The Will of Albus Dumbledore

Calendar and Dates

Harry's birthday is 31 July.

Interesting facts and notes

The chapter begins with Harry dreaming about following Lord Voldemort in an unknown country. While it's not great to have the Dark Lord in his head the night before his 17th birthday, it doesn't help that it leaves Harry with questions. Well, at least there are presents to look forward to, and Molly Weasley has baked a spectacular cake. What could possibly spoil the day?

He was walking along a mountain road in the cool, blue light of dawn.

Since we learn within two paragraphs that the sun has not yet risen at the Burrow, this might help us narrow down the location of the village that Voldemort is about to enter. It's interesting that he's on foot rather than having Apparated.

....a mountainous horizon and the outline of the little village cradled in a deep valley

Again, these details might help us narrow down the location.

"I think," he said slowly, "he's got something to do with Quidditch. There's some connection, but I can't - I can't think what it is."

The connection is Viktor Krum - Gregorovitch made Krum's wand, according to Mr. Ollivander during the Weighing of the Wands almost three years previous to this.

(I remembered this before checking the master index or reading any further. Is that sad?)

"I think dating opportunities are going to be pretty thin on the ground, to be honest."
"There’s the silver lining I've been looking for...."

"it'll be because the thirty-one days are up...."

But would this be thirty-one days since the death of Albus Dumbledore, since the funeral, or since the reading of the will? If it is thirty-one days since the death, that gives us another piece of information in determining the date of the battle of the Tower.

"The Decree for Justifiable Confiscation gives the Ministry the power to confiscate the contents of a will –"
"That law was created to stop wizards passing on Dark artefacts...."

This means, therefore, that the Snitch left to Harry, the book of tales left to Hermione and the unique magical object left to Ron have all been thoroughly examined and investigated by the Ministry of Magic during the thirty days allowed to them, but that they have been unable to find any valid reason to keep these away from the legatees.

"....Voldemort chased me across three counties"

This would have been from Little Whinging to wherever the Tonks family home is located (DH4).

Exceptional character moments

Hermione shows she has some Quidditch knowledge i.e. that Snitches have flesh memories.

Ron's bemusement that neither Hermione nor Harry have heard of the Tales of Beedle the Bard, which they counter with Snow White and Cinderella, Muggle stories Ron has never heard of.

Memorable lines

"Dragomir Gorgovitch, Chaser, transferred to the Chudley Cannons for a record fee two years ago. Record-holder for most Quaffle drops in a season."
"No, said Harry. "I'm definitely not thinking of Gorgovitch."
"I try not to, either," said Ron.

Harry thought that answering questions correctly was such a deeply ingrained habit she could not suppress the urge.

"Are you planning to follow a career in Magical Law, Miss Granger?" asked Scrimgeour.
"No I'm not," retorted Hermione. "I'm hoping to do some good in the world!"

"Interesting theory," said Harry. "Has anyone ever tried sticking a sword in Voldemort?"

"It's time you learned some respect!"
"It's time you earned it."

Words and phrases

• Bloke
• Camp-Bed
• Marquee
• Mental
• Mokeskin Pouch
• Pants
• snog
• Trainers

Characters Introduced

• Beedle the Bard
• Dragomir Gorgovitch