Don't worry about it, Keelboat! I actually did a half-hearted search, but when I didn't see anything I just started a new one. I'd forgotten all about the Release Day thread, so my bad. We've had lots of HP threads, and will have lots more. (Both here and at other sites). Consider this one the non- tagged one, and the other one for those who read slowly.;)

Good point about the book- his mother would have been from Voldie's era, so perhaps he inherited her book, but remember the comment about the girlish writing? Hmmmm....

I think that Hermione said it could have been a girl or boy's writing, but no one (I don't think) said the writing was actually girly looking. I do think that Voldemort, Hagrid, and Snape's mother were at Hogwarts at the same time. Though since she grew up to marry a Muggle, I'd hazard a guess that she wasn't a pureblood enthusiast. I don't discredit the theory that the writing was Snape's mother's rather than his own. When Heidi suggested that to me a couple of days after we finished the book I was super excited about the theory. It would also explain how (as told to the Trio by Sirius) Snape arrived at Hogwarts knowing more hexes and curses and dark magic, etc. than anyone else. He learned a lot before from dear Mum. Still, I rather like the idea of Snape being uncommonly gifted. Ingenious, even. And it further explains why he's so derisive of Hermione's textbook answers; there's nothing original about them.

So to believe Dumbledore is alive then you must also believe that Snape was truly in love with Lilly?
I wonder what potions class was like with Lilly and Snape battling for Slughorns affections?
I just loved this book and all its layers. I wish she would write a couple of extra books before it ends about finding the Horcruxs

Hermione told Harry "It might have been a girl. I think the handwriting looks more like a girl's than a boy's", and she was the one who discovered the former student (Snape's mom) with the last name of Prince. I suspect Mom helped Severus in his schooling, and may have annotated the book for him. Wouldn't Snape's handwriting be familiar to the students? I wonder if there are any examples in past volumes.....

The more I think about it, the more annoyed I am at Rowling for making Ron and Hermione into idiots.

Yeah, I know, they're 16, hormones raging and all, but I really expect better of our heroes in these books.

There was that great moment where they look at each other and realize that they really want to go to the party together. Why couldn't they have settled their ancient crap then and there?

I think Rowling is hiding all the good stuff to be played out in the final book. I could almost feel her holding back on this one. I know I'm building up obscenely high expectations for the last book but all signs point towards a completely insane climax.

I just sincerely hope that, after all of this built up anticipation we’re feeling now, the last book doesn't end up with Harry robotically (and moronically) stomping stiffly around and moaning, "Nooooo!!!! Ginnnnn-nnneeeee!!!! Aaaauuuugggghhhhh!!!!!!!!"

;)

Wouldn't it be funny if the handwriting were Lily's? Maybe she was like Hermione and just excelled in everything. Perhaps after all the tormenting from the James Gang Lily took pity on Severus and taught him spells and potions- it could be he owes his brilliance to her. He certainly wasn't very adept at blocking spells- remember James using the levitating spell on Severus? (That shows that it's likely Snape didn't invent that particular spell). Could also explain his dislike of Hermione's natural abilities- he had to really work for his knowledge.

That's Heidi's theory, and it's a pretty sound one. It irritated me that they didn't recognize his writing. Then again, Rowling talked about his cramped writing from Book 5. And Book 6 describes the "Prince's" writing as cramped, as well. So, who knows. I'm sure all will be revealed in TWO FRIGGIN YEARS. Bastard Rowling.

This seems really off to me for a couple of reasons. One, Sirius tells us in Book 4 that Snape arrived at Hogwarts already knowing more hexes, etc. than most students. So whether he learned a lot from his mother, or picked up a lot on his own, I think it's safe to say he's really gifted/intelligent. Evil or good, those two things seem really clear to me. He is a glory hound, however, and does like to take credit where it isn't due, so....who konws?

But the writing is most likely Snape's or his mum's. I really don't think it's Lily's. Like Hermione said, there was an unkind sense of humor at play, and I don't think Lily was unkind. The book also said that the spell had a way of quickly circulating the school, and it makes sense that an aspect of Snape's complete humiliation in his so called "worst memory" would involve having his own hex/invention turned against him. (Or, possibly, his mother's hex.) It would also further explain why he's so vehement about being on one's guard, and non-verbal spells, etc. I'm guessing that Snape got the best of the Mauraders every bit as much as they got the best of him. I was under the impression that he was pretty good at blocking spells normally, and that particular memory was one of the more terrible exceptions.

The Potions Master Visits the Mirror of Erised
 

A stolen moment from PS/SS gives us insight into the heart and mind of Hogwart’s most enigmatic professor.

Oh Merlin, this is bloody brilliant. Look at me. Just look! It is I, the Half-Blood Prince! I've got the Evil Order of Merlin, First Class. There’s a new Dark Lord in town and he’s wearing a tiara – oh, how it sparkles! My hair is clean! Sirius Black is my personal olive de-pitter and bath mat. Harry Potter is lying dead at my feet and Lily Evans is back from the dead and dressed up like Princess Leia in Return of the Jedi. James Potter continues to rot, spinning in his grave. That’s right, Potter. Your wife is mine, mine, mine! My slave girl. My wife girl. My Potions Mistress girl! All the lemon drops have vanished from the globe and Dumbledore is crying. I’ve renamed Hogwarts Dead Eater High. I’m the new Headmaster *and* the new DDAATT (Do Dark Arts All The Time) teacher. My teeth are no longer yellow thanks to North American toothpaste. Ugly is the new pretty and everybody wants my skinny and sallow body. Glorious, glorious mirror!