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.
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
structured procrastinator
The Great Harry Potter Re-read: Book Six, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
18/10/2010 06:12:40 PM
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General comments on the book.
18/10/2010 06:14:10 PM
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Suggestions.
18/10/2010 06:18:46 PM
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*cough*
09/11/2010 09:24:21 AM
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Chapters 1-3: The Other Minister, Spinner's End, Will and Won't.
18/10/2010 06:21:55 PM
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Characters: The three Ministers, Snape, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Harry, Dumbledore, the Dursleys.
18/10/2010 06:25:12 PM
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Re: Characters: The three Ministers, Snape, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Harry, Dumbledore, the Dursleys.
18/10/2010 06:55:06 PM
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Re: Characters: The three Ministers, Snape, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Harry, Dumbledore, the Dursleys.
19/10/2010 01:07:59 AM
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*spoilers for book 7* an assortment of characters
19/10/2010 01:01:35 AM
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Re: *spoilers for book 7* an assortment of characters
19/10/2010 11:39:44 AM
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Re: *spoilers for book 7* an assortment of characters
19/10/2010 11:48:45 AM
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Plotting and writing.
18/10/2010 06:27:40 PM
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*spoilers for book 7* focalisation and why I'l accept it this time, the power/powerless issue &stuff
19/10/2010 01:02:53 AM
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Re: *spoilers for book 7* focalisation and why I'l accept it this time, the power/powerless issue
20/10/2010 02:58:54 PM
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Re: *spoilers for book 7* focalisation and why I'l accept it this time, the power/powerless issue
20/10/2010 03:14:35 PM
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Anything else? *NM*
18/10/2010 06:28:16 PM
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Dumbledore-centered.
19/10/2010 01:03:05 AM
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Chapters 4-6: Horace Slughorn, An Excess of Phlegm, Draco's Detour. *NM*
20/10/2010 03:44:39 PM
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Characters: Slughorn, Fleur, the Trio, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy,...
20/10/2010 03:46:47 PM
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Re: Characters: Slughorn, Fleur, the Trio, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy,...
20/10/2010 05:27:26 PM
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(Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur...
20/10/2010 09:25:20 PM
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Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur...
20/10/2010 09:46:08 PM
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Re: Characters: Slughorn, Fleur, the Trio, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy,...
20/10/2010 10:15:58 PM
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Dumbledore, Slughorn, Tonks, Mr & Mrs Weasley, Hermione, Narcissa and the twins.
20/10/2010 09:23:04 PM
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Re: Dumbledore, Slughorn, Tonks, Mr & Mrs Weasley, Hermione, Narcissa and the twins.
20/10/2010 09:56:28 PM
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Re: Dumbledore, Slughorn, Tonks, Mr & Mrs Weasley, Hermione, Narcissa and the twins.
20/10/2010 10:17:23 PM
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Anything else? *NM*
20/10/2010 03:48:07 PM
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So. Inferi are zombies aren't they? I just realised. Ick. Do they eat brains? *NM*
20/10/2010 09:24:03 PM
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I was kind of disappointed that Harry didn't remark on that fact.
*NM*
22/10/2010 07:24:11 PM
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Chapters 7-9: Slug Club, Snape Victorious, The Half-Blood Prince *NM*
22/10/2010 07:23:03 PM
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Characters *NM*
22/10/2010 07:23:24 PM
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Harry, Romilda, Malfoy (in luuuve), Snape, Lavender Brown, McGonagall, Hermione and Slughorn.
22/10/2010 07:26:19 PM
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Love is in the air, evidently.
22/10/2010 07:54:35 PM
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Slytherin had been in need of new blood for a long time. (And assorted other comments.)
22/10/2010 10:34:49 PM
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Re: Slytherin had been in need of new blood for a long time. (And assorted other comments.)
25/10/2010 10:33:04 AM
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Plotting and writing. *NM*
22/10/2010 07:23:37 PM
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Dumbledore, patronuses and the DADA job.
22/10/2010 07:27:23 PM
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Anything else? *NM*
22/10/2010 07:23:50 PM
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I believe in Wrackspurts, too. And some questions.
22/10/2010 07:28:04 PM
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I'm not sure if I noticed this before, but awesome Tolkien shout-out there.
22/10/2010 09:58:27 PM
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Re: I'm not sure if I noticed this before, but awesome Tolkien shout-out there.
23/10/2010 05:34:25 PM
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Re: I'm not sure if I noticed this before, but awesome Tolkien shout-out there.
25/10/2010 10:35:43 AM
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Chapters 10-12: The House of Gaunt, Hermione's Helping Hand, Silver and Opals. *NM*
25/10/2010 05:00:02 PM
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Characters: The Gaunts, the Trio, Hagrid, and many more. *NM*
25/10/2010 05:02:07 PM
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Harry's continued insistence about Malfoy really irritates me (even though he's right).
25/10/2010 06:15:23 PM
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*lol*
25/10/2010 06:39:19 PM
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Re: Harry's continued insistence about Malfoy really irritates me (even though he's right).
26/10/2010 09:23:09 AM
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Trelawny, Ogden, Gaunt, Ron, Hermione, Ron and Harry
25/10/2010 10:23:55 PM
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Plotting and writing.
25/10/2010 05:03:16 PM
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Amazing amounts of accurate guesswork here, in hindsight.
25/10/2010 05:37:28 PM
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Re: Amazing amounts of accurate guesswork here, in hindsight.
26/10/2010 09:46:47 AM
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Anything else? *NM*
25/10/2010 05:03:32 PM
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Dumbledore still sounds like Stephen Fry. And reflections on the nature of Potions class.
25/10/2010 05:11:24 PM
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It's like baking, I think.
25/10/2010 05:32:42 PM
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Yes, exactly like baking - and advanced baking involves experimenting, substituting, improvising.
25/10/2010 06:42:42 PM
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Also, Parseltongue - is Harry that thick, or is it a magic thing?
25/10/2010 05:18:41 PM
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I think it's a magic thing.
25/10/2010 05:34:09 PM
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It can be learned actually. Dumbledore implies he knows it and Ron uses it in book 7
25/10/2010 05:55:28 PM
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Re: It can be learned actually. Dumbledore implies he knows it and Ron uses it in book 7
27/10/2010 04:31:45 PM
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parseltongue
25/10/2010 10:24:46 PM
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Interesting how many of our remarks are along similar lines.
*NM*
25/10/2010 10:27:30 PM
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Chapters 13-15: The Secret Riddle, Felix Felicis, The Unbreakable Vow *NM*
27/10/2010 04:16:28 PM
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Characters: The Trio, Ginny, Tom Riddle, Draco,... *NM*
27/10/2010 04:17:12 PM
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Dumbledore, Voldemort, Ron & Hermione, Harry, Ginny, Luna
27/10/2010 10:31:39 PM
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My take on Ginny is rather different, I must say... at least this time around.
29/10/2010 01:47:20 PM
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Re: My take on Ginny is rather different, I must say... at least this time around.
29/10/2010 09:06:16 PM
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Re: My take on Ginny is rather different, I must say... at least this time around.
29/10/2010 11:02:15 PM
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Plotting and writing. *NM*
27/10/2010 04:17:26 PM
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plot and writing.
27/10/2010 10:30:14 PM
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Anything else? *NM*
27/10/2010 04:17:42 PM
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Re: Anything else?
27/10/2010 10:30:55 PM
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I wonder if that's actually true, though.
28/10/2010 10:39:20 AM
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Re: I wonder if that's actually true, though.
28/10/2010 10:44:22 AM
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Crabbe and Goyle show us what happens when you fail (most of? all of?) your OWLs.
29/10/2010 02:10:39 PM
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Chapters 16-18: A Very Frosty Christmas, A Sluggish Memory, Birthday Surprises *NM*
29/10/2010 05:40:39 PM
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Characters: The Trio, Fleur, Scrimgeour, Percy, Remus, Slughorn,... *NM*
29/10/2010 05:43:02 PM
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Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour
29/10/2010 08:51:58 PM
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Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour
02/11/2010 06:23:04 PM
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Anything else? *NM*
29/10/2010 05:44:04 PM
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Chapters 19-21: Elf Tails, Lord Voldemort's Requests, The Unknowable Room *NM*
01/11/2010 02:00:22 PM
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Characters: The Trio, the elves, Draco, Dumbledore,... *NM*
01/11/2010 02:00:56 PM
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the twins, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Voldemort, Draco and Tonks
01/11/2010 02:08:32 PM
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Anything else? *NM*
01/11/2010 02:01:27 PM
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I want to hear the joke about the hag, the Healer and the Mimbulus mimbletonia. *NM*
01/11/2010 02:10:11 PM
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Me too. And is a "hag" just an old witch, or something more specific?
03/11/2010 09:52:12 PM
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Re: Me too. And is a "hag" just an old witch, or something more specific?
03/11/2010 09:54:05 PM
- 1971 Views
Re: Me too. And is a "hag" just an old witch, or something more specific?
08/11/2010 01:54:59 PM
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Chapters 22-24: After the Burial, Horcruxes, Sectumsempra
03/11/2010 09:50:17 PM
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Characters. *NM*
03/11/2010 09:50:33 PM
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Malfoy, Ron & Hermione, Slughorn, Voldemort, Snape and Ginny.
04/11/2010 12:12:57 AM
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Plotting and writing. *NM*
03/11/2010 09:50:50 PM
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Harry wrong again, house elves, horcruxes, free will, well hidden clues and some irony *DH spoiler*
03/11/2010 10:35:20 PM
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Re: Stuff.
04/11/2010 04:28:04 AM
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Re: Stuff. *spoilers for book 7*
04/11/2010 09:10:19 AM
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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
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Chapters 25-27: The Seer Overheard, The Cave, The Lightning-Struck Tower
05/11/2010 05:37:42 PM
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Characters: Harry, Trelawney, Dumbledore, Draco, Snape. And maybe some other people. *NM*
05/11/2010 05:38:19 PM
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Romilda, Snape, Trelawny, Draco, Dumbledore, Voldemort, Harry *spoilers book 7*
05/11/2010 07:34:01 PM
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Anything else? *NM*
05/11/2010 05:39:43 PM
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I like how good magic is not flashy. Also, a Tolkien thing
05/11/2010 07:55:27 PM
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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
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Chapters 28-30: Flight of the Prince, The Phoenix Lament, The White Tomb. *NM*
09/11/2010 02:13:12 PM
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Characters. *NM*
09/11/2010 02:13:25 PM
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Snape, Lupin, Hermione & Ron, the Order, Mrs Weasley & Fleur, Luna & Neville, Scrimgeour, Ginny *DH*
09/11/2010 02:20:01 PM
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Plotting and writing. *NM*
09/11/2010 02:13:40 PM
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Spoilers.
09/11/2010 02:26:38 PM
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Re: Spoilers.
09/11/2010 04:49:06 PM
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I'm assuming not even the Ministry knows 100% what she did.
13/11/2010 12:26:14 AM
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Very true.
15/11/2010 01:48:36 PM
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Not much, no, but there's one fairly crucial mention.
15/11/2010 04:37:23 PM
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With my keen attention to detail, I somehow missed that.
Another good catch!
15/11/2010 09:36:37 PM
- 1822 Views

Anything else? *NM*
09/11/2010 02:13:53 PM
- 759 Views
We did the Harry Potter marathon thing on Sunday
09/11/2010 02:28:08 PM
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This is definitely the most painfully altered of the movies.
09/11/2010 04:34:33 PM
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Re: This is definitely the most painfully altered of the movies.
09/11/2010 04:36:29 PM
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I just watched OotP again Saturday night... quite shocking there as well.
15/11/2010 04:45:48 PM
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Re: I just watched OotP again Saturday night... quite shocking there as well.
15/11/2010 04:50:57 PM
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