Christmas chapter!
Dec. 24th, 2005 02:09 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
jollityfarm.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
deathtocapslockI shall be off to my mum's in a few hours, so I'll leave all the people with Christmas cheer in the form of...
*It's the old dramatic technique of "If you ask me that one more time..."! Of course, it's as old as time and slightly annoying, especially since Ron's apparently repeated questions only resulted in Harry telling him about the Unbreakable Vow this one time. Wouldn't he have told Ron the first time he asked?
*Fred and George were apparently capable of this supposedly advanced and serious magic at the age of about seven. Then again, when they were about five, they knew enough magic to turn Ron's teddy into a spider. Despite the fact that they didn't have wands. I daresay they stole the wands, but wouldn't that be really hard?
*"...passing over Fred's left buttock." Thanks for that.
*Passing over some stuff about Lavender and her "extensive brain damage", we come to the matter of bedroom sharing (Fleur is sharing with Ginny, apparently unable to share with Bill until it's all legal and proper), leading us to Percy, who is still the biggest prat in the world. Later, one of the oh-so-sophisticated diners at that table will throw food at him and be proud of it. Yay.
*Anyway, Harry's definitely going to tell everyone ever what he heard, especially Dumbledore. Even Ron insists that nobody will believe Harry, but that's okay! The more disbelieved Harry is, the more right he must surely be! You could plot it on a graph, I daresay.
*Ginny apparently likes to drown the place in decorations. I can only imagine the lights she would enjoy if she were a Muggle and had access to the Las Vegas-esque lights one can see on certain houses. Harry probably either thinks this is adorable or "just one of those things" about women.
*Celestina Warbeck is on the radio. I have sort-of plot bunnies about her (a selection: her real name is Eileen Prince; she was at school with Tom Riddle; she's a Death Eater; she's a relative of someone-or-other; she's a lover of someone-or-other). Anyway, she has a song called "A Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love". How people wouldn't laugh on hearing that title is beyond me. Anyway, there's a break from this briefly to remind us that Remus is here and looking thinner and more ragged than ever. Oh, jolly good.
*Harry talks to Arthur about the arrests. Arthur doesn't think any of them is a genuine Death Eater, although we're not to mention that. And they're still holding Stan Shunpike. It'd be interesting to find out that Stan Shunpike actually was a Death Eater. The whole narrative seems so intent on proving he isn't one, it'd be actually quite cool if Harry turned out to be wrong. Although Harry is always right. But anyway. Arthur, by the way, thinks Professor Snape may have been pretending in order to get information out of Draco.
*Remus Lupin, ever a font of emotional wossnames, says it isn't our business to know whether Professor Snape is evil or not. Dumbledore trusts him and therefore he must be okay. Personally, I wouldn't trust Professor Dumbledore as far as I could throw him. What with his keeping important information secret and twinkling all the damn time and saying "Sherbet lemon?" instead of answering a question, I don't see why anyone would trust him.
*Remus neither likes or dislikes Severus. As with everyone else, then? One wonders if part of being a werewolf is all about keeping one's emotions hidden for fear that one could change into a wolf just by getting cross enough. A bit like the Hulk, really ("you wouldn't like me when I'm angry")
*Also, Remus has been among werewolves, almost all of whom are on Voldemort's side. This is a plot development I'm fond of, mostly because it can put paid to the covertly homophobic fannish notion that lycanthropy = homosexuality. After all, if werewolves = teh_gay, then according to Remus, most of the "gay" people are in league with the baddies and one of the main figures likes to attack children. I don't think Rowling would be making that analogy any time soon.
*Fenrir Greyback is about, and on a mission to bite and infect as many people as possible (including Remus, long ago). Apparently, Voldemort is using him as a threat, to unleash on sons and daughters (since he specialises in children, to get them early and raise them away from their families etc). It sounds a bit objectifying to me, a bit "release the hounds". Still, Greyback apparently thrives on that kind of thing. And plans all his attacks, too, by being in the place his victims are, near the full moon. All very unpleasant.
*Remus has never heard of the Half-Blood Prince, and James apparently never asked anyone to call him "Prince" even if he were half-blood, which he wasn't. He probably had people worshipping him enough that it never occurred to him.
*Hahahaha. Fleur imitates Celestina :)
*Ron gets a necklace for Christmas with the words "My Sweetheart" on it. Classy. Probably quite pricey, too, knowing stuff like that. Fred and George are spending a lot of money on presents, which is either a plot point leading to some drama to do with their love of money, or a simple suggestion that they deserve lots of shiny things, because they're so cool. Harry got a package of maggots from Kreacher. How nice :)
*Remus asks about Tonks' patronus, which can apparently change after a big shock or emotional upheaval. Like the boy you like not talking to you? Anyway, Harry still thinks it's Sirius.
*But this is all interrupted by Rufus Scrimgeour arriving with none other than Percy. Mrs. Weasley is anxious to see Percy, but he's not so anxious to join in the feast. Perhaps the drama that will undoubtedly ensue once someone brings up the whole family argument rather puts him off. Anyway, the Minister wishes to talk with Harry.
*The Minister takes rather a long time to ask Harry to support the Ministry, so that everyone might be reassured by them, having the Chosen One supporting them and all. Harry, unfortunately for Scrimgeour, does not support some of the stuff the Ministry is doing, like locking up Stan Shunpike for reasons of politics. He doesn't want to be used. Except by Dumbledore, it seems. That's okay. And he remembers when the Ministry was trying to convince everyone Harry was a liar (as well he might, it was only the year before). He is, as Scrimgeour says, "Dumbledore's man through and through". And shall be until death do them part, I'm sure.
*It's the old dramatic technique of "If you ask me that one more time..."! Of course, it's as old as time and slightly annoying, especially since Ron's apparently repeated questions only resulted in Harry telling him about the Unbreakable Vow this one time. Wouldn't he have told Ron the first time he asked?
*Fred and George were apparently capable of this supposedly advanced and serious magic at the age of about seven. Then again, when they were about five, they knew enough magic to turn Ron's teddy into a spider. Despite the fact that they didn't have wands. I daresay they stole the wands, but wouldn't that be really hard?
*"...passing over Fred's left buttock." Thanks for that.
*Passing over some stuff about Lavender and her "extensive brain damage", we come to the matter of bedroom sharing (Fleur is sharing with Ginny, apparently unable to share with Bill until it's all legal and proper), leading us to Percy, who is still the biggest prat in the world. Later, one of the oh-so-sophisticated diners at that table will throw food at him and be proud of it. Yay.
*Anyway, Harry's definitely going to tell everyone ever what he heard, especially Dumbledore. Even Ron insists that nobody will believe Harry, but that's okay! The more disbelieved Harry is, the more right he must surely be! You could plot it on a graph, I daresay.
*Ginny apparently likes to drown the place in decorations. I can only imagine the lights she would enjoy if she were a Muggle and had access to the Las Vegas-esque lights one can see on certain houses. Harry probably either thinks this is adorable or "just one of those things" about women.
*Celestina Warbeck is on the radio. I have sort-of plot bunnies about her (a selection: her real name is Eileen Prince; she was at school with Tom Riddle; she's a Death Eater; she's a relative of someone-or-other; she's a lover of someone-or-other). Anyway, she has a song called "A Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love". How people wouldn't laugh on hearing that title is beyond me. Anyway, there's a break from this briefly to remind us that Remus is here and looking thinner and more ragged than ever. Oh, jolly good.
*Harry talks to Arthur about the arrests. Arthur doesn't think any of them is a genuine Death Eater, although we're not to mention that. And they're still holding Stan Shunpike. It'd be interesting to find out that Stan Shunpike actually was a Death Eater. The whole narrative seems so intent on proving he isn't one, it'd be actually quite cool if Harry turned out to be wrong. Although Harry is always right. But anyway. Arthur, by the way, thinks Professor Snape may have been pretending in order to get information out of Draco.
*Remus Lupin, ever a font of emotional wossnames, says it isn't our business to know whether Professor Snape is evil or not. Dumbledore trusts him and therefore he must be okay. Personally, I wouldn't trust Professor Dumbledore as far as I could throw him. What with his keeping important information secret and twinkling all the damn time and saying "Sherbet lemon?" instead of answering a question, I don't see why anyone would trust him.
*Remus neither likes or dislikes Severus. As with everyone else, then? One wonders if part of being a werewolf is all about keeping one's emotions hidden for fear that one could change into a wolf just by getting cross enough. A bit like the Hulk, really ("you wouldn't like me when I'm angry")
*Also, Remus has been among werewolves, almost all of whom are on Voldemort's side. This is a plot development I'm fond of, mostly because it can put paid to the covertly homophobic fannish notion that lycanthropy = homosexuality. After all, if werewolves = teh_gay, then according to Remus, most of the "gay" people are in league with the baddies and one of the main figures likes to attack children. I don't think Rowling would be making that analogy any time soon.
*Fenrir Greyback is about, and on a mission to bite and infect as many people as possible (including Remus, long ago). Apparently, Voldemort is using him as a threat, to unleash on sons and daughters (since he specialises in children, to get them early and raise them away from their families etc). It sounds a bit objectifying to me, a bit "release the hounds". Still, Greyback apparently thrives on that kind of thing. And plans all his attacks, too, by being in the place his victims are, near the full moon. All very unpleasant.
*Remus has never heard of the Half-Blood Prince, and James apparently never asked anyone to call him "Prince" even if he were half-blood, which he wasn't. He probably had people worshipping him enough that it never occurred to him.
*Hahahaha. Fleur imitates Celestina :)
*Ron gets a necklace for Christmas with the words "My Sweetheart" on it. Classy. Probably quite pricey, too, knowing stuff like that. Fred and George are spending a lot of money on presents, which is either a plot point leading to some drama to do with their love of money, or a simple suggestion that they deserve lots of shiny things, because they're so cool. Harry got a package of maggots from Kreacher. How nice :)
*Remus asks about Tonks' patronus, which can apparently change after a big shock or emotional upheaval. Like the boy you like not talking to you? Anyway, Harry still thinks it's Sirius.
*But this is all interrupted by Rufus Scrimgeour arriving with none other than Percy. Mrs. Weasley is anxious to see Percy, but he's not so anxious to join in the feast. Perhaps the drama that will undoubtedly ensue once someone brings up the whole family argument rather puts him off. Anyway, the Minister wishes to talk with Harry.
*The Minister takes rather a long time to ask Harry to support the Ministry, so that everyone might be reassured by them, having the Chosen One supporting them and all. Harry, unfortunately for Scrimgeour, does not support some of the stuff the Ministry is doing, like locking up Stan Shunpike for reasons of politics. He doesn't want to be used. Except by Dumbledore, it seems. That's okay. And he remembers when the Ministry was trying to convince everyone Harry was a liar (as well he might, it was only the year before). He is, as Scrimgeour says, "Dumbledore's man through and through". And shall be until death do them part, I'm sure.
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no subject
Date: 2005-12-24 03:40 pm (UTC)It's like in GoF where the Trio spends all night talking and still the next day Harry has to tell the story of what happened in the woods with Mr. Crouch again.
(Fleur is sharing with Ginny, apparently unable to share with Bill until it's all legal and proper),
Honestly--no wonder Ginny is seen as a big feminist in this family. I for one appreciate the idea of someone's family offering me my own room if I'm there with a boyfriend I don't live with, but with a fiance in the late 20th century I think you can just let her sleep with Bill.
*Ginny apparently likes to drown the place in decorations. I can only imagine the lights she would enjoy if she were a Muggle and had access to the Las Vegas-esque lights one can see on certain houses.
No, no. Ginny's tacky decorations, like the twins' tacky clothes, are just a sign that the Weasleys are true aristocrats underneath. The Malfoys probably show their icky nouveau-richeness by decorating the Manor in a tasteful, understated and expensive way. Don't feel bad about not catching that, though. Many commoners wouldn't.
*Anyway, Harry's definitely going to tell everyone ever what he heard, especially Dumbledore. Even Ron insists that nobody will believe Harry, but that's okay! The more disbelieved Harry is, the more right he must surely be! You could plot it on a graph, I daresay.
Yes, it's like clockwork that no one believes Harry whenever he's at his most logical. Like when he says he didn't put his name in the Goblet. Or when he's repeating a conversation that's obviously fishy that he heard perfectly well.
Remus neither likes or dislikes Severus. As with everyone else, then?
LOL! This is why I love Remus. He doesn't really trust any of these people enough to like them or dislike them. He's not going to get caught with the wrong opinion. Just leave him out of it. He's thin and shabby!
Anyway, there's a break from this briefly to remind us that Remus is here and looking thinner and more ragged than ever. Oh, jolly good.
In the next book his limbs will probably start dropping off from poverty and neglect.
*Remus asks about Tonks' patronus, which can apparently change after a big shock or emotional upheaval. Like the boy you like not talking to you? Anyway, Harry still thinks it's Sirius.
Didn't Rowling once suggest that Patronus' change fairly easily? I thought she'd said James' patronus was once a biting teacup or something because he was so pleased he'd been able to make one and that was his memory. Must be quite embarassing to suddenly be someone's Patronus--perfect proof that maybe they're more serious about things than you are. Still, I'm glad NA called it--M.B. had Potterstinks as a Patronus.
no subject
Date: 2005-12-24 05:26 pm (UTC)*iz ded*
no subject
Date: 2005-12-24 06:05 pm (UTC)I had so much love for Kreacher after this. SO much.
no subject
Date: 2005-12-24 06:21 pm (UTC)She's Clark Griswold. Next thing you know, she'll have her family playing some game while dressed up in pig suits.
*Hahahaha. Fleur imitates Celestina :)
Some people say that Fleur talking through Molly's concert and imitating Celestina proves that she deserved to be treated the way she was. I always wondered if Fleur was screwing with Molly to get back at her for giving everyone except her a jumper. While not getting one of those tacky jumpers is a gift in itself, the message is "You may be marrying my son, but you are not welcome in my family." I think it also shows that the Easter Egg incident in GoF was not an anomaly for Molly.
no subject
Date: 2005-12-24 08:12 pm (UTC)I do appreciate that from time to time Lupin brings Harry the reality check and quietly demands that he pay his own way, as in this example:
"You are determined to hate him, Harry", said Lupin with a faint smile. "And I understand; with James as your father, with Sirius as your godfather, you have inherited an old prejudice. By all means tell Dumbledore what you have told Arthur and me, but do not expect him to share your view on the matter; do not even expect him to be surprised by what you tell him."
He then commences discussing with Harry his undercover work with Greyback's crew; to someone who's risking his life & sanity on a daily basis, Harry's bitching about Snape must seem a particularly annoying misalignment of priorities to Remus.
The Minister takes rather a long time to ask Harry to support the Ministry, so that everyone might be reassured by them, having the Chosen One supporting them and all.
Interesting how Scrimgeour doesn't seem AT ALL impressed by Harry ("So you're not 'The Chosen One'?") and flat out states that Dumbledore is using him ("Well, it is clear to me that he has done a very good job on you"). He makes a point to inform Harry of his utility as as a tool to manipulate the masses, but Harry's too
stupidindignant to see where Scrimgeour's conversation is potentially going – that it's actually Dumbledore who's using him in this regard.no subject
Date: 2005-12-31 02:24 pm (UTC)And the wrong tactic to use here - like Harry could care less about the masses?
(Of course, so was offering personal benefits such as help becoming an Auror - little does Scrimgeour know that theres a line to help smooth Harry's way into his chosen career, and it started six year ago.)
no subject
Date: 2005-12-25 11:25 pm (UTC)If Ron has a single childhood trauma that isn't due to Fred and George, I don't think we've been informed of it. It creeps me out, but so do most of the twins' allegedly humorous actions, including the Stupefied garden gnome that they cutely painted gold and hung up as a Christmas ornament.
Personally, I wouldn't trust Professor Dumbledore as far as I could throw him
Ironic that Dumbledore is vouching for Snape when of the two, Snape seems far less likely to screw you over if you rely on him.
Oh well, I'm sure Dumbledore's trust in Snape was based on some cold, hard fact that he couldn't reveal to the Order, being that his one aim in life (all part of the cunning plan, no doubt) was to make them believe Snape is actually on Voldemort's side. Besides, when the right charismatic megalomaniac comes along and demands unquestioning loyalty it's your duty to give it to them.
the covertly homophobic fannish notion that lycanthropy = homosexuality
But, but werewolfism is a perfect metaphor for gayness! Except for the regularly turning into a monster bit. Or that thing where many of them band together against society. Or their condition being a kind of debilitating infectious disease. Or...well anyway, metaphorical queers are so much nicer than real ones, aren't they? /sarcasm
James (...) probably had people worshipping him enough that it never occurred to him.
LOL. James and his Amazing Inflatable Ego! I always thought the point of the Snitch-catching in the Pensieve was less that Peter was a little suckup than that James accepted the fawning as his rightful due.
Harry got a package of maggots from Kreacher. How nice :)
Kreacher is the coolest house-elf ever.
Mrs. Weasley is anxious to see Percy, but he's not so anxious to join in the feast
Who could blame him, with his father and brothers standing there "stony-faced" and obviously holding all of their grudges with both hands? Oh, right. Half the fandom.
-L
no subject
Date: 2005-12-31 02:28 pm (UTC)I love how prior to HBP, people were falling all over themselves to praise Rowling's liberalism in having Remus as her symbolically gay character.
Not as liberal as having an actual gay character of course (although I would think the homosexual community would count their blessings - aren't JKR's male/female relationships bad enough?!) and seeing the parallels between attacking people every month and liking to have sex with people of the same gender as ones' self doesn't strike me as particularly brave or compassionate; but still, let's not ignore an opportunity to slather appreciation.
no subject
Date: 2006-01-02 01:45 am (UTC)My inner slasher is somewhat grateful that she hasn't given us a token gay character who'd make everyone else straight by default.
Still, it's a pretty large omission, considering that the WW is (theoretically) genderblind, colorblind and no doubt religiously tolerant. The idea that "symbolically gay" is an acceptable substitute is like saying that because Muggleborns symbolize a racial minority, there's no need for any actual nonwhite characters.
(Though of course even the major nonwhite characters get just enough page time to be treated like crap by our WASP heroes for the crime of not being their true loves. I have no idea what JKR is saying with this.)
-L
no subject
Date: 2006-01-02 10:18 am (UTC)And naturally, said relationship is doomed to failure, and it will be their fault; even if our hero/heroine apparently only entered into it because a) they fancied their looks but found the fact they had a personality terribly inconvenient or b) as a decoy for their new personality.