Oh, honey, I'm so glad you're starting a new reread! I've really missed them since the GoF one, and I'm gonna make a proper effort to keep up with them (and maybe do my own soon-ish) this time because they really are a treat. Now it's just a question of whether to reply here or at t_s! ;)
I really disliked this chapter.
It's only plus point is we're out of Harry's POV. *gulps air dramatically*
I think this may be more evidence that Draco did not Imperio Rosmerta.
I was discussing this at mistful's recently, remind me to find the link. I seriously seriously doubt the issue will come up until Harry sees fit to try an Imperius first. Then either Harry'll succeed and Draco will fail because he's less talented magically, or Draco will succeed and Harry fail because Harry's heart has The Power of Love, or there'll just be another flaying to distract the issue. But the important part is that there has to be some kind of comparison drawn. Otherwise how will we know who to feel smug about beating?
I also like that even the Prime Minister is trying to sound 'braver than he felt' (no security around? Dude, eleven year old wizards have bodyguard-esque pals, Harry can command an entire trainful of people to liquefy his enemies, and the Muggles just sit waiting for intruders to mince them?) I imagine even the woman who sells sweeties on the train or Petunia's friend Yvonne are totally obsessed with not appearing cowardly.
And the whiskey offering is interesting, just because it reminds me of the Dursleys chapter later. Fudge might get stick from the authorial voice, but he doesn't slam glasses into Muggle's heads. Probably because he's too cowardly to, though.
And the end line is hilarious with the non-portentousness of it: 'OMG, there are wizards with black hats? Noooo! I thought you were all reliable, kindly sorts with your mind-raping sticks and spies in my office!' I dunno, it kind of sums up the dominant mindset. The trouble for the good guys is that their opponents aren't hopelessly outmatched and helpless. WOE!
Is it impossible to be a politician and an adult in these books?
Well, sure! Being a politician equals being a namby-pamby wet blanket who's job is to buzzkill the brave soldier-types by reminding them that there's a whole society outside of Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore. Real men (no women politicians, of course) just ride roughshod over the law and do what they want. Plus caring about society means you have to respect the wishes of others including commie pinkoes who might have different views on say, education - like the hiring of incompetents at their children's schools, or the uselessness of theory lessons.
the P.M. is sitting in his office, gloating, after years of dreaming and scheming.
With that and Dudley, perhaps all Mugglea are just innate Slytherins? Ethnically cleanse us at once!
Did this dreaming and scheming ever rise above the level of tricking Mummy into giving him two deserts?
Tsk, tsk. All cunning is animalistic and base (and all non-cunning intelligence is useless and cold-blooded.) If Prime Minister was really smart, he'd know that all the right answers are found...in your heart.
Only the Muggle grapevine is slow enough that the Wizards have time to go around modifying memories before the news crews show up.
Yeah, you'd think the Internet and mobile phones might prevent a cover-up. (But then wizards have JKR's even better invention - patronuses!)
Fandom should remember the time it wasted on that.
And Mark Evans. Of course, I'm still relieved that the 'lion-like' guy wasn't Godric Gryffindor.
Another point to the Prime Minister for not being able to articulate why Kingsley's skill does not make it okay that he's a mole.
Be fair. Do you think JKR could?
Watch out for those scheming politicians! They might...um...bluster and bleat at you.
Well, of course. Schemers = Slytherins = Cowards. If they were honest open fellows, ironically, you know you'd be in some danger.
Since day one I've been wondering if the Minister for Magic communicated with the Prime Minister via owl, firechat, floo powder or talking portrait.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2006-03-18 09:47 pm (UTC)Now it's just a question of whether to reply here or at t_s! ;)
I really disliked this chapter.
It's only plus point is we're out of Harry's POV. *gulps air dramatically*
I think this may be more evidence that Draco did not Imperio Rosmerta.
I was discussing this at mistful's recently, remind me to find the link.
I seriously seriously doubt the issue will come up until Harry sees fit to try an Imperius first. Then either Harry'll succeed and Draco will fail because he's less talented magically, or Draco will succeed and Harry fail because Harry's heart has The Power of Love, or there'll just be another flaying to distract the issue.
But the important part is that there has to be some kind of comparison drawn. Otherwise how will we know who to feel smug about beating?
I also like that even the Prime Minister is trying to sound 'braver than he felt' (no security around? Dude, eleven year old wizards have bodyguard-esque pals, Harry can command an entire trainful of people to liquefy his enemies, and the Muggles just sit waiting for intruders to mince them?)
I imagine even the woman who sells sweeties on the train or Petunia's friend Yvonne are totally obsessed with not appearing cowardly.
And the whiskey offering is interesting, just because it reminds me of the Dursleys chapter later.
Fudge might get stick from the authorial voice, but he doesn't slam glasses into Muggle's heads. Probably because he's too cowardly to, though.
And the end line is hilarious with the non-portentousness of it:
'OMG, there are wizards with black hats? Noooo! I thought you were all reliable, kindly sorts with your mind-raping sticks and spies in my office!'
I dunno, it kind of sums up the dominant mindset. The trouble for the good guys is that their opponents aren't hopelessly outmatched and helpless. WOE!
Is it impossible to be a politician and an adult in these books?
Well, sure! Being a politician equals being a namby-pamby wet blanket who's job is to buzzkill the brave soldier-types by reminding them that there's a whole society outside of Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore. Real men (no women politicians, of course) just ride roughshod over the law and do what they want.
Plus caring about society means you have to respect the wishes of others including commie pinkoes who might have different views on say, education - like the hiring of incompetents at their children's schools, or the uselessness of theory lessons.
the P.M. is sitting in his office, gloating, after years of dreaming and scheming.
With that and Dudley, perhaps all Mugglea are just innate Slytherins? Ethnically cleanse us at once!
Did this dreaming and scheming ever rise above the level of tricking Mummy into giving him two deserts?
Tsk, tsk. All cunning is animalistic and base (and all non-cunning intelligence is useless and cold-blooded.) If Prime Minister was really smart, he'd know that all the right answers are found...in your heart.
Only the Muggle grapevine is slow enough that the Wizards have time to go around modifying memories before the news crews show up.
Yeah, you'd think the Internet and mobile phones might prevent a cover-up. (But then wizards have JKR's even better invention - patronuses!)
Fandom should remember the time it wasted on that.
And Mark Evans.
Of course, I'm still relieved that the 'lion-like' guy wasn't Godric Gryffindor.
Another point to the Prime Minister for not being able to articulate why Kingsley's skill does not make it okay that he's a mole.
Be fair. Do you think JKR could?
Watch out for those scheming politicians! They might...um...bluster and bleat at you.
Well, of course. Schemers = Slytherins = Cowards. If they were honest open fellows, ironically, you know you'd be in some danger.
Since day one I've been wondering if the Minister for Magic communicated with the Prime Minister via owl, firechat, floo powder or talking portrait.
LOL!