Suprises in OOP or is JKR Teasing Us?

[lupinwolf2001]

No: HPFGUIDX 78143

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "sharon" <sharon8880 at y...> 
wrote:
> This is my first real post here, but I've been reading the recent 
> posts about the Lily revelation not really materializing into a big 
> thing alot of people thought it might be.  This got me thinking, as 
I 
> recall, in some interviews JKR indicated we would find out 
> significant info on Lily & Snape in OOP.  I was thinking we would 
> find out why Dumbledore trusts Snape so much.  I was kind of 
> disappointed to find out it was just a memory of him being 
tormented 
> by James.  As far as Lily is concerned, I thought there would be 
some 
> revelation related to her saving Harry during Voldemort's attack.  
> JKR also indicated there would be alot more boy-girl stuff in OOP.  
> The Harry-Cho pairing & mentioning of other characters dating was 
> mostly incidental. It makes me think that JKR was teasing us in 
these 
> interviews by giving little tidbits of what to expect, but wanting 
us 
> to wait until the very end of the series for all the questions to 
be 
> answered.  I was quite surprised by the development & amount of 
> coverage (for lack better term) that Neville received.  Will his 
> character be further developed in the next books, possibly as a 
late 
> bloomer?  I was also kind of suprised how little Draco appeared 
> compared to the previous books. Also, what happened to Ron & 
> Hermione's prefect roles that started out strongly at the 
beginning, 
> but virtually faded into nothingness at the end?  Anyone have any 
> thoughts on these items?
> Sharon

Hi Sharon,

Here are some of my thoughts on what you wrote:

1.) "I was thinking we would 
 find out why Dumbledore trusts Snape so much.  I was kind of 
 disappointed to find out it was just a memory of him being tormented 
 by James."

I agree, I thought we would at least get some idea what his secret 
mission is. One thing is for sure... DD trusts Snape.

2.) "As far as Lily is concerned, I thought there would be some 
> revelation related to her saving Harry during Voldemort's attack."

Admittedly, knowing that Lily detested James in school was not the 
profound revelation I was expecting. As usual, JKs answers lead to 
more questions...

3.) "JKR also indicated there would be alot more boy-girl stuff in 
OOP.  
> The Harry-Cho pairing & mentioning of other characters dating was 
> mostly incidental."

Of everything that I enjoyed, it was the way she wrote the 
awkwardness and confusion of Harry (and the complexity of Cho's 
emotions). What we find is a lesson that the object of your hearts 
desire isn't always so magnificent when you obtain it.

4.) "I was quite surprised by the development & amount of 
> coverage (for lack better term) that Neville received.  Will his 
> character be further developed in the next books, possibly as a 
late 
> bloomer?"

I really enjoyed seeing Neville step up. It makes it pretty clear 
that he knows and has abilities that he has been too fearful to tap 
into. The evolution of Neville gives Harry a really worthy 
classmate/ally to fight the dark forces. For all their smarts and 
humor, Herminoe and Ron offer little help in the area of firepower. 
Neville looks as if (especially when he gets his OWN wand) he could 
be a burgeoning monster of power. How he reacts to that and how he is 
developed further will be VERY interesting. Suffice to say... he has 
been closer to the thick of things increasingly. To know that he is 
potentially the "one" also adds a WHOLE lot more complexity and 
intrigue to the entire thing.

5.) "I was also kind of suprised how little Draco appeared 
> compared to the previous books."

Yeah, I have been SEVERELY dissapointed with Draco. Where once he 
seemed to be the future rival/antagonist to Harry, he has become like 
a fly. Something easily discarded, easily shrugged off. Even his 
threats seem like childplay as Harry really seems as if he could take 
Crabbe Goyle and Malfoy by himself whenever he liked. I beleive that 
we will see a major transformation with Draco in that his hatred 
overwelms him. Instead of being a catalyst in uniting the houses, I 
feel that Draco's actions will turn his house against him and allow 
the other slytherin students to see the danger of NOT uniting. 

6.) "Also, what happened to Ron & 
> Hermione's prefect roles that started out strongly at the 
beginning, 
> but virtually faded into nothingness at the end?"

I think that with the resemblance of order absolutely deterioating 
(through umbridge's actions) as the book went on, the idea of prefect 
(and its importance) became less and less meaningful. Prefects are 
supposed to help insure that people adhere to the rules. When the 
rules are COMPLETELY in the wrong... it doesn't make sense to enforce 
them!