Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Books/Deathly Hallows/Chapter 34
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Chapter 34 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: The Forest Again
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[edit] Synopsis
Sprawled on the Headmaster's office floor, Harry now understands his own destiny. Under his Invisibility Cloak, he proceeds to the Entrance Hall, almost bumping into Neville, who is returning from the grounds with Oliver Wood. They are carrying Colin Creevey's body into the castle. Oliver says he can handle this on his own, and Neville returns to the grounds to search for more casualties. Harry follows and reveals himself to Neville. Harry tells Neville that Nagini must be killed to defeat Voldemort. He says that Ron and Hermione also know, but if for some reason they are unable to, then Neville must kill Nagini. Neville says he will, and Harry puts the cloak back on and proceeds to the Forbidden Forest. Noticing Ginny helping a fallen girl along the way, he is tempted to stop and speak with her, but knowing it would be impossible for him to continue if he did, he goes on, past Hagrid's hut and to the Forest.
Harry's path is blocked by Dementors gliding around the forest's edge, and he lacks the strength to conjure another Patronus. Harry pulls the Snitch from his pouch. Remembering its inscription, "I open at the close," he realizes it refers to death. Pressing the Snitch to his lips, he whispers, "I am about to die." The Snitch breaks open and reveals the Peverell ring, which Harry now knows holds the cracked Resurrection Stone. Closing his eyes, he turns the stone three times, then opens his eyes. The shades of James, Lily, Lupin, and Sirius appear. All seem ghostly but are more solid-looking than just spirits. Lupin and Sirius both appear younger and each looks happy. His mother and father speak to Harry, telling him how proud they are of him and offer comfort as he prepares to die. Harry asks if dying hurts, but Sirius says it is painless and easier than falling asleep. Harry tells Remus that he is sorry that he will not know his son. Remus regrets he is unable to be there for him, but is glad Teddy will grow up in a better world that his death helped to make possible. The spirits promise to stay with Harry and protect him as he passes through the Dementors, acting as Patronuses. Harry is able to force himself to go on only because the spirits are there with him.
Harry makes his way through the thick, tangled woods, unaware of where he is heading; something appears to be guiding him. The spirits remain close to his side. As he nears Voldemort's camp, Yaxley and Dolohov think they hear something, although they believe it is probably only an animal. The one hour is nearly up, and it appears that Harry Potter will not come. Still cloaked, Harry follows them into a clearing where he sees two Giants and Voldemort's Death Eaters, including Bellatrix. Fenrir Greyback is skulking nearby, while Lucius Malfoy and his wife, Narcissa are also there, both looking defeated and apprehensive. Harry recognizes the camp site as Aragog's old dwelling, his descendants having been forced out by Death Eaters to fight for their cause.
"I thought he would come," Voldemort said, "I expected him to come." None spoke. Outside the ring of firelight, Harry pulls off the Cloak and tucks it, beside his wand, under his robes. The Resurrection Stone slips from his fingers, and the spirits vanish. Voldemort speaks again. "I was, it seems... mistaken."
Harry loudly replies, "You weren't."
Another voice yells, "HARRY! WHAT ARE YEH-!" It is Hagrid, tightly bound to a tree nearby. Rowle silences him.
"Harry Potter," Voldemort said, "the boy who lived." As Harry's final thoughts turn to Ginny, Voldemort casts the Killing Curse at him.
[edit] Analysis
Snape's memories have answered many questions, and the truth is not what Harry or the reader expected. It seems that Harry's doubts and fears about Dumbledore were not only justified, but Dumbledore had carefully been protecting him all these years only as part of his ultimate plan to sacrifice Harry to rid the wizarding world of Voldemort. Surprisingly, Harry accepts this, and he willingly goes to face Voldemort and fulfill his fate in order to save others. Snape is also vindicated, and his heroism and sacrifice are finally revealed. If Harry survives, he will eventually have to reconcile his long-held hatred for his belligerent teacher with new-found gratitude to the tragic man who protected him and aided his quest, losing his own life in the process.
The one bright spot for Harry is that he has finally attained his dream to be reunited with his parents, although, unlike the brother in the tale, he realizes that the boundary between the living and the dead can be crossed permanently only in one direction. By accepting this final piece of understanding, Harry becomes death's master. However, he feels justified summoning James and Lily's spirits only so they can escort him to the netherworld, not to attempt to resurrect them. Meeting his parents and hearing their words completes his emotional need for their love and approval. They also provide comfort and guidance as he is about to meet his own death.
In this chapter, we also see several indications of how deep Harry's love is for Ginny. First, as Harry is leaving Hogwarts, he spots Ginny, and of all the people Harry longs to bid goodbye to, it is his inability to speak to Ginny that hurts most, fearing he will be unable to continue if he stops. Also, and perhaps most telling, is that as Harry faces his death, it is the memory of Ginny's kiss that comes to him, rather than any recollection of his parents, or even Cho Chang, showing that of those in Harry's life, it is Ginny who had provided the most comfort. On Ginny's part, as Harry passes her on the way to the forest, he believes that Ginny sensed him passing, despite his being covered by the Invisibility Cloak. While he cannot know this for certain, as he does not look back, this indicates his trust in Ginny's love for him.
[edit] Questions
[edit] Review
- Unlike the brother in the Deathly Hallows tale, why does Harry feels he is justified in summoning his parents' spirits?
- What does, "I open at the close" mean? Why does Harry only now understand its meaning?
[edit] Further Study
- When Harry summons the spirits of his parents, Sirius, and Lupin, why doesn't he also call for Cedric Diggory, "Mad Eye" Moody, Dumbledore, or Fred Weasley?
- Why does Harry drop the Resurrection Stone just as he confronts Voldemort?
- Was Dumbledore justified in protecting Harry only so his life will be sacrificed to defeat Voldemort? Why does Harry so readily accept his fate?
[edit] Greater Picture
We will very shortly learn that Harry's death, as we could guess from the fact that two large chapters remain in the book, does not actually occur at this juncture. A great deal of explanation of what has happened, and final understanding of Dumbledore's plan and intent, will be provided to us in the next chapter.
Harry's dropping the Resurrection Stone, rather than being unplanned, is actually a conscious decision on his part. The Stone, now somewhere underfoot in the depths of the Forbidden Forest, is unlikely to ever be found again. Harry, it develops, feels correctly that the ability to summon the shades of the dead is something that does not belong in this world.
