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Re: *spoilers for book 7* an assortment of characters Camilla Send a noteboard - 19/10/2010 11:48:45 AM
The Prime Minister: Do you imagine Tony Blair here?

Actually, I imagine Jim Hacker here. The immature gloating of the opponent, the indignant reactions about being saddled with the blame for things he couldn't help, it all fits so well. Now I just want to see Sir Humphrey explain to him what the Civil Service will do about Voldemort... and Bernard toss in a few inappropriate yet funny remarks.


Yes! That's it! I had a very fuzzy kind of image in my head, but that fits to a t.

Scrimgeour. I expected him, from this first scene, to be a good guy. He looks like a lion. I remember that description was one of the secret things you could find at Rowling's homepage just before the book came out, and I was convinced it had something to do with Godric Gryffindor. It does something weird to make him a not-so-good guy.

Yeah, I remember that description too. Definitely wasn't what I was expecting, either. Now that you mention it, I believe she also gave us a few chapter title's, including "Spinner's End" and chapter six, "Draco's Detour".


Hehe. Yes. I kind of miss that page.

Bellatrix. It is interesting that she contemplates the idea that Voldemort could be wrong. It is not a good scene for her. She comes out looking like a hysterical idiot. I realise, of course, that it is supposed to cover all the bases, to make it impossible to ask "how can Voldemort believe Snape is on his side" (or even "how can Snape be evil"), but it does not come out well for her character.

She's reaching for straws to justify her instinctive - and, of course, as we know, quite justified - distrust of Snape. I don't know if Rowling really intended to convince everyone for once and for all that Snape was evil with this scene... but it may well have worked on a lot of people. I don't really remember what I thought after first reading it, I only remember my reactions to that equally seminal final Snape scene in this book.


I know I wasn't convinced, but that my friend was gloating because she thought this finally proved her right (she gloated more at the end of this book, of course; but I am proud to say I remained unmoved).

And it's not as if there's much to salvage in Bellatrix' character. :P At least this chapter shows her as having an emotional attachment to her sister, even if that is the only person she cares about other than her demented crush on Voldemort.


True, but it detracts a little from her as a scary opponent. She becomes less intelligent. But I suppose the main power of her scariness is not in her intelligence but in her madness.

Wormtail. Why is he being punished? Because he only sought Voldemort out of despair? Or is there something else that I have already forgotten?

I don't know if it's punishment so much as having someone keep an eye on him. Though Snape is an odd choice considering that he has to leave for Hogwarts again.


True.

Snape. I wonder whether his making Wormtail's life horrible is related to either his connection to the Marauders or to the knowledge that he is the other person to blame for Lily's death.

Now that you mention it, probably.

He is great in this scene, though. His ready explanations, and his only slight hesitation before taking the unbreakable vow. I cannot remember whether he at this point knows that Dumbledore is dying and what Draco is going to do, or whether he is trying to figure it out still.

And the "but the gesture is undoubtedly fine" line is awesome. I imagine he knows, otherwise he wouldn't have assented so readily, surely... he mentions Dumbledore's blackened hand, so I assume that means he knows all about it.


Indeed.

Dumbledore. His way of treating the Dursleys makes me feel warm inside. The politeness which makes it clear how rude they are.

I don't know, in a way his bouncing glasses are just another form of Muggle-bullying. Perhaps not drinking something you're offered is rude, but how much ruder is bullying someone into drinking what you've offered them?


Hmm. If the mere presence of magic bullies those who do not have it, then yes. I am not sure bouncing glasses in themselves are a problem. Particularly since they would only have to take the glass to stop it. You are probably right, though. It is slightly problematic, except if you see it as some form of punishment for their treatment of Harry -- a punishment they are at any time free to end, but which they themselves are prolonging.

I like how he then switches to direct explanation of how bad they have been. It is refreshing. And I love the reference to the damage done to Dudley. He is right, of course.

Even though in the end Dudley will turn out alright, sort of.


Yes. I like that.
*MySmiley*
structured procrastinator
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The Great Harry Potter Re-read: Book Six, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - 18/10/2010 06:12:40 PM 2730 Views
General comments on the book. - 18/10/2010 06:14:10 PM 1582 Views
I am enjoying this a lot more than I thought I would. - 22/10/2010 07:25:17 PM 1705 Views
Yes, I'm loving that I can read in English again. - 22/10/2010 10:10:32 PM 1816 Views
Me too - 01/11/2010 02:11:28 PM 1568 Views
Suggestions. - 18/10/2010 06:18:46 PM 1623 Views
Re: Suggestions. - 20/10/2010 03:20:18 PM 1776 Views
*cough* - 09/11/2010 09:24:21 AM 1500 Views
Oh yes. I'm being distracted by Towers of Midnight. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:11:22 PM 931 Views
Shocking. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:43 PM 875 Views
Are we having a break right now? - 12/11/2010 06:48:10 PM 1671 Views
Re: Are we having a break right now? - 12/11/2010 10:05:30 PM 1939 Views
Chapters 1-3: The Other Minister, Spinner's End, Will and Won't. - 18/10/2010 06:21:55 PM 1843 Views
Characters: The three Ministers, Snape, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Harry, Dumbledore, the Dursleys. - 18/10/2010 06:25:12 PM 1848 Views
Re: Characters: The three Ministers, Snape, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Harry, Dumbledore, the Dursleys. - 18/10/2010 06:55:06 PM 1849 Views
(minor book seven spoilers) - 19/10/2010 11:27:53 AM 1810 Views
Re: (minor book seven spoilers) - 19/10/2010 05:26:50 PM 1577 Views
*spoilers for book 7* an assortment of characters - 19/10/2010 01:01:35 AM 1802 Views
Re: *spoilers for book 7* an assortment of characters - 19/10/2010 11:39:44 AM 1608 Views
Re: *spoilers for book 7* an assortment of characters - 19/10/2010 11:48:45 AM 1900 Views
I rather enjoyed the new characters. - 22/10/2010 07:30:03 PM 1588 Views
Re: I rather enjoyed the new characters. - 22/10/2010 08:33:44 PM 1705 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 18/10/2010 06:28:16 PM 786 Views
Dumbledore-centered. - 19/10/2010 01:03:05 AM 1721 Views
Re: Dumbledore-centered. - 22/10/2010 07:31:56 PM 1686 Views
Re: Dumbledore-centered. - 22/10/2010 07:33:34 PM 1681 Views
Chapters 4-6: Horace Slughorn, An Excess of Phlegm, Draco's Detour. *NM* - 20/10/2010 03:44:39 PM 935 Views
Characters: Slughorn, Fleur, the Trio, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy,... - 20/10/2010 03:46:47 PM 1761 Views
Re: Characters: Slughorn, Fleur, the Trio, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy,... - 20/10/2010 05:27:26 PM 1763 Views
(Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 09:25:20 PM 1796 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 09:46:08 PM 1718 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 11:20:28 PM 1592 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 21/10/2010 12:04:23 AM 1334 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 10:20:28 PM 1705 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 11:23:38 PM 1598 Views
Re: Characters: Slughorn, Fleur, the Trio, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy,... - 20/10/2010 10:15:58 PM 1737 Views
On Ron's reaction to Fleur... - 20/10/2010 11:30:48 PM 1670 Views
Re: On Ron's reaction to Fleur... - 20/10/2010 11:58:45 PM 1731 Views
Fleur - 23/10/2010 05:11:08 PM 1555 Views
Dumbledore, Slughorn, Tonks, Mr & Mrs Weasley, Hermione, Narcissa and the twins. - 20/10/2010 09:23:04 PM 1619 Views
Characters. - 25/10/2010 03:10:35 AM 1550 Views
Plotting and writing. - 20/10/2010 03:47:55 PM 1677 Views
*minor spoilers for book 7* - 20/10/2010 09:23:44 PM 1719 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 20/10/2010 03:48:07 PM 777 Views
Dumbledore's Stephen Fry moment... or maybe that's just me. - 22/10/2010 07:35:59 PM 1513 Views
It's not just you - 22/10/2010 08:34:25 PM 1500 Views
Chapters 7-9: Slug Club, Snape Victorious, The Half-Blood Prince *NM* - 22/10/2010 07:23:03 PM 929 Views
Characters *NM* - 22/10/2010 07:23:24 PM 873 Views
Harry, Romilda, Malfoy (in luuuve), Snape, Lavender Brown, McGonagall, Hermione and Slughorn. - 22/10/2010 07:26:19 PM 1758 Views
Thoughts about your thoughts. - 23/10/2010 05:28:10 PM 1511 Views
Re: Thoughts about your thoughts. - 24/10/2010 09:18:37 AM 1540 Views
More characters. - 25/10/2010 03:21:33 AM 1518 Views
Re: More characters. - 25/10/2010 10:27:33 AM 1517 Views
Love is in the air, evidently. - 22/10/2010 07:54:35 PM 1697 Views
Re: Love is in the air, evidently. - 22/10/2010 09:04:24 PM 1629 Views
Re: Love is in the air, evidently. - 22/10/2010 09:54:46 PM 1553 Views
Slytherin had been in need of new blood for a long time. (And assorted other comments.) - 22/10/2010 10:34:49 PM 1714 Views
Neville. - 23/10/2010 05:30:39 PM 1615 Views
Re: Neville. - 08/11/2010 02:35:57 PM 1698 Views
NEWT Potions - 24/10/2010 03:24:42 AM 1688 Views
Re: Characters - 24/10/2010 03:41:30 AM 1755 Views
Re: Characters - 25/10/2010 10:44:00 AM 1581 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 22/10/2010 07:23:37 PM 875 Views
Dumbledore, patronuses and the DADA job. - 22/10/2010 07:27:23 PM 1641 Views
Malfoy and the DADA job. - 22/10/2010 10:51:03 PM 1548 Views
Re: Malfoy and the DADA job. - 25/10/2010 11:31:57 AM 1573 Views
Re: Dumbledore, patronuses and the DADA job. - 23/10/2010 05:32:27 PM 1562 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 22/10/2010 07:23:50 PM 896 Views
I believe in Wrackspurts, too. And some questions. - 22/10/2010 07:28:04 PM 1517 Views
Re: I believe in Wrackspurts, too. And some questions. - 23/10/2010 05:33:27 PM 1638 Views
Re: I believe in Wrackspurts, too. And some questions. - 25/10/2010 03:06:43 AM 1623 Views
Chapters 10-12: The House of Gaunt, Hermione's Helping Hand, Silver and Opals. *NM* - 25/10/2010 05:00:02 PM 930 Views
Characters: The Gaunts, the Trio, Hagrid, and many more. *NM* - 25/10/2010 05:02:07 PM 900 Views
Harry's continued insistence about Malfoy really irritates me (even though he's right). - 25/10/2010 06:15:23 PM 1789 Views
*lol* - 25/10/2010 06:39:19 PM 1649 Views
I don't hide from my faults. - 25/10/2010 08:01:39 PM 1487 Views
Re: I don't hide from my faults. - 28/10/2010 04:59:54 AM 1652 Views
Re: *lol* - 26/10/2010 09:50:09 AM 1641 Views
~geeky moment~ - 26/10/2010 03:14:52 PM 1535 Views
Re: ~geeky moment~ - 26/10/2010 09:49:12 PM 1499 Views
Trelawny, Ogden, Gaunt, Ron, Hermione, Ron and Harry - 25/10/2010 10:23:55 PM 1586 Views
Re: Trelawny, Ogden, Gaunt, Ron, Hermione, Ron and Harry - 26/10/2010 11:56:59 PM 1674 Views
Re: Trelawny, Ogden, Gaunt, Ron, Hermione, Ron and Harry - 27/10/2010 08:14:42 AM 1684 Views
Plotting and writing. - 25/10/2010 05:03:16 PM 1648 Views
Amazing amounts of accurate guesswork here, in hindsight. - 25/10/2010 05:37:28 PM 1686 Views
Re: Amazing amounts of accurate guesswork here, in hindsight. - 26/10/2010 09:46:47 AM 1584 Views
The smuggling and Trelawney's rambling. - 27/10/2010 12:05:48 AM 1630 Views
Re: The smuggling and Trelawney's rambling. - 27/10/2010 08:10:46 AM 1555 Views
Things - 25/10/2010 10:24:19 PM 1657 Views
Re: Things - 27/10/2010 12:01:17 AM 1679 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 25/10/2010 05:03:32 PM 721 Views
Dumbledore still sounds like Stephen Fry. And reflections on the nature of Potions class. - 25/10/2010 05:11:24 PM 1500 Views
It's like baking, I think. - 25/10/2010 05:32:42 PM 1635 Views
Good analogy - 25/10/2010 05:52:38 PM 1481 Views
Yes, exactly like baking - and advanced baking involves experimenting, substituting, improvising. - 25/10/2010 06:42:42 PM 1686 Views
But not at high school. - 25/10/2010 07:57:44 PM 1595 Views
Also - 04/11/2010 09:29:47 AM 1554 Views
Also, Parseltongue - is Harry that thick, or is it a magic thing? - 25/10/2010 05:18:41 PM 1616 Views
I think it's a magic thing. - 25/10/2010 05:34:09 PM 1604 Views
It can be learned actually. Dumbledore implies he knows it and Ron uses it in book 7 - 25/10/2010 05:55:28 PM 1568 Views
Huh. I completely missed that. Good thing we're doing a reread. - 25/10/2010 05:57:38 PM 1567 Views
Speaking of Dumbledore and Parseltongue. - 28/10/2010 05:03:10 AM 1843 Views
parseltongue - 25/10/2010 10:24:46 PM 1718 Views
Interesting how many of our remarks are along similar lines. *NM* - 25/10/2010 10:27:30 PM 761 Views
Indeed - 26/10/2010 09:20:43 AM 1612 Views
Chapters 13-15: The Secret Riddle, Felix Felicis, The Unbreakable Vow *NM* - 27/10/2010 04:16:28 PM 889 Views
Characters: The Trio, Ginny, Tom Riddle, Draco,... *NM* - 27/10/2010 04:17:12 PM 875 Views
Dumbledore, Voldemort, Ron & Hermione, Harry, Ginny, Luna - 27/10/2010 10:31:39 PM 1587 Views
My take on Ginny is rather different, I must say... at least this time around. - 29/10/2010 01:47:20 PM 1562 Views
Girls. - 29/10/2010 05:54:25 PM 1595 Views
Draco: Not as confident as he appears, surely. - 29/10/2010 02:02:01 PM 1751 Views
Re: Draco: Not as confident as he appears, surely. - 29/10/2010 09:01:56 PM 1727 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 27/10/2010 04:17:26 PM 692 Views
plot and writing. - 27/10/2010 10:30:14 PM 1615 Views
Re: plot and writing. - 28/10/2010 05:07:03 AM 1767 Views
Draco can dissemble rather well, just like his parents. - 29/10/2010 02:08:35 PM 1635 Views
Re: Draco can dissemble rather well, just like his parents. - 29/10/2010 09:00:36 PM 1643 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 27/10/2010 04:17:42 PM 725 Views
Re: Anything else? - 27/10/2010 10:30:55 PM 1749 Views
Re: Anything else? - 28/10/2010 04:56:10 AM 1697 Views
Harry comments on that when in Snape's memories in book five. - 28/10/2010 10:42:08 AM 1555 Views
I wonder if that's actually true, though. - 28/10/2010 10:39:20 AM 1741 Views
Re: I wonder if that's actually true, though. - 28/10/2010 10:44:22 AM 1603 Views
It's more than that, though. - 28/10/2010 10:55:49 AM 1664 Views
Re: It's more than that, though. - 28/10/2010 11:48:19 AM 1487 Views
Chapters 16-18: A Very Frosty Christmas, A Sluggish Memory, Birthday Surprises *NM* - 29/10/2010 05:40:39 PM 862 Views
Characters: The Trio, Fleur, Scrimgeour, Percy, Remus, Slughorn,... *NM* - 29/10/2010 05:43:02 PM 950 Views
Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 29/10/2010 08:51:58 PM 1747 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 29/10/2010 11:24:02 PM 1571 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 29/10/2010 11:51:06 PM 1580 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 31/10/2010 09:14:46 PM 1818 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 31/10/2010 09:07:19 PM 1675 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 02/11/2010 06:23:04 PM 1635 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 02/11/2010 07:20:26 PM 1331 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 04/11/2010 04:03:02 AM 1570 Views
And - 04/11/2010 10:46:37 AM 1587 Views
Plotting and writing. - 29/10/2010 05:43:49 PM 1512 Views
Re: Plotting and writing. - 29/10/2010 08:52:34 PM 1669 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 29/10/2010 05:44:04 PM 759 Views
My comments on Potions class were heeded! Excellent. - 29/10/2010 11:28:43 PM 1583 Views
Re: My comments on Potions class were heeded! Excellent. - 29/10/2010 11:52:12 PM 1669 Views
Chapters 19-21: Elf Tails, Lord Voldemort's Requests, The Unknowable Room *NM* - 01/11/2010 02:00:22 PM 655 Views
Characters: The Trio, the elves, Draco, Dumbledore,... *NM* - 01/11/2010 02:00:56 PM 981 Views
the twins, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Voldemort, Draco and Tonks - 01/11/2010 02:08:32 PM 1477 Views
Re: the twins, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Voldemort, Draco and Tonks - 01/11/2010 05:10:11 PM 1725 Views
Re: the twins, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Voldemort, Draco and Tonks - 01/11/2010 05:16:30 PM 1806 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 01/11/2010 02:01:13 PM 761 Views
Dumbledore, little girls and the house-elf issue again. - 01/11/2010 02:09:35 PM 1799 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 01/11/2010 02:01:27 PM 780 Views
Chapters 22-24: After the Burial, Horcruxes, Sectumsempra - 03/11/2010 09:50:17 PM 1884 Views
Characters. *NM* - 03/11/2010 09:50:33 PM 903 Views
Malfoy, Ron & Hermione, Slughorn, Voldemort, Snape and Ginny. - 04/11/2010 12:12:57 AM 1642 Views
Draco, Slughorn, Snape, the romance. - 04/11/2010 02:02:04 PM 1666 Views
Re: Draco, Slughorn, Snape, the romance. - 04/11/2010 02:16:17 PM 1683 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 03/11/2010 09:50:50 PM 795 Views
Harry wrong again, house elves, horcruxes, free will, well hidden clues and some irony *DH spoiler* - 03/11/2010 10:35:20 PM 1606 Views
Re: Stuff. - 04/11/2010 04:28:04 AM 1661 Views
Re: Stuff. *spoilers for book 7* - 04/11/2010 09:10:19 AM 1669 Views
This "we'll see in book seven" thing is getting old, but still that's what I have to say here... - 04/11/2010 01:23:01 PM 1506 Views
Yes, I think you are right - 04/11/2010 01:24:41 PM 1670 Views
Well, I'm back. Some comments inside. *DH Spoilers* - 08/11/2010 02:28:11 PM 1645 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 03/11/2010 09:51:04 PM 778 Views
Chapters 25-27: The Seer Overheard, The Cave, The Lightning-Struck Tower - 05/11/2010 05:37:42 PM 1498 Views
Plotting and writing. - 05/11/2010 05:39:27 PM 1338 Views
*spoilers for book 7* - 05/11/2010 07:55:07 PM 1547 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 05/11/2010 05:39:43 PM 804 Views
I like how good magic is not flashy. Also, a Tolkien thing - 05/11/2010 07:55:27 PM 1589 Views
I didn't take the comparison as far, but the gate thing did remind me of Moria, yes. (DH spoilers) - 05/11/2010 10:03:16 PM 1816 Views
yes - 05/11/2010 10:06:43 PM 1574 Views
Chapters 28-30: Flight of the Prince, The Phoenix Lament, The White Tomb. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:12 PM 903 Views
Characters. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:25 PM 740 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:40 PM 869 Views
Spoilers. - 09/11/2010 02:26:38 PM 1519 Views
Re: Spoilers. - 09/11/2010 04:49:06 PM 1572 Views
I'm assuming not even the Ministry knows 100% what she did. - 13/11/2010 12:26:14 AM 1670 Views
Very true. - 15/11/2010 01:48:36 PM 1659 Views
Not much, no, but there's one fairly crucial mention. - 15/11/2010 04:37:23 PM 1628 Views
Re: Spoilers. - 13/11/2010 12:22:22 AM 1777 Views
Re: Spoilers. - 13/11/2010 09:38:09 AM 1915 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:53 PM 750 Views
We did the Harry Potter marathon thing on Sunday - 09/11/2010 02:28:08 PM 1643 Views
I vaguely remember something of the sort, yes. - 09/11/2010 02:57:56 PM 1838 Views
Re: I vaguely remember something of the sort, yes. - 09/11/2010 02:58:56 PM 1540 Views
This is definitely the most painfully altered of the movies. - 09/11/2010 04:34:33 PM 1663 Views
Re: This is definitely the most painfully altered of the movies. - 09/11/2010 04:36:29 PM 1643 Views
Very true. - 09/11/2010 04:40:24 PM 1883 Views
Re: Very true. - 09/11/2010 04:43:45 PM 2115 Views
Agreed. - 09/11/2010 04:53:46 PM 1651 Views
Re: Agreed. - 09/11/2010 04:58:59 PM 1754 Views

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