OotP, Chapter Twenty-Five - The Beetle at Bay
Ah, the memories this chapter brings back of the old ship debates. The Valentine's debacle is one of the first things I remember there being an argument about right after OOTP was released.
*****
And when Harry sees the next morning's Daily Prophet, he knows exactly why Voldemort was so happy the night before. There has been a mass breakout from Azkaban, and among the escaped convicts is Bellatrix Lestrange. The Ministry, unwilling to admit their mistake in not believing Dumbledore about Voldemort's return, is trying to link the breakout to Sirius.
In another, smaller article, Hermione finds that a Ministry employee named Bode - who Ron and Harry recognize as an Unspeakable who worked for the Department of Mysteries - has been killed in a freak accident involving a cutting of Devil's Snare posing as a potted plant next to his bed at St. Mungo's. Hermione explains that someone must have sent him that plant, knowing what would happen. She then dashes off to send a letter (to Rita Skeeter, we learn later), and Ron pauses to wonder why she can't ever take two seconds to explain what she's doing.
And as if this wasn't enough bad news, Hagrid informs Harry and Ron that he's been put on probation.
There is lots of gossip around the school about the Death Eaters' escape from Azkaban, which is unsettling for the students whose family members were victims of their exploits. People are slowly starting to realize that the Daily Prophet's news is not very reliable. Teachers are forbidden from talking about any of this, though, as a new Educational Decree prohibits them from talking to students about anything that's not related to their given subject. Fred, George, and Lee turn this into a bit of a joke, but the back of Lee's hand pays the price for Lee's cheek.
Umbridge is now supervising all of Hagrid's and Trelawney's classes. Harry starts to realize that Umbridge is slowly taking away everything that made life at Hogwarts worth living, and channels his frustration into increased efforts for the D.A. All of the D.A. members seem to be experiencing a similar "second wind" - no one more than Neville. *pets him*
Occlumency lessons are hell, and Harry's scar is hurting much more often. He's convinced that Occlumency lessons are *making* his scar hurt worse (and he's not entirely wrong), and he's getting tired of the door dream. Ron suspects that Snape may be helping Voldemort instead of helping Harry. Hermione points out (again) that Dumbledore trusts Snape, and that if they can't trust Dumbledore they can't trust anyone.
Valentine's Day sneaks up on Harry, and with it comes the frightening prospect of spending a whole day with Cho. (You know, Harry, if she were the right girl, you wouldn't feel that way. :P) On the morning of the Hogsmeade trip, Hermione finally gets a response to the letter she wrote after reading about the escaped Death Eaters ad Bode's murder. Obviously, to people who know what's about to happen, this is a response from Rita Skeeter to Hermione request that they meet at the Three Broomsticks in order for Harry to give his account of Voldemort's return. When Hermione asks Harry to meet her despite his having already made plans with Cho, she is clearly NOT attempting to meddle with Harry's romantic intentions. This is a serious situation, and she expects Harry to understand that it's important (even though she doesn't tell him what's going on at the time).
Ron can't come to Hogsmeade at all, due to an all-day Quidditch practice, and Harry is left to wonder what on earth he's going to talk about with Cho. He meets her, and as they head down the drive, Harry looks longingly at the Quidditch pitch, where he can barely see Ron and Ginny flying. But I'm sure that's not a hint or anything; nothing of the kind. Harry and Cho talk about Quidditch for as long as humanly possible, which turns out to be just long enough to get past the front gates, and the awkwardness sets in.
They spot several posters with pictures of the escaped Death Eaters, and Cho points out how weird it is that dementors were everywhere when Sirius escaped, but now that ten real Death Eaters are on the loose, there's not a dementor to be found. Cho suggests that they go for coffee in Madam Puddifoot's, which is decorated (to Cho's delight and Harry's chagrin) with lots of frills and bows. They take a table near where Roger Sir-Snogs-A-Lot Davies and his latest ladyfriend are, and Harry feels the pressure to compete.
Harry rather spectacularly bungles the request to meet Hermione later, which makes Cho a tad icy. He tries to smooth things over by grabbing her hand, but is forced to grab the sugar bowl instead (BWAHAHA!) when she moves her hand out of reach. Cho, not realizing that Harry is an utter dunce with girls, tries to make him jealous by talking about other boys, but her wiles are utterly lost on him. The conversation then turns to Cedric and, to Harry's horror, another crying fit begins. Angry that he won't talk with her about Cedric (though he will to Hermione and Ron) and angry that he's meeting Hermione in the middle of their date, Cho storms out.
Harry heads to the Three Broomsticks and runs into Hagrid, who is acting stranger than ever, aside from his ubiquitous injuries. Harry then finds Hermione with two of the most unlikeliest companions imaginable - Luna Lovegood and Rita Skeeter. Hermione explains that she wants Harry to tell his story to Rita, who will write up an article to be published in The Quibbler. She points out that The Quibbler may be an ... "unusual" paper, but Harry's version of events is still going to be much more consistent and convincing than the Ministry's. Rita resigns herself to this agreement, not that she has much choice, and the interview begins.
*****
And when Harry sees the next morning's Daily Prophet, he knows exactly why Voldemort was so happy the night before. There has been a mass breakout from Azkaban, and among the escaped convicts is Bellatrix Lestrange. The Ministry, unwilling to admit their mistake in not believing Dumbledore about Voldemort's return, is trying to link the breakout to Sirius.
In another, smaller article, Hermione finds that a Ministry employee named Bode - who Ron and Harry recognize as an Unspeakable who worked for the Department of Mysteries - has been killed in a freak accident involving a cutting of Devil's Snare posing as a potted plant next to his bed at St. Mungo's. Hermione explains that someone must have sent him that plant, knowing what would happen. She then dashes off to send a letter (to Rita Skeeter, we learn later), and Ron pauses to wonder why she can't ever take two seconds to explain what she's doing.
And as if this wasn't enough bad news, Hagrid informs Harry and Ron that he's been put on probation.
There is lots of gossip around the school about the Death Eaters' escape from Azkaban, which is unsettling for the students whose family members were victims of their exploits. People are slowly starting to realize that the Daily Prophet's news is not very reliable. Teachers are forbidden from talking about any of this, though, as a new Educational Decree prohibits them from talking to students about anything that's not related to their given subject. Fred, George, and Lee turn this into a bit of a joke, but the back of Lee's hand pays the price for Lee's cheek.
Umbridge is now supervising all of Hagrid's and Trelawney's classes. Harry starts to realize that Umbridge is slowly taking away everything that made life at Hogwarts worth living, and channels his frustration into increased efforts for the D.A. All of the D.A. members seem to be experiencing a similar "second wind" - no one more than Neville. *pets him*
Occlumency lessons are hell, and Harry's scar is hurting much more often. He's convinced that Occlumency lessons are *making* his scar hurt worse (and he's not entirely wrong), and he's getting tired of the door dream. Ron suspects that Snape may be helping Voldemort instead of helping Harry. Hermione points out (again) that Dumbledore trusts Snape, and that if they can't trust Dumbledore they can't trust anyone.
Valentine's Day sneaks up on Harry, and with it comes the frightening prospect of spending a whole day with Cho. (You know, Harry, if she were the right girl, you wouldn't feel that way. :P) On the morning of the Hogsmeade trip, Hermione finally gets a response to the letter she wrote after reading about the escaped Death Eaters ad Bode's murder. Obviously, to people who know what's about to happen, this is a response from Rita Skeeter to Hermione request that they meet at the Three Broomsticks in order for Harry to give his account of Voldemort's return. When Hermione asks Harry to meet her despite his having already made plans with Cho, she is clearly NOT attempting to meddle with Harry's romantic intentions. This is a serious situation, and she expects Harry to understand that it's important (even though she doesn't tell him what's going on at the time).
Ron can't come to Hogsmeade at all, due to an all-day Quidditch practice, and Harry is left to wonder what on earth he's going to talk about with Cho. He meets her, and as they head down the drive, Harry looks longingly at the Quidditch pitch, where he can barely see Ron and Ginny flying. But I'm sure that's not a hint or anything; nothing of the kind. Harry and Cho talk about Quidditch for as long as humanly possible, which turns out to be just long enough to get past the front gates, and the awkwardness sets in.
They spot several posters with pictures of the escaped Death Eaters, and Cho points out how weird it is that dementors were everywhere when Sirius escaped, but now that ten real Death Eaters are on the loose, there's not a dementor to be found. Cho suggests that they go for coffee in Madam Puddifoot's, which is decorated (to Cho's delight and Harry's chagrin) with lots of frills and bows. They take a table near where Roger Sir-Snogs-A-Lot Davies and his latest ladyfriend are, and Harry feels the pressure to compete.
Harry rather spectacularly bungles the request to meet Hermione later, which makes Cho a tad icy. He tries to smooth things over by grabbing her hand, but is forced to grab the sugar bowl instead (BWAHAHA!) when she moves her hand out of reach. Cho, not realizing that Harry is an utter dunce with girls, tries to make him jealous by talking about other boys, but her wiles are utterly lost on him. The conversation then turns to Cedric and, to Harry's horror, another crying fit begins. Angry that he won't talk with her about Cedric (though he will to Hermione and Ron) and angry that he's meeting Hermione in the middle of their date, Cho storms out.
Harry heads to the Three Broomsticks and runs into Hagrid, who is acting stranger than ever, aside from his ubiquitous injuries. Harry then finds Hermione with two of the most unlikeliest companions imaginable - Luna Lovegood and Rita Skeeter. Hermione explains that she wants Harry to tell his story to Rita, who will write up an article to be published in The Quibbler. She points out that The Quibbler may be an ... "unusual" paper, but Harry's version of events is still going to be much more consistent and convincing than the Ministry's. Rita resigns herself to this agreement, not that she has much choice, and the interview begins.