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

wickedschmuck September 10 2005, 17:25:38 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 ( ... )

shocolate September 10 2005, 17:56:11 UTC

I like even better that Ron didn't see it coming - Hermione had been waiting for ever for Ginny to get her man - now she has to deal with the darling but oblivious Mr Weasley.

*sigh*

wickedschmuck September 10 2005, 18:13:40 UTC

And 'deal with him' she must. *cackles* I can't wait to see how that will play out. *squees* I'd love to read about the two of them dancing together at Bill's wedding. Wouldn't it be a shocker, to read about Ron doing something as romantic as dancing? That'd show Hermione how much she means to him.

Although, I can think of a lot of things that would. *grins*

shocolate September 10 2005, 18:28:52 UTC

Not only would it be adorable, but Harry - and therefore we - would see it and squee.

psychic_serpent September 10 2005, 17:37:51 UTC

Ron is so astounded that he makes it snow

It's funny, I didn't even make much note of this when I first read it, and later a lot of people were talking about it and I had to go back and find what they were squeeing about. It's a nice little moment, IMO. The Ron/Hermione interactions after he's poisoned on his birthday--and especially after she hears him muttering her name while semi-conscious--are very nice.

Harry has an internal argument with himself about Ginny being Ron's sisterIt seems that we have a newly-introspective Harry in HBP, who earlier was considering the various ramifications of Ron/Hermione and who is now considering the possible complications of asking Ginny out. I don't really remember him thinking so much about the ramifications of personal relationships before. When he was interested in Cho while she was with Cedric he was wishing horrible fates on Cedric and picturing Cho beaming at him while he held up the Triwizard Cup. I would think that part of his angst over The Death HAD to partly involve his having ( ... )

bohemianvixen September 10 2005, 17:50:39 UTC

I also found it odd that in OotP Harry NEVER considered how slightly creepy it was for him to go out with Cho considering the Cedric connection; I would have thought that guilty thoughts about Cedric would be as effective as a cold shower and prevent his being anything other than a friend to Cho, but I was also surprised that she went after another boy so soon after Cedric's death, and especially HARRY, of all boys.I thought the same thing, too, after reading ootP. It bothered me so much that I tried to analyze it ( ... )

wickedschmuck September 10 2005, 18:30:45 UTC

His observations concerning Ron's jealousy of Viktor and Hermione's fury over Fleur kissing Ron were very also very dispassionately reported--it felt like Harry was very emotionally removed from what he was observing. For the first time he's putting these things into context, which may be a sign of his growing emotional maturity.

I've often thought about Harry being a filter to our understanding of the Ron and Hermione relationship. He was, after all, a fourteen-year-old boy who was witnessing a turning point between his friends. You are right, we don't see him thinking about it too much...he had a lot on his mind and his own concerns. I like seeing him come of age and actually think about the ramifications of the relationship between his best friends, and how it relates to him.

I also imagine these scenes played out from the filter or point of view of other characters and how different it could have been portrayed.

house_elf_44 September 11 2005, 02:32:06 UTC

I'm not sure whether to attribute Harry's extreme results from using the spell to his temper, power or a lack of control, since Snape using the spell on James (non-verbally, too) seemed very controlled and only gave him a cut on his face.

I thought the difference was because Harry was waving his wand wildly, and Snape made a slashing motion.

And a little more... psychic_serpent September 10 2005, 17:55:33 UTC

He decides to save his arse, and his book which had become a guide and a friend.

I'm not sure this is fair. It's ironic, in fact, that he seems to be protecting the Prince when it's Snape (and Harry would never dream of protecting HIM). I think the irony is what JKR was going for. Harry isn't trying to escape punishment, after all. He knows he could have killed Draco and he's not gloating or saying, "Good riddance if he had died." Harry's never really been big academically, apart from DADA and he seems to be reveling more than a little in getting top marks in Potions. It's almost like Snape is trying to sabotage him in Potions yet again by taking the book.

Ginny sticks up for Harry, snaps at Hermione and, despite the fact that he almost killed a student, has detentions for the rest of the school year and has put his Quidditch team at a decided disadvantage because of his stupidity, Harry is cheerful because of it.Once more, it's important to remember that Harry was using the spell defensively, however ill-considered it was for ( ... )

Re: And a little more... shocolate September 10 2005, 17:59:49 UTC

I just love the thought that he wasn't jealous of Ginny getting to play - he was just so proud of her - and yes she came to him as his equal in so many ways - and the kiss was just beautifully done.

Especially Hermione and Ron's reactions - and harry looking for Ron like that.

*just hugs all four of them until they burst*

Re: And a little more... bohemianvixen September 10 2005, 18:21:10 UTC

*just hugs all four of them until they burst*

I really love how the four of them care for each other. *beams like a proud mom*

Re: And a little more... penny_sieve September 10 2005, 18:14:20 UTC

I'm not sure this is fair. It's ironic, in fact, that he seems to be protecting the Prince when it's Snape (and Harry would never dream of protecting HIM). I think the irony is what JKR was going for. Harry isn't trying to escape punishment, after all. He knows he could have killed Draco and he's not gloating or saying, "Good riddance if he had died." Harry's never really been big academically, apart from DADA and he seems to be reveling more than a little in getting top marks in Potions. It's almost like Snape is trying to sabotage him in Potions yet again by taking the book.You bring up some very good points. Harry wasn't trying to save himself, he was fully prepared to face any punishment Snape would've given him, he was feeling very guilty about using the spell on Draco too. But it was very important for him to not let Snape know about the book which had become a friend to him ( ... )

Thread 8

the_vixxmeister September 10 2005, 18:12:45 UTC

I absolutely adored this chapter!! It's got everything going for it - H/G finally coming to fruition, duels between mortal enemies, Draco sobbing in such an adorable manner, Harry sharing important things with his 2 best friends, cursed people getting better, McGlaggen finally off the team, Ginny being all loveable - well; just being herself, and Snape being all dark and brooding!!
What's not to love?
The line "several sunlit days" is just so darned sweet if you ask me, just like a first kiss with your loved one should be. All together now 'awwwwwww'.

shocolate September 10 2005, 19:18:58 UTC

and rodents of unusual size!!!

Yes, he is such a Gryffindor, kissing her in front of everyone - he must give Ron some pointers - Ron is so brave - except when it comes to women!

tehgiantsquid September 10 2005, 18:33:16 UTC

Mmmm...what can I say?

First, let's start with the beginning of the chapter when the Trio is in Charms. For the first time in admittedly quite a while we finally see Ron and Hermione flirting without their usual bickering. The whole snow scene was precious and yet another one of those times where Hermione's feelings for Ron are no longer ambiguous.

Second, we read more about the plot concerning the necklace and Katie Bell. Whomever had planted the necklace in the Three Broomsticks's ladies room had to have been a woman, a hint for future chapters. Unfortunately, not much more is learned about Katie's ordeal.

Third, the scene with Draco in the bathroom crying was quite disturbing to me. I must admit I was one of those people who never saw Draco as anything more than a sniveling boil on Harry's arse, so him finally getting some character-driven page time was an interesting development.

Now, this is where my inner conspirator always pipes up. "No one can help me," said Malfoy. His whole body was shaking. "I can't do it....I can't.... ( ... )

shocolate September 10 2005, 19:24:43 UTC

I want the look on Ron's face!!!

I love him.