# Harry Potter : A Warning Shot Across the Bow **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 19, 2003, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-a-warning-shot-across-the-bow/183011 "2003-06-19T21:54:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-a-warning-shot-across-the-bow/183011/21 "2003-06-20T05:28:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bippy the Beardless \* > **It was a serious shock finding out Harry Potter was gay though, wasn’t it.** Dude, that was revealed back in book one. Remember when Harry gave Ron that backrub? And they shared a bunk together when everyone was away for Xmas? And then…well, let’s just say it was cut from the movie, to avoid an NC-17 rating. I think it’s an easter egg on the DVD, though. 😃 You know, I think the reason for this loong delay for Book 5 was Scholastic BEGGING not to kill off…well, I think I know who it is already. But we’ll see. ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-a-warning-shot-across-the-bow/183011/22 "2003-06-20T05:31:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Flamsterette\_X \* > \*\*Hey, did anybody hear about the Montreal-area woman who bought a copy of _Goblet of Fire_ at Wal-Mart last week, after the book was mistakenly put on shelves? \*\* Umm…you meant to say _Order of the Phoenix_, right? Because otherwise, this whole spoiler box thread makes no sense (albeit quite surreal…) ---
**Author:** ![effac3d](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@effac3d](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/effac3d)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-a-warning-shot-across-the-bow/183011/23 "2003-06-20T05:50:08Z")
Yeah but the death don’t last. I swear Rawling is as bad as Josh Wheadon. ---
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-a-warning-shot-across-the-bow/183011/24 "2003-06-20T10:36:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dantheman \* > \*\*Well, now you’ve heard it. 🙂 > > It’s just a rumor, not a substantiated fact. > > I also heard a rumor there’s a big orgy scene in Chapter 4. \*\* Nope it’s a fact. Search on [news.bbc.co.uk](http://news.bbc.co.uk) and you’ll find reference to an interview with Rowling where she says that she had to have a good cry after writing the death scene. Not even her husband knows who the corpse is gonna be… ---
**Author:** ![teleute12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@teleute12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teleute12)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-a-warning-shot-across-the-bow/183011/25 "2003-06-20T10:53:37Z")
I hear she killed off Harry. Yes, I’m kidding. No, I don’t know anything. ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-a-warning-shot-across-the-bow/183011/26 "2003-06-20T11:07:54Z")
People, it’s a book. A CHILDRENS book. I wonder if Shakespeares most recent release got so much excitement. Oh sorry I forgot, he didn’t have an agent. And yes…against my will…I wil be in the queue tomorrow (for my child! grrrrrrr) ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-a-warning-shot-across-the-bow/183011/27 "2003-06-20T12:36:22Z")
Nah, the real problem is that there weren’t any message boards around when The Bard was writing… “‘To Be or Not To Be?’ WTF is up with that??!?” “So, when did Shakespeare jump the shark?” “Coriolanus: Spoilers!!!” ---
**Author:** ![widdershins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f0a364/32.png) [@widdershins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/widdershins)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-a-warning-shot-across-the-bow/183011/28 "2003-06-20T13:24:37Z")
Glad I stocked up on reading material a few weeks back. Between Hillary’s mug on display in multitude and the looming Potter Pandemonium Part 5, I don’t want to be anywhere near a bookstore for the next couple of weeks. For once it’s good not to be a parent, and have to deal with Harrymania. As for Shakespeare, he would also have had to contend with fanfic porn featuring: Mercutio/Romeo. Iago/Desdemona, Aaron/Lavinia, and the inevetable Hamlet/Rosencrantz/Guildenstern/Polonius/the Players gangbang on Ophelia. Well, that and all the Globe Theatre fanboys nitpicking the continuity of his histories and developing a cult following around Caliban. ---
**Author:** ![Sparrow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Sparrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparrow)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-a-warning-shot-across-the-bow/183011/29 "2003-06-20T14:39:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cajela \* > \*\*Tee hee. Northern hemispherism. Go Bippy. > > Hey, can we have totally unfounded speculation here? > > I reckon: > Most likely: Hagrid, Ron > Medium likely: Dumbledore, Sirius > Least likely but still possible: Hermione, Ginny > Not likely at all, but it would rock: Any Dursley, Malfoy \*\* My money’s on Mrs Weasley. ---
**Author:** ![AmericanMaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@AmericanMaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AmericanMaid)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-a-warning-shot-across-the-bow/183011/30 "2003-06-20T15:27:59Z")
**Sparrow** you made me just gasp aloud and say “No!” Yes, I’m a sad, sad person. My money is on Hagrid. My wish is that Malfoy dies a dishonorable cowardly death. ---
**Author:** ![FisherQueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/58f4c7/32.png) [@FisherQueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FisherQueen)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-a-warning-shot-across-the-bow/183011/31 "2003-06-20T15:58:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by calm kiwi \* > \*\* > > And yes…against my will…I wil be in the queue tomorrow (for my child! grrrrrrr) \*\* Tomorrow? Wimp. I’ll be getting mine at 12:01 tonight… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![DeVena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-a-warning-shot-across-the-bow/183011/32 "2003-06-20T16:40:35Z")
I’ve ordered mine off [Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com) and actually PAID for shipping. If it’s not here tomorrow - I’ma gonna start cussin’! ---
**Author:** ![scott\_evil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@scott\_evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scott_evil)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-a-warning-shot-across-the-bow/183011/33 "2003-06-20T16:49:54Z")
I can’t believe I have to go wait outside a bookstore tonight so that my fiancé Jeremy can get his (pre-ordered, pre-paid) HP book. I am _such_ a devoted partner. I mean, really. If he can manage to put that damned book down for two minutes this weekend, he’ll be owe me some serious butt-lovin’. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-a-warning-shot-across-the-bow/183011/34 "2003-06-20T17:25:48Z")
Whoa! **Scott** , you got me with that one! I hadn’t realized it was you writing that. ---
**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-a-warning-shot-across-the-bow/183011/35 "2003-06-20T19:44:17Z")
**WELL DONE EUTY!** Thanks for picking a sensible policy, making it clear what it is, and backing it up. On that subject can I suggest to people that you specify which book you’re spoiling if it’s any of the earlier ones. It’s really annoying if someone spoilers “HP finds out he is a wizard.” because you think you can’t take part in the conversation until you’ve read OotP, and discover it was gratuitous. PS. **Euty** , might it be wise to put “No spoilers in thread titles.” in the subject? I know everyone should read this thread anyway, but just to make sure…? ---
**Author:** ![Sparrow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Sparrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparrow)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-a-warning-shot-across-the-bow/183011/36 "2003-06-20T20:41:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by AmericanMaid \* > \*\ ***Sparrow** you made me just gasp aloud and say “No!” Yes, I’m a sad, sad person. My money is on Hagrid. My wish is that Malfoy dies a dishonorable cowardly death. \*\* Well, I think there are valid reasons, which I explained on the other Harry Potter thread earlier today: > [@](#): > > **It occurred to me only last night that one of the Weasley parents would be a good candidate for the chop. They are major characters, but not essential ones. And the untimely death of one of them would provide a lot of motivation for all sorts of character development - giving Ron a lot more reason to hate the killer (whoever, but I assume its V or one of the Malfoys) and more reason to support Harry than just loyalty to his best friend. A lot more motivation for Harry too, as Mrs W especially has become like a surrogate mum for him. Also we know that Harry is going to spend time at the Weasley’s place in this book - a good opportunity?** I also thought after seeing the interview on BBC last night where JKR said she cried when she wrote the death. Mrs Weasley’s death, although probably not essential to the storyline, would be a real tearjerker, she’s such a lovable motherly person. I also read recently that JKR’s mother died not many years ago, so writing of the death of a mother would be very difficult, painful and personal for her. ---
**Author:** ![scott\_evil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@scott\_evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scott_evil)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-a-warning-shot-across-the-bow/183011/37 "2003-06-20T21:29:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jonathan Chance \* > \*\*Whoa! > > **Scott** , you got me with that one! I hadn’t realized it was you writing that. \*\* 😕 What, did you think it was **Euty**? Anyway, I’m home from work now, and Jer’s sprawled out on the couch, watching some HP movie. Getting into the mood, I guess. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Primaflora](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/898d66/32.png) [@Primaflora](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Primaflora)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2003, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-a-warning-shot-across-the-bow/183011/38 "2003-06-21T00:55:46Z")
We couldn’t buy it at midnight in Australia and NZ. It was released here at 9am. Being a devoted parent I bought a copy at 9.05am. From Target where it was not that insane $45 price, but a more reasonable $27. I know who dies. Wheeeeeeeee! ---
**Author:** ![Ashkicker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4bbf92/32.png) [@Ashkicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashkicker)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2003, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-a-warning-shot-across-the-bow/183011/39 "2003-06-21T01:30:34Z")
I just keep checking this thread to find out if anyone is going to sing on who dies. I will buy the book, but I wanna know who dies now. Does that make me a bad person? If it can’t be told on SDMB feel free to e-mail me. ---
**Author:** ![Abe\_Sapien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@Abe\_Sapien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abe_Sapien)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2003, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-a-warning-shot-across-the-bow/183011/40 "2003-06-21T01:37:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Eutychus \* > \*\*But let it also be known that anyone who reveals any spoilers in the thread title itself will be in danger of losing their eternal souls, as well as their posting priviledges. > \*\* That´s stupid and nazi-like. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-a-warning-shot-across-the-bow/183011.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-a-warning-shot-across-the-bow/183011.md?page=3)