The interview seemed to go very well. I was very pleased when Harry thought that "whatever reaction he received, he would simply have to endure." It's a sign of not only acceptance but a growing comfort level that I think will serve him well in the travails ahead. Therris's resemblance to a ferret cracked me up, btw! And the double-entendresque of this line was almost too much "His throat was clogged as though he’d tried to swallow a whole carrot for a moment. He coughed and forced his way on." and I'm glad I wasn't drinking a beverage at the time or it would have certainly ruined my beloved keyboard!
Ray's letter annoyed me. I think Draco needs to have a nice sit down with him and tell him to grow the frak up. I empathized with some of what he said, but it was the way he said it that really bothered me. It smacked of emotional blackmail (which I abhor) and debts Harry owed that bordered on the preposterous. Quite frankly, I don't feel that that Harry owes anyone (aside from his friends and loved ones) any apologies or explanations. He wasn't being a hypocrite and pulling a Huffington or engaging in anything but almost instinctual self-preservation and to even suggest that what he had done in the past requires any further commitment beyond what he is offering now is beyond the heights of hubris, imo. The brevity of his thought out reply was classic!
I did like the meeting with Caroline. Draco's compassionate concern when he thought that "Harry should only try to do so much, after all. He still wasn’t used to acting on his own yet." brought back those warm and fuzzies and made me want Draco to have a little more faith in Harry. And then he did by mentioning that "You’re more than that ... More than what you did during the war, more than what you did to defeat Voldemort.” I was wondering if/when you'd drop the Dumbledore comparison and it felt right in place with Harry's somewhat cynical assessment of outcast heroes.
Kingsley's effort to have Harry retract his statements pissed me off, as well. But given the climate, I guess it could be expected. As we haven't heard from Ron and Hermione, I know there are even greater fireworks on the horizon. Still the best line of the chapter has to be "“We can’t prevent the stupider things people think of us,” and Harry is right that eventually you have to go on the offense instead of merely reacting. The passion infused in the last scenes was simply remarkable.
I can't wait for the party! I wish I could be there myself ;-}
Re: CotG 34 (aka The Game is Afoot)
Ray's letter annoyed me. I think Draco needs to have a nice sit down with him and tell him to grow the frak up. I empathized with some of what he said, but it was the way he said it that really bothered me. It smacked of emotional blackmail (which I abhor) and debts Harry owed that bordered on the preposterous. Quite frankly, I don't feel that that Harry owes anyone (aside from his friends and loved ones) any apologies or explanations. He wasn't being a hypocrite and pulling a Huffington or engaging in anything but almost instinctual self-preservation and to even suggest that what he had done in the past requires any further commitment beyond what he is offering now is beyond the heights of hubris, imo. The brevity of his thought out reply was classic!
I did like the meeting with Caroline. Draco's compassionate concern when he thought that "Harry should only try to do so much, after all. He still wasn’t used to acting on his own yet." brought back those warm and fuzzies and made me want Draco to have a little more faith in Harry. And then he did by mentioning that "You’re more than that ... More than what you did during the war, more than what you did to defeat Voldemort.” I was wondering if/when you'd drop the Dumbledore comparison and it felt right in place with Harry's somewhat cynical assessment of outcast heroes.
Kingsley's effort to have Harry retract his statements pissed me off, as well. But given the climate, I guess it could be expected. As we haven't heard from Ron and Hermione, I know there are even greater fireworks on the horizon. Still the best line of the chapter has to be "“We can’t prevent the stupider things people think of us,” and Harry is right that eventually you have to go on the offense instead of merely reacting. The passion infused in the last scenes was simply remarkable.
I can't wait for the party! I wish I could be there myself ;-}
Thank you very much!