deathtocapslock | CoS Chapter Fifteen

Over a day early this week, because I'm off to Phoenix Rising and will have no internet. But who can wait for the big dumb spider?

*When Harry takes his seasonal check of the lovely weather, it's all ruined by Hagrid not being there. Something tells me nobody else knows or cares that he's missing.

*Visitors are now randomly banned from the hospital wing in case the attacker comes back-don't want the Heir hiding in the pocket of a student, I guess.

*The whole school's totally freaked out at Dumbledore being gone. They're so used to him taking personal interest in every one of them, ya know.

*Funny how freaked out they are at the idea of the headmaster going away for a while when in sixth year nobody can work up a sustained interest in the attempted murders. I think somebody's projecting his own emotional level on the rest of the school again.

*Harry keeps going over Dumbledore's last words about how he'll never really go away as long as there are people loyal to him there. Unfortunately, going over the line over and over does not lead Harry to think the line is pretty damn creepy, or wonder why he's supposed to be loyal to the guy whose job it is to oversee the school lunch program and find a new teacher once a year.

*Harry does think the words mean nothing since everybody is as confused as scared as he is. Need I mention here that it might do some good to tell somebody what you know, Harry?

*Draco's the one person pleased at the atmosphere of paranoia and suspicion-boy, he must be really brave. Err…I mean, cowardly.

*Hee! Malfoy's little fanboy moment of Snape. So cute, though I can't blame Seamus for pretending to throw up a little.

*I think Malfoy's sincere in his adoration of Snape, btw. I think at this point in his life Malfoy sounds the most phony when he's being most sincere.

*Yeah, I'll bet Snape can't repress that smile. Snape is already be headmaster, Draco, and he always will be as long as there are students like you who are loyal to him!

*Malfoy says he's surprised the Muggle-borns haven't left by now. Not if you know none of their parents know what's going on.

*It's really terrible how callous Malfoy is about Hermione here. Almost like if she almost died being stuck in a Vanishing Cabinet and everybody thought that was pretty awesome.

*Heh. Can't help but think of Snape escorting the Gryffindors to Herbology because it seems to mean the Slytherins are just left on their own.

*Ernie proves himself a good guy by apologizing to Harry for doubting him. Being able to admit you're wrong is a virtue unless you're Harry himself.

*Though I do like his reasoning-he knows Harry would never attack Hermione. Random Hufflepuffs, sure, but not Hermione.

*Ernie and Hannah are now sticking close to Harry, probably drawing comfort from his mere presence.

*Ron still hasn't forgiven Ernie. He doesn't think much of people just assuming someone is guilty because he looks guilty! Any good person would have accused Malfoy first!

*Honestly, look at the way Ernie and Hannah are looking up to Harry here already. Do you think it's Malfoy Harry? No? A firm no? Okay, we'll try to think of something else Harry.

*Harry hits Ron over the head with his pruning shears to get his attention. Um, jeez, Harry. Did you take him get stitches afterwards?

*Harry had apparently never wanted to enter the Forbidden Forest again. Chicken.

*I guess we're supposed to think less of Lockhart for thinking the Ministry wouldn't have taken Hagrid away unless they were sure of his guilt, but it's a bit comforting to think that his confidence in his government is based on thinking they're competent.

*Lockhart goes on and on obviously not liking Hagrid-he's lucky he made it out of the class alive.

*The Common room is now always filled because the Gryffindors have no where else to go. What, no more socializing with the other houses? No more studying in the library? Do they ever have too many other places to go?

*Ginny sits in Hermione's usual chair, still not putting a stop to everything, even though someone has been arrested for her crimes. Courage at work!

*Hagrid's house is all sad and sorry-looking. Iow, the lights are off. Boo hoo.

*I assume somebody's feeding this dog, right? Or is it just chomping on the non-Muggleborns?

*I love that Ron congratulates Harry for having the sense to turn on his flashlight/torch, basically.

*And then Harry and Ron went into the forest and were eaten by a giant slug. The end.

*Harry takes comfort in Hagrid telling them to follow the spider. You know, you really ought to think twice about taking comfort for anything Hagrid's told you about. Especially when it's “follow the spider.”

*What does Ron mean, exactly, by the forest turning his car wild? Just that it's muddy?

*So I guess it doesn't run on gas/petrol?

*OMG, if there's one thing I hate in this series it's all the non-humans who have to spout off about Hagrid being a good man because he likes monsters. STFU, Aragog. I hate it when animals are turned into robots to flatter characters.

*Btw, if real animals could talk? They probably wouldn't say “You know who I love? The guy who kept me in a box for six months.”

*So the basilisk is It-Who-Will-Not-Be-Named? Magical creatures seem really into not calling things by name when there's no reason for it. If Ron can say spider, Aragog should be able to say basilisk.

*As if to prove what a good man Hagrid is, his beloved pet offers up Ron and Harry as a picnic, since Hagrid's sent them and all.

*Ron quickly grows in my estimation by considering Hagrid less than innocent.

*I know Hermione's the one with the books, but you'd think it would even occur to Harry to look up what spiders are the most afraid of.

*Instead, Ron uses the law of character conservation and decides Myrtle was killed by the Heir of Slytherin.

Designated Hero
I'm feeling so sorry for Ginny. It must be hard knowing you're totally going to kill somebody but you can't ask for help because somebody might find out you like Harry…or whatever she's afraid of.

Exploitation Filmmakers' Credo
Dudes, Hagrid tells you to follow a spider, why wouldn't you think you were going to be lunch?

Hero's Death Battle Exemption
Tough luck, army of deadly giant spiders.

IITS
We thought we had to do something to show that the stakes are higher, and banning visitors from the infirmary was the only thing we could think of. Sorry.

Informed Attributes
The whole school's in terror without Dumbledore. Really. I swear.

James Bond Exposition Rule
If you're a spider, it's not considered rude to feed guests you just delivered exposition to to your children.

Signs of things to come: Hagrid needs to be defended at all costs, because things don't look right to Harry when Hagrid isn't there. It's not courage if it might get you into trouble. Listening to Hagrid is never a good idea.