The Order of the Phoenix Re-Read: Chapter 16

[slowfox]

I like how Ron's extremely careful about getting off the fence in the opening to this chapter:

"I thought it was a good idea from the start," said Ron, who seemed keener to join in this conversation now that he was sure Harry was not going to start shouting at again.

Gryffindor, through and through, that boy.

As an aside, notice that Hermione mentions that Harry was the only person last year who could throw off the Imperius Curse completely... I wonder if she means amongst the Gryffindors? Or across their year? Or across the school? I mean, is Harry special because of what he is, or what he does? I'd much prefer it to be the latter...

I think Harry's spot on in identifying the flaw in Hermione's plan for the meeting at the Hog's Head:

Some of these people - maybe even most of them - had turned up in the hopes of hearing Harry's story firsthand.

The Twins are again in fine form in this chapter:

"Would you like us to clean out your ears for you?" enquired George, pulling a long and lethal-looking metal instrument from inside one of Zonko's bags.

"Or any part of your body, really, we're not fussy where we stick this," said Fred.

I think that Hermione should've been a little more forthcoming about the consequences of the group breaking their word on the DA's membership - all she says is you're agreeing not to tell Umbridge or anybody else what we're up to.

I breathed a sigh of relief on learning that Ginny no longer fancied Harry... obviously, this is somewhat short-lived, but I'll take what slim comfort I can at this point...

Comments

[aome]

I suppose you really see a person's true spots ... er ... if you'll excuse the expression - if you DON'T tell them the punishment first, just simply tell them what DOES need to happen. Their behavior should be based on true dedication to the cause, not necessarily fear of being hexed. On the other hand, it does seem rather Slytherinish of Hermione, to be that cunning.

I do love the twins. :D

Harry was the only person last year who could throw off the Imperius Curse completely

I would imagine Hermione would have no way of knowing what other students managed in Moody's classes, unless someone told her directly, and the students seem to spend astonishingly little time socializing outside their House groups. (Not having attended the British boarding system myself - is this self-imposed house isolation common?)

Gryffindor, through and through, that boy.

It's funny, though - it's Hermione who has struck me repeatedly as being very unGryffindor-like. Observe how many times during moments of peril (or the possibility of peril) she is described as looking/sounding/acting absolutely terrified.

[slowfox]

I do think that the Twins get some good stuff in this instalment, and they definitely lighten the mood in what would be otherwise a fairly bleak read.

I've always wondered why Hermione was sorted into Gryffindor as opposed to Slytherin or Ravenclaw: Slytherin because that girl is certainly ambitious (it's not just that she's clever, it's that she works so very hard to make sure that she's the best at everything, which speaks, surely, of driving ambition, does it not?).

[aome]

I've never really felt, though, that Hermione's study habits have to do with ambition to be the best. I think she generally likes learning for the sake of learning and feels obligated to do her best out of her own sense of personal expectations. However, that being said, I think she very much likes being at the top of the class, a bonus for all the hard work she puts in, which is what makes her so cranky when Harry usurps that spot in Potions without the same hard work. So ... definitely more Ravenclaw-ish to me. Perhaps the Hat knew Harry needed her to get through what he was facing, and put her in Gryffindor for that reason?

[cynthia_black]

I'd've put Hermione in Ravenclaw, most definitely, if I were the Sorting Hat. She wouldn't have got into Slytherin, purely on being totally Muggle-born (I think there's some leeway with half-bloods there)

[slowfox]

In book 1, when we're not really told that Slytherin is all about purest blood, I'd have considered Hermione for Slytherin and, of course, Ravenclaw.

It's a little surprising that she's in Gryffindor, but she did take the blame for the troll, and that took courage.

The first Hogsmeade visit (remembers Hogsmeade in the Rain)

[cynthia_black]

Hee! Ron/Hermione bit! :-D

Ron looked round at her so fast he appeared to crick his neck. Rubbing it, he said, "Yeah? What did Vicky say?"

I also like the reference to Hermione's mad knitting skillz: Harry had to admit she was getting better; it was now almost always possible to distinguish between the hats and the socks.

past the post office, from which owls issued at regular intervals

I was wondering: if, as Hermione thinks, all owls from the school are being watched (Filch and Dungbombs), then what is the likelihood that all the owls from this post office are being intercepted and monitored as well? If they're not, Harry could have thought to send a few unmonitored owls letters from there...

First mention of goats in the context of the Hogs Head ;) I must admit, the description of this pub reminds me of Nellies in Beverley.

The barman... was tall and thin and looked vaguely familiar to Harry.

Ah yes, that would be Aberforth, hence the goat smell...

Aww, Harry/Cho (Sweet, but *so* not fated to be), and yay, Twins! :-D

And with Hermione's parting comment, aww, Harry/Cho again :-)

Re: The first Hogsmeade visit (remembers Hogsmeade in the Rain)

[slowfox]

Although yes, it's possible that the owls from Hogsmeade aren't being intercepted, they only have a couple of Hogsmeade weekends per term, so it would't really work as a proper channel of communication: by the time a reply came, it'd have to come via Hogwarts...

Any mention of goats immediately puts one on alert for Aberforth, ever since Dumbledore revealed that stuff about the use of inappropriate charms on goats :-)

And yes, 'tis cruel that the stars are not crossed for Harry/Cho. Still, we have some further Harry/Parvati shipness ahead of us, so we shall weather the coming storm with good cheer and fortitude :-)