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By Julie Moos
J.K. Rowling has revealed the title of her final Harry Potter book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." Her publisher, Scholastic, confirmed the title, which Rowling revealed on her Web site to readers who followed a tricky trail to the holiday gift.
When the news broke, I called my husband so he could tell our son as soon as he got into the car after school. My husband's first question was, "What are hallows?" His second was, "What is deathly?"
So. Deathly means deathlike or deadly. And hallows is "the beginning of the Witches' Year, when the Veil Between the Worlds grows thin and the spirits of the dead may return to Earth."
I'm wondering if this is a period of time during which Harry is reunited with his parents, Sirius and Dumbledore. Perhaps it's also when the two characters die.
NPR has some interesting speculation by Melody Joy Kramer, who writes:
"If you're going to spend the weekend deciphering the etymology of the word "hallows," we've come up with some tips to help you out. Start by reading up on King Arthur. In the Holy Grail myth, the Hallows refer to the four objects found in the Holy Grail castle: the spear, the grail, a sword and a platter. Hmm, four objects in the castle -- and four houses in Hogwarts. And we've already seen one sword (Griffyndor's) and one stone (Flamel's) and even a grail-shaped chalice (the Hufflepuff horcrux). And doesn't Dumbledore just remind you a little bit of a guy called Merlin?"
Earlier this week, Rowling said she had her first dream in which she was Harry Potter (and, simultaneously, the narrator). She also said "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," to be released in July, "looks fantastic," based on the 20-minute preview she saw.
Julie is a writer and editor who lives with her husband and son in Safety Harbor, Florida.
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