Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Chapter 24
Chapter 24: The Wandmaker
Called it. So called it. There’s a Horcrux (at least) on the Lestrange’s Gringotts vault, and Dumbledore had the Elder Wand. Voldemort has it now, which can’t be ideal.
Dobby’s burial and funeral are very touching, of course. Poor, loyal Dobby.
I’m quite pleased that Harry seems to have grown up in the past chapter or two. He’s not only figuring things out, but he’s prioritizing in a way I heartily approve of. “To know, but not to seek….” It’s the Sorcerer’s Stone and the Mirror of Erised all over again, isn’t it? What’s not clear is why Dumbledore wanted Harry to find out about the Hallows, why he wanted Harry to realize what his wand was. I assume we’ll get into that some more? Anyway, now, armed with new wands, it’s off to the Horcruxes.
This chapter was quite a relief after the last one. Some exposition turns out to be a breath of fresh air. I do have to pick a nit, however:
“I’ve been getting them all out of the Burrow,” [Bill] explained. “Moved them to Muriel’s….”
“How are they protected?” asked Harry.
“Fidelius Charm. Dad’s Secret-Keeper. And we’ve done it on this cottage too; I’m Secret-Keeper here.”
O RLY? If Mr. Weasley is the Secret-Keeper for his family hideout at Muriel’s, how can Bill tell Harry? And if Bill’s cottage is protected by a Fidelius Charm as well, how could Harry, Dobby, and Griphook have Apparated there? (I assume Ron’s pre-existing knowledge of the cottage would have been enough to get him there.) We can fanwank this, of course: maybe it’s not the fact that the Weasleys are at Muriel’s, but the location of Muriel’s that is the protected secret? (Of course, that’s pretty careless.) And maybe house elves aren’t prevented from Apparating by a Fidelius Charm? Anyway, this seems like a bit of a problem. Of course, I’m pleased to know that the Weasleys (including Ginny!) are safe.
Update: I also just wanted to add that I think this is one of the best-written chapters in the series, for at least two reasons. First, this is the most likable and impressive Harry has been a long time. His interviews with Griphook and Ollivander show him to be in control, polite, calm, capable, and (dare I say it?) heroic. He sometimes slips a bit as a character. He’s always the center of attention, and his internal state is always well-described, but his interactions with others sometimes leave the reader wondering why everyone else is so impressed by him. This chapter shows why. Second, I thought the interspersion of Harry trying to hold himself together with Voldemort’s progress toward the wand did an excellent job raising the tension; when Harry finally succumbs to the pain and the vision, it’s a very well done scene.
No spoilers for later chapters in the comments!
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It may not be ideal that Voldemort has the wand, but I don’t think it’s going to matter. I think that Hermione is going to be proved right: the wand is only as powerful as the wizard who uses it. Dumbledore clearly did not think that it was important for Harry to have the wand. I wonder what’s in the snitch, though?