OoP General impressions

[darrin_burnett]

No: HPFGUIDX 61640

Just made my first read of OoP and probably won't read it again in 
its entirety until the UK version arrives in several days.


First, as someone who has generally defended Harry and looked with 
distaste at Snape, I have never been as disappointed in Harry as I 
was when he looked at Snape's memories.

He didn't know what a Pensieve was in GoF, so he can be forgiven for 
falling into Dumbledore's memories. But he knew exactly what Snape 
was doing and dived in anyway.

I don't blame Snape for not wanting to deal with Harry (but I have to 
wonder why the lessons didn't continue eventually, after Lupin and/or 
Dumbledore told Snape 'I don't give a damn what he's done, you have 
to do this.')

As another poster said, it was classic Harry and Snape. Each too 
bullheaded to deal with each other properly.

Now, it is apparent that "Picked On Snape" truly happened, but there 
are some things that don't add up for me.

First, I was really gratified to see Harry revolted at what he saw. 
It's evident that he is as much his mother's son as his father's, and 
let us remember that Harry knows firsthand the pain of being bullied.

Having said that, I'm going to reserve my ultra and total sympathy 
for picked-on Snape until I get a couple of questions answered. 
Namely:

* I thought Snape knew more curses and jinxes as a first-year than 
most seventh-years? Guy folded awful quick.

* Notice what Snape's first words to Lily were? Filthy mudblood. Does 
that mean he deserved an unprovoked sneak attack? To quoth 
Dumbledore, "I did not say that, nor will you hear me say that." But 
I think it's telling that a woman not of a race he approves shows him 
kindness and he rejects it based on her race. James and Sirius 
weren't the only ones who needed to grow up.

* Something that jumped out at me about this Pensieve thing. These 
are Snape's memories. We know that people will consciously recall 
things differently to shade them in their favor. 

Now, are these the subconscious memories, which would account for why 
Harry was able to overhear the Mauraders conversation about Lupin 
being a werewolf? Or, are they Snape's memories of what happened? 

By this time, did Snape know or not know that Lupin was a werewolf? 
It's in his memories (subconscious or no) because there was a 
conversation about it. 

If he didn't find out until seventh-year, this suggests that perhaps 
James rescued Snape not because Lily asked him to, but on his own and 
that is why Lily changed her mind about James. This would strengthen 
the debt he would feel to James.

OK, onto this prophecy thing. Kudos to everyone who successfully 
guessed Trelawney made the prediction.

But notice who is NOT in the prediction? Godric Gryffindor. Perhaps 
this Heir of Gryff/Heir of Slyth business is still in play, but so 
far anyway, it hasn't come out.

Also, I don't think we are any closer to guessing why V-Mort tried 
(feebly and half-heartedly) to get Lily out of the way. In fact, the 
whole "thrice defied" thing tells me V-Mort would have killed both 
James and Lily just because he was sick of them getting away.

Oh, and by the way, Neville ROCKS! I KNEW IT! I knew he'd be a big 
player. I just didn't realize he'd be THAT big.

Here is my prediction for how the story will end and this goes 
against a thread I was in just a month ago.

Tom Riddle will be redeemed.

I just refuse to believe, given the overall message of the books 
about how choices matter more than blood and how you do what is right 
and not what is easy, that Harry will either die or kill V-Mort on 
the strength of a prophecy. Harry's own reaction to this prospect 
tells me it won't happen.

So, the prophecy is either false, or misinterpreted. Perhaps the Dark 
Lord will "die", but Tom Riddle will not. Harry will save him.

Last observation...

Peeves saluting Fred and George as they flew off into the sunset was 
the funniest moment for me in all five books. And damned if it wasn't 
a little touching too.

Wait, one more...

So, did Cho EXPECT Harry to ditch the girl he's been friends with for 
four-and-a-half years? Geez, talk about clingy. I'm glad he got over 
that one. Good first kiss, but definitely not long-term material.

And by the way, Ginny Weasley has rocketed up the charts on that "hot 
girls in HP" list we had going a while back. Angelina is still up 
there too, even though she got a little shrill. 

And Luna? Whoa!

Darrin
-- OK, one more observation...

Damn, can Bellatrix Lestrange bring it or what?