Get ready to fight

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Chapter 25

Despite the utter awkwardness of Harry and Cho's date, Cho did raise an interesting question. Where are the Dementors? And why aren't they near Harry where a Death Eater seems sure to go? Well, it's hard to imagine 10 people breaking out of Azkaban all at once without the help of Dementors. That's my theory anyway.

Harry needs a little date coaching, but who is he going to get it from? Ron? Mad-Eye? For now, Harry will go on stumbling all over himself. Is there a magical word for clueless?

Blame it all on another of Hermione's schemes. She's made Cho jealous for starters. And what kind of repercussions will there be for Harry's tell-all tabloid tale. It's true, of course, but must readers will look at it as more Rita Skeeter lies and half-truths. The Prophet - or Profit if you prefer - won't run it, so when it comes out in the Quibbler it will be a laughingstock.

Big picture, there are lots of Death Eaters on the loose, the Dementors seem to be under Voldemort's control and, yes, Voldemort really is back.

There's a war coming.

Not much private on Privet anymore

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Chapter 2

I couldn't remember what a Squib was so I Googled it. How crazy is it that I found a wiki that had the definition and an entire entry devoted to what a Squib is. I would say it's ridiculous for people to put this much work into fictional characters, but then look at me. I'm pretty sure some people think I'm crazy, and more would if they knew about this little blog.

"A Squib is someone who was born into a wizarding family but hasn’t got any magic powers. Kind of the opposite of Muggle-born wizards, but Squibs are quite unusual."
— Ron Weasley discussing Argus Filch

And I thought a squib was when you bounce a kickoff along the ground to prevent the dangerous return man from making a big play. Anyway, I'm sure we'll see more of Mrs. Figg if she doesn't get thrown into Azkaban for murder.

This episode of the Dursley's trying to uncover what happened to Dudley is comical. Vernon must have a strong heart, because he's not one to take things in stride. Harry, on the other hand, was just the opposite. He doesn't care what the Dursleys know and he tells them everything. What's the point in hiding it with owls in and out of the house and Dudley trying to blame him for everything?

Of course, when Petunia reveals that she knows what Dementors are, the whole scene changes. Harry finally gets some Privet Drive cred even though Vernon tries to throw him out. Then the Howler shows up and Petunia is shown to know even more about wizarding. "Are you in touch with wizards?" Harry asks. I would love to hear the answer to that one as well.

I want lots of answers, but I must be patient ... one chapter at a time (no wiki leaks please).

Dumbledore rises; Fudge melts away

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Chapter 36

A lot to talk about in this chapter (I'll get to Fudge in due time).

Harry has to tell his tale again, but this time with no details left out because Dumbledore wants to hear it all. And he wants Sirius to hear it too. Dumbledore clearly isn't happy about Voldemort overcoming the barrier of being able to touch Harry. He doesn't elaborate on what it might ultimately mean, but it seems clear that this is a problem.

I was pleased to see that my guess about an ingredient in the wands had something to do with the standoff between Harry and Voldemort. I thought it was interesting that he heard a phoenix during the battle, and now we know why. Why did Harry's seem to be the stronger one?

Enter Fudge. With a Dementor. He's so sure he has all the answers. Strange that someone who has been doting on Harry now refuses to believe Harry's story of the rise of V? Not really. Fudge reveals his political hand when Harry begins to mention Death Eaters and Fudge talks of how they were cleared and that they have made donations to worthy causes. Fudge doesn't want to admit he was wrong, that his work to rebuild the magic world is threatened.

Dumbledore has an entire plan worked out for dealing with the Dementors and the Giants, but Fudge calls it madness because he doesn't want his approval ratings to drop. Then Dumbledore hits Fudge with his pride and the pure-blood argument. This is too much for Fudge. The dark mark on Snape's arm has no influence.

Dumbledore does what he must: part ways with the Fudge-led ministry. As soon as Fudge leaves, Dumbledore begins to take action. And Harry gets a well-deserved rest.

So where is V and what is he planning?

You dirty rat

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: Chapter 19

Becoming a rat was certainly an appropriate alter-ego for Peter Pettigrew. I figured he was the one lying all along.

The funny part during all of this serious goings-on of accusations of who is Voldemort's spy and who is not, is that Snape gets knocked out by his own students. And Hermione worrying about being in trouble now. It just made me laugh.

So, Peter was the lying spy, Sirius was framed and fortunately his happiness left him, Remus was fooled until he saw Peter on the Marauder's Map and figured it out, Snape as usual won't listen to anyone but himself, Ron argues in favor of Peter before thinking the situation through, Hermione is willing to see all sides before making a judgment and Harry does the valiant thing by sparing Peter's life. Nice job of keeping everyone in character.

And a cat, of all things, shall lead them home.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: Chapter 20

Ah, laughing more at Snape's expense. Imagining him stubbing his toes and bumping his head all of the way through the tunnel is a funny sight. What did he do to make the others not like him? Maybe he just can't help it. When he comes to, he ought to try and get along with folks a little better. Maybe take time to hear their side of the story before jumping off cliffs to conclusions. But then he wouldn't be Snape.

Of course, if Snape had been awake maybe he could have prevented this whole werewolf fiasco. Just when it seems the bad guy is caught, something ridiculous happens and he gets away. I doubt there are enough pages left in the book to catch him again.

Harry is valiant again in trying to save Black from the Dementors. I wonder why Black didn't remain a dog and avoid even the chance of receiving the kiss of death? I guess it gives Harry another chance to be a hero.

So who does Harry see or at least think he sees across the lake? I won't venture a guess.

I just hope the next time I wake up from a nightmare, I'm not shouting "Expecto patronum!"

That might freak the family out.

Triumph and tragedy

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: Chapter 15

So the end is near for Buckbeak. Is there no justice for framed hippogriffs? More on this later.

Hermione is obviously ready for summer vacation. I don't condone violence, but I sure hope her face-slapping of Malfoy is in the movie. Next time she should wave her wand in his general direction and say something like, "Off with your tongue!"

Next, she forgets to go to Charms class, then walks out of Divination. Somebody buy her an ice cream cone. That's always the best chill pill.

Not sure what seeing Crookshanks and a big hairy dog is all about for Harry, but I've been keeping a watchful eye on that cat since it entered the story. You can't be too careful with cats.

And you can't be too careful when playing Slytherin for the Quidditch Cup. No surprise they chose dirty tactics over relying on skill. It was like they put all the goons on the ice at once. But fair play and talent won out.

When Malfoy grabbed Harry's broom I decided that Malfoy and Dudley must have been separated at birth.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: Chapter 16

Finals week is always a mix of anxiety and anticipation. And if your name is Harry Potter there is always the unexpected.

When Trelawney is channeling Voldemort - knowingly or not - questions are raised. Why is he telling Harry? And what is Black breaking free from? Is he trapped inside Hogwarts somewhere? Has it been not that he can't get in past the dementors, but that he can't get past them to get out?

More likely, it's something I haven't thought of, but it's fun to speculate.

Two things we don't have to speculate on anymore is what happened to Scabbers and will Hagrid win the appeal for Buckbeak?

Scabbers lives - and by the way he was acting there seems to be some purpose to his disappearance - and Beaky dies. Chalk one up for the Malfoys. It's unclear why they cared, but I don't think they need a reason to be mean.

Preparing for more trouble

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: Chapter 11

We open with Harry feeling sad about never knowing his parents and angry about Sirius Black's betrayal. And you do get the same feeling like Hermione has that Harry - emboldened by his heroism in the first two books - wants to go looking for Black. Her book sense and common sense are coming together as she warns Harry not to play dog catcher.

Harry does get distracted a bit by Hagrid's wailing about the possible fate of Buckbeak. With the Malfoys rearing their ugly heads in conspiracy against Hagrid, our precocious detectives become lawyers as they dig through dusty books looking for precedent. With all the dust, that library would be no place for me. I would have a perpetually stuffy head, always feeling like I had just gotten out of bed in the morning.

Christmas morning is often full of surprises, but a Firebolt sure beats all. It would be like finding a Porsche in the driveway. Of course, Crookshanks ruins the party with another assassination attempt on Scabbers.

There are many things to appreciate about Dumbledore, but his appreciation of a good feast is high on the list. Of all the places I would want to see and experience at Hogwarts, it would be a feast in the Great Hall.

At least Harry got a good meal before the news that comes at the end of the chapter: The Firebolt is confiscated. It's for his own good, but nonetheless a bad ending to the day.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: Chapter 12

Professor Lupin has turned out to be quite the friend and mentor to Harry. I hope he doesn't become a betrayer. At least he's not completely incompetent like his predecessor.

This boggart-dementor-Patronus thing that Harry is working on sounds quite exhausting. Finding a happy memory is not easy for Harry, and it seems like it takes an happy memory of lasting importance to make this work, not merely a pleasant and fleeting one.

So will a Dementor's Kiss end this business with Sirius Black? Will the Firebolt, now that we know it's clean of jinxes, lead Gryffindor to the elusive Quidditch Cup? And has Scabbers finally succumbed to the clutches of Crookshanks? Can't wait to find out.

No secret is safe

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: Chapter 10

Harry has become quite the unintentional eavesdropper. You almost get the feeling that there's a man behind the curtain orchestrating things. But this isn't Oz.

The map is like a magical GPS with satellite imagery, like watching an episode of "NCIS: Los Angeles" or "Enemy Of The State." Harry uses this magicnology just to buy candy, but ends up gaining more knowledge of his parents, himself, Black, etc.

What will Harry and his cohorts do with this knowledge? Somehow some of it will help them catch Black. After the first two books, that it is what I'm expecting. If the Dementors couldn't dement him in prison and let him escape, then how will they catch him? Only Harry will catch or kill him.

The logical conclusion is that Harry will use the map to catch Black. But logical conclusions don't always happen in the world of magic. Logically, Harry should have died in the first book. But this wouldn't be much of a series if that had happened.

Here's a logical idea. Cast one of those Secret-Keeper spells so Black can't find Harry. That's what I would do.