Sirius Black.
Came from a long line of dark wizards, and was the first to be sorted into Gryffindor. His family disowned him after he broke away to stay with the Potters.
The animosity between him and Snape is an example of childhood resentments carried over into adulthood. Both strong personalities, both hot headed, sworn enemies. It was probably only their loyalty towards Dumbledore and his instructions, and a bit of Remus Lupin's levelheadedness that kept them at bay against each other.
Even after his death, some of his bequests to Harry were instrumental in keeping him safe. His London house, Kreacher, the 2-way mirror are some of those things.
Sirius is named after the brightest star seen from earth- the main star in the Canis Major constellation. It is also called the dog-star, and is characterised as sparkling and scorching. Fits well with our character who is brave, hot tempered but loyal to his friends, with a ferocious dog as his animagous.
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There are many old magical artefacts in the House of Black. Molly Weasley's efforts to clean and de-clutter the house, to make it more habitable after years of disuse throws up a lot of curious things. Among a long list that is recounted somewhere in the middle of page 108 is 'a heavy locket that none of them could open'. I had to open this chapter to re-read and locate it after reading the chapter in HP 7 where the trio are interrogating Kreacher about the locket Horcrux.
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Luna Lovegood. We encounter her for the first time in HP 5. The complete antithesis of the pragmatic, competant, logical, scientific tempered Hermione.
"She had straggly, waist-length, dirty blonde hair, very pale eyebrows, and protuberant eyes that gave her a permanently surprised look. Harry knew at once why Neville had chosen to pass this compartment by. The girl gave off an aura of distinct dottiness. Perhaps it was the fact that she had stuck her wand behind her left ear for safekeeping, or that she had chosen to wear a necklace of Butterbeer caps, or that she was reading a magazine upside down."
Named after the moon goddess, Luna is airy, slightly incomprehensible with a tendency to go off on a tangent, Luna nevertheless had the uncanny ability to cut straight to the heart of the matter, and an eerie sixth sense about other people's perceptions. Considered uncool, she is often picked upon by people, but remains unfazed by it all.
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Harry's connection to Voldemort's mind gets stronger now, and even worse, Voldemort is now aware of it, and tries to use it to Harry's detriment. If only he had persisted at Occlumency, Voldemort would not have been able to lure him to the Department of Mysteries and Sirius would have been alive. If only Sirius had been kinder to Kreacher, he would not have acted against Sirius' interests, and Sirius would have been alive.
So many if onlys...
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Dumbledore's Army- In the earlier war against Voldemort, the Order of the Phoenix had been formed. DA was the junior, students' version of it. Both are forms of underground resistance. It is finally the unfair sanctions put in place by Umbridge that spawn the DA.
Umbridge, her saccharine sweet unpleasantness, and the increasing sanctions are reminiscent, again, of the Holocaust, with its increasingly intolerable laws against the Jews, denying them their basic humanity. The connection Rowling has tried to make to the Holocaust is underlined by Hermione's comment in HP 7 on the statue in the ministry- the powerful witch and wizard sit on a throne which seem to have carvings on it. Only they are not a design. They are bodies, dead, dying, emaciated bodies of Muggles piled together.
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The battle at the ministry has one positive effect. Cornelius Fudge can no longer deny the existence of a resurrected Voldemort!
6 comments:
and yet I repeat, I want to know more about Sirius :)
In the book 6, I was surprised and admittedly delighted to know that the easiest way to confirm if Harry had inherited the house was to call Kreacher! and he appeared!!
Though I must admit, I hated Kreacher initially especially when he led Harry to the Ministry, but I did feel really sad for him later on....and of course loved the fact that he led the fight with the elves in the Battle of Hogwarts!
Luna Lovegood - I loved her character..especially in the last book when she tells Harry after the battle that he would want a bit of silence..that was adorable..and so was the fact when Harry saw the Therestals for the first time and she tells him that she can see them too...of course her characterisation was superbly done by JKR...I could almost imagine a blond girl with a necklace of butterbeer corks :)
Fudge had no spine...I didnt agree in the earlier book when he let Harry go just like that..and then didnt believe Harry at all..gah!
You know you are almost making me want to re-read the books!
Luna and Sirius were a couple of my favorite characters too.
Luna, though behaves Loony as her nickname, has a golden heart, and is totally free from "what will others think" feeling. I mean she is such a liberated soul. I wish all of us could be like that.
And Sirius, what to say, introduced as the most handsome wizard, lost his family for his principles and friendship. Trouble Monger, yet with a lot of bravery and loyalty. Wish we had seen more of him..
The Best part is every character name has a very strong basis on why it is named so. JKR has not named anyone just like that. Its something huge, when there are so many characters in the Book!!
@ RM: Want to know more about Sirius? Pottermore!:)
@Choxie: What are you waiting for. School is starting, you'll have more time, jump in!
@Mathangi: Welcome to my space, and thanks for your comment.
Yes, Luna is almost fey, isn't she?
You know how I read TKAMB. Cannot do these things too often sadly :(
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