vivien | The OotP meme going around (Reply)

1. Describe in five words or less how you feel about Order of the Phoenix. (your initial reaction)
Wow. So much info. Wow.

2. What are your feelings on Harry's personality? Do you think he is overly cynical, depressed, etc.?
Hey, he finally woke up from the sleep walking! Seriously, he actually seemed more like a real person than ever before. It's about time he gets angry and rages at fate.

3. Do you think Order of the Phoenix is appropriate for children 13 and younger? Why or why not?
Oh yes. It's not really for first graders unless they're really advanced or having a parent read to them, but not because of content- more because of vocabulary. I think as long as parents are there to discuss the scary or confusing parts, it's fine for kiddos to read.

4. List your five most hated characters (either in Book 5 or the whole series, non-humans can be included).
Let me see. Mostly I either enjoy the characters or they are just there and blah.

However, Umbridge appalled me. "Hem, hem" now gives me creepy shivers.

Not a huge Cho fan. She's just kind of blah to me.
Quirrell was a weakling.
Wormtail is a cringing coward.
Vernon Dursley is everything I hate about conservatives.

4b. What are your top five (other than Harry, Ron, and Hermione) most loved characters? (either in Book 5 or the whole series, non-humans can be included)
Tom Riddle - why? What happened to make him Voldemort?

Minerva McGonagall - she kicks ass and takes names.

Remus Lupin - how he has suffered in his life. He is gentle and soft-spoken, and yet undoubtedly can also kick ass and take names when needed.

Severus Snape - I know, surly, ugly, chip on his shoulder, but I have a thing for brilliant, brooding men in black who've been evil but are seeking redemption. It's a bulletproof kink.

Then just for fun, I love Gilderoy Lockhart and Alastor Moody. WOnderful characters.

5. Percy turned away from his family. Will he come crawling back to them now or . . .?
Eventually. He will be able to still climb the Ministry ladder and be in accordance with his family, but he will never be part of the Order.

6. What did you think of the new DADA's punishment? Why did neither Harry nor Lee complain?
It hurt my hand to read. Sometimes kids don't know how or who to tell when someone in authority exploits/abuses them. And that was serious abuse.

7. What do you think of James and Lily now?
They're definitely more three dimensional, besides being sainted, dead parents. I figured James was an asshole jock back in the day. I want to find out what made him grow out of it.

8. Has your opinion (which is probably not too good) of Petunia Dursley changed? If yes, how so?
Not so much changed necessarily. More curious now as to what made her agree to take Harry in. Promise of protection perhaps?

9. What's the meaning of Snape's nickname in your opinion?
A mean play on his name that probably matched his "sniveling" personality

10. What do you think of the character death? Do you think s/he will return?
It was sad - I feel the loss for Harry and Remus both. It fit in context with the character and situation though, so I thought it was not a pointless death. It also taught Harry an extremely hard lesson on being rash. Will he ever come back? Only in the ways Lily and James have - through magical memories and mirrors.

11. Do you think fanfiction will be hurt by Book 5?
How could it? It will be enriched.

11b. Do you see any new pairings arising? Do you see any huge ships falling apart?
Harry/Ginny and Hermione/Ron are still possible, even if they weren't focused on. I got a definite Luna/Harry vibe. The only slash pairing I ever saw was Sirius/Remus, so I can't comment on that area of the ship scene ;)

12. What was your favourite chapter in Order of the Phoenix? Why?
Oh man, I can't think of one favorite. I thoroughly enjoyed the "Grimmauld Place" chapter though.

13. Talk about Fred and George's "flight."
I've always enjoyed Fred and George's antics, but their flight into the sunset was brilliant. I wanted to get away from Umbridge so much by that point I envied them.

14. Give some thoughts on Ron.
Ron was not a git in this book. He's growing up. Either that, or he spent the whole time in anxiety over the latest responsibilities heaped upon him ;) I'm glad he's getting a chance to shine on his own merits.

14b. Give some thoughts on Hermione.
Hermione rocks. Not only could she have been sorted into Ravenclaw, but she'd have been right in there with the Slytherins if she had a slightly different personality. She's much more relaxed and rebellious now, and she has incredible potential. Actually, there's a lot of fanon in OotP canon Hermione.

15. What did you think of Dumbledore's explanation?
It was needed by this point to explain some gaps in mytharc logic to propel the next story along. I liked that Dumbledore was fallible, and Harry felt he could rail against him for the first time.

16. Do you feel satisfied by this book?
Oh man, do I ever. I got to see the Ministry and St. Mungo's and the Dept. of Mysteries - this world seems more real to me now than ever before.

17. How anxious are you now for Book 6?
Oh please don't let there be another three years to go!