Voldemort has plenty of chances to exercise his high, cold laugh in this chapter, even though his Death Eaters really do prove to be a bunch of bumbling idiots. Martha and Alice get to the bottom of several slightly vague Ministry of Magic plot lines. And, as the chapter title suggests, Double Door and Voldemort finally go… Read more
This chapter, we’re in for the biggest shock of the series so far – apparently, there’s a Death Eater named Jugson. That’s right. Jugson. Let that sink in a minute. In other news, Bellatrix makes her first appearance of the series, and, oh yeah, [SPOILER ALERT] Sirius steps just a little too far past the… Read more
Ministry of Magic security protocols turn out to be alarmingly cavalier as Dumbledore’s Army begins its rescue mission. Not a soul is in sight as the group encounters the tank of brains, the Benjamin Button (well, not really Benjamin Button) Bell Jar, and the infamous veil for the first time. It’s not all fun and games, though, as the… Read more
Finally, Umbridge gets her comeuppance as Hermy executes her “smart plan… really smart plan” and tries to use the centaurs to do her bidding. After a scuffle with Ronan, Bane, Magorian, and a “hard-faced gray centaur,” Harry’s impatience reaches new levels. After much debate, Luna saves the day and comes up with a plan to fly to the Ministry… Read more
In this frantic chapter, Harry desperately tries to convince a skeptical Hermione that he doesn’t have a “saving-people-thing.” Ron attempts to fool Umbridge with a not-so-convincing lie about Peeves, while Ginny is a little more successful in tricking their fellow students into believing someone has let off dangerous (possibly fatal??) magical gas in the corridor…. Read more
Oh my goodness, is that them? Is that the examiners?? Professors Tofty (or is it Toffee?) and Marchbanks have arrived, and when it comes to O.W.L.s (more commonly known as owls) it’s not really what you know, it’s who you know. From Ernie averaging eight hours of studying a day to Hermione forgetting the definition of ehwaz, everyone is going to be glad when exams are finally… Read more
In Hagrid’s Tale, Part 2, we finally get the answer to the most important mystery of the book…what Hagrid has been doing and why he has been so beaten up all this time! Harry and Hermy have the pleasure of meeting Grawp, who definitely DOESN’T pick Hermione up or wave her around in the air. Luckily, the ruddy stargazers… Read more
Now that Harry’s got the basics of Occlumency down, Snape figures he can just carry on on his own with his studies. However, he’s so down about Cho (it definitely couldn’t be anything else) that he’s having trouble enjoying the Easter holidays. When Ginny hatches a dangerous plan, Fred and George are willing to risk… Read more
With Umbridge as the new Head of Hogwarts, Fred and George take their troublemaking to the next level. A kitten plate saves Harry from divulging important information, though isn’t that the point of the Fidelius Charm? Voldemort begins laying the groundwork for luring Harry to the Ministry (we think?) and Malfoy finds out that Harry has been taking… Read more
With Firenze now at the helm of the Divination class, we have a lot of questions. Why are Lavender and Parvati so attracted to their new professor? Has teaching always been Firenze’s dream? And where exactly do centaurs come from? We also spend plenty of time mourning the end of the D.A., celebrating Dobby’s bravery, and… Read more
