The Escape & New Plan

The three are lucky again as the avoid multiplying treasure and angry goblins and find refugee with the half-blind dragon. They get off the dragon and jump into a lake. Kinda unsure how they survived that whole Gringott's experience and a dragon all in one day. The plus is, the have the Horcrux! But dang Griphook is a conniving goblin, so they unfortunately don't have anything to destroy it with. Finally they have some bad luck... Despite their worry, the three begin laughing about how lucky they have been and their success with breaking into Gringotts. Harry is able to see how angry Voldemort is about Harry breaking into Gringotts. He kills a few goblins out of rage after questioning them. Harry is also able to listen to Voldemort think about all the Horcruxes, which reveals secrets about the last Horcrux. Harry finds out that Nagini is indeed a Horcrux, and that the last Horcrux (the diadem) is hidden in Hogwarts. Voldemort decides to revisits the shack where the ring was hidden and the lake where the locket was to ensure they are safe. He also is planning to tell Snape that Harry is probably headed for Hogwarts. Harry snaps out of his trance and immediately tells Ron & Hermione what he saw, and also tells him that the last Horcrux is at Hogwarts. So the trio then heads over to Hogsmeade, or the village near Hogwarts, under the Invisibility Cloak, in hopes to go get to the last Horcrux before Voldy-Mort does. But when they finally get to Hogsmeade, an alarm goes off, and Death Eaters fly from their hideouts at Hogwarts and are positive that Harry Potter is in the premise. One of the Death Eaters attempts to summon Harry's cloak, but it doesn't budge. They also call in some reinforcements, the Dementors, which appear and Harry sets his Patronus off at, which instantly gives away his identity. Dun dun dun...

Bellatrix Goes To Gringotts; Starring Hermione

Finally, they have arrived at Gringotts. Hermione took a Pollyjuice Potion to become Bellatrix Lestrange, Ron is disguisted as a random guy, who Hermione calls Dragomir Despard from Translyvania, and Harry and Griphook are underneath the Invisibility Cloak. Unfortunately when they arrive, the run into Travers, a Death Eater. At first, Hermione acts super nice, but Harry whispers to her that she's acting too nice for Bellatrix and she begins acting more like her. When they get to the door, Harry Confounds the guards so they are able to get through. Hermione goes up to the counter and asks to get into her vault, but they notice that she has Bellatrix's wand, and they have been informed that it is stolen, so they believe they are impostors. Harry once again thinks quickly and uses the Imperious Curse, but only because Griphook told him to do so. The goblin which Harry cursed, called Bogrod, leads them onto a cart and through the Thief's Downfall. When they went through the Thief's Downfall, the curse was lifted from Bogrod, removes the pollyjuice potion's effects from Hermione, and Ron's disguise. It doesn't do anything to the Invisibility Cloak though, so Harry remains safe. They also use Clankers, this bag that produces a noise that scares off dragons, to scare off a half-blind dragon. Since Bogrod's hand is the only key to the Lestrange vault, he pushes his hand against the vault to open it for them, revealing loads of gold that begins to multiply is hopes of burying thieves. This multiplying gold and other treasures also is burning hot, which doesn't help the already stressful situation. Harry grabs the cup with the sword of Gryffindor, but when he is hoisted up by Hermione, he bumps a suit of armor that causes even more trouble for them. The treasure continues to multiply and begins to bury Bogrod and Griphook. Harry saves both of them, but greedy Griphook reaches for the sword which sends the cup flying through the air, forcing Harry to grab it with his hands. Griphook then runs off with the sword, and then betrays Harry and joins the clan of angry goblins.

Another Plan To Steal A Horcrux

After Dobby's funeral, the trio continues to stay at Bill & Fleur's house. The ponder over how exactly Dobby knew to go to the dungeon. They then decide to break into Gringotts, and they decide to let Griphook in on the plan. He agrees to help him, but only for a reward: the sword of Gryffindor. They need it for the destruction of the Horcruxes, so they decide that the will give him the sword, but not be specific on when they're gonna give it to him. Which Harry later finds out from Bill that deals with goblins are not very good idea. They start scheming this plan with him and Hermione will take a Polyjuice Potion to become Bellatrix so they can get into the Lestrange Family vault at Gringotts. Ted Tonks shows up, announcing that him and Dora had a boy and he asks Harry to be the godfather. Of course, Harry says yes. So, slowly the gang begins to leave Shell Cottage. Olivander leaves (but not before making Griphook angry about Muriel's tiara). Then the trio and Griphook head to Gringotts to begin their endeavor.

Uh-Oh. Way To Go Harry.

After having escaped yet another close encounter with Death Eaters, the trio made it out safely due to Hermione quick thinking again. They all then discuss the Deathly Hallows and debate the truth and existence behind them. Harry soon becomes very infatuated with the Deathly Hallows, and is set on the idea that the Resurrection Stone is inside the Snitch, so he tries every possible way to open it. Hermione then criticizes his infatuation and says he needs to focus more on the Horcruxes and not the Deathly Hallows. The three then listen to Potterwatch, the only truthful radio in the wizarding world that is not connected to the Ministry some-how. They inform them on all the recent deaths, such as Bathlida Bagshot and Ted Tonks. But unfortunately Harry slipped up and said the infamous V-word, and their protective charms broke and snatchers, one being Greyback, found them. Luckily, Hermione's quick thinking helps to disguise Harry and make his face swell up so the Snatchers can't easily identify them (but they still do). They are then taken to Malfoy Manor. OH NO! When they arrive, they easily realize that it's Hermione, but Draco can't quite figure out if it's Harry or not. Bellatrix (oh the evil Bellatrix) send HP and Ronnie down to the basement prison but holds Hermione up and tortures her on information on why exactly they have the sword of Gryffindor. She lies, and tells her it's a replica. When in the dungeon of doom, Harry and Ron find Luna (their wacky friend), Ollivander (the wand maker), Griphook (a golbin) and Dean Thomas (a Gryffindor friend). Harry then calls for help through his piece of mirror, and low and behold, Dobby saves the day! I know, what a shocker, it wasn't Hermione. Dobby frees Luna, Dean, and Ollivander and takes them to Bill & Fleur's cottage, but this noise of his disapparation causes Wormtail to comedown and investigate. Luckily, Harry & Ron are able to jump on him, but it was his own silver hand that killed him because he was betraying Voldemort by not killing Harry. The two go upstairs and Harry is able to disarm Bellatrix, but she is able to hold a knife against Hermione and demands they drop their wands. But then, Dobby saves the day again and drops the chandelier on Bellatrix. Luckily Harry, Dobby, Ron, and Hermione are able to disapparate but Bellatrix throws her knife just in the nick of time, and ends up killing Dobby instead of Harry. As they escape, Harry scar burys with the rage of Voldemort because he's angry Harry got away again. When the four arrive to Bill & Fleur's cottage, the find Dobby wounded and he dies while saying "Harry Potter". Dobby luckily dies a free, happy house elf who helped to save his beloved Harry Potter. The chapter ends with Voldemort stealing the Elder Wand out of Dumbledore's tomb at Hogwarts. Harry is able to see this all happen. Why? Psst. He's a horcrux.

The Truth Behind The Sign: The Tale Of The 3 Brothers

Chapter 21 (on page 405) begins with Harry questioning Xeno about the so-called Deathly Hallows. Surprisingly none of the three know about them. So, he explains that it corresponds to the Tale of the Three Brothers, which Ron was familiar with from childhood. Coincidentally, Hermione has the copy that she inherited from Dumbledore and she begins reading them the story. The story is about three brothers ( Peverell brothers) who were able to avoid death by building a bridge, and were rewarded by Death. Death (a cloaked figure) rewared the oldest brother with the Elder Wand (the most powerful wand in the world). The middle brother got rewarded with a resurrection stone (which is in the ring, which is in the Snitch). This stone gives the possessor the power to bring people back from the death. The youngest brother receives an invisibility cloak. The two old brothers die, whereas the youngest one dies peacefully with Death. Supposedly, whoever obtains all three items will be the master of death. After their brief story time, Harry goes up to Luna's bedroom, which appears un-used, despite Xeno's claim that she was down at the river. Harry questions Xeno about this, and he explains that Luna was taken hostage for publishing the Quibbler. He then casts a spell on the Erumpent horn, burying the three downstairs. In this time, two death eaters appear. They were probably summoned via the owl posted outside the house when Xeno supposedly went down to the stream to talk to Luna. Luckily, Hermione saves the three once again and leads them to a field, where they all are very angry at Xeno's betrayal. 

Off to find out the truth... From Xenophilius.

After the dramatic events regarding the Silver Doe, the gang is finally reunited. Although not everyone is happy with one another. Hermione is still not speaking to Ron, but he continues to catch up with Harry. Ron tells Harry about how those who say Voldemort's name are able to be tracked down (which helps to explain about how they were found earlier in the book at Tottenham Court). They then decide their next plan of action: to head on over to Xenophilius Lovegood's house. Hermione believes that Xenophilius (the father of Luna, Harry's friend) will help lead them to another Horcrux. But why Xenophilius? Of all people in the wizarding world, why him? Well, and Bill & Fleur's wedding, he wore clothes with a mysterious symbol on it. Hermione, unsure of what this symbol is has seen it in other places, such as the book that she inherited from Dumbledore. So after convincing Harry, off they go to the Lovegood's house to find out what it means. I personally think this another dumb decision of the group. They act so impulsively, and don't know Xenophilius' current state after all the madness in the wizarding world. They then apparate to a place close to the burrow, which is also close to the Lovegood's house. When they arrive at the house and knock on the door, he appears at the door only is acting a tad strange and not very willing to bring them into the house. Much more differently than at the wedding, he now is very antsy and scared. They begin to question him and ask where his daughter Luna is. Nervously, he replies, and says she is fishing for some Plimpes. They come inside, and see him printing out Quibblers (their magazine that supports [or supported] Harry). He quickly covers them up, probably because he now is printing pro-Voldemort papers. They also notice a statue of Rowena Ravenclaw, and he explains that she is wearing her lost diadem (a horcrux). Harry then begins to ask Xeno about the symbol he wore at the wedding, and he replies, "Are you referring to the sign of the Deathly Hallows?" The chapter then ends on that cliffhanger.

Post Locket Destruction

Finally, the locket is destroyed and happiness is returned to Harry, Ron & Hermione. They return back to their camp and begin to tell Hemione the story of how Ron saved the day & destroyed the locket. One would assume that Hermione would've been ecstatic to have her precious Ron return, but she was actually quite upset with him and punched him a couple times on the arm when she first saw him. Once she calms down, he tells him how the Deluminator has to power to detect conversations about the person holding it, and that was how he was able to return to them. Ron also brought a wand with him, that he gives to Harry.
I believe that this chapter shows how impulsive Harry can be. He so easily followed the doe, without really thinking much about it. I mean after all him & Hermione went through at Bathilda's house, you would assume he would think more about following a mysterious patronus. Also, this chapter shows a transformation in Ron. He is able to man-up in this chapter and avoid letting his fears and weaknesses get the best of him.

The Infamous Silver Doe

The silver doe, oh you silver doe, how you change the course of the book. For the best though. When Harry gets to the Forest of Dean, he is quite hopeless. But when he leaves? He has a newfound hope and enthusiasm. But why? It is due to a silver doe. Not a real doe of course, but a patronus. But the patronus of who? Severus Snape of course. Wait, not of course. I would've had no clue who's patronus it was if I hadn't already read the book. But why Snape? Him and Dumbledore had a plan all along. :)                  Anyways, about one of the best chapter of The Deathly Hallows. It begins with Harry and Hermione arriving at the Forest of Dean. While laying in his bed, Harry can't help but notice a silver doe appear outside in the forest. Curious, Harry leaves the tent in pursuit of the silver doe. He continues to follow the patronus until it stops over a frozen pond, where Harry find the sword of Gryffindor lying at the bottom of. The patronus then walks away, leaving Harry alone to retrieve the sword. He attempts to retrieve it without getting wet, but is unsuccessful. He then remember how Dumbledore first received the sword, so feeling inspired Harry (being the smart person he is) dives into the freezing pond to retrieve the sword. The locket of Slytherin, that is around his neck, begins to choke Harry as he tries to grab for the sword because it is able to sense danger. Luckily, Ron has recently returned back to Harry and Hermione with help from the Deluminator, so he eagerly dives into the pond to save the helpless Harry. When brought to the top, Harry is shocked and glad to see his best buddy there to save him. Harry then finds out that the doe patronus is not Ron's, but Ron believed it was Harry's, even though his is a stag. Harry decides to let Ron destroy the locket right then and there because he was the one to actually get the sword from the bottom. Harry is able to open the locket using Parseltongue, and then a voice starts talking to Ron. This voice beings to degrade Ron, but then Harry and Hermione appear and they begin to dis on Ron as well, then kiss. A very pissed off Ron yells to Ron to stab the locket, and he is able to destroy it. Yay! 

Wandless & Hopeless Harry...

So they get back from Godric'c Hallow (barley), Harry's wand is broken, and he begins to lose hope. Although some say "the wand is only as good as the wizard", Harry finds that false. He believes his wand has special powers that allowed him to fight off Voldemort during the broom chase. He begins to feel very angry as well because he feels very lost that Dumbledore left him without instructions. While at Bathilda's house, Hermione stole a copy of The Life And Lies of Albus Dumbledore. Her and Harry begin to read it, and find out "the truth" about Dumbledore (from Rita Skeeter's point of view, which isn't very accurate). They find out that Dumbledore and Grindelwald actually were friends when they were 17. Supposedly Dumbledore wrote Grindelwald a letter supporting the his fight against Muggles, and his whole 'Magic Is Might' platform where magic would rule over Muggles one day. This all makes Harry feel very helpless and lost about Dumbledore, and he begins to doubt the amount of love he actually had for Harry. Luckily Hermione was there to tell Harry that indeed he was loved by Dumbledore. Now I am just starting the chapter "The Silver Doe": My favorite chapter of the whole book! Besides the chapter King's Cross. Anyways, snow has begun falling and Harry and Hermione have changed their location to The Forest Of Dean. Soon something very significant is going to happen!

Harry & God: The symbolism in HP

An interesting part of Harry Potter (and also a convtroversial part) is the absense of God. I have some friends who go to Catholic schools, and they aren't allowed to read Harry Potter. I've always wondered why that is so.
Instead of focusing on a religion that Harry is able to find strength though, Rowling focuses more on the love that helps Harry to survive the evils. I find that is why HP is so attractive for teenagers. I find that religion sometimes confuses me, and I never am 100% sure with it. Harry Potter series illustrate a world where human emotion drives life, not a God, or an invisible hope. All of the world seems to wonder what it would be like if there was no God, and Harry Potter shows the world what that would be like. TIME magazine addresses this issue and say that "In the new millennium, magic comes not from God or nature or anything grander or more mystical than a mere human emotion."
Another subject of interest about the Harry Potter series is the lightning bolt on his forehead. The lightning bolt has caused concern because in Greek mythology it is known as "Thor’s calling card" who is the god of thunder, rain and fertility. Some are also worried because the swastika is a crossing of two lightning bolts.
Either way Harry Potter books are amazing.

Bathilda? or.... Nagini?

After feeling a sentimental connection to the location of Godric's Hallow, Harry feels compelled to travel there in hopes of discovering something. Harry and Hermione head to Godric's Hallow finally, and discover the place where both Harry and Dumbledore have gone through so much pain. At the hallow, Harry discovers the graves of his parents. On their grave it says "The last enemy to be destroyed is death". Seeing their graves causes Harry to cry, because he realizes truly how gone his parents are. He also discovers the symbol the the Deathly Hallows on a grave in the graveyard. This is the grave of Ignotus Peverell, who is one of the Three Brothers involved with the 3 Deathly Hallows. They then begin to look around the town, and find Harry's house, which they find left in ruins. Infront of the house is a plaque and statue that describe the events that took place in the house (how Harry survived the Killing Curse). While roaming the village, Harry & Hermione come across Bathilda Bagshot, the woman that Harry was hoping to find and discover some knowledge. She was very close to Dumbledore, and also was friends with Harry, so he was hoping to find some things out dealing with the Deathly Hallows. When they get into her house (which is very smelly and dirty), she leads Harry upstairs and he beings to believe that she might be giving him something special (such as the sword of Griffindor). When Bathilda finally gets Harry alone, she transforms into Nagini, the snake of Voldemort and also a Horcrux. Hermione is able to rescue Harry from Nagini and escape from Godric's Hallow without being captured by Voldemort, but unfortunately Harry's wand breaks.

GET THE HORCRUXES! But wait, Ron! Don't leave.

I have just ventured into a new chapter: The Goblin's Revenge. While in the forest camping out. The three of them discover a herd of Goblins that consists of Ted Tonks and Dean Thomas. They tell them that the sword of Griffindor is a fake, and that the real one is actually in the Lestrange (Bellatrix that is) family vault. They also discover from the portrait of Phineas Nigellus, the picture that Hermoine stole from the Grimmauld Place, a little bit of information on the sword. Phineas tells the three that due to being made by goblins, the sword contains the ability to absorb strengthening materials, such as basilisk venom. Basilisk venom was absorbs in the sword when Harry killed the snake in the Chamber of Secrets and when Dumbledore destroyed the ring, therefore it has the ability to destroy Horcruxes. At the end of this chapter, Harry and Ron get in a fight over whether or not Harry knows what he is doing on their quest and he ends up leaving Harry and Hermione. That's currently where I left off. I believe that the locket's negative effects definitely harmed Ron, and he was starting to become envious of the interactions between Harry and Hermione. I think what Ron did was very impulsive. C'mon Ron, don't leave your best friends. When he was given time to think his decisions through, he deeply regretted what he did, and realized it wasn't very wise to leave his best friendsd on this epic journey. That's why later in the book he returns. I think this part of the book without Ron definitley give Harry and Hermione the ability to be logical, and do some hard investigating without Ron's attitude in the way.
This book definitely reflects the selfish qualities of man. Ron become very selfish in this chapter. He only thinks of himself and not about the overall impact of this quest. He is overcome by all the negative feelings of greed, worry, and doubt that he acts impulsively.