Discussion: The 'Phoenix' files

Student

House: Ravenclaw
Points: 276

Sam 2 Sar says:

To Cheeser:

I was wondering how they got the map back from Fake Moody in GoF. Does any one have a clue. I scanned the book closely both times that Harry packed and there is no mention of the map.

Posted Jun 23, 2003 at 11:05 PM EST

Healer

House: Ravenclaw
Points: 3950

CowsOJMilkSoil says:

I think this was a great book! How can you say it was a horrible book? The third book is still my fav though, but I really think this book was worth waiting for. Cheers to J.K.

Posted Jun 23, 2003 at 11:38 PM EST

Order of Merlin, 3rd Class

House: Ravenclaw
Points: 1488

rdosty says:

I agree with CowsOJMilkSoil, i definately still like the third book best, but i have to read this one again.

Posted Jun 23, 2003 at 11:45 PM EST

Head Girl

House: Gryffindor
Points: 421

parvatiPatil89 says:

i agree with you hgranger25, about the coming of great things fron neville long bottom, because he wasnt too significant in books 1-4, but now we learn alot more about him, and i think he has a major part in the book now. Also, with the wands thing, yea i agree, i think that might have been a little mistake, but oh well, overall, the book was unbelievable..also, i dont understand the veil thing AT ALL, like it doesnt make sense..why were there whispers, were those the dead people?? and it's good in a way, because now sirius can go back to james and lily...but i will truly miss him..harry only had 2, well less than, years with him.. ::sniff sniff::...and hmm what else..the quidditch..not too much of it..i guess its becasue of Umbridge..UCK. And why did she set the dementors on harry again?...it was beacause she wanted to kill him right?..stupid lady. i got really emotional when dumbledore did...like when he started to cry, i began to feel so bad..and harry..poor poor harry...

Posted Jun 23, 2003 at 11:45 PM EST

Witch

House: Gryffindor
Points: 657

Wotcher_Tonks says:

Ok I am not going to write everything I want to because it would probably get to confusion, like a couple of others here, I would not discount the Harry/Hermione get together to quickly yet.

I Love the way JKR has humanised everbody!
Angry Harry typical teenager, not learning what he should typical teenager, JK has really brought the characters to life in this book.

I did not guess the Death, and wonder to if there is not more to it, as there was no mention of Wormtail who would need to have been found to clear sirius.

Posted Jun 24, 2003 at 12:01 AM EST

Squib

House: Gryffindor
Points: 166

Her-My-Oh-Nee says:

I loved the book, especially seeing old characters again, like Lockhart!

Posted Jun 24, 2003 at 1:26 AM EST

Student

House: Gryffindor
Points: 203

goofie says:

UM... some info foer benjaminblack the reeasomn why the preoficy has to do with harry and not neville it is because you know who:) left a mark on harry which is his scar and he choose to do that to harry and not neville thank you

Posted Jun 24, 2003 at 1:54 AM EST

Wizard

House: Ravenclaw
Points: 993

Muggle Wizard says:

Mausol: Dumbledore's Howler was "Remember my last", meaning, remember the letter I left on your doorstep fifteen years ago. Good point on Neville's wand, too. I hadn't thought of that.

kerriluvs2gether: Unfortunately, I think that killing Sirius is nearly required to provide an atmosphere in which Harry will have to look very hard to find happiness. Trelawney's prophecy seems to indicate that this must be true, until either Harry and/or Voldemort die.

Wotcher_Tonks: I have always liked the Harry/Hermione idea, too, and still think there might be something to it. Ron/Hermione seems to have been attacked in this book. They seemed to really want to argue with each other quite a bit....

At the same time, I DON'T like that everyone seems to proclaim that Harry is a typical teenager. Yes, a teenager could have such responses. But there's really (in my opinion) something more to it. Harry really has lived a very difficult life, at least relative to most of the other characters in the book. (I think Neville is the only one who comes close, of the students, anyway.) Dumbledore even claims that he knows of noone who has had it so hard. I think that it is the culmination of these circumstances which lead to Harry's gigantic mood swings.

The Sorting Hat's song is extremely important at this point. Even though most of the school seemed to come together after Fred and George's departure, to unite under a bunch of pranks and such, there really is still some divisiveness between the houses. There even seemed to be division within the actual Order of the Phoenix. (Snape and Sirius make a good extreme case here.) Harry's failure to seek out, rely on, and trust in his friends is a huge shortcoming and clearly representative of a lack of maturity, which (IMO) MUST be found before the end of the book.

What is the point of Luna's character? There is something really strange going on here, and I feel that the character is underdeveloped (or at least underexplained).

And what was up with Mrs. Weasley in the first half of the book? She was incredibly paranoid and did not seem to be herself at all.

Posted Jun 24, 2003 at 3:17 AM EST

Prefect

House: Gryffindor
Points: 377

jamesthom says:

I still think the fountain is very important.

Posted Jun 24, 2003 at 3:41 AM EST

Prefect

House: Gryffindor
Points: 393

HermioneLovesRon says:

Ok. I just NEED to give my opinions. LOL First of all, who all felt bad for Ron after the first Quidditch game? I DID! Poor Ron. As for the H/Hr clues, J.K. Rowling said that Harry and Hermy are simply platonic, but she can't say the same for other peoples...hee hee! When Hermione kissed Ron on the cheek, I sat there and just giggled into my pillow for minutes. I'm a loser. lol

UM...How about I do NOT like CHO! She is a spoiled little #*$@&! Poor Harry...although I thought Harry was kinda a jerk himself sometimes. Oh well! Love Harry still. lol Percy is a jerk...didn't like Tonks that much...loved Hermione being brainy...COULD NOT STAND THE NEW DADA teacher!! What a !@#$%^&*!!! Fudge is fraustrating...and although I LOVED Sirius, we didn't get to know him enough I thought...however, for some reason, I think there is gonna be more of him in the next books...

I was just thankful that it wasn't Hagrid. Or Ron and Hermione. Oh yeah...did they say WHY Ron was giggling with blood coming out his mouth? If they did, I missed it...They say stuff about the brains in the hospital wing, but I didn't see anything about the giggling. I was personally upset when Hermione got hurt. :( I'm glad she's OK. I cried too, btw...when Dumbledore was talking to Harry...it was sad. I thought we were supposed to learn a LOT about Lily in this book though? There wasn't much but the pensieve. Plus Snape was pretty cool in this book...ANYWAY

Awesome book. I was disapointed that 1.) There was no major Ron and Hermione stuff...I LOVE them...2.)the book had a lot less humor than the others...3.)that Fred and George are not at Hogwarts anymore and 4.)That the next book won't be out for awhile. GRR!!! COME ON 6th BOOK! I hope it's even longer.

Oh, and BTW...here in Oh, my friend and I went to this big thing in Hudson and we got ALL over the news because we were first in line. *beams* YAY! If anyone wants to talk and discuss this more, my SN on AOL is BringMeToLife81...just tell me you are a Potter fan or I'll ignore you(I get hit on by all the idiots in this city who find my name...lol). I have more opinions, but this thing would be like, 5 pages long. LOL BYE!

Stephies

Posted Jun 24, 2003 at 4:02 AM EST

Muggle

House: Gryffindor
Points: 65

Firefly says:

First of all I just want to say that OOTP had a huge impact on me, and made me analyse Harry and what has happened to him. His anger is (at times)completely irrational and misdirected - but also completely understandable, which is what makes him more real as a character. Everything about this book is much more sinister - even Dudley is now longer a comical figure but is involved in serious teenage deliquency, smoking, assaults, vandalism. I think Harry has grown up very quickly (and necessarily so), and JK Rowling has handled his adolescence with sensitivity and has created another beautiful book.

Posted Jun 24, 2003 at 9:24 AM EST

Muggle

House: Gryffindor
Points: 65

Firefly says:

I think maybe why the school year went so fast was because a lot of the book was focussed on events outside the school - like the Order at Sirius' house, Harry's expulsion, goings on at the ministry...

It will be interesting to see what the screenwriters (eventually) do with this book - there was a lot of exposition and background to tell, and a not a huge amount of action. I don't think the the plot was perhaps as clear as the other books, where Harry and co. had a goal to achieve (find the Philosopher's stone, find the Chamber of Secrets, resuce Sirius, win the triwizards tournament) but that's probably due tot he need to set up 'sides' for the upcoming war - we have another 2 books to go, don't forget!

Harry's attitude may have also alienated some readers, making it more difficult to empathise with him.

It was nice to see that even Dumbledore can make mistakes (and whats more, can admit them). I think this is one of the great qualities in all wizards (and Muggles too!) that will enable them to overcome the forces of darkness.

Posted Jun 24, 2003 at 9:39 AM EST

Muggle

House: Gryffindor
Points: 65

Firefly says:

Kitkat - where did you hear that??

Posted Jun 24, 2003 at 9:41 AM EST

Squib

House: Ravenclaw
Points: 117

gray_moth says:

Very very interesting BoBaFeTT: I loved that take on it!! I never liked the fact Neville's parents were so bad off. Didn't seem right...

My favorite book was Prisoner of Azkaban, so y'all can pretty much guess this one's not my favorite, as Serious dies.. *tear*

I can really feel with Harry's anger, as I am around 15 myself. I really hope he gets better though. Another thing with the anger was that Voldemort was trying to take over him though, so I think that's why everyone was so patient. And also I think he'll be better now that he's not being taken over so much..is he?

I was crying when I saw he didn't use the mirror and could have so easily grabbed it and tryed it when he ran up for the invisiblity cloak and the knife!! How awful! I reeeeally didn't like how he didn't seem to remember it. But I didn't think about it either, and I was trying to remember things! sigh. really disapointing though.

Another item then I'll close: I liked the Cho thing, like Harry FINALLY got to have her for himself, but c'mon it wouldn't have worked... I loved the Ron/Hermy (lol)! That was sooo cute. I don't think they needed intimate this book, but next one couldn't hurt! C'mon only two years of their lives we get to see left!! Ahhh!

GREAT BOOK!!!!!!

Posted Jun 24, 2003 at 9:41 AM EST

Head Boy

House: Gryffindor
Points: 468

siriushp says:

FIrst of all the book was unbelievable!! I think maybe Geri might be right... sIrius might not be dead (but i think i am just saying that because i don't want him to be dead) There is still one question I've had since before OoTP came out... Why did it the story say that SIrius stood there laughing after wormtail blew up the street.. just kinda made me wonder. and yes... harry should have seen the thestrals because he watched vlodemort kill his mother.. that was the first thought that popped into my head

Posted Jun 24, 2003 at 9:47 AM EST

Muggle

House: Gryffindor
Points: 65

Firefly says:

It's been bugging me for ages... when is harry gonna get a clue and ask what his parents did? Surely that's one of the first questions you would ask...

Posted Jun 24, 2003 at 10:03 AM EST

Student

House: Ravenclaw
Points: 276

Sam 2 Sar says:

Good question Firefly. I have always wondered what they did for a living and where that enormous pile of galleons, sickles, and knuts came from. Did they work for the Ministry? I don't think that they pay top dollar. I think the money was inherited. From the golden snitch inventor maybe?

Posted Jun 24, 2003 at 10:23 AM EST

Muggle

House: Gryffindor
Points: 58

phoenixfeathers says:

If Bellatrix LeStrange is related to Sirius, surely she's aware of where the Black family lived? I personally think Voldemort will do away with her now, but still, the Order wouldn't exactly be safe at No. 12 Grimmauld Place anymore would it?

Posted Jun 24, 2003 at 10:25 AM EST

Order of Merlin, 2nd Class

House: Gryffindor
Points: 1660

siriusgyal says:

i loved the book it was fantasic.
Ginny has now grown inot another verious of Fred and George.
Percy is a bitch that's all i have to say about that.
Umbridge needs a few bludgers to the head i think that would sort her out.
And the Blacks house elf need to be boiled in hott water
When Sirius i cried for hors i still cry it's so sad. When people say remus should have had more of a reaction i disagree. Every word he had t say to harry pained him, he couldn't break down infront of harry because he had to be strong. The man has now lost all of his friend from school they where like his family now all he has is harry.

Posted Jun 24, 2003 at 10:34 AM EST

Witch

House: Slytherin
Points: 721

Lupakitty says:

I must agree with sirius_gyal about Remus, next to Sirius he's also my favorite. I couldn't help but think at some points of the book that JK might have been putting the pressure and stress she's had for a while now into text of OotP. Just some parts seem to stick out, but I think it was just me. I loved how much information there was in this book. I just finished reading my book at around 3 o'clock this moring and boy was I surprissed (well not really) that Sirius died. I din't cry right away when Bellatrix cast Avada Kadavera on him, but when Harry started yelling at Dumbledore the water works stared to flow. JK did say that book 4 was the start of the death's. The prophecy wasn't all to surprising, but the fact that Neville could have been the downfall of Voldemort caught me as surprising. I just can not wait until book 6 comes out, even if takes three years to come out just to be better than this one.

Posted Jun 24, 2003 at 10:58 AM EST

Order of Merlin, 2nd Class

House: Gryffindor
Points: 1660

siriusgyal says:

neville was heavey in this book. he has really grown as a character. he now say's what he feels and he wants to be as good as his dad was.

Posted Jun 24, 2003 at 11:33 AM EST

Student

House: Gryffindor
Points: 244

Ryla Relvinian says:

Hmm, I personally loved the Mrs. Black's portrait... along with the fact that all of the pure blood families are related to each other (sounds a bit like royalty, eh?)

Tonks... I agree, she was developed much too much for the small character, and I didn't much like her. I wanted to know more about Kingsley Shacklebot or the others, especially the real Moody.

The flashback scene, or Snape's Pensive: WOW. What an excellent part. JKR is fantastic in creating characters who are fully human, even in this silly world. Snape's hatred of James is understandable, totally justified. James was acting like any other 15 year old boy, and poor Snape had to be horribly embarassed. No wonder he's so bitter.

Fred and George were developed wonderfully, and the side that Percy took was completely obvious, though still sad. Mrs. Weasley's Boggart was scary/sad as well. I was afraid that she would die in this book, so I'm glad she didn't.

Thankfully, my favorite character landed himself in Azkaban. Oh yeah, my favorite character is Lucius Malfoy... Should I transfer to Slytherin? ;)

Finally, there is a great theme running through all these books about unity and division, and it was strongly reiterated in the sorting hat's song. Especially interesting is how the houses are described, with Gryffindor and Slytherin being good friends.

Ok, ready for book 6! :)

Posted Jun 24, 2003 at 11:56 AM EST

Muggle

House: Gryffindor
Points: 58

phoenixfeathers says:

I agree with Sirius_gyal that Neville grows as a character in this book. Initially, I was worried about the parallels between Wormtail and Neville--two seemingly insignificant people who tag along with others. But Neville has really proven courageous.

Posted Jun 24, 2003 at 12:24 PM EST

Headmaster
(Moderator)

Cheeser says:

Just popping in (*pop*) to say thanks for such an awesome ongoing conversation here... As you can see, I had to split up the pages, as it become quickly unmanageable to have all the comments on one page. I hope it makes things easier. Let me know if you like it or if you have any suggestions! :)

Posted Jun 24, 2003 at 12:31 PM EST

Wizard

House: Ravenclaw
Points: 993

Muggle Wizard says:

Amelia P.: When Voldemort said his most loyal was at Hogwarts, I think he was referring to Barty Crouch Jr.

Posted Jun 24, 2003 at 12:34 PM EST

Chief Quibbler Editor

House: Ravenclaw
Points: 2926

The Obsesser says:

yeah... i know... i still can't beleive he's gone... still don't get tha veil thing...

well, about things that are worse that are death... when Lupin told harry about the demetors kiss, he said that was worse than death... but dumbledore doesn't like demdtors...

Posted Jun 24, 2003 at 12:44 PM EST