First off, this thread is not for discussing how much you dislike the title, or how much you hate JKR, or even how bad you think the book will be. This thread is for attempting to come up with an intelligent guess as to what the plot of Deathly Hallows will be based on the new information we have.​

So, lets begin with Hallows as Deathly should be self explanatory.

Now, Hallows could also be something completely boring, but you can go look that up yourself. Also, we know that JKR likes to create parallelisms between HP and old legends... such as the Arthurian legends, so it is probable that Hallows is a reference to the hocruxes (Thirteen Treasures of Britain).

What else do we know?

We also know that JKR reserved the URLs for Hallows of Hogwarts and Hogwarts Hallows. If we believed what Dumbledore said about Tom Riddle creating his his hocruxes from items of the founders of Hogwarts, then it is not hard to see the parallel between the Thirteen Treasures of Britain and the Seven hocruxes of the Hogwarts Founders.

...and oddly enough, there is a list of the 13 treasures.

Manannan's House;
Goibniu's shirt, belt, knife and smith's hook;
King of Lochlann's Helmet;
King of Alba's Shears;
A Belt made from fish skin;
Asal's pig's bones.

(The original 9, to which 4 more were added)

The Sword which is Broken;
The Spear of the Dolorous Blow;
The Dish (to process the Head of the Withdrawn Grail Guardian);
The Grail (Sacred Chalice / Cauldron of Plenty & Inspiration).

I suppose JKR most likely didn't use many, if any of those as hocruxes from what we see in the books... but it is possible... Anyways please share your intelligent thoughts and theories based on the information above or whatever else you can dig up.

Reference:
http://www.mystical-www.co.uk/arthuriana2z/index.htm
http://www.ancienttexts.org/library/celtic/ctexts/tindex.html

 

Very good ideas indeed; that ties in very well with what we know (or we think we know) about the direction of book seven: a hunt for the objects belonging to the founders, i.e. their Hallows.

The other 2 possibilities of the word Hallows are to, "set aside as holy", unlikely considering the lack of religion in Harry Potter; and "to respect and honour greatly, revere". The second of those definitions ties in well with this theory, as the founders were greatly respected and their heirlooms are likely to be held in high regard.

A slight problem is the difference between 7 horcruxes and 13 hallows - perhaps Dumbledore got the number wrong? Or maybe JKR just isn't going to stick that closely to the myth.

Another thing I found interesting is one of the lines of that poem:

The number seven is mentioned, possible link to the horcruxes there. Or even perhaps an idea of how many people will die/survive in book seven. Seven survivers among the main characters maybe?

Anyway, great work again; I really think you should post this somewhere like the CoS forums, before someone sees it here and decides to take credit for it. If you do, drop us a link.

 

Interesting idea, as to the difference in numbers it is possible that JK realised that a hunt for 13 objects would get a little too repetitive and just went for the 'magical number' instead.

I think we may see hints of the information in the next book but if we do see even that then I suspect it will have her own twist in it. The concept of things such as holy objects wouldn't fit into the magical world that she has created. That said, I imagine we will be able to draw links between the two quests even if just between the similarity in themes.

Although if a lot people got to see this information, just imagine the wonderful new mass cliché of King Harry (and queen Ginny - I think I just made myself ill).

 

An alternative idea, not linked in with the Arthurian ideas but with the other two definitions of hallows, and also linked in with the knowledge that Hogwart's Hallows was also a registered title, it could be possible that it has something to do with Dumbledore, and more specifically his tomb.

A grave is definitely something that is hallowed, Dumbledore's more so because he was such a respected figure.

I simply feel that though he is dead, Dumbledore still has a big part to play in the conclusion of the story. Add to that the irregularities of his grave: the fact that it burst into flame, and that a Phoenix could be seen rising up from it. There is definitely something strange going on there I think.

I also think that though we know what the word "deathly" means, we are not really paying it enough attention: we still don't know the context. The obvious idea is that if, as BMM suggests, the horcruxes are the hallows, then they are deathly because of the protections Voldemort put in place. Or perhaps deathly because people will die in the chasing of them. Or deathly because to make them, you need to kill. Any other ideas?

Lastly (and I just keep editing here), there is something else to consider. In all the past books, the title has been something that has been affecting the whole of the book, all the way through, on a deep level, even if it is not necessarily apparent at first. So for this to happen with this title, there must be something special about those particular words. We can say that the hallows are the horcruxes, but there must be something special in the calling them hallows and not just horcruxes - perhaps linked to the whole Arthurian/Merlin idea. Even more than that, I think Harry has got to become aware of this particular naming of them - hallows.

For this to happen I feel that we will be digging deeper into the unique yet recognizable mythology of the Harry Potter universe - looking at its ancient history, Merlin, the Founders, and probably the creation of the horcrux. Perhaps (and this is just conjecture) the original creator of the horcrux as a piece of magic was linked in with the founders or Merlin, and he called them hallows.

Another idea that just occurred to me is perhaps the dark wizard who first made horcruxes made 13 of them, and Merlin (and Arthur) was the one who destroyed them. But this is just random guessing, so I'll shut up now.

 

Another thing that I just thought of, well actually I thought of it earlier but forgot about it while I was posting.

This follows along with Raven's thoughts on the symbolic rivalries between Gryffindor and Slytherin. "...The treasures could only be used by the King or his representative in battle." With the King being Lord Voldemort and Harry being his representative in battle.

Now, as we're pretty sure that the hocruxes aren't weapons... that could possibly mean that only Harry and Voldemort can destroy them. But we've already seen Dumbledore get rid of one, have we not? I guess you could look at the repercussions of him destroying the ring as opposed to Harry's disposal of the diary.

The quote above could also tie in well with the prophecy, Voldemort marks Harry as his equal, his representative in battle, marking him as worthy.

...oh and, King, Lord, Prince anyone?

 

Maybe they need to find these items or something similar to destroy a horcrux?

After all, you mentioned something about them also possibly being holy. So wouldn't it make sense to use a Holy item to clense a tainted one?

 

Ahh...good idea...this may be the emergence of Light magic, in the same way that Dark magic is considered evil, this might be magic directly associated with good.

Inherently evil magic is used to make a horcrux, inherently good magic is used to destroy one perhaps?

It also may link in with what Dumbledore said in HBP: that Voldemort underestimated the power of a pure and non-fractured soul. Perhaps you need a whole soul to be able to do the magic to destroy a horcrux?

But we're way into the realms of speculation here.

 

Mabye a whole soul can over-power the fragments? But it has to be pure or mabye you need a medium. Which could be one of the 'Holy' items, so that you don't risk possible contamination of you owns soul?

That would also explain why its so dreadfully 'unforgivable'. It has the ability to corupt other souls. Like what it did with Ginny.

Edit: And also Dumbledore, his hand sure didn't get 'withered' on its own now, no matter how much he liked to 'Polish his wand'.

 

The title has been translated by some German newspapers as "Die Heiligen des Todes" - the Saints of Death. The German publisher Carlsen, however, has not announced the official title yet. We will know more, when official titles in some other languages are revealed.

I doubt the "hallows" are the Horcruxes or even related items.

As Taure stated the title usually affects the whole book. The Goblet of Fire itself wasn't that important for the end of book four, but in all other cases the mentioned element/character played an important part in the climax of the story. The climax of book seven will be Harry's and Ginny's marriage Voldemort's final defeat.

Of course, that points towards the Horcruxes. But until now the title was related to something new, something or someone, who was introduced in the book and played a key role especially in that book. The Horcruxes were introduced in book six. They are relatively well known by now, and everyone can conclude they will play an important role in book seven.

Considering the other books the title "Deathly Hallows" is probably introducing something new, perhaps something or someone we might have seen before, but then only as a minor element, an unnoticed detail, or a minor character. Whatever hides behind the title will be important for Voldemort's ultimate defeat, but it might be something entirely different than the Horcruxes.

 

One word springs to mind when I read this:

Azkaban.

I think what Dark Minion is saying is quite true; but I don't think that we should throw out this Arthurian idea just yet - the resemblances are too close to be coincidence.

 

Really, what he said made me instantly think. Inferi. I suddenly have a feeling this book will be full of them.

 

When I first saw the title I thought of graves for some reason. Like the barrow downs from Lord of the Rings.

If the deathly hallows do have something to do with Hogwarts I think it may have something to do with graves at hogwarts. Dumbledore was burried at hogwarts in a tomb.

I'm thinking if the death toll really starts to rise they may start buring people at Hogwarts to keep them from being turned into zombies (Forgot real name). That or it could be about the graves of the founders. They could be buried at Hogwarts too or somewhere else.

 

Given that an alternate name for Halloween is All Hallow's Eve, do you guys think that this particular date could account for a major plot point in the story?

 

Personally, I like the Arthur, Azkaban, and Halloween theories all together. I see parallels with Arthurian mythos, so the "Treasures of Britain"/Horcrux idea may not be too far gone. Conversly, the All Hallows Eve (evening before All Saints Day like) connection has been there in every freaking book.

Troll, Snake, Black, Goblet, quidditch ban, jealous stalker Hermione... All these things happen on Halloween or All Saints Day. I expect that we'll see Azkaban turned into a graveyard and one of the Ministry Six die this time around. Probably Hermione or Ron, though it could be the slut. Harry is still a pussy after HBP, waltzing through life. If he's going to survive he needs to start learning to kick ass and a shock to the system might be what makes it all happen.

We all hoped Sirius dying would be the angst fest that turned him into a younger Punisher, but JKR had other ideas (that should have been avoided). Maybe the death of one of his close friends will make him take the war seriously. Neville and Luna are periphary characters at best, so I am not sure they'll be enough of a reality check but it might work. Personally I am hoping Ginny bites it so we can ride the tails of Slughorn's christmas party straight to Looney Land. That seemed much more like real romance than the rest of HBP. Harry needs someone who can deal with the "freaky bits" and Luna is perfect for the job.

Ron or Hermione could be the ones who get killed off but I doubt it. Hermione will inevitably be the one to discover "the Power" and all of the horcruxes. Ron plays a vital role of comedy sidekick in the Trio but he could be replaced by Neville really. Neville is less bigotted but still has the "pureblood" insight that Harry and Hermione need. On the upside, killing Ron makes way for Neville/Hermione which given canon would work so much better than R/Hr. She needs to be in charge, and he needs someone to tell him what to do. Classic sub/Dom, break out the gimp mask !!!

Killing Ron would also kill all hope of "One big happy Weasley family" and might scare off/embitter Ginny permanently since Harry couldn't "save him". Again opening the way for canon H/L. (/me crosses fingers and prays to the literary gods...)

Here you can insert whatever you want to believe concerning the possibility that the "deathly Hallows" are the ghosts of Dumbledore and friends come from beyond the grave to help finish Voldemort off. Let's hope for at least one new red headed ghost. Bonus points for ghost!Ron vs. inferi!Ron's body. You know we all want to see that.

Azkaban fits in for a bunch of reasons. Let us assume that with Dumbledore gone and ANOTHER useless idiot in the Minister's chair Voldemort will finally go public with his war. He will need someplace to rally his troops, plan attacks, and rest after battles. Since the Dementors are already on his side, taking Azkaban would be a cinch. Once he's killed off the population who doesn't want to join him and released the rest, he's got a near perfect base. Impenetrable wards, isolated location with three hundred sixty degree visibility, and thick stone walls. From his Dark Fortress (unplottable and located somewhere in the North Sea) Voldemort has access to Britain and northern Europe (allegedly chock full of Dark Wizards trained at Durmstrang) for raiding and recruiting. Strategically it is the perfect place to attack and suborn.

Why All Hallows Eve? Aside from all the quasi religious "veil between the worlds is thinnest/dark magic is strongest" mumbo jumbo and the "bad stuff happens to Harry" connection, Halloween was the day of Voldemort's first defeat. What better day to cement his victory? Combine all three of those and the mother of all Halloween disasters is a given.

 

It has emerged that two alternative titles registered by JKR are HP and the Heart of Ravenclaw and HP and the Deadly Veil.

I think that the Deadly Veil might be a good place to look: the veil in the DoM is deadly, and it gives off the impression of being hallowed, what with the auditorium.

Of course, the titles could just be to throw people off.

 

Gee, I wonder what the unknown horcrux is? Cup, Locket, Ring, Diary, Nagini, and "something of Gryffindor or Ravenclaw"... Could it be Ravenclaw's Heart? Way to ruin one of the only mysteries left Rowling...

The Veil of Death is the most obvious Horcrux destruction agent I can think of. According to Dumbledore anything that passes through that veil dies, so why not toss the soul fragments through it and avoid that whole arm destroying nonsense? Ok, some people might get a touch upset over the losing a founder's artifact. Just tie it to a string and yank it back out once the soul is dead, like tricking a video game cabinet into giving you free credits with a quarter superglued to a piece of fishing line. If the soul come back with the artifact, grab a fishing rod and some 100lb test and go save Sirius.

Unfortunately that would be too easy, so of course it will never happen in canon.

 

If a Horcrux passes through the Veil, I think it will be even safer. The Veil is, I think, a portal to the plane of Death or something like that. So, basically, if you throw the Horcruxes there, it's gone to another place without a way to retrieve it.

Anyway, I wonder how Harry will destroy the Horcruxes. Even the ex most powerful Wizard, Dumbledore, lost his hand while trying to destroy them.

Hey, as a matter of fact... wouldn't destroying all Horcruxes destroy Voldemort too?

There are seven Horcruxes, right? He slip his soul into seven parts.

So, destroying all seven artifacts would destroy completly Voldemort's soul; therefore he wouldn't have a soul and would die?

 

But in the plane of death wouldn't the soul fragment die? Also there are six horcruxes plus one part of the soul in his body. Seven part soul, six horcruxes. Destroying all the horcruxes only makes him mortal, then you still have to kill him.

 

For years I have been touting the idea that V is using Godric's Hollow as a base of opperations. Deathly Hallows could be JKR's idea of a joke as at the Hollow, on All Hallow's Eve V was defeated. Perhaps Hollow was a early muggle misinterpritation of Godric Gryfindor's Hallow.

Maybe at the Hollow on Hallow's eve, Harry finds a hollow horcrux.

Maybe.