Wednesday, February 23, 2011

The fourth task

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Chapter 32

OK, so maybe Voldemort didn't show up in the maze, but he's got somebody evil on the inside turning the trophy into a portkey. So I was mostly right. It would be nice if Cedric was only mostly dead, but I don't recall Miracle Max being on the cast list. I assume that Harry's diagnosis is correct.

Harry, of course, winds up in a creepy graveyard. (I think I am using the word creepy because I hear some form of it at least a dozen times a day being around high schoolers and college students.) And of course what followed was creepy, if not disgusting.

What's with Wormtail wanting to help? It seems that he would be better off dumping Voldemort in a ravine and leaving him to die. But I suppose there's a reason why that can't be done.

So Voldemort has risen. But how much power does he have? Obviously Harry will make it out of this scrape because I have more books to read. Maybe Sirius will come to the rescue, or maybe Harry will find his way out of what has become the fourth task.

Good luck Harry. And stay away from creepy, skeletal-looking Dark Lords.

Monday, February 14, 2011

That's what friends are for

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Chapter 31

I know it's a shock to you my faithful few, but not everything is clearly seen in my crystal ball. I was sure old Voldemort would meddle with the third task, but alas it does not appear that he did. I must have been looking through dark-colored glasses.

I must say I was a trifle disappointed with the third task. It seemed easier and much less terrifying than the first two tasks. Maybe I'm showing my ignorance of magic, but it just seemed too easy. Not enough hocus-pocus.

However, I did admire the way Harry and Cedric handled the end of the task after Krum decided to play dirty. Their unselfishness reminded me of a story I once covered many years ago, and it brings to mind the same song that it did back then.

During a 100-mile endurance run in the mountains of Virginia, two competitors helped each other get back on the course and ran together until they were the first ones to cross the finish line. The words of Bill Withers came to mind then, and they come to mind again.

Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on


The ending that day wasn't perfect. Race rules did not allow for ties, so race officials ruled that one of the runners crossed the finish line first. The runners were unhappy and wanted to share the victory.

I hope I don't start the next chapter and find that Bagman has done the same.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Pensive about the pensieve

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Chapter 30

Dumbledore, great man that Dumbledore, has the most marvelous toys in his attic office.

The pensieve is far more interesting than a dream. Memories, at least, are real, even if they do come with the viewpoint of the person whose memory you are witnessing. Dreams, however, don't always come true.

No doubt that Crouch is the most vigilant of Voldemort's enemies. Not everyone would sentence family members to a date with the Dementors. I'm pretty sure Crouch is dead.

It's interesting to know that what has seemed obvious about Snape - that he has a dark side in him - is true. Dumbledore, though, prefers to keep a secret from Harry about Snape's past.  No doubt it has something to do with Harry that Dumbledore doesn't want Harry to know yet.

Bagman was a surprise at first, but after some thought it makes sense. He's way to eager about Harry and the tournament, which has suddenly caused a spike on my trust meter. Danger lurks in the third task. I haven't dreamed it or fallen into a pensieve, but my internal crystal ball keeps telling me so. Maybe Bagman is OK, but there's got to be an inside man somewhere.

Show yourself.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Don't wake me, I'm dreaming

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Chapter 29

Dream sequences are the most overused devices in books and movies. It worked the first time in "The Wizard of Oz." Every time since it's just copycatting. And y'all know how I feel about cats of any kind.

Are we going to wake up tomorrow and realize that the Packers winning the Super Bowl was just a dream?  No.

Are we going to wake up tomorrow and realize that all the snow we've had in Ohio this winter was just a dream? I wish I could say yes.

OK, now that you know how I feel about the cliche dream sequence, let's look at what this dream means. Who is dead? I suppose Crouch is the answer to that question, but it could be a much-unexpected someone else.

And how does this happen? What is it that gives Harry these visions of Voldemort and what his enemy is up to. I hope that question is answered. Does Harry have a special power? That's my guess.

And it looks like my prediction that Voldemort will make an appearance during the third task is setting up nicely. I think I would get good grades in Professor Trelawney's class.

Hey, I can dream.