OotP Chapter 18 - Dumbledore's Army

[quartertofive]

After a Charms lesson rife with paranoia and some animal abuse, theres finally some good news - the Quidditch team is to be reformed. Hermione however isn't paying attention, but trying to be the voice of caution, worried by Sirius' abundant approval

Comments

[cadesama]

Hermione sure is quick to turn on Sirius. He's a bit careless with his own safety, and suddenly his advice is totally untrustworthy. And thinking that he's "become" reckless? Hermione, if he's reckless now what was he before -- you know, when he swapped the Potters' Secret Keeper, tried to kill Pettigrew, attacked the Fat Lady, and endangered Ron twice to get to Wormtail?

"What was this weird connection between them, which Dumbledore had never been able to explain satisfactorily?" -- Even by the end of OotP, I don't think it's truly been explained. We know that it's like Legilimency, but that they don't need eye contact, or even a spell. We know Harry has gained some of Voldemort, but we don't know how much, and we don't know if that aspect is two-way like the Legilimency side of it. We don't know if the original failed curse is the magic bridging them, or if it just made a path, which their own magic fills in. The connection is apparently unique in comparison to all other known magic

[cheeringcharm]

When I was reading the first section of this chapter I was wondering what the point of Hermione's attitude towards Sirius was. Is this little exchange to illustrate a) Sirius's propensity to take risks, thus setting up him going to the DoM or b) to show, once again when all is said and done, that Hermione's instincts were right. I have a problem with both, to be quite honest. First, I would have thought less of Sirius if he hadn't gone to Harry's rescue at the end. If he is supposed to be Harry's surrogate parent, that is the least he would do to ensure Harry's safety

[house_elf_44]

Question: how in the world did Umbridge know to tip Filch off about Harry going to the owlery? Is this revealed later on in the book?

I think Umbridge told Filch Harry was going to order Dungbombs, which he'd have to clean up after, and Filch had Mrs. Norris watching Harry's path to the owlery. Harry ran into Mrs. Norris and told her he wasn't doing anything wrong, and she trotted off to tell Filch. Still want to know how that part works.

I have to say that I believe JKR is laying it on a bit thick with Hermione. I love Hermione. After Harry, she is my favorite character. But, I'm heartily sick of her being right about just about everything. Well, Hermione's made a few blunders, but she always meant well and was so close. Examples would be hiding clothes to free elves and insulting them instead; choosing the Hogs Head thinking they'd be safer there, and only worrying about students overhearing, and both sides of adults finding out instead; and letting the name Dumbledore's Army be chosen, after she said it would be good to pick a

[cheeringcharm]

Hermione does make a few blunders. Her biggest miscalculation is in regards to the house elves, IMO. However, on the 'big things' such as the Firebolt in PoA, Sirius in OotP, Umbridge intercepting Harry's mail...she's usually right.

[cadesama]

Are those really big things, though? Umbridge and Sirius are both matters that are easily surmised without any of the evidence Hermione uses. Umbridge is an authoritarian, abusive, psycho. She's already abused Harry for telling the truth, and is enforcing her "teaching style" on all the other professors with the assessments. It's not much of a stretch to think that she would try to curtail complaints by looking at mail

[schtroumph_c]

* Charms was always one of the best lessons in which to enjoy a private chat; there was generally so much movement and activity that the danger of being overheard was very slight.

And yet, they didn’t think to that when Hermione choose the Hog’s Head.

* I don’t understand, Harry pulled out his Charms book, but he’s working on his potion essay. Jo’s error?

* Yeah, then it said Harry picked up his Potions book he let fall, so it’s an error.

* I like that the Expelliarmus saved Harry against Voldy but that he learned it from Snape. It’s kinda ironic.

* Good lord, Hermione, let Ron be proud of him for once!

[annearchy]

harms was always one of the best lessons in which to enjoy a private chat; there was generally so much movement and activity that the danger of being overheard was very slight.

And yet, they didn’t think to that when Hermione choose the Hog’s Head.

Apparently not, they were more concerned about a group of 28 Hogwarts students holding a meeting inside the Three Broomsticks, which definitely would have got back to Umbridge and her hangers-on in the castle. Seems like they didn't have any good choices (at that time) for holding the exploratory meeting, because Harry's hadn't learned about the Room of Requirement yet from Dobby. Ah, JKR loves her plot devices.

[house_elf_44]

Harry finishes one of Hermione's sentences, and later in the chapter, her voice is in his head for the first time. I'm happy

[jmljasmine]

Ron and Hermione are a bit different from Michael and Ginny. Ron and hermione were friends for awhile before Ron started to get interested.

I think the RoR only supplies things that are already in the castle somewhere. The dark detectors were already there and all. Maybe the antidotes came from the hospital or... Snapes's office.

I want to know more about that sun and moon stuff. That sounds interesting.

[house_elf_44]

I want to know more about that sun and moon stuff. That sounds interesting.It's from spiritual alchemy - Harry's journey to become a Philosopher's Stone. There are 7 steps, and each has a corresponding metal, planet, and I don't know what to call it so I'll say a personality process to go through. The 4 elements, lots of symbols, and the zodiac are all involved. It's a continuous thread in the books, as he repeatedly cycles through the steps towards purification, like metals becoming gold in alchemy. Harry's planet is the sun, and I believe both Hermione and Dumbledore are playing the part of the moon, and Hermione is also Mercury which is present throughout the whole process. Here's a good on-line source to explain alchemy

[cheeringcharm]

Michael doesn't want to jinx Ginny, but Ron has no problem jinxing Hermione. I'm looking for evidence he likes her, and still think it's not there yet.

Chances are, he's trying to get her back for making him look silly in Charms with the Silencio spell. :)

[vikkala]

Hi Everyone,
The discussions have been terrific as usual. Just wanted to let you all know how much I enjoy reading your posts; and thanks of course to the crew who keeps up with this everyday. This continues to be a fun adventure reading along with you all. Nothing significant to comment, just been lurking for awhile. Thanks again for such a creative community!