Deathly Hallows - Chapters 9-12
More reactions behind the cut. I'm typing my thoughts down while I read the book and am still mostly unspoiled.
Chapter 9: A Place To Hide
Hermione rocks! Love that she packed everything, love that she fusses about the books no longer being stacked according to subject. :-)
Oh wow, chapters 5 and 6 were a bit slow, IMO, but now the narrative is gaining speed. Great development that the Death Eaters have followed the trio to the Muggle world and that they even disguise themselves as Muggles.
Go trio! Good idea to obliviate the Death Eaters and to restore the place. Also nice use of the Deluminator.
Grimmauld Place is creepy.
I suspect that the hexes would actually attack Snape. If not, I don't think he would be impressed by them... He's tougher than the trio, IMO.
Why does Hermione only check for the presence of other humans in the house? Kreacher has to be there, too.
Hm, it seems that Harry feels actually sorry for Draco Malfoy.
Chapter 10: Kreacher's Tale
My favorite chapter so far. It just has such lovely intense scenes.
Harry doubting Dumbledore: He always had a conflicted relationship to Dumbledore; on the one hand revering him, on the other hand being frustrated when Dumbledore only revealed bits of information to him or completely ignored him for most of the duration of OOTP.
The HP books really deal with Harry growing up and it shows in his relationship to authority figures. (E.g. Hagrid is first perceived as saviour whereas Harry still loves Hagrid later on, but it occassionally embarrassed for him or stops visiting him regularly. Then there's Sirius - who turns out to be less than perfect, e.g. regarding the way he treats Kreacher. Even James' is dismantled as perfect father over time when Harry sees him in the pensieve. In this book, Harry already had two disagreements with Remus. And now, he's not only lost Dumbledore as a mentor, but also starts doubting him. If Rowlings follows her pattern of disillusionment, some of the things Skeeter drags up will prove to be true.)
Lily's letter and the picture of tiny Harry on his first broom: Lovely!
Love the details regarding the rooms of Sirius and Regulus. The sign on Regulus's room made me smile.
Regulus Arcturus Black - yay! The locket - yay! And Mundungus Fletcher stole it - yay!
(Fandom had guessed correctly on three counts. :-))
Regulus was a Seeker. I don't know if this could have anything to do with the Snitch Dumbledore gave to Harry. Probably not... but the fact that Regulus is a Seeker feels significant somehow.
Regulus and Sirius looking similar, even though Harry thinks that Regulus is less handsome. (Reminds me of the resemblance between Bellatrix and Andromeda.)
Kreacher's tale is brilliant! Brilliant!
It made me feel sorry for Kreacher and Regulus and even for the old Mrs Black who misses her son so much. Am totally impressed that Regulus drinks the potion himself; he must have been a very stubborn person; I so want to meet him.
Harry realises once again that nothing is ever simple. There have been moments like this before, e.g. seeing how Snape was tormented by James and Sirius or that Draco can cry. Or that Dudley can be kind of decent to him. Love how Rowlings is expanding this theme.
Harry giving Kreacher the doubleganger locket of Regulus' is such a nice gesture, even though it makes Kreacher break down completely.
And Kreacher giving "a funny little spasm" in Hermione's direction... Neat that he does acknowledge her for the first time, even though it's not a proper bow.
Fascinating new info: The power of house-elves and that Voldemort has underestimated this in the past. This could be important in a final showdown between Harry and Voldemort.
Chapter 11: The Bribe
Not being able to communicate with the Weasleys is tough for the trio.
Remus brings up a very good question: How were Harry, Hermione and Ron traced to Tottenham Court Road??
Could it be that Scrimgeour placed some trace mark on one of Dumbledore's belongings?
Or can Harry's wand be traced?
How comes he wasn't traced to Sirius' house?
Rowlings does it again: I could never stand Scrimgeour and now it turns out he might have died for Harry...
So Harry is now a suspect for the murder of Dumbledore. Which means that officially noone knows that Snape was involved. So Snape could actually be still back at Hogwarts and not on the run after all.
"Muggle-born Register": This reminds me of the Nuremberg Laws.
"Muggle-born Registration Commission": Sounds like Umbridge would love to work there.
Wow, and Hogwart's is basically run by Voldemort as well!! So Snape is most likely headmaster, isn't he? I don't think McGonagall would be allowed to stay in Hogwarts or take Dumbledore's position under the circumstances.
What?! Tonks is pregnant? And Lupin's not happy about it? And wants to work together with the trio instead of staying with Tonks? -- Very very interesting! Is he afraid that the child might not be fully human? (See Voldmort's ironic question if Draco is going to babysit the cubs.)
Whoa! Remus Lupin angst!! Much fanfiction will emerge from this scene!
Whoa! Harry getting really angry at Remus Lupin, his one remaining father figure!
Rowlings is so clever with her plot: I really have no idea what to think right now about Ariana. Was she really a Squib and therefore hidden away? Or was there another reason why she was hidden?
Kreacher hitting Mundungus with a saucepan. ("Perhaps just once more, Master Harry, for luck?" :-)
Umbridge! Umbridge got the locket!
Chapter 12: Magic Is Might
Wow, Grimauld Place has become tidy! The kitchen! And Kreacher!!
Snape is Headmaster!!!
Oh god, Alecto and Amycus are Hogwarts teachers - and Alecto even teaches Muggle studies. No way will she tell anything good about Muggles. I think the atmosphere at Hogwart's will resemble the time Umbridge had control.
The portrait of Phineas Nigellus: Do we know if all portraits can move from one building to another? Or is that only possible if there are portraits of you in various places?
Why can't Kreacher apparate inside the Ministry of Magic and steal the locket from Umbridge? Also the locket might not be in the Ministry at all, but at Umbridge's house.
Ahaha, the plan to get inside the Ministry. It feels like an icky version of Ocean's Eleven or Mission Impossible. Vomit, nosebleed and flushing yourself down the toilet. Am still laughing about this, though I usually don't like icky humour. :-)))
Wow! Everything you do has consequences. Ron impersonating Cattermole - while Cattermole's wife is being interrogated. I feel so bad for Cattermole.
And Umbridge entering the elevator. I just noticed I'd been holding my breath while reading. Will the get the locket? Will they be able to save Cattermole's wife or anyone else?
Too bad I have to leave right now. Will read more later on.
Chapter 9: A Place To Hide
Hermione rocks! Love that she packed everything, love that she fusses about the books no longer being stacked according to subject. :-)
Oh wow, chapters 5 and 6 were a bit slow, IMO, but now the narrative is gaining speed. Great development that the Death Eaters have followed the trio to the Muggle world and that they even disguise themselves as Muggles.
Go trio! Good idea to obliviate the Death Eaters and to restore the place. Also nice use of the Deluminator.
Grimmauld Place is creepy.
I suspect that the hexes would actually attack Snape. If not, I don't think he would be impressed by them... He's tougher than the trio, IMO.
Why does Hermione only check for the presence of other humans in the house? Kreacher has to be there, too.
Hm, it seems that Harry feels actually sorry for Draco Malfoy.
Chapter 10: Kreacher's Tale
My favorite chapter so far. It just has such lovely intense scenes.
Harry doubting Dumbledore: He always had a conflicted relationship to Dumbledore; on the one hand revering him, on the other hand being frustrated when Dumbledore only revealed bits of information to him or completely ignored him for most of the duration of OOTP.
The HP books really deal with Harry growing up and it shows in his relationship to authority figures. (E.g. Hagrid is first perceived as saviour whereas Harry still loves Hagrid later on, but it occassionally embarrassed for him or stops visiting him regularly. Then there's Sirius - who turns out to be less than perfect, e.g. regarding the way he treats Kreacher. Even James' is dismantled as perfect father over time when Harry sees him in the pensieve. In this book, Harry already had two disagreements with Remus. And now, he's not only lost Dumbledore as a mentor, but also starts doubting him. If Rowlings follows her pattern of disillusionment, some of the things Skeeter drags up will prove to be true.)
Lily's letter and the picture of tiny Harry on his first broom: Lovely!
Love the details regarding the rooms of Sirius and Regulus. The sign on Regulus's room made me smile.
Regulus Arcturus Black - yay! The locket - yay! And Mundungus Fletcher stole it - yay!
(Fandom had guessed correctly on three counts. :-))
Regulus was a Seeker. I don't know if this could have anything to do with the Snitch Dumbledore gave to Harry. Probably not... but the fact that Regulus is a Seeker feels significant somehow.
Regulus and Sirius looking similar, even though Harry thinks that Regulus is less handsome. (Reminds me of the resemblance between Bellatrix and Andromeda.)
Kreacher's tale is brilliant! Brilliant!
It made me feel sorry for Kreacher and Regulus and even for the old Mrs Black who misses her son so much. Am totally impressed that Regulus drinks the potion himself; he must have been a very stubborn person; I so want to meet him.
Harry realises once again that nothing is ever simple. There have been moments like this before, e.g. seeing how Snape was tormented by James and Sirius or that Draco can cry. Or that Dudley can be kind of decent to him. Love how Rowlings is expanding this theme.
Harry giving Kreacher the doubleganger locket of Regulus' is such a nice gesture, even though it makes Kreacher break down completely.
And Kreacher giving "a funny little spasm" in Hermione's direction... Neat that he does acknowledge her for the first time, even though it's not a proper bow.
Fascinating new info: The power of house-elves and that Voldemort has underestimated this in the past. This could be important in a final showdown between Harry and Voldemort.
Chapter 11: The Bribe
Not being able to communicate with the Weasleys is tough for the trio.
Remus brings up a very good question: How were Harry, Hermione and Ron traced to Tottenham Court Road??
Could it be that Scrimgeour placed some trace mark on one of Dumbledore's belongings?
Or can Harry's wand be traced?
How comes he wasn't traced to Sirius' house?
Rowlings does it again: I could never stand Scrimgeour and now it turns out he might have died for Harry...
So Harry is now a suspect for the murder of Dumbledore. Which means that officially noone knows that Snape was involved. So Snape could actually be still back at Hogwarts and not on the run after all.
"Muggle-born Register": This reminds me of the Nuremberg Laws.
"Muggle-born Registration Commission": Sounds like Umbridge would love to work there.
Wow, and Hogwart's is basically run by Voldemort as well!! So Snape is most likely headmaster, isn't he? I don't think McGonagall would be allowed to stay in Hogwarts or take Dumbledore's position under the circumstances.
What?! Tonks is pregnant? And Lupin's not happy about it? And wants to work together with the trio instead of staying with Tonks? -- Very very interesting! Is he afraid that the child might not be fully human? (See Voldmort's ironic question if Draco is going to babysit the cubs.)
Whoa! Remus Lupin angst!! Much fanfiction will emerge from this scene!
Whoa! Harry getting really angry at Remus Lupin, his one remaining father figure!
Rowlings is so clever with her plot: I really have no idea what to think right now about Ariana. Was she really a Squib and therefore hidden away? Or was there another reason why she was hidden?
Kreacher hitting Mundungus with a saucepan. ("Perhaps just once more, Master Harry, for luck?" :-)
Umbridge! Umbridge got the locket!
Chapter 12: Magic Is Might
Wow, Grimauld Place has become tidy! The kitchen! And Kreacher!!
Snape is Headmaster!!!
Oh god, Alecto and Amycus are Hogwarts teachers - and Alecto even teaches Muggle studies. No way will she tell anything good about Muggles. I think the atmosphere at Hogwart's will resemble the time Umbridge had control.
The portrait of Phineas Nigellus: Do we know if all portraits can move from one building to another? Or is that only possible if there are portraits of you in various places?
Why can't Kreacher apparate inside the Ministry of Magic and steal the locket from Umbridge? Also the locket might not be in the Ministry at all, but at Umbridge's house.
Ahaha, the plan to get inside the Ministry. It feels like an icky version of Ocean's Eleven or Mission Impossible. Vomit, nosebleed and flushing yourself down the toilet. Am still laughing about this, though I usually don't like icky humour. :-)))
Wow! Everything you do has consequences. Ron impersonating Cattermole - while Cattermole's wife is being interrogated. I feel so bad for Cattermole.
And Umbridge entering the elevator. I just noticed I'd been holding my breath while reading. Will the get the locket? Will they be able to save Cattermole's wife or anyone else?
Too bad I have to leave right now. Will read more later on.