First Review of Order of the Phoenix, from Chicago Screening (Spoiler Alert)

The Leaky Cauldron ^ | 3/6/2007

[andyssister]

Here is another lengthy editorial that you all might find interesting. The author suggests that Minerva McGonagall is Voldy's "most faithful servant." It's a good one.

[Tanniker Smith]

The one problem with this is the very quote that the editorial starts with. Consider Snape. If Voldemort doesn't consider him to be his most trusted, then he considers him to be either the coward of the traitor. In which case, when Snape reunites with Voldy, why doesn't he either kill or punish him?

Is he stringing Snape along to get some final usefulness out of him?

[andyssister]

when Snape reunites with Voldy, why doesn't he either kill or punish him?

In chapter 2 of HBP (Spinner's End) Snape explains it all to Bellatrix. Somehow he convinced VM that he was still loyal.

Though I don't think Voldy trusts him too much as he has Wormtail living with Snape to keep an eye on him. Or maybe so Snape can keep an eye on Wormtail! :)

[sockmonkey]

Here is another lengthy editorial that you all might find interesting. The author suggests that Minerva McGonagall is Voldy's "most faithful servant."

I always thought that Minerva was outside of the Dursley's so that JKR could set the stage for the reader as to how Harry came to be at the Dursley's. The idea that it was more than that is a new one to me. If it ends up the author of the piece was right, Book 7 is gonna shock a lot of readers.

[Tanniker Smith]

I have had time to think about this....

I listened to the first book on tape, but only about one side before giving up. I was commuting and I had no foreknowledge of the series so I really wasn't paying attention and I knew I wanted to be. And then I didn't read it for a couple of years because of some guys I knew that would only buy the UK edition. I didn't like the fact that it had been altered. (okay, so that was dumb)

Anyway, the cat's first appearance just sounds weird and it's supposed to introduce magic after all. But the first encounter between Dumblemore and McGonnagal did seem a bit strange to hear -- not quite sinister, but something seemed out of sorts. Reading it, I got the same impression. I just figured there to create a false tension before you knew what was happening, or part of the sloppy editing that was done before Rowling had editorial control.

[Tanniker Smith]

That would be a shock. But the reason that I know that Snape is not Bad is because Dumbledore is not a fool. Minerva wouldn't be his second-in-command if she was the most faithful servant of Voldemort. Keeping your enemies close is one thing, but putting her in charge while he's away? I dont think so.

[sockmonkey]

But the reason that I know that Snape is not Bad is because Dumbledore is not a fool.

I know Snape's not bad because in HBP after Trelawney tells Harry that Snape was the person outside her room at the Hogs Head, Harry enters Dumbledore's office in a rage.

Harry now knows that it was Snape who relayed "the prophecy" to Voldemort which resulted in his parents' death. When Harry yells "Snape" at Dumbledore, Fawkes squawks softly. His empathic super phoenix powers recognize Snape as one of the good guys, IMHO.

[andyssister]

I liked the premise of this editorial because I felt really strongly that someone on the inside was helping Draco in book 6 (and it wasn't Snape.)

I don't think it'll pan out though, because if MM turned out to be bad, poor Hermione's head would explode. I don't think JKR would do that to Hermione! :)

[sockmonkey]

I liked the premise of this editorial because I felt really strongly that someone on the inside was helping Draco in book 6

Well, JKR does leave the door ajar for such a shocker since when Snape questioned Draco's ability to achieve success relying upon assistants like Crabbe and Goyle, Draco replies, "I've got other people on my side, better people!"

Snape knows that Bella has tutored Draco in Occlumency, so we might guess that Draco is referring to persons other than Bellatrix.

[onja]

Can't wait! 5th movie (and it actually sounds decent for once) and the final book both within 2-3 weeks. It's kind of nice having the series spread out over a period of 10-12 years. Really cool to see the series I grew up on as a young kid evolve as I'm getting older.