death to capslock

Upon the Existence of Muggles

2015-09-27T21:50:00Z

Posted by: terri-testing.livejournal.com

“Any woman can weep without tears, and most can heal with their hands. It depends on the wound.” Peter S. Beagle, The Last Unicorn

If there is anything certain about the Potterverse, it is that there is an absolute gulf between Us and Them. There are Muggles and their opposites: Witches and Wizards.

( Read more... )

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From Pottermore: Stuff on Hogwarts Acceptance, Squibs, and Neville

2015-09-26T14:47:00Z

Posted by: danajsparks.livejournal.com

In a recent comment about Pottermore, penguinsuzie wrote:

Reading the one about the Hogwarts Acceptance was actually making me annoyed.

The book refusing baby Neville. How great it is that Squibs are successfully kept out of Hogwarts. The fact that they are still using the same system a thousand years later because the wizarding world's lack of innovation is staggering. Though if she'd tried to tell us otherwise it wouldn't be believable because the magical community is so backwards already.

I had yet to read this note, so I checked it out. Here's what it says:

( The Quill of Acceptance and The Book of Admittance )

The Hogwarts acceptance process works similarly to how I imagined. However, in addition to what penguinsuzie has already said, there are a few things I find rather disturbing about this entry.

1. The Book may be "perfect" at keeping squibs out, but is it truly perfect at admitting everyone who may be eligible? What if it continues to mistake low levels of magical output for "residual aura," as it almost did with Neville?

2. The Book didn't admit Neville until he survived a fall, but Neville didn't simply "fall;" he was "accidently" dropped out the window by his Great Uncle Algie. So, does the Book's "sternness" therefore justify the abuse of potential squibs?

3. Hagrid says that Harry's "name's been down ever since he was born." Dumbledore must have known that Neville's name wasn't initially inscribed in the Book, which leads me to question whether he ever seriously considered Neville as a candidate for the prophecy. And did Tom ever find out that Neville's name wasn't in the Book?

P.S. The Pottermore website has been completely redesigned, and you no longer need an account to view the content.

P.P.S. But good luck finding anything in particular because the site is completely disorganized right now. There's a search tool in the upper-left corner that's somewhat helpful.

P.P.P.S. I want to add that some of the issues being raised here are also addressed in terri_testing's essay, Parenting in Pureblood Culture, especially in Part IV.

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Harry Potter Abridged! DH Chapter 36

2015-08-30T22:23:00Z

Posted by: sweettalkeress.livejournal.com

LAST CHAPTER OF THE BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

( The end is nigh! )

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Harry Potter Abridged! DH Chapter 29

2015-08-21T17:25:00Z

Posted by: sweettalkeress.livejournal.com

Harry: Navel! It’s you! It’s really you!

Neville: FOR THE LAST TIME MY NAME IS NOT NAVEL! Seriously! Everyone at Hogwarts calls me by my proper name now!

( Read Chapter 29 )

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Harry Potter Abridged! HBP Chapter 7

2015-05-27T16:24:00Z

Posted by: sweettalkeress.livejournal.com

( Read Chapter 7 )

As an added bonus, have a picture of Ginny with a giant Arnold!

( See the picture )

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Harry Potter Abridged! OotP Chapter 35

2015-03-10T21:26:00Z

Posted by: sweettalkeress.livejournal.com

( See Neville be a badass and a nod to classic "My Immortal!" )

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Neville's accident in his first potions class.

2015-01-29T08:03:00Z

Posted by: terri-testing.livejournal.com

It seems clear that Neville's cauldron- and shoe- melting reverse-effect potion was the result of a strong surge of magic as well as merely adding porcupine quills a little soon. But what emotion could have prompted such a surge? Fear, presumably, that's what normally seems to inspire Neville's outbreaks to date. But what could have prompted a surge of fear--strong fear, maybe panic--right at that point in the class?

It obviously wasn't anything the professor was doing, he wasn't even near the boy, He wasn't hovering over Neville making him nervous, or insulting Neville's technique. Canon tells us that Snape was across the room, "telling everyone to look at the perfect way Malfoy had stewed his horned slugs, when..."

Unless, of course, that was the trigger.

Neville had spent years being terrorized, nearly killed, by his family to "force some magic out of me." But they were satisfied by ANY display of magical power. Snape? First Snape makes the dunderhead comment, then he demonstrates that he expects his students to remember what they've read, and now he makes it absolutely clear that only "perfection" counts as a satisfactory performance. Algie, Augusta, Enid, can be pacified by a random magical outburst; the professor demands absolute competence as well as power.

Of course Neville freaks, and proceeds to demonstrate instantly that yes indeed, a panicked random magical outlash will get him in trouble in Professor Snape's class (and maybe in school in general), rather than getting him off the hook as it did at home. To an abused kid who expects to be killed for nonperformance, all of a sudden school (or at least this class) is more dangerous than home--the bar is higher, insurmountably high.

Insight courtesy of potionpen/nightfall rising.

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Harry Potter Abridged! OotP Chapter 23

2014-12-23T09:42:00Z

Posted by: sweettalkeress.livejournal.com

I was going to wait to post this until Christmas, but I don't know how reliable the internet will be then. And this way you guys get to read it over Christmas! Win-win!

( Read Chapter 23 )

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Harry Potter Abridged! OotP Chapter 21

2014-11-20T18:26:00Z

Posted by: sweettalkeress.livejournal.com

( Read Chapter 21 )

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Deathly Hallows, Chapter 29: The Lost Diadem

2014-02-28T00:44:00Z

Posted by: oneandthetruth.livejournal.com

Neville hugs the Trio and rather high-handedly tells Aberforth reinforcements are coming, and they should be sent along through the portrait hole, too. It’s no wonder Aberforth’s quarters look so shabby, with all those people running through them day and night.

As Neville and the Trio walk through the tunnel into Hogwarts, they update each other on what’s been happening in their lives. Fortunately for our sanity, short shrift is given to HRH’s activities. We’ve already had to suffer through them; we shouldn’t have to reread them, too.

Neville talks about the torture-loving Carrow siblings. He tells them how Alecto said in the now-required Muggle Studies class that Muggles were filthy and mean. Neville then asked how much Muggle blood she and her brother had and got a slash across the face for his trouble. *sob* This is so touching. It took seven years, but Neville has finally absorbed the Gryffindor ethos: Act first, and worry about the consequences later. And judging by his peremptory behavior towards Aberforth, he's also absorbed that house's arrogant, presumptuous exploitation of others. Hmmm. I wonder if Harry isn't the only Prophecy Boy Albus has been having tête-à-têtes with?

( Read more... )

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Harry Potter Abridged! OotP Chapter 11

2013-12-09T14:12:00Z

Posted by: sweettalkeress.livejournal.com

( Read Chapter 11 )
*I'm sorry--it was way too easy!

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Harry Potter Abridged! OotP Chapter 10

2013-11-30T09:37:00Z

Posted by: sweettalkeress.livejournal.com

I'm really sorry I haven't put anything new out in so long. Since I'm on break, here's another chapter—the one where we meet Luna, to be precise!

( Read Chapter 10 )

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Neville's accidents

2011-12-14T19:05:00Z

Posted by: terri-testing.livejournal.com

I've been reviewing some of Neville's numerous accidents, and I notice that most of them hurt himself only or primarily, if anyone was hurt at all.

Except one, that I recall.

The professor who amused himself by zooming Trevor about the classroom, himself was later thrown violently about by Neville's malfunctioning charm.

WHAT a coincidence.

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OotP Chapter Twenty-Three

2008-03-28T09:35:00Z

Posted by: sistermagpie.livejournal.com

( Christmas on the Closed Ward )

( Jabootu Bingo Scores )

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GoF Chapter Thirty

2007-09-08T10:40:00Z

Posted by: sistermagpie.livejournal.com

( The Pensieve )

( Jabootu Scores )

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