The margin of a reread
Book by book.
Chapter notes for the first novel are written out: what the shape is doing, and what later books echo. The other six are structured — titles on a spine — so the guide can grow without pretending the essays are already set.
- Book 1 · 17 chaptersPhilosopher’s Stone
The first year: a cupboard, a train, four houses, and a school that is also a locked puzzle. These chapter notes are original margin marks — what the shape is doing — not a retelling.
- Book 2 · 18 chaptersChamber of Secrets
A house-elf, a diary, and a school that starts to police blood. The spine below is in place. Fuller margin notes for this book are not set in type yet.
- Book 3 · 22 chaptersPrisoner of Azkaban
A fugitive, a teacher, and time used twice. Chapter titles are shelved here so the guide has a structure. The long notes are still the first book’s.
- Book 4 · 37 chaptersGoblet of Fire
A cup, two visiting schools, and a year that stops being a closed campus. Titles only, beyond the first book’s full notes.
- Book 5 · 38 chaptersOrder of the Phoenix
A ministry inside the school, a secret class, and grief that does not tidy itself. The chapter list is the structure; the essays can wait.
- Book 6 · 30 chaptersHalf-Blood Prince
A textbook with someone else’s handwriting, and a headmaster who finally teaches by memory. Spine only, for now.
- Book 7 · 37 chaptersDeathly Hallows
The year that is not a school year. Chapter titles, including the epilogue, are listed so a reread has a table of contents. Detailed notes stop at book one until later passes.