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Remarkably, I do realize that there was more to HBP than Snape and Harry/Snape. Many, many spoilers within.
Things I loved
- Chapter 2 in it's intirety. Seeing Snape in this role was delicious. I hope, in book 7, we see a good amount of Snape/Voldemort and then, finally, Snape/Harry/Voldemort.
- "Won't, won't, won't, WON'T!". Kreacher - Dobby's always annoyed me but Kreacher's defiance and loyalty to the Black's delights me. He's such a little shit and I'm convinced he's going to be key in book seven.
- "'I don't think you should be an Auror, Harry,' said Luna unexpectedly. Everybody looked at her. 'The Aurors are part of the Rotfang Conspiracy, I thought everyone knew that. They're working from within to bring down the Ministry of Magic using a combination of Dark magic and gum disease.'" (p. 299) Luna is fabulous. She's fun, quirky, interesting, and unpredictable. Every time she appears on the page I bounce a bit.
- "'No, it was honest,' said Harry. 'One of the only honest things you've said to me. You don't care whether I live or die, but you do care that I help you convince everyone you're winning the war against Voldemort. I haven't forgotten, Minister...'" (p. 325) Harry's maturing and it shows. I loved how he handled himself with the Minister. He was sure of himself and assertive without the underlying angst and self-pity I remember from OotP.
- Roonil Wazlib and Sectumsempra. The scene in the bathroom horrified, enthralled, and amused the hell out of me. I could see it all so vividly from Harry's horror at realization of what he'd done, Snape's ability to both heal and hurt, and Harry's teenage attempt to hide the truth from a deliciously frightening Snape.
- Snape, the prophecy, and the return of CAPS!LOCK!HARRY. I know what Snape did was horrible but the depth it adds to his relationship with Harry, Voldemort, and Dumbledore compels me more than anything else I've learned about him to date. Is it really his biggest regret? Was he maybe a little happy to see James die? How does the guilt affect every moment he's around Harry? How does this one decision affect every other action he takes in the war? I love it.
- "'Kill me then,' panted Harry, who felt no fear at all, only rage and contempt. 'Kill me like you killed him, you coward-' 'DON'T -' screamed Snape, his face was suddenly demented, inhuman, as though he was in as much pain as the yelping, howling dog stuck in the burning house behind them, '- CALL ME COWARD!'" (p. 563) I know I've gone on and on about Harry and Snape in HBP but this scene is probably my favorite scene in any of the books. The pure rage and hatred and pain is so tangible. I can't wait to watch Harry learn that Snape's been on his side all along. There's a fabulous complimentary drabble here.
- Harry as Quiddich captain. He's getting older and, yeah, I know we've seen him as a leader in other situations but, after last year with Umbridge and the Quiddich ban and the whole thing with the prefects, I was happy for him.
Things I didn't like in the beginning of the book and enjoyed (or tolerated) by the end
- "'Yes,' said Hermione angrily. 'But obviously if you'd rather I got off with McLaggen...' There was a pause while Harry continued to pound the resilient pod with a trowel. 'No, I wouldn't,' said Ron, in a very quiet voice." (p. 264) I had (have) no doubt that canon will end with Ron & Hermione together but I didn't think I'd want to see it. Then this scene happened and it was so sweet and real and I was hooked even through the bickering and Harry's fanfic-esque concern.
- Fleur. Bill was disappointingly flat but I have to admit a sickening soft spot once Fluer announced that she would, of course, marry Bill despite his injuries. (Although a part of me was hoping this would create an opening for Remus & Bill. There's always book 7!)
- "'Naturally I do, but as I have already proven to you, I make mistakes like the next man. In fact, being - forgive me - rather cleverer than most men, my mistakes tend to be correspondingly huger.'" (p. 187) I wasn't a fan of Dumbledore at the end of OotP but he grew on me again in HBP. He was more human than we've seen in the past and I like the idea that he knew he was nearing the end of his life.
Things I wish we saw more of
- "'Professor Snape, meanwhile,' said Dumbledore, raising his voice so that it carried over all the muttering, 'will be taking over the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.'" (p. 158) I've been waiting for this for a long, long time. I would have liked to see more DADA classes with Snape at the helm. Though "You don't have to call me 'sir', professor" was one hell of a highlight.
Things I'll never like
- Hagrid. For fuck's sake, Hagrid. I know he's loyal and he tries and he loves Harry and Harry loves him but I've had it. Between his hissy fit over the Trio's decision not to take CoMC and that stupid spider I lost all interest. He continually puts Harry, Ron, and Hermione at risk and he doesn't even realize what he's doing. He's got a good heart but he drives me batty.
- Hannah Abbott's mother died! I have no idea why this struck me but I'm so sad for Hannah.
- Won-won. Oh, god, help me. I could attribute the sudden saliva exchange between Ron and Lavender to teenage hormones but reading about it was painful. Truly painful.
- Harry & Ginny. Unexpectedly, I enjoyed the kiss in the common room but, if Harry and Ginny are going to get together, I didn't want it like this. The end felt rushed and forced. I can't believe she'll just walk away so easily and let Ron and Hermione run off with Harry to take care of business. I expect JKR to fix them in book 7.
Magic that surprised me
- Use of non-verbal spells. I always assumed that the ability to do spells without speaking was only possible if the wizard was extraordinarily powerful. Otherwise, wouldn't we have seen the kids at a much greater disadvantage at the Ministry in OotP. The DE's could have taken them out without saying a single word.
All page numbers are from the British edition.
Things I loved
- Chapter 2 in it's intirety. Seeing Snape in this role was delicious. I hope, in book 7, we see a good amount of Snape/Voldemort and then, finally, Snape/Harry/Voldemort.
- "Won't, won't, won't, WON'T!". Kreacher - Dobby's always annoyed me but Kreacher's defiance and loyalty to the Black's delights me. He's such a little shit and I'm convinced he's going to be key in book seven.
- "'I don't think you should be an Auror, Harry,' said Luna unexpectedly. Everybody looked at her. 'The Aurors are part of the Rotfang Conspiracy, I thought everyone knew that. They're working from within to bring down the Ministry of Magic using a combination of Dark magic and gum disease.'" (p. 299) Luna is fabulous. She's fun, quirky, interesting, and unpredictable. Every time she appears on the page I bounce a bit.
- "'No, it was honest,' said Harry. 'One of the only honest things you've said to me. You don't care whether I live or die, but you do care that I help you convince everyone you're winning the war against Voldemort. I haven't forgotten, Minister...'" (p. 325) Harry's maturing and it shows. I loved how he handled himself with the Minister. He was sure of himself and assertive without the underlying angst and self-pity I remember from OotP.
- Roonil Wazlib and Sectumsempra. The scene in the bathroom horrified, enthralled, and amused the hell out of me. I could see it all so vividly from Harry's horror at realization of what he'd done, Snape's ability to both heal and hurt, and Harry's teenage attempt to hide the truth from a deliciously frightening Snape.
- Snape, the prophecy, and the return of CAPS!LOCK!HARRY. I know what Snape did was horrible but the depth it adds to his relationship with Harry, Voldemort, and Dumbledore compels me more than anything else I've learned about him to date. Is it really his biggest regret? Was he maybe a little happy to see James die? How does the guilt affect every moment he's around Harry? How does this one decision affect every other action he takes in the war? I love it.
- "'Kill me then,' panted Harry, who felt no fear at all, only rage and contempt. 'Kill me like you killed him, you coward-' 'DON'T -' screamed Snape, his face was suddenly demented, inhuman, as though he was in as much pain as the yelping, howling dog stuck in the burning house behind them, '- CALL ME COWARD!'" (p. 563) I know I've gone on and on about Harry and Snape in HBP but this scene is probably my favorite scene in any of the books. The pure rage and hatred and pain is so tangible. I can't wait to watch Harry learn that Snape's been on his side all along. There's a fabulous complimentary drabble here.
- Harry as Quiddich captain. He's getting older and, yeah, I know we've seen him as a leader in other situations but, after last year with Umbridge and the Quiddich ban and the whole thing with the prefects, I was happy for him.
Things I didn't like in the beginning of the book and enjoyed (or tolerated) by the end
- "'Yes,' said Hermione angrily. 'But obviously if you'd rather I got off with McLaggen...' There was a pause while Harry continued to pound the resilient pod with a trowel. 'No, I wouldn't,' said Ron, in a very quiet voice." (p. 264) I had (have) no doubt that canon will end with Ron & Hermione together but I didn't think I'd want to see it. Then this scene happened and it was so sweet and real and I was hooked even through the bickering and Harry's fanfic-esque concern.
- Fleur. Bill was disappointingly flat but I have to admit a sickening soft spot once Fluer announced that she would, of course, marry Bill despite his injuries. (Although a part of me was hoping this would create an opening for Remus & Bill. There's always book 7!)
- "'Naturally I do, but as I have already proven to you, I make mistakes like the next man. In fact, being - forgive me - rather cleverer than most men, my mistakes tend to be correspondingly huger.'" (p. 187) I wasn't a fan of Dumbledore at the end of OotP but he grew on me again in HBP. He was more human than we've seen in the past and I like the idea that he knew he was nearing the end of his life.
Things I wish we saw more of
- "'Professor Snape, meanwhile,' said Dumbledore, raising his voice so that it carried over all the muttering, 'will be taking over the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.'" (p. 158) I've been waiting for this for a long, long time. I would have liked to see more DADA classes with Snape at the helm. Though "You don't have to call me 'sir', professor" was one hell of a highlight.
Things I'll never like
- Hagrid. For fuck's sake, Hagrid. I know he's loyal and he tries and he loves Harry and Harry loves him but I've had it. Between his hissy fit over the Trio's decision not to take CoMC and that stupid spider I lost all interest. He continually puts Harry, Ron, and Hermione at risk and he doesn't even realize what he's doing. He's got a good heart but he drives me batty.
- Hannah Abbott's mother died! I have no idea why this struck me but I'm so sad for Hannah.
- Won-won. Oh, god, help me. I could attribute the sudden saliva exchange between Ron and Lavender to teenage hormones but reading about it was painful. Truly painful.
- Harry & Ginny. Unexpectedly, I enjoyed the kiss in the common room but, if Harry and Ginny are going to get together, I didn't want it like this. The end felt rushed and forced. I can't believe she'll just walk away so easily and let Ron and Hermione run off with Harry to take care of business. I expect JKR to fix them in book 7.
Magic that surprised me
- Use of non-verbal spells. I always assumed that the ability to do spells without speaking was only possible if the wizard was extraordinarily powerful. Otherwise, wouldn't we have seen the kids at a much greater disadvantage at the Ministry in OotP. The DE's could have taken them out without saying a single word.
All page numbers are from the British edition.
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