OotP Chapter Eleven

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

*Harry "doesn't want to tell anyone he and Luna were having the same delusion." So he doesn't tell anyone about the Thestrels. Kind of interesting given that it implies a) that Harry thinks he's delusional and b) he seems to have decided that Luna's crazy and therefore doesn't want to be associated with her. Though presumably if people think Luna is crazy for seeing Thestrels, Harry's saying he sees them would help her out--two crazy people don't independently share delusions. If you both see them, it's real.

*Besides which, given you live in a magical world, what's so crazy about these things? It's really funny how JKR is always running up against this, where Harry and Hermione's life as Muggles somehow don't ever affect their perception of the Wizarding World at all. They automatically know what could be true by Wizard standards.

*Luna endears herself to me by saying Hagrid's not a very good teacher and not backing down (because she didn't say anything bad) even when everyone is rather brutish about it. The Gryffindors look really foolish, but Luna will still be their best friend because IITS.

*This is a totally small, weird point, but it just struck me as interesting that Harry refers to himself as "seeing something Ron could not" in the Mirror of Erised. I'm sure it's just to compare that situation to the Thestrels, but a more accurate description would be that they both saw different things, and neither could see what the other could. It just fits in with the tight Harry pov that he'd phrase it as Ron not being able to see his parents, as if that was what was really there, or that Harry's seeing that was something special about Harry.

*People at the feast are waving to friends in other houses--funny, being in Harry's pov you'd think nobody ever spoke to anyone in any other house.

*Ginny is "hailed by fellow fourth years" when they get to the hall. No doubt they were just miserable before she finally arrived! Woo-Hoo!

*From all the heavy hints it seems clear Hagrid not being there is supposed to be a Great and Terribly Ominous thing. I get it already, and I'd prefer if we didn't have to talk about him every two sentences so I could enjoy his not being there.

*The hat sings. Hufflepuff is re-defined as the "all the rest" house (the one where the Professor and Mary Ann were Sorted).

*More importantly, the founders were *all* fighting, according to the hat, and Slytherin's leaving made peace, but also caused the sorry state of today--three against one. Maybe I'm wrong but it sounds like Slytherin made a sacrifice for others there. Which maybe made him almost good enough to be friends with them but not quite.

*It seems a lot of people read the song as being halfway followed throught he DA, since it has kids of different houses, but it seems pretty clear that the division between Gryff, Puff and Claw hasn't been an issue since Slytherin left. That's just the status quo, guys.

*"Branched out a bit this year, hasn't it?" says Ron. LOL Ron!

*"He felt his return to Hogwarts, so long anticipated, was full of unexpected surprises, like jarring notes in a familiar song." Author's joke about long-awaited "dark" OotP? You be the judge.

*At the idea of "all the houses being friends" Harry looks over to Draco, who is "holding court." This has to be heavy foreshadowing of Harry having to get a new attitude about this kid, doesn't it? Nick's suggestions about "friendly ties" (as opposed to being bff) with Slytherin's ghost meet with reactions that offend him to the point of floating away. ETA: So what the hell was the point of this? I'm frankly amazed that it turned out that Harry's "I'll never work with Draco" was not an opinion that would ever be challenged.

*Ron and Hermione bicker and then spend the night sitting in huffed silence, like a bitter, middle-aged couple. Cute. Not.

*Harry may wear glasses, but he has tremendous eyesight. Not only can he see Ernie Macmillan's prefect badge, which I always imagine as quite small, GLEAMING on his chest from across the hall, but he notices Umbridge's teeth are quite pointed. Did he get those glasses from the back of a comic book?

*Given that I now know what's going to happen, I note there's no specific description of Slytherin's reaction to Umbridge, so I assume they don't have any more knowledge than anyone else--I mean, I think Umbridge and Lucius know each other, but it doesn't seem like Draco has some clue what she plans to do yet.

*Hermione scolds Ron for calling first year's midgets, then "commandingly" yells, "First years!" Personally, I think most all of them would have far preferred Ron.

*Harry handles Seamus' doubts with incredible grace.

*Dean defends himself with the fact that his parents are muggles and he's "not stupid enough" to tell them about deaths at school (good for you, Dean--we all know telling your parents would be traitorous).

*Seamus angrily points out he can hardly do that, given his mother. I think he was pretty open to Harry's side before Harry yelled at him--presumably when Harry was an asshole Seamus suddenly felt a "rush of affection" for his mother, and so declared Harry was mad just like the paper said.

*Yeah, I'd love to be a Gryffindor student and show up fifth year to learn that prefect duties now include keeping Harry Potter from having to deal with students he doesn't want to. Poor Harry hates being ignored, but hates being stared at, hates that he didn't get to tell his side of the story, but when asked his side of the story, refuses to tell. A good person would be able to tell what was going on! Nobody knows what it's like! Nobody!

*Proving Harry's point, Neville naturally announces that his gran has sussed out exactly the correct attitude: It's the Prophet that's going downhill, of course Voldemort's back and "we" believe Harry. The light from Neville's blessed pure soul briefly lights up the room, then dims to a quiet glow.

*"We believe Harry" btw. It's not an individual thing, it's families that have different beliefs. Seamus, as a halfblood, eventually comes to his own conclusion (though Harry makes it difficult). The Weasleys and the Longbottoms display virtue by knowing to believe Harry. Harry feels a rush of affection for Neville for this, much like his rush of affection for Sirius for also agreeing with him out of nowhere.

*ETA: And you know, the moment I know H/G was going to happen already in HBP was the moment Ginny agreed with Harry out of nowhere and smacked down Hermione. Think about what that says about the great love Harry feels for her.

*A few more offerings to the Church of Saint Harry and Neville might almost become a real boy! The kind who grows up to do three different jobs you imagine when you're six all at the same time.

*Now Harry's all, "Dumbledore and I are in this together! He believed me!" and "I wonder if he's angry with me for making him lose his special positions!" Harry, you dimwit, Dumbledore couldn't care less about losing his stupid positions, and he made no sacrifice at all in backing you. When you figure out you're his pawn and not his bff, let us know. Maybe in the now suddenly possible Book 8.

*Harry worries how many "attacks" like Seamus he will have to endure. Well Harry, if you're going to ignore your own part in any argument, I suppose it might be legion.



Designated Hero
How many attacks will ours face? How can Seamus be stopped?? What can Harry do, short of actually trying to talk to anyone or making any effort whatsoever, to make them know what's really going on?

IITS Wait, why is Harry giving an encouraging grin to a strange boy? Harry never notices anyone but himself, and if he does he certain doesn't grin in a reassure...oh, I see he's grinning so he can be wounded when the he sees the other kid whispering about him. IITS.

Nut o’ Fun It's not, really, but damn those must be some fragile bedcurtains!

Misdirected Answering
ETA: The Sorting Hat's New Song: No more relevent than Michael Caine's British accent!

Final score: 4

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Hmmm, so if the Professor and Mary Ann were sorted into Hufflepuff, where does that leave the rest of the Gilligan crew? Let me guess:

Ginger: Slytherin
The Howells, aka the Malfoys of Gilligan's Island: Slytherin

Gilligan and the Skipper(too): Gryffindor

[(Anonymous)]

"Hermione scolds Ron for calling first year's midgets, then "commandingly" yells, "First years!" Personally, I think most all of them would have far preferred Ron."

Ron would have forgotten all about their existence and went to sleep without leading them to the Tower or explaining anything to them. As described by the author the guy is lazy, whiny, prejudiced, can't care less about anybody outside his little circle, is eternally overshadowed by his friends and is a bit of a bully. Yes, I would have dearly loved him to be something else, something more. But that's the way he has been written. Annoying as Hermione is, at least she tries with the younger kids - tries to explain stuff to them tries to defend them. Ron is keen for the trappings and power of prefectship, but isn't willing to actually do the work.
In "dog eats dog" environment of Hogwarts somebody has to look out for the little kids who aren't the Chosen One and friends. Ridicule and lack of anknoweldgement that Percy got for conscientuously doing the job never ceased to incense me.

Re: Seamus extravaganza. It is amazing how in order to be good one has to believe Harry's/DD's unsupported word without question. Those who actually want some facts to base their judgement on are clearly unworthy and either may exonerate themselves by crawling back to those luminaries or end up at the dungheap of history.

To be honest, one has to wonder why in all that supposed smear campaign nobody accused Harry of murdering Cedric. He had the means, the motive, the opportunity and some of his previous exploits hinted at propensity towards violence. Oh, but it would have been far too plausible and difficult to refute, we can't have that.

"Dean defends himself with the fact that his parents are muggles and he's "not stupid enough" to tell them about deaths at school"

Another example of sterling tretment of Muggles by the supposedly "good" wizards. Really, there was a much better story in the issues of Muggleborn and people with Muggle family members and their struggle to survive between two worlds. All neglected for yet another prophesized saviour bore-fest.

[kaskait.livejournal.com]

*Ginny is "hailed by fellow fourth years" when they get to the hall. No doubt they were just miserable before she finally arrived! Woo-Hoo!

Ginny has FRIENDS. FRIENDS, I tell you! Even though we never actually meet them or learn their names and they disappear after this book.

*Ron and Hermione bicker and then spend the night sitting in huffed silence, like a bitter, middle-aged couple. Cute. Not.

You're a woman, don't you know what this is like? It's TRUE LOVE!

*Dean defends himself with the fact that his parents are muggles and he's "not stupid enough" to tell them about deaths at school (good for you, Dean--we all know telling your parents would be traitorous).

Dean realized how medieval his parents were after Hogwarts showed him the real world. The real world in which people still write with quill pens. Ballpoint pens...gel ink pens, now that is backwards living.

[(Anonymous)]

Maybe in the now suddenly possible Book 8.

Suddenly possible book 8?

Please tell me this is a joke.

- Dan Hemmens

[(Anonymous)]

*Luna endears herself to me by saying Hagrid's not a very good teacher and not backing down (because she didn't say anything bad) even when everyone is rather brutish about it.

I think I can parse this scene now. What Luna says is accurate, but she doesn't understand that a teacher should be judged on his heart rather than his lack of teaching ability. This isn't up for debate, naturally. Luna's such a Ravenclaw with her "reasoning" and "difference of opinion".

*I think he was pretty open to Harry's side before Harry yelled at him--presumably when Harry was an asshole Seamus suddenly felt a "rush of affection" for his mother, and so declared Harry was mad just like the paper said.

Yep, the rot of thinking for yourself and suspending judgment is spreading all right. The Gryffindor Care Bear Stare, with "care" in the sense of "threat of immediate bodily harm", will get a lot of workout in this book.

Honestly, how dare Seamus ask to hear Harry's version? When the government, the media and your mother tell you one thing and Harry tells you nothing at all, of course you side with the stuck-up git who hasn't said five words to you since you were Sorted together and probably couldn't spell your name.

*"We believe Harry" btw. It's not an individual thing, it's families that have different beliefs.

The Old Testament touch. In this society children really are extensions of their parents rather than individuals. I suppose if I wanted to cut Arthur some slack (which, not really), Percy's rebellion must have seemed a bit like that Clive Barker short where people's limbs decide they've had it with being attached to their bodies.

-L

[meritjubet.livejournal.com]

It always surprised me that Ron became Prefect and not Dean or Seamus (at this point Neville is only depicted as a wuss so of course he doesn't need the ego booster, he's undeserving). Because considering all the trouble Ron has been in, you have to wonder what trouble Dean and Seamus have gotten into. According to a conversation I had recently while discussing this, it is because they were drug smugglers working for pimp!McGonagall. Obviously in light of this chapter, it was because they didn't support Harry enough. Which is even worse.

...or Ron got it because of his connections. Dumbledore makes Mrs Weasley all the more grateful. Plus, Harry's friend!!1!

[go-back-chief.livejournal.com]

So what the hell was the point of this? I'm frankly amazed that it turned out that Harry's "I'll never work with Draco" was not an opinion that would ever be challenged.

Oh, but don't you see? He did work with him! Totally! He SAVED HIS LIFE! ;-)