Harry's Family History

It seems that this 7th and final Harry Potter book will finally reveal more about his family. On more than one occasion, Harry has worried that there are many similarities between himself and Voldemort. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince describes Voldemort's parentage. As far as looks go, both Voldemort and Tom Riddle, Sr. are said to have features similar to Harry (dark hair, handsome). Could Tom Riddle Sr. have also been the father of James Potter or possibly one of Harry's grandparents? If so, that might explain the connection between Harry and Voldemort (speaking Parseltongue, how Harry managed to survive Voldemort's killing curse).

Snape: Good or Evil?

Since their first meeting in the first book, Harry Potter and Severus Snape have had an obvious dislike for one another. However, time and time again Harry falsely accused Snape of wrongdoings. Through the books we found that Snape despised Harry because of how Harry's father treated Snape when they were both in school together. Although we, the readers, might not particularly like Snape, we learned to accept him because of the fact that he never really was the bad guy.

Then in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince the unthinkable happened: Snape killed Dumbledore. Granted, Dumbledore was dying anyway...but still...it was a heartbreaking, unforgiveable act. Rumors circulated everywhere after the sixth book was published. Mostly the rumors were that Snape really and truly was a bad wizard, that he had been working as a spy for Voldemort the entire time.

I just don't believe it. Yes, he killed Dumbledore, but if you read between the lines, Dumbledore asked Snape to do so. After re-reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, I am convinced that while he may still be rough around the edges, deep down he is good.

For example, when Voldemort returned to power, he said that of the six missing Death Eaters, three were dead, one was "too cowardly to return" (Karakoff), one remained his "most faithful servant" (Crouch), and there was one more who he believed had left him forever (Snape). (page 651) Voldemort also said that this last person would be killed. So, Snape is more than likely going to die in the last book.

Then, there was that strange conversation between Snape and Dumbledore at the end of the fourth book. Dumbledore asked Snape if he was ready, prepared for what needed to be done next. Snape agreed. All that I can gather is that Dumbledore asked Snape to return to Voldemort and make his excuses for why he didn't return with the other Death Eaters (something along the lines of how funny it would have looked for him to leave Hogwarts at that time - he can't Apparate in or out of there after all). I think Snape is being asked to spy on Voldemort while pretending to spy on Dumbledore at the same time. I guess in 40 days' time, we will all know for sure.

Socks, Socks, Socks!

What is J.K. Rowling's obsession with socks? Did you know that she mentions situations dealing with "socks" at least TEN times (and counting) in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire? Rowling also mentions those woolen or cotton foot garments in the other books as well. Is this some sort of hint or just Rowling's way of having a bit of fun? Personally, I think she just throws in the sock comments to be silly. I mean, who really thinks of socks on a day-to-day basis? Maybe the people at Hanes or Nike might have socks on the brain, but the average person...I think not.