"It doesn't mean defeating death in the way the Death Eaters mean it, Harry [...] It means ... you know ... living beyond death. Living after death."
-- Hermione Granger
Weeks pass while Harry and Hermione, the heart gone out of them, concentrate on finding a lead to the sword’s location. At Christmastime, Harry asks to go to Godric’s Hollow for personal reasons and Hermione agrees for quest-related reasons. After planning carefully, they Apparate into Godric’s Hollow in disguise and visit the graves of Harry’s parents.
Calendar and Dates
The International Statute of Secrecy was signed in 1689 to send wizards into hiding for good.
Interesting facts and notes
the first Slytherin headmaster since he himself had controlled the school
That tells us definitely that neither Dippet nor Dumbledore were in Slytherin, and might be useful for timeline purposes.
Professor Bagshot doesn't cover anything later than the end of the nineteenth century.
So it sounds as though neither the war against Grindelwald nor the previous war against Voldemort are covered in History of Magic, unless Binns were to cover them without using a textbook.
Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
This is taken from the King James Bible, Matthew 6:21 and Luke 12:34.
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
This epitaph is also from the Bible, 1 Corinthians 15:26. --BH
Exceptional character moments
Hermione's support of Harry when he is grieving.
Memorable lines
They heard a snatch of laughter and pop music as the pub door opened and closed; they heard a carol start up inside the little church.
"Harry, I think it's Christmas Eve!" said Hermione.
The singing grew louder as they approached the church. It made Harry's throat constrict, it reminded him so forcefully of Hogwarts, of Peeves bellowing rude versions of carols from inside suits of armour, of the Great Hall's twelve Christmas trees, of Dumbledore wearing a bonnet he had won in a cracker, of Ron in a hand-knitted sweater ...
"Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
"The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death."
Words and phrases
Characters Introduced
Commentary
From the Web
Writing by J K Rowling on WizardingWorld (Pottermore): The Potter Family
MuggleNet:
- Getting a Clue for Christmas
- MuggleCast Episode 133: Laura is Fired (Chapters 16 and 17 of Deathly Hallows)
- Godric's Hollow: Myth and Reality
Harry Potter Wiki: Godric's Hollow
Pensieve (Comments)
Tags: Christmas Christmas carols comfort death disguises family family photos graveyard grief heart loss love memorials memories pain religion sadness support treasure
Harry embodies both of the Bible quotations mentioned in this chapter.
He reveals in Philosopher's Stone his family is what he treasures most. Like Dumbledore, Harry's heart will always be with the family he has lost.
Throughout his journey to find the Horcruxes, Harry learns what it truly means to be Master of Death. By embracing death as an old friend, Harry conquers death. -- C.M.
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