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Re: Characters: The three Ministers, Snape, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Harry, Dumbledore, the Dursleys. Camilla Send a noteboard - 19/10/2010 01:07:59 AM
The Other Minister: I love, love, love this chapter. I think it is a clever way to present the recap and I love viewing all this from the view of the Prime Minister. The recounting of Fudge's first visit when he gave away the gerbil to try to forget about it makes me laugh every time. I love the Prime Minister's responses to everything. And Fudge is more likable here than in any other book in the series, IMHO. We're introduced to Scrimgeour, who apart from being quite brusque I like very much at this point, although this won't last. I love Fudge's line as he leaves that the other side can do magic too.


I do adore the gerbil moment. I wonder whether Fudge is likeable here because he doesn't have to keep up the pretence as much with another minister -- it is someone who has to deal with, well, if not similar things, at least things of a somewhat similar magnitude, and more importantly, he has no influence on Fudge's own position.

Spinner's End: I finally start to respect Narcissa here a little. I don't really understand her, whether she is a supporter of Voldemort's of her own volition or if she is simply following Lucius in the beginning until Voldemort goes after Draco, but she has gone all mamma bear now and I like that. I have no idea why Snape lives in his parent's old house considering how miserable he was there, but I love Snape in this chapter. I love how he is so kindly to Narcissa but lays into Bellatrix when she continues to interrupt the conversation. Part of me wishes I felt sorry for Wormtail, but I can't say that I do. I do feel sorry for the fox though, which is really kind of messed up when I think about it.


I suspect Snape just hasn't moved because he spends all his time at Hogwarts anyway, and he just needs somewhere to store his books (I sympathis with that). I agree about Narcissa as well. And about Snape's differing attitudes to the two sisters. And I agree about the fox. That was quite shocking.

Will and Won't: One of my favorite chapters of the series. Dumbledore messing with the Dursley's is awesome. I think now that he knows his days are numbered he feels a certain amount of freedom about calling things like he sees them. One of the defining aspects of Dumbledore's character is his focus on being polite at all times, while here he is still polite he is "instructing" them throughout this chapter and I think it's brilliant. I won't quote all the lines here, but his exchanges are full of wonderful one liners. I love the glasses bouncing off the Dursley's heads (and a subtle introduction to the fact that Dumbledore likes that mead for later in the book). And then he gets so serious. It really has a lot more gravity because we've been laughing our way through the situation until now. He really lets them have it with both barrels while remaining calm. No one has really called them out yet and it is beautiful. This is a defining Dumbledore chapter, and you really walk away with the impression of his power and the fact that he just gets things.


Yes, the first time I read the book I was glad Dumbledore came to pick up Harry, but it did not strike me how odd it was that he took the time to put them in their place. It is clear in retrospect, however, that he is getting things off his chest. It is a farewell speech of sorts. I should have seen the signs.

*MySmiley*
structured procrastinator
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The Great Harry Potter Re-read: Book Six, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - 18/10/2010 06:12:40 PM 3051 Views
General comments on the book. - 18/10/2010 06:14:10 PM 1722 Views
I am enjoying this a lot more than I thought I would. - 22/10/2010 07:25:17 PM 1839 Views
Yes, I'm loving that I can read in English again. - 22/10/2010 10:10:32 PM 1949 Views
Me too - 01/11/2010 02:11:28 PM 1702 Views
Suggestions. - 18/10/2010 06:18:46 PM 1765 Views
Re: Suggestions. - 20/10/2010 03:20:18 PM 1911 Views
*cough* - 09/11/2010 09:24:21 AM 1639 Views
Oh yes. I'm being distracted by Towers of Midnight. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:11:22 PM 1040 Views
Shocking. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:43 PM 974 Views
Are we having a break right now? - 12/11/2010 06:48:10 PM 1800 Views
Re: Are we having a break right now? - 12/11/2010 10:05:30 PM 2113 Views
Chapters 1-3: The Other Minister, Spinner's End, Will and Won't. - 18/10/2010 06:21:55 PM 2001 Views
Characters: The three Ministers, Snape, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Harry, Dumbledore, the Dursleys. - 18/10/2010 06:25:12 PM 1992 Views
Re: Characters: The three Ministers, Snape, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Harry, Dumbledore, the Dursleys. - 18/10/2010 06:55:06 PM 1985 Views
Re: Characters: The three Ministers, Snape, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Harry, Dumbledore, the Dursleys. - 19/10/2010 01:07:59 AM 1997 Views
(minor book seven spoilers) - 19/10/2010 11:27:53 AM 1942 Views
Re: (minor book seven spoilers) - 19/10/2010 05:26:50 PM 1735 Views
*spoilers for book 7* an assortment of characters - 19/10/2010 01:01:35 AM 1934 Views
Re: *spoilers for book 7* an assortment of characters - 19/10/2010 11:39:44 AM 1747 Views
Re: *spoilers for book 7* an assortment of characters - 19/10/2010 11:48:45 AM 2033 Views
I rather enjoyed the new characters. - 22/10/2010 07:30:03 PM 1736 Views
Re: I rather enjoyed the new characters. - 22/10/2010 08:33:44 PM 1842 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 18/10/2010 06:28:16 PM 894 Views
Dumbledore-centered. - 19/10/2010 01:03:05 AM 1859 Views
Re: Dumbledore-centered. - 22/10/2010 07:31:56 PM 1826 Views
Re: Dumbledore-centered. - 22/10/2010 07:33:34 PM 1818 Views
Chapters 4-6: Horace Slughorn, An Excess of Phlegm, Draco's Detour. *NM* - 20/10/2010 03:44:39 PM 1042 Views
Characters: Slughorn, Fleur, the Trio, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy,... - 20/10/2010 03:46:47 PM 1903 Views
Re: Characters: Slughorn, Fleur, the Trio, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy,... - 20/10/2010 05:27:26 PM 1935 Views
(Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 09:25:20 PM 1942 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 09:46:08 PM 1857 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 11:20:28 PM 1746 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 21/10/2010 12:04:23 AM 1470 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 10:20:28 PM 1845 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 11:23:38 PM 1738 Views
Re: Characters: Slughorn, Fleur, the Trio, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy,... - 20/10/2010 10:15:58 PM 1868 Views
On Ron's reaction to Fleur... - 20/10/2010 11:30:48 PM 1814 Views
Re: On Ron's reaction to Fleur... - 20/10/2010 11:58:45 PM 1863 Views
Fleur - 23/10/2010 05:11:08 PM 1689 Views
Dumbledore, Slughorn, Tonks, Mr & Mrs Weasley, Hermione, Narcissa and the twins. - 20/10/2010 09:23:04 PM 1773 Views
Characters. - 25/10/2010 03:10:35 AM 1693 Views
Plotting and writing. - 20/10/2010 03:47:55 PM 1817 Views
*minor spoilers for book 7* - 20/10/2010 09:23:44 PM 1857 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 20/10/2010 03:48:07 PM 885 Views
Dumbledore's Stephen Fry moment... or maybe that's just me. - 22/10/2010 07:35:59 PM 1646 Views
It's not just you - 22/10/2010 08:34:25 PM 1635 Views
Chapters 7-9: Slug Club, Snape Victorious, The Half-Blood Prince *NM* - 22/10/2010 07:23:03 PM 1030 Views
Characters *NM* - 22/10/2010 07:23:24 PM 992 Views
Harry, Romilda, Malfoy (in luuuve), Snape, Lavender Brown, McGonagall, Hermione and Slughorn. - 22/10/2010 07:26:19 PM 1897 Views
Thoughts about your thoughts. - 23/10/2010 05:28:10 PM 1648 Views
Re: Thoughts about your thoughts. - 24/10/2010 09:18:37 AM 1677 Views
More characters. - 25/10/2010 03:21:33 AM 1665 Views
Re: More characters. - 25/10/2010 10:27:33 AM 1690 Views
Love is in the air, evidently. - 22/10/2010 07:54:35 PM 1838 Views
Re: Love is in the air, evidently. - 22/10/2010 09:04:24 PM 1765 Views
Re: Love is in the air, evidently. - 22/10/2010 09:54:46 PM 1717 Views
Slytherin had been in need of new blood for a long time. (And assorted other comments.) - 22/10/2010 10:34:49 PM 1852 Views
Neville. - 23/10/2010 05:30:39 PM 1758 Views
Re: Neville. - 08/11/2010 02:35:57 PM 1838 Views
NEWT Potions - 24/10/2010 03:24:42 AM 1831 Views
Re: Characters - 24/10/2010 03:41:30 AM 1894 Views
Re: Characters - 25/10/2010 10:44:00 AM 1713 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 22/10/2010 07:23:37 PM 979 Views
Dumbledore, patronuses and the DADA job. - 22/10/2010 07:27:23 PM 1777 Views
Malfoy and the DADA job. - 22/10/2010 10:51:03 PM 1687 Views
Re: Malfoy and the DADA job. - 25/10/2010 11:31:57 AM 1712 Views
Re: Dumbledore, patronuses and the DADA job. - 23/10/2010 05:32:27 PM 1704 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 22/10/2010 07:23:50 PM 996 Views
I believe in Wrackspurts, too. And some questions. - 22/10/2010 07:28:04 PM 1652 Views
Re: I believe in Wrackspurts, too. And some questions. - 23/10/2010 05:33:27 PM 1776 Views
Re: I believe in Wrackspurts, too. And some questions. - 25/10/2010 03:06:43 AM 1756 Views
Chapters 10-12: The House of Gaunt, Hermione's Helping Hand, Silver and Opals. *NM* - 25/10/2010 05:00:02 PM 1037 Views
Characters: The Gaunts, the Trio, Hagrid, and many more. *NM* - 25/10/2010 05:02:07 PM 1001 Views
Harry's continued insistence about Malfoy really irritates me (even though he's right). - 25/10/2010 06:15:23 PM 1931 Views
*lol* - 25/10/2010 06:39:19 PM 1789 Views
I don't hide from my faults. - 25/10/2010 08:01:39 PM 1620 Views
Re: I don't hide from my faults. - 28/10/2010 04:59:54 AM 1807 Views
Re: *lol* - 26/10/2010 09:50:09 AM 1782 Views
~geeky moment~ - 26/10/2010 03:14:52 PM 1676 Views
Re: ~geeky moment~ - 26/10/2010 09:49:12 PM 1632 Views
Trelawny, Ogden, Gaunt, Ron, Hermione, Ron and Harry - 25/10/2010 10:23:55 PM 1717 Views
Re: Trelawny, Ogden, Gaunt, Ron, Hermione, Ron and Harry - 26/10/2010 11:56:59 PM 1812 Views
Re: Trelawny, Ogden, Gaunt, Ron, Hermione, Ron and Harry - 27/10/2010 08:14:42 AM 1819 Views
Plotting and writing. - 25/10/2010 05:03:16 PM 1791 Views
Amazing amounts of accurate guesswork here, in hindsight. - 25/10/2010 05:37:28 PM 1828 Views
Re: Amazing amounts of accurate guesswork here, in hindsight. - 26/10/2010 09:46:47 AM 1725 Views
The smuggling and Trelawney's rambling. - 27/10/2010 12:05:48 AM 1769 Views
Re: The smuggling and Trelawney's rambling. - 27/10/2010 08:10:46 AM 1685 Views
Things - 25/10/2010 10:24:19 PM 1803 Views
Re: Things - 27/10/2010 12:01:17 AM 1840 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 25/10/2010 05:03:32 PM 821 Views
Dumbledore still sounds like Stephen Fry. And reflections on the nature of Potions class. - 25/10/2010 05:11:24 PM 1636 Views
It's like baking, I think. - 25/10/2010 05:32:42 PM 1765 Views
Good analogy - 25/10/2010 05:52:38 PM 1619 Views
Yes, exactly like baking - and advanced baking involves experimenting, substituting, improvising. - 25/10/2010 06:42:42 PM 1845 Views
But not at high school. - 25/10/2010 07:57:44 PM 1731 Views
Also - 04/11/2010 09:29:47 AM 1694 Views
Also, Parseltongue - is Harry that thick, or is it a magic thing? - 25/10/2010 05:18:41 PM 1745 Views
I think it's a magic thing. - 25/10/2010 05:34:09 PM 1741 Views
It can be learned actually. Dumbledore implies he knows it and Ron uses it in book 7 - 25/10/2010 05:55:28 PM 1700 Views
Huh. I completely missed that. Good thing we're doing a reread. - 25/10/2010 05:57:38 PM 1705 Views
Speaking of Dumbledore and Parseltongue. - 28/10/2010 05:03:10 AM 1984 Views
parseltongue - 25/10/2010 10:24:46 PM 1858 Views
Interesting how many of our remarks are along similar lines. *NM* - 25/10/2010 10:27:30 PM 866 Views
Indeed - 26/10/2010 09:20:43 AM 1745 Views
Chapters 13-15: The Secret Riddle, Felix Felicis, The Unbreakable Vow *NM* - 27/10/2010 04:16:28 PM 994 Views
Characters: The Trio, Ginny, Tom Riddle, Draco,... *NM* - 27/10/2010 04:17:12 PM 978 Views
Dumbledore, Voldemort, Ron & Hermione, Harry, Ginny, Luna - 27/10/2010 10:31:39 PM 1733 Views
My take on Ginny is rather different, I must say... at least this time around. - 29/10/2010 01:47:20 PM 1701 Views
Girls. - 29/10/2010 05:54:25 PM 1731 Views
Draco: Not as confident as he appears, surely. - 29/10/2010 02:02:01 PM 1886 Views
Re: Draco: Not as confident as he appears, surely. - 29/10/2010 09:01:56 PM 1862 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 27/10/2010 04:17:26 PM 798 Views
plot and writing. - 27/10/2010 10:30:14 PM 1756 Views
Re: plot and writing. - 28/10/2010 05:07:03 AM 1913 Views
Draco can dissemble rather well, just like his parents. - 29/10/2010 02:08:35 PM 1766 Views
Re: Draco can dissemble rather well, just like his parents. - 29/10/2010 09:00:36 PM 1790 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 27/10/2010 04:17:42 PM 826 Views
Re: Anything else? - 27/10/2010 10:30:55 PM 1898 Views
Re: Anything else? - 28/10/2010 04:56:10 AM 1835 Views
Harry comments on that when in Snape's memories in book five. - 28/10/2010 10:42:08 AM 1695 Views
I wonder if that's actually true, though. - 28/10/2010 10:39:20 AM 1881 Views
Re: I wonder if that's actually true, though. - 28/10/2010 10:44:22 AM 1742 Views
It's more than that, though. - 28/10/2010 10:55:49 AM 1794 Views
Re: It's more than that, though. - 28/10/2010 11:48:19 AM 1644 Views
Chapters 16-18: A Very Frosty Christmas, A Sluggish Memory, Birthday Surprises *NM* - 29/10/2010 05:40:39 PM 968 Views
Characters: The Trio, Fleur, Scrimgeour, Percy, Remus, Slughorn,... *NM* - 29/10/2010 05:43:02 PM 1055 Views
Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 29/10/2010 08:51:58 PM 1881 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 29/10/2010 11:24:02 PM 1709 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 29/10/2010 11:51:06 PM 1723 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 31/10/2010 09:14:46 PM 1955 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 31/10/2010 09:07:19 PM 1811 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 02/11/2010 06:23:04 PM 1767 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 02/11/2010 07:20:26 PM 1465 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 04/11/2010 04:03:02 AM 1718 Views
And - 04/11/2010 10:46:37 AM 1719 Views
Plotting and writing. - 29/10/2010 05:43:49 PM 1650 Views
Re: Plotting and writing. - 29/10/2010 08:52:34 PM 1802 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 29/10/2010 05:44:04 PM 859 Views
My comments on Potions class were heeded! Excellent. - 29/10/2010 11:28:43 PM 1739 Views
Re: My comments on Potions class were heeded! Excellent. - 29/10/2010 11:52:12 PM 1806 Views
Chapters 19-21: Elf Tails, Lord Voldemort's Requests, The Unknowable Room *NM* - 01/11/2010 02:00:22 PM 755 Views
Characters: The Trio, the elves, Draco, Dumbledore,... *NM* - 01/11/2010 02:00:56 PM 1081 Views
the twins, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Voldemort, Draco and Tonks - 01/11/2010 02:08:32 PM 1620 Views
Re: the twins, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Voldemort, Draco and Tonks - 01/11/2010 05:10:11 PM 1859 Views
Re: the twins, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Voldemort, Draco and Tonks - 01/11/2010 05:16:30 PM 1945 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 01/11/2010 02:01:13 PM 860 Views
Dumbledore, little girls and the house-elf issue again. - 01/11/2010 02:09:35 PM 1936 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 01/11/2010 02:01:27 PM 881 Views
Chapters 22-24: After the Burial, Horcruxes, Sectumsempra - 03/11/2010 09:50:17 PM 2022 Views
Characters. *NM* - 03/11/2010 09:50:33 PM 1005 Views
Malfoy, Ron & Hermione, Slughorn, Voldemort, Snape and Ginny. - 04/11/2010 12:12:57 AM 1769 Views
Draco, Slughorn, Snape, the romance. - 04/11/2010 02:02:04 PM 1796 Views
Re: Draco, Slughorn, Snape, the romance. - 04/11/2010 02:16:17 PM 1829 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 03/11/2010 09:50:50 PM 901 Views
Harry wrong again, house elves, horcruxes, free will, well hidden clues and some irony *DH spoiler* - 03/11/2010 10:35:20 PM 1740 Views
Re: Stuff. - 04/11/2010 04:28:04 AM 1806 Views
Re: Stuff. *spoilers for book 7* - 04/11/2010 09:10:19 AM 1827 Views
This "we'll see in book seven" thing is getting old, but still that's what I have to say here... - 04/11/2010 01:23:01 PM 1646 Views
Yes, I think you are right - 04/11/2010 01:24:41 PM 1804 Views
Well, I'm back. Some comments inside. *DH Spoilers* - 08/11/2010 02:28:11 PM 1780 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 03/11/2010 09:51:04 PM 882 Views
Chapters 25-27: The Seer Overheard, The Cave, The Lightning-Struck Tower - 05/11/2010 05:37:42 PM 1633 Views
Plotting and writing. - 05/11/2010 05:39:27 PM 1482 Views
*spoilers for book 7* - 05/11/2010 07:55:07 PM 1682 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 05/11/2010 05:39:43 PM 902 Views
I like how good magic is not flashy. Also, a Tolkien thing - 05/11/2010 07:55:27 PM 1723 Views
I didn't take the comparison as far, but the gate thing did remind me of Moria, yes. (DH spoilers) - 05/11/2010 10:03:16 PM 1973 Views
yes - 05/11/2010 10:06:43 PM 1708 Views
Chapters 28-30: Flight of the Prince, The Phoenix Lament, The White Tomb. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:12 PM 1012 Views
Characters. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:25 PM 840 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:40 PM 972 Views
Spoilers. - 09/11/2010 02:26:38 PM 1650 Views
Re: Spoilers. - 09/11/2010 04:49:06 PM 1718 Views
I'm assuming not even the Ministry knows 100% what she did. - 13/11/2010 12:26:14 AM 1806 Views
Very true. - 15/11/2010 01:48:36 PM 1802 Views
Not much, no, but there's one fairly crucial mention. - 15/11/2010 04:37:23 PM 1766 Views
Re: Spoilers. - 13/11/2010 12:22:22 AM 1917 Views
Re: Spoilers. - 13/11/2010 09:38:09 AM 2058 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:53 PM 851 Views
We did the Harry Potter marathon thing on Sunday - 09/11/2010 02:28:08 PM 1767 Views
I vaguely remember something of the sort, yes. - 09/11/2010 02:57:56 PM 2008 Views
Re: I vaguely remember something of the sort, yes. - 09/11/2010 02:58:56 PM 1684 Views
This is definitely the most painfully altered of the movies. - 09/11/2010 04:34:33 PM 1811 Views
Re: This is definitely the most painfully altered of the movies. - 09/11/2010 04:36:29 PM 1788 Views
Very true. - 09/11/2010 04:40:24 PM 2027 Views
Re: Very true. - 09/11/2010 04:43:45 PM 2260 Views
Agreed. - 09/11/2010 04:53:46 PM 1791 Views
Re: Agreed. - 09/11/2010 04:58:59 PM 1891 Views

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