Unlikely Words

Good morning.

Chapter 15: The Goblin’s Revenge

This was a particularly long chapter, wasn’t it? And quite a bit that is of interest occurs. Let’s see:

First, we learn that the One Ring Horcrux locket makes the bearer moody, irritable, and unable to produce a Patronus. It’s not too surprising that wearing a chunk of Voldemort’s soul would have a deleterious effect. (I wonder whether Dumbledore suffered any from wearing Marvolo’s ring?) I can’t figure out why they don’t just keep the Horcrux in Hermione’s bag, or in Harry’s mokeskin pouch. Why do they have to wear the damn thing?

We discover that many wizards have gone into hiding in the same way that our trio has. It’s nice to see that Dean Thomas is doing all right, and I was torn on the question of whether H, H, and R should have revealed themselves. Yes, secrecy is key, but there’s an argument to be made for rallying some supporters, as Dirk argued.

The news about what’s been happening at Hogwarts is very welcome. Seems like Ginny’s become the ringleader of the gang back at school, and that Neville and Luna are still in on it. I’m frankly surprised at the mildness of Snape’s punishment, considering they broke into his office, but, like Harry, I think it could have been much worse than the Forbidden Forest. The use of Phinneas Nigellus’s portrait to get information on what’s been going on in the headmaster’s office is quite clever.

The most quest-relevant bit, of course, is that the real sword of Gryffindor is hidden somewhere, and that it can be used to destroy Horcruxes. It’s highly likely (don’t you think?) that the three random objects Dumbledore left to H, H, and R are the clues to the true location of the sword. Where that could be, I could barely begin to guess. Godric’s Hollow? That’s pretty much the only other location we’ve heard discussed, but which we haven’t visited yet. (It’s also nice to see Griphook make his second appearance of the series. Coincidence?)

Finally, there’s Ron’s hissy fit. I really can’t figure out what’s up his ass, what with his freak-outs over saying “Voldemort” and now his resentment that their quest hasn’t been fun or productive yet. It’s depressing and dangerous for him to have stormed off and left the group but, honestly, what the hell good was he? What useful contributions has Ron ever really made? In book 1, he won the wizard chess game. In book 2, he ended up trapped behind some rocks with Lockhart. In book 3, he was in the hospital wing. In book 4, he was in the stands. In book 5, he got disabled by the brains pretty early on in the fight at the ministry. In book 6, he held his own in the duel with the Death Eaters. By my count, that’s one instance of actually helping Harry achieve his goal, three of managing to stay alive despite serious danger, and two of being completely irrelevant. Bye, Ron.

(Oh, given that Ron and Harry had a huge fight before the former stormed off, wouldn’t it just be ironic, in the Alanis sense, if that’s the last we see of Ron alive? Don’t do it, JKR.)

No spoilers for later chapters in the comments! Detention for anyone who slips.

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