Comments | a_chapter_a_day: Chapter 24

cheeringcharm in a_chapter_a_day

Chapter 24 - Sectumsempra

Sep 09, 2005 15:00

Harry tells Ron and Hermione about the horcruxes during charms. Ron is so astounded that he makes it snow which leads to the first time JKR uses a non-aggressive adverb in describing Hermione talking to Ron. SCORE! Of course, Lavender can tell that Hermione is talking "patiently" instead of snapping, berating, or otherwise belittling Ron and she ( Read more... )

Comments 149

cheeringcharm September 10 2005, 02:02:23 UTC

This is probably the worst chapter in the entire book and it has nothing at all to do with the shipping, which I'm sure everyone knows I object to. Does no one else see it? Am I the only one with a problem? What exactly is my problem? Okay, I'll tell you: this chapter, kinda like this entire book, has an identity crisis. In fact, this chapter is a microcosm of what is wrong with the entire book. JKR has no idea what she wants this chapter to be. Is it a fluffy romance with her two destined ships finally setting sail? Or is it a dark tale of good versus evil?

The chapter starts out as a fluffy little romance, spending the first pages focused on the many loves and loses of Gryffindor House. We get the first decent scene between Ron and Hermione, illustrating the couple they could have been if Hermione wasn't such a blazine b*&^h and Ron wasn't such an idiot for the last three books. And, we get Ginny Sue and Harry's chest monster. Then, we switch quickly to Harry almost murdering Draco and the consequences of that, which IMO were too ( ... )

cadesama September 10 2005, 02:48:10 UTC

I agree. On the re-read, I looked at the chapter title, got excited about the fight between Harry and Draco, having totally forgotten that most of the chapter is actually taken up by the Quidditch stuff.

Harry treats his attempted murder of Draco with the same nonchalance that he treated Sirius's death: initial concern followed by a shrug. Then, he puts it out of his mind completely. To say that I was disappointed in Harry's behavior in this chapter is putting it mildly. To justify Harry's actions by saying "Well, Draco's evil and he was about to Crucio him anyway! He's defending himself" is being a Harry apologist.

Well, I am a Harry apologist (except, uh, that I would love to see him turn evil), but I apologize for it in a totally different way. Harry has no moral superiority over anyone, and is in severe danger of ending up just as evil as Voldemort. I think how quickly he goes to these spells demonstrates that. But, Harry did have remorse over his actions. He was so stunned that he didn't think to leave the scene even when ( ... )

madderbrad September 10 2005, 14:21:19 UTC

... which does make me wonder if it has a special hold over Harry. Is it because Harry finally feels equal to his task, with these spells under his belt? Is it because he's finally doing really well in a class, and he covets that more than we expected? Is it something stupid and magical?

Along the lines of the middle reason, I think, but even more. While Harry runs to the common room he thinks:

Would he confiscate or destroy the book that had taught Harry so much ... the book that had become a kind of guide and friend?

Maybe this is the reason Hermione was written to abandon Harry in HBP, and to be so condemning of the tome in question; so Harry would feel that it was a better companion than his previous best friends? Perhaps Hermione was sidelined for this reason as well as JKR's looking up her fifteen-year-old Grand Plan and reminding herself "aha, this is where the couples get together, better do it post-haste, pronto"?

cheeringcharm September 10 2005, 19:38:34 UTC

I would prefer Harry abandoning his friends despite the fact that they are sticking by his side. That would be more interesting that him abandoning them because they are acting like prats and not supporting him.

But, maybe that's just me. :)

Thread 8

Bad light stopped play woman_ironing September 10 2005, 12:00:43 UTC

I've just been glancing through all the comments so far, and wow! is everyone pissed off! I've decided to stop feeling aggrieved at JKR, Dumbledore, Harry, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Uncle Tom Cobbley and all. And I'm not going to worry that the book (books!) may be badly written. Christ, all I really want is to know what happens at the end! (Well, that and a bit of Harry Draco love. Er, friendship will do, actually.)

shocolate September 10 2005, 15:59:55 UTC

Harry looked around; there was Ginny running toward him; she had a hard, blazing look in her face as she threw her arms around him. And without thinking, without planning it, without worrying about the fact that fifty people were watching, Harry kissed her ( ... )

woman_ironing September 10 2005, 16:32:36 UTC

That is the soppiest icon that has ever been. LOL!

shocolate September 10 2005, 16:38:16 UTC

But it has saved WB millions - they are just going to cut and paste it into the movie!

Except we have to see Ron nodding.

woman_ironing September 10 2005, 18:03:50 UTC

WB will have to do something about the jumpers though! Mind you, perhaps they'll like them - they did have that Harry-Lupin cardigan scene in PoA.

Thread 6

glitteraddict89 September 10 2005, 16:04:18 UTC

shocolate September 10 2005, 16:40:07 UTC

I couldn't have put it better myself!!

*twirls you*

*platonically, like my icon*

glitteraddict89 September 10 2005, 16:43:07 UTC

Lol! I really adored this chapter you know? It was very cute ;)

*twirls*

*squees over chapter*

Did you like this chapter? Based on your comment i'd say you did ;) I can tell these things you know, even with out talking to a person before ever in my life... (lol)

shocolate September 10 2005, 16:45:53 UTC

You are a very perceptive person.

I bet you also enjoyed earlier scenes in the book that we haven't discussed.

I bet you enjoyed the Ron/Hermione in the greenhouse, when she finally cracked and asked him out!

Thread 11

penny_sieve September 10 2005, 16:26:02 UTC

I just loved this chapter!!. With Harry's little monster doing the conga when he hears about Dean and Ginny breaking up, his dialogue with himself -- still thinking of his best friend Ron, thinking up ways to talk to Ginny, getting hit with bludgers during practice...Harry really had it bad didn't he. And the most adorable spontaneous kiss!!!

At last, he is with his ideal girl, the only one who understands him, who doesn't nag him, who trusts him!!!

*squeeeeeeeeeeeeeee*