One of the things that struck me was in the fight, Neville's wand got broken and we found out that it was his dad's. I wonder if perhaps it was not a good match for him. Perhaps his grandmother will take him to Ollivander's to get one of his own.
I am so disappointed in that! I felt very angry at her chosing him. I could understand it in a way after Dumbledore explained it, but she could have gone a different route.
I have just spent the last 1 hour crying as I finished it and dwelt on it.
I really enjoyed seeing Neville grow so much! ~WOW~
Glad to see Fudge brought to his knees in the end, and very interesting about Lily's sister and the knowledge that she does indeed have about Harry's world.
The prophesy..... I always thought it would come down to something like that.
~ But ~
Sirius --
I'll edit later with more comments, I just can't get over that yet!
I had already heard that someone was going to die in this book so I was better prepared than last time when cedric died I didn't cry nearly as much....
BUT!!!! I was kinda mad at Harry for never opening the gift Sirius gave him! if he had opened the mirror then he would have easily been able to contact Sirius instead of taking Kreachers word for it that Sirius wasn't in the house! I was really upset about that, how could he just forget about Sirius handing him the package? Seemed a little thoughtless to me, what must poor Sirius thought when Harry never used it to contact him? It must have made him very sad!
Did this bother anyone else or am I just nitpicky?
Storm
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When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.
Thomas Jefferson
Oh and Scarlet I had wondered that myself, it was such a big deal to find the perfect wand for Harry in the beginning, would it really be the perfect wand for Neville if he just used his dad's?
Maybe in the next book we can see neville follow the pattern started in this book and become a much better wizard. I was happy to see the plot focus more on Ginny to this time, she got so much more personality! she is not just the little sister in this book!
Oh and I was sitting on the couch laughing and cheering when fred and george had the confrontation with Umbridge! When they just flew right of the school, it was brilliant!
Now I can't wait till the next book now to see if the kids go shopping in Diagon alley and get to see their shop! LOL! Also, I wonder if mrs. weasley will be angry with Harry after all the money he gave them? I would think if she were she might have mentioned it at the train station in London.....
I can't believe how much I disliked that awful Miss Umbridge! I thought it was funny how all of the other teachers used passive resistance to make her stint as headmistress harder.
I've always had a soft spot for Neville, so it was nice to see him develop his wizarding skills. Wasn't it sad when he met Luna and said, "I'm nobody."?
Luna--what an interesting character. She likes Harry, no?
Fred & George--I think they seem to be doing quite well at thier shop (dragonskin coats) do you think they will get thier degree from Hogwarts?
How can Percy make up his behavior to his dad? His mom will forgive him because she is soft-hearted, but he was truly horrible to his father.
Dumbledore--soo cool to finally see why he was the wizard Voldemort feared. His actions were always so behind the scenes in the other books.
I want to read it again, but can't since DH is reading the book now!
I can't believe how angry I got when I reached about the middle of the book. I wanted to just put it down because I was so ticked off! LOL But of course I couldn't...
Miss Umbridge was just horrible! I kept thinking she was going to have something to do with Voldemort. She was making me SOOO mad with how she was siding with Slitherin. I did laugh SO hard at the chapter when everyone was making her life difficult, that was too funny!
And Mr. Fudge was such an idiot! Talk about clueless! I wonder what Percy was thinking when he discovered Lord Voltemort really was back. She never said anything else about him after they tried to arrest Dumbledore.
When I heard that someone had died I thought for sure it was going to be one of the main charaters. (Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore, or Hagrid). I was sad to see it was Sirius, but surprised it wasn't one of the more promenent characters.
I also heard there was going to be a bit more of the teen hormone thing going on. The news kept bringing up Ron and Hermione--but nothing really happened there did it...
Cho kind of came across as being one of those psycho girls that doesn't know what they want LOL. I hope it doesn't take another couple years for the next book to come out!!
in book four it seemed like Ron maybe liked Hermione..... but then in this book he was just as possesive over Ginny so maybe it wasn't a jealous thing with hermione and Viktor but just protective?
And bunnymama mentioned Luna liking Harry, I was thinking she liked Ron! lol
I think Harry and Hermione might end up together at some point because I noticed when he was thinking about how wacky Cho was acting he thought about how easy it was to talk to Hermione.
Oh umbridge was a nightmare! I was so angry too! I was really upset where she was making him right lines with the pen that cut his hand! I was like GO TELL SOMEONE HARRY!!!!
ok I am reading over this entire thread, boy do I need to get a **** life! LOL
I will not post about harry potter anymore, I will not post about harry potter anymore...
Originally posted by Storm And bunnymama mentioned Luna liking Harry, I was thinking she liked Ron! lol
I think Harry and Hermione might end up together at some point because I noticed when he was thinking about how wacky Cho was acting he thought about how easy it was to talk to Hermione.
Oh umbridge was a nightmare! I was so angry too! I was really upset where she was making him right lines with the pen that cut his hand! I was like GO TELL SOMEONE HARRY!!!!
ok I am reading over this entire thread, boy do I need to get a **** life! LOL
I will not post about harry potter anymore, I will not post about harry potter anymore...
Storm
Me too! I totally thought Luna was liking Ron...they kept saying how she would just stare at him.
Cho is old news.
I agree on Harry and Hermoine....both muggle born and with the talent between those 2--could you imagine their kids!!??
and I am also banking on maybe a Ginny-Neville pairing up. Anyone else?
I got into this one so much..I cried so hard at the end....but these books have a way of really drawing you in and making you care about the characters, KWIM?? Maybe they have a charm on them?
Umbridge, Percy, Fudge--I have no respect for any of them! Man did they tork my hide!
and WOWZERS Dumbledore! Whew--was that some magic at the end! I truly thought though that there might be something of Neville trying to attach that old wench that tortured his parents.
I am really anxious to see how the D.A group develops more too under Harry's instruction! He did wonderful with them.
I knew someone would die, but I never figured she would cause Harry more heartache and make him lose his Godfather, his "parental figure" that he was growing to love and be happy with. And Harry feels responsible! It broke my heart at the end when he tried to reach him through the mirror, and then talked to Nick about if Sirius would come back as a ghost.
Book 6 needs to be soon, I cannot stop OBSESSING!!
Ok, I got psyched out by Mr. Wheasley getting bit by the snake. I was sure he was the one who was getting knocked off.
I think killing off Sirius was almost necessary so that Harry is still really on his own kwim?
Luna has some great potential ... a little off beat but I like that in a teenaged girl.
I also liked Ron getting some reccognition... I was getting worried about him always being in the shadows.
I think that Neville will really grow in Book 6. Between a new wand, the succes in the fight, the bonds with the other DA's, and his continued success in herbology, he's got it going on. But I'm not sure how much a new wand is going to help him in Snapes class. yk?
I'm glad they got the Cho thing over with. He had such a crush on her last time. IMO he really isn't ready for a relationship... just too much going on in his life. I think Ginny is the perfect character to being doing the teen relationship aspect of the story. lol with Ron as a big bro that just makes me lol
Ron and Hermione will end up together. At one point, Harry told Hermione that she looked nice, or did something really well and she said "you're almost as bad as Ron." and Harry said "what??" and she sais "oh! Never mind." And they are bickering all the time (reminded me of those romantic comedies)...
I think Luna liked Ron.
I know think Cho is officially out of the picture and that Harry and Ginny will eventually get their acts together...especially now that she is over her hero-worship and can actually talk to him. Did any of you notice how sometimes she was willing to say things to him the others were not? She called him out a couple of times...Also, at the end, when Ron is telling her to pick someone better than Michael, he looks at Harry. I *do* think the whole ron-as-older-brother things would be funny, but I also think he condones that relationship possibility. Even is Ginny was being serious about liking Dean now, that fits, too. She's only 14--do we really expect her to fall in love forever at that age??
I was sad that Sirious died, but I can see why he did.
Did anyone else notice that Harry seemed particularly angry in this book? The whole way through he was grouchy and snappy and at times very difficult to be friends with. I think him having to learn to control his emotions --especially his anger--will be a big part of his growing up (as it is with us all, right??) kind of a luke skywalker thing. It was his heart (his love for Sirious) that saved him from Voldemort this time.
I liked how Dumbledore admitted that he made some mistakes and talked it all through with Harry. When that tear slid down his cheek, I was so sad for him!!
I LOVE Neville Longbottom. He's getting to be one of my favorite characters! He's awesome. I do think a new wand might make a difference, but remember that Ron used his older brother's wand and it worked okay for him (until it broke--lol!!!)...so maybe the wand won't make as big of a difference??? I love that he's so good at herbology and that the knowledge of his parents' tormenter's escape caused him to push himself to work hard at defense against the dark arts...
And wasn't he brave during all the fighting at the end???
Okay, my book of a post is done.
Jeni
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Mama to Alex, Miriam and Noah; Wife to Chris.
Alex and Miriam, off to Kindergarten. August 18, 2008
Missing Hazel Irene, born still on April 18, 2008. A Broken Hallelujah
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My respect for Snape really grew...and I hoping for them to eventually be able to work together...I think in a way, he made Draco a prefect to keep an eye on him. Harry and Herminone...NEVER Definitely Ron...I would love to see Ginny get with Harry, but I am not too concerned with Harry's love life. I was so excited to see Aunt Petunia understand what is going on...I think she is a squib too. And the book really set up the history for the next book. I am hoping for a lot more action next time. Hopefully Harry learned a lot, and matured from these experiences. Neville is gonna be great! And I want to find how Dumbledore is related to Harry! I wasn't too sad that Sirius died, cause he wasn't the greatest influence on Harry anyway...but sad for Harry. I liked it...but I too can not wait for the next...
Okay, I am SO glad there are other crazy-fast readers out there, lol! I logged on this morning to TALK about this! Ds is holed up in his room right now reading it, lol. He's asked me questions, like "is the rumor that someone dies true??" and I won't tell him! lol!
Def. Ron and Hermione! I don't think there's any chance of she and Harry at all. The sexual tension between them (R and H) was so strong through the whole book!
I also liked the development of Ginny's character. I'm in favor of she and Harry also getting hooked up, though I think it will be longer than it takes Ron and Hermione to get together. R and H seem just on the verge of it.. like one good argument, some close proximity, and BAM! But Harry is sort of a mess, and wow his anger issues! Ginny seems to have that easy sense of bravery like he does, which is why I favor them. Sort of like Harry's parents are described. I think that Harry will become sort of a third wheel in the next book if R and H get together. It will cause more introspection, more figuring out of himself and who he is... and probably some teasers w/Ginny, but not completely "together," yk?
And yay Neville!! Wow, I loved how he's developed! Love his strength. LOVED that he could have just as easily been the fulfillment of that prophecy! Really gives us some new light on him.
Was reaaallly disappointed in Dumbledore. He was just stupid in making those mistakes. Made him so much less God-like.
I think the best part of the book was the DA. The book was just too dang long. IMO it didn't add anything to the story line. 500+ pages building up to what you know is the inevitable (battling w/Voldemort). Just didn't seem necessary. Only a few characters were really built in that time, like Neville, Ginny, Harry's new anger though it wasn't explored enough IMO, and the rest just seemed to throw in as many new characters as possible. Probably to set up for book #6.
I thought Luna fancies Ron..
I'm also having a hard time how a bunch of students could take on the Death Eaters. But I feel the same about all Harry's confrontations w/Voldemort... it's just awfully far-fetched. Especially this time, w/all his unresolved and uncontrolled ager (Harry's) I thought it would be more obvious what a hinderance that was to him.
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Mary
mama to 5 children, 2 step-children; and wife to a fabulous man!
Oh, I remembered something else I wanted to talk about...Snape at school with Remus, Sirius, James & Lily. It was really disturbing for Harry (and for me) to see how mean his dad & his friends were when picking on Snape. It gives a reason for Snapes incredible dislike of Harry & Sirius, but on the other hand, Snape is an adult and is not relating to Harry as an adult should. It's not Harry's fault how his dad treated Snape.
Ginny is much more interesting now that she is not so timid around Harry. Should be fun to see if she will have more to do in the next books. I suppose so, since she is also on the Quidditch team now. I was kind of glad that there wasn't so much Quidditch in this book, but am glad that Ron was able to win the cup!
I thought RON was going to be the one who died! When they were fighting the death eaters, and Ron & Ginny caught up with Harry & Neville, Ron was soooo out of it and had blood coming out of his mouth--I didn't want to read anymore because I thought he was going to be breathing his last.
Now that Sirius is gone, who will be Harry's guardian? Dumbledore, Lupin, or does it go back to the Dursleys?
I guess everyone thinks Luna and Ron had more chemistry than Luna and Harry LOL!
This is fun! I don't usually get to talk about the Harry Potter books with anyone but my husband!
--Jennifer
Last edited by bunnymama : 06-23-2003 at 02:18 PM.
Originally posted by hadalamb And yay Neville!! Wow, I loved how he's developed! Love his strength. LOVED that he could have just as easily been the fulfillment of that prophecy! Really gives us some new light on him.
I'm also having a hard time how a bunch of students could take on the Death Eaters. But I feel the same about all Harry's confrontations w/Voldemort... it's just awfully far-fetched. Especially this time, w/all his unresolved and uncontrolled ager (Harry's) I thought it would be more obvious what a hinderance that was to him.
I don't think that Neville could have *really* been the one in the prophecy though.
Actually, I think it IS Harry and was never meant to be Neville in the prophecy.
Voldemort only heard the first of the prophecy, that the boy would be born....etc etc
He did not hear the part that said there would be a transfer of powers and the boy would be marked.
When Voldemort attacked Harry as a baby, he was out to kill him. He was not trying to mark him with a scar. That scar and the power transfer only happened BECAUSE Harry was the one in the prophecy. Otherwise, he would have died from the curse.
and as for the kids attacking the death eaters, I think it was only because Harry worked with them so much....it was only minor spells anyway, the stupify and the petrificatoin one.....they didn't really "beat" them so much as really be on their toes and have some spells they could use and took thier shots.
I always thought it would come down to something like that.
Definitely Ron...I would love to see Ginny get with Harry, but I am not too concerned with Harry's love life. I was so excited to see Aunt Petunia understand what is going on...I think she is a squib too. And the book really set up the history for the next book. I am hoping for a lot more action next time. Hopefully Harry learned a lot, and matured from these experiences. Neville is gonna be great! And I want to find how Dumbledore is related to Harry! I wasn't too sad that Sirius died, cause he wasn't the greatest influence on Harry anyway...but sad for Harry. I liked it...but I too can not wait for the next... 
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