Harry Potter Read-Through Blog

WEll...

2007-06-03T22:58:56Z

I'm putting this to rest. I've fallen too far behind and I can't dedicate myself to posting every day. If you do want to read what was going to be written here, tell me because I'm still writing in my notebook.

Update

2007-05-18T21:36:57Z

I've gotten a bit behind. Quite behind... A whole book behind. So the next post isn't gonna be the same format as usual. I need to just finish PoA this weekend so that I can hopefully catch up with GoF.

Grim Defeat and The Marauder's Map

2007-05-15T22:42:37Z

Quote of the day: " 'Still in the showers,' said Fred. 'We think he's trying to drown himself.' "

Why are the students buzzing 'excitedly' after Black broke into Hogwarts? You would think that they would be scared.

Did the Fat Lady know that it was Sirius Black? She might have recognized him from back when he was in school.

A lot of people complain about how cold Michael Gambon is as Dumbledore. But reading PoA, he is kinda cold in this book.

Who gets told the new password for a portrait when it is changed? And how is that person told?

I never noticed it before, but we hear about Cedric Diggory before GoF.

I know that Snape has a schoolboy grudge against Lupin, but the level of hatred he was showing when he taught the DADA class was unnatural.

Harry goes and looks at an alarm clock - how would that work? nothing electronic is supposed to work in Hogwarts.

What was the age restriction for the Triwizard Tournament? If it was 17, then Cedric was too young. In PoA, it says he was in his fifth year.

I hope we can see the Impervius charm again, chause that was kinda cool. You know what, that's probably what kept the locket dry in the potion.

That is so creepy, reading the final moments of Lily's life.

I feel so sorry for Harry. On the day he finally goes to Hogsmeade, he learns that his father's best friends supposedly played a part in his parents' deaths.

Tomorrow's chapters are The Firebolt and The Patronus.

The Boggart in the Wardrobe and Flight of the Fat Lady

2007-05-14T23:43:07Z

Quote of the day: "What would it be fore you? A piece of homework that only got nine out of ten?" (On the subject of what Hermione's boggart would resemble).

How did Lucius get so much influence? The Ministry does know that he did things for the Dark Lord, however he said he was under the influence of curses. You would think that the Ministry would keep a closer watch on him.

Why is Snape so damn mean? Why can't he just help show students what to do!

I never realized it ,but Jo does point out that Hermione puts the Time Turner in her shirt.

I think that a Boggart, in actuality, is a wisp of smoke. That would explain why it can fit in many different places.

The giant spider that the Boggart becomes - is that basically an image of one of the acromantulas?

And more proof to my theory - when the Boggart was defeated it broke off into wisps of smoke.

Rons says that there's something funny about Crookshanks and really, he's right.

I find it cool that so early on in the book we see hints that Lupin is a werewolf (Snape brings him the potion).

Tomorrow's chapters are Grim Defeat and The Marauder's Map.

The Knight Bus and Talons and Tea Leaves

2007-05-13T16:23:26Z

Quote of the day: "I assure you that if you die, you need not hand your homework in."

Are there any students that live in Hogsmeade? It's the last remained complete-wizard town, so you would think so.

Why was the Sneakoscope spinning on the train? The most obvious answer seems to be that it was spinning because of the Dementors. But could there be a different, more important reason?

How can someone possibly communicate with a Dementor without going crazy? I would think it would be hard to talk to such a horrifying creature while you feel like you'll never be happy again.

What is so special about chocolate that makes it helpful after an encounter with a Dementor?

I'm not of this mindset, but this next point could be used as proof for Snape being bad. Dumbledore might not be giving Snape the DADA position because he wants to keep Snape close to him, instead of having Snape run wild.

Why do the Gryffindors as a whole clap the loudest for Hagrid? Why do they like him most out of all the other students

Is Hagrid allowed to use a wand now? The trio proved that he wasn't guilty, so now his wand being snapped should be nullified.

How do wizard painters paint the portraits? I would imagine that it would be hard to paint something that is moving.

I know that Trelawney sounds a bit cooky. But gosh, she is really good at predicting the future.

I wish we could learn the other students that Trelawney had predicted would die in the past years.

Tomorrow's chapters are The Boggart in the Wardrobe and Flight of the Fat Lady.

The Knight Bus and The Leaky Cauldron

2007-05-06T23:35:28Z

Quote of the day: "We tried to shut him in a pyramid, but Mum spotted us."

Why is it called "The Knight Bus"? I would understand "The Night Bus". Is it a play on night and the fact that it rescues the helpless and stranded?

I like the fact that Harry says he is Neville, because Neville could have been the Chosen One.

I hope we see a vampire in Deathly Hallows. We haven't met one yet and I think it'd be really cool.

What classifies a person as a warlock or a hag? I would think that they are (partially) human, but what's so different?

Tomorrow's chapters are The Dementor and Talons and Tea Leaves.

Owl Post and Aunt Marge's Big Mistake

2007-05-05T20:20:22Z

I love what Jo wrote about witch burnings. That woman is so creative

I know that Harry swore not to send owls. But since he's allowed to send Hedwig out, I think he should anyways. Just to spit his aunt and uncle.

Okay, so now I know that Voldemort was worse than Grindlewald. That makes me feel much better.

Why hasn't the Weasley family put Erol down yet? Everyone points out how bad he is at... owling.

How long is it until the wizards get colour photography? They somehow have made moving photos, but they can't get colour ones. Except for paintings, but that's a different story.

I finally understand the pun of "Aunt Marge's Big Mistake".

Aunt Marge is sickening. She calls Dudley "Neffy Poo".

What kind of name is 'Fubster'? And is he a real Colonel?

For a long time, I had always felt that Harry had been too worried about how he was going to be expelled. But now it seems like reasonable thinking.

Tomorrow's chapters are The Knight Bus and The Leaky Cauldron.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban

2007-05-04T21:46:48Z

This was, once upon a time, my favourite book. Then Order of the Phoenix came along and now this is my second favourite out of the series. It still is a very good book. I laugh at it when I open it up and see my lame drawings of Zelda logos. And then there's my mis-pronouncing of the title when I went to first buy it (Princess of Azbania). All in all, this book has a lot of memories for me.

The Heir of Slytherin and Dobby's Reward

2007-05-03T10:29:50Z

Quote of the day: "If you had died, you'd have been welcome to share my toilet."

Okay, so Tom just said that the diary was created when Myrtle died. Which makes me think that he would have used Ginny to turn the basilisk or maybe even the statue of Slytherin into a horcrux.

We are so blind. Jo put all the clues out so visibly to show that Harry and Ginny would get together. I can't believe how blind we are.

"I've always been able to charm the people I needed." Riddle is so arrogant to the point that it is funny.

I don't get Riddle. He changed his name so that he could get rid of his heritage. Yet he used his old name to create the new one. It's like some part of him wanted to hold onto his past.

I tihnk the fact that Tom and Harry are so similar is going to become very important. We haven't really seen anything about it yet, but Riddle makes a point of it.

Ew. Just picturing a giant snake waving its head around while blood is pouring from its eyes is a super disturbing image.

At the end of Chamber of Secrets, Harry is alone with Voldemort, 'forsaken by his friends'. Could this happen at the end of Deathly Hallows?

I think that Harry destroying the diary shows that while it isn't hard to destroy a Horcrux, it is potentially dangerous.

Who are the sources that tell Dumbledore that Voldemort is currently hiding in Albania?

I don't know, page 245 makes it seem very clear that Harry is a horcrux. Dumbledore does say that part of Voldemort went into Harry. Now, we knot that Voldemort would've let Lily live. Could this be because he was going to kill Harry before her eyes and then turn Lily into a horcrux?

Closing the second book, I have a new-found liking for the book. Knowing what we do now because of HBP makes it all the more interesting.

So, tomorrow we start Prisoner of Azkaban!

Aragog and The Chamber of Secrets

2007-05-02T21:25:52Z

Quote of the day: "Snape smirked as he swept off around the dungeon, fortunately not spotting Seamus Finnigan, who was pretending to vomit into his cauldron."

Today's entry might be a bit long, I'm warning you.

Have any Headmasters ever become/been asked to become the Minister of Magic, beside for Dumbledore?

Wouldn't the teachers keep a watch over the dorms? You would thin kthat the teachers would think that night time would be when the students were most vulnerable.

If there are actually werewolves living in the Forbidden Forest, are they a group of humans? Would they have houses and stuff there? That would be so cool!

I find it amusing that Lockhart thinks he knows more about Hagrid's arrest, when Ron was actually there.

How big was Aragog when Hagrid got expelled? he sounded fairly large, yet if he was as large as the spiders who captured Harry and Ron, it's pretty amazing that he escaped unnoticed.

I wonder how acromantulas were created... But thinking about it, maybe not. It seems like it'd involve something nasty.

Hagrid really puts his butt on the line. Going and finding Mosag would've been some risky business.

How can Ron live after the experience with the spiders? it would be the most traumatic thing ever to those who are afraid of spiders.

Okay, so in essence Riddle killed Myrtle. Could he have created a horcrux by doing this? if he did, was this how the diary was created as a horcrux?

Aw, I love Prof McGonagal. Under that hard exterior, she's a kind person.

"It's methods of killing are most wondrous." (On the topic of basilisks) Holy crap, the writer of that book is demonic.

Just throwing ideas out there, could the spirit of Tom Riddle have killed Ginny and then created another horcrux?

I know that Ginny doesn't die but my... poor girl. I feel so sorry for her.

Why would a letter be sent to Mr and Mrs Weasley? Wouldn't it be better to apparate and tell them right away?

Tomorrow's chapters are The Heir of Slytherin and Dobby's Reward.

The Very Secret Diary and Cornelius Fudge

2007-04-30T00:08:06Z

Quote of the day: "How many monsters d'you think this place can hold?"

What is the Order of Merlin? Is it something that you achieve when you graduate from Hogwarts or something? (Which would be really cool, if we get to see the graduation ceremony in Deathly Hallows. It's never been talked about before).

Why would Tom have used a diary that he bought off of Vauxhall Road? It just seems so... insignificant. I think I really need to re-read book 6.

Why hasn't Ron been sent to buy a new wand? You would think that the teachers would deem his current one as a safety hazard or something.

Did Justin have to take extra classes for all the school that he missed? I realize that it wasn't his fault, but he still missed a lot of school.

Mandrakes throwing a party. That is one of the funniest things to picture.

"Kill this time," didn't it want to kill before? Poor little Basilisk doesn't get its way.

This Quidditch match scene, I can picture it quite clearly. It's disturbing. The students are ready to have a good time, but inside Hermione has been petrified.

I wonder what school was like during the First War... The atmosphere must have been very tense (if the school was open, that is).

I think that Penelope Clearwater will play an important role. We keep hearing about her.

The Ministry is completely incompetent. They can't seem to get anything right.

What Dumbledore says when he is taken from Hogwarts is extremely important, I think. Especially since he really is gone from Hogwarts now.

Yay! I posted on time! Tomorrow's chapters are Aragog and The Chamber of Secrets.

The Dueling Club and The Polyjuice Potion

2007-04-29T10:13:17Z

Quote of the day: "Deliberately causing mayhem in Snape's potion class was about as safe as poking a sleeping dragon in the eye."

It seems like the waterproof fires that Hermione can conjure are something that she got bored with. I can't remember her doing the spell after the second book.

In a way, Malfoy is sorta behind all of this. Just not Draco (it's Lucius). So the trio were sort of right.

How do amulets work and do their powers have any credibility? Are they objects that have been charmed so that they will fulfill some sort of purpose?

Why is Snape allowed to be so biased? It's very clear that he favours certain students, yet he seems to be the only teacher who does this. Do the other teachers even notice?

To what extent does Finite Incantatem work? I would imagine it would only work on minor spells. if it worked on larger ones, you would think that the Ministry would have used it to stop the two lesser Unforgiveable Curses during the First War.

How does one control talking in Parseltongue? is it something that is natural and happens subconsciously?

Why did Harry lie to Dumbledore? Harry could have gotten so much help, but he had to go and say that nothing was wrong.

Good thing that Malfoy doesn't know that Hagrid was accused of opening the chamber last time. Malfoy would have a field day with that.

Tomorrow's chapters are The Very Secret Diary and Cornelius Fudge.

The Writing on the Wall and The Rogue Bludger

2007-04-27T22:00:34Z

Quote of the day: "I always knew that Salazar Slytherin was a twisted old looney."

Strange thinks must go on at Hogwarts all the time. If the teachers can brush of writings in blood so easily, then almost nothing can worry them.

Why hasn't Lockhart been called out yet? He seems so obviously false.

I know, really short entry today. But I did the reading while up in a plane so I didn't write down too much.

Tomorrow's chapters are The Dueling Club and The Polyjuice Potion.

Mudbloods and Murmurs and The Deathday Party

2007-04-26T10:10:33Z

Quote of the day: "But oh no, it's not enough for Sir Properly Decapitated-Podmore."

Why isn't there a larger restriction on the term 'mudblood'? It's so offensive that you'd think people would get in more trouble.

I seriously wish that Harry would just tell Colin Creevey to bugger off. That kid is so annoying!

Hagrid is so nice. He doesn't even care that Ron did magic between classes.

If Squibs are capable of learning rudementary spells, would muggles be able to take the Kwikspell course and do magic?

Even with the food being so rotten, are the ghosts able to taste any of it?

Why can only Harry hear the Basilisk? You would think that everyone else would hear a loud hissing sound since Harry can make out the voice so clearly.

Tomorrow's chapters are The Writing on the Wall and The Rogue Bludger.

The Whomping Willow and Gilderoy Lockhart

2007-04-24T23:29:29Z

Quote of the day: "Of all the trees we could have hit, we get the one that hits back."

How can every single student at Hogwarts fit on the Hogwarts Express. Every single magic child in Britain, Scotland and Ireland goes to the school. Either its a very large train, there's magic going on or I have a bad perception of trains. I know, I've probably harped about this before but it's something that really bugs me.

Just being curious, is a Whomping Willow a species of trees or is it just a tree that has had some major charms placed on it?

Sorry for the short entry, but I was rushed. I promise that the next few entries will be a bit longer.

Tomorrow's chapters are Mudbloods and Murmurs and The Deathday Party.

The Burrow and At Flourish & Blotts

2007-04-21T21:50:01Z

Quote of the day: "She nodded, blushing to the roots of her flaming hair, and put her elbow in the butter dish."

I apologize for not posting in a while. I'm going to try to get back on track now!

The whole seen with Harry escaping Privet Drive is hilarious! Imagine looking out your window and seeing it. I'd pay for that kind of entertainment.

Voldie's inner circle. Who's included? Bella and Lucius, but who else?

Where did the house-elves come from? How were they first enslaved? She could write a book about them, there's so much to know!

Mundungus! I love how she knew about him way back in book 2!

Why would anyone need a fish tank of frog spawn? It's kind of gross.

Wizards are so lucky. They get mirrors that shout fashion tips.

Which came first: the wizard or the muggle? That would make a big change to pure blood people's beliefs if muggles came first.

Why would wizards want to create a system so complicated as Floo Powder? it seems like there's so much that could go wrong.

How bad is Knockturn Alley? It can't be super horrible and filled with Dark magic. if it was, don't you think that the Ministry would have already closed it down?

"A magnificient necklace of opals; Caution: Do not touch. Cursed - Has claimed the live of nineteen muggle owners to date." I know it's a suer far stretch, but could it be a horcrux?

How do you get a vault at Gringotts? Is it something that you inherit? Or would you be able to go up and set up a vault if you wanted to? I don't imagine that they have multiple vaults sitting around.

Let's say that Dumbledore did know that the DADA position was cursed. Could he have used it to get rid of people (ie Lockhart)?

Wow, there are so many hints that suggested that Harry and Ginny would have ended up together (such as Malfoy saying, "Oh, you've got yourself a girlfriend.")

And that's about it. I'm going to try to get back on track. I've already fallen a whole book behind. I blame it on my scarf making. Tomorrow's chapters are The Whomping Willow and Gilderoy Lockhart.

The Worst Birthday and Dobbie's Warning

2007-04-16T19:03:27Z

Quote of the Day: 'You forgot the magic word.'

Why do the students get homework over the summer? It's the stupidest thing ever! Like seriously, do the teachers really expect the students to do the homework?

I wish that Harry didn't have to go through so many bad things. I know, they'll help him in the end against Voldemort. But he needs to have a normal life!

I want a house-elf. Not to be a slave, or anything, that is. But they sound so cute looking! I don't know, maybe I'm crazy. But think about it! It'd be so cool!

Tomorrow's chapters are: The Burrow and Flourish and Blotts

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

2007-04-16T18:57:40Z

So, the second book in the series. It took me 3 years to finish. I started it when I got it for my birthday, but I didn't finish it until after Goblet of Fire came out. My mom forced me to read it before I read Goblet of Fire. And I'm glad that she did. It's one of my favourites out of all the books. But I'm pretty sure that it seriously scared me, with the basilisk and everything.

So what are your memories of the second book?

April 13th

2007-04-14T11:07:59Z

How big is Fluffy? He's kept in the Forbidden Forest now, so he can't be too big. And why hasn't he escaped or anything like that?

Did past Headmasters really allow the kind of punishment that Filch is in to? It seems kind of harsh. And who was the one who stopped it?

Why doesn't Quirrel realize that Harry and Malfoy are in the clearing with him until they make a noise?

And finally, I am done the first book. I'm sorry for falling behind, but everything has become very rushed these past few days. Tomorrow I'll start anew with Chamber of Secrets.

April 9th

2007-04-14T11:05:45Z

Who created the Mirror of Erised and why? I really hope that we see the mirror again in the last book.

Why did what Ron saw in the mirror come true? Is it because he's extremely lucky?

April 8th

2007-04-14T11:04:33Z

Where the heck did the troll get trousers from? And do trolls live in colonies or something of the like?

Why do Quidditch referees sometimes end up in the Sahara Desert?

Do those students who go home for the holidays take the Hogwarts express?

April 7th

2007-04-14T11:03:02Z

Quidditch! Ah, I love Quidditch! Just the thought of it makes me want to jump up and down! I wish I lived in this book so that I could play it.

7 players on a Quidditch team... number 7... I love how Jo planned all this 7 stuff.

I think that Snape is good. For all of book 1 we think that Snape is bad, but he really is good. I think the same thing will happen in the 7th book.

April 6th

2007-04-14T11:00:55Z

I didn't remember it before, but a lot of the first book is about flying; flying lessons, harry getting on the team, Quidditch... It's really weird.

What is it that makes brooms work? it must be a very strong enchantment. An object that understands its master's commands, applies them and stays afloat at the same time is not something to be laughed at.

What is the point of a Remembrall? if it can't tell you what you've forgotten, it's next to useless! What if you never remember what it was?

I feel so sorry for Harry. he had to grow up with the Dursleys and now he has to face the Dark Lord. But he could have head a normal life, he could have lived with his parents who moved him so much. he didn't need a life like this.

They're so mean to Hermione! I hope she had friends before she became friends with Harry and Ron, because if she didn't, she'd lead a very boring existance.

Sorry guys!

2007-04-10T21:01:02Z

Some of you have complained to me about how I haven't written anything for a while and don't worry, I know. I have a couple entries that I have yet to put up but are written down. I've gotten a bit behind because of some stuff going on right now, but hopefully I'll get caught up.

Diagon Alley and The Journey From Platform Nine and Three Quarters

2007-04-04T21:52:41Z

Sorry for the delay. Last night I was really busy, so I didn't have the time!

Quote of the day: 'We'll send you a Hogwarts toilet seat!'

'Gringotts is the safest place in the world if you want to keep something safe-'cept for Hogwarts.' Now, we know that we've already seen this come into play with the Philosopher's Stone. But is it possible that Voldemort could have hidden a horcrux in Hogwarts or in Gringotts?

This was farther down in my notes, but I really want to point this out. "...Examining a pile of rubies as big as glowing coal." This was something that Harry saw at Gringotts. Page 57 in the british edition. Now, on the British cover of DH there are many rubies. Coincidence or not?

Okay, back on track. I love how Jo leaves little hints, like when Hagrid says that he always wanted a dragon. It's not anything big, just she leaves hints for later parts of the book and I just find it really cool.

How did Harry acquire so much money? It seems like Lily and James had pretty high paying jobs. The Weasleys have a job at the Ministry, yet they have barely any money. So what did they do?

Sorry for the short entry today. I was starved for time to get my reading done, and not everything that I wrote down is all that interesting.

Today's chapters are: The Sorting Hat and The Potions Master. I might not get to them until tomorrow, however.