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

[cynthia_black]

Can you imagine what it would be like if all the parents wanted to talk to their kids daily via the Floo network? Not only would none of the Common Rooms ever have a fire that is just a fire, but as those fireplaces are in communal areas, the kids would have the added embarrassment of having all their family matters broadcast to the entire House. I can quite imagine that the students would not make their parents aware of the option, even if it were available...

[slowfox]

Well, yes, it would be hectic and crowded, but then the place would've been designed with more fireplaces to suit. Can you imagine a fireplace per dorm, for example? That would surely work...