* I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the Dursley’s are so one-dimensional. I guess they only exist to diametrically oppose the magical world. I mean…who sends a coat hanger for Christmas? Why do they even bother. Does anyone remember why Harry *has* to go back to the Dursely’s every year.
* I had completely forgotten about the Knight Bus. It’s just a weird little part of the Potter universe. I think the driver comes into the story later, but I can’t remember.
* Sirius. The most important part of the book, and the part I thought most about. I hadn’t read the 3rd book since reading the later ones, so it’s interesting to go back. It’s almost amusing how afraid of Sirius everyone is, when he turns out to be harmless and a pivotal figure in Harry’s life. His presence wasn’t nearly as menacing as it was bittersweet.
* I love how Dumbledore calls Voldemort Tom. I think he’s the only one that does it, and it’s just one more reason why Dumbledore is awesome. It reminded me of another one of my favorite series, The Time Quartet by Madeleine L’Engle. In the second book, Meg Wallace must face evil--defeating it through her calling--naming. The concept of naming has always intrigued me....
* Ugh...the Dementors. They are truly frightening. I like how they mention that Muggles can sense them. I think Rowling struggled with depression after the death of her mother, and I guess this is one way that she "explained" it. They also remind me of the Ring Wraiths in LOTR. Were the dementors once human? Or are they some of other kind of creature/spirit/incarnation.
* The Patronus: I love this concept of the Patronus. It reminds me a little of the daemons in the His Dark Materials series. I wonder which one came first? I also love that chocolate is the cure for the effects of the Dementors. I also like how Rowling defeats the Boggarts with laughter. I've often found that laughter is the best cure for any kind of fear or nervousness.
* Please excuse the seventh grade boy in me, but I think this line spoken by Snape is (unintentionally) hilarious: "Potter, you can skin Malfoy's shrivelfig." (TWSS)
* Speaking of Malfoy...he's such a weenie complaining about his arm. I just want to smack him.
* I enjoy learning about James, Lily, Remus, and Severus as young people. I'm sure it was special for Harry to learn about his family, but it would be difficult to learn the bad things about your parents, too. It's also neat to see how their traits show up in Harry, learning about himself as he learns about his parents.
* WHY OH WHY did Harry's parents make Wormtail the secret keeper???
* I read an interesting article in one my books about Snape and it pointed out how much he picked on Hermione, and it was right! Snape really is a jerk to Hermione on every possible occasion.
* Crookshanks is awesome. He's part Kneazle, so he can detect untrustworthy individuals. I love how he is always trying to kill Scabbers. The first time I read through the series, I suspected Crookshanks could be a secret animagi, but, alas, I was wrong.
* The Maurader's Map....As a teacher, I must say that I really respect such creativity, even if it does lead to mischief...
* Peter Pettigrew now owes his life to Harry. I remember discussing this before the 7th book came out, and wondering if it would be a plot point (and it was).
* It is heartbreaking to realize how little time Harry has with Sirius. When he thinks that he could live with Sirius instead of the Dursley's, we see a glimmer of hope, only to have it dashed. As a friend of mine said, "I want to explain to him how Sirius is (one of) the greatest men he will ever meet and that he should cherish each moment he has with him." Couldn't agree more.
* One of my favorite moments of book 3 is when Harry goes back in time to cast the Patronus. He thinks his father is the person casting it, but it's really him. Rowling does a nice little time-travel magic there. The Latin Expecto Patronum translates to "I await a protector" which I think is interesting. I also like how Harry's patronus takes that of his father...a stag. I wonder if there's a Matronus charm...what would it do?
2 comments:
Harry must return to the Dursley's home every year because the magic of the protection spell cast by Dumbledore regarding Harry's relationship to Petunia only keeps him safe as long as he can call it his "home." If he doesn't return there for a brief stay, then he can no longer call it home, and he will not be shielded by the protective spell cast by Dumbledore. I think we get the details of that in Book Five, but I'm not sure.
Thanks, Mandy!
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