GoF Chapter One
Feb. 9th, 2007 10:42 am![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
sistermagpie.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
deathtocapslockA long time ago, during a canon far, far away, these recaps started over in a different community, that's f'locked. I've kept meaning to repost the recaps from there and not getting around to it. So I figured I would start doing an older chapter along with the new one and eventually it will all be posted.
The older ones not posted here are just GoF and OotP. I figured I'd start with GoF. So here we are with two chapter ones for the price of one!
*Do I really like this first chapter as much as I think I do, or am I just relieved it's not Dudley Demented?
*So the Riddles, too, had a manor. No wonder Tom turned out evil. Sure he was raised in a poor orphanage, but he had manor in the blood. Related to pureblood Slytherin on one side, rich, snobbish manor house Muggles on the other!
*Does AK make a look of terror magically stay on your face and freeze there?
*I like Frank.
*So does everybody have to pay Frank for gardening? Like, he comes with the house?
*I assumed Voldemort owned the house, myself. It's the type of thing he'd need to do.
*Awww, Peter moving his lord closer to the fire. There's something really comical about this. Oops--I know, scary scary in the haunted house, yes, cold voice, not funny at all.
*Milk the snake. Ew.
*Stay away from her fangs, btw, Peter. You might bleed to death.;-)
*It still always amazes me the way wizards can be "obsessed with security" to the point where Voldemort doesn't want to make a move until the cup is over, but every year they randomly invite a dozen Muggle children to attend Hogwarts. Think we've found the hole in the security system there.
*I agree with Tora that the possibility of a Muggle/witch marriage seems completely impossible. And how did she hide it, being a Pureblood? The Weasleys can't even buy a train ticket after years of study.
*"Your Lordship is still determined then?" asks Peter, meaning "determined to go through with an elaborate plan with many chances for failure when something quick and efficient would do?"
*Oh Peter. That common sense of yours is going to get you killed one of these days.
*Pouty!Voldemort is great: Admit it, Peter. You want to find me a human sacrifice because you don't like changing my nappies! That's it, isn't it! I repulse you! You don't have to say it, I see the look in your eyes when you touch me. I'll bet you have to imagine I'm Sirius Black just to make yourself do it. You want to go find yourself a younger, handsomer dark lord! I feel fat and you don't bring me flowers anymore!
*Peter really has nowhere else to go? I would think there would be plenty of places for a rat to live large in the wizarding UK.
*Note that Voldemort reminds us that Peter is cowardly, first because despite not being a Gryffindor he of course shares their disgust for cowards as we all should. Second because it's important we know not to admire anything Peter does because it's all fruit of the poisoned tree. Sure he's effective, but only out of cowardice.
*It seems like Peter's protests about not wanting to protect Harry might be covering the fact that Peter, too, sees Harry as his savior. Well, come on, he lived with Harry so had time to be won over by him. Maybe we'll get a speech from Peter's that's just like Dumbledore's in OotP: I was supposed to kill you Harry, but I just had to help you beat Malfoy at Quidditch first!
*Life debt is, imo, still the reigning champion of those ideas that seem really powerful but are inconsistently applied for plot purposes. Life debts are really important...when we say they are. Luckily, despite the fact that Harry is apparently the object of not one but two of them, he's not interested enough to learn about them.
*"I have waited thirteen years," says Voldemort. "A few more months will make no difference." Why do I suspect those "few months" will cover August-June?
*But since we're waiting around for a few months (and all the security is focused on the QWC), how about having Wormtail tuck you into a carpet bag and smuggle you into the Ministry to get that Prophecy? Sorry, that's next year's year-long plan.
*Actually, those few more months will make a slight difference. For instance, the difference of Harry learning about Imperius from the guy who's supposed to be on your side.
*Is it me, or are the Death Eaters all pissy little Queens? This "faithful servant" business is a little degrading. It's also a little naughty-it reeks of pornish possibilities! People go on and on about Muggle-rape at DE meetings. Seems more like they'd be having dangerous liaisons with each other.
**snort* Voldemort doesn't appreciate Peter because he wants someone with brains. Yeah, like that's a priority with Voldemort.
*Again, why does everyone continue to insist that Peter is stupid and useless? Isn't he, in fact, the most successful Death Eater ever? But then, he was successful through use of simple, effective plans. If he'd had a more elaborate plan to get Sirius put in jail that failed spectacularly due to some meddling kids, now THAT would show some real brilliance. No truly intelligent plan takes less than 9 months to execute.
*Memory charms can be broken by a powerful wizard. Excellent loophole. That will come in handy--or not, depending on the plot. (See: Life Debt)
*Voldemort knows, he always knows...anyone think Voldemort drew inspiration for his villainous identity from old Muggle radio programs he loved as a child?
*Oh Peter, surely you know that when somebody like Voldemort makes a "give their right hand" joke it's going to turn out to be literal! Mwahahaha!
*This chapter is pretty damned cool. I love the gossiping villagers (especially the one suggesting everybody have some compassion for Frank--you know, the one who gets ignored), and Frank, and the creepy old house. It's really quite fab. And I agree with nymph, it does have a wonderful Agatha Christie feel to it.
*You know, sometimes I find myself wishing Muggles would wind up being the heroes of the story? They get no respect from anyone, but the way they stand up to wizards appeals to me more than the way the heroes do. They all wind up beaten, of course, but I could really seriously imagine a lot of the Muggles we meet in canon beating the wizards by being their ornery selves. Muggle pride!
*The Grangers probably wouldn't be much help.
IITS
Voldemort pretty much announces this in this chapter: everything that seems stupid about my plan is going in anyway, so you might as well accept it!
Informed Attributes
Peter's not the smart one? Err, okay.
POV Shots
I enjoy being in Frank's pov shot.
Spring-Loaded Cat
None, but doesn't it seem like there should have been?
Final score: 3.5
The older ones not posted here are just GoF and OotP. I figured I'd start with GoF. So here we are with two chapter ones for the price of one!
*Do I really like this first chapter as much as I think I do, or am I just relieved it's not Dudley Demented?
*So the Riddles, too, had a manor. No wonder Tom turned out evil. Sure he was raised in a poor orphanage, but he had manor in the blood. Related to pureblood Slytherin on one side, rich, snobbish manor house Muggles on the other!
*Does AK make a look of terror magically stay on your face and freeze there?
*I like Frank.
*So does everybody have to pay Frank for gardening? Like, he comes with the house?
*I assumed Voldemort owned the house, myself. It's the type of thing he'd need to do.
*Awww, Peter moving his lord closer to the fire. There's something really comical about this. Oops--I know, scary scary in the haunted house, yes, cold voice, not funny at all.
*Milk the snake. Ew.
*Stay away from her fangs, btw, Peter. You might bleed to death.;-)
*It still always amazes me the way wizards can be "obsessed with security" to the point where Voldemort doesn't want to make a move until the cup is over, but every year they randomly invite a dozen Muggle children to attend Hogwarts. Think we've found the hole in the security system there.
*I agree with Tora that the possibility of a Muggle/witch marriage seems completely impossible. And how did she hide it, being a Pureblood? The Weasleys can't even buy a train ticket after years of study.
*"Your Lordship is still determined then?" asks Peter, meaning "determined to go through with an elaborate plan with many chances for failure when something quick and efficient would do?"
*Oh Peter. That common sense of yours is going to get you killed one of these days.
*Pouty!Voldemort is great: Admit it, Peter. You want to find me a human sacrifice because you don't like changing my nappies! That's it, isn't it! I repulse you! You don't have to say it, I see the look in your eyes when you touch me. I'll bet you have to imagine I'm Sirius Black just to make yourself do it. You want to go find yourself a younger, handsomer dark lord! I feel fat and you don't bring me flowers anymore!
*Peter really has nowhere else to go? I would think there would be plenty of places for a rat to live large in the wizarding UK.
*Note that Voldemort reminds us that Peter is cowardly, first because despite not being a Gryffindor he of course shares their disgust for cowards as we all should. Second because it's important we know not to admire anything Peter does because it's all fruit of the poisoned tree. Sure he's effective, but only out of cowardice.
*It seems like Peter's protests about not wanting to protect Harry might be covering the fact that Peter, too, sees Harry as his savior. Well, come on, he lived with Harry so had time to be won over by him. Maybe we'll get a speech from Peter's that's just like Dumbledore's in OotP: I was supposed to kill you Harry, but I just had to help you beat Malfoy at Quidditch first!
*Life debt is, imo, still the reigning champion of those ideas that seem really powerful but are inconsistently applied for plot purposes. Life debts are really important...when we say they are. Luckily, despite the fact that Harry is apparently the object of not one but two of them, he's not interested enough to learn about them.
*"I have waited thirteen years," says Voldemort. "A few more months will make no difference." Why do I suspect those "few months" will cover August-June?
*But since we're waiting around for a few months (and all the security is focused on the QWC), how about having Wormtail tuck you into a carpet bag and smuggle you into the Ministry to get that Prophecy? Sorry, that's next year's year-long plan.
*Actually, those few more months will make a slight difference. For instance, the difference of Harry learning about Imperius from the guy who's supposed to be on your side.
*Is it me, or are the Death Eaters all pissy little Queens? This "faithful servant" business is a little degrading. It's also a little naughty-it reeks of pornish possibilities! People go on and on about Muggle-rape at DE meetings. Seems more like they'd be having dangerous liaisons with each other.
**snort* Voldemort doesn't appreciate Peter because he wants someone with brains. Yeah, like that's a priority with Voldemort.
*Again, why does everyone continue to insist that Peter is stupid and useless? Isn't he, in fact, the most successful Death Eater ever? But then, he was successful through use of simple, effective plans. If he'd had a more elaborate plan to get Sirius put in jail that failed spectacularly due to some meddling kids, now THAT would show some real brilliance. No truly intelligent plan takes less than 9 months to execute.
*Memory charms can be broken by a powerful wizard. Excellent loophole. That will come in handy--or not, depending on the plot. (See: Life Debt)
*Voldemort knows, he always knows...anyone think Voldemort drew inspiration for his villainous identity from old Muggle radio programs he loved as a child?
*Oh Peter, surely you know that when somebody like Voldemort makes a "give their right hand" joke it's going to turn out to be literal! Mwahahaha!
*This chapter is pretty damned cool. I love the gossiping villagers (especially the one suggesting everybody have some compassion for Frank--you know, the one who gets ignored), and Frank, and the creepy old house. It's really quite fab. And I agree with nymph, it does have a wonderful Agatha Christie feel to it.
*You know, sometimes I find myself wishing Muggles would wind up being the heroes of the story? They get no respect from anyone, but the way they stand up to wizards appeals to me more than the way the heroes do. They all wind up beaten, of course, but I could really seriously imagine a lot of the Muggles we meet in canon beating the wizards by being their ornery selves. Muggle pride!
*The Grangers probably wouldn't be much help.
IITS
Voldemort pretty much announces this in this chapter: everything that seems stupid about my plan is going in anyway, so you might as well accept it!
Informed Attributes
Peter's not the smart one? Err, okay.
POV Shots
I enjoy being in Frank's pov shot.
Spring-Loaded Cat
None, but doesn't it seem like there should have been?
Final score: 3.5
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2007-02-09 04:44 pm (UTC)I'm amazed that Dumbledore let it remain standing. It must have had a part in some elaborate, silly, over involved plans of his.
*But since we're waiting around for a few months (and all the security is focused on the QWC), how about having Wormtail tuck you into a carpet bag and smuggle you into the Ministry to get that Prophecy? Sorry, that's next year's year-long plan.
I swear, Tom and Albus are related somehow. They both enjoy long drawn out plans that never work right.
*Voldemort knows, he always knows...anyone think Voldemort drew inspiration for his villainous identity from old Muggle radio programs he loved as a child?
Only the Shadow knows what evil fanboy Riddle was in his youth!
*Memory charms can be broken by a powerful wizard. Excellent loophole. That will come in handy--or not, depending on the plot. (See: Life Debt)
Yeah it will get big play in 7. Most likely.
*You know, sometimes I find myself wishing Muggles would wind up being the heroes of the story? They get no respect from anyone, but the way they stand up to wizards appeals to me more than the way the heroes do. They all wind up beaten, of course, but I could really seriously imagine a lot of the Muggles we meet in canon beating the wizards by being their ornery selves. Muggle pride!
*The Grangers probably wouldn't be much help.
Yes, we will triumph. The WW will be layed low with Crest All-Whitening Toothpaste with Fluoride.
no subject
Date: 2007-02-09 05:53 pm (UTC)Peter is a horribly misused character. Rowling clearly considers him beneath notice, but when you think about it, he's capable of some seriously extreme actions for his own self-preservation. He cut off his own finger to fake his death, for crying out loud - someone who's that invested in his own survival might do anything. And that's scary. Oh, and let's not forget - a coward doesn't take chances. Peter isn't going to give you back your wand so he can kill you in a fair duel. He'd be too scared to. He'll just blast you while you're lying there helpless and tied up.
I'm reminded of Stephen Donaldson's The Real Story, which features a villain who's completely horrible and terrifying, not despite being a complete coward, but because of it.
*You know, sometimes I find myself wishing Muggles would wind up being the heroes of the story?
Yeah, isn't it about time for another turn in genre conventions? It used to be that humans were the plucky heroes, fighting the evil, satanic witches/vampires/werewolves/ghosts/whatevers. This, of course, reeks of fear of the unknown and the abuse of minorities, so eventually, some authors got the idea to do it differently. And so the supernatural creatures became the heroes, forced to suffer cooly in a world too boring and mundane to understand them. But this has its own propblems, namely, that it sort of celebrates elitism.
So how about we try it the other way again for a bit? "I'm BORINGLY ORDINARY! Hear me roar!" =]
no subject
Date: 2007-02-09 07:00 pm (UTC)*sniggers* Oh, the good old days before HBP.
*Note that Voldemort reminds us that Peter is cowardly, first because despite not being a Gryffindor he of course shares their disgust for cowards as we all should. Second because it's important we know not to admire anything Peter does because it's all fruit of the poisoned tree. Sure he's effective, but only out of cowardice.
And, of course, he's not a True Gryffindor.
no subject
Date: 2007-02-10 09:12 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-09 08:33 pm (UTC)None, but doesn't it seem like there should have been?
When I read the words "Spring-Loaded Cat" Nagini immediately came to my mind. Except the word "false" it seems to fit the definition just fine [see below]. Suddenly appearing slithering in the dark corridor is snakes' equivalent of cats' propelling out of closet. Its appearance was both surprising & frightening, imo.
Very glad you decided to repost, btw.
Spring-Loaded Cat:The ubiquitous kitty that invariably jet propels itself out of closets and cabinets during horror movies, creating a false scare.
no subject
Date: 2007-02-09 08:39 pm (UTC)Does AK make a look of terror magically stay on your face and freeze there?
I don't think he needed Avada Kedavra. All he had to do was tell them the amount of child benefits they owe him and they'd self-asplode.
So does everybody have to pay Frank for gardening? Like, he comes with the house?
It reminds me of the quote JKR made when asked why DD doesn't get rid of Peeves: 'He's like damp rot, he comes with the house.'
I assumed Voldemort owned the house, myself. It's the type of thing he'd need to do.
Well I thought so too, but Volders doesn't seem the type to pay for the gardener to stay there.
I agree with Tora that the possibility of a Muggle/witch marriage seems completely impossible. And how did she hide it, being a Pureblood?
Ahh, the wonders of date rape.
Peter really has nowhere else to go? I would think there would be plenty of places for a rat to live large in the wizarding UK.
Yeah, he could live in the tube. I saw one crawl up behind one of the posters on the curved wall opposite the platform...THEY'RE FORMING AN ARMY IN THERE!!
Life debts are really important...when we say they are.
Yeah, Ginny-Sue's too cool for life debts. She don't owe nothing to no man, sista!
"A few more months will make no difference." Why do I suspect those "few months" will cover August-June?
I try to justify this book's stupid plothole (even though it's probably my favourite HP book) by reasoning that the potion was really difficult, took months to brew, and he wanted to be restored during the seventh month. But surely you could've explained this, JKR?
Oh Peter, surely you know that when somebody like Voldemort makes a "give their right hand" joke it's going to turn out to be literal! Mwahahaha!
I'm reminded forcibly of that star wars icon with Luke getting his hand chopped off and screaming 'NOOOOOOOO MY SEX LIFE!!!!!'
The Grangers probably wouldn't be much help.
They could...pull teeth, I guess. Or if they're like the dentist my mum used to work with they could give the DEs painful crowns that fall out within a week.
no subject
Date: 2007-02-10 02:26 pm (UTC)... now I'm picturing Peter Pettigrew the King of Rats. "Screw Voldemort, I've got my own army now. We're behind every wall! Lurking in every attic! We are watching you, and one day, we will burst forth, and the world will belong to Wormtail! Muahahahahaha!"
no subject
Date: 2007-02-09 11:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-10 03:04 pm (UTC)This "faithful servant" business is a little degrading. It's also a little naughty-it reeks of pornish possibilities! People go on and on about Muggle-rape at DE meetings. Seems more like they'd be having dangerous liaisons with each other.
*grins* So all those people who ship Lucius/Snape have canon to back them up!
Voldemort knows, he always knows...anyone think Voldemort drew inspiration for his villainous identity from old Muggle radio programs he loved as a child?
Talk about Muggle Pride. Voldemort gets his best Evil Overlord mannerisms from the Muggles and uses them on the WW....
no subject
Date: 2007-02-10 04:39 pm (UTC)That also explains his silly, dragged-out evil schemes. He must have lifted them from old Buck Rogers serials or something.
no subject
Date: 2007-02-10 09:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-10-12 02:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-10 07:06 pm (UTC)*I agree with Tora that the possibility of a Muggle/witch marriage seems completely impossible. And how did she hide it, being a Pureblood? The Weasleys can't even buy a train ticket after years of study.
No, that is because they are all idiots. I mean, electricity is not a very hard word to say and is phonetically correct. Learn it, get hooked on phonics. Wait until the next chapter when Ron freaking yells into the phone. I mean, if it was Draco making a phone call, he might look at the phone a bit strangely but I doubt, being raised around magic and how it can magically amplify and send your voice through freaking fire, that he wouldn’t start low and raise his voice if the listener can’t hear, not yell thinking Harry far away=yell really loud.
*But since we're waiting around for a few months (and all the security is focused on the QWC), how about having Wormtail tuck you into a carpet bag and smuggle you into the Ministry to get that Prophecy? Sorry, that's next year's year-long plan.
Yeah, why in the hell did they need to go through all that planning to get the prophecy? I mean, wouldn’t it be easier to Imperio a Department of Mysteries worker and have them just bring it to the local Denny’s where a DE can easily put it into a knapsack and take it carefully to Voldie? Oh I forgot, Denny’s is Muggle and they wouldn’t make it through the door without help! Totally makes sense why they would wait nine months to lure Harry Potter there when they could have had the prophecy already and lured him somewhere else. WTF?
*The Grangers probably wouldn't be much help.
What are you saying?! The Grangers are wonderful Muggles and loving parents who make sure their brilliant daughter is properly cared for and… Oh I forgot, they gave up guardianship to the Weasleys years ago. My bad! If they only knew how stupid they were. Can you imagine, when Ron and Hermione get married cause it was predestined from the start that Hermione should pick the stupidest guy in school so she can have someone to easily control, what it will look like when both sets of parents meet? It’ll be like the showdown sequence in Trading Spouses.
Molly: You leave your daughter with us every summer and leave her at school all year long!
Dr. Granger (female, apparently I looked at the HP lexicon and they are both just Dr. and Dr. Granger): You destroyed the telly trying to release the newscasters!
no subject
Date: 2009-02-21 10:23 pm (UTC)