Big 'Ol Deathly Hallows Post
I haven't wanted to blog about it or even comment on journals, because then it would be really over and that makes me sad :( But I've finally sucked it up, so here we go:
Started Reading: 7/21/07 12:35am
Nap Time: 4:05am-9:45am
Finished Reading: 5:05pm
Yeah I kind of flew through it. I COULDN'T HELP MYSELF. I wanted to go to bed about two hours before I did, but I couldn't help myself. Anyway, how should I do this? Chapter-by-chapter? Will anyone even read that? Whatever, I need to get my thoughts down. Warning, this is pretty long, but it's mostly quotes, cuz I loved so much of this book and couldn't not include them.
The Dark Lord Ascending: Lol voldy is so crazy.
In Memoriam: I found myself glazing over at some of the long excerpts throughout the book, although all the Dumbledore backstory was very interesting. Yayy the mirror came back! For the record, how are they going to do this in the movie? Considering there was no mirror mentioned in the OotP movie.
The Dursleys Departing: I'm so mad nothing came of my Dudley theory! I thought I was being so smart. Guess not! Anyway, this chapter made me love Dudders. Vernon and Petunia didn't ruin him completely! Yay! I wonder what became of them?
The Seven Potters: Did not expect such an intense chapter right off the bat! HEDWIG! Broke my heart.
"Hedwig--Hedwig--"
But the owl lay motionless and pathetic as a toy on the floor of her cage. He could not take it in...(56)
I didn't even realize how she died until I read it the second time around. And then he had to make her explode! Ouch. And also? It's kind of a big deal that Voldy can fly without a broom.....but every Death Eater and their mom is flying around in the OotP movie, so that will be another fun element that makes no sense come movie time, haha.
Fallen Warrior: Aw RIP Mad-Eye. Not that I was ever particularly attached to him. BUT OMG GEORGE'S EAR. Fred and George are so fantastic as a pair, which will lead me to, later, OMG FRED! FYI, I get pissed everytime Hermione rags on Harry for not practicing Occlumency. IT'S HARD, OK? JEEZ. Plus, I think because Harry turned out to be a horcrux means he would have never really been able to block the connection anyway, right? Whatever.
The Ghoul in Pajamas: Hermione talking about how she changed her parents memories BROKE MY HEART.
"...Wendell and Monica Wilkins don't know that they've got a daughter, you see." (97)
I also love the shippyness of this chapter, Ron is so freaking cute I can hardly stand it.
"Don't!" squealed Hermione. Startled, Harry looked over just in time to see her burst into tears over her copy of Spellman's Syllabary.
"Oh no," said Harry, struggling to get up from the old camp bed. "Hermione, I wasn't trying to upset--"
But with a great creaking of rusty bedsprings, Ron bounded off the bed and got there first. One arm around Hermione, he fished in his jeans pocket and withdrew a revolting-looking handkerchief..." (94)
And how much do you love Hermione's illicit use of Accio?
"It--it wasn't stealing!" said Hermione, looking from Harry to Ron with a kind of desperation. (101)
There was just so many fantastic little moments of humor, and that's what I really love Jo for. It's rare that a book will make me lol, and every HP has done that.
The Will of Albus Dumbledore: Ow owww getting steamy in Ginny's bedroom.
The Wedding: You know, I was thinking, with all the polyjuice-downing in this book...they're going to have to change some of that in the movie I would think, otherwise Dan will hardly be in it. Well, ok, not really, but I just feel like it will be weird with the number of times they're different people, you know? Anyway, Xeno, you're hysterical.
"Luna, my love, if you should feel any burgeoning talent today--perhaps an unexpected urge to sing opera or to declaim in Mermish--do not repress it! You may have been gifted by the Gernumblies!" (140)
Ok but seriously, how much do I love Ron?
"Come and dance," he added abruptly to Hermione. (147)
Oh man, the ending of this chapter was just so cool, it gave me shivers.
"The Ministry has fallen. Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming."
A Place to Hide: Not much to say about this chapter. I liked it, I like it when they're out in the muggle world. Ummm yeah the end!
Kreacher's Tale: I'm going to try and hold back from talking about every shippy moment, but I just loved this one.
Ron had had a fit of gallantry and insisted that Hermione sleep on the cushions from the sofa, so that her silhouette was raised above his. Her arm curved to the floor, her fingers inches from Ron's. Harry wondered whether they had fallen asleep holding hands.
Lolz you guys, we all knew it was Regulus. Get with the program. And durrr Mundungus stole the locket. Score two for team speculation! Poor Kreacher though, Voldy's a dick. And OMG Regulus drank the potion himself! I don't know whether or not to call that touching, but I will admit I teared up a little.
The Bribe: Lupin, why are you such a douche? I get that he felt guilty for bringing Tonks into his "lifestyle" or whatever, but jeez man, no one else is coming to your pity party.
Magic is Might: I fell in love with Kreacher here.
...Nothing in the room, however, was more dramatically different than the house-elf who now came hurrying toward Harry, dressed in a snowy-white towel, his ear hair as clean and fluffy as cotton wool, Regulus's locket bouncing on his thin chest.
"Shoes off, if you please, Master Harry, and hands washed before dinner," croaked Kreacher...(225)
The Muggle-Born Registration Commission: Woah, ethnic cleansing. And that bitch Umbridge isn't even Imperiused, she's just that evil. Keeping Moody's eye? You dirty whoreface.
The Thief: Ron got splinched! Jo really knows how to make me fret, beacause I was worried for Ron THE ENTIRE BOOK. Like, there were times when I was actually freaking out that he might die. It was a rough day, haha.
The Goblin's Revenge: Aww Ginny and Neville and Luna trying to steal the sword. I just love the image of them being the other trio, back at Hogwarts.
I don't really understand why they thought it would be a good idea to wear the locket. Obviously not a smooth move.
RON COME BACK WHY YOU GOTTA BE LIKE THAT?
Godric's Hollow: Not really sure if I liked this chapter? I thought it was a little much that there was a statue of the Potter family AND the house was still a monument. But uhh, yeah. Jeez, James and Lily were 21. That's kind of funny considering in the movies they look like they're about 35.
Bathilda's Secret: Holy shit. The snake, it came OUT OF HER. Can't wait to see that in the movie. I also really liked the whole passage where it was hard to distinguish between who was speaking, Voldy or Harry, and then you saw what happened the night they died, and they were having cute family time before he came and they weren't even armed. I was also so shocked when Harry's wand was broken. It really made me nervous every time something happened to someone's wand. It's your only defense, and it's so fragile.
The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore: I really want to see young Dumbledore. Blah blah blah more long excerpt which OKAY I know it's interesting, but I don't really think the plethora of Dumbledore backstory we recieved was all necessary. Like, omg he was bad? And now he's not? But was he still? And Harry all wahwahwah why didn't he tell meeee. I dunno, all that got old to me, even though I did enjoy learning about Dumbledore's past.
The Silver Doe: My favorite chapter of the book, tied with The Forest Again. LoL Harry sometimes you're so dumb. Why didn't you take the locket off before going swimming in sub-freezing water in the middle of a dark forest under suspicious circumstances? You're silly. BUT OMG YAY RON!!!!!!!!!! It was so painful with him gone. NEVER LEAVE ME AGAIN. Ugh I just love all the Harry and Ron interaction in this chapter, absolute perfection. LOL Voldy ships Harry/Hermione. I thought that was a tad cruel of Jo, rubbing it in shippers faces like that. Not that I really care all that much because Ron and Hermione are so fantastic, but you know. I'm really looking forward to this scene in the movie. Ron destroying the Horcrux! Ron crying! Harry comforting! It's funny how they're best friends, and have never talked about the pink elephant in the room...aka Ron being in love with Hermione but being daft about it for the past however many years, until now.
The sword clanged as Ron dropped it. He had sunk to his knees, his head in his arms. He was shaking, but not, Harry realized, from cold. Harry crammed the broken locket into his pocket, knelt down beside Ron, and placed a hand cautiously on his shoulder. He took it as a good sign that Ron did not throw it off.
"After you left," he said in a low voice, grateful for the fact that Ron's face was hidden, "she cried for a week. Probably longer, only she didn't want me to see. There were loads of nights when we never even spoke to each other. With you gone..."
He could not finish; it was only now that Ron was here again that Harry fully realized how much his absence had cost them.
"She's like my sister," he went on. "I love her like a sister and I reckon she feels the same way about me. It's always been like that. I thought you knew." (378)
And they hug!!! And my other favorite passage...
She saw Ron, who stood there holding the sword and dripping onto the threadbare carpet. Harry backed into a shadowy corner, slipped off Ron's rucksack, and attempted to blend in with the canvas. (379)
lolz he totally thought they were gonna make out. Only her beating him up was so awesome haha. Seriously, can't wait to see all of this in the movie, they better keep it.
"About the best you could hope for, I think," murmured Harry.
"Yeah," said Ron. "Could've been worse. Remember those birds she set on me?"
"I still haven't ruled it out," came Hermione's muffled voice from beneath her blankets, but Harry saw Ron smiling slightly as he pulled his maroon pajamas out of his rucksack. (387)
Xenophilius Lovegood: Not much going on in this chapter, except Xeno being cooky.
The Tale of the Three Brothers: Harry's peek into Luna's room broke my heart. Yet it's also creepy that she has their faces on her wall. Just saying. Poor Xeno, he just wants his Luna back :(
The Deathly Hallows: I kind of hated Hermione's complete denial of the Hallows existing. But I love her, so I'll let it slide. Potterwatch was awesome. RIP Ted. Oh and Jesus, Harry. Way to go and get everyone almost killed by being an idiot and saying Voldy's name. No excuses.
Malfoy Manor: I loved how Malfoy wouldn't confirm or deny whether or not it was really Harry, Ron, and Hermione. I get why he wouldn't be sure of Harry, with the swollen face and everything, but I liked him for pretending not to be sure of Ron and Hermione as well. I think he realized that he got himself into deep shit, and that he doesn't want someone's death on his hands. Bellatrix is crazy, the whole torture-of-Hermione was also torture for me. Ron running around in the basement, completely helpless, screaming out her name. I love my Ronnie.
And God, Dobby. That was my first real cry of the book.
The elf swayed slightly, stars reflected in his wide, shining eyes. Together, he and Harry looked down at the silver hilt of the knife protruding from the elf's heaving chest. (475)
I wonder if they'll include his death in the movie? Seeing as how they haven't brought him back since CoS, even though he's been back in practically every book since then. I just don't think it would resonate as much if as we haven't seen him again yet in a movie.
The Wandmaker: I was a complete wreck during Dobby's funeral. Harry put his shoes on him :'(
Shell Cottage: So Lupin's all happy now cuz he had a baby. I still think he needs to apologize for being a complete dick, but whatever.
Gringotts: Aw, it's so cute that they thought breaking into Gringotts would work out. Doesn't anyone remember what happened at the Ministry? I don't know why, I didn't really like this chapter all that much. The setting just seemed so drastically different than the rest of the book, probably because we haven't really seen Gringotts since SS. But still, damn, that is one good anti-theft system. Ouch.
The Final Hiding Place: I just loved this passage, how you just knew that after this there'd be no turning back, and that the final battle was coming fast.
"Well, I don't know how to break this to you," said Ron, "but I think they might have noticed we broke into Gringotts."
All three of them started to laugh, and once started, it was difficult to stop. Harry's ribs ached, he felt lightheaded with hunger, but he lay back on the grass beneath the reddening sky and laughed until his throat was raw. (548)
The Missing Mirror: Aw Ariana's so cute! And ok, just by chance I was playing the scholastic Harry Potter trivia game on their site, and I got a question about what Aberforth looked like. And I was like whaaat? Cuz I never knew we actually met Aberforth. So I went to the lexicon and figured out that he was the owner of the Hog's Head and everything, and it's pretty fortuitous that I did that, as I would have been slightly confused I think. Anyway, YAY NEVILLE!!!!!!!!!
The Lost Diadem: My love for Neville grew exponentially in this chapter. Carrying on the fight, "Dumbledore's Army, Still Recruiting"...he's so badass.
The Sacking of Severus Snape: I love McGonagall.
"Potter!" whispered Professor McGonagall, clutching her heart. "Potter--you're here! What--? How--?" She struggled to pull herself together. "Potter, that was foolish!"
"He spat at you," said Harry.
"Potter, I--that was very--very gallant of you--but don't you realize--?" (593)
Lol, I love how Snap steps out of the shadows and goes "It is I". Who says that? LOL
PERCY! Jeez, sure took him long enough. Put a big smile on my face though :)
Percy spluttered into silence. Evidently he had not expected to run into most of his family. There was a long moment of astonishment, broken by Fleur turning to Lupin and saying, in a wildly transparent attempt to break the tension, "So--'ow eez leetle Teddy?" (605)
I love how when Ginny said Ron and Hermione said something about a bathroom, I thought they were off sexing it up.
The Battle at Hogwarts: I had always hoped the final battle would be at Hogwarts! Kickass. The back story on the Grey Lady was cool, I guess. She's kind of a bitch, huh? Stealing from her mom and everything.
Yay Ron being amazing and getting the basilisk fangs that I kind of figured they'd have to get, cuz...yeah. I know a lot of people think it was kind of contrived and convienient that Ron was able to speak Parseltongue, but I mean, he's heard Harry do it twice now (CoS, and for the locket), and maybe he's got an ear for languages, jeez.
OH YAY BEST PART EVER AND IT GOT A WHOLE PAGE AND EVERYTHING:
"Hang on a moment!" said Ron sharply. "We've forgotten someone!"
"Who?" asked Hermione.
"The house-elves, they'll all be done in the kitchens, won't they?"
"You mean we ought to get them fighting?" asked Harry.
"No," said Ron seriously, "I mean we should tell them to get out. We don't want any more Dobbies, do we? We can't order them to die for us--"
There was a clatter as the basilisk fangs cascaded out of Hermione's arms. Running at Ron, she flung them around his neck and kissed him full on the mouth. Ron threw away the fangs and broomstick he was holding and responded with such enthusiasm that he lifted Hermione off her feet.
"Is this the moment?" Harry asked weakly, and when nothing happened except that Ron and Hermione gripped each other still more firmly and swayed on the spot, he raised his voice. "OI! There's a war going on here!"
Ron and Hermione broke apart, their arms still around each other.
"I know mate," said Ron, who looked as though he had recently been hit on the back of a head with a Bludger, "so it's now or never, isn't it?" (625)
Found this fanart that is perfection:
I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. Except, and of course it will be good in the film no matter what, I trust them...but...they've never mentioned anything about Hermione striving for elf rights and stuff, so they'll obviously have to do it differently, otherwise it wouldn't be as funny/adorable. But then that means we get TWO AWESOME VERSIONS of the kiss, so I'm not complaining.
Jeez, I never really gave Crabbe or Goyle that much thought, but they're not only stupid, but also actually evil. Crabbe, you idiot. I don't mind him being dead.
OH GOD FRED. HE WAS KILLED BY A WALL. And poor George, how is he going to survive without his other half?
The Elder Wand: Ahaha I loved Ron punching out Draco.
Malfoy looked around, beaming, for his savior, and Ron punched him from under the cloak. Malfoy fell backward on top of the Death Eater, his mouth bleeding, utterly bemused. (645)
GOD HAGRID, WHY ARE YOU SO STUPID. THEY ARE GIANT SPIDERS, AND YOU KNOW THEY DON'T LIKE YOU.
And just because I love how Jo's become such a wonderful writer over the course of the books:
He sprinted, half believing he could outdistance death itself, ignoring the jets of light flying in the darkness all around him, and the sound of the lake crashing like the sea, and the creaking of the Forbidden Forest though the night was windless; through grounds that seemed themselves to have risen in rebellion, he ran faster than he had ever moved in his life, and it was he who saw the great tree first, the Willow that protected the secret at its roots with whiplike, slashing branches. (650)
I also loved the throwback to SS, when Ron and Harry are caught in the Devil's Snare and Hermione's fretting about not having any wood to start a fire, and Ron goes "Are you mad? Are you a witch or not!", with Hermione throwing practically the same line back at him about getting into the secret passage under the tree.
Aw, poor Snape. Voldy's such a dick. And that was heart-wrenching and kind of gross, Snape looking into Harry's eyes as he died because they looked like Lily's.
The Prince's Tale: RIP Tonks and Lupin. I have to admit I wasn't really all that surprised that they died, and therefore not that sad when it was revealed. But the Weasley's mourning over Fred killed me.
I enjoyed Snape's memories, but I think there were too many of them or something. I don't know, it seemed to drag. And I don't know why I wasn't surprised that Snape loved Lily...I don't think I'd read it in fanfic, but I'm sure I've read speculation about it at least. And I also never really believed Snape to be evil. I always thought that Dumbledore had planned his death with him, but it was still nice seeing how devoted Snape really was to him, fretting over his hand, etc. I like that we found out the significance of why Dumbledore's hand was all shriveled in HBP. And yayy Dumbledore portrait.
And at last, after much speculation, Harry is in fact a Horcrux.
The Forest Again: So far, I've read this chapter three times, and I have bawled like a baby each time. It's so well-written, and so heart-breaking, that I don't think I'll ever be able to get through it dry-eyed. Just the image of Harry walking knowingly to his death completely breaks me. And his parents and Sirius and Lupin walking with him...I'm tearing up just thinking about it.
Slowly, very slowly, he sat up, and as he did so he felt more alive and more aware of his own living body than ever before. Why had he never appreciated what a miracle he was, brain and nerve and bounding heart? It would all be gone...or at least, he would be gone from it. His breath came slow and deep, and his mouth and throat were completely dry, but so were his eyes. (692)
"Does it hurt?"
The childish question had fallen from Harry's lips before he could stop it. (699)
"You'll stay with me?"
"Until the very end," said James.
"They won't be able to see you?" asked Harry.
"We are part of you," said Sirius. "Invisible to anyone else."
Harry looked at his mother.
"Stay close to me," he said quietly. (700)
King's Cross: I still don't completely understand this chapter, but I absolutely love it. This might be my favorite line from the whole book:
In opening them, he discovered that he had eyes. (705)
The Flaw in the Plan: Narcissa, that was awesome of you. I loved that part so much. And damn, Harry's good at playing dead. I would totally fail that game.
OH AND NEVILLE FTW.
AND MOLLY TOO. Except I do think Ginny could have more than held her own. But I don't really care, because Molly called Bellatrix a BITCH.
So to be the proper owner of the Elder Wand, you don't have to have ever touched it? It makes sense, but also is kind of convienient. You would think the Elder Wand would have to be the one taken from Malfoy, not just any wand, but ooookkk. YAY VOLDY'S DED AND HARRY NEVER HAD TO KILL ANYONE.
But Harry had eyes only for the man who stood in the largest portrait directly behind the headmaster's chair. Tears were sliding down from behind the half-moon spectacles into the long silver beard, and the pride and the gratitude emanating from him filled Harry with the same balm as the phoenix song. (747)
Old people crying always gets me :'(
Nineteen Years Later: Yesss okay, it was a little lame. But I'd rather it be there than not. I think it would have worked better if it were a little longer, like maybe a day in the life of grown-up Harry or something, I dunno. I think it felt forced because of how short it was. And I do think it was ridiculous that Harry named his kid after Snape, instead of say, Sirius. Yes, Snape redeemed himself and everything and he was working for the good side, but he was still A COMPLETE ASS to Harry the entire time he knew him, and that wasn't part of the act.
But yayyy my ships sailed AND had babies, so I won't complain too much.
One last time for the cheap seats: I LOVE RON SO SO MUCH.
"Don't let it worry you," said Ron. "It's me. I'm extremely famous." (759)
I saw OotP for the third time the other day, haha. I got my dad a little addicted to the movies...still working on getting him to read the books. We had a mini marathon and watched PoA and GoF last week (he'd already seen SS and CoS), and then we went to see OotP and he really liked it :) I realize I never made a post about seeing it. Well, Kelly and I saw it opening night at like, 7:30 I think? I really really liked it. It got a little slow in some of the longer talky parts, but I loved the overall feel of it. And god, I love his editing style. Like when Harry had the vision about Mr. Weasley? And then he was being helped to walk to Dumbledore's office and the camera was a little shaky and showed three different close-ups of his face? LOVE SHIT LIKE THAT. And then when Fred and George were leaving and he had the vision of Sirius and first everything was in slow-motion and the sound got all fuzzy and then it sped up a little and I'M REALLY A BIG FAN OF THAT SCENE. And hooray for finally throwing some legit R/Hr into the movies, jeez. Rupert and Emma do it so well.
And everyone's getting so much better at acting! It's really apparant after watching all the movies in a row. Emma only acted with her eyebrows like, twice! Favorite thing ever: Rupert's delievery of "Well you think a bit of snogging would cheer her up".
Oh, and Luna's so awesome.
Jeez, could this post get any longer?
Started Reading: 7/21/07 12:35am
Nap Time: 4:05am-9:45am
Finished Reading: 5:05pm
Yeah I kind of flew through it. I COULDN'T HELP MYSELF. I wanted to go to bed about two hours before I did, but I couldn't help myself. Anyway, how should I do this? Chapter-by-chapter? Will anyone even read that? Whatever, I need to get my thoughts down. Warning, this is pretty long, but it's mostly quotes, cuz I loved so much of this book and couldn't not include them.
The Dark Lord Ascending: Lol voldy is so crazy.
In Memoriam: I found myself glazing over at some of the long excerpts throughout the book, although all the Dumbledore backstory was very interesting. Yayy the mirror came back! For the record, how are they going to do this in the movie? Considering there was no mirror mentioned in the OotP movie.
The Dursleys Departing: I'm so mad nothing came of my Dudley theory! I thought I was being so smart. Guess not! Anyway, this chapter made me love Dudders. Vernon and Petunia didn't ruin him completely! Yay! I wonder what became of them?
The Seven Potters: Did not expect such an intense chapter right off the bat! HEDWIG! Broke my heart.
"Hedwig--Hedwig--"
But the owl lay motionless and pathetic as a toy on the floor of her cage. He could not take it in...(56)
I didn't even realize how she died until I read it the second time around. And then he had to make her explode! Ouch. And also? It's kind of a big deal that Voldy can fly without a broom.....but every Death Eater and their mom is flying around in the OotP movie, so that will be another fun element that makes no sense come movie time, haha.
Fallen Warrior: Aw RIP Mad-Eye. Not that I was ever particularly attached to him. BUT OMG GEORGE'S EAR. Fred and George are so fantastic as a pair, which will lead me to, later, OMG FRED! FYI, I get pissed everytime Hermione rags on Harry for not practicing Occlumency. IT'S HARD, OK? JEEZ. Plus, I think because Harry turned out to be a horcrux means he would have never really been able to block the connection anyway, right? Whatever.
The Ghoul in Pajamas: Hermione talking about how she changed her parents memories BROKE MY HEART.
"...Wendell and Monica Wilkins don't know that they've got a daughter, you see." (97)
I also love the shippyness of this chapter, Ron is so freaking cute I can hardly stand it.
"Don't!" squealed Hermione. Startled, Harry looked over just in time to see her burst into tears over her copy of Spellman's Syllabary.
"Oh no," said Harry, struggling to get up from the old camp bed. "Hermione, I wasn't trying to upset--"
But with a great creaking of rusty bedsprings, Ron bounded off the bed and got there first. One arm around Hermione, he fished in his jeans pocket and withdrew a revolting-looking handkerchief..." (94)
And how much do you love Hermione's illicit use of Accio?
"It--it wasn't stealing!" said Hermione, looking from Harry to Ron with a kind of desperation. (101)
There was just so many fantastic little moments of humor, and that's what I really love Jo for. It's rare that a book will make me lol, and every HP has done that.
The Will of Albus Dumbledore: Ow owww getting steamy in Ginny's bedroom.
The Wedding: You know, I was thinking, with all the polyjuice-downing in this book...they're going to have to change some of that in the movie I would think, otherwise Dan will hardly be in it. Well, ok, not really, but I just feel like it will be weird with the number of times they're different people, you know? Anyway, Xeno, you're hysterical.
"Luna, my love, if you should feel any burgeoning talent today--perhaps an unexpected urge to sing opera or to declaim in Mermish--do not repress it! You may have been gifted by the Gernumblies!" (140)
Ok but seriously, how much do I love Ron?
"Come and dance," he added abruptly to Hermione. (147)
Oh man, the ending of this chapter was just so cool, it gave me shivers.
"The Ministry has fallen. Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming."
A Place to Hide: Not much to say about this chapter. I liked it, I like it when they're out in the muggle world. Ummm yeah the end!
Kreacher's Tale: I'm going to try and hold back from talking about every shippy moment, but I just loved this one.
Ron had had a fit of gallantry and insisted that Hermione sleep on the cushions from the sofa, so that her silhouette was raised above his. Her arm curved to the floor, her fingers inches from Ron's. Harry wondered whether they had fallen asleep holding hands.
Lolz you guys, we all knew it was Regulus. Get with the program. And durrr Mundungus stole the locket. Score two for team speculation! Poor Kreacher though, Voldy's a dick. And OMG Regulus drank the potion himself! I don't know whether or not to call that touching, but I will admit I teared up a little.
The Bribe: Lupin, why are you such a douche? I get that he felt guilty for bringing Tonks into his "lifestyle" or whatever, but jeez man, no one else is coming to your pity party.
Magic is Might: I fell in love with Kreacher here.
...Nothing in the room, however, was more dramatically different than the house-elf who now came hurrying toward Harry, dressed in a snowy-white towel, his ear hair as clean and fluffy as cotton wool, Regulus's locket bouncing on his thin chest.
"Shoes off, if you please, Master Harry, and hands washed before dinner," croaked Kreacher...(225)
The Muggle-Born Registration Commission: Woah, ethnic cleansing. And that bitch Umbridge isn't even Imperiused, she's just that evil. Keeping Moody's eye? You dirty whoreface.
The Thief: Ron got splinched! Jo really knows how to make me fret, beacause I was worried for Ron THE ENTIRE BOOK. Like, there were times when I was actually freaking out that he might die. It was a rough day, haha.
The Goblin's Revenge: Aww Ginny and Neville and Luna trying to steal the sword. I just love the image of them being the other trio, back at Hogwarts.
I don't really understand why they thought it would be a good idea to wear the locket. Obviously not a smooth move.
RON COME BACK WHY YOU GOTTA BE LIKE THAT?
Godric's Hollow: Not really sure if I liked this chapter? I thought it was a little much that there was a statue of the Potter family AND the house was still a monument. But uhh, yeah. Jeez, James and Lily were 21. That's kind of funny considering in the movies they look like they're about 35.
Bathilda's Secret: Holy shit. The snake, it came OUT OF HER. Can't wait to see that in the movie. I also really liked the whole passage where it was hard to distinguish between who was speaking, Voldy or Harry, and then you saw what happened the night they died, and they were having cute family time before he came and they weren't even armed. I was also so shocked when Harry's wand was broken. It really made me nervous every time something happened to someone's wand. It's your only defense, and it's so fragile.
The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore: I really want to see young Dumbledore. Blah blah blah more long excerpt which OKAY I know it's interesting, but I don't really think the plethora of Dumbledore backstory we recieved was all necessary. Like, omg he was bad? And now he's not? But was he still? And Harry all wahwahwah why didn't he tell meeee. I dunno, all that got old to me, even though I did enjoy learning about Dumbledore's past.
The Silver Doe: My favorite chapter of the book, tied with The Forest Again. LoL Harry sometimes you're so dumb. Why didn't you take the locket off before going swimming in sub-freezing water in the middle of a dark forest under suspicious circumstances? You're silly. BUT OMG YAY RON!!!!!!!!!! It was so painful with him gone. NEVER LEAVE ME AGAIN. Ugh I just love all the Harry and Ron interaction in this chapter, absolute perfection. LOL Voldy ships Harry/Hermione. I thought that was a tad cruel of Jo, rubbing it in shippers faces like that. Not that I really care all that much because Ron and Hermione are so fantastic, but you know. I'm really looking forward to this scene in the movie. Ron destroying the Horcrux! Ron crying! Harry comforting! It's funny how they're best friends, and have never talked about the pink elephant in the room...aka Ron being in love with Hermione but being daft about it for the past however many years, until now.
The sword clanged as Ron dropped it. He had sunk to his knees, his head in his arms. He was shaking, but not, Harry realized, from cold. Harry crammed the broken locket into his pocket, knelt down beside Ron, and placed a hand cautiously on his shoulder. He took it as a good sign that Ron did not throw it off.
"After you left," he said in a low voice, grateful for the fact that Ron's face was hidden, "she cried for a week. Probably longer, only she didn't want me to see. There were loads of nights when we never even spoke to each other. With you gone..."
He could not finish; it was only now that Ron was here again that Harry fully realized how much his absence had cost them.
"She's like my sister," he went on. "I love her like a sister and I reckon she feels the same way about me. It's always been like that. I thought you knew." (378)
And they hug!!! And my other favorite passage...
She saw Ron, who stood there holding the sword and dripping onto the threadbare carpet. Harry backed into a shadowy corner, slipped off Ron's rucksack, and attempted to blend in with the canvas. (379)
lolz he totally thought they were gonna make out. Only her beating him up was so awesome haha. Seriously, can't wait to see all of this in the movie, they better keep it.
"About the best you could hope for, I think," murmured Harry.
"Yeah," said Ron. "Could've been worse. Remember those birds she set on me?"
"I still haven't ruled it out," came Hermione's muffled voice from beneath her blankets, but Harry saw Ron smiling slightly as he pulled his maroon pajamas out of his rucksack. (387)
Xenophilius Lovegood: Not much going on in this chapter, except Xeno being cooky.
The Tale of the Three Brothers: Harry's peek into Luna's room broke my heart. Yet it's also creepy that she has their faces on her wall. Just saying. Poor Xeno, he just wants his Luna back :(
The Deathly Hallows: I kind of hated Hermione's complete denial of the Hallows existing. But I love her, so I'll let it slide. Potterwatch was awesome. RIP Ted. Oh and Jesus, Harry. Way to go and get everyone almost killed by being an idiot and saying Voldy's name. No excuses.
Malfoy Manor: I loved how Malfoy wouldn't confirm or deny whether or not it was really Harry, Ron, and Hermione. I get why he wouldn't be sure of Harry, with the swollen face and everything, but I liked him for pretending not to be sure of Ron and Hermione as well. I think he realized that he got himself into deep shit, and that he doesn't want someone's death on his hands. Bellatrix is crazy, the whole torture-of-Hermione was also torture for me. Ron running around in the basement, completely helpless, screaming out her name. I love my Ronnie.
And God, Dobby. That was my first real cry of the book.
The elf swayed slightly, stars reflected in his wide, shining eyes. Together, he and Harry looked down at the silver hilt of the knife protruding from the elf's heaving chest. (475)
I wonder if they'll include his death in the movie? Seeing as how they haven't brought him back since CoS, even though he's been back in practically every book since then. I just don't think it would resonate as much if as we haven't seen him again yet in a movie.
The Wandmaker: I was a complete wreck during Dobby's funeral. Harry put his shoes on him :'(
Shell Cottage: So Lupin's all happy now cuz he had a baby. I still think he needs to apologize for being a complete dick, but whatever.
Gringotts: Aw, it's so cute that they thought breaking into Gringotts would work out. Doesn't anyone remember what happened at the Ministry? I don't know why, I didn't really like this chapter all that much. The setting just seemed so drastically different than the rest of the book, probably because we haven't really seen Gringotts since SS. But still, damn, that is one good anti-theft system. Ouch.
The Final Hiding Place: I just loved this passage, how you just knew that after this there'd be no turning back, and that the final battle was coming fast.
"Well, I don't know how to break this to you," said Ron, "but I think they might have noticed we broke into Gringotts."
All three of them started to laugh, and once started, it was difficult to stop. Harry's ribs ached, he felt lightheaded with hunger, but he lay back on the grass beneath the reddening sky and laughed until his throat was raw. (548)
The Missing Mirror: Aw Ariana's so cute! And ok, just by chance I was playing the scholastic Harry Potter trivia game on their site, and I got a question about what Aberforth looked like. And I was like whaaat? Cuz I never knew we actually met Aberforth. So I went to the lexicon and figured out that he was the owner of the Hog's Head and everything, and it's pretty fortuitous that I did that, as I would have been slightly confused I think. Anyway, YAY NEVILLE!!!!!!!!!
The Lost Diadem: My love for Neville grew exponentially in this chapter. Carrying on the fight, "Dumbledore's Army, Still Recruiting"...he's so badass.
The Sacking of Severus Snape: I love McGonagall.
"Potter!" whispered Professor McGonagall, clutching her heart. "Potter--you're here! What--? How--?" She struggled to pull herself together. "Potter, that was foolish!"
"He spat at you," said Harry.
"Potter, I--that was very--very gallant of you--but don't you realize--?" (593)
Lol, I love how Snap steps out of the shadows and goes "It is I". Who says that? LOL
PERCY! Jeez, sure took him long enough. Put a big smile on my face though :)
Percy spluttered into silence. Evidently he had not expected to run into most of his family. There was a long moment of astonishment, broken by Fleur turning to Lupin and saying, in a wildly transparent attempt to break the tension, "So--'ow eez leetle Teddy?" (605)
I love how when Ginny said Ron and Hermione said something about a bathroom, I thought they were off sexing it up.
The Battle at Hogwarts: I had always hoped the final battle would be at Hogwarts! Kickass. The back story on the Grey Lady was cool, I guess. She's kind of a bitch, huh? Stealing from her mom and everything.
Yay Ron being amazing and getting the basilisk fangs that I kind of figured they'd have to get, cuz...yeah. I know a lot of people think it was kind of contrived and convienient that Ron was able to speak Parseltongue, but I mean, he's heard Harry do it twice now (CoS, and for the locket), and maybe he's got an ear for languages, jeez.
OH YAY BEST PART EVER AND IT GOT A WHOLE PAGE AND EVERYTHING:
"Hang on a moment!" said Ron sharply. "We've forgotten someone!"
"Who?" asked Hermione.
"The house-elves, they'll all be done in the kitchens, won't they?"
"You mean we ought to get them fighting?" asked Harry.
"No," said Ron seriously, "I mean we should tell them to get out. We don't want any more Dobbies, do we? We can't order them to die for us--"
There was a clatter as the basilisk fangs cascaded out of Hermione's arms. Running at Ron, she flung them around his neck and kissed him full on the mouth. Ron threw away the fangs and broomstick he was holding and responded with such enthusiasm that he lifted Hermione off her feet.
"Is this the moment?" Harry asked weakly, and when nothing happened except that Ron and Hermione gripped each other still more firmly and swayed on the spot, he raised his voice. "OI! There's a war going on here!"
Ron and Hermione broke apart, their arms still around each other.
"I know mate," said Ron, who looked as though he had recently been hit on the back of a head with a Bludger, "so it's now or never, isn't it?" (625)
Found this fanart that is perfection:
I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. Except, and of course it will be good in the film no matter what, I trust them...but...they've never mentioned anything about Hermione striving for elf rights and stuff, so they'll obviously have to do it differently, otherwise it wouldn't be as funny/adorable. But then that means we get TWO AWESOME VERSIONS of the kiss, so I'm not complaining.
Jeez, I never really gave Crabbe or Goyle that much thought, but they're not only stupid, but also actually evil. Crabbe, you idiot. I don't mind him being dead.
OH GOD FRED. HE WAS KILLED BY A WALL. And poor George, how is he going to survive without his other half?
The Elder Wand: Ahaha I loved Ron punching out Draco.
Malfoy looked around, beaming, for his savior, and Ron punched him from under the cloak. Malfoy fell backward on top of the Death Eater, his mouth bleeding, utterly bemused. (645)
GOD HAGRID, WHY ARE YOU SO STUPID. THEY ARE GIANT SPIDERS, AND YOU KNOW THEY DON'T LIKE YOU.
And just because I love how Jo's become such a wonderful writer over the course of the books:
He sprinted, half believing he could outdistance death itself, ignoring the jets of light flying in the darkness all around him, and the sound of the lake crashing like the sea, and the creaking of the Forbidden Forest though the night was windless; through grounds that seemed themselves to have risen in rebellion, he ran faster than he had ever moved in his life, and it was he who saw the great tree first, the Willow that protected the secret at its roots with whiplike, slashing branches. (650)
I also loved the throwback to SS, when Ron and Harry are caught in the Devil's Snare and Hermione's fretting about not having any wood to start a fire, and Ron goes "Are you mad? Are you a witch or not!", with Hermione throwing practically the same line back at him about getting into the secret passage under the tree.
Aw, poor Snape. Voldy's such a dick. And that was heart-wrenching and kind of gross, Snape looking into Harry's eyes as he died because they looked like Lily's.
The Prince's Tale: RIP Tonks and Lupin. I have to admit I wasn't really all that surprised that they died, and therefore not that sad when it was revealed. But the Weasley's mourning over Fred killed me.
I enjoyed Snape's memories, but I think there were too many of them or something. I don't know, it seemed to drag. And I don't know why I wasn't surprised that Snape loved Lily...I don't think I'd read it in fanfic, but I'm sure I've read speculation about it at least. And I also never really believed Snape to be evil. I always thought that Dumbledore had planned his death with him, but it was still nice seeing how devoted Snape really was to him, fretting over his hand, etc. I like that we found out the significance of why Dumbledore's hand was all shriveled in HBP. And yayy Dumbledore portrait.
And at last, after much speculation, Harry is in fact a Horcrux.
The Forest Again: So far, I've read this chapter three times, and I have bawled like a baby each time. It's so well-written, and so heart-breaking, that I don't think I'll ever be able to get through it dry-eyed. Just the image of Harry walking knowingly to his death completely breaks me. And his parents and Sirius and Lupin walking with him...I'm tearing up just thinking about it.
Slowly, very slowly, he sat up, and as he did so he felt more alive and more aware of his own living body than ever before. Why had he never appreciated what a miracle he was, brain and nerve and bounding heart? It would all be gone...or at least, he would be gone from it. His breath came slow and deep, and his mouth and throat were completely dry, but so were his eyes. (692)
"Does it hurt?"
The childish question had fallen from Harry's lips before he could stop it. (699)
"You'll stay with me?"
"Until the very end," said James.
"They won't be able to see you?" asked Harry.
"We are part of you," said Sirius. "Invisible to anyone else."
Harry looked at his mother.
"Stay close to me," he said quietly. (700)
King's Cross: I still don't completely understand this chapter, but I absolutely love it. This might be my favorite line from the whole book:
In opening them, he discovered that he had eyes. (705)
The Flaw in the Plan: Narcissa, that was awesome of you. I loved that part so much. And damn, Harry's good at playing dead. I would totally fail that game.
OH AND NEVILLE FTW.
AND MOLLY TOO. Except I do think Ginny could have more than held her own. But I don't really care, because Molly called Bellatrix a BITCH.
So to be the proper owner of the Elder Wand, you don't have to have ever touched it? It makes sense, but also is kind of convienient. You would think the Elder Wand would have to be the one taken from Malfoy, not just any wand, but ooookkk. YAY VOLDY'S DED AND HARRY NEVER HAD TO KILL ANYONE.
But Harry had eyes only for the man who stood in the largest portrait directly behind the headmaster's chair. Tears were sliding down from behind the half-moon spectacles into the long silver beard, and the pride and the gratitude emanating from him filled Harry with the same balm as the phoenix song. (747)
Old people crying always gets me :'(
Nineteen Years Later: Yesss okay, it was a little lame. But I'd rather it be there than not. I think it would have worked better if it were a little longer, like maybe a day in the life of grown-up Harry or something, I dunno. I think it felt forced because of how short it was. And I do think it was ridiculous that Harry named his kid after Snape, instead of say, Sirius. Yes, Snape redeemed himself and everything and he was working for the good side, but he was still A COMPLETE ASS to Harry the entire time he knew him, and that wasn't part of the act.
But yayyy my ships sailed AND had babies, so I won't complain too much.
One last time for the cheap seats: I LOVE RON SO SO MUCH.
"Don't let it worry you," said Ron. "It's me. I'm extremely famous." (759)
I saw OotP for the third time the other day, haha. I got my dad a little addicted to the movies...still working on getting him to read the books. We had a mini marathon and watched PoA and GoF last week (he'd already seen SS and CoS), and then we went to see OotP and he really liked it :) I realize I never made a post about seeing it. Well, Kelly and I saw it opening night at like, 7:30 I think? I really really liked it. It got a little slow in some of the longer talky parts, but I loved the overall feel of it. And god, I love his editing style. Like when Harry had the vision about Mr. Weasley? And then he was being helped to walk to Dumbledore's office and the camera was a little shaky and showed three different close-ups of his face? LOVE SHIT LIKE THAT. And then when Fred and George were leaving and he had the vision of Sirius and first everything was in slow-motion and the sound got all fuzzy and then it sped up a little and I'M REALLY A BIG FAN OF THAT SCENE. And hooray for finally throwing some legit R/Hr into the movies, jeez. Rupert and Emma do it so well.
And everyone's getting so much better at acting! It's really apparant after watching all the movies in a row. Emma only acted with her eyebrows like, twice! Favorite thing ever: Rupert's delievery of "Well you think a bit of snogging would cheer her up".
Oh, and Luna's so awesome.
Jeez, could this post get any longer?