Reviewing Deathly Hallows! (Part 1)

[pridefulpenguin]

I decided that after each chapter, I'd write a little review. Maybe not a review per se, but at least my thoughts on it.

If a new name is introduced--one that we haven't heard before or one where we don't already know who he/she is named after--I'll break it down in my own way with definitions and such.

If you decide to comment on anything, I might or might not read it until after all my chapter reviews are finished. It really depends on how I feel at the time. I trust you guys not to post spoilers, though, which is why my journal is still only allowing comments from friends.

This is Part 1 of a multi-part series. Here are the links to the other parts: Part 2 | Part 3



Last Updated:

21 July:
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
24 July:
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
27 July:
Chapter 6
28 July:
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
29 July:
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11

Chapter 1: The Dark Lord Ascending

Um, Snape, I don't know what to think of you. I've never liked you in the first place, and you're trying to make it even harder for me to like you, aren't you? I can't believe that last night I almost thought you might be good. Well, you could be lying to Voldemort and using Occlumency so He can't read your mind, in which case you might be good, or you might be bad. . .but now I'm going to plea The Fifth and keep reading and write more about you later.

Yew bushes. Symbolism, anyone? Yew represents death, which we learned when we found out that's what Voldemort's wand is made from!

White peacocks! That Lucius Malfoy sure has style! For a moment, I thought they were saying that Lucius was the peacock, like he was an Animagus, but then I realized that wasn't the case. Then I thought they were referring to Lucius as a 'peacock' which was doubly funny, especially if you've read Magic's Pawn by Mercedes Lackey!

So now the Malfoy Manor is the DE HQ?

OMG, they're already mentioning Harry Potter?! No way! Who would have thought? And he's staying at an Order member's house. I wonder who's? It would be too dangerous for him to stay with the Weasleys, so someone with less kids to look after. Maybe Remus and Tonks will 'adopt' him for a while!

Now we know that Lucius' wand is elm with dragon heartstring core, but we still don't know how long it is. I bet Voldemort's is longer! (13.5 inches vs. ?) Looks like Voldemort got Lucius out of Azkaban; and Narcissa attends the DE meetings too. Bellatrix is still insane, Draco is still a pansy, and Lucius is still Voldemort's bitch.

Voldemort mentioned that he couldn't kill Harry with his own wand. Was he referring to the fact that he couldn't kill Harry 15.5 years ago, or was he referring to the Priori Incantatem that happened when Harry was 14?

And apparently, there's a 'prisoner' of some kind in the basement/dungeon of the Malfoy Manor. A good guy who's been captured, or a bad guy who's done wrong?

For the briefest of moments, I thought we were going to hear that Bellatrix was pregnant, but then I realized that she wouldn't make a good mother because she would put herself before her child and the Dark Lord before herself.

Ugh, the Remus/Tonks shippers are not going to shut up about this!

But, really, I could think of a few reasons why they got married so suddenly:
1.) Remus couldn't marry who he really wanted to, so he settled for Tonks.
2.) Tonks pressured Remus into it.
3.) They knew there was a war coming, so they wanted to affirm their love for each other before the bloodshed started.
4.) There is some kind of magical bond that they can only connect to through marriage. (If there is a magical bond dealing with Lily's love for Harry, then there should be a magical bond of some sort with marriage; or at least with Remus' and Tonks' love for one another.)
5.) Some reason related to the 'bond' but related to the families instead, like the Blacks and the Lupins.
6.) They did it to protect themselves: either Remus from someone else, like Fenrir; or Tonks from someone else, like her aunts and uncles; or both of them from Voldemort; or to protect Harry; or if they have pups of their own, to protect them.
7.) Tonks is pregnant. (After all, the Dark Lord/Death Eaters did mention 'cubs' - unless they were referring to those that Remus and Tonks would have together now that they were married.)
8.) It has to do with Remus' lycanthropy.
9.) Their marriage revolves around Sirius somehow and/or Lily and James.
10.) Tonks' Patronus from Book 6 has something to do with it.

I didn't think Patronuses could change. Maybe that's just Animagi. (I thought both a Patronus and an Animagus dealt with the witch's or wizard's 'inner animal' and that's why it couldn't change.) If Tonks' Patronus could change shape as easily as it did, I don't want to believe that it was only because of Remus. I think Sirius still has/had something to do with it all.

I think that Pius Thicknesse is a play on words, especially seeing as he's the Head of the Magical Law Enforcement. We'll see what becomes of ol' Pius.

Apparently the former Muggle Studies professor's name is Charity Burbage.

Nagini is a man-eating snake?! WTF?!

More About Names:
Pius Thicknesse
- "Pius" was a pope
- "pious" has to do with showing respect and reverence toward religion and/or regard toward parents.
- "thick" could be in reference to size [of his knees, perhaps?]; or in reference to being dense or stupid
- "nesse" could be a take-off of 'knees'; or related to the word 'ness'

Charity Burbage
- "Charity" a take-off of 'being charitable' and its various definitions
- "Burbage" was a Shakespearean actor who performed in tragedies [and played the title roles in Hamlet, King Lear, Othello, and Richard III]. . .dun dun dun!

Chapter 2: In Memoriam

When I first read this chapter title, I thought it was in reference to Sirius. Then I remembered that Dumbledore died in the last book, so it might be about him too. It seems I was right about both people. It was mainly about Dumbledore's obituary and article/book, but it did reference Sirius with the fragment of broken glass.

Speaking of that, if there's a way to break things with magic (there's a way in real life too, but that's not the point) then there is a way to fix things with magic. Even if the mirror is 'powdered' in the bottom of Harry's trunk, there has to be a way to fix it. . .right?

I'd like to see Harry be able to use that piece of mirror to be able to communicate with Sirius. Yet, he doesn't think Sirius took his mirror with him when he went to fight at the Department of Mysteries, so he doesn't think that Sirius has it now that he's fallen behind the Veil. Well, if it's someplace else than with his godfather, then maybe Harry will be able to talk to whoever happens to come upon the other mirror. . .if can use his piece of mirror, that is.

At least Jo brought the two-way mirrors up again! Now all she needs to do is bring Sirius back and get Remus to divorce Tonks and get back together with Sirius and I'll be all set!

Come on, Jo, just keep talking about the mirror and Sirius and the Veil! I want my questions answered! I want more information! I want more Sirius information! (As well as information on the Marauders, but that's another topic.)

Why is the fight between Dumbledore and Grindewald brought up so much if it's never explained in more detail? Okay, we get it that Dumbledore defeated Grindewald (Hitler?) in 1945, but that's all we know! More information, anyone?

Well, it seems that Harry isn't going to go back to Hogwarts; or at least he's not planning to, it looks like. However, wouldn't he want to keep his books and robes and things? He could leave them at his house, now that Grimmauld Place is his. I would want to keep my school books and my school robes, but then again, I'm not Harry! Harry makes some poor choices sometimes, so I just hope that this isn't one of them.

Does this mean there won't be any story about Hogwarts? No Quidditch? *wibbles*

Ron and Hermione claimed that they would go with Harry and help him find the rest of the Horcruxes, but would they really want to forgo their last year of education to help Harry? Hmm, I would, if it meant the difference between my life and death. I could always finish up the next year if I had to, and if I could.

Wait, what about the N.E.W.T.s they have to take?

But if they didn't go back to Hogwarts, then I could see a conversation between the trio and a prospective boss go something like this:
Prospective Boss: "Why should I hire you? You didn't finish your last year at Hogwarts, nor did you sit your N.E.W.T.s!"
One of the Trio: "I helped Harry Potter defeat Lord Voldemort!"
Prospective Boss: "Well. . .okay then, you're in."

Whoa, wait just another minute! If Harry doesn't go back to Hogwarts is that a sign he's going to die?!

Frankly, I could see it both ways with his death: He could win and save the day, and everyone would live happily ever after, minus the few deaths that will irrevocably occur. Or, Voldemort will win and it will end up like Lord of the Rings where the Dark Side takes over and starts destroying everything.

This got me thinking about this now: Does Harry have to have destroyed all the Horcruxes to weaken Voldemort enough to defeat him? And, if he does have to, but he doesn't destroy them all - or isn't able to (because of a time limit of sorts) - then does that mean he can't/won't destroy Voldemort?

I still don't believe that Harry (or Harry's scar) is a Horcrux. To me, it doesn't make sense that Voldemort would place a part of his soul into something that could be so easily destroyed (a human being - Harry). Okay, so Voldemort couldn't kill him; but that doesn't mean that just because he couldn't before that he couldn't the next time he tried, like if he did/does in this book.

Now, getting to the prophecy, about 'neither can live while the other survives', and tying it into Harry being/not being a Horcrux. If Harry were a Horcrux, and he died, then Voldemort would still be alive. However, if Harry were a Horcrux and he died, then that would weaken Voldemort and then maybe someone else could kill him in his weakened state. If that were the case, than could/would both of them die?

I know in the movie it said that one of either Harry or Voldemort had to kill each other. . .but I only remember it saying in the book that they had to fight each other, not that it was Harry who had to kill Voldemort or Voldemort who had to kill Harry. There's a big difference between fighting and killing. Fighting doesn't always lead to killing, but killing sometimes happens during fighting.

Now we learn/know that Dumbledore had a mother, father, two brothers, and a sister. I like learning about characters' family/character history.

What? Dumbledore's father killed three Muggles and got sent to Azkaban for it?! Hmm, does this make Albus Dumbledore like the 'black sheep' in the family, like Sirius Black?

'The Potter-Dumbledore relationship' - Ha ha, good call, Ty! By the way, I totally agree with you on that, with the 'Dumbledore's man through and through' part that you posted in your journal. And now that I look back at it, I realized that you posted it exactly a month ago, on June 21st. Eerie, ain't it?

A blue light?! I know I shouldn't be getting my hopes up, but I can't help it! Could it be a light from Beyond the Veil?

Harry thought he imagined it, and that it was blue in reference to Dumbledore's 'bright blue eyes' and his 'piercing gaze'.

That's another thing: Why are Dumbledore's blue eyes and piercing gaze always brought up? It must be significant! Maybe not 'must be' but it should be! Can Dumbledore see things that others can't? I know he's a Legilimens and Occlumens like Snape. . .I wonder if he can see things 'on The Other Side', or if he can communicate from there?

Also, Jo says and Dumbledore won't 'pull a Gandalf' - but she never said he wouldn't 'pull an Obi-Wan' and come back that way to help Harry! ("I will not refer to the Summoning Charm as 'The Force'!") If Harry's not going back to Hogwarts, then Dumbledore couldn't talk to him through a portrait. But he could talk to McGonagall that way! If he can't verbally communicate with Harry, then I think he would/will have left him physical clues. Like a treasure/scavenger hunt, but not! If that were the case, I wonder if Harry would be smart enough to figure them all out? Maybe if Ron and Hermione were with him, they all could.

More About Names:
Kendra
- See name meanings here, especially #3 and #4.

Ariana
- "Ana" is a Biblical name, or at least a variant of a Biblical name
- "Ari" could be a variant of 'Ariel', which has to do with the air; and Ariel was an air god who had to use his magic to help Prospero in Shakespeare's Tempest
- See name meanings here.

Chapter 3: The Dursleys Departing

At least Harry's taking that piece of mirror with him! Yay, I'm excited about that move by Harry Potter! Whomever is on the other side of the mirror, whether it be Dumbledore or Sirius, I'm sure they'll be able to help Harry now.

Apparently, the Dursleys are in danger from Voldemort and the Death Eaters. I guess since the protective magic is about to wear off because Harry will be 17-years-old soon, and of age in the Wizarding World. Then he'll be able to use magic outside of school and be able to take his Apparition test! Harry also seems to think (or knows for a fact) that the Dursleys will be tortured for information on his whereabouts if they don't go under the protection of the Order. I'm glad that Dudley at least saw the light and wanted to take Harry's advice!

I found it amusing with Uncle Vernon thought it was a conspiracy theory by the Order to take over his house, and even more so when Harry told him that he didn't even want their house because he had the one that his godfather gave him, and that he wouldn't want to stay at 4 Privet Drive because of 'all the happy memories'! I'm sure I'd rather stay at 12 Grimmauld Place than 4 Privet Drive any day too!

Again, Uncle Vernon referred to the witches and wizards as 'your lot' to Harry. The Dursleys are so afraid of magic, especially Petunia who talks about her sister Lily in previous books which much contempt and jealously. Maybe that's why Petunia always talked bad about Lily and James in front of and to Harry. I'm sure she was jealous of her sister because Lily had something that she could never have: magical powers. I wonder if Pentunia were also jealous of James for marrying Lily?

I wonder how Harry feels about all that? I know he doesn't like the abuse or neglect, so I doubt he likes having his friends and even random witches and wizards that he doesn't know referred to as 'your lot'.

They mentioned Kingsley Shacklebolt, Hestia Jones, and Dedalus Diggle in this chapter, whom we've all heard of before. I like Kingsley and Hestia, they're cool! I don't know much about Dedalus, though, so I can't give much of an opinion on him.

I found out what CV meant, and what it had to do with Kingsley. I was confused when Uncle Vernon mentioned it, but now I understand!

Dude, what? Dedalus' pocket watch talks?! That is so awesome! I want one of those! Actually, I probably would change my mind and not want it anymore after it kept yelling at me to hurry up. I'd probably wind up throwing it out the window if it kept on doing that.

Aww, Dudley was nice to Harry! How cute! Vernon and Petunia were still mean and proved that they could care less about Harry, but at least Dudley has matured somewhat. I'm sure he was thankful for Harry saving his life/soul from the Dementors. I'm sure that Harry appreciated the kind gesture from Dudley too.

Now the Dursleys are gone, leaving Harry all alone in the house by himself, but if I read correctly, he'll be leaving soon himself, in ten minutes or so. Oh! Maybe that's why he can't bring his school books and robes with him, since he only has enough room for a few odds and ends items in his rucksack. He wouldn't need a lot of extra stuff if he were going to be traveling far. That makes sense!

Harry won't be doing Side-Along Apparition with Mad-Eye Moody, so we shall just have to wait and see what he does! I wonder if Harry will learn how to Apparate in this book? Hermione learned, and successfully completed her test, in the last book, but Ron will have to re-take his test because he left behind part of an eyebrow during his Apparition test in Hogsmeade. If that's the case, and if they get to take it, maybe Ron and Harry will get to take their Apparition test together.

I saw that the next chapter is called "The Seven Potters" so maybe Harry duplicates himself six times to avoid detection, and to cause at least a slight distraction to anyone who may be watching and trying to find him.

Chapter 4: The Seven Potters

Well, I was pretty close with the idea of Harry duplicating himself in order to cause a diversion, but it wasn't in the way I was thinking. I was thinking that Harry could somehow do it to himself; but the book tells us that it was via Polyjuice Potion that it happened.

Wow, Harry sure has some really great friends and people who love him and want to protect him! Let's see who all showed up: Remus, Tonks, Ron, Hermione, Fred, George, Arthur, Fleur, Bill, Moody, Kingsley, Hagrid, and Mundungus.

Lily's protection keeps on getting mentioned, but that's it, just mentioned. Why don't they talk about it any more? Isn't it supposed to be her love for Harry, how she gave her life to save his? Well, Moody said that it would 'break' whenever Harry turned 17 or left the Dursleys house. But if Lily's protection for Harry is her love for him, then how can it wear off? Because he won't be with his blood family anymore? Or maybe because all protections break when a witch or wizard comes of age, so they can fend for themselves? I mean, it's not like Lily would stop loving him.

So Snape was telling Voldemort the truth! I knew he couldn't be trusted! I never liked Snape to begin with, though, so this feeling of anger toward him is nothing new to me. Stupid Half-Blood Prince Head of Slytherin Potions Master!

Hahaha! What I joked about with Margaret Anne about Tonks telling Harry about her and Remus was almost verbatim what and how she did tell him! It cracked me up. Another thing that cracked me up was when the twins had just turned into 'Harry' and they looked at each other and said, 'Wow -- we're identical!' It took me a minute to come down from that high of laughing before I could keep reading some more.

Yay for Sirius' motorbike! Too bad it's destroyed now. Or at least the sidecar is. The bike crashed into some mud, but I don't know if it's intact or not.

I was really confused when the Death Eaters showed up, because they way it was being described, I thought they were Dementors. Then I thought Hedwig had just passed out, and that Harry was passing out as well. I didn't realize Hedwig had been killed until a couple pages later, and then when I found out, I couldn't believe it! Harry lost his most prized possession (his Firebolt) and his pet owl.

I hope Hagrid's the only one who died here. I don't know what I'd do if/when Remus died! It's weird. I feel bad that Hagrid died, but I'm not going to cry over his death; or at least I haven't yet. I might get a little teary-eyed during his funeral or something, but I guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens when I read the next chapter.

So when did Stan Shunpike become a Death Eater? That was in The Daily Prophet and Harry didn't believe it! Also, how did Stan know that this was the real Harry Potter? How is Stan so special that he can tell which Harry is the real Harry? Maybe because he's seen him before? But then, so has Voldemort, and I'm sure some of the other Death Eaters flying around. How come none of them knew that he was the real Harry?

Also, what's up with Lord Voldemort? I thought he had Lucius' wand, and now all of a sudden he wants Selwyn's (whoever that is) wand. Did Voldemort lose or drop Lucius' wand? Or did he decide it wasn't useful or worthy enough to be used with which to kill Harry Potter? Or did he decide to give Lucius Malfoy back his wand and use somebody else's?

I know why Voldemort suddenly disappeared! He didn't want to get dirty! He didn't want to crash into the 'muddy pond' like Harry did, so he left before that would happen. Although, if he's so intent on killing Harry Potter, that would have been the most opportune time to do it, when Harry had just crashed and would be momentarily confused, dazed, and/or helpless. However, I could seem him taking the approach that Luna suggested in OotP: make Harry feel isolated from his friends and make him feel even more alone and helpless. Except with Voldemort, I could see him literally making Harry more alone and helpless by killing off one-by-one those closest to him.

More About Names:
Selwyn
- originally an Anglo-Saxon name, also occasionally spelt Selwin, deriving from 'Sel' (castle/house) & 'wyn/win' (friend), roughly meaning "friend in the house" or "friend in the castle".
- other definitions/meanings found here.

Chapter 5: The Fallen Warrior

Well, apparently, Hagrid is not dead. In my mind, though, when someone is lying prone and spread eagle on the ground and not responding that means they're dead. I guess I just jumped to conclusions.

So, Hagrid's not dead, but Hedwig is! Poor birdie! I didn't cry about the owl's death, but I felt a little sad because I've lost a pet of my own. Well, we had to put her to sleep because she was 15-years-old and had bone cancer, but that's another story for another day. Speaking of Hedwig, where's Hermione's cat, Crookshanks?

So that's why Voldemort had to fly away - the barrier around the Tonks' house! What was it, 100 feet? And, what if Voldemort were sitting around waiting for Harry to come out of the Tonks' house, what would he have done? Harry and Hagrid used a Portkey, though, so could He have caught them that way? Would he have known where they were going to end up?

I found it weird that they always referred to Ted Tonks as 'Ted Tonks' and not something like 'Ted'. I could see why they didn't call him 'Tonks' though, because Nymphadora normally goes by that surname. Also, it seems that Ted is a Muggle-born, not a Muggle! I always thought he was a Muggle because that's what his Black, Malfoy, and Lestrange relatives called him. Then again, the purebloods' definition of 'Muggle' is the same as the Nazi's definition of 'Jew'. The Nazi's believed that even if one grandparent were Jewish, then it 'tainted' the blood and caused someone to be Jewish themselves. Due to that definition, Hitler himself was a Jew, yet he ran around and killed Jewish people, among others. I guess it was Ted's parents who were Muggles, I guess Ted is like Lily.

I found it highly amusing when Harry mistook Andromeda for Bellatrix! I'm sure 'Dromeda didn't but I did!

I also thought it cute that the used Nymphadora's and Andromeda's nicknames ('Dora and 'Dromeda) which makes them canon now!

George lost an ear, no thanks to Snape using Sectusempra on him. I don't know what's so special about cursing someone's ear off using Dark Magic, but hey, that's Snape for you! I loved how it lightened the mood when George professed to feeling 'saintlike' because he was 'holey'. Then of course Fred was like, "Of all the good ear jokes, you had to pick that one!" Or whatever it was he said. I can't remember exactly and I don't feel like looking it up right now.

It must be close to the full moon because Remus is all pissy, annoyed, and frustrated with everything. I've never seen him act that way in the books! Now I'm resisting the urge to mention anything about Remarry. Maybe Remus is getting all 'fatherly' on Harry and not wanting to see him get hurt. He wants Harry to be able to protect himself and be able to survive what life (e.g. Voldemort) throws at him. Awwwww! Yay for Remus looking out for/after Harry, but boo for PMSing!Remus!

Not only Bellatrix, but Rodolphus as well were mentioned as fighting in this battle! Normally we only hear about Bellatrix, but this time we get to hear about both! What ever happed to Rabastan, then?

As how I would feel if Hagrid had died in the last chapter, I feel the same way about Mad-Eye Moody dying in this chapter. He's a cool character and all, but he's nowhere near my favorite. Also, it's kind of hard for me to get over the 'betrayal' of Barty Crouch Jr.-as-Moody from GoF. It's a grudge per se, but I'm not good with sudden changes.

I remember in the last chapter Harry's wand started doing its own thing, and now Harry admits that, saying his wand was giving off golden sparks, but that he didn't know any spell that made golden sparks. Hermione mentions that if a witch or wizard is under extreme emotional distress, they can perform magic they never could before, or magic that they had never thought about performing, or even magic that they might not be able to perform under ordinary circumstances. It makes me think of the stories about Muggles (our humans) where a mother is so worried/distressed that she is able to summon up enough power and is able to lift a car off her child who is pinned underneath, say, after a wreak or something. Either it's like that for Harry, or it's Lily's protection at work again. One or the other, I'm happy.

Snape was never my favorite character to begin with, not since Book 1, so not liking him now is nothing new. I just get to like him less! Not only did Snape's hood fly off during the fight, but the Sectusempra'd George's ear off. That stupid git! I wonder if he meant to curse that twin's ear off, or if he were aiming for something else and missed for some reason? I mean, why would he only curse his ear off?

Harry was referenced to James by Remus, how James always trusted his friends, who wouldn't doubt his friends' loyalties - like Harry was doing just then in the Burrow - and how James' extreme loyalty and trust in his friends made him meet an early downfall via way of Peter Pettigrew.

My inner Remus/Bill shipper is squeeing since they left together! Okay, so Kingsley is gone, and Mr. Weasley would want to stay with the twins, and Hagrid and Harry would need to stay at the Burrow too, so Remus and Bill are the only two options to go retrieve Moody's body, but still! Also, I know Mrs. Weasley even mentioned that Fleur and Bill were getting married there instead of in France, but...one werewolf and one semi-werewolf are much more exciting in my mind than a semi-werewolf and a Veela! Granted, Fleur might not be my favorite character, but she's alright. I don't loathe her as much as some of the other characters. I just prefer Remus/Bill to Bill/Fleur.

Oh, Harry's scar is burning again and he can 'feel' Voldemort...and not only Voldemort, but his emotions too! This in an interesting turn of events. You should have learned Occlumency from Snape, Harry! Although, learning about Snape's Worst Memory was more interesting for me (and I'm sure many other readers) than you learning how to block unwanted enemies and keep Lord Voldemort from entering your mind.

Now it seems that Harry is having more visions, and this time it's of Voldemort and Ollivander. So Ollivander was the prisoner at the Malfoy's Manor, then? Was he the one who was screaming? Has he been there the whole time, like since the last book when he 'disappeared' and Death Eaters had been suspected of kidnapping him?

Wait. Now I'm really confused! Didn't Voldemort just get Lucius Malfoy's wand about 70 pages earlier, in Chapter 1? Where did it go? How can it suddenly be destroyed? Also, it's apparently, according to Voldemort, not only just the wand that will/won't let him kill Harry. Is this Lily's protection working for Harry again/still?

Chapter 6: The Ghoul in Pajamas

I found it really fishy that Remus and Bill were not able to retrieve Moody's body. Supposedly, Bill saw him get hit and Fleur saw his wand get knocked away. But like Harry said, there were Killing Curses being thrown left and right, so they might not have seen correctly; and like Hermione said, Moody fell thousands of feet, and there's no way that anyone could survive a fall like that.

It makes me wonder if there were another Polyjuice Potion incidence. It could be either 'Moody-in-disguise' or Mundungus that is the snitch. I never really liked Mundungus (like I never did with Snape) to begin with, so I would automatically suspect him. Especially since he disappeared right before the Killing Curse was supposed to hit him, and therefore it hit Mad-Eye instead. Or, if 'Mad-Eye' were the spy, he could have 'fallen' but not really died, like Disapparated before he hit the ground. Or if he really did fall, he couldn't have fallen into a river and gotten swept downstream, could he have? The Death Eaters could have come to pick up Moody's body; but I'd like to go with Ron on this one: that Mad-Eye's not really dead. Or my own opinion, that if he's not dead, then he's really a spy in disguise.

If someone were using Polyjuice Potion would the others be able to tell? Would there be something that would give it away? Or would they be as oblivious as they were when Barty Crouch Jr. Polyjuiced himself into Mad-Eye? Or, because it's been done before, might the others not expect it to happen again, and therefore not think of that as being an option for someone to infiltrate the Order?

Mrs. Weasley is worried about the trio not going back to Hogwarts to finish up their education so she's making them do all these extra chores so they won't be able to talk with one another all at one time in a group. Well, I hate to break it to you, Molly, but the trio's going to make their decision on their own, whether or not you let them talk together. If they say they're going to go, then they're going to go, and nothing you can say or do will keep them from doing that. Like Ron said, Molly won't believe that they're going until they've left.

Whee, Mr. Weasley got the pieces of Sirius' motorbike from Ted Tonks! I bet he's happy about that! I know I am! I think it would be cute if Mr. Weasley fixed it up and gave it to Harry as a present.

I will list the books Hermione is taking later.

Oh, talk about Godric's Hollow! Yippee! I'd like to read about Harry going to visit Godric's Hollow, and not just to visit his parents' graves. If he had that strong of a feeling to visit Godric's Hollow, that there was something for him there that he needed to see, that he needed to be there for a reason, then he'll go there regardless of if Voldemort is waiting for him. I wonder if Voldemort really is just hanging out and waiting for Harry to show up at Godric's Hollow?

I'm just excited that there is more Horcruxes talk now! Now we know more about them too! I just hope that there's more talk about them later, but I'm sure there will be. I mean, Hermione only mentioned a few things about them, and I'm sure there is much more information about them than just what was mentioned in those few pages I read.

I found it interesting how both Hermione and Ron took such extreme lengths to protect themselves and their parents. It's a bit scary in the seriousness of it all, but it's really neat how far they'll go for Harry, to be with him, to help him. Hermione altered her parents' minds, told them they were two other Muggles and they didn't have a daughter, and sent them to Australia. Ron got help from the twins and his dad to make the ghoul in the attic 'look' like him with Spattergroit.

Monsieur and Madame Delacour and 11-year-old Gabrielle have just arrived. I don't know what to think of them yet. I could go either way with them, I think, from the brief glimpse I've gotten of them so far.

Harry's 17th birthday is coming up, and it's the day before Bill and Fleur's wedding, which we now know will be on August 1st, since Harry's birthday is on July 31st. It's cute that they'll be doing something for Harry's birthday, even if he just wants something small like a dinner. It's his decision after all, since it's his 17th birthday.

Charlie's coming in from Romania! Yay for Charlie! I wonder if he'll Apparate or if he'll ride that dragon--that we saw on the cover of the Deluxe edition--over to Ottery St. Catchpole? Either way, yay again for Charlie! There hasn't been enough of that Weasley in any of these books, and I'm growing more fond of him, so I'm glad he's coming in for his older brother's wedding. I wonder if Percy will show up, or if he's even invited?

More About Names:
Apolline
- There is a small village (Sainte-Apolline-de-Patton) in Quebec that has this name in it; Quebec is a generally French-speaking province.
- 'Apollonia' means 'like Apollo' so maybe this is a French take-off of that?

Chapter 7: The Will of Albus Dumbledore

For some reason, with the description of Harry's dream, I thought of The Sound of Music. Maybe it was the mountains and the blueish haze and the small town. Who is Gregorovitch? He sounds like a Russian mafia boss to me!

This is a list of the presents that Harry's received so far:
- Twelve Fail-Safe Ways to Charm Witches from Ron
- Fabian's watch from Mr. and Mrs. Weasley
- new Sneakoscope from Hermione
- a shag snog from Ginny
- Mokeskin pouch from Hagrid

There were three things that bothered me about the 'gifts' that Harry received:
1.) Ron gives Harry this book on how to charm witches, yet he doesn't want Harry to 'mess about' with Ginny. Well, who does Ron want Harry to use the book on then, Hermione? I mean, it didn't make any sense. It's like saying, "Hey, Harry, here's this book, but stay away from my sister!"
2.) This one really wasn't a bother as much as it just made me question and wonder. Mrs. Weasley mentioned Fabian, who is one of her older brothers, along with Gideon. I was just thinking about them last night and thinking how it would be cool if Fabian and/or Gideon Prewett were mentioned in the book. I'd really like more information on them, actually.
3.) Harry and Ginny snogging really bothered me. It's not just because I don't like the Harry/Ginny pairing, though. It's weird, but lately I've been really turned off to heterosexual kissing. It was like that with Harry and Cho in the movie too. I don't know, I'm it's weird.

Another thing that I was thinking about with Ginny--which I actually talked with Ty about today--is that Ginny supposedly had this crush on Harry when she was 11 and he was 12, but then there really wasn't anything related to Ginny and Harry brought up again until this past book, when they were 15 and 16, respectively. So is Jo trying to get us to believe that Ginny had that crush on Harry the whole time but she never tried to act on it until then, and that Harry only just noticed Ginny when he was 16?

I found it odd, but interesting, that Harry mentioned that Lupin seemed unhappy while Tonks seemed happy. Polar opposites. I wonder how much significance is there, and how much I should read into it? I'd be unhappy too if Tonks were my wife. I still don't get what Remus sees in her, if anything. *points up to Chapter 1 theories on why they got married in the first place* And what's up with Remus shaking Harry's hand? Can they not hug? Is there some kind of rule against Harry hugging his godfather's best-friend?

Charlie's here! Jo does such a great job with his imagery that it was like I could literally 'see' him in my mind's eye! I better not become too attached to Charlie, though, since Jo likes to kill off my favorite characters. See: Sirius Black in Book 5, and now I have to worry about Remus Lupin through this whole book.

Now we know that Norbert is not really Norbert. She is now Norberta. Hee hee, that made me laugh. I also just looked up the meaning of the names Norbert and Norberta--they mean the same thing, but just for a different gender--and I found it interesting that it is Germanic for 'bright north' or 'famous north'. Significance, maybe? Dragons can fly. 'Fly' could equal 'up' which could equal 'north'. Romania is north, although not north of the UK; so therefore, the UK is north of Romania. On the Deluxe cover of the book, it showed the trio, I believe, riding a large dragon. Norberta, perhaps?

Mrs. Weasley is awesome! Well, at least in the kitchen. I want a Snitch cake for my next birthday, and by Godric I'm going to ask for one too, even if I get hundreds of strange looks!

Mr. Weasley's Patronus is a Weasel! That figures, but I still think it's cute! 'Weasley' is a take-off of 'Weasel'. I also just looked up the animal symbolism for weasel, and it's stealth and information gathering, which seems to fit Mr. Weasley well; especially with how he likes to learn new information about Muggles, how he works in the Department for Misuse of Muggle Artifacts, and how he collects random Muggle objects whenever he can.

I found it even stranger that Lupin and Tonks were not going to stay as soon as they found out the Minister would be arriving with Mr. Weasley. Whatever the reason, it was good that Arthur warned them! I wonder what would have happened if Remus and/or Tonks had stayed?

My theories on that:
1.) Werewolves aren't allowed to be around Harry Potter and/or large groups of people at this time
2.) Werewolves aren't allowed to marry
3.) Remus did underground work with the werewolves
4.) Maybe Remus and Scrimgeour met there
5.) Scrimgeour would try to do something bad to Remus if he were caught

Now, this is something that I've had running through my head ever since I read the Minister's description in HBP: Is Scrimgeour a werewolf? Ever since I've read his physical description, I've wondered that. I mean, it's the same way I describe Remus, with the yellow eyes and the tawny hair. Except Remus' hair isn't as 'wild' or 'mane-like' as Scrimgeour's, and Remus doesn't have a limp either. And, what's up with Scrimgeour's temper? It's like he's Fenrir Greyback in disguise and that's why Remus didn't want to hang around with his new wife.

This is what was left to each of the members of the trio in Dumbledore's Will:
- Deiluminator to Ron
- The Tales of Beedle the Bard to Hermione
- Snitch and Godric Gryffindor's sword to Harry

It piqued my curiosity that the book Hermione received had Runes as the title. Hermione took that Ancient Runes class at Hogwarts. I wonder if there's any significance there, or if it's just all a coincidence? It was cute that she cried! Awwwww! Also, now we know from where pureblooded and/or half-blooded children hear their fairy tales: according to Ron, they were supposedly all written by Beedle.

It was really weird and odd that Scrimgeour didn't want to give Harry Godric Gryffindor's sword. I mean, Albus Dumbledore was the rightful owner of it as Headmaster of Hogwarts, so he should be able to give the sword to whomever he wants! It's like Scrimgeour doesn't want Harry to have it because he's worried it will help him. I've never really trusted any of the Ministers of Magic, and Scimgeour is no exception. To lighten up the mood, though, I was amused by Harry's comment about how the Ministry should get people to run swords through Voldemort instead of wasting their time covering up deaths.

By the way, what's up with Scrimgeour's temper? He flipped out because some 17-year-olds are annoying him and smarting off to him? That doesn't show very good responsibility or maturity to me. I mean, he even singed a hole in Harry's t-shirt!

'I open at the close.' Frankly, I think Harry has to put the Snitch in his mouth, since he almost swallowed it during his first Quidditch match, and especially if Snitches have this 'flesh memory' of which Hermione speaks. I mean, if Harry had it in his mouth at the end of his first Quidditch match, then the flesh of his mouth and/or throat would be what touched it. Plus, if Harry can make those words that Dumbledore wrote appear on the Snitch when he touched his lips to it, just think of what could happen if he stuck the whole thing in his mouth!

In the picture for the next chapter it showed a Wolf Patronus! I hope it's Remus'! If they try to claim it's Tonks' instead of Remus', then I'm going to throw my book across the room. Remus is the werewolf, not Tonks! Tonks is the Metamorphagus, and no matter how hard she may want to be a werewolf, she won't be able to, unless Remus or Fenrir or another werewolf bites her, but that's another story for later.

Chapter 8: The Wedding

So, apparently what I thought was a Wolf Patronus was not. It was a Lynx Patronus, which I'll talk more about later. A wolf is a large four-legged canine, while a lynx is a large four-legged feline. I could see where I got confused in such a small illustration. Maybe if I had paid more attention to the tail, I might have realized it was a lynx; but then again, maybe I wouldn't have.

Harry is being introduced as the cousin Barny Weasley. He drank the Polyjuice Potion before the wedding guests started to arrive. The thing is, doesn't the Polyjuice Potion need to be taken every hour? Or was that just the kind that the trio made at Hogwarts? Could there be a stronger kind that lasts longer? The wedding lasted longer than an hour, yet there was no mention of Harry sipping anything anywhere remotely near the consistency of Polyjuice Potion.

Lupin is still unhappy while Tonks is still okay. What's up with unhappy/emo Remus now? First he was pissy and practically barking at Harry, and now he doesn't even say two sentences to the boy. What?! I think it's cute, though, how Harry looked directly at Remus when he said he understood about them having to leave suddenly. Remus at least looked comforted with that for a moment, before he got upset about whatever it is again. More werewolf business going on behind the scenes, perhaps? The full moon coming up? Remus knowing something about Harry that we don't? Remus sad to see Harry leave, because he's knows he will?

Ah ha! I was right about the anti-werewolf business! Although I think I jumped the gun and got a little carried away with my theories. I think it's better to have too many, or more than enough theories, than not enough. About Scrimgeour, I don't know yet on my theories for him.

Now we finally meet Luna Lovegood's father, aptly named Xenophilius Lovegood. So they have to wear yellow to a wedding for good luck? Okay, that's news to me; but then again, these are the Lovegoods.

The description of Mr. Lovegood's symbol made me think of the triangle with the eye on it on our $1 bill. Close up image.

Auntie Muriel is such a witch! I'm glad she's not my aunt! She's so judgmental, rude, and crass. Frankly, I don't care if she's 107-years-old! Just because you're old, doesn't give you the right to be rude! Tsk tsk.

I thought it was sweet that Fleur invited Viktor Krum, and it's even funnier that Ron is still jealous of Viktor. It's not just about Viktor being a better Quidditch player either! Ron's jealous of Hermione's reaction to Viktor.

Now we find out who Gregorovitch is! He's the wizard who made Viktor's wand! So apparently there was something about the construction of Harry's wand (holly and phoenix feather) that caused it to destroy Lucius' wand. So now Voldemort is looking for Gregorovitch to see if the man will make/give/sell him a wand. I wonder what would happen if Gregorovitch said no? Would he be tortured until he complied?

Viktor talked to "Barny"-Harry about Grindewald and how Mr. Lovegood's symbol was His symbol. At first I was thinking that Grindelwald = Hitler, but now I'm not so sure. What Viktor said kind of sounded like Hitler, but not totally; unless Grindelwald is the Wizarding equivalent of Hitler and not Hitler himself.

Not only does Viktor like Hermione--and he's put off/slightly jealous of Ron and Hermione being 'sort of together'-- he likes Ginny too. Harry should quit being a pansy and making up stories about Ginny having a big, tough, jealous bloke as a boyfriend. Harry, you broke up with Ginny, so now Viktor can have free reign. You screwed up, it's your mistake, quit moping/pouting/being emo and get over it/her, and toughen up.

When Harry talks to Elphias Doge and Auntie Muriel, he finds out a few things, real or otherwise:
- Dumbledore's sister Ariana was a Squib
- Kendra locked Ariana in the basement for being said Squib
- Supposedly Dumbledore killed his sister for being a Squib
- Elphias doesn't believe that, and neither do I
- Bathilda Bagshot lives in Godric's Hollow
- Dumbledore lived in Godric's Hollow

At the end of the day, Kingsley sends his Lynx Patronus straight to the wedding and startles most of the wedding guests. I think the lynx fits Kingsley, because the animal symbolism for the lynx is 'keeper of mystical secrets' at least in the Native American sense.

'The Ministry has fallen. Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming.' That is what Lynx-Patronus-Kingsley said to them all. 'They are coming.' is also what was written at the end of the journal of the dwarf in the Mines of Moria in Lord of the Rings. Either way, now that 'they are coming' somebody's going to have to start running!

More About Names:
Xenophilius
- 'xeno' is a prefix to words meaning 'stranger' or 'foreigner' (see: 'xenophobia' - fear of foreigners).
- 'Xenophanes' was a Greek philosopher, poet, and critic; see more information on him here.
- 'Timon of Philus' was also a Greek philosopher and poet; see more information on him here.

Isabelle (Fleur's middle name)
- a form of Elizabeth; see name meaning (although spelled differently) here.

Chapter 9: A Place to Hide

This was a rather short chapter, compared to the longer ones I've been reading. It mostly consisted of the trio running around and trying to find a safe place to hide out: hence the title of the chapter.

Starting out, Harry finds Hermione, but Hermione loses Ron. Tonks and Remus, and I figure other Order members as well, used the Protego Charm to shield and protect the guests that were left, the guests that didn't/couldn't Disapparate.

I find it weird that as soon as the Ministry falls, the Death Eaters show up at the Burrow. How did they know where to go? How did the protection on the Burrow fall?

Harry and Hermione find Ron, and Hermione Disapparates all three of them to a Muggle place, Tottenham Court Road. I agree with Hermione that it's probably safer to be in a Muggle place just then, especially since the Death Eaters wouldn't be looking for them there.

I just realized this: They left without saying goodbye! Awwwww! As long as it's not going to turn into one of those stories were the Order members are being killed behind the trio's back while they're gallivanting around looking for trouble Horcruxes. That would be really sad, but I have a feeling in the pit of my stomach that that's what's going to happen.

I knew there was something hidden in Hermione's bag since the last chapter when it talked about falling to the ground with an unusual noise and weight for a bag of that size and made out of that material. She had Harry's Invisibility Cloak, Harry's rucksack, a change of clothes for each of them, and her books. I hope everything else that they'll need, like the presents Harry received and the gifts Dumbledore gave them, are all in there too. We know that Ron's Deiluminator was in there, or he already had it on him, since he used it at the café, so perhaps the other stuff is on its respective person or in the bag too.

The two drunken guys across the street who were wolf-whistling at Hermione both amused and annoyed me. It amused me because of what they said, but it annoyed me because if I were in Hermione's shoes, I wouldn't want two drunken guys trying to buy me a drink.

However, something happened, because two Death Eaters, Dolohov and Rowle, found them at an all-night café. I found it highly amusing that Ron didn't like the cappuccino, and the waitress gave him a nasty look when he voiced his opinions aloud. Then Hermione had to pay for two cappuccinos that they didn't drink.

The Death Eaters made 'identical movements', the trio whipped out their wands, and then the five started fighting. We know the rest. Dolohov's and Rowle's memories were modified, and the waitress was un-Stunned. Actually all the spells were undone, but not until the trio was heading out the door.

Hee hee, Hermione accidentally grabbed a pair of Ron's old pants, so they're too tight and he couldn't get his wand out in time. Yeah, Hermione, you mutter all you want about where Ron can stick his wand!

Then the trio Disapparates again--or rather, Hermione Disapparates, while Ron and Harry hold on--to Grimmauld Place. Are there seriously only three jinxes on the house to keep Snape away? I do hope there are more than just Moody's voice whispering in the darkness, a Tongue-Tying Curse, and a 'ghost' of Dumbledore. I hope there are more that can only be activated when/if Snape himself arrives at Grimmauld Place.

Hermione did that spell (Homenum revelio) to see if there were anyone else in the house, and it didn't show any other humans. Then that doesn't explain why the umbrella stand was knocked over. Unless it had happened as the Order was leaving, Kreacher did it purposefully or accidentally, or someone else had gotten there before them and had left before they arrived. Ron said there was no one out in the street either, when they got upstairs to the drawing room and he looked out the window.

Mr. Weasley sent another Patronus to alert the trio that 'Family safe, do not reply, we are being watched.' Everyone, but especially Ron, practically collapsed from relief at hearing Mr. Weasley's Weasel Patronus say that.

Harry's scar started burning again, and Hermione started freaking out again. The pain got so bad that Harry had to run to the bathroom and lock himself in. Then he saw the aftermath of Voldemort having tortured Rowle and Draco doing the Dark Lord's bidding. Draco is Voldemort's bitch just like his daddy is!

Now Harry will have freshly brushed teeth when he goes to bed tonight. Yay for the trio camping out in sleeping bags at Sirius' old house/Harry's new house!

I about melted out of happiness when I saw the illustration for the next chapter! It's a picture of the Marauders! Maybe we'll actually get to learn more about them! Will Kreacher tell the trio, since the title of the Chapter is 'Kreacher's Tale'? Also, they're exactly how I pictured them! Peter and Remus have blonde hair, while James and Sirius have black hair, and Peter's hair is longer than James', while Remus' and Sirius' hair is longer than Peter's, with Sirius' being slightly longer than Remus'. Oh, I'm excited!

Chapter 10: Kreacher's Tale

Someone has been in Grimmauld Place lately, but it's not Snape; we find out later, via Kreacher, that it was none other than Mundungus. There are things strewn about in all the rooms: papers, books, clothes, etc. It's obvious he was looking for something, but whether or not he found it we don't yet know.

The Order is so intent on keeping Snape out of the old Order Headquarters, when I think they should also be concentrating on keeping Mundungus out as well. I know that some of the Order members don't trust him, but maybe it has to be a majority thing before they decide to take drastic measures against other Order members, whether they're current members or not. I mean, if Mundungus stole stuff from Grimmauld Place while it was being used as Order Headquarters, then why would they not keep a closer eye on him?

Harry goes wandering around the house on his own and comes across Sirius' room. I don't know why he never noticed it before. Maybe because he didn't have a lot of time to aimlessly wander when he was at Grimmauld Place before. I wonder if that's to where Sirius disappeared in the books whenever he went off on his own. This is giving me ideas for fics. I should stop these trains of thought.

There were lots of things adorning Sirius' room's walls: Gryffindor banners, Muggle pictures of motorcycles and girls in bikinis; but important was the Wizarding picture of the Marauders--which on closer inspection of the illustration at the beginning of the chapter, there is the Whomping Willow and Hogwarts castle in the background.

Another important, impressive, and interesting find was Lily's letter to Padfoot. It was cute, and picture that Harry found on the floor that was its companion piece was just as cute! Ikkle Harry on a broomstick zooming in and out of the picture! In her letter, Lily mentioned the McKinnon's being killed, Peter stopping by and 'looking down', and Bathilda Bagshot stopping by for chats occasionally. She started to say something about Dumbledore, but it stopped because the end of the page was reached and Harry couldn't find the second page; he found the picture instead.

Then Hermione and Ron find Harry and they start heading downstairs. Along the way, Harry find a note on the door to Regulus' room. 'Do Not Enter Without the Express Permission of Regulus Arcturus Black.' They put two and two together and realize that R.A.B., the owner of the locket, is indeed Regulus Black!

The trio enters Regulus' room and see that it is the exact opposite of Sirius': Slytherin banners, newspaper clippings about Lord Voldemort, and an enchanted Wizarding picture of his House's Quidditch team--in which Harry noticed that he played the Seeker position. Regulus never struck me as being one to play Quidditch, and especially not the position of Seeker. Well, maybe it was because he was small and light-weight, and not as physically strong to play another position. Sirius seemed more of a Quidditch-playing type to me, rather than Regulus, but that's a story for another day.

Then they remember the locket that they had thrown away because they could never open it; but then they remembered how Kreacher liked to steal things back from them and keep them 'safe' with him. So the three run downstairs to the kitchen, Harry calls Kreacher, and then the House Elf starts his tale, and it all goes from there.

So is Jo/Kreacher inferring that Regulus commits suicide, then? Is that why the note said 'By the time you read this, I will already be dead' or whatever it is that it says? But if that's so, and Regulus died by drinking the potion, then how come Dumbledore didn't? Was it because he drank water afterwards?

Chapter 11: The Bribe

Two words: Remus Lupin!

Okay, at first I absolutely adored this chapter because Remus was much love...but then Harry blew up on him and then I hated the rest of the chapter and could not forgive Harry for what he had done! Come on, now, if you make my favorite character run off in a rage then how can I not be mad at you?!

This chapter was all cute and stuff at the beginning...until the shite hit the fan. The kids were even calling Lupin 'Remus'! Yay! Then the row started, and I became more and more incensed as it progressed.

I knew Remus didn't want to marry Tonks, I just knew it! Although it wasn't quite for the reason I thought. I thought he didn't want to marry her because he didn't like her, but now I know it's because he didn't want to outcast her from society. And now we find out she's pregnant, but Remus doesn't want to stay with Tonks and the unborn kid, because he's worried his son or daughter will hate him. So instead he wants to run off with the trio to help them.

It seems as though some of my theories on why they got married so suddenly came/are coming true. E.g., Tonks pressured Remus into marrying her (since he wasn't gun-ho about it in HBP; Tonks is pregnant. However, now the question becomes: was Tonks pregnant before they got married?

I just now thought about this: if Remus is so much against having a kid, then why the hell didn't he and Tonks use protection?! I mean, even if they didn't want to use the Muggle anti-contraception methods such as condoms or birth control, then there has to be a Wizarding alternative! Safe, protected sex prevents 'breeding', Remus!

As for the fight between Harry and Remus, I only have this to say to Harry: OMG, HARRY, STFU!

Actually, I have more say. Quit being a jerk and and asshat! Just because you were emo and angry all the time because you didn't grow up with your parents doesn't mean Baby!Lupin will! Quit being an insensitive asswipe! So maybe Baby!Lupin will be part-werewolf (although as I read it, there is a possibility that s/he won't) and he might or might not hate his father for giving him lycanthropy, but still, you don't know that, so you have no right to be judgmental! You didn't even try to see things from Remus' point of view! You just immediately thought what he was doing was wrong, referred to him as being 'daredevilish' like Sirius, and just pissed him (and me) off even more! Look at you, calling your ex-professor a coward! You deserve that lump on your head from getting thrown back against the wall by Remus' spell!

Now look what happened, Harry, you scared Remus away! You made him run off, and I highly doubt it was for a good reason. I don't think he'll be running back to Tonks, especially because of the way you react. Or rather, if I had a row like that with someone, I wouldn't immediately go running back to my spouse. Remus might later, but I don't see him doing it right away.

I bet you'd feel real bad if Remus got Avada Kedavra'd right outside your front door as he's running out, wouldn't you? Unless he Disapparates straight from the doorstep, and then he might not. No, must not think that, I must not think about how all the other Marauders had such short life expectancies. I must not worry about how Jo likes to kill off my favorite characters.

I liked it that we got a glimpse of the wolf inside Remus. Huzzah for Moony!

So now the trio are on their own again, without Remus to help them; unless Harry and Remus make up and they decide to let Remus tag along and help them. He would be helpful, that's all I can say. But the trio wants to do this on their own, so it looks like that's how it will be unless something drastically changes.

So I took more time to think about it, and I decided that both Remus and Harry were being dicks in their own way. Harry was being emo and taking out the fact that his parents died and he didn't grow up with his biological parents out on Remus. Remus was upset because he couldn't keep his pants on and now Tonks is pregnant, but he doesn't want to take the responsibility of raising a kid who might have lycanthropy, and he thinks the kid will grow up with a grudge against him for 'making' him/her that way.

Is Remus gay? More than likely not, since like Eileen said, gay men don't marry and sleep with women; unless they're trying to hide/dilute/diffuse/something to their homosexuality, but that's another story. Is Remus bisexual? Maybe. Is Remus straight? Probably not.

I think Remus loved/loves Tonks, but I don't know if he is actually in love with her. There's a difference to me. A big difference. You can marry and have sex with someone without being 'in love' with them. Hell, you can do it without even loving them--but then that causes other problems in the long run!

Okay, so I know there was some stuff about a Daily Prophet article about Harry killing Dumbledore, something about a Muggle-born Registration Center or whatever, and some other goings on with Kreacher, Mundungus, and implied Umbridge; but I'm just too angry to see straight to talk about it right now, so I will later when I've calmed down.