“Those Cunning Folk Use Any Means to Achieve Their Ends”

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Rachael Knodel

Okay, so before I get to this post, I just want to say, omg the semester is almost over and I don’t know who else to write about. So, PLEASE, tell me your favorite characters and I will try and write a post about them! There are only 3 weeks left. This is crazy. Also, thank you so much for all of you who have read my blog and kept up with all my fan-girling. I appreciate all of the comments (: and now, on to Slytherin. (Also, happy birthday to Gred and Forge!)

Salazar – António de Oliveira Salazar was the Fascist dictator in Portugal at the same time that Mussolini, Franco and Hitler. He had the same extremist right-wing ideology as the others, exercised great prejudice, and ruled using fear.

Slytherin – Sounds like “slither,” as in to slither like a snake. No coincidence the Slytherin House is represented by a snake. Salazar Slytherin was also a Parselmouth (name for those who can speak to snakes). Slytherins are known to be “sly” individuals and snakes are known to be very “sly” creatures.

So, generally I feel like I want to hate Slytherin because of all of the evil-ness that he’s involved with and stuff, but at the same time, I feel like I need to respect him for being one of the founders of the lovely school of Hogwarts. But, all of the happy feelings are practically wiped out by the fact that he hated muggle-borns so much. Whatta jerk. Also, the whole keeping-a-giant-snake-in-the-girls’-bathroom-that-kills-people-just-by-looking-at-them thing…it’s kinda creepy. Yeah, I know, he spoke to snakes, so it was like a really weird best friend or whatever, but I just don’t get it. I’ll talk about this more later. (Also, every picture of him gives me the creeps…)

So, as usual, the name is awesome. I did not know there was a dictator named Salazar in Portugal and now I feel like a failed history buff. So pretty much they sound like the same person. If I had been at Hogwarts when Slytherin was a teacher, I would have been terrified of him. Like I honestly don’t think I would have been able to function because I would have been so scared. Especially after seeing all of those creepy depictions of him…anyway. Slytherin is just awesome in like every way possible. That description just says it all.

I think of this a lot when I say Slytherin…

Okay, so can I just take a minute to talk about Parseltongue? SHE FREAKING MADE UP A LANGUAGE. How much cooler can you get? Okay, obviously her language is not nearly as complicated as say the Elvish language from Lord of the Rings, but it’s still pretty awesome. (Just for fun, here’s a website to translate stuff into Parseltongue. Things like this make me love the Potterhead fandom even more.)

Okay, so back to the Basilisk thing. Super cool plot twist, but really I hate snakes. This part of the movie always bothered me for two reasons. 1. I hate snakes. 2. The snake sounded motorized. If you listen closely, it doesn’t sound like a snake slithering around. It sounds mechanic. And it bothers me. But anyway. WHY IS IT IN THE GIRLS’ BATHROOM? This creeps me out about Slytherin. Maybe I’m thinking about it too much, but wouldn’t it have been weird if people were like “Oh, Salazar keeps disappearing into the girls’ lavatory. No big deal. I’m sure he’s not doing anything suspicious in there.” OH WAIT. Seriously. Especially after everyone starts to realize what a jerk he is for hating on muggle-borns and all, wouldn’t they been even more suspicious of his activities? I get for the whole plot line thing that it has to be in the bathroom that Myrtle is in because then they figure out where the entrance is and all, but I really just don’t get it. Also, I’m pretty sure if I were a girl at Hogwarts I’d be terrified of the bathrooms and would be even more likely to go with friends. (First year, troll with Hermione, and then there’s a giant snake that can kill me with its creepy fangs or eyes.)

I think part of me hates Slytherin because he reminds me of Voldemort, which I guess makes sense. The whole snakes-as-pets thing and then the creepy look, and the hatred of muggle-borns, the Parselmouth-ness, the Legilimency skills, they’re just too similar for me to like either one of them.

Here’s some more info on Slytherin, the House of Slytherin, the Chamber of Secrets, the basilisk, and then some more info on the house and the founder

The Sorting Hat’s words:

Or perhaps in Slytherin
You’ll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.

“Think My Name’s Funny, Do You?”

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Rachael Knodel

Draco – Draco is a constellation that looks like a dragon but is a snake. In Latin, Draco means “dragon.” There was also a Greek ruler named Draco who developed a system of severe punishments for the smallest of crimes. “Draconian” means “harsh or cruel.” In Romanian, “drac” means “devil.”

Malfoy – In Latin, “malus” means “bad” and “mal” means “pale.” “Mal foi” means “bad faith, an act with bad intentions, or a malicious act” in French. “Mal de foi” means a “loss of faith.” The similar French phrase “Mal fait” can be interpeted as “badly made” or “evil deeds.” In Portuguese, (J.K. Rowling taught English in Portugal for a few years) “Mal foi” means “was bad” or “is bad.” In Arthurian legends, Lancelot (King Arthur’s greatest knight and his betrayor) is sometimes called “Le Chevallier Mal Fait” (the “mal fait” knight). “Foy” means “a farewell feast, drink, or gift, as at a wedding.”

I have some rather mixed feelings about Draco. In some ways, I really like his character. I wouldn’t say love though because his demeanor doesn’t always make sense to me. He’s one of those characters that I may never make up my mind about. I thought that I loved him, but the more I think about him, the more I realize he’s just a bully.

Obviously, it makes sense that there’s the whole snake reference in his name, he’s in Slytherin. Malfoy believes that muggle-borns should be treated harshly because of their parentage, which is not exactly something they had control over. Malfoy definitely has his devilish moments as well. The surname is amazing to me. Mal means pale, they all have pale blonde hair and pale skin. Malus meaning bad – they’re all bullies (but their one redeeming quality is their love for one another). I think the “mal de foi” is more important. Clearly, there has to be a reason that Lucius joined the Death Eaters. Maybe he lost his faith in the Ministry? I love that there are so many different interpretations of every character’s name.

Sometimes, I felt bad for Draco. Maybe he was raised that way and he didn’t know any better. But you always hope that they start to realize when they get away from their parents. But I think Harry really hurt Draco on the day they met. He insulted him. But at the same time, Draco’s a jerk. Why does he find it necessary to beat up on everyone? I never got that. I guess it’s like understanding a bully, and sure his father was a Death Eater and all, but Lucius adored Draco. I guess my point it, I’m not sure always how I feel about Draco. I sometimes think people love Draco because they love Tom Felton. Though I love the Harry Potter Fandom, often I think people mix their love for the actors with their love of the characters (like Bellatrix).

Don’t get me wrong, I know that when Draco is attempting to kill Dumbledore, he does it to save himself and his family, but Dumbledore wanted to help him. Dumbledore offered him safety and protection, but Draco was too stubborn to take it. After that, I really thought that Draco had changed, but then at the Battle of Hogwarts, you realize he’s always going to be the same bully. The kid that does what he’s told.

I honestly wish that Draco would have realized his mistakes and tried to reconcile with Harry. It upsets me that Draco never really changed. He has all these chances to turn it around and make himself better, but he never does.

Draco was always rather pompous. Always boasting about how rich he was and all the connections his father has, but why? I never got that. His father scolded him when he was being a pompous ass and yet he still carried on acting that way. I guess, like all bullies, he puts on this façade of indifference and “I’m-better-than-you” but I never understood him. And I don’t like that I don’t understand him.

Though there are definitely parts of Draco’s character that I hate, I do love certain parts. I also believe that Tom Felton did an excellent portrayal of him, especially in the 6^th movie. Right before Harry casts “sectumsempra” on Draco, you see Draco breaking down. He feels so conflicted because he doesn’t want to do what Voldemort has asked him to do, but at the same time he doesn’t want to sign off his own death. I can’t really blame him for that.

People claim that Draco is really just “misunderstood,” but I’m not sure that he’s all that misunderstood. He doesn’t have a lot of choice in his life, his father and Voldemort have pretty much taken care of that for him, but what else is there to be misunderstood about him? He’s a bully, probably because his father bullied him. Are they claiming then that every bully is just simply misunderstood? I’m not sure I would agree with that. But at the same time, I do believe that Draco isn’t pure evil. I think it’s a lot to do with nature versus nurture. If he had been raised in a different household, he would have been a completely different person, but I don’t think that excuses him. In a way, Draco is like the victim of his father’s lifestyle and choices.

Something I just remembered. When the trio is caught by Snatchers, Draco is very reluctant to identify Harry. Another thing that I don’t understand. I’m not sure that he wanted to help them, or he just wanted to protect his family in case he was wrong. Plus he’s terrified of Voldemort, why would he purposely call Voldemort there?

I’m really sorry if this post makes no sense. Draco is just an extremely complicated character in my eyes.

I almost don’t want to put quotes because Draco is just so rude sometimes…but I’ll put a few and here’s a link for more quotes and here’s one for more information.

“You’ll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don’t want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there.”

“Azkaban – the wizard’s prison, Goyle. Honestly, if you were any slower, you’d be going backwards.” (SEE! He’s even a jerk to his “friends!”)

“Think my name’s funny, do you? No need to ask who you are. My father told me all the Weasleys have red hair, freckles, and more children than they can afford.”

My list of characters to talk about is starting to get short, so who do you want to hear about next week?

“I Will Have Order!”

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Rachael Knodel

Dolores – Of Latin origin. Means “lady of sorrows or pain” (psychological or physical). In Greek, “doleros” means “deceitful.” In Spanish, “dolor” means “to have pain.”

Umbridge – Sounds like “umbrage,” which is “a feeling of anger caused by an offense.” In Latin, “umbra” means “shadow, shade, or ghost” and can also be interpreted as “jealous or suspicious of another” or “standing in one’s light or way.” The phrase “to take umbridge” means to “cause offense and make trouble.” She certainly does this for Harry. The plural “umbrae” means “shadows”. In this context it can be used as shadowing or following other individuals – just how Umbridge does with the Ministry of Magic.

Umbridge…probably my least favorite character in the entire series. Why would I write about her then? Well, I decided I would analyze as many characters as I could and I haven’t done an evil person in a while. While Voldemort is obviously the villain in the series, you almost can’t help but hate Umbridge more. She preys on young children for no apparent reason. Voldemort, I guess, sort of has his reasons and motives and such, but Umbridge…she’s just AWFUL. I HATE HER. I honestly wanted to punch her myself when she was hurting Harry and others. Also, I hate how in the movies she catches like everyone in the DA. It’s not supposed to happen like that. But whatever. Imelda Staunton did a wonderful job portraying Umbridge, which kinda makes me hate her, my bad. So much rage at her.

Dolores-Umbridge-harry-potter-27718508-450-532

This is my favorite part. The names reveal so much, if only you knew this while reading…anyway, Dolores is definitely the lady of pain, she is deceitful (she goes against Fudge, who she adores), and she causes a lot of pain. She’s crazy. Umbridge is always angry at something and finds everything offensive. (My favorite part dealing with her is when Dumbledore’s office seals her out. SO GREAT. I also love when Ron makes clicking noises in the hospital wing and she freaks out, thinking it’s the centaurs. SO GOOD.) She’s definitely suspicious of everyone who isn’t her little pet and I feel like she was a bit jealous of some people’s power over her, hence her making Fudge increase her power.

250px-Terrified-Umbridge-cause-by-WeasleyTwins-Fireworks

I always forget this somehow, but when I do remember, I wonder about it a lot. The beginning of Order of the Phoenix is Harry getting attacked by Dementors – sent there by Umbridge. Why? Well, I guess it’s because she wanted to see him expelled, but I don’t understand why she hated him so much. After he starts super sassing her, I can sort of see that, but before they even meet she’s got all this angst against him. I don’t get it personally. Maybe some more information will be revealed when we get there in Pottermore.

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This is probably my favorite book for Harry. (Even though he’s the main character, he really isn’t my favorite.) He gets SO angry every time Umbridge denies the truth, and sometimes he is just so rude that you have to laugh. Especially imagining Umbridge’s reactions to it. Also, I love that she’s described as toad-like.

200px-Umbridge_002

If you really want, you can read more about Umbridge here…

Here are some quotes (well, more things that show Umbridge getting what she deserves):

“Using defensive spells? Why, I can’t imagine any situation arising in my classroom that would require you to use a defensive spell, Miss Granger. You surely aren’t expecting to be attacked during class? I do not wish to criticize the way things have been run in this school, but you have been exposed to some very irresponsible wizards in this class, very irresponsible indeed – not to mention extremely dangerous half-breeds.”

“Cheers,” whispered George, wiping tears of laughter from his face. “Oh, I hope she tries Vanishing them next…they multiply by ten every time you try…”
The fireworks continued to burn and spread all over the school that afternoon. Though they caused plenty of disruption, the other teachers did not seem to mind them very much.
“Dear, dear,” said Professor McGonagall sardonically, as one of the dragons soared around her classroom, emitting loud bangs and exhaling flame. “Miss Brown, would you mind running along to the headmistress and informing her that we have an escaped firework in our classroom?”
“Thank you so much, Professor!” said Professor Flitwick in his squeaky little voice. “I could have got rid of the sparklers myself, of course, but I wasn’t sure whether I had the authority…”
Beaming, he closed the classroom door in Umbridge’s snarling face.

“We won’t be seeing you,” Fred told Professor Umbridge, swinging his leg over his broomstick.
“Yeah, don’t bother to keep in touch,” said George, mounting his own.
Fred looked around at the assembled students, and at the silent, watchful crowd.
“If anybody fancies buying a Portable Swamp, as demonstrated upstairs, come to number ninety-three Diagon Alley – Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes,” he said in a loud voice. “Our new premises!”
“Special discounts to Hogwarts students who swear they’re going to use our products to get rid of this old bat,” said George, pointing at Professor Umbridge.
“STOP THEM!” shrieked Umbridge, but it was too late. As the Inquisitorial Squad closed in, Fred and George kicked off from the floor, shooting fifteen feet into the air, the iron peg swinging dangerously below. Fred looked across the hall at the poltergeist bobbing on his level above the crowd.
“Give her hell from us, Peeves.”

Umbridge: Let me make this quite plain. You have been told that a certain Dark Wizard is at large once again. This is a lie. Harry: It’s not a lie! I saw him. I fought him. Umbridge: Detention, Mr. Potter! Harry: So according to you, Cedric Diggory dropped dead OF HIS OWN ACCORD. Umbridge: Cedric Diggory’s death was a tragic accident. Harry: It was murder! Voldemort killed him! You must know! Umbridge: Enough!

I WILL have order!

“Always”

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Rachael Knodel

Severus – Sever means “to cut off.” Snape appears to have “cut off” his ties with the Dark Lord through the first five books, and then with Dumbledore and the Order in Half-Blood Prince. “Severe” means “cruel, strict” – two characteristics that accurately describe the Potions Professor. Sounds very similiar to the Latin word “servus,” meaning “servant.” Is he still a servant of Voldemort’s? In ancient history, Lucius Septimius Severus restored stability to the Roman Empire after the tumultuous reign of Emperor Commodus (See Albus) and the civil wars that erupted in the wake of Commodus’ murder. To read more on this story, go here. The name Severus is also mentioned in Mansfield Park by Jane Austen, a favorite book of J.K. Rowling. Additionally, a Saint Severus of Alexandria (Egypt) was martyred along with a Saint Peter and a Saint Leucius for publicly proclaiming the faith around 309 C.E. Severus, Peter, and Lucius – quite a coincidence!

Snape – A town in England. Also based after a person J.K. Rowling knew.

Snape is such a fascinating character. As usual, I LOVE HIM. Alan Rickman was also the perfect Severus Snape. And for those of you, crazy as you may be, who disagree, the proof is simple: J.K. Rowling told Rickman Snape’s entire life story before she had even written the 7^th book, before filming began for Philosopher’s Stone. I used to loathe Snape with the same intensity that he loathed Harry. When the 7^th book was released, and I got to the part when Snape gives Harry his memories, I had to close the book and process. Jo had done it again, made you believe something so intensely, never giving any clues besides Dumbledore’s continual faith, and twisted it completely. I was so excited to learn about more of Snape’s past. I knew it was going to be a part of the book because Borders (moment of silence for my favorite store that went bankrupt), and I’m sure other stores as well, had book marks saying “Severus Snape, Friend… Or Foe?” on alternate sides. I was so convinced that Snape was evil, especially after he had killed Dumbledore. I couldn’t see any other explanation. (I’m honestly so excited for J.K. to reveal more about Snape’s life on Pottermore.) This post is going to be so hard for me to finish because I just have so many feels about Snape. Currently, I’m rereading Harry Potter for the umpteenth time and I’m on Chamber of Secrets, and I love picking up on little subtle clues that Jo’s left about him. Some things suddenly make so much more sense (this is true with pretty much every major character). This is one of my favorites:

Some of his first words to Harry were almost like a subtle apology.

I never really appreciated all that Jo put into the works. I mean, I’ve always loved Harry Potter (in fact, it’s the first series that made me love reading, I used to hate it), but the fact that people are still finding things from a book that was published 15 years ago. It’s the series that just keeps on giving. One of the things that I love the most about Snape’s development is that normally, a character appears good, but is actually evil. Snape’s the opposite. Also, normally, there are clues. Maybe I’ve missed them because they’re so subtle, but I don’t think so. The only thing that you have is Dumbledore’s complete faith, which I think makes you doubt Dumbledore and makes you think so much more.

Entirely and absolutely true.
*random fact: Snape has been voted the most loved character in the entire series <3″

At first, I never understood why Jo had to put in another villainous character. I mean, wasn’t the threat of Voldemort enough? AHH. I can’t even put into words the feels that I’m experiencing. Snape just hates Harry purely because he can’t look at Harry and not think of the mistake that he made so many years ago. I think this is the one time that I really understand why it’s so important that Harry has Lily’s eyes. Snape loved Lily, and to see that every day, it makes complete sense why Snape hates Harry. Again, why I love that picture so much.

Though people criticize Snape for being so cruel to students, the two he was the worst to were Harry and Neville. Harry for the reasons above, and Neville because he feels guilty. Snape was the one who overheard the prophecy, and if he hadn’t heard that, Voldemort wouldn’t have known to go after Lily or Harry or the Longbottoms. So, indirectly, it is Snape’s fault that Bellatrix and the others tortured Frank and Alice Longbottom. I think we forget that Snape is good, but he can’t show it because of students like Malfoy who are closely tied to the Dark Lord.

When I found out that Snape loved Lily, it was probably the best Snape moment. I love Snape, and I love what I know of Lily, but I think the people who “ship” Snily (Snape and Lily) are crazy. James and Lily were perfect for each other. Though James wasn’t always perfect, he was always trying to win Lily’s heart. Snape loved her from the moment he saw her, but he ruined it by calling Lily a mudblood. I can’t exactly blame her for disliking him. I think the fact that Lily rejected him led Snape to really start befriending the Slytherin and then go become a Death Eater. He was denied his true love, so I think it was a type of depression in a way. Unfortunately, it took her death to make him see the error of his ways, but it made him turn to Dumbledore, who saved him. (I think this is why Snape and Dumbledore try so hard to save Malfoy in Half-Blood Prince.)

I just had an epiphany while writing this. Snape’s worst memory isn’t because James embarassed him, it’s because it’s when he loses Lily. It’s the day he calls her a mudblood. But of course, we see it through mostly Harry’s perspective, and you don’t know about his feelings yet, so of course you don’t notice that! ANOTHER CLUE! I feel like I’m solving a mystery of sorts…

I couldn’t resist. I’m sorry.

I honestly cannot even handle going into Snape’s name and the meanings. So, why don’t you guys give me your thoughts on his name and the significance? Also, I cannot handle going into the bravery it must have taken to defy the darkest wizard ever.

This was probably the saddest scene, ever:

One last reason to love Snape: the most universal Harry Potter quote:

I apologize if this post makes no sense, but processing how I feel about this topic is so emotional that I really…I just can’t handle it.

“Tut, Tut, Tut. Naughty, Naughty, You’ll Get Caughty.”

Posted on October 29, 2012 by Rachael Knodel

Peeves – “Peeve” means “little devil” or something that “gets on your nerves” (like a pet peeve).

If you’ve never read the books, you’ll have no idea who I’m talking about this entire post, so go sit in a corner and actually read the books. I’m just kidding, I love all Potterheads, whether or not they’ve read all the books or seen all the movies. But Peeves, he’s quite the interesting character. He’s a poltergeist and completely cut out of the movies. When I was younger, I didn’t really realize that he wasn’t, but then when I was rewatching Sorcerer’s Stone after I had just reread the series I realized a great scene was cut out. Harry and Ron (and possibly Hermione) are out and about wandering under Harry’s invisibility cloak when the run into Peeves who immediately assumes (correctly) that it’s students out of bed. In his terror, Harry has one of his few brilliant ideas. He imitates the Bloody Baron (who again you probably wouldn’t know much about without reading), who happens to be the one person who Peeves is terrified of and therefore listens to. Harry tells him the Baron has business in this area and that he should stay away. Problem solved. It’s so great because I always pictured Harry as a little tiny kid with a higher pitched voice and the Bloody Baron as a ruder and meaner version of the Fat Friar (this is probably because he’s the Slytherin House ghost and I assumed everything Slytherin is ruder and meaner than everything else). Now that I think about it more, it might be the night that Draco sets Ron and Harry up for the midnight duel, or it’s when they’re going to save the Stone.

Another great scene that was cut: Fred and George’s last day at Hogwarts. Well, it’s more of a quote than the entire scene, though that it’s pretty great too.

Fred looked across the hall at the poltergeist bobbing on his level above the crowd.
“Give her hell from us, Peeves.”
And Peeves, whom Harry had never seen take an order from a student before, swept his belled hat from his head and sprang to a salute as Fred and George wheeled about to tumultuous applause from the students below and sped out of the open front doors into the glorious sunset.

It’s so great, I wish it had been in the movie. I love Fred and George. Another thing I loved about Peeves was his favoritism of the word “ickle.” It’s not even a word, but it’s hilarious. Also, his songs and poems and weird rhymes. My personal favorite happens to be about Voldemort. “We did it, we bashed them, wee Potter’s the one/and Voldy’s gone mouldy, so let’s have fun!” Never gets old. There were so many others too so if you want to read even more Peeves quotes go to this site. Peeves is also part of making Umbridge’s life hell during Order of the Phoenix. Which makes me love him even more. But I’m a little torn, because he’s so annoying at times, but he’s hilarious.

Normally, I’d go on a mini rant about reasons behind the name, but I think Peeves’ name is pretty obvious. He’s a nuisance. Just like a pet peeve. You can’t get rid of him no matter what (unless you’re the director of the HP movies…). You love him, yet you hate him. He’s definitely a “little devil.”

Fun Fact: Peeves was one of the first characters Rowling created, along with Harry, Ron, Hagrid, and Nearly Headless Nick. She also said that Peeves has been at Hogwarts since its founding – he just “comes with the building” according to Jo.

More fun stuff about Peeves here!

Here’s the link for Peeve’s quotes again!

And if you have a Pottermore account, you can read even more about Peeves in Book 2, Chapter 8.

“I Don’t Think You’re a Waste of Space.”

Posted on October 8, 2012 by Rachael Knodel

Dudley – An aristocratic surname used as a first name since the 19th Century. Also, a town in one of England’s largest cities – Birmingham. Also, from the meadow.

Dursley – A town near J.K. Rowling’s birthplace.

Dudley? What’s so great about him? Not much, to be honest. He’s a jerk to Harry while they were growing up, but it makes Harry a better person. Dudley is spoiled and obnoxious. Dudley prepares Harry for a magical bully, found in Draco. Eventually, Dudley realizes that Harry is actually a decent person and that he was a jerk all those years. But he doesn’t realize it until they are being separated, and at that point they don’t know if or when they’ll see each other again. Dudley’s shining moment where he tells Harry that he’s not a waste of space is cut from the movie – which is stupid. It’s very important, at least to me.

Dudley’s name clearly has some implications behind it as well. Dudley is spoiled and snobbish, hence aristocratic surname. On Pottermore, Rowling revealed that Dursley was nothing personal because she had never visited, but it the name itself sounded unpleasant to her.

Dudley’s a jerk. Plain and simple. But the thing is he’s just another example of how terrible Harry’s childhood is. He’s also a foil to Harry. They both grow up in the same house, but because of Vernon and Lily’s prejudice towards Harry and his parents, their lives are completely different. When Dumbledore comes and visits in Half-Blood Prince, Dumbledore calls Vernon and Lily out on it. He tells them that though they cared for Harry and kept him under their roof, they never once treated him as a son, not even buying him a real birthday present. I think it’s hilarious when Dumbledore says something about the damage done to Dudley and Vernon and Petunia look at him trying to find the damage because they can’t see anything wrong with their perfect son. Another great scene that’s been deleted. In the long run, I think it’s probably for the best that Harry was never treated the same because he learned from a young age that life isn’t always easy. It’d be hard enough to lose your parents, but to not know them and have to live with your evil aunt and uncle…ugh. That’d be terrible. More proof that Harry is awesomesauce.

Yeah Dudley’s rude at times, but other times, Harry provokes him when he’s angry. In The Order of the Phoenix, Harry is angry at Ron, Hermione, and Sirius because they aren’t telling him what’s going on and he tries to take it out on Dudley, calling him “Big-D,” “Ickle Diddykins,” and other names. Plus, Dudley always somehow ends up getting the short stick when it comes to magic. I mean, he gets trapped in a boa constrictors cage, he gets a pig tail, Fred and George trick him and give him Ton-Tongue Toffee, and he gets attacked by Dementors, which he can’t even see. I’m sure there are lots more, too. I’m not really defending Dudley, I’m just saying, Harry isn’t exactly innocent in all cases.

More about the Dementor attack. Jo added it for a reason. Dudley, for the first time in his life, sees himself as he really is: a bully and a jerk. From that day on, Dudley changed and it helped him become a better person. Example: in The Deathly Hallows, Dudley leaves a cup of tea outside Harry’s door, but Harry misinterprets it for a prank, but after Dudley thanks Harry for saving his life (soul technically), Harry realizes that Dudley had changed. Jo revealed that Harry makes his kids go visit Dudley’s family every so often even though they find it dull. I think it shows that Harry and Dudley grew up and moved past their differences. (This is something that’s kind of subtly hinted at in the Epilogue; when Ron sees Draco and his family he tells his children to not become friends with Scorpius; in other words, Ron still hasn’t grown up.)

“I was and am the Dark Lord’s most loyal servant.”

Posted on September 9, 2012 by Rachael Knodel

Bellatrix – “Bella” is a construct of the word “bellum” meaning “war” and “trix” refers to “a woman in power.” Bellatrix is therefore known as the “Female Warrior” and is also the pale yellow star indicating the left shoulder of the constellation Orion, the Great Hunter. (from mugglenet.com)

Lestrange – To be “estranged” means to be “removed from society.” In French, “etrange” means “strange” or “weird.”

“She sat beside her sister, as unlike her in looks, with her dark hair and heavily lidded eyes, as she was in bearing and demeanour; where Narcissa sat rigid and impassive, Bellatrix leaned toward Voldemort, for mere words could not demonstrate her longing for closeness.”

Ever since the movies came out, so many people have fallen in love with Bellatrix Lestrange. While she may be a very interesting character, think about what she’s done for a minute. She tortured Neville’s parents to a point that’s worse than death; they don’t even recognize their own son (I’ll talk about this more when I get to Neville). Then there’s Sirius. While some debate whether Sirius is a father figure or a brother, he is still very important to Harry and Bellatrix takes him away from Harry. Bellatrix also tortures Hermione because she is afraid that Voldemort will be angry because they supposedly got into her vault at Gringotts. One of the things I hate most about Bellatrix is that she killed Dobby. Dobby is wonderful, and the movies haven’t shown just how important he is. I loved him; he did so much for the trio even when they didn’t know it. I cried when he died (the movie didn’t do it justice, but I still did). Bellatrix is a hateful character. Though she married, her true love is Voldemort. If that doesn’t say enough about her character, I don’t know what will.

Why include a character filled with so much hate? Well, unfortunately, Pottermore has yet to finish opening the 2^nd book, so we may not find out for a very long time what J.K. Rowling was thinking when she created Bellatrix. She does bring a few things to the table. In the beginning of Half-Blood Prince, Bellatrix is the first character on Voldemort’s side to suggest that Snape may not be completely loyal. This is one of the first times someone suggests Snape may be double agent.

Obviously, Bellatrix doesn’t believe that Snape’s actually on Dumbledore’s side because that would involve betraying Voldemort, aka her one true love. And that brings up another really great point about Bellatrix. She is an obvious foil (contrast) to Molly Weasley, and even to extent Narcissa Malfoy.

Let’s start with Molly. While Bellatrix isn’t a mother, she does love in her own weird and obsessive ways. While Molly cares about everyone she comes into contact with pretty much, Bellatrix only really cares about Voldemort and herself. The only reason she marries Rudolphus is because he is a pure-blood wizard. If she could have, there is no doubt that she would have married Voldemort. To be honest, I’m not entirely sure why Bellatrix marries at all. But the main contrast between Molly and Bellatrix is the difference from motherly love and obsessive love. This is probably the reason that Jo had Molly defeat Bellatrix, which, by the way, is one of my favorite scenes, not only in the movie, but in the book as well. Without a doubt, the best Molly Weasley quote is “Not my daughter you bitch!” Jo, you are brilliant.

You may wonder how Bellatrix could be so different from her sister Narcissa, who is also on the side of evil, but, again, it has to do with love. Narcissa is truly concerned when Draco becomes a Death Eater and has to try and kill Dumbledore. Narcissa realizes that Voldemort expects Draco to fail and therefore Narcissa wants Snape to protect Draco. Bellatrix is disgusted with how worried Narcissa is claiming that she would willingly give up her only son to serve Voldemort. Again with the obsession. I’m not sure if you’ve gotten my point yet, but I kind of hate Bellatrix. I mean, I love Helena Bonham Carter and how perfectly she portrays Bellatrix, but I don’t understand why people love her so much.

What about you? What are your thoughts about Bellatrix?

Some quotes from Bellatrix:

“Longbottom, is it? How’s mum and dad?”

“What will happen to your children when I’ve killed you? When mummy’s gone the same way as Freddie?!”

Bellatrix: “You stupid elf! You could have killed me!” Dobby: “Dobby never meant to kill! Dobby only meant to maim, or seriously injure!”

“Cissy, put the boys in the cellar! I’m going to have a conversation with this one, girl to girl.”

“You should be honored Cissy, as should Draco.”

“Potter, you cannot win against me! I was and am the Dark Lord’s most loyal servant. I learned the Dark Arts from him, and I know spells of such power that you, pathetic little boy, can never hope to compete!”

“…I don’t trust you, Snape, as you very well know! …Where were you when the Dark Lord fell? Why did you never make any attempt to find him when he vanished? What have you been doing all these years that you’ve lived in Dumbledore’s pocket? Why did you not return at once when the Dark Lord was reborn? Where were you a few weeks ago when we battled to retrieve the prophecy for the Dark Lord? And why, Snape, is Harry Potter still alive, when you have had him at your mercy for the last five years?”

More info on her: http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Bellatrix_Lestrange

This picture is from a Harry Potter fan page on Facebook, and it’s actually what inspired me to write this entry:

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