Hopes for Book 5

[Chuck]

No: HPFGUIDX 59131

Chuck: <<Tighter writing.>>

Bboy_mn: >> Here, I have to disagree, I thought the writing in GoF 
was very good.  I was emotionally moved by many parts. When Harry and 
Ron were mad  at each other, everyone seemed to be against Harry, and 
everything  seemed to be going wrong, I swear it nearly broke my 
heart.<<

That was one of the weaker points IMHO.  Two 14 year old boys living 
together go three years without a fight?  And when they finally do a 
fight it lasts little more than a few days?  These guys should fight 
all the time!  Hell, my college roomates and I had it out a few times 
and we only lived together 8 months with an X-mas break and were 4 
years more (less?) mature.

Bboy_mn: > We don't know that Portkeys can't be activated by a 
variety of different means. I
> don't see activation by time of day, or by touch as a contradiction 
or
> lazy writing.
 
Sure it is because JKR emphasizes twice that portkeys activate at a 
specific time – once when explaining the use of the device, once when 
Mr. Weasley says he wants to "catch an early portkey."  But, fine.  
There's an exception.  Explain it.  I could buy your 
rationalization.  Let's see it in the books.
 
Chuck: > > Additionally, all that was needed was a line from 
Voldemort that 
> > Harry's blood was no good to him unless he had a certain level of 
> > skill as a wizard for his rebirth spell to work and the purpose 
of 
> > having Harry in the Tournament is validated.

Bboy_mn: >> I assume in the paragraph above you are referring to 
the 'toothbrush' issue; why didn't Moody just enchant Harry 
toothbrush and send him to Voldemort rather than waiting the whole 
year and using the Tri-Wizard's Cup.

Or perhaps you are referring to the need to use Harry's blood instead 
of any wizard who would qualify as a enemy of Voldemort's.  Also, I'm 
unclear what you mean by, "Harry's blood was no good to him unless HE 
had a certain level of skill...". Does Harry's skill need to increase 
to a certain level or does Voldemort skill need to increase to a 
certain level. Either way, it would justify the delay. <<

All three.  Justify Harry being in the Tourney.  Voldy just has to 
say, "The blood of a foe isn't good enough.  It has to be a foe 
that's been challenged.  That's grown as a wizard.  The TWT gave 
Harry the skills to make my rebirth possible," blah, blah, blah.  
This is the "Luke - you must face Vader again before you are a Jedi" 
argument.  Harry's blood - Not good.  Harry the powerful wizard 
blood - Now cooking with gas!  With the added bonus of Voldy 
now "inheriting" some of Harry's magical protections (Voldy can now 
touch Harry).
 
This also eliminates the toothbrush argument.  Under these 
conditions, you can't teleport Harry in November with his 
toothbrush.  He's not powerful / experienced enough to make the Voldy 
rebirth spell work until he completes the tourney.  That's just bad 
and/or lazy writing when the solution is just a few lines of 
dialogue.  Now, I'm not by any stretch suggesting JKR has gone George 
Lucas, but I was sorely disappointed that there was no real purpose 
to the TWC other than to get Harry to touch an object.  That's easily 
fixable.
 
Bboy_mn: > Noce talking to you. Don't be a stranger.
 
If you insist.  :)
 
Chuck