11th, 2007 at 1:15 am
OK it says I am writing this at one in the morning but its actually four in the afternoon, I live in Australia
June 11th, 2007 at 11:54 am
You know, I wonder whether that IS Ron on the dragon – it doesn’t look like the other boy has flaming red hair – it appears to be the same colour as the girl – honey brown …
June 11th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
I also believe the dragon to be an Opaleye, and therefore not Norbert. I’m not to sure about the animagus theory, but if it is an animagus, I would expect it to be Charlie Weasley. What better way to study dragons than to transform into one. We don’t know all that much about Charlie, but I would expect him to be at Bill and Fleur’s wedding. Ron and Hermione look like they may be wearing dress robes, so maybe the wedding was attacked and Charlie, in dragon form, is carrying the trio to safety. Just a thought. I don’t like it being Draco, as I hope for Draco’s reform, and if Draco is given the power of dragon form there is no reason for him to change. In fact, he would probably become an even bigger prat. What to you all think?
June 11th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
Okay, the dragon could be Norbert or the Opaleye. I’d like to think it is Norbert. I’m not sure about Draco. Dumbledore would have to be alive to become a dragon, so that doesn’t make sense. Although, as someone else has said I don’t think we’ve heard the last from him–perhaps the pensive or the portrait, but some how some way he will communicate with Harry. The clothes on both Hermione and Ron (it is Ron) are tattered and worn. And only Harry is not in school robes which is interesting. Do Ron and Hermione go back to Hogwarts and Harry doesn’t? These book covers seem to pose more questions than they answer.
June 11th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
Hello all, I don’t think the dragon is Draco. However I do think that Draco will help Harry, Ron and Hermione. I think there is more to Draco then meets the eye. I never believed that Draco really wanted to be allyed with Voldemort. On another note I do think Snape is on the light side. Reason 1: In Chapter 19 of HBP Hagrid tells Harry that Snape did not want to do something that Dumbledore wanted him to do. Hagrid said that Dumbledore told Snape he’d agreed to do it. They most likely where talking about Snape killing Dumbledore. reason 2: Just before Snape killed Dumbledore, Dumbledore said “please”, I think he was telling Snape to do what he told him to do. What do you all think?
June 11th, 2007 at 9:16 pm
Instead of asking who/what the dragon is maybe we should be asking why they need to travel on the dragon? I have a gut feeling the village is Godric’s Hollow, maybe there’s something that guards the village and they need something of a dragon’s calibur to get around it? Even if they had to travel a long distance they would have had access to Thestrals and Buckbeak, not to mention side by side Apparation and brooms. Why are they on a dragon? I suspect it has something to do with whatever is protecting that village. It could be other dragons or giants or anything, really.
June 12th, 2007 at 4:56 am
To apoligise before hand 4 the essay but there is a extremly important point to it.
Amazingly enough i happened to be reading through “Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them”, and even more weirdly the section on dragons.
NO JOKE!!!!
There are a variety of extracts from “Antipodean Opaleye” and my thoughts in comparsion to the deluxe edition
-Unusually for a dragon, it dwells in valleys rather than mountains.
-…it has iridescent, pearly scales…
-…and glittering, multi-cloured, pupil-less eyes hence the name.
-…by dragon standards it is not particularly aggressive and would rarely kill unless hungury.
-…favourite food is sheep…
Now and this is the important bit
-A spate a number of kangaroo killings in the late 1970s were attributed to a male Paleye ousted from his homeland by a dominant female.
Pros that it is a “Antipodean Opaleye”
The deluxe front cover shows a valley.
The dragon has pupil-less eyes.
It isnt aggresive as “the trio” are riding its back.
Cons that it isn’t a “Antipodean Opaleye”
The scales are meant to be pearly but they appear more green.
They eat sheep, nz is famous for its lamb but where else is?
Wales!
Also the male could have well migrated to somewhere else valleyly after being kicked out of australia/new zealand.
I then researched the name “Antipodean Opaleye”
The second bit ofcourse the opaleyes of the dragon.
But then i looked up the meaning for “Antipodean”.
an·tip·o·des-Any two places or regions that are on diametrically opposite sides of the earth.
How obvious.
The UK and Australia/New Zealand are diametrically opposite on the globe.
It was then that i realised something.
Flicking the pages of “Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them”.
I found the “Common Welsh Green” dragon.
There are a variety of extracts from “Common Welsh Green” and my thoughts in comparsion to the deluxe edition.
-…blends well with the luss grass of its homelnd, through it nests in the higher mountains…
-…this breed is among the least troublesome of dragons, preferring like the Opaleye, to prey on sheep and actively avoiding humans unless provoked.
Pros that it is the “Common Welsh Green”
The blending in with its surroundings surgests it is of a green colour, as its title explains.
Lives in the mountains hence the mountains in the background of the cover.
Hermione appears to be covered in wounds where as harry and the other are not, does this mean hermione tried to suduce the dragon but because of its aggresive nature attacked hermione.
Being common and easy to find it would be an obvious choice of transport if they are trying to get somewhere in a hurry, as the floo network is under the controll of voldemort and brooms arent quick enough.
The book does not refer in ne way to its eyes as in the other articles on dragons,ie “Herbridean Black”(another welsh dragon) has purple eyes, the “Chinese FireBall’s are “extremly protuberant”.
The reference to the Opal in the article and the “antipodes” could mean the 2 dragon species are related and have similar features.
Cons that it isnt a “Common Welsh Green”
Well tbh i cant think of ne reasons why it cant be.
Well there we are.
lol
Oh!
Just one last thing.
I dont think Ron is on that dragon as the boy has the same colour hair as Hermione. The Red-Headed Weasleys are disstinguised by their hair and if this isnt Ron, who could it be?
I believe it to be Neville. As the prophecy was once true to him as well.
I wonder what role this book will have in store for him?
So HPProgs listeners of the world, what do you think?
Sam
West Midlands, UK.
June 12th, 2007 at 4:58 am
OMG
i was looking again and thought could the boy on the back even be Victor Krum as he is tending to Hermione.
Hmmmmmmmm
June 12th, 2007 at 9:34 am
Can someone tell me if my ideas are good or not in the comment previously thanks!
June 13th, 2007 at 12:58 am
yes ‘potters number one fan’ i think that snape and umbledore were fighting about it. i also think in deathly hallows we will find out more about snape and why he was in the hogshead listening to trelawney. it will be very coll having the trio on a dragon, but why do they need a dragon? we have never heard of a tame dragon before, have we? i am pretty sure its never been mentioned.
June 13th, 2007 at 3:23 am
To answer the questions about whether or not it’s Ron on the cover:
David Saylor, Vice President, Creative Director, Scholastic described the art: “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
Per the press release posted on all the HP news sites.
June 13th, 2007 at 7:23 am
Ppl, wud lyk 2 thnk what you think wot u think of my prognostication on the dragon on the deluxe edition (the one thats lyk an essay long, mml)
Also thnx you Nancy, im not on the internet often
lol
: D
June 13th, 2007 at 10:41 am
[...] Just in time for Episode #35, Scholastic released the cover for the Deluxe edition of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. At first glance, the picture seems quite unassuming (even austere, but certainly not threadbare). So we have Harry, Ron and Hermione riding a dragon…but then, the wheels begin to turn, and bits and pieces of information from various parts of the Potter-verse start to collect, theories start to form…and we have interesting ideas on our hands. In this episode, we review the discussion started on our last post about the draconian figure adorning the cover. [...]
June 13th, 2007 at 10:52 am
No one knows what goes on in the mind of Draco Malfoy seeing as J.K rights from Harry’s pov. We just no Draco from Harry’s perspective. What do you all think? By the way is everyone ready for a Potter filled July! I know I am!
June 14th, 2007 at 11:10 am
NO WAY is the dragon Draco Malfoy. One more reason why in just over a month HP Progs will be proven to be the LEAST correct fansite on the web. RIDICULOUS!
June 14th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
You sound like you don’t no much about Harry Potter or this sight. Everyone has great comments on this sight.
June 14th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Potters Number One Fan- Thanks for sticking up for us- don’t worry though. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. like I told someone before, I am not “married” to the idea of the dragon being Draco- rather it was an interesting way to think about things and “prognosticate”. I gave my rationale. Will I be surprised if the Dragon *isn’t* Draco? Absolutely not, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun to make these predictions before the book comes out.
June 21st, 2007 at 6:32 pm
i was just looking back at the picture, and i noticed that both ‘ron’ and ‘hermione’ (since it is not confired that the characters are them… but highly likely) are looking up, apparently horrified, at (what appears to be)the same point in the sky. it doesnt get us any closer as to what it may be, but i think it represents that they are either in a battle of some kind, or that they are about to be faced with some challenge.
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:48 pm
I have to things two things to say. One: I agree with #1p fan about Dumbeldore pleading with Snape to keep up his end of the bargain to kill him if it came to it to keep Harry and the others safe and to remain in Voldermorts inner circle. Two: my queastion is about the original cover art. Did anyone notice that neither Harry nor Voldemort have WANDS!
June 24th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
yea that is strange, also they’re wearing the same brown robe thing and don’t seem to be actually attacking each other…odd
harry is wearing a big locket which is of course allmost cirtainly the horcrux which reminds me of dumbledore wearing the ring, maybe there’s some kind of connection and thats part of destroying the horcrux.
i think the dragon is allmost cirtainly a opaleye or an opaleye/welsh green cross, which would also iterestingly relate to Momantai’s definition of antipodes:
“an·tip·o·des-Any two places or regions that are on diametrically opposite sides of the earth.”
as the welsh green and the the antipodian opaleye live on opposite sides of the world.
i quite like the malfoy theory because malfoy proved himself more powerfull and more human in HBP so it would be fitting that he could be an animagus and that he could be helping the trio.
June 24th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
oh and btw maybe the dragon is ment to have white blond hair like malfoy rather than white hair cos it’s old.
also as far as the snape thing goes i compleatly agree, snapes behavior after he has killed dumbledore doesn’t seem triumphant, in fact he’s so on edge he seems desperate.
June 25th, 2007 at 2:51 am
Ya know I was listening to the podcast again and a thought occured to me. Has anyone given it a thought that it might be McGonagall? I know it is a bit far fetched but after all she is a master at transfiguration.
June 28th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
i don’t think so, McGonagall is allready an animagus and i think you can probably only become an animagus once, plus Harry chose not to tell McGonagall about the horcruxes so she’s unlikely to be able to help him with them, plus she’s probably going to be too busy running hogwarts and possibly the order now Dumbledores gone.
March 25th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
dfsd
March 25th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
fred died i mean come on
May 10th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Womens Plus Size Clothes…
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