Chapter 1 of HBP

[Derek Thorburn]

No: HPFGUIDX 140657

I noticed in a previous post that disappointment was expressed about Chapter 
1 of HBP.  However, I must admit, I thought it was superb, though I can 
understand how people feel about a chapter not from Harry's eyes beginning 
the book - I felt the same when I listened to GoF after Christmas last year.

However, I think what I like about it is the fact that you get to have a 
llook at things from the muggle Prime Minister's eyes.  I really like the 
way it starts with him worrying about what's been going on over the week, 
then from the portrait which he's never been able to remove comes the 
announcement of a meeting with Fudge.  When Fudge arrives, a very worried 
man himself, the Minister's mind goes back to all of Fudge's other visits 
and at the end of every one, the Minister is still confused.  Can we blame 
him for shouting "Now, just a minute" when Fudge pays him a flying visit of 
just seconds to tell him that a group of people calling themselves death 
eaters have just broken out of a secure prison?  After this quick replay, we 
come to the more up to date meeting.  I also like it because, though we hear 
in PoA that Fudge has spoken to the muggle Minister about the escape of 
Sirius, we get a more deeper insight into that meeting.

Derek