The Order of the Phoenix Re-Read: Chapter 17

[slowfox]

I rather suspect that JKR's magically defensive girls' staircase was a get-out-of-jail clause to cover up for having Hermione invade the boys' dorm in Chamber of Secrets.

The pervading evilness of Umbridge's tenure really starts to seep into the school itself by this point, with the appointment of the High Inquisitor (although I'd have thought that a politician might have come up with a less ... sinister ... title than that). I particularly liked the helpful:

An organisation, society, team, group or club is hereby defined as a regular meeting of three or more students

Of course, this all depends how one chooses to interpret 'regular'. Does it mean 'frequent', or does it mean 'occuring at uniformly spaced intervals'? Or both? The DA would be likely to fall foul of the former, but perhaps not the latter.

This is the chapter where Hedwig gets injured, possibly a hint that the mail's being interfered with, although Grubbly-Plank (whose first name turns out to be Wilhelmina) does hint that it could've been the Thestrals. Harry's naturally inquisitive nature of course ensures that we have to wait until later on to learn what Thestrals actually are...

Neville's parents' illness was set up for us in GoF, but doesn't really have an impact until this chapter, when Malfoy's taunting of Harry actually ends up goading Neville into attempting to attack Crabbe and Goyle. Fortunately our hero prevents Neville's certain death by... attempting to asphyxiate him?

Neville's face was scarlet; the pressure Harry was exerting on his throat rendered him quite incomprehensible.

Hermione can lack tact, on occasion:

But Harry could imagine how muchUmbridge was enjoying holding the threat of no Gryffindor Quidditch team over their heads and could easily understand why she would not want to relinquish that weapon over them too soon.

"Well," said Hermione, "look on the bright side - at least now you'll have time to do Snape's essay!"

"That's a bright side, is it?" snapped Harry, while Ron stared incredulously at Hermione. "No Quidditch practice, and extra Potions?"

You get the feeling that Harry and Hermione aren't exactly singing from the same hymn book at that point :-P

During the course of Sirius' conversation with the Trio, we have confirmation that Molly takes her share of guard duty for the Order.

Umbridge's decree means that the DA will need to find somewhere appropriate to meet, away from prying eyes, yet sufficiently accommodating for the 28 people who've signed up - as of this Chapter, the gang are drawing a blank, but we do at least have the luxury of knowing that things will work out on that aspect.

The Chapter ends with confirmation that the Ministry (or Umbridge, at least) are definitely monitoring the fireplaces at Hogwarts, but it does raise the interesting question that since it's evidently possible for family to contact their children via Fireplace whilst they're at school, why don't they do so more often?

Comments

[aome]

Harry's naturally inquisitive nature

Do I detect a hint of sarcasm? :D

That's a good question - why don't more families talk to their children via Floo Network? I suppose trying not to interfere too much? Besides, Howler is so much more effective and humiliating. ;-) But we do know that solid objects can be passed back and forth in this manner - as in GoF, when Mrs Weasley gave ... whoever it was ... some toast. So why can't Neville's gran send over the things he's forgotten in this way? It has seemed - in every other book - that Hogwarts is completely sealed off from any outside communication or transportation except for Owls (which book was it, where students returned to Hogwarts via Floo through McG's office - and that was clearly stated to be a one-off occurrence). I suppose this is just one of those "we're going to ignore the rules I laid out for the sake of plot".

this all depends how one chooses to interpret 'regular'. Does it mean 'frequent', or does it mean 'occuring at uniformly spaced intervals'?

I imagine the "regular interval" thing is more likely under consideration here. Otherwise, there would be MANY groups of friends who would suddenly be declared a team or club when they are, in fact, no such thing. "uniform interval" does not necessarily seem to be a factor, given that Quidditch practices seem to shift around depending on weather, need to train someone new, or an upcoming game, and the DA meetings likewise were not on predictable dates. However, they did meet "regularly" as opposed to rarely.

As for Hermione's disregard for Quidditch - that's been clear all along that she has never understood its appeal or importance, as with any person who is not really involved with team sports (of any nature). Even Ginny snaps at Hermione in HBP, reminding her not to get involved when she has no idea what she's talking about. I do have to wonder why Hermione never seems to take to flying in general, even if she doesn't feel inclined to play the game. I know everyone's got their strengths and weaknesses, but nothing is ever made of why she never seems to fly, asks to fly, etc. Fear of heights? Too uncomfortable? Something else?

[slowfox]

Sarcastic? Me??? :-P

And it does seem very strange how little the kids' parents make contact with their offspring whilst at Hogwarts... I mean, obviously, Harry hasn't got any family who'd visit him anyway, but surely if the Weasleys called in to say 'hello' to the four of their kids who are currently at school, then we'd probably get to hear about it (especially with Harry's hawk-like eyes on the case).

I think that Hermione's flying aversion, and her complete obliviousness to all things Quidditch are there to balance out her brains... if she was good at everything then we'd all wonder why she just didn't take charge from the slightly hopeless Harry...