The speculation that this dragon could be that of the opal eyed breed is interesting; however, the milky white eyes could also suggest blindness. Just a thought.

continuing on my whole romania/bulgaria theory...thats 1) somewhere near the giants aka voldemort's brute force, 2) somewhere near the dragon reservation (dumbledore's brute force?), and 3) near where grindelwald used to be. if we accept the theory that grindelwald was indeed a german dark wizard, and also the theory that a 16 year old tom riddle met him and learned from him before dumbledore finished him, then maybe one of voldemort's earlier horcruxes (#3...hufflepuff's cup? *i'm pretty sure that #4-ravenclaw's maybe-wand, is IN hogwarts and that it was planted there when voldemort asked dumbledore for the DADA job, and it holds the curse about that same job* anyway, hufflepuff:) is located in eastern europe. even though harry is wearing the same shirt and everyone is tattered...maybe harry just likes that shirt and they're on the horcrux hunt...harry was tattered after both the diary and the fake locket. thinking more about it, the dragon does look like a welsh green...and maybe they did manage to Imperius it, which would explain the eyes...so i think the trio is in eastern europe

First things first, the third person is Ron and the animal is not a Threstal, it's a dragon. Now, I believe the DRAGON could either be Norbert or Moody as an Animagus (no left leg, weird eye). This definatly takes place before the US Cover. The mist would mean dementors are near, which is most likely what Ron and Hermione are looking at. It seems that Harry is wearing Dragon Hide as armor (dragon hide is protectful aganist spells), which might explain why Ron and Herminone are wearing cloaks and not Harry, unless there is someother reason (like arry didn't return to Hogwarts). I believe they are flying over Godric's Hollow. END!

The boy behind Hermione is most definitely Ron. As someone said before, in other cover art, Ron is drawn exactly like the other person on the dragon. Also, I don't think that the dragon shown in Norbert. This dragon looks extremely old, and (though we don't know exactly how fast dragons age) Norbert is only six or seven years old. It also doesn't fit the description of a Norwegian Ridgeback, as it doesn't really have any ridges on it's back. And I'm pretty positive that Hermione's green leg is just her pants.

norberrrrrrrrrrttt?? bwahahaha

okay, this is going completely off my theory...but DRACO. his grandfather got DRAGON POX, right? what exactly does dragon pox do to people? what if it turned him into a dragon? and slughorn really liked Abraxas Malfoy...but slughorn doesn't like Death Eaters. what if Abraxas was a good guy, and turned into a dragon as an old man? would he help them?

Someone mentioned what the extra 32 pages would be. I thought that since this is a delux edition, the 32 pages would be large prints of the chapter pictures (like all of the delux editions contain). So that would mean the DEATHLY HALLOWS might have 32 chapters (GOBLET OF FIRE was shorter than this book, yet had 37). It's just a thought.

is it me, or does that dragon look blind. Just my first thought

LOOK AT YOUR COPIES OF FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM! The dragon is definitely an Antipodean Opaleye. They are found in New Zealand and Australia. It also has pupil-less, white eyes and dwells in valleys rather than mountains. The description fits exactly.

Maybe this is a new breed of dragon? A Half Blood dragon maybe? Maybe it has some characteristics of one kind of dragon while being calmer like the opal eye. Maybe if you breed an opal eye with another kind it will be tough looking but not as aggressive?

No Ginny... :(

I was zooming in on the cover art and I saw what looked like a hand. Like someone was hanging on but was covered by the dragons wing, facing opposite Hermione. I'm pretty sue it's not just the dragon, so do you guys think it's possible there's another person with them?

person who is hanging on but not visible: VIKTOR!!!!!!!! (just my theory)

o mann you cant get it in Canada! *teat sniffle* o well hey guy did you guys not think that it could be a cross-breed dragon???? now thats a thought. chinese/horntail/that new zealand drangon what ya guys think bout that??? I CANT WAIT NOW!! *Faint*

...the only hands I see are the trios... if anyone could give more specific details about where this hand is? If there is a hand, maybe it's the house elf on the UK Childrens.

Well first things first, I dont think its Hogsmede because the scenery around it looks absolutely nothing like we've heard of. I'm guessing its Godrics Hollow, but we can't be sure, I mean they'll have to travel to other towns throughout the course of the book, maybe even one we haven't heard of? Ravenclaw's old haunts perhaps? About the dragon, I don't think its Norbet but I DO believe that a) this MIGHT mean we see some more of Charlie in this book (yay!) and b) this dragon look so old and wise, reincarnated Dumbledore? (lol joking...although it WOULD be interesting)... its probably a dragon we dont know. Also, I see no Ginny...drat. I knew it was a longshot but I reeeally wanted her to knock some sense into dear old Harry's head, pity... at least there's hope for a Ron/ Hermione connection...

it has pupils..... can sumone tell me where the hand is?

I almost screamed at work when I saw it... a Chinese Dragon! Oh my god... it is so beautiful, and to see Harry, Ron and Herminone on it... yes for the first time someone is portraying our dragon is what it has been as our culture's ancient symbol: powerful, noble, yet kind. I am so touched .

Maybe Harry makes a skin jacket out of Nagini's scales? I mean, the color of his sweater/jacket thing is about the same color as the snake in the orb thing on the other cover. It would freak Voldemort out to have Harry wearing a jacket made of of Nagini. I think Harry should do that just to tick Voldemort off.

Wow... I saw this and I swear I never understood what it meant to have your heart in your throat, but I do now. I ran into my dad's office and almost choked from the pulse in my neck. I think I might be a little excited... This is breathtaking. And thrilling... What is going on? 42 days is too long to wait. And yet... and yet... ~L~

Oh by the way, Chinese dragon, if this is what Harry is riding, is often drawn without eyeballs! In the ancient times, when the picture of dragons can only be used on the the clothes worn by the emperor and his high officials, the eyeballs are often substituted by pearls (which gives it a "no eyeball look"). This is also a little fable about how there was an artist who drew dragons without eyeballs, because if he drew it in the dragon would begin to fly =)

What if this is a SNORKACK?

I just watched POA....I think I know one of the things Jo was forecasting to be in book 7! Trelawney was saying Hermione was young, but had the heart of an very old man......Hermione is going to die. That will be unfortunate, but still, it's just a theory! -Pottermaniac, out!

Q: Could Harry have a pet dragon? J. K. R.: You can't domesticate a dragon whatever Hagrid thinks. That's simply impossible. So no. He's got more sense. He might get a different pet at some point but I'm saying no more at this moment. I believe Rowlings response to the question of taming a dragon revealing. It only leaves a few possibilities: 1) She was giving a misleading answer. 2) She forget she made this comment. 3) Harry, Hermione, and Ron are hitching a ride w/o the dragon realizing it (unlikely). 4) The dragon is the animagus form of a wizard. My bet is on #4 (Krum? Aberforth?)

I just watched POA....I think I know one of the things Jo was forecasting to be in book 7! Trelawney was saying Hermione was young, but had the heart of an very old man......Hermione is going to die. That will be unfortunate, but still, it's just a theory! -Pottermaniac, out!

That's a VERY VERY GOOD POINT you made there DanielRadcliffeIsSEXY, ast first i was in disbelief, but then i remembered what she said: "You may be young in years, but the heart that beats beneath your bosom is as shriveled as an old maid's. Your soul is dry as the pages of the books which you SO desperately cleave." That's it then! If there are 2 characters among the trio that will die, it HAS to be Harry and Hermione, leaving Ron the survivor, i mean it will be so typical if he dies, and JK Rowling did say that one character got a reprieve which SHOULD be Ron, not Harry. I would prefer Ron to live rather than Harry if i had to choose between them. And then Harry and Hermione can make out in their "spirit afterlift" forms, which should please all the H/Hr shipppers, haha!

Phoenixklnight: harry won't die.....ron and hermione will! -Pottermaniac, out!

I doubt that she'd introduce norbert if she didn't need him later!

Phoenixknight: I'm a H/Hr shipper because if Harry marries Ginny, he'll be the odd one out in the Weasley family. And at the end of HBP Harry broke up with Ginny, so it's obvious Harry and Hermione are the couple. Even on Scholastic's HP site, the newest poll for the new question: 'who ends up with whom?' has H/Hr at the lead. In your face, R/Hr shippers! -Pottermaniac, out!

Yeah DanielRadcliffeIsSEXY, i WISH it was Harry who lived, but more and more i start to feel that it will be Harry who dies, IF 2 of the trio will die............but if 2 characters that die will not be the trio than Harry will live. I mean, Ronald has always been depicted as this weak guy who can't do as much as Harry, it won't be fair if he dies and Harry lives. That would sure make the Ron fans angry. Even me who likes Harry the best, i have to say that i THINK he will die IF 2 of the trio will die, leaving Ron. If Harry was left, he wouldn't even feel like living anymore. He would either feel like killing himself or isolate himself from society, he's been thru too much and to lose his best friends would be as equal as death.

Well i have nothing to say to the H/Hr shippers, i'm hate arguing about that, go argue it out with JK Rowling who has told everyone that "Harry and Hermione will never be" they're like siblings. If Harry and Hermione ever went out, i would throw the DH book in the fireplace to BURN! ok, jk about that...but still. i wouldn't like it, it's gross.

OMG I can't wait to hear mugglecast! I'm sure they will have a lot to say..I never really was good at making theories based on a single image...So I listen to them. But...that is just simply amazing. Norbet, perhaps? Flying over Godrics Hollow? Hmmm...

Still, I have a feeling that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley will die. You know how Voldy hates love? WELL, if the Weasley parents are Harry's new ''parents'' and Voldy killed Harry's old mom and dad, I think Voldy will be targeting the thing he hates most; love. -Pottermaniac, out!

About the Harry-Hermione thing....you kno how Jo said it won't happen? Well, she may just be trying to lead us in the wrong direction. Hehe, you rock, JK! -Pottermaniac, out!

I'm actually glad Ginny isn't there. It's just the trio, just their adventure. Ginny can be at the celebration parties afterward.

Not bothering to read through the other comments as I'm on an incredibly slow laptop, it seems to me from the clouded eyes that the dragon might be blind.:D How interesting. Take that, Eragon. PWNED.

Love the artwork. But doesn't Ron have red hair?

REMINDER: the chinese fireball dragon has RED scales, not greenish/yellow. I don't think two of the trio will die...I'm not sure who ended up not dying, but I think the two MAJOR characters that die (rowling said two major characters die, AMONG OTHERS, remember) are Ron and Snape. Thats just me...I think this because of the the Snape-Unbreakable-Vows(pl urals vowS) theory and because he's the one we love to hate, and because of what ron says in PS/SS during the life-size wizard chess game. remember? I think Bellatrix kills Ron, but somehow this lets Harry defeat Voldemort

AHHHHHH Oh I SOOOOO hope it is Norbort. how great would that be. She introduced him in book 1 and now he's back for book 7. AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!

OMG!!!!!!!! DUDES!!!!!!!!!! This looks AMAZING!!!! Riding on a dragon?! That's awesome!!!!!!!!! Only 42 more days, people!! I freakin' can't wait!!!

OMFG THIS is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING WOW I cannot BELIEVE THIS THE DRAGON! THE TRIO! Where are they? Why are they there? WHAT LEAD them to that moment OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG I CANNOT WAIT to read it!!!

Do u always type whats in your head? Just a question, so dont freak out.

For people who wish to see the thing that looks somewhat like a hand, open up the artwork and zoom in 400%, it's somewhere inbetween Hermione's hand and Harry's leg. About the shipper thing, i don't mean to start an argument, but it's Ron/Hermione. I'm sure, if it was h/hr, I would probably be disgusted. What? I see them as brother and sister. The only H/Hr ship exceptable, Hedwig/Hermes. (sorry h/hr fans.)

Ravenclawswisdom: I agree with you, but it's spelled "acceptable" the way you're meaning it. Peace

Still, I have a feeling that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley will die. You know how Voldy hates love? WELL, if the Weasley parents are Harry's new ''parents'' and Voldy killed Harry's old mom and dad, I think Voldy will be targeting the thing he hates most; love. -Pottermaniac, out!

That is no hand between Hermione's arm and Harry's leg. It's part of Hermione's robe.

lets see... they could either be leaving the site on the US cover (cuz the sky is orange...) or else going to it. who knows????? i'm SOOOO EXCITED!

Wow....it's almost midnite where I am. Monday is a month and 10 days away from book 7, a month from OOTP, and 2 months until my birthday.

This picture is really cool. It reminds me of something though. In all of the yearbooks I signed, I only put two things and they are "Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!" and DRACO DORMIENS NUNQUAM TITILLANDUS (never tickle a sleeping dragon). While I know this dragon isn't sleeping and they're not tickling it (at least not intentionally) do any of you think the Hogwarts motto has anything to do with the last book?

The dragon is Draco's animagus. Here's why: Names are supremely important in the HP series and Draco the dragon is a constellation and a mythological figure. Dragons can't be tamed; JKR said so emphatically. The only way the trio could be riding a dragon is if it's an animagus. Draco didn't succeed in killing DD, and as punishment LV kills Narcissa (or Narcissa and Lucius) turning Draco into an enemy, an orphan, and an ally of Harry's. Snape teaches Draco how to become an animagus and sends Draco in dragon form as an envoy to Harry, who learns that Snape is really a good guy. Snape gives Harry the info he needs to destroy the horcruxes. Let's not foget that this series is about forgiveness and redemption as much as it is anything else.