The Order of the Phoenix
For the chapter with the 'honour' of the book's title, this one's fairly dull.
*
'We've been trying to get her down for a month but we think she put a Permanent Sticking Charm on the back of the canvas.'
Portraits can do magic, which I don't recall ever being hinted at before (shame the Fat Lady didn't defend herself against Sirius in POA, in that case.)
*
Harry, who had expected a better welcome, noted how hard and bitter Sirius's voice sounded.
And vice versa, I presume. This chapter very much establishes Harry and Sirius as similiar in their feelings - they loathe being 'ignored' and feeling useless, they desire special treatment and attention and they're both reckless and laugh at danger. Gryffindors to the max. Or as Mira put it: 'The big message I take away, between that and Sirius' behavior at Grimmauld Place, is that Gryffindors must be kept occupied at all times or they become sullen, petulant two-year-olds.'
Interestingly, denigrating each other's complaints seems to work where sympathy fails. For now.
There was something about the slightly flattened tone of voice in which Sirius uttered Dumbledore's name that told Harry that Sirius, too, was not very happy with the Headmaster. Harry felt a sudden upsurge of affection for his godfather. 'At least you've known what's been going on,' he said bracingly.
...
For the first time, something like a grin flitted across Sirius's face. 'Don't know what you're complaining about, myself.'
'What?' said Harry incredulously.
'Personally, I'd have welcomed a Dementor attack. A deadly struggle for my soul would have broken the monotony nicely. You think you've had it bad, at least you've been able to get out and about, stretch your legs, get into a few fights ... I've been stuck inside for a month.'
Poor Sirius! No fights? What a fine example he sets.
*
'Because...Voldemort will know all about me being an Animagus by now, Wormtail will have told him, so my big disguise is useless. There's not much I can do for the Order of the Phoenix...or so Dumbledore feels.'
I'm mystified as to what Sirius would be doing if he didn't have to obey Dumbledore's wishes. Presumably something dangerous and heroic?
And a bit of a flint regarding Wormtail's (I miss him) now having told about Sirius' being an Animagus - couldn't he have done that twelve years ago? Or two, even?
*
A haze of pipe smoke hung in the air like battle fumes
Foreshadowing? Eh, who cares? And what the heck is a battle fume anyway, and why would Harry/Omnipresent Narrator even recognise them?
*
The thing Harry had taken to be a pile of rags gave a prolonged, grunting snore, then jerked awake. 'Some'n say m'name?' Mundungus mumbled sleepily. 'I 'gree with Sirius ...'
Mundungus associates himself with Sirius, the Bad Boy rebel with a Heart of Gold. All he needs is a motorbike and a Secret Torment and we'll all be writing MF/RL fics.
*
'For the last time, Mundungus,' called Mrs Weasley, 'will you please not smoke that thing in the kitchen, especially not when we're about to eat!'
Mrs. Weasley is an annoying stereotype, like many of the female characters in JKR's books, but if anyone smoked in a kitchen I live in, I'd eviscerate them, so...
*
'And if you want dinner before midnight I'll need a hand,' Mrs Weasley said to the room at large. 'No, you can stay where you are, Harry dear, you've had a long journey.'
Why does she even cook for them, anyway? As the only adult woman, it's her job? Is she the 'nice' equivalent of Petunia Dursley, who's address is The Kitchen? (Actually, a really excellent comparison could probably be made, what with Molly's spoiling and cossetting of Harry as opposed to her more waspish behaviour towards her own children; versus Petunia's adoration of her natural child over the 'interloper'.)
*
'Yes,' said Sirius, surveying it with distaste. 'Finest fifteenth-century goblin-wrought silver, embossed with the Black family crest.'
Um, why don't they sell them? It's not as if they're valued sentimentally, and four hundred year old silver would bring in some money...
*
...the bread knife slipped off the board and landed, point down and quivering ominously, exactly where Sirius's right hand had been seconds before.
BA-DA-DUM. I could have sworn there's another line like this in Grimmauld Place, about entering the home of a dead person, but I missed it, I guess.
*
'None of your brothers caused this sort of trouble!' Mrs Weasley raged at the twins... 'Bill didn't feel the need to Apparate every few feet! Charlie didn't charm everything he met! Percy -'
She stopped dead, catching her breath with a frightened look at her husband, whose expression was suddenly wooden.
Mr. Weasley, like all fictional men with domineering wives, Wears the Trousers When It Comes Down To It.
And more of the open hostility between Molly and the twins.
*
'It looks wonderful, Molly,' said Lupin, ladling stew on to a plate for her and handing it across the table.
Lupin is always careful to take the middle ground between Molly and Sirius' views, and is at all times respectful and calm. Shut up, Lupin.
'Sucking up' to her (witness the comforting in the next chapter) is actually a smart policy, since Molly isn't known for her tolerance to other races, even the Ever So Harmless Werewolves.
*
'The curtains in there are full of Doxys, too,' Mrs Weasley went on. 'I thought we might try and tackle them tomorrow.'
'I look forward to it,' said Sirius. Harry heard the sarcasm in his voice, but he was not sure that anyone else did.
For Pete's sake, she's cleaning your house for you!
But then, of course, that's all women are fit for. Brave manly men like Sirius and Harry are above petty domestic inquiries. (Worked really well with Kreacher, that approach!)
*
'They've suffered losses too; remember that goblin family he murdered last time, somewhere near Nottingham?'
Appears Voldie has smartened up his ideas since then, judging by the success of his gesture towards the giants.
As Lupin puts it, which contrasts with Sirius' view that anyone joining the 'Dark' Side is being "trick(ed), jinxe(d)" (But jinxes can be so useful! Ask Hermione, or the DA!) "and blackmail(ed)"; the goblins are being offered something the Light Side hasn't yet promised.
I always thought the reason for Umbridge's success with the Slytherins wasn't OMG THEY RESPOND TO HER EVIL or OMG SHE IZ USING SPECIAL POWERZ ON THEM but simply that she paid attention to them, as opposed to Dumbledore and his staff, who were content to see them fail academically and be injured by teachers and fellow pupils.
*
'Cos some son of a Bludger's gone and nicked all mine!" And I says, "Nicked all your toads, Will, what next? So you'll be wanting some more, then?" And if you'll believe me, lads, the gormless gargoyle...'
Gosh, Mundungus is an interesting, innovative character, isn't he? If you've never seen a loveable rogue before. Which everyone on the planet has.
Like Mrs. Figg, his prime use seems to be supplying fic writers with wizarding slang.
*
'I don't know where you learned about right and wrong, Mundungus, but you seem to have missed a few crucial lessons,' said Mrs Weasley coldly.
Heh. Love this, coming from the mother of the Weasley twins, Sociopaths in Training. As proved by their hysterical giggling at this.
*
'He's useful,' Sirius muttered. 'Knows all the crooks - well, he would, seeing as he's one himself. But he's also very loyal to Dumbledore, who helped him out of a tight spot once. It pays to have someone like Dung around, he hears things we don't. But Molly thinks inviting him to stay for dinner is going too far. She hasn't forgiven him for slipping off duty when he was supposed to be tailing you.'
I'm torn here. It's extremely hypocritical of Molly to expect that Fletcher (I'm not using that nickname ;) risk his life potentially for their cause, and not even get a dinner invite, but I'm also perturbed at the 'good' side's rationale (business as usual, then? ;) that of course it's okay for their side to be above the law, as it's in a good way. As is Kingsleys' memory charming children, Harry's casting Crucio, Hagrid's many and varied examples of a lack of regard for human life, Arthur working in law enforcement and breaking the law - why, they're on the 'Good' side, it's okay!
*
Three helpings of rhubarb crumble and custard later and the waistband on Harry's jeans was feeling uncomfortably tight (which was saying something as the jeans had once been Dudley's).
I keep meaning to go into weight and food issues in these books, but I think it's more suited for a reread of say, GoF or CoS.
I will say that anyone who wrote me Fat!Harry would win my admiration forever about a week.
*
'Since when did someone have to be in the Order of the Phoenix to ask questions?' asked Sirius.
Since spy leaks from within the Order last time, maybe?
*
'It's not my fault you haven't been told what the Order's doing,' said Sirius calmly, 'that's your parents' decision. Harry, on the other hand -'
Sirius is really helpful as a fellow 'parent' to Molly and Arthur here. My child is Teh Specialest, and btw, your parents aren't as clever as me and my mature, considered decisions!
*
'And he's dealt with as much as most in the Order,' said Sirius, 'and more than some.'
'No one's denying what he's done!' said Mrs Weasley, her voice rising, her fists trembling on the arms of her chair. 'But he's still -'
'He's not a child!' said Sirius impatiently.
I'm not sure who's more annoying here - Molly and her insane overprotection and facist need to dominate everyone; or Sirius and his irresponsible, selfish desires and childish constant reiteration of how great and mature James and he Harry is.
*
'He's not an adult either!' said Mrs Weasley, the colour rising in her cheeks. 'He's not James, Sirius!'
'I'm perfectly clear who he is, thanks, Molly,' said Sirius coldly.
Which of course "James would have done it, wah wah!" later disproves. Like shooting fish in a bucket!
*
'I'm not sure you are!' said Mrs Weasley. 'Sometimes, the way you talk about him, it's as though you think you've got your best friend back!'
'What's wrong with that?' said Harry.
Harry is Teh Stupid, as usual.
*
'What's wrong, Harry, is that you are not your father, however much you might look like him!' said Mrs Weasley, her eyes still boring into Sirius. 'You are still at school and adults responsible for you should not forget it!'
'Meaning I'm an irresponsible godfather?' demanded Sirius, his voice rising.
AHAHAHA. Yes!
*
'Meaning you have been known to act rashly, Sirius, which is why Dumbledore keeps reminding you to stay at home and -'
'We'll leave my instructions from Dumbledore out of this, if you please!' said Sirius loudly.
'Arthur!' said Mrs Weasley, rounding on her husband. 'Arthur, back me up!'
Artttthhhhhhhhhur, help me! Like every other female in HP, Molly needs a man to help her out when it comes down to it. We're delicate little flowers beneath all that Girl Power and Sass, doncha know?
*
His expression was mild, but Harry felt sure Lupin, at least, knew that some Extendable Ears had survived Mrs Weasley's purge.
Lupin always knows all (PoA.) He's like Dumbledore, in a way.
*
'I'll just say this: Dumbledore must have had his reasons for not wanting Harry to know too much, and speaking as someone who has Harry's best interests at heart -'
'He's not your son,' said Sirius quietly.
'He's as good as,' said Mrs Weasley fiercely. 'Who else has he got?'
'He's got me!'
'Yes,' said Mrs Weasley, her lip curling, 'the thing is, it's been rather difficult for you to look after him while you've been locked UP in Azkaban, hasn't it?'
Sirius started to rise from his chair.
'Molly, you're not the only person at this table who cares about Harry,' said Lupin sharply. 'Sirius, sit down.'
Now I feel bad for Harry, since both Mrs. Weasley and Sirius are horrible parents. Except he has the whole table (and school. And wizarding world.) to adore him, so, not too bad.
Molly's rather smug in her place as the one with Harry's best interests at heart, considering her mothering is limited (sweets at Christmas) even to her own children, let alone Harry. And she's very confident in Dumbledore and his 'reasons'.
However, much as I can't be biased as I hate everyone in the Order equally, I really like the line about Sirius' being in Azkaban. I realise that wasn't his fault (although he did hang around for thirteen years despite having the capability to escape all along) and that Molly is a guest in his home (a guest who cleans and cooks, though!) but I think it would be impossible not to resent him for his abandonment, from either Harry's perspective or that of an outsider.
Harry may not have had chance to feel that, since he's so pathetically keen for affection, but I think it would have led there eventually. Despite their similiarities and closeness, there was already anger on both sides in their relationship.
*
He had been touched by what she had said about his being as good as a son, but he was also impatient with her mollycoddling. Sirius was right, he was not a child.
But, um. He is. A child with adult responsibilities, which is sad, but a child nonetheless. (Or should I say a man? A MARKED man? ;) I was discussing this with Magpie regarding the fandom's concept of Harry as being far more mature than his peers post OotP, and although I can see that his responsibilities outweigh theirs in the importance stakes, this seems to me to be missing the entire point of OotP, which deconstructed the whole Fanon!Harry and his saintly compassion and adult demeanor completely.
While Ron, Hermione, Malfoy, Ernie MacMillan, Insert Any Fifth Year Character Here certainly cannot understand the enormous pressure Harry's under, I think any of them arguably showed more maturity than him.
Also, Harry's never really warmed to Molly or even Arthur despite being desperate for parent figures. Interesting. Could be subconsciously sensing how little some of the Weasleys (Ron and Percy as prime examples) would welcome that, on top of his already sturdy position in the family.
Could be he wants to be the centre of attention (he was an only child at the time of Lily and James' deaths) and there's too much competition there, whereas Sirius as an outcast will focus on him alone (to the point of taking it too far the other way, as Harry discovers.)
Could be he doesn't like the gushing. Could be another example of the importance of blood - Sirius, despite being less reliable than the Weasleys, is the closest thing to Harry's real parents. Could be I've stopped caring. Zz...
*
For a split second, Harry considered telling Ron that he wouldn't tell him a single word, that he could try a taste of being kept in the dark and see how he liked it. But the nasty impulse vanished as they looked at each other. 'Course I will,' Harry said.
Lots of nasty impulses, and we're only on Chapter Five!
*
Ginny did not go quietly. They could hear her raging and storming at her mother all the way up the stairs, and when she reached the hall Mrs Black's ear-splitting shrieks were added to the din.
Isn't Ginny cool? I love how all her rebellion is centred against female authority figures (Molly, Umbridge), whereas she still yields to males on almost every point (Bill thinks so! Harry says!)
*
'That's because there haven't been any funny deaths yet,' said Sirius, 'not as far as we know, anyway ... and we know quite a lot.'
We do, do we? I know you're gonna die! Hhahahahahahaha! (Apologies for that immature display.)
*
'Dumbledore was the only one You-Know-Who was ever scared of!'
This is drummed in with every book, and frankly makes me nervous of Dumbledore. What kind of man is he, that even the evil Voldemort fears him?
*
'He's certainly not going to try and take on the Ministry of Magic with only a dozen Death Eaters.'
God yes, that would be so lame and I would laugh at any author who wrote such a lame conclusion!
Wait...
*
'Of course he doesn't,' said Mr Weasley. 'He's never wanted the Minister's job, even though a lot of people wanted him to take it when Millicent Bagnold retired. Fudge came to power instead, but he's never quite forgotten how much popular support Dumbledore had, even though Dumbledore never applied for the job.'
'Deep down, Fudge knows Dumbledore's much cleverer than he is, a much more powerful wizard, and in the early days of his Ministry he was forever asking Dumbledore for help and advice,' said Lupin. 'But it seems he's become fond of power, and much more confident. He loves being Minister for Magic and he's managed to convince himself that he's the clever one and Dumbledore's simply stirring up trouble for the sake of it.
...
'They're trying to discredit him,' said Lupin. 'Didn't you see the Daily Prophet last week? They reported that he'd been voted out of the Chairmanship of the International Confederation of Wizards because he's getting old and losing his grip, but it's not true; he was voted out by
Ministry wizards after he made a speech announcing Voldemorts return. They've demoted him from Chief Warlock on the Wizengamot - that's the Wizard High Court - and they're talking about taking away his Order of Merlin, First Class, too.'
Interesting exploration of the power dynamics between Dumbledore and Fudge here.
And to quote ataniell93:
"The biggest Sue in the Potterverse is Albus Dumbledore. He's "the Greatest Wizard who ever lived!" Forget about Nicolas Flamel, John Dee, Giordano Bruno, and Sir Isaac Newton. He's the head of every organisation he's a member of. People he's ruthlessly manipulated and abused still love and forgive him, especially when he tearfully explains, much like my mother did when she threw a kitchen knife at my brother, that he did it because he loved them. Everyone either likes him or fears him terribly, people name organisations he's not even part of after him, and much time is devoted to his 'twinkly blue eyes', not to mention his clothes are sparklier than anything that ever came outta House Sparklypoo.
I'm just waiting for the unicorn. Oh, wait, he has a phoenix, and those are even rarer."
Of course everyone wanted Dumbledore to be the Head of The Whole World, and he's too noble to do that while he could be warping influencing young minds and running and inspiring terrorist groups the Order.
And poor Alby, he's been removed from about 85 of the incredibly powerful groups he runs! Doesn't it disturb anyone how much he runs things already?
And he, like everyone else, isn't brought up short because of his flaws, but because of his virtues - he's brave enough to proclaim Voldemort's return, and now he's suffering for it.
I would love it if for once a good character in these books had to accept personal responsibility for their negative actions and was duly punished for them, rather than: Poor Harry! He was fooled by his love for others! Poor Albus, he loves too much!
Here's some suggestions: Poor Harry, he's a borderline sociopath, like many of the Gryffindors.
Poor Albus, he has an insane ego and God complex.
Poor Harry, he has no regard for anyone's feelings but his own, which are of course, much more special and deeply felt.
Poor Albus, he's manipulative and cruel. Good start, huh?
*
When Harry continued to look puzzled, Sirius said, 'Like a weapon. Something he didn't have last time.'
'When he was powerful before?'
'Yes.'
'Like what kind of weapon?' said Harry. 'Something worse than the Avada Kedavra -?'
Oh, the first mention of the Fascinating Weapon That Wasn't. Yay!
*
'Why not?' said Harry quickly. I’ll join, I want to join, I want to fight.'
CharlieDumbledore's never had a problem finding people willing to die for him.
And of course, Harry's willing to risk his life for a group mainly composed of people's he's known five minutes.
They're nice to him and think he's important, they just have to be good!
*
'We've been trying to get her down for a month but we think she put a Permanent Sticking Charm on the back of the canvas.'
Portraits can do magic, which I don't recall ever being hinted at before (shame the Fat Lady didn't defend herself against Sirius in POA, in that case.)
*
Harry, who had expected a better welcome, noted how hard and bitter Sirius's voice sounded.
And vice versa, I presume. This chapter very much establishes Harry and Sirius as similiar in their feelings - they loathe being 'ignored' and feeling useless, they desire special treatment and attention and they're both reckless and laugh at danger. Gryffindors to the max. Or as Mira put it: 'The big message I take away, between that and Sirius' behavior at Grimmauld Place, is that Gryffindors must be kept occupied at all times or they become sullen, petulant two-year-olds.'
Interestingly, denigrating each other's complaints seems to work where sympathy fails. For now.
There was something about the slightly flattened tone of voice in which Sirius uttered Dumbledore's name that told Harry that Sirius, too, was not very happy with the Headmaster. Harry felt a sudden upsurge of affection for his godfather. 'At least you've known what's been going on,' he said bracingly.
...
For the first time, something like a grin flitted across Sirius's face. 'Don't know what you're complaining about, myself.'
'What?' said Harry incredulously.
'Personally, I'd have welcomed a Dementor attack. A deadly struggle for my soul would have broken the monotony nicely. You think you've had it bad, at least you've been able to get out and about, stretch your legs, get into a few fights ... I've been stuck inside for a month.'
Poor Sirius! No fights? What a fine example he sets.
*
'Because...Voldemort will know all about me being an Animagus by now, Wormtail will have told him, so my big disguise is useless. There's not much I can do for the Order of the Phoenix...or so Dumbledore feels.'
I'm mystified as to what Sirius would be doing if he didn't have to obey Dumbledore's wishes. Presumably something dangerous and heroic?
And a bit of a flint regarding Wormtail's (I miss him) now having told about Sirius' being an Animagus - couldn't he have done that twelve years ago? Or two, even?
*
A haze of pipe smoke hung in the air like battle fumes
Foreshadowing? Eh, who cares? And what the heck is a battle fume anyway, and why would Harry/Omnipresent Narrator even recognise them?
*
The thing Harry had taken to be a pile of rags gave a prolonged, grunting snore, then jerked awake. 'Some'n say m'name?' Mundungus mumbled sleepily. 'I 'gree with Sirius ...'
Mundungus associates himself with Sirius, the Bad Boy rebel with a Heart of Gold. All he needs is a motorbike and a Secret Torment and we'll all be writing MF/RL fics.
*
'For the last time, Mundungus,' called Mrs Weasley, 'will you please not smoke that thing in the kitchen, especially not when we're about to eat!'
Mrs. Weasley is an annoying stereotype, like many of the female characters in JKR's books, but if anyone smoked in a kitchen I live in, I'd eviscerate them, so...
*
'And if you want dinner before midnight I'll need a hand,' Mrs Weasley said to the room at large. 'No, you can stay where you are, Harry dear, you've had a long journey.'
Why does she even cook for them, anyway? As the only adult woman, it's her job? Is she the 'nice' equivalent of Petunia Dursley, who's address is The Kitchen? (Actually, a really excellent comparison could probably be made, what with Molly's spoiling and cossetting of Harry as opposed to her more waspish behaviour towards her own children; versus Petunia's adoration of her natural child over the 'interloper'.)
*
'Yes,' said Sirius, surveying it with distaste. 'Finest fifteenth-century goblin-wrought silver, embossed with the Black family crest.'
Um, why don't they sell them? It's not as if they're valued sentimentally, and four hundred year old silver would bring in some money...
*
...the bread knife slipped off the board and landed, point down and quivering ominously, exactly where Sirius's right hand had been seconds before.
BA-DA-DUM. I could have sworn there's another line like this in Grimmauld Place, about entering the home of a dead person, but I missed it, I guess.
*
'None of your brothers caused this sort of trouble!' Mrs Weasley raged at the twins... 'Bill didn't feel the need to Apparate every few feet! Charlie didn't charm everything he met! Percy -'
She stopped dead, catching her breath with a frightened look at her husband, whose expression was suddenly wooden.
Mr. Weasley, like all fictional men with domineering wives, Wears the Trousers When It Comes Down To It.
And more of the open hostility between Molly and the twins.
*
'It looks wonderful, Molly,' said Lupin, ladling stew on to a plate for her and handing it across the table.
Lupin is always careful to take the middle ground between Molly and Sirius' views, and is at all times respectful and calm. Shut up, Lupin.
'Sucking up' to her (witness the comforting in the next chapter) is actually a smart policy, since Molly isn't known for her tolerance to other races, even the Ever So Harmless Werewolves.
*
'The curtains in there are full of Doxys, too,' Mrs Weasley went on. 'I thought we might try and tackle them tomorrow.'
'I look forward to it,' said Sirius. Harry heard the sarcasm in his voice, but he was not sure that anyone else did.
For Pete's sake, she's cleaning your house for you!
But then, of course, that's all women are fit for. Brave manly men like Sirius and Harry are above petty domestic inquiries. (Worked really well with Kreacher, that approach!)
*
'They've suffered losses too; remember that goblin family he murdered last time, somewhere near Nottingham?'
Appears Voldie has smartened up his ideas since then, judging by the success of his gesture towards the giants.
As Lupin puts it, which contrasts with Sirius' view that anyone joining the 'Dark' Side is being "trick(ed), jinxe(d)" (But jinxes can be so useful! Ask Hermione, or the DA!) "and blackmail(ed)"; the goblins are being offered something the Light Side hasn't yet promised.
I always thought the reason for Umbridge's success with the Slytherins wasn't OMG THEY RESPOND TO HER EVIL or OMG SHE IZ USING SPECIAL POWERZ ON THEM but simply that she paid attention to them, as opposed to Dumbledore and his staff, who were content to see them fail academically and be injured by teachers and fellow pupils.
*
'Cos some son of a Bludger's gone and nicked all mine!" And I says, "Nicked all your toads, Will, what next? So you'll be wanting some more, then?" And if you'll believe me, lads, the gormless gargoyle...'
Gosh, Mundungus is an interesting, innovative character, isn't he? If you've never seen a loveable rogue before. Which everyone on the planet has.
Like Mrs. Figg, his prime use seems to be supplying fic writers with wizarding slang.
*
'I don't know where you learned about right and wrong, Mundungus, but you seem to have missed a few crucial lessons,' said Mrs Weasley coldly.
Heh. Love this, coming from the mother of the Weasley twins, Sociopaths in Training. As proved by their hysterical giggling at this.
*
'He's useful,' Sirius muttered. 'Knows all the crooks - well, he would, seeing as he's one himself. But he's also very loyal to Dumbledore, who helped him out of a tight spot once. It pays to have someone like Dung around, he hears things we don't. But Molly thinks inviting him to stay for dinner is going too far. She hasn't forgiven him for slipping off duty when he was supposed to be tailing you.'
I'm torn here. It's extremely hypocritical of Molly to expect that Fletcher (I'm not using that nickname ;) risk his life potentially for their cause, and not even get a dinner invite, but I'm also perturbed at the 'good' side's rationale (business as usual, then? ;) that of course it's okay for their side to be above the law, as it's in a good way. As is Kingsleys' memory charming children, Harry's casting Crucio, Hagrid's many and varied examples of a lack of regard for human life, Arthur working in law enforcement and breaking the law - why, they're on the 'Good' side, it's okay!
*
Three helpings of rhubarb crumble and custard later and the waistband on Harry's jeans was feeling uncomfortably tight (which was saying something as the jeans had once been Dudley's).
I keep meaning to go into weight and food issues in these books, but I think it's more suited for a reread of say, GoF or CoS.
I will say that anyone who wrote me Fat!Harry would win my admiration forever about a week.
*
'Since when did someone have to be in the Order of the Phoenix to ask questions?' asked Sirius.
Since spy leaks from within the Order last time, maybe?
*
'It's not my fault you haven't been told what the Order's doing,' said Sirius calmly, 'that's your parents' decision. Harry, on the other hand -'
Sirius is really helpful as a fellow 'parent' to Molly and Arthur here. My child is Teh Specialest, and btw, your parents aren't as clever as me and my mature, considered decisions!
*
'And he's dealt with as much as most in the Order,' said Sirius, 'and more than some.'
'No one's denying what he's done!' said Mrs Weasley, her voice rising, her fists trembling on the arms of her chair. 'But he's still -'
'He's not a child!' said Sirius impatiently.
I'm not sure who's more annoying here - Molly and her insane overprotection and facist need to dominate everyone; or Sirius and his irresponsible, selfish desires and childish constant reiteration of how great and mature James and he Harry is.
*
'He's not an adult either!' said Mrs Weasley, the colour rising in her cheeks. 'He's not James, Sirius!'
'I'm perfectly clear who he is, thanks, Molly,' said Sirius coldly.
Which of course "James would have done it, wah wah!" later disproves. Like shooting fish in a bucket!
*
'I'm not sure you are!' said Mrs Weasley. 'Sometimes, the way you talk about him, it's as though you think you've got your best friend back!'
'What's wrong with that?' said Harry.
Harry is Teh Stupid, as usual.
*
'What's wrong, Harry, is that you are not your father, however much you might look like him!' said Mrs Weasley, her eyes still boring into Sirius. 'You are still at school and adults responsible for you should not forget it!'
'Meaning I'm an irresponsible godfather?' demanded Sirius, his voice rising.
AHAHAHA. Yes!
*
'Meaning you have been known to act rashly, Sirius, which is why Dumbledore keeps reminding you to stay at home and -'
'We'll leave my instructions from Dumbledore out of this, if you please!' said Sirius loudly.
'Arthur!' said Mrs Weasley, rounding on her husband. 'Arthur, back me up!'
Artttthhhhhhhhhur, help me! Like every other female in HP, Molly needs a man to help her out when it comes down to it. We're delicate little flowers beneath all that Girl Power and Sass, doncha know?
*
His expression was mild, but Harry felt sure Lupin, at least, knew that some Extendable Ears had survived Mrs Weasley's purge.
Lupin always knows all (PoA.) He's like Dumbledore, in a way.
*
'I'll just say this: Dumbledore must have had his reasons for not wanting Harry to know too much, and speaking as someone who has Harry's best interests at heart -'
'He's not your son,' said Sirius quietly.
'He's as good as,' said Mrs Weasley fiercely. 'Who else has he got?'
'He's got me!'
'Yes,' said Mrs Weasley, her lip curling, 'the thing is, it's been rather difficult for you to look after him while you've been locked UP in Azkaban, hasn't it?'
Sirius started to rise from his chair.
'Molly, you're not the only person at this table who cares about Harry,' said Lupin sharply. 'Sirius, sit down.'
Now I feel bad for Harry, since both Mrs. Weasley and Sirius are horrible parents. Except he has the whole table (and school. And wizarding world.) to adore him, so, not too bad.
Molly's rather smug in her place as the one with Harry's best interests at heart, considering her mothering is limited (sweets at Christmas) even to her own children, let alone Harry. And she's very confident in Dumbledore and his 'reasons'.
However, much as I can't be biased as I hate everyone in the Order equally, I really like the line about Sirius' being in Azkaban. I realise that wasn't his fault (although he did hang around for thirteen years despite having the capability to escape all along) and that Molly is a guest in his home (a guest who cleans and cooks, though!) but I think it would be impossible not to resent him for his abandonment, from either Harry's perspective or that of an outsider.
Harry may not have had chance to feel that, since he's so pathetically keen for affection, but I think it would have led there eventually. Despite their similiarities and closeness, there was already anger on both sides in their relationship.
*
He had been touched by what she had said about his being as good as a son, but he was also impatient with her mollycoddling. Sirius was right, he was not a child.
But, um. He is. A child with adult responsibilities, which is sad, but a child nonetheless. (Or should I say a man? A MARKED man? ;) I was discussing this with Magpie regarding the fandom's concept of Harry as being far more mature than his peers post OotP, and although I can see that his responsibilities outweigh theirs in the importance stakes, this seems to me to be missing the entire point of OotP, which deconstructed the whole Fanon!Harry and his saintly compassion and adult demeanor completely.
While Ron, Hermione, Malfoy, Ernie MacMillan, Insert Any Fifth Year Character Here certainly cannot understand the enormous pressure Harry's under, I think any of them arguably showed more maturity than him.
Also, Harry's never really warmed to Molly or even Arthur despite being desperate for parent figures. Interesting. Could be subconsciously sensing how little some of the Weasleys (Ron and Percy as prime examples) would welcome that, on top of his already sturdy position in the family.
Could be he wants to be the centre of attention (he was an only child at the time of Lily and James' deaths) and there's too much competition there, whereas Sirius as an outcast will focus on him alone (to the point of taking it too far the other way, as Harry discovers.)
Could be he doesn't like the gushing. Could be another example of the importance of blood - Sirius, despite being less reliable than the Weasleys, is the closest thing to Harry's real parents. Could be I've stopped caring. Zz...
*
For a split second, Harry considered telling Ron that he wouldn't tell him a single word, that he could try a taste of being kept in the dark and see how he liked it. But the nasty impulse vanished as they looked at each other. 'Course I will,' Harry said.
Lots of nasty impulses, and we're only on Chapter Five!
*
Ginny did not go quietly. They could hear her raging and storming at her mother all the way up the stairs, and when she reached the hall Mrs Black's ear-splitting shrieks were added to the din.
Isn't Ginny cool? I love how all her rebellion is centred against female authority figures (Molly, Umbridge), whereas she still yields to males on almost every point (Bill thinks so! Harry says!)
*
'That's because there haven't been any funny deaths yet,' said Sirius, 'not as far as we know, anyway ... and we know quite a lot.'
We do, do we? I know you're gonna die! Hhahahahahahaha! (Apologies for that immature display.)
*
'Dumbledore was the only one You-Know-Who was ever scared of!'
This is drummed in with every book, and frankly makes me nervous of Dumbledore. What kind of man is he, that even the evil Voldemort fears him?
*
'He's certainly not going to try and take on the Ministry of Magic with only a dozen Death Eaters.'
God yes, that would be so lame and I would laugh at any author who wrote such a lame conclusion!
Wait...
*
'Of course he doesn't,' said Mr Weasley. 'He's never wanted the Minister's job, even though a lot of people wanted him to take it when Millicent Bagnold retired. Fudge came to power instead, but he's never quite forgotten how much popular support Dumbledore had, even though Dumbledore never applied for the job.'
'Deep down, Fudge knows Dumbledore's much cleverer than he is, a much more powerful wizard, and in the early days of his Ministry he was forever asking Dumbledore for help and advice,' said Lupin. 'But it seems he's become fond of power, and much more confident. He loves being Minister for Magic and he's managed to convince himself that he's the clever one and Dumbledore's simply stirring up trouble for the sake of it.
...
'They're trying to discredit him,' said Lupin. 'Didn't you see the Daily Prophet last week? They reported that he'd been voted out of the Chairmanship of the International Confederation of Wizards because he's getting old and losing his grip, but it's not true; he was voted out by
Ministry wizards after he made a speech announcing Voldemorts return. They've demoted him from Chief Warlock on the Wizengamot - that's the Wizard High Court - and they're talking about taking away his Order of Merlin, First Class, too.'
Interesting exploration of the power dynamics between Dumbledore and Fudge here.
And to quote ataniell93:
"The biggest Sue in the Potterverse is Albus Dumbledore. He's "the Greatest Wizard who ever lived!" Forget about Nicolas Flamel, John Dee, Giordano Bruno, and Sir Isaac Newton. He's the head of every organisation he's a member of. People he's ruthlessly manipulated and abused still love and forgive him, especially when he tearfully explains, much like my mother did when she threw a kitchen knife at my brother, that he did it because he loved them. Everyone either likes him or fears him terribly, people name organisations he's not even part of after him, and much time is devoted to his 'twinkly blue eyes', not to mention his clothes are sparklier than anything that ever came outta House Sparklypoo.
I'm just waiting for the unicorn. Oh, wait, he has a phoenix, and those are even rarer."
Of course everyone wanted Dumbledore to be the Head of The Whole World, and he's too noble to do that while he could be warping influencing young minds and running and inspiring terrorist groups the Order.
And poor Alby, he's been removed from about 85 of the incredibly powerful groups he runs! Doesn't it disturb anyone how much he runs things already?
And he, like everyone else, isn't brought up short because of his flaws, but because of his virtues - he's brave enough to proclaim Voldemort's return, and now he's suffering for it.
I would love it if for once a good character in these books had to accept personal responsibility for their negative actions and was duly punished for them, rather than: Poor Harry! He was fooled by his love for others! Poor Albus, he loves too much!
Here's some suggestions: Poor Harry, he's a borderline sociopath, like many of the Gryffindors.
Poor Albus, he has an insane ego and God complex.
Poor Harry, he has no regard for anyone's feelings but his own, which are of course, much more special and deeply felt.
Poor Albus, he's manipulative and cruel. Good start, huh?
*
When Harry continued to look puzzled, Sirius said, 'Like a weapon. Something he didn't have last time.'
'When he was powerful before?'
'Yes.'
'Like what kind of weapon?' said Harry. 'Something worse than the Avada Kedavra -?'
Oh, the first mention of the Fascinating Weapon That Wasn't. Yay!
*
'Why not?' said Harry quickly. I’ll join, I want to join, I want to fight.'
CharlieDumbledore's never had a problem finding people willing to die for him.
And of course, Harry's willing to risk his life for a group mainly composed of people's he's known five minutes.
They're nice to him and think he's important, they just have to be good!