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J.K. Rowling reveals favorite scene from 'Deathly Hallows' 
NOVEMBER 13, 2008 at 5:28 PM
Posted by GERI
Source: Guardian Unlimited
J.K. Rowling, author of the popular Harry Potter series, revealed
her favorite scene from the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows novel when she contributed to The Birthday Book, published to mark the 60th birthday of the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles.
An excerpt of the contribution is below:
I admit that, at first glance, the extract I've chosen for The Birthday Book might not seem particularly celebratory, given that it has for its subject my hero walking to what he believes will be certain death. But when Harry takes his last, long walk into the heart of the Dark Forest, he is choosing to accept a burden that fell on him when still a tiny child, in spite of the fact that he never sought the role for which he has been cast, never wanted the scar with which he has been marked. As his mentor, Albus Dumbledore, has tried to make clear to Harry, he could have refused to follow the path marked out for him. In spite of the weight of opinion and expectation that singles him out as the "Chosen One", it is Harry's own will that takes him into the Forest to meet Voldemort, prepared to suffer the fate that he escaped sixteen years before.
The destinies of wizards and princes might seem more certain than those carved out for the rest of us, yet we all have to choose the manner in which we meet life: whether to live up (or down) to the expectations placed upon us; whether to act selfishly, or for the common good; whether to steer the course of our lives ourselves, or to allow ourselves to be buffeted around by chance and circumstance. Birthdays are often moments for reflection, moments when we pause, look around, and take stock of where we are; children gleefully contemplate how far they have come, whereas adults look forwards into the trees, wondering how much further they have to go. This extract from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is my favourite part of the seventh book; it might even be my favourite part of the entire series, and in it, Harry demonstrates his truly heroic nature, because he overcomes his own terror to protect the people he loves from death, and the whole of his society from tyranny.
All proceeds from the sale of the book will go to benefit The Prince's Foundation for Children and the Arts and can be purchased on Amazon and Amazon UK.
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Wizard
Points: 630
Aberforth Puckle says:
It's an unusual scene for a birthday book. I like her logic for it though. In a way, it's quite brave to choose something that isn't happy - Weasley's Wizard Wheezes springs to mind!
Posted Nov 13, 2008 at 5:57 PM EST
Witch
Points: 819
accio_kim says:
I loved that scene, you kind of had to brace yourself. It was very exciting, terrifying and sad at the same time.
My favourite scene from that book is when Dean, Luna and Seamus help the trio when they are facing the Dementors. I love that scene. I think it probably made me cry!
Posted Nov 13, 2008 at 7:13 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 383
Basilina says:
*tears* I loved that part of the book. Even though it was nerve-racking and sad, in a way the whole end of the book, from when he started walking into the forest to the end, was very calming.
Posted Nov 13, 2008 at 7:19 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2622
hbluvhp says:
ahhh... pure, lovely JK logic! How I've missed it... just prompted me to re-read Deathly Hallows for the billionth time. Best scene by far!!
Posted Nov 13, 2008 at 7:30 PM EST
Student
Points: 202
blue~moon says:
Yes. That was a really great scene.
Posted Nov 13, 2008 at 7:43 PM EST
Auror
(Moderator)
Points: 2351
Jeremy says:
I'm not surprised that's her favorite scene, personally I like the action, but that is a Classic Harry Potter scene.
Posted Nov 13, 2008 at 7:55 PM EST
Mrs. Draco Malfoy
Points: 28018
Arika Granger Malfoy says:
weee!
That was a good part, but so sad :(
I am more prone to like the funny parts :D
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Posted Nov 13, 2008 at 8:33 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 531
Dementors Shadow says:
Yeah that was a really great scene in the book. While reading it you were just like...wow...
Posted Nov 13, 2008 at 9:10 PM EST
Student
Points: 266
emaree says:
She is such an inspiring woman! <3
Posted Nov 13, 2008 at 10:40 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1529
MollyMomma says:
Nicely said, Jo. Very introspective.
Posted Nov 13, 2008 at 10:43 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1844
TheOtherMinister says:
I cryed that entire chapter, specially when harry talks to lupin! That's a very special chapter....
Posted Nov 14, 2008 at 12:33 AM EST
I Am Queen of My Castle
Points: 4455
Hecate3fold says:
That particular chapter and scene is the culmination of the whole series of books. Where she explains exactly how Harry feels about what he has chosen to do.
I think it reminds us all of the times when we have made choices of greater magnitude that change our lives and our future. While I was reading it I was reviewing the instances where I was faced with such decisions and reviewed my own life. It aslo made me consider what it would take for me to walk knowingly to my death and not flee from it. A very powerfully written piece of literature.
Blessings! Hecate3fold!
Posted Nov 14, 2008 at 1:01 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2016
DumbledoresArmy says:
That is also one of my favorite parts of the series is that part. It was so awesome because it pretty much sums up the climax of the entire series. It's the final climax in a way. It was the main point of the entire series and what the series was leading up to.
Posted Nov 14, 2008 at 2:13 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 72
Unnursvana says:
that was my favorite scene from the book as well, it was so sad and I cried the whole time reading it and I had to stop for a little while to get a hold of myself after reading this... it was so sad.
Posted Nov 14, 2008 at 2:45 AM EST
Furry Little Problem
Points: 5039
Juicybit says:
Well, we already knew it was her favourite scene, didn't we? Still, it's nice to see her speak up again and contribute to... whatever really :D
Posted Nov 14, 2008 at 4:06 AM EST
Witch
Points: 503
Twilight princess midna says:
I love that part of the deathly hallows. It's also really sad as well.
Posted Nov 14, 2008 at 5:13 AM EST
Weaselette
Points: 3266
WickedLoz says:
Yeah.. It's not the first time JK has gushed over that one scene..
Although you can't blame her, it's a bloody awesome scene.
I remember my first time reading it (12.30 am July 22nd, after 13 hours of reading straight!) and I was a complete mess. Amazing how something simple like a book can affect you so..
Posted Nov 14, 2008 at 5:17 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2861
mad_eye muggle says:
Interesting,glad to know that was JK's fave scene.Indeed,its was a very poignant and pivotal scene.I remember when I was reading that,that I did felt the weight and the seriousness of the situation.And I was amaze that Harry just accept the inevitable with his head held high.He truly is my kind of hero,that will do anything even sacrifice himself for the greater good.
Posted Nov 14, 2008 at 6:57 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1493
Hedwig4eva says:
That is my favorite part of the book as well. It shows Harry's bravery where as many people would run the other way. The way she potrayed it was wonderfully done.
Posted Nov 14, 2008 at 11:13 AM EST
Witch
Points: 563
LunaGirl47 says:
I think that that excerpt was well-chosen, even for the Birthday Book. It sure will make Prince Charles think.
That's my favorite scene too. It is written so beautifully and honestly. It's very genuine, and I love that about JKR's writing. That scene really details all of the things a person might think about if they knew they were going to die soon, and it tells us how grateful we all should be for our own bodies and our lives. Once again, it's about our choices, and how we choose to live our lives, no matter how long they are.
Posted Nov 14, 2008 at 11:33 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1997
AncientJoy says:
I have to agree with Jo... it was not only the best scene, but it was also the most pivotal scene of the entire series. Without it, the rest would not make sense or even matter. It's obvious that she had that scene in mind from the very beginning... and it makes me respect her even more!
Posted Nov 14, 2008 at 1:00 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2330
loopy looney says:
That is my favorite part too!!! I love it when Harry realizes what he has to do and then does it anyway, plus it made me cry when Sirius and Lupin and his parents came back to help him through the walk to his destiny!
Posted Nov 14, 2008 at 1:00 PM EST
Prof. of Cultural Literacy
Points: 4564
PowerGranger says:
I got tears in my eyes reading JKR's explanation too. Wow. This is also my favorite part of DH, and the series as well. I think a lot of us felt the weight of what JKR was showing us about our hero in that passage. I cry every time I read it.
Posted Nov 14, 2008 at 1:13 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 9
NataJess says:
Makes perfect sense. Birthdays & deaths are the time in a persons life when we look back at the paths we have choosen.
Posted Nov 14, 2008 at 1:48 PM EST
Keeper of Harry's Fate
Points: 9334
TheOneWhoMustBeNamed says:
Awesome comments and insight. I always love to see the little tidbits that gives the history and flavor to the novels. Well done.
Posted Nov 14, 2008 at 5:34 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1864
Bright Eyes says:
One of the best HP moments :)
Posted Nov 14, 2008 at 6:43 PM EST
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