Potter Post 3 1/3--Book 5 Predictions

Warning: This post contains spoilers

I stumbled across an old article from 2003 this morning: Harry Potter Plot: Your Predictions.  It's from right before the fifth book of Harry Potter was released--Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and it's a magical treasure--so today I'm going to post some of the predictions that readersmade for this book.  But first, a look back:

In 2003 I was still in high school.

Whoa.

And Harry Potter  was getting ready to enter his fifth year of school after having participated in the Triwizard Tournament in his fourth year. 

 

Edward Cullen was a Hufflepuff.

Remember?  The Triwizard Tournament brought three schools together for the competition but Harry's name was mysteriously entered into the tournament under a fourth, fake school in order to fool the Goblet of Fire thus forcing him to compete in notoriously deadly competition.  Things seemed to be going well into he and Cedric touched the Triwizard Cup---remember Cedric Diggory---The Hogwarts champion--from Hufflepuff--?  Well they touched the Triwizard Cup together and-gasp!-it was a portkey that transported them to a graveyard where Cedric was killed.
 

Who killed Cedric? Peter Pettigrew.  But who told him to? VOLDEMORT.  We then witnessed the rebirth of Voldemort.  And learned that Voldemort's wand and Harry's wand don't work properly against each other--who knew how big of a deal that would end up being?  Harry escaped-barely-and returned to Hogwarts just in time to almost be killed by...Mad Eye Moody? GASP! But it was actually Barty Crouch Jr. all hopped up on polyjuice potion. 

The point being that this was a huge moment in the series.  This was the moment that Voldemort returned to power.  This was the moment that forced Harry Potter to grow up.  This was the moment that told the readers--anyone can and will die.  So naturally everyone was on edge waiting for fifth book.  Waiting and guessing about what would happen.  So below are some predictions from 2003:

Who will die?

       Ironically it seems that Sirius dying was the farthest from anyone's mind.  In fact he wasn't even on the poll this site did.  They asked readers who would die in The Order of the Phoenix--below are the choices, results, and I added when they actually died.

--Professor McGonagal...5.15% (Survived--eventually became headmistress)

--Professor Snape... 9.94%  (Died in the last book)

--Hermione...5.08% (Survived--married Ron)

--Rom...7.99% (Survived--married Hermione)

--Hagrid...36.44% (Survived)

--Professor Dumbledore...30.65% (Died in the sixth book)

--Draco...4.74% (Survived)

So it seems that Hagrid and Dumbledore were the most favored to die...Dumbledore dying was always on my least likely to die least while reading the series.  

It was also predicted that Dumbledore would die and Snape would become the new headmaster and lead the fight against Voldemort.  This was a great prediction because it holds a ton of truth, just a little early and only slightly off.

Voldemort is Harry's father

This was a very common predication for several years until JKR finally put and end to it decalring that Voldemort is NOT Harry's father.  Come on guys...Harry has a nose and Voldemort doesn't.

Dumbledore is a Death Eater

Cool predication. Untrue.  But cool.  This prediction got it's ground from the line in the fourth book where Harry tells Dumbledore that Voldemort can touch him now and then there is flash of triumph in Dumbledore's eyes.  This was a huge line in the book.  I personally obsessed over what it could mean and we didn't find out until the end of the series.  But it did not mean that Dumbledore is a death eater.  

Ron and Hermione get together

Oh...that was always a constant prediction.  Except for the Hermine/Harry people (I'm talking to you Emily!)

Ginny becomes important

Well I guess so.

Something is up with Neville. Not sure what.  But something.

Great prediction and we did learn about Neville in the fifth book.

I hope you enjoy this look back into the past brought to you by my friend Google!

 

 

Potter Post 3 1/8

How awesome is this?  Hogwarts Toms.


Sorry for the short post.  It's the holidays and I'm currently in a muppet frame of mind.  Oh wait! Muppets!  Puppets!  Perfect Potter Post!  See below.

Always awesome.  
  

Potter Post 2 15/16--AVPS

Happy Saturday everyone.  How crazy is it that next week is Thanksgiving?  So while you're at home with nothing to do, you should take a look at the two Starkid productions, A Very Potter Musical and A Very Potter Sequel...both of which can be found here

Here are clips from both of them for a brief look:
A Very Potter Musical:

A Very Potter Sequel:

Potter Post 2 3/4

Guess what came out on DVD/Blu-Ray yesterday?

There are several different ways you can go about getting HP and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
-Standard DVD
-Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack
-Part 1 and Part 2 pack
-Harry Potter films 1-8 (no special features though)
-WB's Limited Edition Collectible

Which at first glance seems to be to one to get.  However it's only a three disc set. While Target has the...




-Target's Exclusive four-disc edition (Which is the one I got)  Sure...it doesn't have an awesome cover or book like WB's but it does that the documentary that I mention a few weeks ago: When Harry Left Hogwarts  and that's what I really wanted.   And it's the version I suggest.


Meanwhile, check out this awesome video I found:

Potter Post 2 2/3--FOOD!

With the holiday season right around the corner (what am I saying?  It's already here!) our minds turn to food.  Pumpkin pie, dressing, honey baked ham, candied yams, green bean casserole, and the list goes on.   With thoughts of food filled days also comes the worries of weight gain and cholesterol levels--we can't completely indulge over the holidays for health reasons...but....but...what if we were witches and wizards?

 

This past weekend while standing in line for a haunted house in weather that felt below freezing, Andy and I were discussing how awesome it would be to be able to produce a bluebell flame to keep warm.  (It's a charm that produces a blue flame.  A charm that Hermione uses quite frequently in the books and puts them in jars to keep warm.)  This of course led to more Harry Potter discussion and eventually to food (don't the best conversations always end up being about food?).  But not just any food.  Food in Harry Potter.

There is a lot of food in Harry Potter.  Heavy traditional British food seems to be served at every meal.  It's never ending feast of fried sausages, shepherd's pie, cornish pasties, steak and kidney pudding, black pudding, baked pumpkin, potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, mint humbugs, apple pies, treacle tart, eclairs, doughnuts, and the list goes on and on.  And that's on an everyday basis.

As for food served when they are out and about in Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, or on the train?  Candy, candy, candy, chocolate balls with strawberry mousse and clotted cream, nougats, ice cream, coconut ice, toffee, chocolate everything, pumpkin tarts, butterbeer, soda with flavored syrups and again the list goes on.

Anything strike you as odd?  No? Nothing at all?  How about the lack of fresh fruit, salad, water, pasta salads...or really anything on the lighter side?  Those foods aren't there.  While living with his aunt and uncle, Harry may eat those foods--in fact, in the Goblet of Fire Dudley is on a strict diet and Harry lives off of meals of grapefruit and cottage cheese.  When his magical friends discover this they load him up with mince pies and cake. It seems that the only "healthy" eating that occurs is done by Muggles.  And that is rare, considering the Dursley's do not eat healthy.  Dudley is described as being the size of a small whale.

But you see, that's really interesting.  Dudley really doesn't eat all the differently from the Hogwarts students. Yet he's the size of a baby whale and Ron is described as being tall and lankly.  Something doesn't quite add up.

JKR stated once that witches and wizards generally live longer than muggles.  Well, considering what they eat on a daily basis this seems impossible.  Most likely, witches and wizards do not have the same health concerns as we do.  Something in them prevents them from having cholesterol problems or any other health issues that we have that keeps stuck to drinking water and eating salads.  They also seem to have a sort of immunity against obesity.  Sure Mrs. Weasley is described as being plump but my guess would be that comes from other factors, such as age.  If her weight reflected what she ate, she wouldn't be able to fit in the door.

Just another thing to make you jealous of the witches and wizards--they can eat whatever the heck they feel like eating.  And they do it with style.

Oh yeah.

For a fun essay, read this

Potter Post 2 1/16

Ok, so I know it's not Saturday yet but I'll be out of town until Sunday night so I won't be able to do a Potter Post.  Instead I leave you with this:

Halloween at my office

Potter Post 1 7/8 -When Harry Left Hogwarts

Good morning!
       
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (Have I ever mentioned how happy I am that they didn't try to come up with a new name for the eighth film?) comes out on DVD on November 11 and with it comes a documentary.

Documentary?  You mean those boring, long movies about nothing?  No. First of all I love a good documentary--or mockumentary for that matter.  Secondly, this ones seems to have a real spirit behind it.

Morgan Matthew was granted access behind the scenes on the last two films in the Harry Potter series and judging from the trailer below, he seems to have really caught the insecurities and humbleness of the title characters.  For Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, these movies have been their life and now they've been released into the world.  Sure, Harry Potter has been my life as well, but I'm not in the spotlight.  The world is watching them.

Check out the trailer below:

Potter Post 1 2/3

So what is Harry Potter up to these days?

No not that one. (And again if you have no idea what this picture is in reference too.  I'm sad for you.  Send me a message and we'll fix this.)

But in case you're wondering what Harry Freakin Potter from AVPM is up to-- he's being pretty busy being totally awesome.  Check it out here:

But I'm talking about Daniel Radcliffe.   Currently he's on Broadway in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (which ironically enough-Darren Criss--our Harry from above--will be taking over the role early next year for three weeks).  I hear it is quite good and I regret I won't be able to see it. 



But he'll be starring in the UK horror movie set to release this coming February--his first film since Harry Potter.  It's called Woman in Black (NOT The Woman in White my fellow literature people)...check out the preview:

And there is this trailer which is decidedly creepy.  I watched it sitting alone in my apartment in the daylight while waiting on cupcakes to bake and it still sent shivers down my spine:

Happy Saturday!

Potter Post No. 1 1/8--Wands

It's Saturday! Which means it's time for another Potter Post!  Today is all about wands.

Disclaimer: All background information comes from JK Rowling. 

The wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Potter. It's not always clear why. But I think it is clear that we can expect great things from you.-Mr. Ollivander

Mr. Ollivander was always a peculiar character to me (by the way his wand was Hornbeam and dragon heartstring, twelve and three-quarter inches, slightly bendy).  The wandmaker is clearly talented-no question about it.  But he always seemed in awe of power and strength--but hey maybe that's just me.  But here is a bit of fun background info for you on our slightly sketch wandmaker:


The profession of wandcraft was one that was a family business and Mr. Ollivander spent his entire life learning the craft and dedicating himself to improve the art of wandcraft as well.  A common custom was to present a wandmaker with something the witch or wizard held valuable and then a wand would be crafted around that material out of their favorite wood (think of Fleur Delacour's wand, the core was a veela hair from her grandmother).  Mr Ollivander however does not practice this.  Mr. Ollivander studied cores and woods and determined which were the best.  This was revolutionary at the time.  And eventually it became clear that Mr. Ollivander had his the nail on the head--the wand chooses the wizard. 

I'm a beta tester for the soon to be publicly released site Pottermore:a unique online experience from JK Rowling and I recently went through the process of being chosen by a wand.  My wand? Hazel with a phoenix feather core, 12 1/2 inches, slightly springy

So for today we're going to take a look into wand cores.  There is tons of info on wood types but for today's purposes we won't get into that.  There are only three that Mr. Ollivander uses: unicorn hair, dragon heartstring, and phoenix feather.  So what does the core mean in regard to the user and the magic?

Both of Ron's wands were Unicorn Hair

Unicorn Hair-- produces consistent magic and is the least likely to turn to the Dark Arts.  They are not known to make the most powerful wands and if mishandled the unicorn hair will die and need to be replaced.  However, they are extremely faithful to their owner.

Draco was also unicorn hair

Hermione is Dragon Heartstring

Dragon Heartstring--typically produce the most powerful wands and they learn quickly.  They also are the most susceptible to turning to the Dark Arts but will not turn that way of it's own accord (that is up to the witch/wizard).  They are prone to accidents and bond with their current owner and therefore won't perform poorly if transferred to another owner.








Phoenix Feather--the rarest of all cores they perform the greatest range of magic, however it takes time for this to show.  Considering they come from a fiercely independent creature they can cause the wand to act of it's own accord (think of when Harry's wand saved Harry at the beginning of the seventh book against Voldemort on it's own accord).  This core also produces wands that are extremely picky as to which wizard it chooses but once it has chosen it becomes fiercely loyal.  They are hard to tame and earn allegiance, therefore it most likely will never work for a witch/wizard other than it's original .

Of course.  Voldemort and Harry both have Phoenix Feather cores...from the same Phoenix. 

 What about the all powerful Elder Wand?

The Elder wand's (which will eventually have it's own Potter Post) core is the tail hair of thestral.  What? not one of the three listed above?  Mr Ollivander did not make the Elder wand, there are other wand makers...and the Elder wands origins are mysterious and impossible to say with certainty who made the wand. 


I hope you enjoyed this small insight into wands!!!

-Jenna Out. 

Potter Post No. 3/4

My first ever Potter Post :)  Potter Posts will come out every Saturday and it will always be somehow related to Harry Potter.  Excited?  (If you said no...you are a sad, sad creature.)

So what is Potter Post all about?  Anything and everything Harry Potter.  I plan to have posts discussing themes in the books (like love), interesting questions raised (like what does Voldemort eat?), character profiles and in-depth looks (who is Susan Bones?), movie news (what is Emma Watson doing now?), fun you-tube videos (Pigfarts is real.), Pottermore stuff (my wand is Hazel with Phoenix Feather, 12 1/2), or interesting pictures and Potter facts (did you know that Lily was not invited to Petunia and Vernon's wedding?--I do.  And I can tell you all about it).

The first Potter Post will be a Starkid post (Starkid? What is that? Read about it here)

This is a part of the very funny Harry Potter Parody, A Very Potter Musical.  The musical can be found in it's entirety on youtube.  It is an absolute must watch for any Harry Potter fan.

If you have time watch this whole video, if not watch the video posted at the bottom.

Great quotes:
"I don't know man Cedric Diggory is pretty awesome.  NOT! He sucks! I'm totally gonna win! It's in the bag!"-Harry

"Oh my God Hermione! Shut up!" -Ron

"Snape is one of the kindest, bravest, gentlest, sexiest men I ever known" -Dumbledore

"Rumbleroar is the headmaster at Pigfarts.  He's a lion.  Who can talk." -Draco

"Not all of us inherited enough money to buy out Nasa when our parent's died.  Look at this! Look at this! Rocketship Potter!"-Draco

"I can believe I couldn't figure out the counter curse was just unjellify!" -Goyle

 A Very Potter Musical Act I: Part 4

For those who are time constrained:

-Jenna out.