#[year 4 || goblet of fire]

[thechosengryffindor]

“Is this seat taken?” from @historiavn

Harry glanced up at the source of the question and his eyes narrowing for a moment; trying to discern if she actually wants to sit here or if she's got another agenda; half the school had seemingly made up their minds and admittedly he was feeling sorry for himself...

"Oh um. No, feel free." Harry said with a shrug, "Charms homework?" he questioned.

[crater-1218]

Puberty has as much to do with hair as the 4th Harry Potter movie has to do with the Goblet of Fire

like yeah it’s significant at the beginning but enough to name them after each other?

[thedestinysunknown]

Lego Harry Potter Year 1 - 4 - Year 4:

"Now it's time for the Goblet of Fire and it's one of the best years in this game. There's a good amount of epic moments. We immediately start with a fun level with a lot of action. There's also a big focus on exploration in most levels. When you start doing the main challenges, you will have one of the best levels in the game, aka the dragon one. The underwater level is also really good. The ending is kinda mediocre, sadly."

PS: the gameplay used for this gifset is not mine. The original video belongs to the user: Keyes, on Youtube.

[sophsicle]

okay, hold my drink *hands u cursed ancient goblet full of mead* i gotta talk my shit for a second.

ive been seeing a lot of severus snape love recently. and this is fine, obviously, y'all can love whomever you want. but. i need to rant or i will explode. if we're talking about canon. severus snape spends his adult years, seven books of it in fact, abusing children. and his excuse for this is the girl he loved (tho not enough not to join a group actively trying to exterminate her) fell for the hot jock instead of him (a tragedy indeed, i weep 4 him, i really do). and also she died, which, admittedly is very sad.

it is simply crazy 2 me 2 look at that and think *romance* or *genuine care and affection*. LIKE. fo real. snape calls her a slur in public, apologizes in private, hangs out with dudes who commit hate crimes against her friends (CANONICALLY, she says "you've been hanging out with that douchebag Mulciber, how could you do that after what he did to Mary???" this is not a direct quote but like, it's close enough). lame. loser behaviour.

"Oh but what about regulus" i can hear you say "he loves James potter but snape doesn't love lily???" well. idk. maybe. bit different tho, innit? due to james not being the demographic regulus is attacking (which doesn't make regulus a better person but does make the dynamic between him and james different). ALSO. Regulus chooses to turn against voldemort without hope for anything in return. snape doesn't seem to give a shit about voldemort, he's just sad he's not gonna get to bang lily evans. he switches sides for that reason alone. also doesn't care about what happens to her husband or her son which like. considering lily would be pretty fucking destroyed if they died. once again points to my whole, he doesn't really give a shit about her, theory. lame. loser. behaviour.

also. im sorry. I"M SORRY. but what snape does to neville? to hermione? to harry? gross. a grown ass man out here telling an eleven year old neville he's worthless or hermione she's ugly and annoying. or spilling harry's potion and refusing to grade him for it???????????????

reg and draco are children when we see them at peak suckage and therefore they feel like they can be redeemed much more compellingly (CAN be, not SHOULD be, not HAVE to be, just narratively i think they are easier to turn into interesting, sympathetic characters). but snape? snape grows up into a garbage adult. like he doesn't get better. and again, the only real excuse we're given is his obsession with lily. not very demure. not very cutesy.

ALSO. yall remember that time he got a destitute, struggling Remus Lupin fired from the best job he ever had just because he felt like it? remember that time snape weaponized Remus's lycanthropy and people's prejudice against him just cause. like. literally just cause??? his ego was bruised after the shrieking shack incident so he was like "get wrecked Lupin I'm going to tell everyone your secret so you will be forced back out onto the streets" DO YALL REMEMBER THAT BITCH ASS MOVE????????? THAT HE DID AS A FULL ADULT.

IN CONCLUSION, this is silly and, of course, like i said at the start, everyone can have their own thoughts and feelings about characters, but i simply needed to interject here on behalf of snape haters everywhere because i feel like so much of snape's shitty behaviour as an adult during a time when he was really under no duress and was very safe and cozy, is ignored. and my hater heart just cannot let that stand.

[crimsonfrostx]

A Road Well Traveled (Azriel X Reader)

Part 5

Word Count: 3065 Warnings: Scars, angst, body trauma Part 6 Part 4

You take a shaky breath, the thought of reliving and telling the inner circle your story making your body tremble. But the feeling of Azriel's arms around you, his steady heartbeat against your forehead, gives you a sliver of hope and strength. You could do this. You just needed your family. "We should... go back inside," you breathe out slowly like you're trying to convince yourself.

Azriel nods, his chin still resting on top of your head. "Yes," he murmurs, his arms tightening around you for a moment before he slowly releases you, his hand gently gripping your waist as he leads you back towards the dining room. As the two of you reach the dining room, all eyes turn to you, but no one speaks. Cassian, Rhysand, and Mor, watch you with concern, while Feyre and Elain both look on with curiosity. Nyx was missing, presumably placed back in bed.

The only person who remains unbothered is Nesta, though you suspect that her expression is more out of indifference than anything else. Amren just simply looks expressionless, sipping from a goblet filled with thick scarlet. You blinked at that, having almost forgotten her drinking habits.

Azriel takes his seat, his gaze flickering towards you as you hesitate at the edge of the table. Without speaking, he motions for you to sit, his hand gesturing towards the open chair beside him. You straighten yourself, gliding forward and taking your seat once more in between him and Elain. Rhysand lifts his brow, waiting for an explanation. You sighed and began.

And so, the whole story spills from your lips, in a voice clear and unemotional. You tell them of your departure from the Night Court, your journeys to other Courts and continents you'd been to, and the training you took. You speak of your time away in detail. From your words, they get a sense of the horrors you’ve experienced, and the fact that you have indeed changed, but they hear the loneliness that echoes within you as you describe the long years away from the home you once called family.

The room is hushed, the only sounds coming from the crackle of the fire. 

"And all of this time, you've been dealing with this...power?" Rhysand breaks the silence first, his gaze flicking towards you. You nod slowly, a strange sense of comfort filling you as you get out the things that have haunted you for so long. Azriel is completely still in his seat, having heard things from your in depth explanation that had his mind reeling. "I've been trying to control it. I didn't want to come back until I was sure I wouldn't affect anyone," you continue, feeling your heart ache all over again. "But I couldn't stay away any longer. I heard about some of the things that I missed. I've been trying to get back sooner, but... the anxiety and frustration it's left me with has been making traveling a little harder."

Rhysand's expression softens at your words, his gaze flickering to Azriel. "And you never had any help controlling it?" he asks gently, his concern for you showing. You lift your shoulders slightly in a shrug. "I've tried to find out more about it. Where it came from, if anyone else has ever had this power. I haven't found much, and I haven't come across anyone who doesn't become affected by me sooner or later."

Mor taps a manicured nail against the table, her gaze sharp and calculating. "How have you managed when you're out there all alone?" she asks, her voice filled with curiosity tinged with concern. You dip your head feeling their gazes on you. "It... was difficult," you say carefully.

Rhysand leans forward, his expression hardening. "Difficult how?" he pressed, his eyes scanning your face. You sigh, head lifting to scan their faces.

Cassian leans back in his chair, his gaze sharp and unwavering, his hand clenching on his knee. Mor's brows are furrowed, her usual carefree demeanor replaced with a look of seriousness you've only seen a few times. Feyre leans into Rhysand, her gaze glued to you, while Elain's hands are clasped in her lap, her face pinched in concern. Nesta looks mildly interested, though you suspect she's listening intently. Azriel is the only one who looks as he always has, though the only thing that betrays his indifference is the way his fists are clenched in his lap, his knuckles white. Amren… remains Amren.

"I don't want to talk about it, Rhys," you try to keep your voice steady.

Rhysand eyes you intently, his gaze flickering to the others around the table before returning to you. "I think you need to," he replies firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument.

You look like you want to argue. You don't see the use of this conversation. What was the point? You breathe in deeply, trying to control the current of emotions beginning to burn you from the inside. "It won't change anything," you point out softly.

Azriel's eyes narrow. "It will," he chimes in, his voice firm. "We need to know how to help you. We need to know what you've been going through." You grit your teeth, deciding that Azriel was now officially a traitor. "I affect everything and everyone," you mutter, clenching your hands into fists in your lap. "I found out the hard way."

Azriel’s gaze flickers, his jaw clenching as he considers your words. "What do you mean, you found out the hard way?" he presses gently, his expression darkening.

You hated this. Closing your eyes, you have to remind yourself that your family was just worried and curious. They didn't mean harm. Azriel didn't know the hurt he was asking you to relive. "I mean," you start slowly, eyes opening to stare down at the table, "that even animals and creatures can get pissed off and agitated by me."

Understanding seems to register in Azriel’s gaze, his expression hardening. The others look at you with a mixture of pity and shock, but stay silent, waiting for you to continue your story. "I tried getting away from civilization, thinking it would be safer for everyone if I just... disappeared into the forests. One wrong nightmare later, and I found myself being mauled by anything with claws close by."

Rhysand's eyes widen, a look of horror flashing in his expression. "Mauled... by what?" he asks, his voice hoarse with concern.

You physically shudder, the images flashing behind your eyes. "A few different things," you grit out, standing slowly, hand raising the material of your shirt, your other hand pushing the band of your pants down slightly. Large, ragged scars crossed your torso and disappeared down your hip, various lengths and widths. But all of them were clearly made by multiple sets of claws, your body having been shredded viciously.

Azriel's gaze lands on the scars, his eyes widening in horror. His gaze travels over the numerous scars, taking in the extent of what you've been through. He clenches his hands into fists, his body trembling with emotion.

Mor and Feyre cover their mouths, their eyes wide in horror. The table is deathly silent as they take in the extent of the trauma your body has endured. You fix your clothes, eyes distant and feeling numb, sitting back down. "I know it's not a meal friendly show and tell," you offered over a humorless chuckle.

Silence fills the room once more as the weight of your words and the horror of your experience sinks in. Everyone is clearly affected, their faces filled with shock and disbelief. After a moment, Azriel, who looks as if he's fighting the urge to be sick, finally speaks. "How did you..." he starts but can't seem to finish the sentence.

"How did I get away? How did I survive?" You finished for him, knowing that's what they were all thinking. "I didn't get away. My fear began affecting them too, and they ran, leaving me shredded and dying."

Azriel flinches as the words leave your lips, his heart clenching painfully in his chest. The thought of you alone and injured, bleeding out in the middle of nowhere, sends his heart plunging.

The table is eerily silent again as everyone grapples with what you've said. The image of your body, left to bleed out in the dark, is too much to handle. It's too much to imagine you laying there and suffering, alone and scared, dying a slow, painful death. The ones you know the best are horrified. Rhysand, Cassian, and Mor look pale, and even Amren had frowned, her silvery eyes still locked on where your scars were now covered.

You pick up your drink and down it in one go, not meeting anyone's gaze. Mor eventually breaks the silence, her voice coming out quietly behind her own drink. "...What happened after that?"

You shrug, acting indifferent to hide the tremors that had started, the edge of your power flicking up, anxiety, unease, and fear beginning to spill from you. "I laid there for over two days. Someone eventually came across me, patched me up the best they could."

Azriel’s jaw clenches at the thought of you laying there injured and alone for two days with no hopes of help ever coming. He can feel your emotions beginning to spill over and he forces himself to relax, his breathing slow and steady in an attempt to combat your feelings.

"You're lucky to be alive after that," Rhysand says quietly, his gaze flickering over your trembling form. You nod slowly, eyes drifting over their faces before blankly looking at the table. "Yeah... lucky." You murmur, placing your empty glass back down. "I think I need to rest. Could you ward my old room?" You ask Rhysand without looking his way.

Rhysand clears his throat, glancing at Azriel, a tight nod following. "Of course," he replies gently, "and if you need it, I'll even put wards around the common rooms." You just nod, knowing that Azriel was probably communicating silently with him.

Rhysand stands, excusing himself from the table and disappearing down the hallway. Azriel's eyes follow him and then land back on you, his expression softening. "I'm going to walk you to your room,"he murmurs gently, his gaze flickering over your face.

Another slow nod, like all of your energy has just left you. You didn't want them to know the worst of it. Didn't want them to see you broken and bare, but now maybe they'll understand the danger of this power. The things it can make people and creatures do. You wait a few moments, blocking out the rest of the table and their eyes full of pity. Even Cassian has his head turned away, trying and failing to school his expression to something other than horror. Maybe it was disgust. You finally stand, carefully maneuvering out of the dining room without a word, moving to grab your bag by the front door.

Azriel immediately stands and follows you, catching up with several long strides. He silently grabs the bag from your hand, tossing it over one of his shoulders like it weighed next to nothing. The walk to your bedroom is quiet, the two of you both lost in your own thoughts. You take the stairs slowly, hand on the rail to guide yourself up. Reaching the top, you catch Rhysand slipping out of your room from down the hall, having just finished warding.

Rhysand pauses in his steps, his gaze flickering between the two of you. He doesn't speak, just looks at the way Azriel stands beside you, so close your shoulders are almost touching. But Azriel's gaze is locked forward, his focus on nothing else but the door in front of him that leads to your bedroom.

Rhysand lets his gaze linger for a few moments, his expression softening slightly as he watches you both. He eventually makes his way down the stairs, disappearing from view towards the rest of the group downstairs.

Azriel gently pushes open the door to your old bedroom, setting your bag down next to it, before following you in. Despite the lack of use, the room is clean and neat, bed and furniture still intact. Azriel glances at the walls, seeing the faint glow of Rhysand's wards.

You glance around, heart clenching at the fact that it remains untouched. "I hope it works," you say softly, eying the glow of the wards.

Azriel watches you take in the room, a small frown tugging at his brow. His gaze lands on your own, taking in your expression. "If it doesn't, we'll figure something else out," he replies, the words leaving his mouth in a soft, determined tone. 

You watch him silently for a moment, tilting your head to the side like you’re analyzing him.

Azriel raises a brow, his eyes roaming over your face, taking in the careful mask you’re placing on your expression. He crosses his arms, shifting on the balls of his feet. “What are you doing?” he asks, keeping his tone gently to not disturb the silence in the room.

"Wondering where this optimistic version of you came from," you mused quietly, the pain was still in your eyes though not nearly as prominent now that they were alone.

Azriel’s expression softens at your words, his own eyes looking you over. He takes a step closer, close enough to reach out and touch you if he could. “This version of me is always here,” he replied quietly, “usually you have to pay attention to see him.”

Your lips quirk up into a small, sad smile. "Bold of you to assume that I have never not paid attention to you."

He takes another step closer, his expression turning into one of seriousness, his gaze roaming over you. "Really? I recall quite a few missions where you blatantly ignored me." He takes yet another step, his body mere inches away.

You raise your hands, setting them against his chest, feeling the muscles flex slightly to adjust to your touch. "I'm very good at acting," you counter, his proximity making your heart race. Azriel bows his head down, lips lifting up into a slow smile.

“You think you’ve been the only one ‘acting’?” he asks lowly, hands coming up and resting gently on your hips. You gaze up at him, your breath catching your throat. "What do you mean?"

He pulls you flush against him, not answering you immediately, relishing in the way your breath hitches. He drops his gaze towards your face, taking you in. His gaze flicks over your lips, studying them like he wants to memorize them. His hands gently grip your hips tighter, as if trying to keep you from disappearing. He murmurs softly, "Are you telling me you truly didn't know I was always paying attention to every little detail about you?”

You take a deep, shuddery breath, attempting to keep it together under his gaze and touch. His nearness made your heart thunder and your mind grow light and dizzy. "I-" you try to speak but the words seem to get stuck. How do you tell him that you had noticed how he would pay attention to you, would sit right next to you during meetings or training, and would gravitate toward you in any room. You always had hoped for more than his friendship, but had seen his eyes on Mor on more than one occasion. You settled for keeping him as a friend, and thought for sure he’d despise you for leaving.

He squeezes your hips gently and his gaze flicks over your features, trying to read every expression in your eyes, every tremble. "It drove me to madness how I could never get you out of my mind. How I tried to forget the way your laugh sounded. The smell of you - wildflowers and rain..." He leans in, his nose nuzzling against your neck, inhaling slowly.

"Az," it's a broken, pleading sound that stops him, your hands shaking against his chest.

Azriel freezes, your voice breaking through the fog of wanting you. He takes a small, reluctant step back, his own body trembling. "I-" he starts, his eyes roaming your features, desperately trying to figure out what's going on in your head. What made you pull away from him when he had been so close to taking what he had always wanted. What he thought you had wanted.

"I can't do this," you say softly, your voice breaking. You turn away from him, pacing to the other side of the room. 

Azriel watches you, his eyes wide as you distance yourself from him. His hands fist at his side, wanting to grab you and pull you back to him. "Why?" he asks quietly, his voice strained.

You turn back around and look at him. "Because! Because I have been away for seventy six years! I haven't seen anyone from this family, the only people I can trust in the world, in that entire time. You have no idea how alone and scared I was out there. And now, I am completely terrified that I'm going to kill someone because of this power. I'm absolutely scared to death that I will lose you forever. My control is so close to slipping all of the time. I can't add you to that. I won't." You suck in a sharp breath, looking devastated. "I don't even know if this is you, or if this is my emotions affecting you."

Azriel's shoulders drop, his gaze pained and shattered, but filled with more emotions than you have ever seen before. Anger, pain, confusion, and fear. But also affection, desire, want. "You really don't know if this is me or emotions you've affected me with," he nearly scoffs, his voice a hoarse whisper.

You nearly flinch, your eyes watering, as you try to breathe through it. "I... I don't. I'm sorry," you whisper back weakly.

Azriel's throat tightens as he sees the tears in your eyes, and he turns, crossing the room, stopping at your door. He glances over his shoulder to speak, his voice low and gruff, his shadows swirling around him like they were agitated. "Get some rest. We will speak in the morning." He murmurs without looking at you again and slips out the door, closing it softly behind him, leaving you alone with your thoughts.

Tag list:

rcarbo1 zanaorian tiffany-xx goofygoeber annamariereads16 suppppp97 chaosabroad dallynjennasgirl

[luminarystag]

Harry Potter, the “Perfect Victim” mentality, and the fandom’s treatment of him in Order of the Phoenix

“Harry is an asshole in Order of the Phoenix!”

“Harry is so unlikable in book 5.”

“My enjoyment of Order of the Phoenix was killed by Harry’s attitude.”

Odds are that if you are part of the Harry Potter fandom, you’ve seen a version of these sentiments echoed many times. A large part of the fanbase seems to hate Harry in this one book, even going as far as ranking this book last in book rankings because they can’t stand his “attitude”

But in this book, Harry is suffering from severe C-PTSD. He meets all of the diagnostic criteria, and it’s clear that he’s struggling immensely throughout this book. But there seems to be a lack of empathy for Harry in this book. Why?

The “Perfect Victim” Mentality

For those who do not know, the “perfect victim” is a mentality where people seem to only believe and/or empathize with victims of trauma if the person is a “perfect victim.”

But what is a “perfect victim”? Since we will be focusing on the treatment of Harry after his trauma, I’ll be focusing on the perfect victim mentality post trauma

A “perfect victim’s” trauma isn’t visible from the outside, and if it is, it only results in the victim crying and having nightmares. All of their trauma just results in them being sad and anxious after their trauma. All of the messy parts of PTSD are not present

Harry is not a perfect victim

As you can tell from the description above, Harry is not a perfect victim (because no one is). Harry gets angry and screams at his friends. He becomes hyper vigilante; always ready to pull his wand out and fight to defend himself. He keeps his wand tightly in his hand around Snape or Malfoy. His PTSD is what actual PTSD looks like, not the “acceptable” trauma response looks like

There is definitely an empathy gap between Goblet of Fire (when Harry gets his trauma) to Order of the Phoenix. Because honestly, in Goblet of Fire, one could argue Harry was a perfect victim. He is weaker than Voldemort, he was vulnerable, he fought back, he reported it immediately. That fits the criteria for perfect victim when the trauma actually happens. Yes, in universe by Fudge he’s not a victim at all for specific reasons, but we, as the audience that actually saw what happened, he comes across a perfect victim

Even in Goblet of Fire afterwards, Harry is still a perfect victim post-graveyard. His trauma results in him being sad and distant for the rest of the school year. As I stated above, that is the perfect victim’s response to trauma

This is why the audience has no trouble feeling empathy for Harry at the end of book 4. He was a child who got kidnapped, watched someone be killed and tortured by someone much older, stronger and more powerful than him. He tells someone (Dumbledore) what happened as soon as he got back. And then he spends the small amount of time at Hogwarts being sad and disassociating. What happened to him, and his response, is easy to digest, so everyone feels bad for him

But then in Order of the Phoenix, when the PTSD truly sets in, Harry is no longer a perfect victim. He gets angry and lashes out, at Dudley at first, then Ron and Hermione later, and then Dumbledore way later. He is ready to defend himself at all times, thinking about cursing Dudley, clutching his wand in Potions, etc. Suddenly, the messy parts of his PTSD rise to the surface

The fandom’s treatment of Harry in Order of the Phoenix

This causes the fandom to say all kinds of things about OOTP: That Harry is cold, Harry is a bully to Ron and Hermione, Harry is unsympathtic

The fandom’s treatment of him does a 180 compared to Goblet of Fire, because his trauma is no longer digestible. He is no longer a perfect victim, so he no longer gets empathy

I think this plays into why people say they like the movie more. In the movie, Harry stays a perfect victim. The movies remove him screaming at Ron and Hermione, remove his anger and jumpiness, remove him destroying Dumbledore’s office. He is just sad and distant. The movie’s were afraid to show just how deep Harry’s PTSD is in favor of the perfect victim narrative and in turn, people prefer the movie

The most disturbing thing about this is the implication behind it. If people can’t even have empathy for a fictional child, who is the main character of the most beloved children’s series of all time, who got kidnapped and tortured, what does that say about their response to real people who have trauma?

[stolenheartchronicles]

Here's what, in my opinion, constitutes a GOOD Dramione fanfiction.

1. Hermoine Granger being an unapologetic BAMF. Genius level intellect, resourceful, exceptional strategist, ruthless, even dangerous.

2. Draco being/having been a cruel bully.

3. Hermoine being/having been one of the few people who aren't intimidated by him at all. She needs to put him in his fucking place. Or needs to have done so in the past.

4. Draco being brilliant and highly competent in his own right.

5. Draco's redemption being brought about by his curiosity regarding Muggles, his innate morality causing him to understand that what his family is doing is wrong.

6. Draco's redemption NOT being a result of his attraction towards Hermione. His fascination with her can be among the things that spur his change of heart, but it should not be the primary reason.

7. Hermoine should not be allowe herself to give Draco a chance just because he's hot. She can find him attractive, but should give him the time of day only AFTER she starts noticing small changes in his attitude.

8. If the story is set several years after thr war, Draco should have already overcome his prejudices, and should be genuinely remorseful.

9. Draco understanding Hermione in ways that Ron and Harry cannot. Making her feel appreciated in ways that no one else has.

9. Ron bashing, if done at all, should be based on things that are true to canon. For example, Ron is sometimes selfish and insensitive towards Hermione, but he would never physically hurt her.

10. Draco's relationship with Harry and Ron developing slowly and organically. They don't become friends quickly, but they also don't remain bitter enemies at the end. At the very least, their equation should be one of mutual respect, if not an actual friendship.

A few fanfics that meet these criteria.

1. The Disappearances of Draco Malfoy (Deathly Hallows rewrite. Draco joins the Order and helps hunt Horcruxes.)

2. From Wiltshire with love (Deathly Hallows rewrite. Spy Draco, Handler Hermione)

3. Metanoia (series rewrite from Goblet of Fire)

4. Harmonia Nectere Passus (HBP and Deathly Hallows rewrite. A two parter)

5. Remain Nameless (set ten years after the war. Both Draco and Hermione are still healing from their trauma, and find comfort in each other.)

6. Draco Malfoy and the mortifying ordeal of being in love (set fifteen years after the war. Is everything a romance novel should be)

7. The choices we make (HBP and DH rewrite)

8. Escape (Draco helps Hermione escape Malfoy Manor and joins the Horcrux hunt)

9. Perfectly in Pieces (DH rewrite)

10. Chosen (HBP and DH rewrite)

[sevinagreatergood]

Why do people find it great to compare Severus and James? My honest reaction.

because he is just a strict teacher. you're placing a classist, entitled, rich brat with a group of 4 ganging up on 1 student for being a poor Slytherin, on the same scale as a man who DID NOT want to teach and hated Hogwarts for all it's bad memories.

You have compare equally. Snape is a bad teacher? alright. Can't complain there. ⭐Excuse 2: He bullied kids + ⭐Excuse 3: He was Neville's greatest fear.

Now, originally I think the whole teachers thing was meant as a form of comedy. No real insight. But since fans, snaters want to nitpick. So will I then. Three students suffered under Snape's "bullying". Neville, harry and Hermione.

Let's start with Neville:

- Neville was scared of everything. So Snape who is already distant than other teachers + ominous rumours surrounding him + having one of the hardest if not hardest subject to teach + failing his class so effortlessly = outstanding fear factors.

- Neville never met the de that tortured his parents before that certain boggart class. Only after the boggart class.

- Snape can't help it if a kid gets in his class scared beforehand. Neither can he help it if students create ominous rumours around him. Nor can he help it if he teaches the hardest class. All of those are fear factors.

- If I were next to Neville, who melted a whole ass pot on day 1 and I got burned. I'd be damned if he got away with a slap on the wrist. He should've gotten detention. Melting a whole pot is a unique skill.

Harry: guy forgave him. No need to pull him into this anymore.

But sure, some fans aren't satisfied with that. Well harry found him suspicious on day 1, breaking the rules over and over while Albus rewards such behavior by handing Gryffindor the points. Snape has to keep THAT child safe. Meanwhile that child is running around into the most dangerous situation one after the other

But Snape still threw himself in harm's way to keep that kid safe. Harry saw his own dad and sided with the person he hated without a second thought. Calling Snape the bravest man for a reason.

Hermione: her comment on ther teeth was mean. She changed it too, but her attitude against Snape didn't lessen either. She stuck to being a know it all so ignoring Snape's comments and even came to trust him.

Snape even corrects a painting that calls her a mudblood. That alone should be enough.

Result: now I know what fans already will say.

"So blame the kid" and anything along those lines. Alright, nitpickers. Let's not be cherry pickers then. Do you hate other teachers then? Do you hate these teachers?

other teachers:

Rubeus Hagrid

Introducing Dangerous Creatures in Care of Magical Creatures:

In Prisoner of Azkaban, Hagrid introduced Hippogriffs to third-year students without proper caution, resulting in Draco Malfoy being injured and causing Hagrid significant trouble. Even though hipogriffs are dangerous and unstable creatures that live off of being treated high and mighty. Students, especially teens would have a hard time grapsing that. In the end almost killing Draco.

Overestimating Students' Abilities:

Hagrid frequently introduced students to creatures beyond their skill level, such as Blast-Ended Skrewts (Goblet of Fire), which were uncontrollable and posed a risk to students.

Exposing Harry, Hermione, and Ron to Grawp:

In Order of the Phoenix, Hagrid led Harry, Hermione, and Ron to meet Grawp, his half-giant brother, without considering the danger involved or the ethical implications of involving them.

Drunken Behavior in Front of Students:

Hagrid was often drunk at inappropriate times, such as in Goblet of Fire during the Yule Ball and in Half-Blood Prince when mourning Aragog, which sometimes affected his ability to interact responsibly with students.

Negative generalization:

Hagrid tells Harry (before the boy even is in Hogwarts) that all Slytherins are evil. "There is not a single witch or wizard who went bad who wasn't in Slytherin"

Horace Slughorn

Favoritism:

Slughorn showed blatant favoritism toward students he considered talented or famous, such as Harry, Hermione, and Ginny, while ignoring or undervaluing others, which could demoralize less favored students. Indirectly snuffing out possibilities of other kids.

Encouraging Risky Behavior:

In Half-Blood Prince, he hosted parties and gatherings where he provided opportunities for students to drink alcoholic mead, such as at the Christmas party, creating an inappropriate environment for minors.

Manipulating Harry for His Own Prestige:

Slughorn sought to associate with Harry Potter primarily for personal gain and to boost his own image by being connected to the famous Boy Who Lived.

Minerva Mcgonigall

Sending Students to Dangerous Detentions:

While McGonagall did not directly send students to the Forbidden Forest in Philosopher’s Stone, she approved their punishment. The detention involved following trails of unicorn blood, a task far too dangerous for first-years.

Endangering Students by Recruiting Harry for Quidditch:

In Philosopher's Stone, McGonagall recruited Harry Potter as Seeker for the Gryffindor Quidditch team after seeing his flying skills during an incident with Draco Malfoy. While it was a great opportunity for Harry, it also placed an eleven-year-old in a highly competitive and dangerous environment. A child that never heard or played Quidditch before.

Emotional manipulation:

While scouting Harry for Quidditch, she deliberately told him (an orphan that yearned for a connection to his parents) he was so much like his father for that Quidditch talent to sway his choice into joining

Hates losing:

Is prepared to bend and break school law to scout a 1st year into joining Quidditch. A sport he never saw or heard of before, simply because she couldn't face Snape after a previous match. In other words, is prepared to do a lot simply because she hates losing

Endangering Neville:

She let Neville sleep outside the Gryffindor room with a killer on the loose. Fully aware, the killer was aiming for Hogwarts.

Remus Lupin

Endangering student:

By not taking the one potion he got from Severus Snape, who by the way, made it for free for him. A potion that kept him sane after the transformation to a lycan. Aka, Remus no bitey bitey people or Remus no killey killey people.

Being snarky and sacrificing life and limb to keep those student safe vs being nice and actually almost killing kids, my choice is pretty clear. Sure, this could be nitpicking but some fans nitpick Snape too. How do we like nitpicking now?

Comparing James and Severus is like comparing a slave to a king. It's not fair at all. Realize that. And those that say "Snape gave it as good as he got" are simply incapable of understanding human emotions. Because did Snape win even once even though he gave it as good as he got? No. We only see Snape suffering from a 4 vs 1.

To the people that say "Remus wasn't part of it so it's 3 vs 1". Be more thoughtful for once. Use that thing between your ears. Remus is a prefect, he was given that position to keep James and Sirius in line. Did he do that? Yes or no? No. In fact, he later reveals that he also helped James and Sirius keep the abuse of Snape under the cover when James STILL bullied Snape after he got Lily. If 3 beat up a kid, you watch but have the authority to snitch but don't, you're just as responsible. Making it a 1 vs 4 by default.

Which leads me to the next point. None of the marauders changed. Using Lily as a guidance (so James changed caus Lily married him) is mysoginistic af. Women can make faults too. Sirius still calls Snape Snivellus and he was like a mirror of James. Don't excuse that because he spent 13yrs in prison, otherwise you can excuse Snape too. A man whose worst memory is James. A memory so full of grief and fear, more than war and espionage that Snape witnessed. Excuse both then.

And people that say "1 vs 4 is a rivalry". Please. If you played in court with 4 vs 1, and the 4 players won often. Is that equal? No. It's ridiculous. That you have 4 enemies and win from an individual enemy? Sure. That can exist. But if your 4 enemies constantly gang up on you and you lose, it clearly isnt a rivalry.

Also, they blocked me. Loser 🤣

[thechosengryffindor]

Harry's eyes snapped to attention when he heard his name, the question catching him off guard. He didn't know what to make of Agatha, but she was one of the few that seemingly hadn't made made up their minds that he was some spoiled... glory hungry child.

"You don't shy away from the big questions, do you?" he asked before chuckling and and letting the question simmer in his brain. "I don't think there's a right answer." he confessed, thinking back to his last three years at school.

"But for the most part I've seen people have wickedness thrust upon them... and succumb to it." A chuckle escapes him, "So I guess that's what I think, even though I'm not sure it's thje right answer.

@thechosengryffindor sent 🎁 for a Spotify wrapped starter ( agatha )

SONG: No One Mourns the Wicked (Wicked)

“Say, Potter —” Agatha began, studying the fourth Champion through furrowed brows. He was an enigma to her, and she was certain that all the other students currently attending Shiz, Durmstrang, Beauxbatons, and Hogwarts felt the same way. “—if you have a minute, would you indulge my curiosity? There’s a certain philosophical debate amongst my students at Shiz, and I’m curious to hear your thoughts.”

“Do you think that people are born wicked, or do you think they have wickedness thrust upon them?”

[mister-snape]

Severus Snape’s Speech Characteristics Across the Harry Potter Series (Part 6)

Evolution of Snape’s Speech Over the Series

Across the seven books, Snape’s core speaking style remains largely consistent – he is always the cold, sarcastic professor in the eyes of Harry and others. However, readers do observe some evolution or at least different facets of Snape’s speech as more of his character is revealed. In the earlier books (1–3), Snape’s dialogue is mostly confined to the classroom and short hostile exchanges. Here, he appears purely as an antagonistic teacher: deducting points with clipped comments, insulting students’ competence, and maintaining a frosty politeness with colleagues. For example, in Philosopher’s Stone and Chamber of Secrets, his lines are typically along the lines of “Turn to page 394”, “I see no difference” (when mocking Hermione’s teeth in Goblet of Fire), or “Five points from Gryffindor.” These show a static cruelty and strictness. There isn’t much change because at this stage Snape is a somewhat flat figure of authority from Harry’s perspective. His speech serves to reinforce that image.

As the series progresses (Books 4–6), Snape gets more dialogue in varied situations – interactions with other professors, with the Order of the Phoenix, with Death Eaters – and we see subtle shifts. In Order of the Phoenix, for instance, Snape’s role expands due to Harry’s Occlumency lessons. In those lessons, Snape’s speech is even more personal and biting: he digs into Harry with psychologically taunting remarks (“Fools who wear their hearts proudly on their sleeves, who cannot control their emotions…”), which is a bit of a self-description as well as advice. Here we see Snape’s tone with an edge of frustration, not just routine sarcasm. We also witness a loss of composure when Harry peeks into Snape’s memories; Snape’s furious reaction (“Get out!” he bellowed) is far more emotionally charged than anything he’s said in earlier books. This indicates an evolution from controlled disdain to open anger when pushed. In Half-Blood Prince, Snape finally becomes Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and also has secret dealings (Spinner’s End, the Unbreakable Vow). In his conversation with Narcissa and Bellatrix (Spinner’s End, Book 6), Snape’s speech is at its most duplicitous and carefully measured – he’s convincing Bellatrix of his loyalty with smooth, calculated answers. The content is different (he’s not insulting anyone in that scene; he’s defending his own actions), but the style – smooth, calm, a touch of scorn towards Bellatrix’s doubts – remains very Snape. By the end of Half-Blood Prince, during the confrontation outside Hogwarts, Snape’s facade cracks again under extreme circumstances (Harry attacking him, calling him a coward). At that point, we hear him shouting, insulting James Potter (“your father would have…”) – a glimpse of old resentments surfacing. This progression shows Snape’s speech pattern expanding from a one-dimensional cruel teacher to a more complex figure whose anger and bitterness sometimes override his cool mask.

By Deathly Hallows, Snape is a more mysterious figure (for most of the book he’s seen from afar as Hogwarts Headmaster), so we have less direct dialogue until “The Prince’s Tale” memories. In those final memories, spanning years, we hear Snape in various moods – desperate, devastated, determined. Notably, his speech with Dumbledore in the memories is different from his classroom snark: he’s frank and even vulnerable. The famous one-word “Always.” is emblematic of how much his tone changed when talking about Lily – it’s heartfelt, devoid of sarcasm. His very last spoken words in life – “Look at me.” – said to Harry as Snape is dying, are soft, pleading and utterly devoid of the usual bite. This is a dramatic departure from the Snape who barked orders at Harry in earlier books. It suggests that in his final moments, Snape’s true voice (stripped of bitterness) emerges, however briefly. In conclusion, while Snape’s public persona and speech style remain steady (formal, caustic, controlled) throughout the series, readers witness layers peeling back in extraordinary moments. We come to understand that the consistent harshness of his speech was, in part, a front – and in rare instances, his words could be genuinely earnest and laden with hidden emotion.

to be continued...

[thechosengryffindor]

Tag drop since im trying to be professional.

[askereiniongilgalad]

🎶 “Tunes of the Crown” 🎶

Managing the Noldor? It's a full-time balancing act. Between Galadriel’s messes, Elrond feeling more dwarvish than elvish, and Celebrimbor’s questionable choice of guests, my life swings between a symphony and a tragic opera—depending on who’s causing trouble that day. 🔥

Here are my top picks:

• “Manic Monday” – Because, let’s be real, every day in Lindon is Monday.

• “I’m Still Standing” – Somehow. Against all odds. Barely.

• “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” – Except when they actually have to do the work. (Looking at you, Elrond.)

🎧 Grab a goblet of wine 🍷, press play, and bask in my highly kingly vibe. If nothing else, this playlist proves that even under stress, I’ve got rhythm—and style. 👑✨ And oh yes, there are more playlists. I’ll explain… eventually. 🎶 A special thanks to @marshmellin and @greenleaf4stuff who inspired me to share this with you. 🙌✨ ---------------------------------------------------------- The complete list

1. “Manic Monday” – The Bangles Every day is filled with meetings, decisions, and fires (literal and metaphorical).

2. “I’m Still Standing” – Elton John Surviving Galadriel, Elrond and Celebrimbor

3. “Under Pressure” – Queen & David Bowie Being High King is 90% stress, 10% actual ruling. And no, the 10% isn’t the fun part.

4. “Shake It Off” – Taylor Swift Galadriel storms into my office on daily basis; Elrond insists he ‘has a plan.’ I laugh. What else can you do?

5. “Boss Bitch” – Doja Cat Let’s be honest: I am the boss.

6. “Take a Bow” – Madonna After saving Middle-earth again, you’d think I’d get a standing ovation. Instead, I get more paperwork.

7. “The Climb” – Miley Cyrus Leadership is a constant uphill battle. Good thing I’m great at it.

8. “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” – Tears for Fears Until they meet their first dwarf king or Galadriel in a bad mood. 9. “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” – Green Day Even kings get reflective. Usually around the third goblet.

10. “All Star” – Smash Mouth Let’s be real: Middle-earth would fall apart without me. MVP, every year, without fail.

11. “Survivor” – Destiny’s Child Holding Lindon together, one crisis at a time.

12. “You Can’t Hurry Love” – The Supremes Elrond, take note: Leadership takes time. Also, stop inching toward the door. (credit to mashmellin)

13. “Viva La Vida” – Coldplay Reflecting on my legacy. And the chaos. Mostly the chaos.

14. “9 to 5” – Dolly Parton If only ruling were 9 to 5. Try 24/7. With overtime. And no pay raise in millennia.

15. “No Time to Die” – Billie Ellish My duty doesn’t end, even when I do, and even then, I’m sure I’ll get a posthumous task list. 16. "This One's for the girls ” – Martina McBride @marshmellin addition to this list <3 17. “Golden Leaves” – Bear McCreary (feat. the mortal pretending to be me) Every king needs his anthem 👑🍂✨

[sidlottedream]

The Path back to Love_

_Athos x Ninon

_fanfiction_part 4

*

@sassywren

"Fais de beaux rêves, ma cherié," Ninon tucked her daughter Aimée and gave her a tiny kiss on the forehead. The girl half-lided nodded replying that she'd dream of a houle Alix and the heroic musketeer. Ninon curled up a smile and adjusted the blanket.

Returning to the living-dining room, she found Athos still seated at the table, a half-empty goblet of wine in his hand. The firelight danced in his weary eyes, highlighting the lines etched by years of service to the King and country. He thanked her for the supper, a simple stew that smelled faintly of thyme and rosemary.

Ninon, ever graceful, added another log to the fire, its warmth mirroring the hesitant comfort arising in the room. She joined him at the table as she poured herself some water in a cup.

The revelation of Aimée's paternity, concealed for so long, now hung between them, a fragile secret finally brought into the light earlier that evening. "I wanted to send word about Aimée, to let you know that you had a daughter," Ninon began, her voice soft, "but something always held me back. I can't explain it." A flicker of apprehension crossed her features, mirroring the unspoken anxieties that clung to the edges of their quiet contentment. Athos, his hand resting on the worn wood of the table, met her gaze with understanding.

Ninon continued, "Armand told me that it was you who had sent money for the school -not immediately, but...I had suspected it was you anyway."

Athos let out a small sigh, the sound barely audible above the crackling fire. He knew the weight of unspoken secrets, the burden of a past that clung like a shadow. "I had to do something… I felt guilty… everything that had happened with Richelieu and his theft of your money, stripping you of your life… it was unjust to say the least." "I had to do something," he said, a hint of self-reproach in his voice.

"Athos – please don't," Ninon said softly, reaching across the table to gently touch his hand. Her fingers, slender and elegant, lingered for a moment. "You saved my life. And you gave me Aimée. She made everything bearable." Her eyes, the color of a summer sky, shone with an unexpected fierceness. "She has your spirit," Ninon continued, a hint of pride, perhaps even a touch of awe in her voice. "She has the same spirit as you," she added, a hint of amusement in her tone. "Adventurous, to say the least. Already planning an expedition to the nearby woods to find a particularly rare wildflower.” Athos chuckled, a deep rumble in his chest, the weight of his past momentarily forgotten in the presence of this remarkable woman and their extraordinary daughter sleeping serenly in the other room.

"I want to recognize Aimée officially as my daughter," he stated, his voice low but firm. The quiet of the evening amplified the weight of his words, leaving Ninon speechless for a second. Her carefully constructed lie, the tale of Aimée’s father being a phantom soldier that had died in an accident, was about to crumble. Deep down in heart she had always known this moment might come, the precarious balance of her secret threatening to topple.

Athos, ever the pragmatist, anticipated her shock. He sighed, the sound heavy with the weight of years and unspoken emotions. "I know this is unexpected," he continued, his gaze unwavering, "and I understand your reservations about marriage. I've not forgotten how you feel about it. What I propose is -a contract between two people- a legal recognition of Aimée’s parentage. For her sake, I offer this. Please consider it." His words held a sincerity that pierced the silence.

Ninon's gulp was almost audible, a testament to the internal turmoil wrestling within her. Faced with this unexpected offer of stability and legality, found her carefully built world unraveling. The phantom husband, a convenient fiction she had manufactured to shield Aimée from the village's judgment, was always something that stood on shaky grounds. Athos’ proposition, while unconventional, offered a lifeline – a way to ensure Aimée's future without exposing the truth entirely. The contract, a novel solution, allowed her a way out without complete disgrace. As she looked into Athos' determined eyes, she saw a promise of protection, for Aimée.

The practicality of the proposal, the assured security it offered her daughter, outweighed her own personal misgivings. But she was aware that there must be a stronger legal bond.

"I will marry you." she suddenly said.

Her response surprised him, even as it confirmed his own shrewd assessment of the situation. The village gossip mill was a relentless beast, and Ninon, a respected schoolteacher, understood the power of appearances.

Her reply of sorts delivered with quiet determination, shifted the power dynamic in the room. Marriage, a concept she had once vehemently rejected, was now a tactical maneuver, a shield against societal judgment and a path to secure Aimée’s future. It offered a far more palatable public image than a simple legal contract, an image that would protect her reputation and her daughter's standing within the small, tightly-knit community. Athos' heart stirred, a flicker of something akin to hope, but he carefully masked it, his expression remaining stoic as he contemplated her words. He had anticipated a battle of wills, a negotiation steeped in stubborn pride, but something completely different transpired.

"Very well," he said, his voice low and resonant. "Shall we proceed with the arrangements as soon as you deem it fit."

There was still one more thing she needed to put to rest. It was an evening where old wounds, long thought healed, were reopened. But in order to heal, in order for her to consent to his proposal she needed to know what role Madame de la Chapelle had played in his life.

Athos inhaled deeply, the silence stretching taut. He was about to reveal a truth long buried, a truth that would shatter the fragile peace of their evening and might reverse Ninon's good will to accept his proposal.

He revealed that Madame de la Chapelle, far from being merely the Cardinal's agent, was, in fact, his wife. The revelation hung between them, a chilling testament to a life shrouded in secrets and betrayals. Ninon stared, speechless, the simple supper, the warmth of the fire, all swallowed by the shocking truth. The comfortable illusion of their quiet evening in the French countryside was shattered, replaced by the harsh reality of Athos' complicated past, a past that had inextricably intertwined with her own seven years ago.

Then, a flicker of understanding sparked in Ninon's eyes. "She wanted me dead," she whispered, the realization dawning on her, "she must have seen us, and she was jealous.” Athos' sigh, a sound burdened by years of regret, confirmed her suspicions. The pieces finally fell into place -the mysterious disappearances, the veiled threats, the ever-present sense of danger that had clung to him like a second skin – all linked to his manipulative late wife.

[beirarowling]

Apologies for the rant and I'm sure you've already had these thoughts but I have been rereading the HP series recently and when it comes to the house elf storyline people always trot out the idea that Hermione is laughed at for SPEW and that shows JKR is racist or whatever.

However

I do not think it could be literally any more obvious that we are not supposed to be on the side of people laughing at her. That JKR is not on the side of people laughing at her. This the book series where the idea that "adults will fail you, they will be wrong, they will not believe you when they should and they will not listen when they should" has been a running plot point since chapter 1. That's why kids loved the books, it's why I loved the books. People laugh at her and she sticks to her guns anyway, she does exactly what Harry does throughout all the books but especially book 4/5 and people cannot wrap their heads around the idea that maybe they see her character's stance as right despite the overwhelming opposition from other characters is because that is exactly how it is written to be interpreted? That sometimes the person being derided by everyone around them is correct? That's a core theme of the books!

I reread the series this year too, I just finished Deathly Hallows :)

The ones who cannot understand the house elf storyline are so obtuse it's embarrassing. I believe that a lot of them are deliberately misinterpreting it just to make J.K. Rowling look bad. ("She's writing bigoted pro-slavery themes in her books! Boycott HP!") I read Goblet of Fire when I was 13, and instantly took Hermione's side. Of course I already loved Dobby after reading Chamber of Secrets so I was pro house elf rights since then. You're right that it's so obvious no one is supposed to be on the side of the people laughing at Hermione. Even Dumbledore agrees with her!

There are so many quotes from Order of the Phoenix that made me think of J.K. Rowling's persecution over the last few years. She's proven the core theme of the books is very close to her heart.

[lakecountylibrary]

LCPL WRAPPED 2024

Ok DON'T PANIC, this post is still true - it just broke containment a bit so we don't know how many people saw the original tags and might therefore be a little concerned to see THIS post.

We don't know what you, personally, checked out.

We have to track total circulation stats to make sure we're doing our job correctly and keeping a healthy collection (and to defend our budget), but these stats are anonymous!

Is one person responsible for every single One Piece check out? Is James Patterson artificially inflating his numbers by visiting our library constantly? Who knows! The only thing we know is that kids(?) really, really like Jeff Kinney books.

And so without further ado, here are the most checked-out items of 2024:

Want to compare to 2023? Here's 2023 wrapped

(ID: Images are lists of books; each list is typed out in the post under the image. /ID)

Most Checked-Out Adult Books:

Adult Fiction:

James Patterson was #3 last year, too, though with a different book.

1: The Women by Kristin Hannah 2: First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston 3: The #1 Lawyer by James Patterson 4: A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci 5: The Exchange by John Grisham

Adult Nonfiction:

Prince Harry and Matthew Perry dropped a rank from 2023 to make way for Britney!

1: The Woman in Me by Britney Spears 2: Spare by Prince Harry 3: Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry 4: The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson 5: I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

Adult eBooks & eAudiobooks:

Format doesn't matter - people were reading The Women however they could!

1: The Women by Kristin Hannah 2: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros 3: Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros 4: Funny Story by Emily Henry 5: First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

Most Checked-Out YA Books:

Teen Fiction:

Welcome back reigning champ Suzanne Collins!

1: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 2: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins 3: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling 4: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling 5: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Teen eBooks & eAudiobooks:

Major gains from Sarah J. Maas in this format - she didn't make the list with teens last year!

1: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas 2: If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin 3: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins 4: Powerless by Lauren Roberts 5: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas

Teen Manga:

This is the first year we're sharing the top check-outs in this category!

1: One Piece by Eiichiro Oda 2: Bleach by Tite Kubo 3: Skip Beat! by Yoshiki Nakamura 4: Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto 5: My Hero Academia by Kōhei Horikoshi

Most Checked-Out Kids' Books:

Kids' Fiction:

AKA Mr. Kinney's House

1: No Brainer by Jeff Kinney 2: Diper Överlöde by Jeff Kinney 3: Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney 4: Big Shot by Jeff Kinney 5: Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories by Jeff Kinney

Kids' Graphic Novels:

Return of Babymouse! It was popular in 2022 but didn't rank in 2023. (Though, we also didn't separate out kids' graphic novels in 2023.)

1: Babymouse by Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm 2: Wings of Fire by Tui T. Sutherland 3: Dog Man: The Scarlet Shredder by Dav Pilkey 4: Cat Kid Comic Club: Influencers by Dav Pilkey 5: Dog Man: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea by Dav Pilkey

Kids' eBooks & eAudiobooks:

Rick Riordan with the steel chair?? I suspect we have Disney to thank for this revival.

1: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan 2: Claudia and the Bad Joke by Ann M. Martin 3: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea by Dav Pilkey 4: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling 5: No Brainer by Jeff Kinney

[hollowed-theory-hall]

The Riddle of Tom Riddle: Part 7/7

(Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6)

The Rise and Fall of Lord Voldemort (the second coming)

The final installment will explain some of Voldemort's odd behavior in the books themselves — from the ludicrous plan that was Goblet of Fire, to why he wasn't involved in the war and what he actually was trying to accomplish.

Alongside that, I want to make note of a few other interesting facets of Voldemort's character by the time we meet him in the books.

What the Hell was he Planning in GOF?

So, a lot of fans poke fun at Tom for the over-convoluted mess that was GOF. Because, really, there are so many moving parts here and so many failure points... and there's literally no reason to wait the whole year when Barty (Moody) could just pluck Harry whenever. I mean, it would've been better to just kidnap him on one of the chances Barty had access to Harry alone throughout the year, why the wait?

Well, I believe the plan in book 4, was not Voldemort's plan, but Barty's. And I have some evidence of what Voldemort had planned:

There was a pause, and then the man called Wormtail spoke again. “My Lord, may I ask how long we are going to stay here?” “A week,” said the cold voice. “Perhaps longer…

(Goblet of Fire, page 23)

Early on in the book, before Barty returns to his service, Tom makes the above comment. He isn't planning on staying in Riddle Manor for long. He's talking about a week, maybe a month, not a whole year. Whatever plan he had to retrieve Harry was not a year-long plan at the beginning of the book.

“Because, fool, at this very moment wizards are pouring into the country from all over the world, and every meddler from the Ministry of Magic will be on duty, on the watch for signs of unusual activity, checking and double-checking identities. They will be obsessed with security, lest the Muggles notice anything. So we wait.”

(Goblet of Fire, page 24)

And the reason for this few weeks' wait is the World Cup. Voldemort planned on waiting until the Quidditch World Cup was over and then had Pettigrew kidnap Harry somehow before Hogwarts (this conversation is in early August).

“I have my reasons for using the boy, as I have already explained to you, and I will use no other. I have waited thirteen years. A few more months will make no difference. As for the protection surrounding the boy, I believe my plan will be effective.

(Goblet of Fire, page 26)

And he makes it clear the plan is to use Harry for the ritual, but he's still talking about a few months max of delay, not a whole year. So what changed?

Barty did. Barty came along after the Quidditch World Cup and changed the plan to retrieve Harry. And why would Barty take this long?

Well, I have a post in the works about Barty Crouch Jr. that would explain just that and more. But for now, what I can say, is that the GOF plan was more Barty's than Voldemort's.

As for Voldemort's reasons for using Harry in the ritual, well, there are two reasons here:

Lily's blood protection - which Voldemort wishes to circumvent

His unhealthy obsession with Harry Potter that I talk about more in this post.

Objective in the War

So, as I covered here, Voldemort wasn't really taking an active part in the Second Wizarding World (if he was Umbridge wouldn't have been able to strut around with Slytherin's locket). So if he isn't involved in the war, what is he doing? Why did he start the war?

Well, in the first war, Voldemort's objective was magical experimentation and discovery, in the second his goals are quite different. It's seen in how much more chaotic the war is. Voldemort's goal is so much more personal and emotional to him, that he doesn't care how much collateral damage his Death Eaters cause in the second war. Because of the second war, Tom is less mentally stable than the first one. But not due to some Dark Magic bullshit, but due to his actual psychological state.

As I already covered in the past posts in this series, Tom is a perfectionist. Tom Marvolo Riddle doesn't do failure. He had 12 NWETS, all Os, he was prefect and head boy. Saying he doesn't like failing is an understatement. Honestly, I'd say failure is the one thing this man fears and hates more than death.

And what is his one failure in his perfect track record of Os and victories?

It's Harry Potter.

Harry Potter, whose very moniker: "The Boy Who Lived" mocks this very failure. Failing to kill Harry Potter.

This leads us to what Voldemort is doing in the second war: Attempting to kill Harry Potter like nothing else exists. Which leads us to the next section:

Obsession With Harry Potter

I don't feel like people realize just how obsessed Voldemort is with Harry. How much Harry is literally the only thing Voldemort cares about in the second war. More than his Death Eaters, more than the ministry, even more than his life.

Throughout his resurrection scene, we have a few interesting moments, I'm not going to cover all of them, but I wanna talk about these two:

“A little break,” said Voldemort, the slit-like nostrils dilating with excitement, “a little pause . . . That hurt, didn’t it, Harry? You don’t want me to do that again, do you?”

(Goblet of Fire, page 661)

“We are not playing hide-and-seek, Harry,” said Voldemort’s soft, cold voice, drawing nearer, as the Death Eaters laughed. “You cannot hide from me. Does this mean you are tired of our duel? Does this mean that you would prefer me to finish it now, Harry? Come out, Harry . . . come out and play, then . . . it will be quick . . . it might even be painless . . . I would not know . . . I have never died. . . .

(Goblet of Fire, page 662)

Both of these are moments I call: "playing with his food". He's playing with Harry, toying with him, and actually seems to honestly enjoy himself playing around and torturing and terrifying Harry. This is interesting because Voldemort doesn't toy around with his enemies, like, ever. He tortures and gloats in front of his Death Eaters, but not in front of enemies, with enemies he does the logical thing — try to kill them as quickly as possible.

Except with Harry. Why?

Because Harry is different. He's a whole different category for Voldemort.

Voldemort doesn't really see Harry as a person, not really, he sees him as a failure. His own failure. Harry Potter, to Voldemort, is that one slightly wrong answer in an exam that lost him the two points he needed for that perfect O. Harry is a stain on his perfect record, and therefore Voldemort treats him as such, and not as an actual person.

“Do nothing!” Voldemort shrieked to the Death Eaters, and Harry saw his red eyes wide with astonishment at what was happening, saw him fighting to break the thread of light still connecting his wand with Harry’s; Harry held onto his wand more tightly, with both hands, and the golden thread remained unbroken. “Do nothing unless I command you!” Voldemort shouted to the Death Eaters.

….

Voldemort who looked astonished, and almost fearful. . . .

(Goblet of Fire, page 664)

This is when Voldemort starts taking Harry seriously. I mentioned he didn't really believe the prophecy, well, he didn't until the graveyard when his and Harry's wands met. That fear, that's real, this is when Harry becomes a threat and not only a failure.

Additionally, we see here something Voldemort will continue doing throughout the war. Harry — well, killing Harry — is the only thing Voldemort cares about in the Second War, but it's more than that. because Harry is his failure only he is allowed to kill Harry. He doesn't care who kills Dumbledore, but only he is allowed to kill Harry even in the later books.

In OOTP, what is Voldemort doing? He's sending Death Eaters to retrieve the prophecy. Why? Because now he knows it and Harry is a real threat. It's not about the war, it's all about Harry and the prophecy connecting them. He hopes it'll tell him how to kill Harry.

In HBP, Voldemort isn't really present either. He doesn't care what his Death Eaters do, he isn't expecting Malfoy to succeed in killing Dumbledore. He only cares about figuring out what happened with his and Harry's wands because Voldemort needs to be the one to kill Harry Potter with his own wand, otherwise, he wouldn't really be rectifying his failure. In his mind.

“My Lord, the Order of the Phoenix intends to move Harry Potter from his current place of safety on Saturday next, at nightfall.” The interest around the table sharpened palpably; Some stiffened, others fidgeted, all gazing at Snape and Voldemort. “Saturday . . . at nightfall,” repeated Voldemort. His red eyes fastened upon Snape’s black ones with such intensity that some of the watchers looked away, apparently fearful that they themselves would be scorched by the ferocity of the gaze.

(Deathly Hollows, page 9)

Even when the war is in full swing by Deathly Hollows, Voldemort doesn't care for the war. He wasn't even in Britain for most of it. But when it comes to Harry Potter, a chance to kill Harry potter, for that Voldemort would grace his followers with his presence. But if it has nothing to do with Harry, he just won't be interested.

Voldemort looked up at the slowly revolving body as he went on, “ I shall attend to the boy in person. There have been too many mistakes where Harry Potter is concerned. Some of them have been my own. That Potter lives is due more to my errors than to his triumphs.” The company around the table watched Voldemort apprehensively, each of them, but his or her expression, afraid that they might be blamed for Harry Potter’s continued existence. Voldemort, however, seemed to be speaking more to himself than to any of them, still addressing the unconscious body above him. “I have been careless, and so have been thwarted by luck and chance, those wreckers of all but the best-laid plans. But I know better now. I understand those things that I did not understand before. I must be the one to kill Harry Potter, and I shall be.”

(Deathly Hollows, page 11)

here, again, Voldemort explains what I just said. He sees Harry as his failure, his error, his mistake, And Tom Riddle despises nothing more than a mistake.

And he explains why that, the fact Harry is alive is due to his mistakes, that he has to be the one to kill him. Voldemort doesn't care about winning the war, or the ministry, or his followers — he just needs to cast a killing curse at Harry and kill him. To rectify that one mistake.

More, Rowle, or shall we end it and feed you to Nagini? Lord Voldemort is not sure that he will forgive this time. . . . You called me back for this, to tell me that Harry Potter has escaped again? Draco, give Rowle another taste of our displeasure. . . . Do it, or feel my wrath yourself!”

(Deathly Hollows, page 152)

Again, Voldemort isn't in Britain, but when his followers informed him they had Harry Potter, he dropped everything and arrived in Britain. Because killing Harry is literally the only thing that matters to him by this point.

“Give me Harry Potter,” said Voldemort’s voice, “and none shall be harmed. Give me Harry Potter, and I shall leave the school untouched. Give me Harry Potter, and you should be rewarded. “You have until midnight.”

(Deathly Hollows, page 516)

And we see it again, nothing matters, no victory matters, besides killing Harry Potter.

“My wand of yew did everything of which I asked it, Severus, except to kill Harry Potter. Twice it failed. Ollivander told me under torture of the twin cores, told me to take another’s wand. I did so, but Lucius’s wand shattered upon meeting Potter’s.”

(Deathly Hollows, page 553)

Here he describes what he's been doing for the entirety of books 6 and 7. Trying to find a wand so he could kill Harry with it. Because that's the only thing that mattered to him. It's why he kidnapped and tortured Ollivanders. It's why he traveled to Germany to track down the Elder Wand. It's why he's killing Severus in this above scene.

And here again, there is an emphasis on failure, mistakes, that his wand failed him. Because that's what Harry is to him — a failure.

Because he wants to kill Harry himself with a wand. This obsession is the thing fueling all his actions in the Second War.

And still, Voldemort and Harry looked at each other, and now Voldemort tilted his head a little to the side, considering the boy standing before him, and a singularly mirthless smile curled the lipless mouth. “Harry Potter,” he said very softly His voice might have been part of the splitting fire. “The Boy Who Lived.” None of the Death Eaters moved. They were waiting: Everything was waiting. Hagrid was struggling, and Bellatrix was panting, and Harry thought inexplicably of Ginny, and her blazing look, and the feel of her lips on his— Voldemort had raised his wand. His head was still tilted to one side, like a curious child, wondering what would happen if he proceeded.

(Deathly Hollows, page 593)

And when he finally does get what he wants, he's happy, curious, and warry. He doesn't fully believe Harry would actually die (which he doesn't).

I just love this description, his head a little to the side like a curious child. Because he is childish in a way at this moment. He finally can rectify the one stain on his perfect record and he could barely believe it really is happening.

Unlike in the graveyard, here he isn't gloating. Contrary to his words, about how Harry only survived by luck, he does fear Harry. Well, his survival. Voldemort actually does believe the prophecy by this point, that there's something more than his own failure stopping him from killing Harry — and keeping him dead.

Because it's easy to believe, almost comforting even, that it's not just his mistakes.

“Yeah, it did,” said Harry. “You’re right. But before you try to kill me, I’d advise you to think about what you’ve done. . . . Think, and try for some remorse, Riddle. . . .” “What is this?” Of all the things that Harry had said to him, beyond any revelation or taunt, nothing had shocked Voldemort like this. Harry saw his pupils contact to thin slits, saw the skin around his eyes whiten. “It’s your one last chance,” said Harry, “it’s all you’ve got left. . . . I’ve seen what you’ll be otherwise. . . . Be a man . . . try . . . Try for some remorse. . . .” “You dare—?” said Voldemort again. “Yes, I dare,” said Harry, “because Dumbledore’s last plan hasn’t backfired on me at all. It’s backfired on you, Riddle.” Voldemort’s hand was trembling on the Elder Wand, and Harry gripped Draco’s very tightly. The moment, he knew, was seconds away.

(Deathly Hollows, page 625)

Right before his death, Harry gloats at him about his mistakes, and how wrong he got it all.

And there is nothing Tom Riddle hates more.

Other Notes

Now, I want to cover a few other smaller notes about Voldemort's character that just didn't really fit anywhere else:

Voldemort in the books almost never shouts. He is described as speaking: "softly" because he doesn't need to be loud. He's intimidating just by his presence alone, when he speaks, everyone shuts up and listens:

“We are not playing hide-and-seek, Harry,” said Voldemort’s soft, cold voice, drawing nearer, as the Death Eaters laughed.

(Goblet of Fire, page 662)

2. As I mentioned before in this series, Voldemort is sentimental. His own past and family, even when they hated him, he cares. He cares so much that his father's abandonment still hurts decades later:

“You stand, Harry Potter, upon the remains of my late father,” he hissed softly. “A Muggle and a fool . . . very like your dear mother. But they both had their uses, did they not? Your mother died to defend you as a child . . . and I killed my father, and see how useful he has proved himself, in death. . . .” Voldemort laughed again. Up and down he paced, looking all around him as he walked, and the snake continued to circle in the grass. “You see that house upon the hillside, Potter? My father lived there. My mother, a witch who lived here in this village, fell in love with him. But he abandoned her when she told him what she was. . . . He didn’t like magic, my father . . . “He left her and returned to his Muggle parents before I was even born, Potter, and she died giving birth to me, leaving me to be raised in a Muggle orphanage . . . but I vowed to find him . . . I revenged myself upon him, that fool who gave me his name . . . Tom Riddle. . . .” Still he paced, his red eyes darting from grave to grave. “Listen to me, reliving family history . . .” he said quietly, “why, I am growing quite sentimental. . . . But look, Harry! My true family returns. . . .”

(Goblet of Fire, page 646)

3. He loves to monologue. I think he just honestly enjoyed hearing himself talk:

“I see you all, whole and healthy, with your powers intact — such prompt appearances! — and I ask myself . . . why did this band of wizards never come to the aid of their master, to whom they swore eternal loyalty?” No one spoke. No one moved except Wormtail, who was upon the ground, still sobbing over his bleeding arm. “And I answer myself,” whispered Voldemort, “they must have believed me broken, they thought I was gone. They slipped back among my enemies, and they pleaded innocence, and ignorance, and bewitchment. . . . “And then I ask myself, but how could they have believed I would not rise again? They, who knew the steps I took, long ago, to guard myself against mortal death? They, who had seen proofs of the immensity of my power in the times when I was mightier than any wizard living? “And I answer myself, perhaps they believed a still greater power could exist, one that could vanquish even Lord Voldemort . . . perhaps they now pay allegiance to another . . . perhaps that champion of commoners, of Mudbloods and Muggles, Albus Dumbledore?” At the mention of Dumbledore’s name, the members of the circle stirred, and some muttered and shook their heads. Voldemort ignored them. “It is a disappointment to me . . . I confess myself disappointed. . . .”

(Goblet of Fire, page 648)

Also I can't help but find this scene funny. "And I ask myself" — "and I answer myself", Tom's just having fun toying with his followers and their fear here (pulse being dramatic). He, in general, does have a sense of fun. He even makes stupid puns:

“I knew that to achieve this — it is an old piece of Dark Magic, the potion that revived me tonight — I would need three powerful ingredients. Well, one of them was already at hand, was it not, Wormtail? Flesh given by a servant. . . .

(Goblet of Fire, page 656)

He's way funnier than we give him credit (and dorkier).

4. I mentioned he didn't plan to truly live forever in a past post, after all, if he did, he would've hidden his Horcruxes better. And yet, he despises the very idea of death:

“You do not seek to kill me, Dumbledore?” called Voldemort, his scarlet eyes narrowed over the top of the shield. “Above such brutality, are you?” “We both know that there are other ways of destroying a man, Tom,” Dumbledore said calmly, continuing to walk toward Voldemort as though he had not a fear in the world, as though nothing had happened to interrupt his stroll up the hall. “Merely taking your life would not satisfy me, I admit —” “There is nothing worse than death, Dumbledore!” snarled Voldemort.

(Order of the Pheonix, page 812)

Voldemort is still, at this moment, is still the orphan at the bomb shelters who doesn't want to die. Death is the worst thing to him because death means everything is over, that he had his chance at life and that's it. Death is the end of the road. It's the ultimate failing, the ultimate loss — something to overcome. At least in Voldemort's mind. Because Tom doesn't do failure. His hatred of death is exasperated by his perfectionism and because of how he sees death.

But even so, he made sure to leave an opening, a chance for him to die if he ever desired it.

Conclusions

The only thing Voldemort cared about in the Second War was killing Harry. Killing Harry Potter was the end goal that motivated all his actions.

He's a perfectionist more than anything else. Dumbledore said Tom feared death the most, but I disagree. What he feared most id failure — his own failure — death was an extension of that, in a way.

Voldemort doesn't need to raise his voice, the fact he speaks softly is a testament to how terrifying he is to others.

He's quite sentimental. I mentioned it before and I'll mention it again.

He has a sense of humor and actually loves to talk and hear his own voice.