Enough slugs for one day

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: Chapter 7

For a guy who had to be "talked into" coming out of retirement, Horace Slughorn sure likes forcing attention on himself. As with most new professors throughout this series, I suppose we'll be hearing a lot from Slug this school year.

Will he be an ally for Harry? Possibly. He likes to be associated with successful people and ride their robetails, so I could see him being helpful to "the chosen one." He might even buy Harry's theory that Draco Malfoy has the Dark Mark and is a future Death Eater. Of course, with a mom and pop loyal to the Dark Lord it only makes sense.

Malfoy sounded convinced that Voldemort will rise to supreme power, and Malfoy couldn't bear being on the losing side.

Which brings us to Harry's foray into the Slytherin compartment. He is desperate to convict Malfoy and is willing to risk much (including a physical beating) to get the evidence that his rival is indeed loyal to Voldemort. He said as much even though he didn't say too much.

Because I chastised Hermione for her lack of spy craft in Knockturn Alley I should do the same with Harry for getting caught. Hastily devised plans often fail.

School is about to start, and it looks like from the chapter names that I'm only two away from learning why this book is titled "The Half-Blood Prince."

I've ridden the Hogwarts Express at Universal in Orlando, but I've always wanted to ride a real train to real places and see real countryside. Add that to the bucket list.

Home is where the hat says it is

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: Chapter 6

I felt sorry today for kids like Harry who don't have a mother to love and depend on. There was no one to help him find platform nine and three-quarters. And here he was going off to boarding school and he had no one to miss.

OK, on to happier things. We need snack carts on airplanes like they have on the Hogwarts Express. Amy has made pumpkin pasties and I can attest that those are tasty. I would be just as adventurous as Harry with the Every Flavor Beans. And I'd be looking for that Harry Potter rookie card in the Chocolate Frogs. Sure to be a valuable collectible one day.

I suspect Ron Weasley will be a true friend for Harry. Right now he's Harry's only friend in the world, so I'm pretty sure Harry already knows he would die for his friend. Reminds me of Doc Holliday in "Tombstone" when he says he is risking his life "Because Wyatt Earp is my friend." Someone else says they have lots of friends. Doc replies, "I don't."

Hermione Granger is certainly booksmart. Ron hasn't taken a shine to her, that's for sure. But not many boys his age are going to be tolerant of a know-it-all girl who talks a lot. Not saying Hermione doesn't have redeeming qualities, but it's pretty obvious Ron's first impression isn't favorable.

Harry, though, knows obnoxious. As long as her last name isn't Dursley I'm sure he'll like her just fine.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: Chapter 7

This was my longest day of reading yet, and I admit that I drifted off into two naps before I could finish my assignment. But I might rate Chapter 7 as my favorite so far.

I do have one question. Why do all the wizards and witches have such strange names, while most of the students have regular names? Do they get a new name when the graduate? And where did the name Hogwarts come from? Are those the warts on Warthogs? Sure doesn't sound like a place you'd plan a vacation to.

Anyway, the sorting hat thing was clever. It was interesting how the hat listened to Harry's wishes. Did it listen to anybody else's wishes? I'm guessing he has special powers, and I'm wondering if he's exercising them already without knowing it. He's already famous because he did so as an infant.

How about that banquet. Sounds better than any school cafeteria I've ever heard of. I guess even wizards and witches have to eat.

Have you ever wondered where the hat would have sent you? I think I would've been sent to Hufflepuff. What about you?