Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Chapter 11
7-1 Sox! Woo!
Chapter 11: The Bribe
So… am I an idiot? Why is this called “The Bribe”? I don’t recall anyone being bribed in it.
So, Lupin shows up with news of what’s going on in the world. Sounds like in a few short days, Voldemort has converted the Ministry of Magic into a genocidal dystopian fascist state. Good times! Compulsory Hogwarts attendance, Muggle-borns forced to “register,” it’s all very sinister. I’m worried about people like Dean Thomas and Ernie MacMillian, who are going to be in serious trouble. And what in the world must life be like for Professor McGonagall and the others? Is Umbridge going to be back in at as Headmistress?
Oh, and is everyone in the wizarding world an idiot? Could they possibly believe, on the Prophet’s say-so, that Harry killed Dumbledore? How many times has public opinion on Harry been said to swing completely from love to hate? It’s more than a little implausible.
Speaking of Umbridge, it’s a rather depressing revelation that she now has the locket. I had really hoped we were done with her. Kreacher, however, has made a pretty awesomely rapid transition to “good guy.”
It’s chapter 11, and they’re still a step behind the first of four Horcruxes they have to destroy. I hope some of the other ones are a bit simpler to find.
Also, I have to say, I’m a little suspicious of Remus Lupin. Harsh as it was, I can see where Harry’s coming from in calling Lupin a coward for abandoning his family. But I think Lupin showing up and asking to join their quest is awfully fishy. Is he really skilled enough to Apparate right onto the doorstep of number twelve Grimmauld Place without the Death Eaters outside noticing? Why was he so keen to go with the trio? Was it really just to get away from Tonks and her unborn child (Rachel called it!)? I hope I’m wrong, but something doesn’t feel right.
For an exposition-heavy chapter, it’s pretty satisfying though. I guess that’s what a good argument will do. On we go!
No spoilers for later chapters in the comments! Coward.
The bribe is Umbridge taking the locket instead of reporting Mundungus. I didn’t get it at first either, and I think somebody refers to the bribe later which made it clear, but that’s really not a spoiler. It’s a lame chapter title.
Ah, thanks. That’s kind of what we figured, but… weak.
It seems like it’s more blackmail than a bribe…but I can overlook that.
I think my mention of Kreacher’s transformation in my last comment was a tiny bit of a spoiler (I forgot that it didn’t happen until this chapter), but only by a couple pages, so my remorse is limited.
Lupin’s an idiot. No one forced him to marry Tonks. Nor did anyone force him to have unprotected sex with her. He needs to get over his woe-is-me attitude. But I’m not yet sure he’s a bad guy.
Nor did anyone force him to have unprotected sex with her.
You have to wonder what wizard sex is like, don’t you? Surely there must be Contraception Charms and the like.