PoA Chapter Seventeen

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

Don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up but judging by the title this is a chapter where actual important stuff happens that relates to the title of the book and everything!

Harry’s mind has gone blank with shock. Do I need to make a joke about that not being a change for Harry?

It actually took me a minute to remember what that line was talking about. It’s one of the weird things about this Buckbeak story. It’s the classic “Keep the animal from being put to sleep” story only the kids have no actual emotional investment in keeping the animal alive. Yeah, they care about Hagrid but they also know he’s irresponsible in this area and they usually have to pay for it. It’s not like any of them have any attachment to Buckbeak that justifies minds going blank with shock.

Hermione, especially, just spent the whole book being singularly insensitive to peoples’ dead pets as if she just didn’t get the problem. Suddenly she’s transfixed with horror at the idea and choking at someone daring to put down a wild animal.

Ron’s rat runs away, followed by Crookshanks, followed by Ron, followed by Harry and Hermione. The last two can’t run under the invisibility cloak, so they hold on to it, “streaming like a banner.” Which is weird because it’s streaming like an invisible banner.

Ron’s getting dragged into the willow is pretty good. The leg-breaking is pretty harsh!

Basically the whole trip through the tunnel with the animals leading them is pretty good. Yup, I was right. This is the good chapter. This whole section is the reason I always think this book should be my favorite and yet it’s not.

Why is there furniture in the Shrieking Shack? Wouldn’t a padded cell look be more appropriate for its purposes? Or just a doggie bed, wee wee pads and chew toys?

I guess Sirius could have turned into himself before carrying Ron upstairs, but it’s just too funny to imagine Ron getting dragged upstairs by a big black dog, bumping his head on every step. Sucks to be Ron.

Sirius Black emerges from the shadows. Hey, that’s the guy from the title! Glad to see you, FINALLY!

Sirius disarms Harry and Hermione. So he’s the master of their wands now, right? *rolls eyes*

Sirius reminds us that he’s, well, who he is by commenting that it was “brave” of Harry and Hermione not to run for a teacher when their friend was dragged into a tree by a large animal. Even if it plays right into his seemingly nefarious plans for them it was the right choice.

Ron vows that if Sirius wants to kill Harry he’ll have to kill them too. I mention this only because I’m pretty sure Steve Kloves expelliariumsed this line of Ron’s and presented it to Hermione along with every other admirable thing he could get his hands on in this movie, so I’ve heard.

Harry hulks out, daring Sirius to kill everybody in the room. I’m sure Ron, at least, appreciates this line of trash talk.

The description of Harry forgetting he’s small, skinny and 13 and only wanting to hurt Sirius without caring if he gets killed in return, is probably the essence of goodness according to this series. This is courage in its purest, least diluted form. And Slytherins can’t ever have it because even in their most angry moments they’d probably still be afraid of something.

Harry hears a voice in his head telling him to kill Sirius. Years ago I read a theory about how the voice in Harry’s head directing him to do something in GoF was Ginny’s because she was his true love. So now every time Harry has one of these “voice in the head” moments I imagine it’s Ginny. And certainly this is something HBP!Ginny would order him to do here, at least.

Harry can’t kill Sirius. Too bad he’s not meeting him a few years from now where he’d be able to throw a few Crucios. You know, just to assure us that he can and thus is even more heroic when he shows you mercy.

Lupin arrives to save the day! And I’m sure he hasn’t forgotten anything important…

Lupin expelliariumses everybody’s wand. So now he’s the master of everybody’s wand. Or just the one Sirius was using? Or just the ones where the people who owned them were holding them. Something like that.

Harry feels like a failure for not killing Sirius since now he’s going to be handed over to the Dementors. Yeah, that’s…not sure what the problem is there, Harry. That’s worse than being killed.

Lupin hugs Sirius like a brother. Harry and Hermione are all, “OH NO HE DIDN’T!”

Lupin hugs Sirius like a brother. Or in slash terms, Lupin hugs Sirius like an old lover with whom he will be having sex again as soon as possible.

Oy. Lupin, following Sirius’s lead, decides to hug Sirius before explaining everything, so now he has to fight through a chorus of “Shut up!” and “I trusted you!” before he can explain everything. Explain first, emote later, people!

Hermione reveals she knew Lupin was a werewolf. Lupin tells Hermione she’s the cleverest of witch of her age he’s ever met. Frankly I’m surprised the whole school wasn’t buzzing with the rumor that Lupin was a werewolf. Wouldn’t everybody notice those symptoms if they knew werewolves existed? Particularly if the guy’s name was Remus Lupin?

Lupin, continuing his usual method of discipline, watched the Trio leave the castle because he was afraid they might, but didn’t go out and get them.

Peter’s not very good at being a rat. I’d like to see somebody try to keep a real rat in his pocket under these circumstances.

But that’s not a rat, it’s…Peter Pettigrew! Dun dun DUNNN! Okay, admit it. Best reveal in the whole series.

Can’t wait till Snape gets here, though.

Things that happen more than once:

The Trio takes the same long walk down the tunnel as Snape took all those years ago.

An innocent prisoner seems to be punished for a crime. That seems to be the whole idea with Buckbeak. He’s not an animal, he’s a person innocent of a crime and being executed for it. Except that Buckbeak actually did attack Draco and Sirius didn’t kill the Potters or anyone else. I guess it comes down to the book’s belief that “he started it” or “he looked at me funny” or “he wanted killing, your honor” really is a solid defense.

Harry’s inability to kill Sirius when he’s finally got him where he wants him is like Draco (who already set up the parallel earlier) not killing Dumbledore. Only Harry’s freezing says good things about his character where Draco’s hesitation just says he’s a pussy.

Harry’s carefully praised for being brave over being smart.

He’s an animagus! Just like Rita in the next book!

It’s a gun. No it isn’t! It’s Chekov! No it isn’t!
Sirius is a pale-eyed dog
Status: fired and you didn’t even know it was a gun. I suspect Sirius and Draco having the same color eyes was a clever hint to their connection by blood.

Who’s that dog and why’s he hanging out with Crookshanks?
Status: Fired, neatly.

Is this Sirius Black guy ever going to show up?
Status: Fired, finally.

Scabbers’s missing toe
Status: Fired, surprisingly.

Snape’s poisoning Lupin
Status: Fired, lycanthropically.

Harry wants to kill Sirius
Status: Not fired, thematically.




The Cricket Rule
Day-for-Night
Chirping up a storm by now.

Idiot Picture
What is it with Gryffindors and explaining things quickly? Honestly Sirius, holding on to the story is what got you put in Azkaban to begin with! After all these years you’d think you’d want to spit it out fast.

James Bond Exposition Rule
Sirius is very committed to the opposite of this in this chapter, making sure not to say anything to explain his true position to Harry, even while Harry’s attacking him.

Not to be undone, Lupin then yammers on about how he got his job as a teacher instead of explaining the same stuff Sirius refused to explain.

Light Bulb Moment
“But then…why hasn’t he shown himself before now? Unless…unless he was the one…unless you switched…without telling me?”

Misdirected Answering
No really, the psycho murderer will just sit here next to the kid with the broken leg as the moon rises in the sky and Snape rushes through the tunnel. Go head, Lupin, and tell us how Dumbledore totes made you a teacher even though you’re a werewolf because he’s just that tolerant. And how’d you get the idea for the Marauder’s Map? And why’d your friends call you Moony?

POV Shots
Harry and Hermione run through the tunnel following Crookshank’s fuzzy tail.

Spring-Loaded Cat
All that training of Crookshanks’s has been for this scene.

Jabootu score 8

Comments

part 2

[oryx_leucoryx]

Lupin arrives to save the day! And I’m sure he hasn’t forgotten anything important…

By this time Severus is also on his way, several minutes behind Remus. Severus saw Remus running down the passageway out of sight. Since Remus saw Peter last at the willow and Severus saw Remus already in the tunnel the time gap between seeing the map and arriving at the Shack should be greater in Severus' case. (IOW when Remus enters the room Severus should be still in the castle, on his way to the doors or something.)

Lupin expelliariumses everybody’s wand. So now he’s the master of everybody’s wand. Or just the one Sirius was using? Or just the ones where the people who owned them were holding them. Something like that.

Unless Remus had his fingers crossed too. (Sirius was no longer holding a wand. Harry held his, Hermione the two others. Hermione totally is the master of Ron's wand.)

Harry feels like a failure because Sirius will be returned to the dementors rather than already be dead at his hand. So Harry regrets not giving Sirius a quick death? Regrets not being able to be the one responsible directly for Sirius' death? (That's OK, Harry will end up being at least partially responsible for Sirius' death 2 years from now.)

Frankly I’m surprised the whole school wasn’t buzzing with the rumor that Lupin was a werewolf.

Indeed. This must be his 9th or 10th transformation since the beginning of the school year. Though only a handful of students knew of the one in December. And perhaps only the third years know of his Boggart form. I'm also surprised that wizarding-raised children such as Ron don't show awareness of the full moon despite the fact that they attend school in a place that is rumored to have werewolves (according to Draco in PS). Why does Ron never warn Harry and Hermione against going out at night on full moon nights?

Ron and Hermione are amazed to learn the staff knew of Remus' affliction. Well some of them knew already since Remus' time as a student. I'm guessing Trelawney was one who didn't know, hence Remus avoiding her crystal gazing.

I suspect Sirius and Draco having the same color eyes was a clever hint to their connection by blood.

So you think this part was planned? Do you think she planned on having Bellatrix as their relative too or was that something she added between GOF and OOTP?

Ollivander has 'pale eyes shining like moons' and also 'silvery eyes' (PS). Luna has silvery, but not necessarily pale eyes. Are they related to the Blacks too?

“But then…why hasn’t he shown himself before now? Unless…unless he was the one…unless you switched…without telling me?”

Hey, Remus, why would they tell you? They haven't been speaking to you for months by the time this switch thing came along. Note how Remus isn't with the Marauders in the Order photo. And how Lily doesn't mention him in her letter.

Re: part 2

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

Harry feels like a failure because Sirius will be returned to the dementors rather than already be dead at his hand. So Harry regrets not giving Sirius a quick death? Regrets not being able to be the one responsible directly for Sirius' death? (That's OK, Harry will end up being at least partially responsible for Sirius' death 2 years from now.)

Heh. Not that Harry will dwell on that overmuch. It's SNAPE'S fault Sirius died! Snape's!

It is kind of funny that he feels like a failure basically being he failed to enact a mafia-style revenge killing.

You really would think people would have figured out Remus was a werewolf. Or maybe JKR could have hidden it if she always had kids thinking some teacher was a werewolf so that he was just one of many. Make it a boy who cried werewolf type thing. But then, that would have tipped her hand by even introducing the idea. You'd just really think Draco would have come up with it.

I could believe she planned the Black/Malfoy connection. Or at least that she'd say she did if someone pointed out the eye color!

The isolation of Remus during the first war is a pretty interesting unanswered question, isn't it? Did they just think it was him because he was the werewolf? Maybe they suspected his wishy-washiness in ways they didn't Peter's obvious bad qualities?

Re: part 2

[oryx_leucoryx]

The isolation of Remus during the first war is a pretty interesting unanswered question, isn't it? Did they just think it was him because he was the werewolf? Maybe they suspected his wishy-washiness in ways they didn't Peter's obvious bad qualities?

Peter may have manipulated that isolation. He needed James to trust him so when Dumbledore said the spy was someone close to the Potters he wouldn't be the one suspected so he may have done something to make Remus look suspicious.

Re: part 2

[jodel-from-aol.livejournal.com]

One wonders how aware the Potters were that the spy was supposed to be one of *their* circle. Up to DHs one assumed that Albus told them so, but now it would be perfectly in keeping for him to have kept that to himself. They knew there was a spy, because i gather everyone in the Order knew that, but whether they knew it was supposed to be one of *their* friends I'm not so sure.

Re: part 2

[oryx_leucoryx]

I think Albus told the Potters because he needed to explain why he was a better choice of Secret Keeper than any of their friends.

Re: part 2

[lynn-waterfall.livejournal.com]

Why would he feel the need to *explain* why he'd be a better choice? He's Dumbledore! He's always the better choice!

Re: part 2

[oryx_leucoryx]

He offered himself, the Potters said they preferred using one of their friends. They were not convinced by his awesomeness, so how could he convince them? Wouldn't the best way be to point out to them that their friends were under suspicion?

Re: part 2

[lynn-waterfall.livejournal.com]

Dumbledore also knew/believed that the Potters had asked Sirius to be their Secret Keeper. Unless Dumbledore thought he could convince them that Sirius might be the spy, what would telling them accomplish? And the Potters might have let slip to the spy that Dumbledore thought that one of their friends was a spy. Better to avoid that.

Re: part 2

[jodel-from-aol.livejournal.com]

Since HBP I've been assuming that by the time the Order was an issue, Lupin was already off monitoring Greyback's band and their movements. Of course I was also convinced that Albus didn't found his Order until after he heard Sybill spout her prophecy. I'm sure Rowling would say otherwise, but she also wouldn't have a clue of any reason why he should have an Order, except to make it a parallel with Tom and his gang.

Re: part 2

[montavilla.livejournal.com]

And it's quite possible that Lupin's wishy-washiness did raise the other Marauders' hackles. As we've seen, Lupin isn't entirely trustworthy, because he tends to think (although not remember). He shows signs of independent judgment in SWM, even if he doesn't act on it. He also keeps a lot of secrets from Dumbledore during this past year.

Peter, on the other hand, was painfully subservient to James and Sirius.

Re: part 2

[the-bitter-word.livejournal.com]

A few observations:

Snape raised his wand to Voldemort in the Shrieking Shack, but didn't follow through. It might be a kind-of echo of Harry raising his wand but not being able to kill Black, even though he sort-of wanted to. Or, perhaps Snape just realized VM couldn't be killed. If you asked JKR, she might say Harry instinctively knew better. He sure got used to the idea of Black not being evil pretty quickly.

And, Lupin went through -- how many? -- five years of students not figuring out he was a werewolf, except for one Slytherin whose best friend didn't even believe him, let alone want to hear about it. Unavoidable conclusion: wizards are basically unobservant or in denial, if not really stupid.

As for Pettigrew, maybe Potter and Black thought once a sycophant, always a sycophant, especially when came to their exhalted selves. Didn't Lupin make them feel ashamed of not laying off Snape? That's probably grounds for suspicion right there.

Re: part 2

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

Actually, I don't think he ever even went so far as to make them feel guilty about the way they treated Snape. But then, just not looking comfortable with it might have been enough! With Peter it does seem like they assumed sychophants truly love you.

Re: part 2

[madderbrad.livejournal.com]

That's OK, Harry will end up being at least partially responsible for Sirius' death 2 years from now.

Oh, that's harsh! :-)

Re: part 2

[borg-princess.livejournal.com]

If he didn't act like an idiot and blame Snape for the whole debacle, I might feel more sympathy for him. As it is, Harry never once takes responsibility for the stupid things he does, risking all his friends' lives in the process, never growing up or learning to use his brain, so...no, no sympathy here.

It's odd reading some fanfiction now written pre-HBP where fans thought he might actually mature and show some initative and heroic promise, because I contrast their smarter, more diligent and hard-working version of Harry with the canon version and it's just so depressing how far he falls short. *sighs*

Re: part 2

[madderbrad.livejournal.com]

I see what you mean. I finished re-reading a story just yesterday which has a scene where Harry *doesn't* leap off, Hermione expresses surprise, and Harry replies that he'd learnt his lesson from when he did act on his impulses two years ago (the end of OotP) and he wasn't going to do that again.

It's sad to compare that Harry with his canon counterpart. :-(

And yes, I agree with his never taking responsibility for Sirius's death. It amazed me in HBP to read of how much Harry *hated* Snape ... does he actually think "because Snape was instrumental in Sirius's death" in the book? Or leave it to us to assume?

Re: part 2

[borg-princess.livejournal.com]

Harry replies that he'd learnt his lesson from when he did act on his impulses two years ago (the end of OotP) and he wasn't going to do that again.

See, that was the Harry I was hoping for in HBP! Someone who learned from his mistakes and grew the hell up. He's supposed to be a hero, and instead he's sneaking around hexing the old squib who can't fight back, and acting like someone whose fame's gone to his head! And still bucking authority instead of trying to study hard so he can stand a chance against Voldemorte. *shakes head* The only explanation is that he knew how JKR was going to bend over backwards coming up with cheats and all these 'deus ex machina' moments to get him out of trouble, so he never had to worry about learning spells or anything. *eyeroll*

does he actually think "because Snape was instrumental in Sirius's death" in the book

I'm pretty sure he says it's Snape's fault in the book, that if Snape hadn't taunted Sirius about being useless, then he wouldn't have felt the need to rush off to the Department of Mysteries to rescue Harry- ignoring whose fault it was that Sirius had to go there, ignoring the fact that he had a magic mirror that was designed to let him communicate with Sirius [and Harry rarely bothered to use this, did he? Leaving Sirius to languish in boredom, very caring godson, isn't he?], ignoring that it was Dumbledore who forced Sirius to remain inactive and chafing at the bit by locking him up at Grimmauld Place in the first place. UGH. Way to displace your feelings of guilt onto the wrong target. *eyeroll*

Re: part 2

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

Plus Fred Weasley is actually the one who makes Sirius "pale" by accusing him of staying home and being safe iirc.

Re: part 2

[borg-princess.livejournal.com]

You may be right, but according to OotP:

---

...he felt a savage pleasure in blaming Snape, it seemed to be easing his own sense of dreadful guilt, and he wanted to hear Dumbledore agree with him.

'Snape- Snape g- goaded Sirius about staying in the house- he made out Sirius was a coward-'

---

I knew that was near the end of the book, so I located it easily, but I couldn't be bothered reading through several hundred pages to find out whether Fred really said that or not. Though the Harry!filter automatically attributing anything negative to Snape instead of his beloved Weasleys wouldn't surprise me. *eyeroll*

I know I should be sympathetic, he just lost someone he [supposedly] cared about very much, but putting the blame on Snape? After the memories he saw in the Pensieve [it was the Pensieve in the book, wasn't it? Didn't the movie makes it look like Harry breaks into Snape's mind? SO annoying], you'd think he'd understand why, but no.

And this childish rant just after Dumbledore explained how Snape was responsible for saving their lives by alerting the Order! Without his information, Harry and all his friends would've been dead, but no gratitude there. *kicks him*

Re: part 2

[oryx_leucoryx]

ignoring the fact that he had a magic mirror that was designed to let him communicate with Sirius [and Harry rarely bothered to use this, did he? Leaving Sirius to languish in boredom, very caring godson, isn't he?]

Well, see, Sirius told Harry to use the mirror if Severus was giving him a hard time in Occlumency, so why would Harry think of using the mirror just to see how Sirius was doing? Wasn't the mirror supposed to be all about Harry, like everything else? Harry never used the mirror until he and his friends were stuck in Malfoy Manor and he was completely desperate. Of course he had no idea if it would do any good because he had no way of knowing that the other mirror was in friendly hands after Sirius' death and that whoever had it was monitoring it.

Re: part 2

[borg-princess.livejournal.com]

*gigglesnort* Too right, so the mirror was a useful outlet for Harry to angst about all his problems, even though he has heaps of friends to serve that purpose, but it wouldn't have occurred to him that poor lonely Sirius might also welcome a chat with his beloved godson now and then. *shakes head* And Harry's supposed to have the Special Power of Love, my ass!

Yeah, but didn't he see a familiar, friendly, beloved blue eye peering into that mirror now and then? He somehow thought Dumbledore might've been keeping an eye on him from the Great Beyond through that mirror, right? Honestly, JKR totally had Harry/DD vibes throughout DH, it was hysterical!

Re: the mirror

[terri-testing.livejournal.com]

Well, to be fair to Harry (moi?):

Sirius handed Harry a wrapped package and said it was "A way of letting me know if Snape's giving you a hard time. No, don't open it here!... I doubt Molly would approve--but I want you to use it if you need me, all right?"

"Okay," said Harry, stowing the package away in the inside pocket of his jacket, but he knew he would never use whatever it was. It would not be he, Harry, who lured Sirius from his place of safety, no matter how foully Snape treated him in their forthcoming Occlumency classes.

Harry didn't open the package until he was packing to leave Hogwarts--and the explanation of what the mirror was and how to use it was inside the packaging. For anything Harry knew, it might have been a "bad Snape" signal or a type of Portkey that would bring Sirius to him. He had mentally tagged it as "a danger to Sirius" and then forgotten about it.

So I think we have to give Harry a pass on not using the mirror to chat with Sirius.

Fortunately, we need not extend the same courtesy to his godfather. When Harry firecalled Sirius, why on earth didn't Sirius say, "Harry, why didn't you just use the magic mirror I gave you? That's what it's for!"

Re: the mirror

[borg-princess.livejournal.com]

Ohhh. Damn you! Now I have to reluctantly compliment Harry for having some sense and thoughtfulness...the way it's written, it's clear that the mirror wasn't explained as a communication device that could be used just to chat and unwind.

I mean, Sirius says 'if you need me', which could mean for other things as well, but Harry's thinking shows that he thinks using it will cause Sirius to bolt for Hogwarts to confront Snape on his behalf, like you said, some sort of signal to bring him out of safety and risking his life.

Gahhh.

Oh, but you left me a loophole to diss Sirius for not telling Harry to use the mirror instead of breaking the rules and risking getting into trouble when he had such an easy method of getting in touch. *thwacks him* At least I have that satisfaction...

Re: the mirror

[the-bitter-word.livejournal.com]

What kills me is the fear of Molly in Sirius' quote! Wow.

Maybe the mirror was Dark Magic?

I don't give Harry a pass. It seemed like only certain enemy Slytherins aroused his curiosity.

Re: the mirror

[oryx_leucoryx]

Molly apparently doesn't approve of Harry having too much contact with Sirius (see custody battle in chapter 5). Or perhaps Sirius did expect to end up coming to Hogwarts to have a rematch with Severus.

Re: the mirror

[the-bitter-word.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm familiar with the custody battle, but I'm surprised that Sirius decided it was better to avoid Molly's wrath instead of just doing what felt was appropriate for his godson. So many of these Gryffindor men were cowards when it came to women, taking the path of avoidance over any other. I guess that's supposed to be chivalry.