OoP: Mrs. Lestrange -- SPOILERS

[elspeth_orange]

No: HPFGUIDX 63070

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "snazzzybird" <
carmenharms at y...> wrote:
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> Well, we've met Mrs. Lestrange, and she knocked my socks off! 
> After everything speculated about this evil Death Eater lady by the 
> creative and eloquent folks on this list, I wouldn't have thought
> it possible for JKR to trump it -- but she did.  Even her name: 
> Bellatrix -- I love it!  A combination of "belladonna" 
> and "dominatrix", was the first thing I thought, and what better 
> imagery for Mrs. L?

i wholeheartedly agree -- Bellatrix was fantastic as a new character,
with so much potential for the future, as much as would rather 
have seen Sirius be able to have a future instead.  i'm sure this 
has been mentioned, but what do people think about Voldy 
addressing her as "Bella" shortly after his appearance at the MoM?  
such an intriguingly personal nickname, considering the fact that he 
addresses *all* of the other DEs that we are aware of exclusively 
by their last names.  

> She enjoys torturing people.  Well, she'd have to, considering what 
> she did to the Longbottoms.  However, she knows how to get under 
> peoples' skin without using Unforgiveables; just look at the way
> she was taunting Harry.

i liked this a lot -- it seems like it may lead to a much less
one-dimensional portrait of evil as represented in Voldy and 
other dark wizards, than has been presented in the past four 
books.  the fact that the baddies were just so obviously 
BAD has always been slightly vexing, and this is something i've 
always felt was really interesting about the portrayal of evil
characters in certain FF pieces -- giving a little more texture to 
the bad guys.  but with Bellatrix, it seems like we get glimpses 
of her ability to do more than fling curses to and fro -- the 
fact that she *enjoys* what she does hints at underlying 
motives for people going against moral correctness in
whatever fashion.

> Strong female characters -- we couldn't ask for stronger. 
> Bellatrix Lestrange is now probably the second most hated 
> Death Eater, right behind old Voldy himself.  I'm eager to see 
> what she gets up to in book 6.  (--And also what the fanfic 
> writers do with her!)
 
yes, yes, yes!  on all counts.  i LOVE the fact that we have a new
strong female character, even if she is on the wrong side.  the 
fact that Voldy's apparent right hand man is a woman -- rock on.  ;>

-elspeth