lady_sarai (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
lady_sarai) wrote2005-07-18 09:26 pm
lady_sarai) wrote2005-07-18 09:26 pm
Spoilerific Spoiler time!!
Okay, so, first off, had a FANTASTIC time with my girls this weekend. It's too bad the drive-in BROKE, and Ariel, that WAS my co-worker I thought I saw. Heh. Also, a word to the wise... don't drink when you've been up for over 20 hours. You'll be far-gone REALLY fast. It's a good thing for me that I know my limits and get... quite cranky and whiny for water when reaching them. Heh. ;) But PoA DOES make a great drinking game. Should try that again when we're not so tired.
So, yes, stayed up until 1 last night to finish reading, even though I had work this morning. Better than the 2 that happened with book 5, but still... I couldn't fall asleep until roughly 1:30ish.
All right, for those just now tuning in, I have read Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince from cover-to-cover and now have to react. Because I don't know if Theanna has finished it, and I don't know how to contact Ariel. Heh. So, here goes.
Oh my god.
Oh. My. God. DUDE. Excuse me while I try to pull myself together. I spent all day walking around in a fog, but that might have had something to do with the INSANE humidity and the fact that all the campers and counselors and directors were in foul moods.
But, you know, I'm... not as shocked and angry and ready to bop JKR in the head as I was with book 5. I... darn it, but I expected it. From the first time it was mentioned that Dumbledore was weaker, I felt this sinking feeling in my stomach. I read the chapter titles in the parking lot leaving Borders, but I obviously didn't register the last two chapters because that would have been a kick between the eyes. I mean, it's been predicted since forever that he would not survive the books, but I've been in denial of that rumor. Dammit all.
AND, I have NO idea where she is going with this. I don't even know. The whole format was just... tossed out the window. No more Hogwarts? What?! And... and... GAH!!
Okay, so I say I'm okay. I'm not sure it's sunk in yet, but I feel like there was more closure to Dumbledore's death than to Sirius's. I don't know... maybe I got numb or something. I definitely sat in bed crying when reading it, but you know... Ack.
More than being sad, I'm FURIOUS at Snape. I'm mad at Dumbledore ABOUT Snape. You can imagine my shock when it turned out that HARRY WAS RIGHT ALL ALONG. >_< This never happens! I knew all the evidence pointed to it, but I rejected it because that's not how the books go!! Harry's always wrong, somehow!! It's always a shock! And, yeah, it was a shock.
And dammit, Ariel, because I DO feel bad for Draco and I feel like... shoot, but he could be redeemable. Gosh darn it. Because I never saw that before... And... and... and... he would not have done it. He might be a gigantic git, and he might not be wonderful, but... shoot, he's not *quite* Death Eater material. He loves his mother too much. ;)
And, as corny as it all was, I loved the stupid love-conquers-all stance of Dumbledore's.
Also, what had me almost as mad and exasperated as Snape, was... erk... Remus and TONKS. Theanna... I'm sorry. I understand now what you meant, Ariel, on Saturday night. Bah. Now hear ME whine. This is almost what I'm having the most problems reconciling. BUT, I have been thinking, and it could be a good thing... Theanna, don't be angry, you know I'm as shippy as you about this. But, like we said FRIDAY, Remus and Tonks has just been so ridiculously unfounded to me before now. I mean... where did THAT come from? Looking back, duh, the signs were all there through this book, but in book 5? Was there anything? I have to reread it now, of course, but still. And I'm not discounting it. I can't. I'm too much a canon-nazi not to... but... ::whine::
So, what I'd love, would be a fic. A fic in which Remus and Tonks is somehow plausible, but acknowledges and works through the fact that Remus and Sirius, at some point, were in love. Thank you very much. This would help me deal. I don't believe their relationship was ever completely the same post-PoA. (I mean, compared to 1981ish.) Even in 1981, there was enough strife to make them both believe that the other was the traitor. That's not going to lead to hugs and kisses. And then, 12 years of believing Sirius killed James and Lily... well, even though all seemed well in PoA, you know it wasn't, 100%. And then, Sirius hides for a year. So, realistically, they have about a year to work through... 14, maybe even close to 15, years of distance and hurt and betrayal and things that do not bring puppies and kitties and roboclaws. (just making sure you're still with me...) SO, even though I believe they have reconciled in book 5, possibly completely by the end...
You have to wonder, after all that time, what is left. And, if Sirius was as messed up as he appeared to be, by 12 years in Azkaban, and Remus had spent all that time trying to forget they had been friends (because we will note how reluctant he is in PoA to even admit he knew JAMES, let alone Sirius)... well. I just don't know. I don't think Remus is going to enter ANY relationship, with a male, female, old friend, new friend, what-have-you, very easily. The mention of marriage makes me go all wonky-eyed. But here is how I read that scene. Tonks has not been discussing MARRYING Remus. Just... being WITH him. And he is, quite in-character, resisting. I can't determine exactly how he feels. But gah.
Sorry, for all my trying to remain calm and detached and reconciling myself, my stomach still just did a bit of a flip-flop there. This will probably take a while. It is hard to see a beloved ship just... well... bitch-slapped.
In related news, Ron and Hermione need to PULL IT TOGETHER, GOSH-DURN-IT. Oi. The Ron/Lavender thing was darn amusing, I admit. And I LAUGHED a LOT at them. But, come on, just admit it and KISS already. Everyone has seen this coming, and waiting for it to happen is driving me bonkers.
Also, felt rightly vindicated and cheered loudly when Harry and Ginny got together. Thank you very much, I felt righteous joy. Have shipped them since forever, am very happy. Although Harry needs to stop worrying, but I'm not worried. (If this makes sense...) Whether he dates her or not, he has feelings for her, and people know it, and hello... Snape taught him, and obviously teachers know about Harry and Ginny (look at Slughorn), and he could easily tell Voldy. Even if they aren't dating, she's still a target. Sadly, everyone close to Harry is.
In ANY case, was highly pleased by how the Ginny situation was handled. It read very much like fanfic in places, which amused me, and made me REALLY want to re-read AtE, Ariel, you're right. Heh.
And! Bill/Fleur!! Ha! I have loved Bill/Fleur since AtE, but the Fleur here... she REALLY annoyed me because I wanted-and expected-AtE's Fleur. Who did redeem herself at the end, and I am feeling undue amounts of happiness over all this shipping news. With the exception of 1, but still, I'm working on that one. :P Even Hagrid and what's-her-face hugged. Hmm, and JKR doesn't seem interested in advancing any other Weasley boy's romances... what happened to Penelope? Granted, Percy is REALLY pissing me off. Let me add this, I was fond of Percy, in-so-much as you can be, and was really hoping he would surprise everyone by being, you know, a good guy. But this hasn't happened, and after Christmas... GAH, I'd like to beat him with a stick. Stupid. But come on, Angelina!! And Fred! :P In fanfic, I guess. And somehow I had George paired up with Katie Bell in my head, but I guess not. Whatever. But, oo!! Totally shipping Neville/Luna now, despite JKR once shooting that down in an interview... she seems to contradict herself here, because I totally saw it at the end. I think they'd be wicked cute.
This was not supposed to be a shipping post. Although it's become slightly one... Oo, and hello!! Undue ridonkulously insubstantially canon joy!! It was a silly thing to squee over, but you know, I have a Founders obsession. I liked finding out SLIGHTLY more about them. Am hoping for more next book, but in any case... The fact that the two items Voldy had were owned by Slytherin and HUFFLEPUFF made me a bit giddy in a stupid way. Because it proves nothing, but it amused me and brought joy. Also, Gryffindor's got a sword, Hufflepuff a cup, and Slytherin... a *locket*? There has got to be more to that. It makes me narrow my eyes suspiciously. Dunno why.
Also, thought Professor Sprout sounded INCREDIBLY Hufflepuffish when discussing the future of the school. I had a moment of pride. =P
Most of what struck me was how many answers we got. I left that Horcrux chapter in a bit of shock and awe, going, oh my gosh, oh my gosh! Doooode! And a lot of insight into Voldemort. Who I don't feel sympathy for, because he DID choose his own path.
And I don't like Slughorn. Don't hate him, don't care too much. Don't think he's evil, just annoying, and pompous, and stupid, and eh. Mild-to-middling dislike. I KNEW Snape would be gone at the end one way or another. Hello, cursed job position. What was Dumbledore thinking, giving it to him?
I hate to criticize Dumbledore, but he made some crucial mistakes. Which proves that he is only human, after all... but... but... I loved him. He made me laugh so much in this book. I'm glad, if he had to die, that we got to see so much of him in this book. The American cover is SO fitting.
Also, the RAB thing drove me nuts until I stumbled across a theory that makes ridonkulous sense, but I won't say because I don't know for certain. And... ACK.
Just... poor Harry. I don't know. He needs to remember what Dumbledore told him about love, and how different he is from Voldemort, and he needs to realize that he needs his friends and loved ones and he probably needs their help.
Random annoyance, though, was Harry expecting to hear from Remus. HUH? Excuse me, but Harry's never shown much interest in having much of a relationship with him, aside from 'best prof EVAH' and 'dad and godfather's friend'. Even there, he doesn't seem to seek out stories and advice from Remus regarding his parents the way he did from Sirius. Not criticizing this, I mean, Remus spent a whole year never once mentioning he knew them, but come on. He's never before written to Harry that we know of, and now he wants a letter? Is HE sending REMUS letters? I was confused.
In any case, severe sympathy for Remus. I had the impression that the anti-werewolf laws were stupid and unfounded, but it looks like Remus is in the minority among werewolves, which sucks for him. It was... ack. Stomach-turning. And allow me a moment to mourn the hotness of Bill, which, you know, he's a fictional book character, so whatever, but still. At least it wasn't a full moon.
And I'm back at the uncomfy place involving Tonks. Ah well. I missed the old Tonks in this book, that much I know.
Fred and George remain absolute favorites of mine. They rock. And I always knew their joke shop would be important in the war somehow, with their products. Just, you know... they should really be more careful about what they sell and to who, like Ron said.
I don't know, I need to reread it now. Still unsure how I feel, but all-in-all, I love it. And want book 7 now, because I can't imagine what it will bring... and yet, don't want it, as that means... something I won't say here. ::whimper::
I just have to say, I am impressed with how JKR is handling the growing up and aging process for Harry and his friends. It was so amusing to me to read about all these love triangles and I was like... whoa, been there, seen that, HA. It's just impressive.
And that's all for tonight, because I can't think of anything else and am tired. But, I love JKR, and I love Harry Potter, and it seems very little will detract from that.
So, yes, stayed up until 1 last night to finish reading, even though I had work this morning. Better than the 2 that happened with book 5, but still... I couldn't fall asleep until roughly 1:30ish.
All right, for those just now tuning in, I have read Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince from cover-to-cover and now have to react. Because I don't know if Theanna has finished it, and I don't know how to contact Ariel. Heh. So, here goes.
Oh my god.
Oh. My. God. DUDE. Excuse me while I try to pull myself together. I spent all day walking around in a fog, but that might have had something to do with the INSANE humidity and the fact that all the campers and counselors and directors were in foul moods.
But, you know, I'm... not as shocked and angry and ready to bop JKR in the head as I was with book 5. I... darn it, but I expected it. From the first time it was mentioned that Dumbledore was weaker, I felt this sinking feeling in my stomach. I read the chapter titles in the parking lot leaving Borders, but I obviously didn't register the last two chapters because that would have been a kick between the eyes. I mean, it's been predicted since forever that he would not survive the books, but I've been in denial of that rumor. Dammit all.
AND, I have NO idea where she is going with this. I don't even know. The whole format was just... tossed out the window. No more Hogwarts? What?! And... and... GAH!!
Okay, so I say I'm okay. I'm not sure it's sunk in yet, but I feel like there was more closure to Dumbledore's death than to Sirius's. I don't know... maybe I got numb or something. I definitely sat in bed crying when reading it, but you know... Ack.
More than being sad, I'm FURIOUS at Snape. I'm mad at Dumbledore ABOUT Snape. You can imagine my shock when it turned out that HARRY WAS RIGHT ALL ALONG. >_< This never happens! I knew all the evidence pointed to it, but I rejected it because that's not how the books go!! Harry's always wrong, somehow!! It's always a shock! And, yeah, it was a shock.
And dammit, Ariel, because I DO feel bad for Draco and I feel like... shoot, but he could be redeemable. Gosh darn it. Because I never saw that before... And... and... and... he would not have done it. He might be a gigantic git, and he might not be wonderful, but... shoot, he's not *quite* Death Eater material. He loves his mother too much. ;)
And, as corny as it all was, I loved the stupid love-conquers-all stance of Dumbledore's.
Also, what had me almost as mad and exasperated as Snape, was... erk... Remus and TONKS. Theanna... I'm sorry. I understand now what you meant, Ariel, on Saturday night. Bah. Now hear ME whine. This is almost what I'm having the most problems reconciling. BUT, I have been thinking, and it could be a good thing... Theanna, don't be angry, you know I'm as shippy as you about this. But, like we said FRIDAY, Remus and Tonks has just been so ridiculously unfounded to me before now. I mean... where did THAT come from? Looking back, duh, the signs were all there through this book, but in book 5? Was there anything? I have to reread it now, of course, but still. And I'm not discounting it. I can't. I'm too much a canon-nazi not to... but... ::whine::
So, what I'd love, would be a fic. A fic in which Remus and Tonks is somehow plausible, but acknowledges and works through the fact that Remus and Sirius, at some point, were in love. Thank you very much. This would help me deal. I don't believe their relationship was ever completely the same post-PoA. (I mean, compared to 1981ish.) Even in 1981, there was enough strife to make them both believe that the other was the traitor. That's not going to lead to hugs and kisses. And then, 12 years of believing Sirius killed James and Lily... well, even though all seemed well in PoA, you know it wasn't, 100%. And then, Sirius hides for a year. So, realistically, they have about a year to work through... 14, maybe even close to 15, years of distance and hurt and betrayal and things that do not bring puppies and kitties and roboclaws. (just making sure you're still with me...) SO, even though I believe they have reconciled in book 5, possibly completely by the end...
You have to wonder, after all that time, what is left. And, if Sirius was as messed up as he appeared to be, by 12 years in Azkaban, and Remus had spent all that time trying to forget they had been friends (because we will note how reluctant he is in PoA to even admit he knew JAMES, let alone Sirius)... well. I just don't know. I don't think Remus is going to enter ANY relationship, with a male, female, old friend, new friend, what-have-you, very easily. The mention of marriage makes me go all wonky-eyed. But here is how I read that scene. Tonks has not been discussing MARRYING Remus. Just... being WITH him. And he is, quite in-character, resisting. I can't determine exactly how he feels. But gah.
Sorry, for all my trying to remain calm and detached and reconciling myself, my stomach still just did a bit of a flip-flop there. This will probably take a while. It is hard to see a beloved ship just... well... bitch-slapped.
In related news, Ron and Hermione need to PULL IT TOGETHER, GOSH-DURN-IT. Oi. The Ron/Lavender thing was darn amusing, I admit. And I LAUGHED a LOT at them. But, come on, just admit it and KISS already. Everyone has seen this coming, and waiting for it to happen is driving me bonkers.
Also, felt rightly vindicated and cheered loudly when Harry and Ginny got together. Thank you very much, I felt righteous joy. Have shipped them since forever, am very happy. Although Harry needs to stop worrying, but I'm not worried. (If this makes sense...) Whether he dates her or not, he has feelings for her, and people know it, and hello... Snape taught him, and obviously teachers know about Harry and Ginny (look at Slughorn), and he could easily tell Voldy. Even if they aren't dating, she's still a target. Sadly, everyone close to Harry is.
In ANY case, was highly pleased by how the Ginny situation was handled. It read very much like fanfic in places, which amused me, and made me REALLY want to re-read AtE, Ariel, you're right. Heh.
And! Bill/Fleur!! Ha! I have loved Bill/Fleur since AtE, but the Fleur here... she REALLY annoyed me because I wanted-and expected-AtE's Fleur. Who did redeem herself at the end, and I am feeling undue amounts of happiness over all this shipping news. With the exception of 1, but still, I'm working on that one. :P Even Hagrid and what's-her-face hugged. Hmm, and JKR doesn't seem interested in advancing any other Weasley boy's romances... what happened to Penelope? Granted, Percy is REALLY pissing me off. Let me add this, I was fond of Percy, in-so-much as you can be, and was really hoping he would surprise everyone by being, you know, a good guy. But this hasn't happened, and after Christmas... GAH, I'd like to beat him with a stick. Stupid. But come on, Angelina!! And Fred! :P In fanfic, I guess. And somehow I had George paired up with Katie Bell in my head, but I guess not. Whatever. But, oo!! Totally shipping Neville/Luna now, despite JKR once shooting that down in an interview... she seems to contradict herself here, because I totally saw it at the end. I think they'd be wicked cute.
This was not supposed to be a shipping post. Although it's become slightly one... Oo, and hello!! Undue ridonkulously insubstantially canon joy!! It was a silly thing to squee over, but you know, I have a Founders obsession. I liked finding out SLIGHTLY more about them. Am hoping for more next book, but in any case... The fact that the two items Voldy had were owned by Slytherin and HUFFLEPUFF made me a bit giddy in a stupid way. Because it proves nothing, but it amused me and brought joy. Also, Gryffindor's got a sword, Hufflepuff a cup, and Slytherin... a *locket*? There has got to be more to that. It makes me narrow my eyes suspiciously. Dunno why.
Also, thought Professor Sprout sounded INCREDIBLY Hufflepuffish when discussing the future of the school. I had a moment of pride. =P
Most of what struck me was how many answers we got. I left that Horcrux chapter in a bit of shock and awe, going, oh my gosh, oh my gosh! Doooode! And a lot of insight into Voldemort. Who I don't feel sympathy for, because he DID choose his own path.
And I don't like Slughorn. Don't hate him, don't care too much. Don't think he's evil, just annoying, and pompous, and stupid, and eh. Mild-to-middling dislike. I KNEW Snape would be gone at the end one way or another. Hello, cursed job position. What was Dumbledore thinking, giving it to him?
I hate to criticize Dumbledore, but he made some crucial mistakes. Which proves that he is only human, after all... but... but... I loved him. He made me laugh so much in this book. I'm glad, if he had to die, that we got to see so much of him in this book. The American cover is SO fitting.
Also, the RAB thing drove me nuts until I stumbled across a theory that makes ridonkulous sense, but I won't say because I don't know for certain. And... ACK.
Just... poor Harry. I don't know. He needs to remember what Dumbledore told him about love, and how different he is from Voldemort, and he needs to realize that he needs his friends and loved ones and he probably needs their help.
Random annoyance, though, was Harry expecting to hear from Remus. HUH? Excuse me, but Harry's never shown much interest in having much of a relationship with him, aside from 'best prof EVAH' and 'dad and godfather's friend'. Even there, he doesn't seem to seek out stories and advice from Remus regarding his parents the way he did from Sirius. Not criticizing this, I mean, Remus spent a whole year never once mentioning he knew them, but come on. He's never before written to Harry that we know of, and now he wants a letter? Is HE sending REMUS letters? I was confused.
In any case, severe sympathy for Remus. I had the impression that the anti-werewolf laws were stupid and unfounded, but it looks like Remus is in the minority among werewolves, which sucks for him. It was... ack. Stomach-turning. And allow me a moment to mourn the hotness of Bill, which, you know, he's a fictional book character, so whatever, but still. At least it wasn't a full moon.
And I'm back at the uncomfy place involving Tonks. Ah well. I missed the old Tonks in this book, that much I know.
Fred and George remain absolute favorites of mine. They rock. And I always knew their joke shop would be important in the war somehow, with their products. Just, you know... they should really be more careful about what they sell and to who, like Ron said.
I don't know, I need to reread it now. Still unsure how I feel, but all-in-all, I love it. And want book 7 now, because I can't imagine what it will bring... and yet, don't want it, as that means... something I won't say here. ::whimper::
I just have to say, I am impressed with how JKR is handling the growing up and aging process for Harry and his friends. It was so amusing to me to read about all these love triangles and I was like... whoa, been there, seen that, HA. It's just impressive.
And that's all for tonight, because I can't think of anything else and am tired. But, I love JKR, and I love Harry Potter, and it seems very little will detract from that.