Active Users:645 Time:19/03/2026 11:51:06 AM
Re: *spoilers for book 7* an assortment of characters Camilla Send a noteboard - 19/10/2010 11:48:45 AM
The Prime Minister: Do you imagine Tony Blair here?

Actually, I imagine Jim Hacker here. The immature gloating of the opponent, the indignant reactions about being saddled with the blame for things he couldn't help, it all fits so well. Now I just want to see Sir Humphrey explain to him what the Civil Service will do about Voldemort... and Bernard toss in a few inappropriate yet funny remarks.


Yes! That's it! I had a very fuzzy kind of image in my head, but that fits to a t.

Scrimgeour. I expected him, from this first scene, to be a good guy. He looks like a lion. I remember that description was one of the secret things you could find at Rowling's homepage just before the book came out, and I was convinced it had something to do with Godric Gryffindor. It does something weird to make him a not-so-good guy.

Yeah, I remember that description too. Definitely wasn't what I was expecting, either. Now that you mention it, I believe she also gave us a few chapter title's, including "Spinner's End" and chapter six, "Draco's Detour".


Hehe. Yes. I kind of miss that page.

Bellatrix. It is interesting that she contemplates the idea that Voldemort could be wrong. It is not a good scene for her. She comes out looking like a hysterical idiot. I realise, of course, that it is supposed to cover all the bases, to make it impossible to ask "how can Voldemort believe Snape is on his side" (or even "how can Snape be evil"), but it does not come out well for her character.

She's reaching for straws to justify her instinctive - and, of course, as we know, quite justified - distrust of Snape. I don't know if Rowling really intended to convince everyone for once and for all that Snape was evil with this scene... but it may well have worked on a lot of people. I don't really remember what I thought after first reading it, I only remember my reactions to that equally seminal final Snape scene in this book.


I know I wasn't convinced, but that my friend was gloating because she thought this finally proved her right (she gloated more at the end of this book, of course; but I am proud to say I remained unmoved).

And it's not as if there's much to salvage in Bellatrix' character. :P At least this chapter shows her as having an emotional attachment to her sister, even if that is the only person she cares about other than her demented crush on Voldemort.


True, but it detracts a little from her as a scary opponent. She becomes less intelligent. But I suppose the main power of her scariness is not in her intelligence but in her madness.

Wormtail. Why is he being punished? Because he only sought Voldemort out of despair? Or is there something else that I have already forgotten?

I don't know if it's punishment so much as having someone keep an eye on him. Though Snape is an odd choice considering that he has to leave for Hogwarts again.


True.

Snape. I wonder whether his making Wormtail's life horrible is related to either his connection to the Marauders or to the knowledge that he is the other person to blame for Lily's death.

Now that you mention it, probably.

He is great in this scene, though. His ready explanations, and his only slight hesitation before taking the unbreakable vow. I cannot remember whether he at this point knows that Dumbledore is dying and what Draco is going to do, or whether he is trying to figure it out still.

And the "but the gesture is undoubtedly fine" line is awesome. I imagine he knows, otherwise he wouldn't have assented so readily, surely... he mentions Dumbledore's blackened hand, so I assume that means he knows all about it.


Indeed.

Dumbledore. His way of treating the Dursleys makes me feel warm inside. The politeness which makes it clear how rude they are.

I don't know, in a way his bouncing glasses are just another form of Muggle-bullying. Perhaps not drinking something you're offered is rude, but how much ruder is bullying someone into drinking what you've offered them?


Hmm. If the mere presence of magic bullies those who do not have it, then yes. I am not sure bouncing glasses in themselves are a problem. Particularly since they would only have to take the glass to stop it. You are probably right, though. It is slightly problematic, except if you see it as some form of punishment for their treatment of Harry -- a punishment they are at any time free to end, but which they themselves are prolonging.

I like how he then switches to direct explanation of how bad they have been. It is refreshing. And I love the reference to the damage done to Dudley. He is right, of course.

Even though in the end Dudley will turn out alright, sort of.


Yes. I like that.
*MySmiley*
structured procrastinator
Reply to message
The Great Harry Potter Re-read: Book Six, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - 18/10/2010 06:12:40 PM 3207 Views
General comments on the book. - 18/10/2010 06:14:10 PM 1864 Views
I am enjoying this a lot more than I thought I would. - 22/10/2010 07:25:17 PM 2012 Views
Yes, I'm loving that I can read in English again. - 22/10/2010 10:10:32 PM 2086 Views
Me too - 01/11/2010 02:11:28 PM 1843 Views
Suggestions. - 18/10/2010 06:18:46 PM 1920 Views
Re: Suggestions. - 20/10/2010 03:20:18 PM 2054 Views
*cough* - 09/11/2010 09:24:21 AM 1787 Views
Oh yes. I'm being distracted by Towers of Midnight. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:11:22 PM 1109 Views
Shocking. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:43 PM 1051 Views
Are we having a break right now? - 12/11/2010 06:48:10 PM 1938 Views
Re: Are we having a break right now? - 12/11/2010 10:05:30 PM 2255 Views
Chapters 1-3: The Other Minister, Spinner's End, Will and Won't. - 18/10/2010 06:21:55 PM 2122 Views
Characters: The three Ministers, Snape, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Harry, Dumbledore, the Dursleys. - 18/10/2010 06:25:12 PM 2126 Views
Re: Characters: The three Ministers, Snape, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Harry, Dumbledore, the Dursleys. - 18/10/2010 06:55:06 PM 2148 Views
(minor book seven spoilers) - 19/10/2010 11:27:53 AM 2094 Views
Re: (minor book seven spoilers) - 19/10/2010 05:26:50 PM 1875 Views
*spoilers for book 7* an assortment of characters - 19/10/2010 01:01:35 AM 2100 Views
Re: *spoilers for book 7* an assortment of characters - 19/10/2010 11:39:44 AM 1922 Views
Re: *spoilers for book 7* an assortment of characters - 19/10/2010 11:48:45 AM 2179 Views
I rather enjoyed the new characters. - 22/10/2010 07:30:03 PM 1875 Views
Re: I rather enjoyed the new characters. - 22/10/2010 08:33:44 PM 2005 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 18/10/2010 06:28:16 PM 973 Views
Dumbledore-centered. - 19/10/2010 01:03:05 AM 2009 Views
Re: Dumbledore-centered. - 22/10/2010 07:31:56 PM 1975 Views
Re: Dumbledore-centered. - 22/10/2010 07:33:34 PM 1954 Views
Chapters 4-6: Horace Slughorn, An Excess of Phlegm, Draco's Detour. *NM* - 20/10/2010 03:44:39 PM 1111 Views
Characters: Slughorn, Fleur, the Trio, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy,... - 20/10/2010 03:46:47 PM 2054 Views
Re: Characters: Slughorn, Fleur, the Trio, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy,... - 20/10/2010 05:27:26 PM 2050 Views
(Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 09:25:20 PM 2121 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 09:46:08 PM 2005 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 11:20:28 PM 1889 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 21/10/2010 12:04:23 AM 1643 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 10:20:28 PM 2013 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 11:23:38 PM 1886 Views
Re: Characters: Slughorn, Fleur, the Trio, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy,... - 20/10/2010 10:15:58 PM 2033 Views
On Ron's reaction to Fleur... - 20/10/2010 11:30:48 PM 1968 Views
Re: On Ron's reaction to Fleur... - 20/10/2010 11:58:45 PM 1983 Views
Fleur - 23/10/2010 05:11:08 PM 1833 Views
Dumbledore, Slughorn, Tonks, Mr & Mrs Weasley, Hermione, Narcissa and the twins. - 20/10/2010 09:23:04 PM 1909 Views
Characters. - 25/10/2010 03:10:35 AM 1830 Views
Plotting and writing. - 20/10/2010 03:47:55 PM 1935 Views
*minor spoilers for book 7* - 20/10/2010 09:23:44 PM 1981 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 20/10/2010 03:48:07 PM 966 Views
Dumbledore's Stephen Fry moment... or maybe that's just me. - 22/10/2010 07:35:59 PM 1784 Views
It's not just you - 22/10/2010 08:34:25 PM 1780 Views
Chapters 7-9: Slug Club, Snape Victorious, The Half-Blood Prince *NM* - 22/10/2010 07:23:03 PM 1124 Views
Characters *NM* - 22/10/2010 07:23:24 PM 1061 Views
Harry, Romilda, Malfoy (in luuuve), Snape, Lavender Brown, McGonagall, Hermione and Slughorn. - 22/10/2010 07:26:19 PM 2038 Views
Thoughts about your thoughts. - 23/10/2010 05:28:10 PM 1815 Views
Re: Thoughts about your thoughts. - 24/10/2010 09:18:37 AM 1812 Views
More characters. - 25/10/2010 03:21:33 AM 1825 Views
Re: More characters. - 25/10/2010 10:27:33 AM 1846 Views
Love is in the air, evidently. - 22/10/2010 07:54:35 PM 1985 Views
Re: Love is in the air, evidently. - 22/10/2010 09:04:24 PM 1921 Views
Re: Love is in the air, evidently. - 22/10/2010 09:54:46 PM 1845 Views
Slytherin had been in need of new blood for a long time. (And assorted other comments.) - 22/10/2010 10:34:49 PM 2000 Views
Neville. - 23/10/2010 05:30:39 PM 1915 Views
Re: Neville. - 08/11/2010 02:35:57 PM 1995 Views
NEWT Potions - 24/10/2010 03:24:42 AM 1987 Views
Re: Characters - 24/10/2010 03:41:30 AM 2031 Views
Re: Characters - 25/10/2010 10:44:00 AM 1866 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 22/10/2010 07:23:37 PM 1056 Views
Dumbledore, patronuses and the DADA job. - 22/10/2010 07:27:23 PM 1943 Views
Malfoy and the DADA job. - 22/10/2010 10:51:03 PM 1852 Views
Re: Malfoy and the DADA job. - 25/10/2010 11:31:57 AM 1888 Views
Re: Dumbledore, patronuses and the DADA job. - 23/10/2010 05:32:27 PM 1830 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 22/10/2010 07:23:50 PM 1071 Views
I believe in Wrackspurts, too. And some questions. - 22/10/2010 07:28:04 PM 1803 Views
Re: I believe in Wrackspurts, too. And some questions. - 23/10/2010 05:33:27 PM 1923 Views
Re: I believe in Wrackspurts, too. And some questions. - 25/10/2010 03:06:43 AM 1882 Views
Chapters 10-12: The House of Gaunt, Hermione's Helping Hand, Silver and Opals. *NM* - 25/10/2010 05:00:02 PM 1125 Views
Characters: The Gaunts, the Trio, Hagrid, and many more. *NM* - 25/10/2010 05:02:07 PM 1076 Views
Harry's continued insistence about Malfoy really irritates me (even though he's right). - 25/10/2010 06:15:23 PM 2099 Views
*lol* - 25/10/2010 06:39:19 PM 1922 Views
I don't hide from my faults. - 25/10/2010 08:01:39 PM 1765 Views
Re: I don't hide from my faults. - 28/10/2010 04:59:54 AM 1932 Views
Re: *lol* - 26/10/2010 09:50:09 AM 1905 Views
~geeky moment~ - 26/10/2010 03:14:52 PM 1824 Views
Re: ~geeky moment~ - 26/10/2010 09:49:12 PM 1778 Views
Trelawny, Ogden, Gaunt, Ron, Hermione, Ron and Harry - 25/10/2010 10:23:55 PM 1840 Views
Re: Trelawny, Ogden, Gaunt, Ron, Hermione, Ron and Harry - 26/10/2010 11:56:59 PM 1974 Views
Re: Trelawny, Ogden, Gaunt, Ron, Hermione, Ron and Harry - 27/10/2010 08:14:42 AM 1954 Views
Plotting and writing. - 25/10/2010 05:03:16 PM 1933 Views
Amazing amounts of accurate guesswork here, in hindsight. - 25/10/2010 05:37:28 PM 1966 Views
Re: Amazing amounts of accurate guesswork here, in hindsight. - 26/10/2010 09:46:47 AM 1852 Views
The smuggling and Trelawney's rambling. - 27/10/2010 12:05:48 AM 1912 Views
Re: The smuggling and Trelawney's rambling. - 27/10/2010 08:10:46 AM 1840 Views
Things - 25/10/2010 10:24:19 PM 1995 Views
Re: Things - 27/10/2010 12:01:17 AM 1987 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 25/10/2010 05:03:32 PM 886 Views
Dumbledore still sounds like Stephen Fry. And reflections on the nature of Potions class. - 25/10/2010 05:11:24 PM 1807 Views
It's like baking, I think. - 25/10/2010 05:32:42 PM 1895 Views
Good analogy - 25/10/2010 05:52:38 PM 1769 Views
Yes, exactly like baking - and advanced baking involves experimenting, substituting, improvising. - 25/10/2010 06:42:42 PM 1999 Views
But not at high school. - 25/10/2010 07:57:44 PM 1883 Views
Also - 04/11/2010 09:29:47 AM 1857 Views
Also, Parseltongue - is Harry that thick, or is it a magic thing? - 25/10/2010 05:18:41 PM 1877 Views
I think it's a magic thing. - 25/10/2010 05:34:09 PM 1868 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 1865 Views
Huh. I completely missed that. Good thing we're doing a reread. - 25/10/2010 05:57:38 PM 1881 Views
Speaking of Dumbledore and Parseltongue. - 28/10/2010 05:03:10 AM 2129 Views
parseltongue - 25/10/2010 10:24:46 PM 2004 Views
Interesting how many of our remarks are along similar lines. *NM* - 25/10/2010 10:27:30 PM 942 Views
Indeed - 26/10/2010 09:20:43 AM 1883 Views
Chapters 13-15: The Secret Riddle, Felix Felicis, The Unbreakable Vow *NM* - 27/10/2010 04:16:28 PM 1062 Views
Characters: The Trio, Ginny, Tom Riddle, Draco,... *NM* - 27/10/2010 04:17:12 PM 1049 Views
Dumbledore, Voldemort, Ron & Hermione, Harry, Ginny, Luna - 27/10/2010 10:31:39 PM 1918 Views
My take on Ginny is rather different, I must say... at least this time around. - 29/10/2010 01:47:20 PM 1835 Views
Girls. - 29/10/2010 05:54:25 PM 1898 Views
Draco: Not as confident as he appears, surely. - 29/10/2010 02:02:01 PM 2027 Views
Re: Draco: Not as confident as he appears, surely. - 29/10/2010 09:01:56 PM 2016 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 27/10/2010 04:17:26 PM 851 Views
plot and writing. - 27/10/2010 10:30:14 PM 1911 Views
Re: plot and writing. - 28/10/2010 05:07:03 AM 2040 Views
Draco can dissemble rather well, just like his parents. - 29/10/2010 02:08:35 PM 1912 Views
Re: Draco can dissemble rather well, just like his parents. - 29/10/2010 09:00:36 PM 1932 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 27/10/2010 04:17:42 PM 909 Views
Re: Anything else? - 27/10/2010 10:30:55 PM 2043 Views
Re: Anything else? - 28/10/2010 04:56:10 AM 1967 Views
Harry comments on that when in Snape's memories in book five. - 28/10/2010 10:42:08 AM 1829 Views
I wonder if that's actually true, though. - 28/10/2010 10:39:20 AM 2073 Views
Re: I wonder if that's actually true, though. - 28/10/2010 10:44:22 AM 1900 Views
It's more than that, though. - 28/10/2010 10:55:49 AM 1954 Views
Re: It's more than that, though. - 28/10/2010 11:48:19 AM 1783 Views
Chapters 16-18: A Very Frosty Christmas, A Sluggish Memory, Birthday Surprises *NM* - 29/10/2010 05:40:39 PM 1062 Views
Characters: The Trio, Fleur, Scrimgeour, Percy, Remus, Slughorn,... *NM* - 29/10/2010 05:43:02 PM 1127 Views
Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 29/10/2010 08:51:58 PM 2043 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 29/10/2010 11:24:02 PM 1859 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 29/10/2010 11:51:06 PM 1873 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 31/10/2010 09:14:46 PM 2095 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 31/10/2010 09:07:19 PM 1978 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 02/11/2010 06:23:04 PM 1923 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 02/11/2010 07:20:26 PM 1598 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 04/11/2010 04:03:02 AM 1861 Views
And - 04/11/2010 10:46:37 AM 1892 Views
Plotting and writing. - 29/10/2010 05:43:49 PM 1829 Views
Re: Plotting and writing. - 29/10/2010 08:52:34 PM 1952 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 29/10/2010 05:44:04 PM 938 Views
My comments on Potions class were heeded! Excellent. - 29/10/2010 11:28:43 PM 1879 Views
Re: My comments on Potions class were heeded! Excellent. - 29/10/2010 11:52:12 PM 1938 Views
Chapters 19-21: Elf Tails, Lord Voldemort's Requests, The Unknowable Room *NM* - 01/11/2010 02:00:22 PM 831 Views
Characters: The Trio, the elves, Draco, Dumbledore,... *NM* - 01/11/2010 02:00:56 PM 1179 Views
the twins, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Voldemort, Draco and Tonks - 01/11/2010 02:08:32 PM 1760 Views
Re: the twins, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Voldemort, Draco and Tonks - 01/11/2010 05:10:11 PM 1999 Views
Re: the twins, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Voldemort, Draco and Tonks - 01/11/2010 05:16:30 PM 2079 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 01/11/2010 02:01:13 PM 936 Views
Dumbledore, little girls and the house-elf issue again. - 01/11/2010 02:09:35 PM 2110 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 01/11/2010 02:01:27 PM 947 Views
Chapters 22-24: After the Burial, Horcruxes, Sectumsempra - 03/11/2010 09:50:17 PM 2153 Views
Characters. *NM* - 03/11/2010 09:50:33 PM 1088 Views
Malfoy, Ron & Hermione, Slughorn, Voldemort, Snape and Ginny. - 04/11/2010 12:12:57 AM 1930 Views
Draco, Slughorn, Snape, the romance. - 04/11/2010 02:02:04 PM 1963 Views
Re: Draco, Slughorn, Snape, the romance. - 04/11/2010 02:16:17 PM 1990 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 03/11/2010 09:50:50 PM 962 Views
Harry wrong again, house elves, horcruxes, free will, well hidden clues and some irony *DH spoiler* - 03/11/2010 10:35:20 PM 1893 Views
Re: Stuff. - 04/11/2010 04:28:04 AM 1932 Views
Re: Stuff. *spoilers for book 7* - 04/11/2010 09:10:19 AM 1991 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 1779 Views
Yes, I think you are right - 04/11/2010 01:24:41 PM 1949 Views
Well, I'm back. Some comments inside. *DH Spoilers* - 08/11/2010 02:28:11 PM 1959 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 03/11/2010 09:51:04 PM 957 Views
Chapters 25-27: The Seer Overheard, The Cave, The Lightning-Struck Tower - 05/11/2010 05:37:42 PM 1773 Views
Plotting and writing. - 05/11/2010 05:39:27 PM 1614 Views
*spoilers for book 7* - 05/11/2010 07:55:07 PM 1821 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 05/11/2010 05:39:43 PM 969 Views
I like how good magic is not flashy. Also, a Tolkien thing - 05/11/2010 07:55:27 PM 1875 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 2122 Views
yes - 05/11/2010 10:06:43 PM 1842 Views
Chapters 28-30: Flight of the Prince, The Phoenix Lament, The White Tomb. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:12 PM 1086 Views
Characters. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:25 PM 907 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:40 PM 1035 Views
Spoilers. - 09/11/2010 02:26:38 PM 1795 Views
Re: Spoilers. - 09/11/2010 04:49:06 PM 1862 Views
I'm assuming not even the Ministry knows 100% what she did. - 13/11/2010 12:26:14 AM 1966 Views
Very true. - 15/11/2010 01:48:36 PM 1950 Views
Not much, no, but there's one fairly crucial mention. - 15/11/2010 04:37:23 PM 1909 Views
Re: Spoilers. - 13/11/2010 12:22:22 AM 2076 Views
Re: Spoilers. - 13/11/2010 09:38:09 AM 2213 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:53 PM 939 Views
We did the Harry Potter marathon thing on Sunday - 09/11/2010 02:28:08 PM 1930 Views
I vaguely remember something of the sort, yes. - 09/11/2010 02:57:56 PM 2155 Views
Re: I vaguely remember something of the sort, yes. - 09/11/2010 02:58:56 PM 1823 Views
This is definitely the most painfully altered of the movies. - 09/11/2010 04:34:33 PM 1970 Views
Re: This is definitely the most painfully altered of the movies. - 09/11/2010 04:36:29 PM 1919 Views
Very true. - 09/11/2010 04:40:24 PM 2151 Views
Re: Very true. - 09/11/2010 04:43:45 PM 2413 Views
Agreed. - 09/11/2010 04:53:46 PM 1943 Views
Re: Agreed. - 09/11/2010 04:58:59 PM 2041 Views

Reply to Message