Active Users:177 Time:18/05/2024 11:39:36 PM
Yes, I really didn't remember that... (book seven spoilers) Legolas Send a noteboard - 13/11/2010 12:03:16 AM
Snape: The scene where Harry catches up with him is again delightful. He keeps him from using an unforgivable curse (an not for Snape's own sake alone, I think). And it is only when Harry calls him a coward that he reacts with anger (and, considering what he has just been through, you cannot really blame him at that point). And it is when that is repeated (mixed with the attribution of blame for the death of Lily (Harry refers to his father, but that entails the other), which probably makes it worse) that he really loses it. He intervenes to stop Harry being tortured, and he keeps instructing him all the way. How anyone could actually believe Snape was a bad guy is beyond me.

The part with Snape stopping Harry from being tortured, that is. The excuses he gives for that - and for running away immediately - aren't very convincing, considering the Ministry doesn't seem to find out until a good while later when Slughorn tells them. Good thing those other Death Eaters aren't the brightest cookies in the box and don't notice that Snape is doing what he can to protect Harry and the students of Hogwarts.

I also hadn't realized that Snape is blocking Harry's non-verbal spells by using his Legilimency skills.

Lupin evidently knew nothing about Lily's connection to Snape. Makes one wonder if James knew... well, after they got together, that is, he almost certainly didn't before.

It is one of Rowling's best scenes emotionally. Makes me all the more annoyed they butchered it beyond recognition in the movie. It was the defining moment for Snape, essential for the depth of his character, and they just had Rickman do the normal sneering Snape. I really, really wonder why. Was it just because they figure the audience (those who haven't read the books, anyway) consists of idiots?
Lupin: the description of his reaction to the news of Dumbledore's death is surprisingly effective. The exclamation, disbelief, the utter grief. I believe it. It is not fancy, a masterpiece of prose. But it is again that snapshot quality. The description of actions, then Harry's gloss. Lupin is the one who has continually relied on Dumbledore the most, I think. I mean, they all do, but there is something extra there. Dumbledore is the one who takes him in and allows him to form part of wizarding society in a way he would not otherwise have been able to do. It is he who provides him with the opportunity to have friends. He is the one who gives him a job, and it is to avoid giving him trouble that Lupin leaves. There is a very strong connection there, and I cannot help thinking that the idea of Dumbledore is what makes it possible for Lupin to go under cover. And then this.

Yes, makes sense. Same with Hagrid to some extent, though of course Hagrid is more emotional in general.
And, all right, so the scene with Tonks is fine. That does not mean I am convinced.

You should be. :P They're a perfectly credible couple.
The Order: their shock at Snape's apparent treachery is of course understandable, and McGonagall's almost fainting made it very apparent. But I am a little surprised that they are all so ready to stop trusting Dumbledore's judgement now he is dead. Yesyes, being killed by Snape does look very bad, but still. Then again, if any of them had as much as uttered any suggestion that there might be another explanation, I suspect Harry would have gone mental.

It is kind of sad that the Order so blindly relies on Dumbledore, accepting Snape because of him and then not doing it anymore once Dumbledore is dead. Of course, that all works out, but it's kind of unusual to have "the good side" function in such a hierarchical way with nearly everyone cut out of the loop, and following their lone leader. And then of course Harry continues that, he confides in the rest of the Trio, but not the Order. For all that he does love and trust many people, in the end his modus operandi is not so different from Voldemort's, confiding in very few people and thus risking that it'll all come falling down if he should die or be captured. That has to make things extremely frustrating for everybody else in Britain who wants to oppose Voldemort, particularly after the Ministry takeover.
Mrs Weasley and Fleur: one of Fleur's finest moments, I think. And it re-establishes her character, taking us back to who she was in the fourth book (at least in my mind) -- seeing her through the distorting lens of Harry via the Weasley women has suspended the strong part of her character, but here it is back. "I am beautiful enough for the both of us" is an excellent line.

It's a bit of a silly scene, because the whole prejudice against her was a bit silly from the start. The reader never thought that Fleur was a shallow bitch - or at least not anymore after getting to know her in book four - so it's not exactly a shock or noteworthy that she reacts like that. But good that the Weasley (+ Granger) women finally come to their senses, I suppose.
Scrimgeour: not his best move talking to Harry at the funeral. He isn't quite a diplomat.

Does he or his Ministry actually do anything useful during the entirety of his term in office? I'm having a hard time thinking of anything. Rather pathetic. But then of course we couldn't have that, the hero has to get the credit for defeating the villain. And since the story is set in a modern universe, that has to mean either the hero is part of the government/armed forces/secret service/whatever, or the government/etc. is completely incompetent. I don't suppose Rowling had much of a choice.
Ginny: I am suprised at how accepting she is. His point is a good one, of course, but still.

Yeah, generally the whole noble thing is a bit silly and women rightly quash it, but here he does have a point. I'm not sure breaking up makes much sense, but temporarily severing contact does, so I guess it amounts to the same thing either way.
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 2547 Views
General comments on the book. - 18/10/2010 06:14:10 PM 1434 Views
I am enjoying this a lot more than I thought I would. - 22/10/2010 07:25:17 PM 1562 Views
Yes, I'm loving that I can read in English again. - 22/10/2010 10:10:32 PM 1652 Views
Me too - 01/11/2010 02:11:28 PM 1423 Views
Suggestions. - 18/10/2010 06:18:46 PM 1479 Views
Re: Suggestions. - 20/10/2010 03:20:18 PM 1617 Views
*cough* - 09/11/2010 09:24:21 AM 1361 Views
Oh yes. I'm being distracted by Towers of Midnight. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:11:22 PM 850 Views
Shocking. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:43 PM 801 Views
Are we having a break right now? - 12/11/2010 06:48:10 PM 1518 Views
Re: Are we having a break right now? - 12/11/2010 10:05:30 PM 1761 Views
Chapters 1-3: The Other Minister, Spinner's End, Will and Won't. - 18/10/2010 06:21:55 PM 1696 Views
Characters: The three Ministers, Snape, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Harry, Dumbledore, the Dursleys. - 18/10/2010 06:25:12 PM 1667 Views
Re: Characters: The three Ministers, Snape, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Harry, Dumbledore, the Dursleys. - 18/10/2010 06:55:06 PM 1700 Views
(minor book seven spoilers) - 19/10/2010 11:27:53 AM 1657 Views
Re: (minor book seven spoilers) - 19/10/2010 05:26:50 PM 1448 Views
*spoilers for book 7* an assortment of characters - 19/10/2010 01:01:35 AM 1641 Views
Re: *spoilers for book 7* an assortment of characters - 19/10/2010 11:39:44 AM 1453 Views
Re: *spoilers for book 7* an assortment of characters - 19/10/2010 11:48:45 AM 1757 Views
I rather enjoyed the new characters. - 22/10/2010 07:30:03 PM 1430 Views
Re: I rather enjoyed the new characters. - 22/10/2010 08:33:44 PM 1547 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 18/10/2010 06:28:16 PM 714 Views
Dumbledore-centered. - 19/10/2010 01:03:05 AM 1557 Views
Re: Dumbledore-centered. - 22/10/2010 07:31:56 PM 1539 Views
Re: Dumbledore-centered. - 22/10/2010 07:33:34 PM 1511 Views
Chapters 4-6: Horace Slughorn, An Excess of Phlegm, Draco's Detour. *NM* - 20/10/2010 03:44:39 PM 867 Views
Characters: Slughorn, Fleur, the Trio, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy,... - 20/10/2010 03:46:47 PM 1596 Views
Re: Characters: Slughorn, Fleur, the Trio, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy,... - 20/10/2010 05:27:26 PM 1580 Views
(Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 09:25:20 PM 1638 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 09:46:08 PM 1549 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 11:20:28 PM 1440 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 21/10/2010 12:04:23 AM 1167 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 10:20:28 PM 1534 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 11:23:38 PM 1432 Views
Re: Characters: Slughorn, Fleur, the Trio, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy,... - 20/10/2010 10:15:58 PM 1587 Views
On Ron's reaction to Fleur... - 20/10/2010 11:30:48 PM 1520 Views
Re: On Ron's reaction to Fleur... - 20/10/2010 11:58:45 PM 1572 Views
Fleur - 23/10/2010 05:11:08 PM 1416 Views
Dumbledore, Slughorn, Tonks, Mr & Mrs Weasley, Hermione, Narcissa and the twins. - 20/10/2010 09:23:04 PM 1462 Views
Characters. - 25/10/2010 03:10:35 AM 1387 Views
Plotting and writing. - 20/10/2010 03:47:55 PM 1530 Views
*minor spoilers for book 7* - 20/10/2010 09:23:44 PM 1562 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 20/10/2010 03:48:07 PM 702 Views
Dumbledore's Stephen Fry moment... or maybe that's just me. - 22/10/2010 07:35:59 PM 1370 Views
It's not just you - 22/10/2010 08:34:25 PM 1367 Views
Chapters 7-9: Slug Club, Snape Victorious, The Half-Blood Prince *NM* - 22/10/2010 07:23:03 PM 820 Views
Characters *NM* - 22/10/2010 07:23:24 PM 800 Views
Harry, Romilda, Malfoy (in luuuve), Snape, Lavender Brown, McGonagall, Hermione and Slughorn. - 22/10/2010 07:26:19 PM 1609 Views
Thoughts about your thoughts. - 23/10/2010 05:28:10 PM 1356 Views
Re: Thoughts about your thoughts. - 24/10/2010 09:18:37 AM 1376 Views
More characters. - 25/10/2010 03:21:33 AM 1371 Views
Re: More characters. - 25/10/2010 10:27:33 AM 1360 Views
Love is in the air, evidently. - 22/10/2010 07:54:35 PM 1542 Views
Re: Love is in the air, evidently. - 22/10/2010 09:04:24 PM 1501 Views
Re: Love is in the air, evidently. - 22/10/2010 09:54:46 PM 1394 Views
Slytherin had been in need of new blood for a long time. (And assorted other comments.) - 22/10/2010 10:34:49 PM 1575 Views
Neville. - 23/10/2010 05:30:39 PM 1462 Views
Re: Neville. - 08/11/2010 02:35:57 PM 1547 Views
NEWT Potions - 24/10/2010 03:24:42 AM 1540 Views
Re: Characters - 24/10/2010 03:41:30 AM 1591 Views
Re: Characters - 25/10/2010 10:44:00 AM 1437 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 22/10/2010 07:23:37 PM 804 Views
Dumbledore, patronuses and the DADA job. - 22/10/2010 07:27:23 PM 1495 Views
Malfoy and the DADA job. - 22/10/2010 10:51:03 PM 1402 Views
Re: Malfoy and the DADA job. - 25/10/2010 11:31:57 AM 1415 Views
Re: Dumbledore, patronuses and the DADA job. - 23/10/2010 05:32:27 PM 1401 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 22/10/2010 07:23:50 PM 831 Views
I believe in Wrackspurts, too. And some questions. - 22/10/2010 07:28:04 PM 1367 Views
Re: I believe in Wrackspurts, too. And some questions. - 23/10/2010 05:33:27 PM 1487 Views
Re: I believe in Wrackspurts, too. And some questions. - 25/10/2010 03:06:43 AM 1480 Views
Chapters 10-12: The House of Gaunt, Hermione's Helping Hand, Silver and Opals. *NM* - 25/10/2010 05:00:02 PM 867 Views
Characters: The Gaunts, the Trio, Hagrid, and many more. *NM* - 25/10/2010 05:02:07 PM 841 Views
Harry's continued insistence about Malfoy really irritates me (even though he's right). - 25/10/2010 06:15:23 PM 1640 Views
*lol* - 25/10/2010 06:39:19 PM 1504 Views
I don't hide from my faults. - 25/10/2010 08:01:39 PM 1346 Views
Re: I don't hide from my faults. - 28/10/2010 04:59:54 AM 1502 Views
Re: *lol* - 26/10/2010 09:50:09 AM 1490 Views
~geeky moment~ - 26/10/2010 03:14:52 PM 1407 Views
Re: ~geeky moment~ - 26/10/2010 09:49:12 PM 1351 Views
Trelawny, Ogden, Gaunt, Ron, Hermione, Ron and Harry - 25/10/2010 10:23:55 PM 1438 Views
Re: Trelawny, Ogden, Gaunt, Ron, Hermione, Ron and Harry - 26/10/2010 11:56:59 PM 1531 Views
Re: Trelawny, Ogden, Gaunt, Ron, Hermione, Ron and Harry - 27/10/2010 08:14:42 AM 1539 Views
Plotting and writing. - 25/10/2010 05:03:16 PM 1518 Views
Amazing amounts of accurate guesswork here, in hindsight. - 25/10/2010 05:37:28 PM 1548 Views
Re: Amazing amounts of accurate guesswork here, in hindsight. - 26/10/2010 09:46:47 AM 1443 Views
The smuggling and Trelawney's rambling. - 27/10/2010 12:05:48 AM 1491 Views
Re: The smuggling and Trelawney's rambling. - 27/10/2010 08:10:46 AM 1412 Views
Things - 25/10/2010 10:24:19 PM 1513 Views
Re: Things - 27/10/2010 12:01:17 AM 1532 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 25/10/2010 05:03:32 PM 660 Views
Dumbledore still sounds like Stephen Fry. And reflections on the nature of Potions class. - 25/10/2010 05:11:24 PM 1342 Views
It's like baking, I think. - 25/10/2010 05:32:42 PM 1498 Views
Good analogy - 25/10/2010 05:52:38 PM 1339 Views
Yes, exactly like baking - and advanced baking involves experimenting, substituting, improvising. - 25/10/2010 06:42:42 PM 1530 Views
But not at high school. - 25/10/2010 07:57:44 PM 1442 Views
Also - 04/11/2010 09:29:47 AM 1394 Views
Also, Parseltongue - is Harry that thick, or is it a magic thing? - 25/10/2010 05:18:41 PM 1469 Views
I think it's a magic thing. - 25/10/2010 05:34:09 PM 1458 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 1414 Views
Huh. I completely missed that. Good thing we're doing a reread. - 25/10/2010 05:57:38 PM 1420 Views
Speaking of Dumbledore and Parseltongue. - 28/10/2010 05:03:10 AM 1681 Views
parseltongue - 25/10/2010 10:24:46 PM 1558 Views
Interesting how many of our remarks are along similar lines. *NM* - 25/10/2010 10:27:30 PM 697 Views
Indeed - 26/10/2010 09:20:43 AM 1477 Views
Chapters 13-15: The Secret Riddle, Felix Felicis, The Unbreakable Vow *NM* - 27/10/2010 04:16:28 PM 834 Views
Characters: The Trio, Ginny, Tom Riddle, Draco,... *NM* - 27/10/2010 04:17:12 PM 817 Views
Dumbledore, Voldemort, Ron & Hermione, Harry, Ginny, Luna - 27/10/2010 10:31:39 PM 1428 Views
My take on Ginny is rather different, I must say... at least this time around. - 29/10/2010 01:47:20 PM 1407 Views
Girls. - 29/10/2010 05:54:25 PM 1441 Views
Draco: Not as confident as he appears, surely. - 29/10/2010 02:02:01 PM 1611 Views
Re: Draco: Not as confident as he appears, surely. - 29/10/2010 09:01:56 PM 1574 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 27/10/2010 04:17:26 PM 630 Views
plot and writing. - 27/10/2010 10:30:14 PM 1474 Views
Re: plot and writing. - 28/10/2010 05:07:03 AM 1610 Views
Draco can dissemble rather well, just like his parents. - 29/10/2010 02:08:35 PM 1479 Views
Re: Draco can dissemble rather well, just like his parents. - 29/10/2010 09:00:36 PM 1492 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 27/10/2010 04:17:42 PM 677 Views
Re: Anything else? - 27/10/2010 10:30:55 PM 1611 Views
Re: Anything else? - 28/10/2010 04:56:10 AM 1552 Views
Harry comments on that when in Snape's memories in book five. - 28/10/2010 10:42:08 AM 1394 Views
I wonder if that's actually true, though. - 28/10/2010 10:39:20 AM 1578 Views
Re: I wonder if that's actually true, though. - 28/10/2010 10:44:22 AM 1455 Views
It's more than that, though. - 28/10/2010 10:55:49 AM 1512 Views
Re: It's more than that, though. - 28/10/2010 11:48:19 AM 1333 Views
Chapters 16-18: A Very Frosty Christmas, A Sluggish Memory, Birthday Surprises *NM* - 29/10/2010 05:40:39 PM 784 Views
Characters: The Trio, Fleur, Scrimgeour, Percy, Remus, Slughorn,... *NM* - 29/10/2010 05:43:02 PM 879 Views
Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 29/10/2010 08:51:58 PM 1593 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 29/10/2010 11:24:02 PM 1412 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 29/10/2010 11:51:06 PM 1432 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 31/10/2010 09:14:46 PM 1651 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 31/10/2010 09:07:19 PM 1514 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 02/11/2010 06:23:04 PM 1493 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 02/11/2010 07:20:26 PM 1181 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 04/11/2010 04:03:02 AM 1403 Views
And - 04/11/2010 10:46:37 AM 1438 Views
Plotting and writing. - 29/10/2010 05:43:49 PM 1368 Views
Re: Plotting and writing. - 29/10/2010 08:52:34 PM 1507 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 29/10/2010 05:44:04 PM 695 Views
My comments on Potions class were heeded! Excellent. - 29/10/2010 11:28:43 PM 1431 Views
Re: My comments on Potions class were heeded! Excellent. - 29/10/2010 11:52:12 PM 1516 Views
Chapters 19-21: Elf Tails, Lord Voldemort's Requests, The Unknowable Room *NM* - 01/11/2010 02:00:22 PM 606 Views
Characters: The Trio, the elves, Draco, Dumbledore,... *NM* - 01/11/2010 02:00:56 PM 915 Views
the twins, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Voldemort, Draco and Tonks - 01/11/2010 02:08:32 PM 1324 Views
Re: the twins, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Voldemort, Draco and Tonks - 01/11/2010 05:10:11 PM 1575 Views
Re: the twins, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Voldemort, Draco and Tonks - 01/11/2010 05:16:30 PM 1657 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 01/11/2010 02:01:13 PM 696 Views
Dumbledore, little girls and the house-elf issue again. - 01/11/2010 02:09:35 PM 1644 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 01/11/2010 02:01:27 PM 714 Views
Chapters 22-24: After the Burial, Horcruxes, Sectumsempra - 03/11/2010 09:50:17 PM 1731 Views
Characters. *NM* - 03/11/2010 09:50:33 PM 834 Views
Malfoy, Ron & Hermione, Slughorn, Voldemort, Snape and Ginny. - 04/11/2010 12:12:57 AM 1500 Views
Draco, Slughorn, Snape, the romance. - 04/11/2010 02:02:04 PM 1519 Views
Re: Draco, Slughorn, Snape, the romance. - 04/11/2010 02:16:17 PM 1529 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 03/11/2010 09:50:50 PM 722 Views
Harry wrong again, house elves, horcruxes, free will, well hidden clues and some irony *DH spoiler* - 03/11/2010 10:35:20 PM 1450 Views
Re: Stuff. - 04/11/2010 04:28:04 AM 1522 Views
Re: Stuff. *spoilers for book 7* - 04/11/2010 09:10:19 AM 1529 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 1367 Views
Yes, I think you are right - 04/11/2010 01:24:41 PM 1506 Views
Well, I'm back. Some comments inside. *DH Spoilers* - 08/11/2010 02:28:11 PM 1493 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 03/11/2010 09:51:04 PM 710 Views
Chapters 25-27: The Seer Overheard, The Cave, The Lightning-Struck Tower - 05/11/2010 05:37:42 PM 1357 Views
Plotting and writing. - 05/11/2010 05:39:27 PM 1191 Views
*spoilers for book 7* - 05/11/2010 07:55:07 PM 1406 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 05/11/2010 05:39:43 PM 732 Views
I like how good magic is not flashy. Also, a Tolkien thing - 05/11/2010 07:55:27 PM 1441 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 1667 Views
yes - 05/11/2010 10:06:43 PM 1451 Views
Chapters 28-30: Flight of the Prince, The Phoenix Lament, The White Tomb. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:12 PM 843 Views
Characters. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:25 PM 674 Views
Snape, Lupin, Hermione & Ron, the Order, Mrs Weasley & Fleur, Luna & Neville, Scrimgeour, Ginny *DH* - 09/11/2010 02:20:01 PM 1347 Views
Yes, I really didn't remember that... (book seven spoilers) - 13/11/2010 12:03:16 AM 1598 Views
Re: Yes, I really didn't remember that... (book seven spoilers) - 13/11/2010 09:35:04 AM 1529 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:40 PM 804 Views
Spoilers. - 09/11/2010 02:26:38 PM 1381 Views
Re: Spoilers. - 09/11/2010 04:49:06 PM 1414 Views
I'm assuming not even the Ministry knows 100% what she did. - 13/11/2010 12:26:14 AM 1531 Views
Very true. - 15/11/2010 01:48:36 PM 1508 Views
Not much, no, but there's one fairly crucial mention. - 15/11/2010 04:37:23 PM 1481 Views
Re: Spoilers. - 13/11/2010 12:22:22 AM 1629 Views
Re: Spoilers. - 13/11/2010 09:38:09 AM 1770 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:53 PM 686 Views
We did the Harry Potter marathon thing on Sunday - 09/11/2010 02:28:08 PM 1492 Views
I vaguely remember something of the sort, yes. - 09/11/2010 02:57:56 PM 1696 Views
Re: I vaguely remember something of the sort, yes. - 09/11/2010 02:58:56 PM 1389 Views
This is definitely the most painfully altered of the movies. - 09/11/2010 04:34:33 PM 1505 Views
Re: This is definitely the most painfully altered of the movies. - 09/11/2010 04:36:29 PM 1478 Views
Very true. - 09/11/2010 04:40:24 PM 1726 Views
Re: Very true. - 09/11/2010 04:43:45 PM 1966 Views
Agreed. - 09/11/2010 04:53:46 PM 1502 Views
Re: Agreed. - 09/11/2010 04:58:59 PM 1607 Views

Reply to Message