Read-along Harry Potter (part 2)
Continuing my enormous write-up of what i was thinking as i read at the weekend.
As before, spoilers will be up to and including the chapter indicated, plus my own speculation on what may happen consequently.
Chapter 3
Saturday 21/07/2007 11:25. Uncle Vernon's and Harry's eyes met. Harry was sure that in that instant they were both wondering the same thing. What's this? Harry starting to perform Legilimency? :)
11:30. Another reference to Book 1. I LOVE THIS!! ... seemed to reverberate through the intervening years ... what a beautiful phrase.
OH WOW! Dudley makes a sensible decision! Dudley effectively decides for Vernon Dursley. Excellent! I am a tiny bit sorry about this probably final parting. I hope the Dursleys are safe.
Hooray - i think we're going to see Dedalus Diggle become useful for the first time! I haven't forgotten those shooting stars from the first chapter of Book 1! Haha, Diggle can't drive! Made me laugh! "Very clever of you, sir" heheh!!
11:40. Dudley actually seems to care for Harry! Hestia says 'Voldemort' without a flinch. Good! What revelation is about to come from Dudley ... sounds exciting!
Oh well, wasn't such a big revelation as i had thought ... i wondered if we might find out Dudley's worst fear ... but gosh, that parting scene was tender. I can already hear a plaintive, sweeping soundtrack to go along with that in the film! And hey, Harry thought Petunia was about to say something too, but no. I hope this isn't the last we see of the Dursleys. After giving Dudley a personality, it would be a shame to waste that.
Ah, i think i've just realised what happened with the Demontor attack. After an attack on the soul, Dudley must have awakened to the knowledge that there was a soul in there to be taken. Awww ...!
Chapter 4
Saturday 21/07/2007 11:50. The Seven Potters?! Are we to learn about Harry's grandparents now?!
Ahhh! A deafening roar! Could it be the motorbike?! Is this their way of travelling safely without being detected?!
YES!!! Ohh, and Hagrid's there, and Hermione and Ron! I've got exciting music playing in my head again!! Even some Thestrals have turned up! This is EPIC!!
11:55. Ugh. Tonks is there. And i guess Mundungus got out of Azkaban! Tonks: "It was very quiet" - and very sudden! Four weeks, maximum! Like Mrs Weasley said, people eloping left, right and centre. Should we expect any other weddings in this book? Are Bill and Fleur married yet? I thought Harry was going to go to the wedding.
Just a random thought: the prisoner in Chapter 1 - could it be Ollivander? I'm trying to think who has gone missing. Could be Florean Fortescue, but i suspect a wand-maker would be more useful to the Death Eaters than an ice cream seller! Although, then why would Voldemort need to borrow a wand - could just choose another one from Ollivander. Oh well, time will tell. I'm sure this prisoner will be revealed - probably in the last chapter!
12:05. Gosh, now i see how important this Thicknesse was to the Death Eaters.
12:10. It looks as if Snape's information was correct, and the Order don't know that Snape has leaked it to Voldemort. Looking back at that chapter, it seems Voldemort did a ferocious bit of Legilimency on Snape, and was satisfied. This does not look good on Snape.
Ah. Clever plan. I don't want Harry going to Tonks's parents because i still don't trust Tonks, and Bellatrix is after Tonks. Funny Fred & George moment, like it!
12:15. "Even You-Know-Who can't split himself into seven". - Oh, how ironic! Doesn't Moody know?! I still don't get why Dumbledore didn't tell anyone except Harry. Unless the whole thing with the Horcruxes was one enormous distraction, designed to keep Harry occupied, and avoid messing up the real plans.
Nobody much likes Mundungus!
12:20. Fred & George comedy. So much love! Again, a reminder of Book 1! This scene will be so much fun in the film! Oh, and now we know that Harry does not have a Hungarian Horntail tattoo! How weird for both Harry and Bill, seeing a Harry make a soppy slavish look at Bill! Oh, JK Rowling, you are a genius! You've enjoyed writing this book, haven't you!
12:30. Ron, Fred, George and Mundungus are all on brooms, and therefore more at risk. Aren't they all at risk? Any Death Eater who sees a Harry Potter flying through the air is going to attempt a capture, surely?
"No point locking the back door" sounds like one of those foolish things to overlook.
YAY! It is Sirius's bike! Awww, Hagrid could fit Harry in one hand! All this reminiscing, it's choking me up! I knew it! Arther had the bike all along!
12:40. Oh my. Is Hedwig dead? This is viscious. Has Snape given something away? Or are there just as many Death Eaters pursuing the other six pairs? Who else is going to die before the end of Chapter 4?
12:45. Wow, so is Stan Shunpike really a Death Eater?! No doubt released from Azkaban because Harry told Scrimgeour to do so! How did Stan know this Harry is the real one? Because Harry only tried to Disarm Stan?
12:50. I think that's Hagrid gone. Two more of Harry's most loved friends in one chapter. JKR wasn't joking, this is a bloodbath. Yet Voldemort is still an insane idiot, and trying to kill Harry with such desperation will never work. It's got to be a simple plan, if ever at all. One which Harry will walk into knowingly and willingly.
Chapter 5
Saturday 21/07/2007 12:55. Oh good, sounds like Harry miraculously landed in the right garden. Ted is Tonks's dad. A muggle, if i recall correctly. Harry must have the protection from Voldemort there.
Oh, thank goodness! Hagrid is still alive! Any chance for Hedwig? Could Hedwig have been swapped for a toy at the last moment?
13:00. Isn't there a silver hairbrush Portkey on JKR's website?
I feel terrible for Harry, the pain of losing Hedwig. Even if Harry did completely ignore Hedwig for the whole of the last book. Life will still be different. Hedwig was so loyal to Harry. "Never mind"?! says Hagrid!
* * *
13:20. I've just had lunch, and i'm in the amusing situation where my partner, who has never read a Harry Potter book, has read the last page, and hints to me that there's an interesting plot vehicle. JK Rowling is apparently going in an interesting direction that might not have been forseen! Sounds exciting! I know i can trust my partner to keep a secret, but this is tantalisingly intriguing! "I know who's still alive" - prompts me to say, "Oh good, so someone's still alive!" haha!
Let's get on with it ...
13:30. I'm starting to think Snape really is a traitor and an evil evil person. I've wanted to deny it for two years. I bet JK Rowling wanted us to want to. Set up just enough clues to think that the secretly bad person is still secretly good, and then turn out to be the very worst of all. Is there still any chance for redemption left to Snape?
13:35. Uh-oh - Mr Weasley shouting uncharacteristically and refusing to be identified. Sounds dangerous.
I have a faint recollection of Aunt Muriel being the one with the tiara. Oh, and the one that Ron likes to kiss, heheh! I get the feeling that Harry and Ginny haven't split up properly.
13:40. Ugh! Mundungus, what a coward!
13:45. This wand-acted-of-its-own-accord business is interesting! How can it do that? Is that a good thing or a bad thing? No, it must be Harry acting subconsciously. It shows just how powerful Harry really is - knows exactly the right thing to do, instinctively.
13:50. Ooops! Harry getting into Voldemort's thought again? Is Voldemort failing on the old Occlumency? What is this new revelation with Harry's wand, anyway? Does Ollivander really not know? Is this another new mystery for us to add to the already miles-long list?!
Voldemort is so paranoid of being lied to. From that first scene of "Tell the truth!" we now see Voldemort accusing anyone and everyone of lying. Except Bellatrix.
13:55. Again, Harry is told, "Close your mind!" I wonder if Harry will ever be taught properly how to do it. All my suspicions of Snape making it worse in Book 5, suddenly they're right back again. How many times can my opinion of Snape change?!
Chapter 6
Saturday 21/07/2007 14:00. WHY?!! Harry you are an idiot! Why won't you trust anybody? Okay, i am glad you didn't tell McGonagall, but seriously! Mrs Weasley's argument makes perfect sense. And actually Harry, yes! Someone else might kill Voldemort! Someone else might be planning to! The prophecy doesn't have to come true! It's actually ridiculous to suppose that Harry can do it alone. I don't believe JK Rowling will pursue such an utterly unbelievable storyline. Even if this whole Horcrux business is where it's at, there's no reason why Harry shouldn't confide in any Order members. Harry's just given them all a vote of trust.
14:05. Again Harry seems aware of someone else thinking the same thing. I do think this is the beginnings of Legilimency.
14:10. Ron: "And are they getting married in my bedroom?" - love it! Oooh, Fleur's scathing remark towards Hagrid. Nasty.
14:15. Hurrah! The Trio are alone together at last. In Ron's bedroom - couldn't be better! *smiles*
The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts - an interesting book to be reminded of. Could be very useful, especially with this book's first chapter entitled, The Dark Lord Ascending.
14:20. Ron thinks Moody might have survived. This feels important. We know of someone faking their death before, don't we? I'm honestly ready to suspect almost anyone at the moment. Jo can turn things around in a heart-beat. That's what i love so much about reading a new book - almost anything can happen!
Haha! I mis-read it as Crookshanks was sorting the books! I thought Crookshanks was working out which were Ron's and which were Harry's!
14:25. Blimey, Hermione! You modified your parents' memories?! I always think it's a little bit dodgy, but we've seen good people do it before. I've heard a good theory that Voldemort might go for Hermione's parents - glad to see Hermione also considered it. Wendell and Monica Wilkins, i feel i should remember that. And they've gone to Australia. Curious, since there has been speculation that the US Deluxe Edition cover depicts somewhere in Australia or New Zealand.
14:30. Haha, Defensive Magical Theory was Umbridge's book! I love how it goes straight in the bin! Not even worth the leave-at-home pile! I can't believe Hermione is considering taking one of Lockhart's books.
14:40. Oho! Dumbledore had plenty of books about Horcruxes! Just not in the library. What exactly was Dumbledore hiding? This Horcrux fiasco is feeling more like some kind of trap by the minute.
14:45. If you run a sword through someone you don't damage the soul at all! Go Jo! I want more of this, please! It's coming definitely into the realm of spirituality, but so long as it stays within the abstract that can be accepted by all religions, i think this could be an extremely positive message!
14:55. "Remus and Tonks". Ugh! I still can't take this in! I shall continue to deny this right to the very end, or until there's a reasonable explanation for it!
I am loving this book. Already my impression of it has been coloured by the red and black on the cover. This just *feels* like a red and black book! I'm enjoying having so much new information to absorb.
As before, spoilers will be up to and including the chapter indicated, plus my own speculation on what may happen consequently.
Chapter 3
Saturday 21/07/2007 11:25. Uncle Vernon's and Harry's eyes met. Harry was sure that in that instant they were both wondering the same thing. What's this? Harry starting to perform Legilimency? :)
11:30. Another reference to Book 1. I LOVE THIS!! ... seemed to reverberate through the intervening years ... what a beautiful phrase.
OH WOW! Dudley makes a sensible decision! Dudley effectively decides for Vernon Dursley. Excellent! I am a tiny bit sorry about this probably final parting. I hope the Dursleys are safe.
Hooray - i think we're going to see Dedalus Diggle become useful for the first time! I haven't forgotten those shooting stars from the first chapter of Book 1! Haha, Diggle can't drive! Made me laugh! "Very clever of you, sir" heheh!!
11:40. Dudley actually seems to care for Harry! Hestia says 'Voldemort' without a flinch. Good! What revelation is about to come from Dudley ... sounds exciting!
Oh well, wasn't such a big revelation as i had thought ... i wondered if we might find out Dudley's worst fear ... but gosh, that parting scene was tender. I can already hear a plaintive, sweeping soundtrack to go along with that in the film! And hey, Harry thought Petunia was about to say something too, but no. I hope this isn't the last we see of the Dursleys. After giving Dudley a personality, it would be a shame to waste that.
Ah, i think i've just realised what happened with the Demontor attack. After an attack on the soul, Dudley must have awakened to the knowledge that there was a soul in there to be taken. Awww ...!
Chapter 4
Saturday 21/07/2007 11:50. The Seven Potters?! Are we to learn about Harry's grandparents now?!
Ahhh! A deafening roar! Could it be the motorbike?! Is this their way of travelling safely without being detected?!
YES!!! Ohh, and Hagrid's there, and Hermione and Ron! I've got exciting music playing in my head again!! Even some Thestrals have turned up! This is EPIC!!
11:55. Ugh. Tonks is there. And i guess Mundungus got out of Azkaban! Tonks: "It was very quiet" - and very sudden! Four weeks, maximum! Like Mrs Weasley said, people eloping left, right and centre. Should we expect any other weddings in this book? Are Bill and Fleur married yet? I thought Harry was going to go to the wedding.
Just a random thought: the prisoner in Chapter 1 - could it be Ollivander? I'm trying to think who has gone missing. Could be Florean Fortescue, but i suspect a wand-maker would be more useful to the Death Eaters than an ice cream seller! Although, then why would Voldemort need to borrow a wand - could just choose another one from Ollivander. Oh well, time will tell. I'm sure this prisoner will be revealed - probably in the last chapter!
12:05. Gosh, now i see how important this Thicknesse was to the Death Eaters.
12:10. It looks as if Snape's information was correct, and the Order don't know that Snape has leaked it to Voldemort. Looking back at that chapter, it seems Voldemort did a ferocious bit of Legilimency on Snape, and was satisfied. This does not look good on Snape.
Ah. Clever plan. I don't want Harry going to Tonks's parents because i still don't trust Tonks, and Bellatrix is after Tonks. Funny Fred & George moment, like it!
12:15. "Even You-Know-Who can't split himself into seven". - Oh, how ironic! Doesn't Moody know?! I still don't get why Dumbledore didn't tell anyone except Harry. Unless the whole thing with the Horcruxes was one enormous distraction, designed to keep Harry occupied, and avoid messing up the real plans.
Nobody much likes Mundungus!
12:20. Fred & George comedy. So much love! Again, a reminder of Book 1! This scene will be so much fun in the film! Oh, and now we know that Harry does not have a Hungarian Horntail tattoo! How weird for both Harry and Bill, seeing a Harry make a soppy slavish look at Bill! Oh, JK Rowling, you are a genius! You've enjoyed writing this book, haven't you!
12:30. Ron, Fred, George and Mundungus are all on brooms, and therefore more at risk. Aren't they all at risk? Any Death Eater who sees a Harry Potter flying through the air is going to attempt a capture, surely?
"No point locking the back door" sounds like one of those foolish things to overlook.
YAY! It is Sirius's bike! Awww, Hagrid could fit Harry in one hand! All this reminiscing, it's choking me up! I knew it! Arther had the bike all along!
12:40. Oh my. Is Hedwig dead? This is viscious. Has Snape given something away? Or are there just as many Death Eaters pursuing the other six pairs? Who else is going to die before the end of Chapter 4?
12:45. Wow, so is Stan Shunpike really a Death Eater?! No doubt released from Azkaban because Harry told Scrimgeour to do so! How did Stan know this Harry is the real one? Because Harry only tried to Disarm Stan?
12:50. I think that's Hagrid gone. Two more of Harry's most loved friends in one chapter. JKR wasn't joking, this is a bloodbath. Yet Voldemort is still an insane idiot, and trying to kill Harry with such desperation will never work. It's got to be a simple plan, if ever at all. One which Harry will walk into knowingly and willingly.
Chapter 5
Saturday 21/07/2007 12:55. Oh good, sounds like Harry miraculously landed in the right garden. Ted is Tonks's dad. A muggle, if i recall correctly. Harry must have the protection from Voldemort there.
Oh, thank goodness! Hagrid is still alive! Any chance for Hedwig? Could Hedwig have been swapped for a toy at the last moment?
13:00. Isn't there a silver hairbrush Portkey on JKR's website?
I feel terrible for Harry, the pain of losing Hedwig. Even if Harry did completely ignore Hedwig for the whole of the last book. Life will still be different. Hedwig was so loyal to Harry. "Never mind"?! says Hagrid!
* * *
13:20. I've just had lunch, and i'm in the amusing situation where my partner, who has never read a Harry Potter book, has read the last page, and hints to me that there's an interesting plot vehicle. JK Rowling is apparently going in an interesting direction that might not have been forseen! Sounds exciting! I know i can trust my partner to keep a secret, but this is tantalisingly intriguing! "I know who's still alive" - prompts me to say, "Oh good, so someone's still alive!" haha!
Let's get on with it ...
13:30. I'm starting to think Snape really is a traitor and an evil evil person. I've wanted to deny it for two years. I bet JK Rowling wanted us to want to. Set up just enough clues to think that the secretly bad person is still secretly good, and then turn out to be the very worst of all. Is there still any chance for redemption left to Snape?
13:35. Uh-oh - Mr Weasley shouting uncharacteristically and refusing to be identified. Sounds dangerous.
I have a faint recollection of Aunt Muriel being the one with the tiara. Oh, and the one that Ron likes to kiss, heheh! I get the feeling that Harry and Ginny haven't split up properly.
13:40. Ugh! Mundungus, what a coward!
13:45. This wand-acted-of-its-own-accord business is interesting! How can it do that? Is that a good thing or a bad thing? No, it must be Harry acting subconsciously. It shows just how powerful Harry really is - knows exactly the right thing to do, instinctively.
13:50. Ooops! Harry getting into Voldemort's thought again? Is Voldemort failing on the old Occlumency? What is this new revelation with Harry's wand, anyway? Does Ollivander really not know? Is this another new mystery for us to add to the already miles-long list?!
Voldemort is so paranoid of being lied to. From that first scene of "Tell the truth!" we now see Voldemort accusing anyone and everyone of lying. Except Bellatrix.
13:55. Again, Harry is told, "Close your mind!" I wonder if Harry will ever be taught properly how to do it. All my suspicions of Snape making it worse in Book 5, suddenly they're right back again. How many times can my opinion of Snape change?!
Chapter 6
Saturday 21/07/2007 14:00. WHY?!! Harry you are an idiot! Why won't you trust anybody? Okay, i am glad you didn't tell McGonagall, but seriously! Mrs Weasley's argument makes perfect sense. And actually Harry, yes! Someone else might kill Voldemort! Someone else might be planning to! The prophecy doesn't have to come true! It's actually ridiculous to suppose that Harry can do it alone. I don't believe JK Rowling will pursue such an utterly unbelievable storyline. Even if this whole Horcrux business is where it's at, there's no reason why Harry shouldn't confide in any Order members. Harry's just given them all a vote of trust.
14:05. Again Harry seems aware of someone else thinking the same thing. I do think this is the beginnings of Legilimency.
14:10. Ron: "And are they getting married in my bedroom?" - love it! Oooh, Fleur's scathing remark towards Hagrid. Nasty.
14:15. Hurrah! The Trio are alone together at last. In Ron's bedroom - couldn't be better! *smiles*
The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts - an interesting book to be reminded of. Could be very useful, especially with this book's first chapter entitled, The Dark Lord Ascending.
14:20. Ron thinks Moody might have survived. This feels important. We know of someone faking their death before, don't we? I'm honestly ready to suspect almost anyone at the moment. Jo can turn things around in a heart-beat. That's what i love so much about reading a new book - almost anything can happen!
Haha! I mis-read it as Crookshanks was sorting the books! I thought Crookshanks was working out which were Ron's and which were Harry's!
14:25. Blimey, Hermione! You modified your parents' memories?! I always think it's a little bit dodgy, but we've seen good people do it before. I've heard a good theory that Voldemort might go for Hermione's parents - glad to see Hermione also considered it. Wendell and Monica Wilkins, i feel i should remember that. And they've gone to Australia. Curious, since there has been speculation that the US Deluxe Edition cover depicts somewhere in Australia or New Zealand.
14:30. Haha, Defensive Magical Theory was Umbridge's book! I love how it goes straight in the bin! Not even worth the leave-at-home pile! I can't believe Hermione is considering taking one of Lockhart's books.
14:40. Oho! Dumbledore had plenty of books about Horcruxes! Just not in the library. What exactly was Dumbledore hiding? This Horcrux fiasco is feeling more like some kind of trap by the minute.
14:45. If you run a sword through someone you don't damage the soul at all! Go Jo! I want more of this, please! It's coming definitely into the realm of spirituality, but so long as it stays within the abstract that can be accepted by all religions, i think this could be an extremely positive message!
14:55. "Remus and Tonks". Ugh! I still can't take this in! I shall continue to deny this right to the very end, or until there's a reasonable explanation for it!
I am loving this book. Already my impression of it has been coloured by the red and black on the cover. This just *feels* like a red and black book! I'm enjoying having so much new information to absorb.