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So what is "The Burrow," anyway?
A cozy place where ideas meet, obviously. But, what does that mean? And what's with this "collaborative effort"? Who's that?
Put simply, the Burrow is a weekly column by the MuggleNet editors and a group of writers discussing different perspectives on various and sundry Harry Potter issues. The HP universe is so broad and expansive that getting one view on any particular subject just isn't enough.
The topic changes monthly, so there's always going to be a fresh idea waiting around the corner. And, we love input. Reactions to articles, ideas for topics you'd like discussed... Just no death threats. 
So, come for the company and discussion. There may even be a lively debate!
Signed,
Mike, Rachael, and Nancy
11/10/03
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:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<::: |
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11-15-2003 03:35 AM
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Lawless
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This month’s “The Burrow” topic is about what secrets can or will be revealed about characters in books 6 and 7. I myself have a theory to contribute to this month’s TB even though it may sound like it belongs in “The Quibbler.” My theory is that Lily’s parents came from wizarding families, but are squibs themselves. Sound outlandish? Here’s my supporting evidence, four points of them.
First off, there’s nothing in the books pointing against it. In fact, in the first book Petunia speaks of her jealousy of Lily saying that her parents were happy to have a witch in the family. If her parents were squibs, wouldn’t they be happy that their child was magical? They certainly wouldn’t be disappointed, and we’ve seen how some people act on the subject. On the other hand, this might not mean anything, as Hermione’s parents also seemed happy that she could do magic.
Second, the two squib characters we know are alone, single. Filch seems to be a sadistic and has something against the students of Hogwarts. Many think it’s because he can’t use magic himself. Mrs. Figg seems nice enough, but wants to rip out Mundungus’ throat for leaving Harry (isn’t she caring?). It’s obvious squibs aren’t the most respected citizens in the magical world and so it might be hard to find a special someone. Is it so unlikely two squibs would marry each other?
Third, in OotP, Snape called Lily a mudblood, but isn’t a mudblood someone magical born from muggles? What do muggles and squibs have in common? They’re both non-magical, so couldn’t a child of squibs be called a mudblood? Why not? In CoS Filch’s cat was attacked because he was a squib. If Tom was going after squibs and muggleborns because of their relationship with non-magic, is it wrong to say that Lily would be called a mudblood with either squib or muggle parents? I find that to a death eater, it doesn’t make a difference which your parents were, you’d still be considered a mudblood because your parents were non-magical.
Fourth, in OotP there’s an understanding between Petunia and Harry about Voldemort. If Lily’s parents were squibs, then that means they probably had contact with the Wizard world. Notice both Mrs. Figg and Filch still have plenty of contact. Without the knowledge of the Wizard world, there is no way Petunia would begin to understand the terror Voldemort can and did cause.
I think this is sufficient evidence to at least keep open the possibility of Lily’s parents being squibs. That good chance of squibs marrying each other, Lily being called a mudblood, and the understanding between Harry and Petunia only support this theory. Perhaps the craziest theory this month, I stand by that it could be true.
11/10/03
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:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<::: |
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11-15-2003 03:35 AM
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Lawless
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"Victor? Hasn't he asked you to call him Vichy yet?"
-Ron Weasley (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)
Howdy, folks! I'll be participating in this little Mugglenet Burrow section from time to time. It appears that today I'll be writing about what secrets can or will be revealed about the HP characters in later books. I've decided to select Viktor Krum: seeker, student and rival. Now you may be asking, why Krum? Well, that's easy: Krum is easily established as the anti-Harry and it'll be interesting to see what side he will take during the upcoming chaos. First, I'll contrast Victor Krum and Harry Potter a bit.
With the exception of Hermione of course, Quidditch is perhaps Harry and Krum's strongest connection to each other. Both are excellent seekers for their respective teams. Looking at Krum, we understand that he's either older than Harry (to be able to play on the national team) or is a lot better than Harry. Remember that the Snitch is a very small object, and to play on a professional level like Krum which must mean his reflexes are excellent. Both Harry and Krum are very famous. It is becoming apparent that Harry's fame is not only becoming a burden to him, but it appears that Harry's fame is a two way street. After all, Harry is the target of both admiration and discrimination, which really hurts him (as is the case when everyone finds out he's a Parseltongue). Krum on the other hand doesn't appear to have any detractors (besides Ron); his fame was earned through his hard work (though Harry's constant defeat of Voldemort's schemes is basically the same thing). Harry seems to find it difficult to be liked by others outside of Gryffindor, while Krum has fans from all the houses and is loved by all. While Harry has never put a lot of priority into his studies, Krum is on almost a Hermione-like level. Everything I presented is circumstantial though, just because he's a lot like Harry but isn't, means it is difficult to understand what truly motivates Krum.
Well, one of the things that we do know that would motivate Krum (and anyone else for that matter) is the power of love. And to be quite frank I really think that Krum likes Hermione (or is pulling the greatest melodrama of the Potter series). After all, should he join because of Hermione it shows that he loves her and wants to help and protect her. Should he not join, Hermione will be crushed and anything that she told him during their correspondence would be highly valuable to Voldemort's group. Then again, breaking Hermione's heart will probably mean good news for Ron... but that's a topic for another day.
The biggest tipping point is that Krum goes to a school where he learns the dark arts and (assumingly) can apply them. While Karkaroff may be a cowardly former Voldemort associate, he is none the less an associate. Karkaroff let his faculty teach the dark arts to his students. Obviously there is a reason. Let's not forget that Durmstrangs associate with Slytherins more than the other houses, and odds are Slytherins will most likely support Voldemort. So far, anyone who's associated with the dark arts at one point has turned out to be for Voldemort in one form or another.
So what about Krum? Well I think that when Voldemort strikes during the next book (or in theory should) many wizards will be forced to take sides. Now this is where it becomes interesting. Krum is basically a wildcard when it comes to selecting a side. Both sides should actively be seeking Krum's support as he would be a great asset to them. His popularity means that should he join with Voldemort's forces, it's possible that others will follow. Likewise, joining with Harry, Hermione (his most likely reason to join at this point) and friends would greatly help their cause. Also, his knowledge of the dark arts is a double edged sword: he can inflict and defend against (they would probably teach you counters at the same time) pain against those who oppose him.
In the end though, it'll be interesting to see what happens. If Krum goes 'bad', it'll likely lead to a confrontation between himself and Hermione. If Krum joins with anti-Voldemort forces, it's more than likely that he'll be alienated like Harry. Ah, Victor Krum, the life you lead is a tangled mess of contradictions but in the end who will you side with?
11/16/03
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:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<::: |
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11-18-2003 05:40 AM
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Lawless
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Possible Things to be Revealed
by Robbie Fischer
Here are some ideas that I've entertained, about how the characters in the next two Harry Potter books may entertain us. If they're not exactly original, then say I've put my dittos on existing rumors and speculation.
Neville Longbottom: His magic will improve once he has a proper wand of his own ("The wand chooses the wizard..."). But as McGonagall pointed out when she was preparing Harry's year for OWLs, all Neville really wants is some confidence. He has gotten a lot of that through working with the D.A. and it showed in the Department of Mysteries, when of all people he was the last school friend standing by Harry. Going out on a limb: maybe the fact that the prophecy could have been about Harry or Neville, will become more important. At least I think Neville will play a pivotal role in the downfall of the Dark Lord.
Peter "Wormtail" Pettigrew: Don't forget he owes Harry a life debt. This will prove very inconvenient for Voldemort. In fact, it may even be the very thing that tips the scales in the final reckoning. Fans of LotR will remember how Bilbo's, and later Frodo's pity toward Gollum made it possible for Gollum to play his key part in the Cracks of Doom. I think in a similar way, Harry's pity toward Wormtail may be the final clincher, or turn the tide when all seems lost.
Cornelius Fudge: His consuming passion is holding onto power. To him the definition of evil is anything that threatens the status quo. Even now that he has been forced to face the truth, I don't think Fudge is to be trusted. He will lead a camp in the anti-Voldemort forces that wants to "fight fire with fire"-that is, use dark magic to fight dark magic, use deception and skullduggery to combat even greater evil. But I think this approach will make people like Fudge more of a prey to dark forces, and will leave them helpless to face the powers that will be brought against them. In short, I think Fudge is going down, and a whole way of looking at things in the magical world will go down with him. And I also ditto the speculation that Arthur Weasley will be the next Minister, because it does look as if Ron has more talent in divination than anyone in the story realizes.
The Dursleys. Sooner or later Voldemort has to realize that if he eliminates Petunia Dursley, his path is clear to come and get Harry. Petunia had better look out for diving broomsticks, curses, and letters filled with nasty substances. I think by the end of the 7 books, after being forced to treat Harry nicely for a while and to depend on him to protect her from magical attacks (which also concern him nearly), Petunia will be a little warmer toward the boy. I also think she and Vernon have set themselves up for a big disappointment with Dudley, and that will also be a factor in creating a new relationship between Harry and his Muggle relatives.
Firenze/Trelawney: I hardly think Firenze was brought into the story merely to serve the tiny role he served in OotP. Therefore I think that somehow, Harry and Ron will continue to study Divination at a NEWT level. And it may come out that they both have considerable gifts in this area, and the fact that they picked the subject for their OWL studies was very providential. I think Trelawney's incompetence and "blinkered, fettered" human perspective has been holding them back, and Firenze will really open them up. However, I think Trelawney has more to contribute too. There is a good reason Dumbledore considered it so important to keep her at Hogwarts, probably in addition to keeping her from falling into the hands of the Death Eaters and probed for her memories of her first prophecy. That's part of it, but I think Dumbledore expects Trelawney's on-again, off-again Sight to prove important at least one more time.
Katie Bell: She will be in her last year at Hogwarts in Book 6, and I think she will be the new Quidditch captain. The Gryffindors will need two new chasers (one of them will be Ginny Weasley), Harry will be seeker again, Ron will stay on goal, and if they don't do something about Sloper and Kirke there will be a good deal of comic relief from those bumbling batsmen.
Draco Malfoy: I think he'll have to be cut down to size, a bit, in the aftermath of his father's arrest and the discrediting of Umbridge, of whom Draco and his friends were known toadies. Perhaps Draco will get a taste of what Harry has felt like, being shunned and picked on. His character is either heading for a cleansing catharsis or for some kind of nuclear explosion (in terms of personality). I don't think his rivalry with Harry is on the same level as the Snape-James grudge. But if Draco keeps going in the direction he has been, we'll be seeing the awkward situation of having Junior Death Eaters operating freely at Hogwarts. I just don't think that can happen. Some kind of restraint has to be put on Draco, but I think he'll end up being offered the opportunity to do something really Dark and he'll blow it. Maybe his conscience will make him hesitate. Maybe Harry will take pity on him...?
Lupin: From the scene in which he visited with the werewolf at St. Mungo's, I gathered that Lupin's mission for the Order may be to recruit werewolves to fight against the Death Eaters, just as Hagrid was sent to recruit the giants. Maybe success will surprise both of them, and maybe Charlie Weasley will come through with some dragons, and maybe the creatures of the forest will get into the act and when the all-out war opens up, maybe a lot of things Wizards have tended to fear and avoid will come out as allies against the Dark Lord.
The D. A.: The fact that representatives of Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Gryffindor came together for this, in spite of their Quidditch-related differences, is an encouraging sign. The Sorting Hat should be pleased, in view of its song at the start of Harry's fifth year. This trend of uniting the different houses may continue to be a key element in Hogwarts' defense against Dark Forces-and I think the defense of Hogwarts will be a key element in this war. Will the DA continue as such? Will some Slytherins join up? That'll be the day!
Ginny Weasley: Someone has to carry on the Fred and George tradition, and Ginny has already shown signs of having it in her. Look to Ginny for daring exploits and wild, wacky schemes. I also think that her ability to talk openly with Harry will help the two of them to grow together. Ron wants that to happen, obviously...
Snape: What is going to happen when he finds Harry in his NEWT class? We already know Snape is a double agent. He practically admitted as much to Harry. The funny thing about double agents is that both sides know, to some degree, that they are working both sides. At least their controllers on both sides (in this case, Dumbledore and Voldemort). But as the Good Book says, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be loyal to the one and despise the other." Which master does Snape really serve? Could the answer to that question change over time? How far will he go?
Hermione's activism for house-elves may lead her into a career in the Ministry of Magic, making sure that the rights of elves, goblins, centaurs, and so on, are preserved, their conditions improved, peace and cooperation fostered, etc. Harry will have to get surprisingly good OWLs to continue in his ambition to be an Auror. Everything Ron saw in the Mirror of Erised will come true: he will end up as Quidditch Captain, Head Boy, and the hero of more House Cup and Quidditch Cup victories. I expect that he'll start to get a bit stuck-up and there will be another rift, temporarily, between him and Harry.
Viktor Krum will show his surly face again, and a more mature romance will flare up between him and Hermione. I can't believe JKR would pass up an opportunity to put Ron through a torturous conflict between hero worship and insane jealousy. It would be so much fun to write!
Fred and George will make so much money that they will either redecorate the Burrow beyond recognition, or do something even fancier. Mrs. Weasley will ultimately make up her mind to be grateful that they went into the Joke Shop line. Maybe their funding will become important for Order of the Phoenix activities.
The next DADA teacher will be a totally new character.
The next major character to die will be a member of the Hogwarts staff.
Aaaaand..."open" or not, the coming war will involve a lot of covert activity. These stories are, after all, a lot closer to being mysteries than war novels. I don't think that "open war" is going to change the format that much. The burden of the story will still be some covert mystery that Harry and friends are trying to figure out before it rises up and bites them. And for open war to come to the Hogwarts campus would be ridiculously disruptive. School could not go on under those conditions; it would ruin the setting. So my main prediction for Harry is that he will spend his next year or two at Hogwarts, anxiously keeping tabs on events outside the school, and getting into danger by leaving the campus to take part in those events. He's not going to sit on his tuckus while the people who took Sirius from him are out there...
11/24/03
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:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<::: |
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11-26-2003 03:17 AM
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Lawless
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This month’s The Burrow article was meant to deal with what will happen to the HP characters in books 6 and 7, but in order to keep the article’s length reasonable and to give a more exhaustive analysis on this issue, my article will deal mainly with three characters, who are very closely related, for several reasons.
Imagine the HP world around 1960, more or less when Harry’s parents were born. Well, a child born at that same year could have several personalities, though at the moment we’ll only pay attention to three of them. One was magically very powerful, intelligent, and handsome. Another was very ambitious, and would make friends with anyone to be popular and powerful. And the third was extremely curious and clever, and had a special affinity with dark and mysterious things. With the right upbringing, and after 11 years, these three kids would become, respectively, Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew and Severus Snape (if that’s his real name, but we’ll get to that later), all three of them becoming important in the HP series for the simple fact of being in the same year as James Potter, and getting to be a very important and relevant part of his school life.
So now, let’s analyze each of them separately. Lets begin with my favourite character in the whole series, from the moment he appeared (even before we found out he was a good guy): Sirius Black. I must confess I cried when I read the end of OotP, though when I came to think about it I was quite relieved to find a pattern in our modern literature. Sirius is actually Obi Wan Kenobi, the character who, from his position of age and wisdom teaches the main character, and then dies confronting the forces of evil. However, there is one more important fact about Obi Wan, which I firmly believe will ultimately apply to Sirius in books 6 and 7: He came back from the dead, living on to give advice to the main character while he prepares to have his own go at the bad guy, meaning sooner or later we’ll hear a good deal more about Sirius, who will come back either through the veil or through the mirror he gave Harry (I still think there is more to it than meets the eye, ya Harry broke the mirror, but why would J.K. bring it up for nothing?).
The second character I believe is important, and from I can guess quite a lot (right or wrong, time will tell), is Peter Pettigrew, a.k.a. Wormtail. There are two fundamental theories I’ve developed about him. The first is shared by all of us with a small knowledge of folk culture. Wormtail has a silver hand + Lupin is a werewolf = quite a disgusting end for the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher Hogwarts has seen since Harry has been there. I think it’s quite obvious, since J. K. Rowling never places a single fact for one or even two reasons. Most elements in the series have more than one meaning, such as the firebolt, the boxing tree or even the Ministry of Magic. And my second theory concerning Wormtail also relies on literature. Now, what important character could Wormtail resemble? Once again, it’s quite obvious: Gollum! (skip the rest of this paragraph if you don’t want LotR spoiled) A character of dark nature, allied with evil beings only to achieve its goals, and who is forgiven, by pure pity, by the main character. Once again, the end of his story is what I expect to happen to Wormtail before the end of the series. It will be him (and not Harry) who saves the day in book 7, in the final battle. If you read Lord of the Rings, you’ll know it’s actually not Frodo who defeats Sauron, but Gollum, though of course not voluntarily, but I’m sure that is something to take into account (lets remember Wormtail is indebted to Harry after book 3). Another argument to support this theory is Hermione’s quote in book 5, when she talks about Harry’s “thing with saving people.” That way, Harry does not achieve victory through killing the bad guy, but through showing mercy to those who deserve it.
And finally, I believe Snape also saves quite a lot of surprises. I said before I’m not sure that is his real name. I suppose you’d have read the ‘Perseus’ theories, but in case you haven’t, here goes a summary. Snape could be faking his name for several reasons, taking the letters in Persues Evans to make Severus Snape. So, if we rearrange Severus Snape’s name, we get thousands of possibilities, one of which is specially attractive, and if you have read any Harry Potter at all, you will agree NOTHING is ever coincidental. This is Perseus Evans, a more than plausible name in the HP series. And since not in all the series has a single name been repeated without there being a relation between those who have it, this would mean Perseus is the third (but unkown to the Lily and Petunia) Evans sibling. That way we’d get an answer to the Mark Evans riddle (since I DON’T believe him to be a coincidence at all). Surely whether or not this is true will be found in book 6, for if Mark Evans was 10 in book 5, next year he’ll go into Hogwarts! Finally, since I’ve done it with Sirius and Peter before, I’d like to relate Snape/Evans to a famous character. This time it’s a little wilder, but I still stick to Snape being a traitor to the Order of the Phoenix. That, in case you haven’t noticed, is Boromir. Which means he is bound to die.
So, that’s that for the moment. I hope you have found my article entertaining as well as informative. I don’t expect everyone to agree with me, but these are educated guesses, based upon previous facts, and so I’d say there is about a 30 or 40% chance that most of this will be true.
11/30/03
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12-07-2003 04:06 AM
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Lawless
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From the Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets DVD:
Lizo Mzimba: How do you see Dumbledore, Steve?
Steve Kloves: ... he's a character of so many layers. And I think when he does say something like it is our choices and not our abilities... I just think that coming from him, somehow it doesn't feel like a sermon, it doesn't feel like a message, it just feels like, you know, an absolute truth, and it goes down easy, and I like that about him. That's what I like about the books. I've always thought that Jo's writing is deceptively, you know, profound, which is you never feel that there are messages in there, and, uh, but there's a lot of things being dealt with in a very sort of clever way, and they're never pretentious, the books, and I think that's why kids love reading them.
Lizo Mzimba: I mean, you say that you don't set out to put particular messages in each book; they grow organically. But do you think it's important to have the right messages there when they do emerge?
J.K. Rowling: Well, I, obviously, in the wizard world passes for racism... that was, that's deeply entrenched in the whole plot, you know... there's this issue going on about the bad side really advocating a kind of genocide to exterminate what they see as these half-blood people, so that was obviously very conscious, but the other messages do grow organically. But I've never set out to teach anyone anything. It's been more of an expression of my views and feelings than sitting down and deciding what is today's message. And I do think that, although I never again sat down and consciously thought about this, I do think judging, even from my own daughter, that children respond much better to that than to 'thought of the day.'
So, like it or not, the Harry Potter books teach. Not generally overtly (although, the stated theme of "It is our choices... that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities," is the most obvious and recognizable), but there are messages given, ideas shared, and lessons to be learned. Sometimes these morals (for lack of a better word) are so minute that it takes several readings to pick up on the nuances; other times, they stare you down and force you to examine them.
Of the "blink and you miss it" variety, the most intriguing lesson (which is by no means fully developped) came in OotP: "Dementors caused a person to relive the worst moemnts of their life.... What would spoiled, pampered, bullying Dudley have been forced to hear?" In fact, Harry did blink, missing this golden opportunity to better understand his cousin. He did nothing (that the readers are aware of) to ponder this perplexing thought. However, if he (or we) follow the thought through to its conclusion, it would lead him to the fact that appearances can deceive. Pampered and petted since birth, Dudley Dursley was so affected by the Dementors that he vomitted and could barely speak. By emphasizing that no one has a perfectly happy past, J.K. Rowling helps us, even for a moment, see beyond appearances.
In fact, the difference between perception and reality is a common theme throughout the series. In PS/SS, Prof. Quirrell masquerades as a rather hapless character, all the time plot with Voldemort. We find out in PoA that Peter Pettigrew's death at the hand of Sirius Black was not as it seemed. And, of course, the greatest deceptive appearance of the series, in the form of Barty "Mad Eye Moody" Crouch, Jr.
Grudges, too, stem from misperceptions. Harry and Ron perceive Snape as being really evil, so they think of him as the first contender for the "bad guy;" or, in exposed Prof. Quirrell's words, "Yes, Severus does seem the type. So useful to have him swooping around like an overgrown bat." In fact, by OotP this misperception, reinforced by problems in class and private lessons, pushes Snape so far from their minds as an ally that they forget to go to him for help. They (or at least Harry) doesn't remember until face to face with Snape himself. And, by that point, it is too late.
But not all lessons found within Harry Potter are serious. There is one, embodied by two people, that helps brighten any day and lifts your spirits. I'm talking, of course, about the power of humor, embodied so well by George and Fred Weasley (although other characters add to the hilarity in turn). In the midst of the unknown threat in CoS, when practically the whole school feared Harry, the twins make it a big joke. In fact, "it made [Harry] feel better that Fred and George, at least, thought the idea of his being Slytherin's heir was quite ludicrous." And, of course, throughout OotP especially, the twins reveled in mischief-making. And, their exit from school is "the stuff of Hogwarts legend." Their joie de vivre loosens tense moments (remember the opening speech in GoF?) and gives people reasons to smile.
There are so many more lessons and uplifting ideas that can be gleaned from the Harry Potter series. Throughout the month, we'll focus on different aspects of J.K. Rowling's "organic morals." But, don't stop there. Each time you read the books, there's something more to be learned.
12/07/03
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:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<::: |
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12-10-2003 03:32 PM
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Lawless
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We all know them and have grown to love them--the infamous HP trio. Whether it be in the books or the movies, Harry, Ron, and Hermione are the superheroes of their time. Their unbreakable friendship and undying loyalty to each other has led to exciting adventures and has carried them over through tough times. Their loyalty and friendship is the stuff of legend.
Numerous examples of their friendship can be found almost everywhere in the HP series. However, only two will be focused on: the beginning of their friendship in Sorcerer's Stone and the tribulations that put their friendship to the test in Order of the Phoenix. Their relationship is at its strongest during the more heated areas in the books, which seem to be the most important and have the most effect on them. Every friendship has a beginning. In Sorcerer's Stone, Harry, Ron, and Hermione's friendship is young and unadulterated. They have not yet seen the hardships they will encounter. Harry and Ron became fast friends, but Hermione took a little more than an introductory handshake. Their first test together was when Professor Quirrell released the mountain troll, and both Harry and Ron set out to find Hermione. This shows but a mere inkling of their eventual relationship with each other. It shows that both Harry and Ron care for Hermione. They risk their lives to save her, and in doing so win her trust and her friendship. Their relationship is basically formed out of sacrifice. Harry, Ron, and Hermione are tested again with their search for the Sorcerer's Stone itself. Both willpower and physical limits are tested in the quest to find the Stone, and at the end, everything turns out alright. Their friendship at the end of SS/PS is the beginning of something bigger.
OotP is probably one of the most difficult times for the trio. Not just because of the dreaded "P" word, but also because of what people think of Harry.
Harry doesn't hear of anything from his friends or Dumbledore the entire summer, and without warning gets attacked by Dementors. He is then accused of using powerful magic outside of school grounds and faces an expulsion from Hogwarts. No one tells him what is going on when he reaches Grimmauld Place, and Hermione is practically in tears when she tells him how much she wants to tell him everything. In addition, Harry is almost declared mentally insane by some, if not many of the wizards throughout the world. Even his fellow Gryffindors don't trust him anymore. The only people who truly stand by him are Ron and Hermione. They are the only ones who do not believe that Harry is crazy. Their loyalty and friendship is strengthened tenfold as they stand firmly at Harry's side.
Even though Harry is jealous of both Ron and Hermione for quite a number of reasons, he still protects them and cares for them. He does not show his anger when Ron and Hermione are chosen to be prefects, or when Ron continues to play as the new Keeper for the Gryffindor team while Harry is banned from Quidditch; yet, he puts his own life on the line when they all enter the Department of Mysteries. Friendship and loyalty are shown both ways when he warns them not to tag along, and yet they still persisted on going with him.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione would not have been the same if they were not friends with each other. The friendship they share and the loyalty they hold are too great for even Lord Voldemort to damage.
12/14/03
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:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<::: |
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12-20-2003 02:18 AM
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Lawless
All About Brad!
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We can learn one moral from the Dursley family, the ultimate Muggles. A life without wonder or imagination, without play or fun, without a kind of "magic" (not necessarily in the literal sense of the word) is not worth living.
According to TLC, a recent study showed that adults who watch Oprah are more likely to take medications to relieve stress than adults who read Harry Potter. Why is this? The researcher's conclusion shows his bias: people who read about boy wizards are escapists who live in denial and hide from their problems. Maybe the same data could lead you to conclude-- without showing the same bias-- that people who use their imaginations, who let a little magic into their lives and expect entertainment to take them out of themselves, are better able to COPE with stress. And people who take refuge from their daily reality by dosing themselves with MORE reality-- even in their recreation-- are not helping themselves at all.
I see the Dursleys as model victims of this syndrome. They cannot bear even a word about magic to be spoken in their presence. The kind of people who represent the world of magic are not welcome under their roof. Vernon and Petunia are petrified of the social disgrace if their neighbors should find out they have anything to do with the magical world. Dudley is just plain petrified of magic itself.
It is clear that these attitudes go beyond mere hatred of magic, though. We learn right off that Vernon disapproves of the imagination, and that even interesting dreams seem to him to be symptoms of a break with reality. The Dursleys aren't just foils against which the magical world of Hogwarts shines with greater glory. They are people who have raised mundanity into the realm of sickness.
Some time ago, I wrote for MuggleNet that I think J.K. Rowling has a lot in common with Charles Dickens as a writer. The rich variety of characters and events, the waif-orphan-hero who triumphs over the baddies, the tales of virtue overcoming un-thought-of obstacles, all connect the two authors. But another thing that connects them is their satire of a society that, ironically, resembles many of the people who militate against exposing children to the magic of Harry Potter.
In his rather short novel Hard Times, Dickens aims his satirical barbs at a society that moralizes and rationalizes childhood off the map; that forbids children to believe things, wonder about things, and be afraid of things that go bump in the night... basically anything that can't be scientifically measured or logically demonstrated. You could point the same finger at today's enemies of the fairy tale and young-readers' fantasy genre. People who see no point in Harry Potter or can't conscience exposing their children to it are only depriving their children of things that brighten dull hours and awaken human sympathies.
The moral of Hard Times is that life without magic is not worth living. In Dickens' case, we're not talking about literal magic, but about public entertainment, play, wonder, fanciful thoughts, and tales to stimulate the imagination-- including fairy tales, band concerts, and circuses. For grownups these are things that lighten the burden of lives full of stress and strenuous labor; for children, they are simply the things that really allow them to be children, and the kind of children who may grow up to be good people.
But some people would take all the "fancy, fantasy, and sentimentality" out of life, and fill everyone's life, young and old, day after day, with a monotonous round of Facts-- sterile, scientific, algebraic Facts. And as Dickens warns-- and the Dursleys prove, in the upbringing of Dudley-- this rigid adherence to "sanity" only leads to madness (like Vernon pulling the hairs out of his moustache) and breeds sullen youths whose only concern is Number One (like both Dudley Dursley and young Thomas Gradgrind of Hard Times).
The moral of the Dursley family saga, then, is about the same as what Dickens put forth 150 years ago. We need magic. It isn't about denial or escapism or hiding from our problems. It's about learning not to be consumed by them, learning to deal with them better, and learning that sometimes it's okay just to let go of them and visit another world. It's about the fact that books, films, and TV programs that tell all the ugly truth and show us nothing but unvarnished reality are not entertainment at all; that sometimes, a gripping story can be more educational than a multiplication table; and that a mind that needs everything to have a rational explanation and an orderly arrangement-- a mind of method and rules and straight-jacketed reason-- is closer than most minds to the cusp of madness.
Robbie Fischer, facial hair donor
12/21/03
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:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<::: |
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12-30-2003 12:17 PM
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Lawless
All About Brad!
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Through numerous readings of the Harry Potter series, I've noticed that, time and again, ideas about power, success and abilities are brought up. Each time, the emphasis is on a different facet of these connected ideas. Often, the figurative light is bounced off of a certain facet very quickly, like the sunlight bouncing off of a diamond ring as a woman gestures; you see it as a flash, and it's only when you hold the stone still in just the right spot can you experience that gleam again.
There are four facets I'd like to discuss (some more intensely than others): the power of confidence, the power of preparation, the power of the individual, and the power of unity.
The Power of Confidence
"'I see no reason why everybody in this class should not achieve an O.W.L. in Transfiguration as long as they put in the work.' Neville made a sad little disbelieving noise. 'Yes, you too, Longbottom,' said Professor McGonagall. 'There's nothing wrong with your work except lack of confidence'" (OotP 257).
McGonagall states confidence's power quite clearly. Confidence is the key to success. As a character, Neville exemplifies this. When we meet him in Book 1, he's a timid and clumsy young man who feels overshadowed by, well, everyone. He's afraid of his grandmother, of his professors, even of his classmates. And, this shows up in his work. In PS/SS, he starts to overcome his fear when he fights with Crabbe and Goyle and, later, when he confronts Harry, Ron and Hermione as they go off in search of the Stone. It's not until OotP that he really gains confidence, and that is through the D.A. Neville's transformation from the last of the class to the top is swift. At the beginning of the school year, Harry and Neville are the only ones in class who get extra homework to help them learn a spell. After Valentine's Day, Neville is the fastest learner of defensive spells after Hermione. And that's saying something.
In the Muggle world, time and again experts tell us that confidence is an essential part of success. Are you the best at what you do? Yes (whether you are or not); that's what you have to think. Confidence is not so much believing that you are the absolute best; it's got less to do with ability as it has to do with strength of personality and self. It's the knowledge that you can do what you have to do, and do it well.
The Power of Preparation
"For one thing, [Harry] was confident that, this time, he had done everything in his power to prepare for the task" (GoF 610).
Harry, Ron and Hermione had spent their free time learning defensive spells for the Third Task of the Triwizard Tournament. He knew he had done everything he could to prepare for it; that knowledge gave him the confidence that he could face what was ahead. His fear of the task turned into nervousness, which quickly vanished as soon as he began.
Preparation is only part of this facet, though. Another key point is accepting whatever task is laid before you.
"'Well, now it has [happened], an' we'll just have ter get on with it.... What's comin' will come, an' we'll meet it when it does'" (GoF 719).
While Hagrid may not be the most eloquent and learned character, he has a way of expressing himself that brings it down to the heart of the matter. Preparation is necessary, but it can't be all that's done. Once the situation for which you're preparing happens, you must face it. Preparation must be followed by action; otherwise, it's just something to do to pass the time.
Ultimately, preparation allows you to think on your feet. Preparation gives you the basic tools; acting on them is what will determine how it ends. The relationship between preparation and action is much like jazz musician improvising on a familiar tune. The tune is like preparation; it gives you the basic building blocks. Your course of action is the improvisation; how you use and manipulate the tune becomes what's remembered. Often, it feels like, "'...I didn't know what I was doing half the time, I didn't plan any of it, I just did whatever I could think of...," but the results are usually worth it (OotP 327).
The Power of the Individual
"'Well,' said Riddle, smiling pleasantly, 'how is it that you-- a skinny boy with no extraordinary magical talent-- managed to defeat the greatest wizard of all time? How did you escape with nothing but a scar, while Lord Voldemort's powers were destroyed?'" (CoS 397).
Prophecies aside, one person-- any person-- can make a difference in the world around them. Regardless of your sphere of influence, the power of your being makes a difference in people's lives. Sometimes, it comes through a smile or a kind word. Sometimes it's by example. And, sometimes, it's a great deed that many know about.
For instance, Draco Malfoy had a huge effect on Harry Potter before either knew each other's names. Draco's resemblance to Dudley didn't make Harry warm up to Draco in the first place, but as Draco talked, Harry liked him less and less. Draco's mention of Slytherin helped Harry decide he didn't want to be Sorted there; his talked with Hagrid merely confirmed that decision. Those things, taken together, led Harry to tell the Sorting Hat, "Not Slytherin;" had Harry not pleaded with the Sorting Hat, he could have been in Slytherin, and the story would be substantially different.
The Power of Unity
"'...We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.... We can fight [Lord Voldemort] only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust. Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open'" (GoF 723).
Perhaps the strongest theme throughout Books 4 and 5 is that of unity. With the wizarding world essentially under attack, small factions fighting against one another and the ultimate enemy is fruitless. By combining resources and strengths, evil can be overcome.
As John Donne said, "No man is an island, entire of itself." Just as one man can make a difference, many men working together can make a bigger difference. The phrase "greater than the sum of its parts" is an underlying principle. Working with people who are strong where you are weak makes the two of you strong together.
To use another musical analogy, music is always greater than the sum of its parts (any alto or bass can tell you that). When heard alone, each part has some strength to it, whether it's a beautiful harmony line or a constant root. But, when all the parts of a song are put together, they become greater than they could be on their own. Somehow, 2 + 2 has equaled 5.
Mixed metaphors aside, Harry Potter, by his own admission, would never have gotten so far without the help of his friends. His friends, too, could never have done what Harry has done. But, when they join forces, they can do everything from defeating a full-grown mountain troll to capturing a killer. And even when Harry faces the final moments alone, he never gets there by himself, and he always has help there with him when he needs it.
The bonds of friendship and coalition are always stronger than the ties of ambition and enmity. When an alliance is formed to get gain, neither side can trust or forgive the other. Friends, however, will trust each other to the death, if necessary, and make allowances for mistakes. As Dumbledore said, "The Triwizard Tournament's aim was to further and promote magical understanding. In light of what has happened-- of Lord Voldemort's return-- such ties are more important than ever before" (GoF 723).
The powers of confidence, preparation, the individual, and unity are only some of the levels of power presented in the Harry Potter series. Each one, taken individually, gives an interesting lesson to the readers. When taken together, these facets of power form a diamond with many more facets to explore and discuss.
12/28/03
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:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<::: |
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12-30-2003 12:22 PM
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Lawless
All About Brad!
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The magical world is full of creatures that are half-this, half-that. And most of them are not things you would want to meet in a dark forest. Don't even think about savage manticores and bloodthirsty chimeras, devious sphinxes or (gag me) blast-ended skrewts. No one would be sorry to see the back of them forever.
On the other hand, there can't be many members of any given "magical species," or else it would be very hard to conceal their existence from Muggles. Apparently the wizards' ban on experimental breeding, and controls on the breeding of established species such as dragons, explains this in part. The wizards and witches of Britain keep pretty busy, holding down the population of magical creatures so that they can be the more easily hidden from Muggle witnesses. But as a result, they are purposely creating "endangered species." Wouldn't it be sad if these wonderful creatures died out? Manticores and chimeras excepted, of course...
Naturally, the first species that wizard environmentalists would rush to protect are the cute ones, like nifflers, and the useful ones, like house-elves. And maybe they would also try to provide more room for intelligent species to roam in, such as merpeople and centaurs. But with the spread of urban sprawl, advanced communications, and satellite imaging, the world is shrinking...and so are the number of potential "habitats" for these endangered, magical creatures!
If I had any pull with the Wizengamot, I would propose...well, not a solution, but maybe the beginning of one. Perhaps there are some species of magical creatures that the world is ready for. Perhaps under cover of "genetic engineering" or "cloning" or even exploring uncharted forests, we could introduce to the Muggle world species that were previously believed to exist only in myth and legend. And perhaps, if they were useful enough and likeable enough, the Muggle world would join in concern for their preservation.
I think the equestrian races-ones that have a bit of "horse" in them-are probably prime candidates for this program. Horses have been, historically, the most useful and accepted animal, most carefully bred and protected, most highly respected, and most nearly thought of as human, of all animals known to man. And until the internal combustion engine eclipsed the age of the horse and carriage, horses were always needed for their...er... horsepower. Maybe some of the specialized equestrian races, currently known only to wizards and witches, could raise the image of the horse again, and make it valuable and worthy of protecting for more and more reasons.
Of course the centaurs have no interest in human affairs, wizard or otherwise, but maybe it's time to add their wisdom to the collective knowledge of our world. Maybe it's time for mankind to hang up on the psychic hotline and plug in to the deeper celestial musings of these ancient, thoughtful beings. And they could probably find work, for instance, as Grand Canyon tour guides and park rangers, going where wheeled vehicles cannot go. It would be an economically sound idea, anyway. Unlike regular horses, they wouldn't make any mess that they couldn’t clean up themselves...
Then there are unicorns. I'm not saying anything so crass as to suggest raising them as a cash crop. But there are uses for their horns and tail hairs, and the field would be particularly open to women-a rare line of work in that regard, that promotes a young woman's sense of self-worth, and also (if what they say is true) provides incentives for sexual abstinence. Anything so clearly innocent and defenseless needs care, and maybe if the public were better educated about unicorns, they would be safer from crass exploitation.
How about thestrals? They say that adopting a pet is good therapy. And some people find horse riding to be an especially helpful escape from everyday cares and pressures. Suppose we tried incorporating thestrals into grief counseling? Think of it as losing one thing, and gaining another in the process. Plus, a thestral corps could bring back the old Mounted Police, and give helicopters a run for their money.
But I think the species that especially needs protecting is the hippogriff. They aren't people who can look out for themselves, like the centaurs. They aren't protected by the same powerful magic as unicorns, and though they can fly to escape from predators and so forth, they don't have the advantage of invisibility that thestrals have.
On the other hand, they would make much, much better pets than any of these other equestrian beasts. Just try suggesting to centaur that he become someone's pet, or submit to a breeding program, or wear tags, etc. You probably wouldn't live to try it again. As for unicorns, they simply wouldn't be good with families, considering the high percentage of families that have male members. And while thestrals might be handy companions for people recovering from traumas (war veterans, widows, orphans, etc.) and possibly even blind people, they are unnerving for the many people who can't see them, and carry the stigma of being considered unlucky.
Hippogriffs, on the other hand, have none of these disadvantages. Sure, they are fiercely proud, but if you handle them respectfully they are no more dangerous than any ordinary horse or giant eagle. Sure, they have a vast appetite for bird-of-prey type cuisine, but a rural setting (and even some urban ones) can provide ample sustenance for a free-range hippogriff. Sure, they make a BIG mess when they molt, and their claws and hooves are hard on carpets and polished surfaces, but who apart from wanted fugitives keeps their hippogriff inside a house anyway?
But consider the advantages of owning a hippogriff. Cowboys, for instance, would be able not only to ride around the edges of their herd, but could actually fly above them and thereby have greater control while gittin' them li'l dogies along. Again, police and rescue personnel would be able to revive the Mountie concept (only without the stealth features of the thestral) and save tons of Diesels a year, compared to flying helicopters around. Riding schools would make tons of money selling lessons and rides to people who will now not only want to gallop along the ground, but soar over the countryside and even, perhaps, parachute down to the ground. This would be safer from the back of a hippogriff anyway, since your mount could catch you if your chute didn't open. And besides, the riding schools would make more profit, since they would only spend half as much on horseshoes.
But hippogriffs are especially good pet material. You already know how dangerous they are if they are handled disrespectfully. Suppose you trained them to guard your family and property? No one would want to mess with them! Meanwhile, your children would learn good manners REALLY FAST, perhaps from painful (though, probably, quite harmless) experience. They wouldn't soon be grieving for their deceased or lost pets, because (1) a hippogriff is not hard to find against any given background; (2) a hippogriff only has to fly a little higher to see home; and (3) hippogriffs live longer than dogs and cats, and probably don't have as many natural enemies, at least none that will trouble them twice. Also, hippogriffs have ways of avoiding moving vehicles that dogs and cats do not. Really, choosing any other pet is merely gambling with a broken heart. Unlike many dogs and cats, hippogriffs "know how to take care of themselves."
I'm sure the discerning breeder and connoisseur will be intrigued by the different breeds and varieties of hippogriffs, just as there are different kinds of eagles and horses. Whether purchasing your hippogriff for the family or for the business, you can get exactly the kind you want, and breed them for the traits you desire. And if you are ever captured by an evil wizard and locked in a topless tower, you will be thankful for the faithful hippogriff-companion who comes to your rescue.
If all else fails, you can turn your hippogriff into a racing steed. Imagine the effect wings would have on the Races!
I think the time has come for the Muggle world to become acquainted with the wonderful stock animal, working animal, and potential household pet known as the hippogriff. There may be no other way to save this noble, beautiful creature from extinction. If the wizarding world plays its cards right, this could be a revelation that Muggles can actually accept-and more than accept: embrace!
Robbie Fischer, Arizona USA
01/04/04
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:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<::: |
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01-07-2004 04:19 AM
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Lawless
All About Brad!
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The centaurs in the Harry Potter series are definitely an interesting and complex species. We see Firenze; undoubtedly the friendliest of the lot, save Harry in the first book, and appear again in Order of the Phoenix as the new Divination teacher. Apparently, his willingness to help humans has alienated him from his herd, making him a sort of black sheep, or black centaur if you will. This kind of individualism brings back visions of another freethinking entity, Dobby. Both Dobby and Firenze are one of a kind and receive criticism from the other members of their kind, yet they still persist in their beliefs. This kind of acceptance of change could assist Hermione in her quest for equality amongst the races of the magic world, something that seems almost inevitable at this point in the series.
Now onto the friend or foe aspect of this article: In general, the centaurs fancy themselves as a superior race, one of peace and understanding, even going as far to say their “intelligence far outstrips” that of humans (pg. 754 US edition). They obviously have a greater method of observing possible events of the future, a method not involving the tricky, ambiguous workings of crystal balls and tealeaves. Within this method is a hint of their connections with nature. Instead of using extraterrestrial methods that have no physical connection whatsoever to the real world, these centaurs use natural elements to determine what possibilities lie ahead. This connection with their surroundings and their foresight of events could definitely pose a benefit to Harry and crew as they attempt to fight Voldemort, sorry, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, in the future.
However friendly Firenze might be, the other centaurs are very temperamental and quick to attack, as demonstrated in the fight between Umbridge, Grawp, and the Centaurs. In my opinion, it is entirely plausible for (here’s a stretch of a theory...) Firenze to join forces with the humans in a fight against Voldemort, even possibly bringing a few willing centaurs along with him. Yet I get the impression that Centaurs are naturally power-hungry. With them being half-animal, they do fight for the position of Alpha-male and that kind of quest for importance could translate into a fight for a greater kind of power, the kind that only Voldemort can give them.
Regardless of if they turn to the Good or Bad side of the magic community, their benefits are clear. They are obviously great warriors and have the ability to predict the future… but always pose a threat to stage a mutiny. If they decide to aid the Order in a fight to defeat Voldemort, the outcome would definitely be desirable, yet if they turn to Voldemort during their quest for power, the end of this upcoming war could go terribly wrong.
01/11/04
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:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<::: |
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01-17-2004 07:11 AM
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Lawless
All About Brad!
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"Last Time I Eat Them"
- Ron Weasley's Comment (Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them)
To:
Minister of Magical Control and Regulation
Department of Magical Control and Regulation
CC:
Office of Misinformation
From:
Ministerial Assistant, Magical Control and Regulation
RE:
Billywig Importing Problem
As recent activities by merchants of illegal magical goods indicate that illegal Billywig importing has grown exponentially over the past few weeks. For those within the Department of Misinformation who are unfamiliar with the Billywig, here is a quick profile of the insect:
Name: Billywig
Native Home: Australia
M.O.M. Classification: XXX
Notes of interest:
-Stings known to cause feeling of giddiness and levitation
-Dried Billywig stingers can be used in potions
-Component of Fizzing Whizzbees (Classified as per agreement in 'Fairness of use of Magical Goods' Act)
-For additional information please consult Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them
As part of the ministerial task force in charge of locating the source of this problem, we have made several shocking discoveries. The recent increase in Billywig importing can be directly related to the recent problems at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Recent ministerial intelligence indicates the increase in importing began shortly after confirmation of the return of You-Know-Who. Upon further research ministerial agents have discovered that the illegal imports have been linked to two primary locations in England. Our task force has found that some of the Billywigs are destined for sale in Diagon Alley, but the majority has been shipped to several illegal dealers within Hogsmeade.
Upon further research bulk of the sales are made to several students of Hogwarts. Correspondence with Albus Dumbledore has revealed several startling facts. The discovery of these facts has prompted this internal memo, as any publication of these facts could be embarrassing to the British Ministry of Magic, the Minister of Magic and the British Wizarding Community.
The increased Billywig importing has been linked to Harry Potter and several other Hogwarts students. According to an internal investigation conducted by Albus Dumbledore has shown that Harry Potter is responsible for the increased consumption of the Billywigs in question. It is probable that Mr. Potter has turned to stinging himself with the Billywigs for the associated effects. Given Mr. Potter’s fame it is probable that has actions have convinced several other students that the use of Billywigs in this fashion is considered acceptable.
Further investigation by ministerial officials has confirmed Dumbledore’s investigation. Talking with Arthur Weasley (Department of Muggle/Wizard Relations) has revealed several alarming letters from his son Ron Weasley concerning Mr. Potter’s increasing Billywig use. The younger Weasley has mentioned increasing concern over Mr. Potter's use of the Billywig, despite Mr. Potter's assurances that he uses the effects to only calm himself down. While we cannot deny the effects of a Billywig sting, a study conducted by physicians at St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries cannot confirm whether the stings are actually medically beneficial. Also, a consultation with physicians indicates that possible side effects and dependence on the Billywig may result from constant use.
It will be very embarrassing that one of England’s most famous wizards has turned to using Billywigs. Considering the ministry cannot suffer another blow after confirmation of the return of You-Know-Who, the ministry must act to suppress this information immediately. Also, a meeting must be arranged to discuss options on how to deal with the situation with Mr. Potter. The task force also recommends that the students of Hogwarts be told of the danger of the overuse of Billywigs and that ministerial agents move to stop the illegal import of Billywigs before the situation spirals out of control.
Regards,
Ministerial Assistant, Magical Control and Regulation
Author's Notes:
This article was written for participation in Mugglenet's Burrow Section, January Edition. Subject: Favorite Fantastic Beast, Animal, Etc.
Now you may be asking what, this article has to do with anything. This is easy, the short book Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them describes almost all of the fantastic beasts, animals, creatures and whatnots that appear in J.K. Rowling's magical universe. However, the Billywig caught my eye as interesting because of the description. Basically, to me, the Billywig shows the dark side of the wizarding world. The Billywig is like a drug, pure and simple. Young people take it to feel the effects, regardless of consequences. The intent of my article is to show that even something as simplistic as getting addicted to a few stings can have dire consequences.
Now, you are probably also asking who Harry Potter is the addict. This part's a little simpler if you remember the ending of Order of the Phoenix. Considering the impact the death will have on Harry's life, it's probable that something like this could happen. As it goes, if Harry didn't turn to Billywigs the only other thing we could currently think of him doing in the next book is crying all day (in the bathroom) with Cho Chang.
So why the boring Ministry of Magic Memo? Well, originally it was going to be a letter from Ron to his father, but we couldn't include all the facts about Billywigs unless it was written by an authority figure. But, we didn't want one who was high in the chain of command or we could say they would all know these facts.
Well, hopefully this article has given you a fresh outlook on another piece of J.K. Rowling's interesting books and till next time: Don't Do Billywigs!
01/18/04
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01-26-2004 02:36 AM
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