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[q-spade.livejournal.com]

– In this chapter, Harry is stuck between a rock (Ron) and a hard place (Hermione):

"...I think it's going to be difficult to get the information, Harry, you'll have to be very careful about how you approach Slughorn, think out a strategy..."

"Ron reckons I should just hang back after Potions this afternoon..."

"Oh, well, if Won-Won thinks that, you'd better do it, she said, flaring up at once. "After all, when has Won-Won's judgement ever been faulty?" (pg 374)

That's right, Harry, it's Granger's way or the highway...and you can't drive. Harry & Ron's complete and utter cluelessness in Potions, after six years of studying the subject, is pathetic. Hermione has made those two very dependent on her, giving herself power in the relationship that she won't hesitate to blatantly flaunt in their faces.


– But Harry has the Prince, and the Prince saves Harry's ill-gotten reputation as Potions Whiz. "Just like his mother, she had the same intuitive grasp of potion-making, it's undoubtedly from Lily he gets it..." enthuses Slughorn. Perhaps Lily faked her way through school as well, relying on luck, charm, and the ability to get other people to do things for her? Oh, and her eyes, let's not forget her enchanting eyes. (Excuse me while I roll mine.)

– So a bezoar is a stone found in a goat's stomach that protects against poison. I'm reminded of Aberforth and the goat; I wonder if those "inappropriate charms" had anything to do with the acquisition or making of bezoars. Bartending is potion-mixing of a sort – and drinks can be tampered with.


– Apparition class! Harry can't concentrate on anything but Draco; it's a good thing he didn't get any of his bits splinched inside the poor boy, that would have been rather embarrassing and painful for the both of them. (Also, interesting to note that Susan Bones' splinching was bloodless – you'd think losing a leg would be quite gruesome!)

"Well, I'm keeping an eye on him from now on," he said firmly, And the moment I see him lurking somewhere with Crabbe & Goyle keeping watch outside, it'll be on with the old invisibility cloak and off to find out what he's – "

...Despite his determination to catch Malfoy out, Harry had no luck at all over the next couple of weeks. Although he consulted the map as often as he could, sometimes making unnecessary visits to the bathroom between lessons to search it, he did not once see Malfoy anywhere suspicious. (pg 388)

"Unnecessary visits to the bathroom"? In search of Draco? And following him invisibly? My, isn't Harry the creepy stalker here! It's sad when Romilda Vane obsesses, but when Harry does it's heroic.


– Happy Birthday, Ron! Here, have some love potion that's past its sell-by date and meant for someone else. And while we're at it, have some poison that's past its sell-by date and meant for someone else. Because clearly Rowling doesn't think you deserve a break from being second best. Sheesh! :(


– Common sense would suggest that a bezoar aids against poisoning by means of regurgitation – sort of like sticking two fingers down one's throat – but that doesn't seem to be the case here. Ron just goes limp and passes out.