Re: Snape, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Xenophilius, Luna and Dumbledore. - Edit 1
Before modification by Camilla at 09/12/2010 11:48:32 PM
Snape: Is there a remnant of semi-sadistic attitude to Harry in making him get the sword by diving into a frozen lake? I can imagine him smiling at the thought, in a "oh, my, god save me from Gryffindors and their heroics" kind of way. Not in an evil way. More in an "I'll be damned if I make this too easy" way. Perhaps not. More likely, I suppose, it is in order to make it make sense to Harry, as it does.
Yeah, it's not entirely clear... maybe he was thinking "hey, I have an idea, let's throw in an Arthurian reference!". 
True. That did cross my mind.
Harry: I like how his chivalry extends to not asking Hermione to dive into the lake for him.
That is a good line. Though it's part of a somewhat unfortunate tendency in modern times to interpret "chivalry" as purely "men being gallant to women". It was rather broader than that in its Arthurian sense.
Very true.
Ron: Is saving Harry his first real act of bravery? I mean, he has followed Harry into scary places before, but this seems like the first time he has done something brave impulsively and by himself. Or is there something I have forgotten?
Ironically, considering your comment about the rook thing coming out of nowhere, you have indeed forgotten something: Ron literally sacrificing himself in the magic chess game all the way back in book one. But it's true it's rare for him to take much initiative in the heroics.
Very true again. I had forgotten that moment. It is a good one.
Regarding what the horcrux says, it was mostly insecurities we knew of. But it had never occurred to me that he might think that he was only born because his mother wanted a girl. Now that it has been brought up, however, that is strangely plausible.
So it is. Much of it is plausible, really, to an insecure mind - that's why it's so nasty.
Hermione: I really liked her reaction to the reappearance of Ron. The whole scene is well played. Both the anger and the sarcasm at his hardships.
Yeah, I agree, it's a good scene - shows real emotional depth. Hermione is not a very nice person when she's angry, so it's a good thing she doesn't get angry without good cause.
Xenophilius: I like his name. I had a moment where I realised what it means, and it suits him. It also occurred to me that his tendency believe in the non-real is strange in a magical person. Or, rather, I don't know that it is. He is after all the equivalent of the muggle who believes in magic. He believes in the unverifiable, the unseen.
And in the magical equivalent of the Holy Grail. Can you tell I'm seeing Arthuriana everywhere now? As a poke at Dan Brown and his readers, this would be rather well hidden (no, I don't really think it was intended as such), but accurate.
As a poke at Dan Brown and his readers, this would be rather well hidden (no, I don't really think it was intended as such), but accurate. Dan Brown?
Luna: Her hearbreakingness continues with the painting on the ceiling.
Interestingly, she doesn't seem to resent Hermione, who's rarely been all that warm to her.
True.