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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
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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 3261 Views
General comments on the book. - 18/10/2010 06:14:10 PM 1912 Views
I am enjoying this a lot more than I thought I would. - 22/10/2010 07:25:17 PM 2059 Views
Yes, I'm loving that I can read in English again. - 22/10/2010 10:10:32 PM 2135 Views
Me too - 01/11/2010 02:11:28 PM 1894 Views
Suggestions. - 18/10/2010 06:18:46 PM 1964 Views
Re: Suggestions. - 20/10/2010 03:20:18 PM 2101 Views
*cough* - 09/11/2010 09:24:21 AM 1825 Views
Oh yes. I'm being distracted by Towers of Midnight. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:11:22 PM 1130 Views
Shocking. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:43 PM 1076 Views
Are we having a break right now? - 12/11/2010 06:48:10 PM 1981 Views
Re: Are we having a break right now? - 12/11/2010 10:05:30 PM 2319 Views
Chapters 1-3: The Other Minister, Spinner's End, Will and Won't. - 18/10/2010 06:21:55 PM 2172 Views
Characters: The three Ministers, Snape, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Harry, Dumbledore, the Dursleys. - 18/10/2010 06:25:12 PM 2181 Views
Re: Characters: The three Ministers, Snape, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Harry, Dumbledore, the Dursleys. - 18/10/2010 06:55:06 PM 2194 Views
(minor book seven spoilers) - 19/10/2010 11:27:53 AM 2148 Views
Re: (minor book seven spoilers) - 19/10/2010 05:26:50 PM 1922 Views
*spoilers for book 7* an assortment of characters - 19/10/2010 01:01:35 AM 2146 Views
Re: *spoilers for book 7* an assortment of characters - 19/10/2010 11:39:44 AM 1984 Views
Re: *spoilers for book 7* an assortment of characters - 19/10/2010 11:48:45 AM 2229 Views
I rather enjoyed the new characters. - 22/10/2010 07:30:03 PM 1917 Views
Re: I rather enjoyed the new characters. - 22/10/2010 08:33:44 PM 2057 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 18/10/2010 06:28:16 PM 999 Views
Dumbledore-centered. - 19/10/2010 01:03:05 AM 2058 Views
Re: Dumbledore-centered. - 22/10/2010 07:31:56 PM 2015 Views
Re: Dumbledore-centered. - 22/10/2010 07:33:34 PM 1991 Views
Chapters 4-6: Horace Slughorn, An Excess of Phlegm, Draco's Detour. *NM* - 20/10/2010 03:44:39 PM 1134 Views
Characters: Slughorn, Fleur, the Trio, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy,... - 20/10/2010 03:46:47 PM 2097 Views
Re: Characters: Slughorn, Fleur, the Trio, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy,... - 20/10/2010 05:27:26 PM 2102 Views
(Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 09:25:20 PM 2176 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 09:46:08 PM 2056 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 11:20:28 PM 1931 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 21/10/2010 12:04:23 AM 1692 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 10:20:28 PM 2068 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 11:23:38 PM 1935 Views
Re: Characters: Slughorn, Fleur, the Trio, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy,... - 20/10/2010 10:15:58 PM 2076 Views
On Ron's reaction to Fleur... - 20/10/2010 11:30:48 PM 2029 Views
Re: On Ron's reaction to Fleur... - 20/10/2010 11:58:45 PM 2032 Views
Fleur - 23/10/2010 05:11:08 PM 1874 Views
Dumbledore, Slughorn, Tonks, Mr & Mrs Weasley, Hermione, Narcissa and the twins. - 20/10/2010 09:23:04 PM 1958 Views
Characters. - 25/10/2010 03:10:35 AM 1872 Views
Plotting and writing. - 20/10/2010 03:47:55 PM 1982 Views
*minor spoilers for book 7* - 20/10/2010 09:23:44 PM 2039 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 20/10/2010 03:48:07 PM 990 Views
Dumbledore's Stephen Fry moment... or maybe that's just me. - 22/10/2010 07:35:59 PM 1829 Views
It's not just you - 22/10/2010 08:34:25 PM 1828 Views
Chapters 7-9: Slug Club, Snape Victorious, The Half-Blood Prince *NM* - 22/10/2010 07:23:03 PM 1153 Views
Characters *NM* - 22/10/2010 07:23:24 PM 1082 Views
Harry, Romilda, Malfoy (in luuuve), Snape, Lavender Brown, McGonagall, Hermione and Slughorn. - 22/10/2010 07:26:19 PM 2091 Views
Thoughts about your thoughts. - 23/10/2010 05:28:10 PM 1863 Views
Re: Thoughts about your thoughts. - 24/10/2010 09:18:37 AM 1862 Views
More characters. - 25/10/2010 03:21:33 AM 1876 Views
Re: More characters. - 25/10/2010 10:27:33 AM 1902 Views
Love is in the air, evidently. - 22/10/2010 07:54:35 PM 2039 Views
Re: Love is in the air, evidently. - 22/10/2010 09:04:24 PM 1962 Views
Re: Love is in the air, evidently. - 22/10/2010 09:54:46 PM 1908 Views
Slytherin had been in need of new blood for a long time. (And assorted other comments.) - 22/10/2010 10:34:49 PM 2041 Views
Neville. - 23/10/2010 05:30:39 PM 1957 Views
Re: Neville. - 08/11/2010 02:35:57 PM 2036 Views
NEWT Potions - 24/10/2010 03:24:42 AM 2029 Views
Re: Characters - 24/10/2010 03:41:30 AM 2082 Views
Re: Characters - 25/10/2010 10:44:00 AM 1918 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 22/10/2010 07:23:37 PM 1084 Views
Dumbledore, patronuses and the DADA job. - 22/10/2010 07:27:23 PM 1989 Views
Malfoy and the DADA job. - 22/10/2010 10:51:03 PM 1935 Views
Re: Malfoy and the DADA job. - 25/10/2010 11:31:57 AM 1948 Views
Re: Dumbledore, patronuses and the DADA job. - 23/10/2010 05:32:27 PM 1880 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 22/10/2010 07:23:50 PM 1099 Views
I believe in Wrackspurts, too. And some questions. - 22/10/2010 07:28:04 PM 1845 Views
Re: I believe in Wrackspurts, too. And some questions. - 23/10/2010 05:33:27 PM 1971 Views
Re: I believe in Wrackspurts, too. And some questions. - 25/10/2010 03:06:43 AM 1933 Views
Chapters 10-12: The House of Gaunt, Hermione's Helping Hand, Silver and Opals. *NM* - 25/10/2010 05:00:02 PM 1154 Views
Characters: The Gaunts, the Trio, Hagrid, and many more. *NM* - 25/10/2010 05:02:07 PM 1101 Views
Harry's continued insistence about Malfoy really irritates me (even though he's right). - 25/10/2010 06:15:23 PM 2150 Views
*lol* - 25/10/2010 06:39:19 PM 1970 Views
I don't hide from my faults. - 25/10/2010 08:01:39 PM 1803 Views
Re: I don't hide from my faults. - 28/10/2010 04:59:54 AM 1985 Views
Re: *lol* - 26/10/2010 09:50:09 AM 1955 Views
~geeky moment~ - 26/10/2010 03:14:52 PM 1862 Views
Re: ~geeky moment~ - 26/10/2010 09:49:12 PM 1818 Views
Trelawny, Ogden, Gaunt, Ron, Hermione, Ron and Harry - 25/10/2010 10:23:55 PM 1883 Views
Re: Trelawny, Ogden, Gaunt, Ron, Hermione, Ron and Harry - 26/10/2010 11:56:59 PM 2020 Views
Re: Trelawny, Ogden, Gaunt, Ron, Hermione, Ron and Harry - 27/10/2010 08:14:42 AM 2003 Views
Plotting and writing. - 25/10/2010 05:03:16 PM 1980 Views
Amazing amounts of accurate guesswork here, in hindsight. - 25/10/2010 05:37:28 PM 2022 Views
Re: Amazing amounts of accurate guesswork here, in hindsight. - 26/10/2010 09:46:47 AM 1905 Views
The smuggling and Trelawney's rambling. - 27/10/2010 12:05:48 AM 1963 Views
Re: The smuggling and Trelawney's rambling. - 27/10/2010 08:10:46 AM 1890 Views
Things - 25/10/2010 10:24:19 PM 2030 Views
Re: Things - 27/10/2010 12:01:17 AM 2038 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 25/10/2010 05:03:32 PM 909 Views
Dumbledore still sounds like Stephen Fry. And reflections on the nature of Potions class. - 25/10/2010 05:11:24 PM 1862 Views
It's like baking, I think. - 25/10/2010 05:32:42 PM 1948 Views
Good analogy - 25/10/2010 05:52:38 PM 1821 Views
Yes, exactly like baking - and advanced baking involves experimenting, substituting, improvising. - 25/10/2010 06:42:42 PM 2041 Views
But not at high school. - 25/10/2010 07:57:44 PM 1931 Views
Also - 04/11/2010 09:29:47 AM 1903 Views
Also, Parseltongue - is Harry that thick, or is it a magic thing? - 25/10/2010 05:18:41 PM 1931 Views
I think it's a magic thing. - 25/10/2010 05:34:09 PM 1928 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 1912 Views
Huh. I completely missed that. Good thing we're doing a reread. - 25/10/2010 05:57:38 PM 1926 Views
Speaking of Dumbledore and Parseltongue. - 28/10/2010 05:03:10 AM 2188 Views
parseltongue - 25/10/2010 10:24:46 PM 2043 Views
Interesting how many of our remarks are along similar lines. *NM* - 25/10/2010 10:27:30 PM 966 Views
Indeed - 26/10/2010 09:20:43 AM 1929 Views
Chapters 13-15: The Secret Riddle, Felix Felicis, The Unbreakable Vow *NM* - 27/10/2010 04:16:28 PM 1092 Views
Characters: The Trio, Ginny, Tom Riddle, Draco,... *NM* - 27/10/2010 04:17:12 PM 1079 Views
Dumbledore, Voldemort, Ron & Hermione, Harry, Ginny, Luna - 27/10/2010 10:31:39 PM 1961 Views
My take on Ginny is rather different, I must say... at least this time around. - 29/10/2010 01:47:20 PM 1893 Views
Girls. - 29/10/2010 05:54:25 PM 1940 Views
Draco: Not as confident as he appears, surely. - 29/10/2010 02:02:01 PM 2073 Views
Re: Draco: Not as confident as he appears, surely. - 29/10/2010 09:01:56 PM 2057 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 27/10/2010 04:17:26 PM 877 Views
plot and writing. - 27/10/2010 10:30:14 PM 1957 Views
Re: plot and writing. - 28/10/2010 05:07:03 AM 2099 Views
Draco can dissemble rather well, just like his parents. - 29/10/2010 02:08:35 PM 1966 Views
Re: Draco can dissemble rather well, just like his parents. - 29/10/2010 09:00:36 PM 1975 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 27/10/2010 04:17:42 PM 935 Views
Re: Anything else? - 27/10/2010 10:30:55 PM 2086 Views
Re: Anything else? - 28/10/2010 04:56:10 AM 2011 Views
Harry comments on that when in Snape's memories in book five. - 28/10/2010 10:42:08 AM 1893 Views
I wonder if that's actually true, though. - 28/10/2010 10:39:20 AM 2119 Views
Re: I wonder if that's actually true, though. - 28/10/2010 10:44:22 AM 1940 Views
It's more than that, though. - 28/10/2010 10:55:49 AM 2026 Views
Re: It's more than that, though. - 28/10/2010 11:48:19 AM 1825 Views
Chapters 16-18: A Very Frosty Christmas, A Sluggish Memory, Birthday Surprises *NM* - 29/10/2010 05:40:39 PM 1087 Views
Characters: The Trio, Fleur, Scrimgeour, Percy, Remus, Slughorn,... *NM* - 29/10/2010 05:43:02 PM 1153 Views
Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 29/10/2010 08:51:58 PM 2080 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 29/10/2010 11:24:02 PM 1904 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 29/10/2010 11:51:06 PM 1918 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 31/10/2010 09:14:46 PM 2132 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 31/10/2010 09:07:19 PM 2036 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 02/11/2010 06:23:04 PM 1972 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 02/11/2010 07:20:26 PM 1639 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 04/11/2010 04:03:02 AM 1906 Views
And - 04/11/2010 10:46:37 AM 1937 Views
Plotting and writing. - 29/10/2010 05:43:49 PM 1882 Views
Re: Plotting and writing. - 29/10/2010 08:52:34 PM 1997 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 29/10/2010 05:44:04 PM 971 Views
My comments on Potions class were heeded! Excellent. - 29/10/2010 11:28:43 PM 1924 Views
Re: My comments on Potions class were heeded! Excellent. - 29/10/2010 11:52:12 PM 1991 Views
Chapters 19-21: Elf Tails, Lord Voldemort's Requests, The Unknowable Room *NM* - 01/11/2010 02:00:22 PM 853 Views
Characters: The Trio, the elves, Draco, Dumbledore,... *NM* - 01/11/2010 02:00:56 PM 1206 Views
the twins, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Voldemort, Draco and Tonks - 01/11/2010 02:08:32 PM 1808 Views
Re: the twins, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Voldemort, Draco and Tonks - 01/11/2010 05:10:11 PM 2052 Views
Re: the twins, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Voldemort, Draco and Tonks - 01/11/2010 05:16:30 PM 2128 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 01/11/2010 02:01:13 PM 960 Views
Dumbledore, little girls and the house-elf issue again. - 01/11/2010 02:09:35 PM 2161 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 01/11/2010 02:01:27 PM 968 Views
Chapters 22-24: After the Burial, Horcruxes, Sectumsempra - 03/11/2010 09:50:17 PM 2197 Views
Characters. *NM* - 03/11/2010 09:50:33 PM 1111 Views
Malfoy, Ron & Hermione, Slughorn, Voldemort, Snape and Ginny. - 04/11/2010 12:12:57 AM 2007 Views
Draco, Slughorn, Snape, the romance. - 04/11/2010 02:02:04 PM 2016 Views
Re: Draco, Slughorn, Snape, the romance. - 04/11/2010 02:16:17 PM 2035 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 03/11/2010 09:50:50 PM 982 Views
Harry wrong again, house elves, horcruxes, free will, well hidden clues and some irony *DH spoiler* - 03/11/2010 10:35:20 PM 1951 Views
Re: Stuff. - 04/11/2010 04:28:04 AM 1984 Views
Re: Stuff. *spoilers for book 7* - 04/11/2010 09:10:19 AM 2038 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 1816 Views
Yes, I think you are right - 04/11/2010 01:24:41 PM 1988 Views
Well, I'm back. Some comments inside. *DH Spoilers* - 08/11/2010 02:28:11 PM 2014 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 03/11/2010 09:51:04 PM 979 Views
Chapters 25-27: The Seer Overheard, The Cave, The Lightning-Struck Tower - 05/11/2010 05:37:42 PM 1830 Views
Plotting and writing. - 05/11/2010 05:39:27 PM 1660 Views
*spoilers for book 7* - 05/11/2010 07:55:07 PM 1864 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 05/11/2010 05:39:43 PM 991 Views
I like how good magic is not flashy. Also, a Tolkien thing - 05/11/2010 07:55:27 PM 1917 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 2166 Views
yes - 05/11/2010 10:06:43 PM 1890 Views
Chapters 28-30: Flight of the Prince, The Phoenix Lament, The White Tomb. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:12 PM 1112 Views
Characters. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:25 PM 933 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:40 PM 1057 Views
Spoilers. - 09/11/2010 02:26:38 PM 1859 Views
Re: Spoilers. - 09/11/2010 04:49:06 PM 1903 Views
I'm assuming not even the Ministry knows 100% what she did. - 13/11/2010 12:26:14 AM 2001 Views
Very true. - 15/11/2010 01:48:36 PM 1999 Views
Not much, no, but there's one fairly crucial mention. - 15/11/2010 04:37:23 PM 1963 Views
Re: Spoilers. - 13/11/2010 12:22:22 AM 2120 Views
Re: Spoilers. - 13/11/2010 09:38:09 AM 2255 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:53 PM 965 Views
We did the Harry Potter marathon thing on Sunday - 09/11/2010 02:28:08 PM 1981 Views
I vaguely remember something of the sort, yes. - 09/11/2010 02:57:56 PM 2201 Views
Re: I vaguely remember something of the sort, yes. - 09/11/2010 02:58:56 PM 1869 Views
This is definitely the most painfully altered of the movies. - 09/11/2010 04:34:33 PM 2014 Views
Re: This is definitely the most painfully altered of the movies. - 09/11/2010 04:36:29 PM 1962 Views
Very true. - 09/11/2010 04:40:24 PM 2199 Views
Re: Very true. - 09/11/2010 04:43:45 PM 2454 Views
Agreed. - 09/11/2010 04:53:46 PM 1992 Views
Re: Agreed. - 09/11/2010 04:58:59 PM 2079 Views

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