Comments on: The Leaky Cauldron

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:26:49 +0000

I wonder why noone wanted Crookshanks?

By: Amy

Amy — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 01:00:15 +0000

I think this is one of the few chapters I got annoyed at Fred and George. I can’t remember if I have felt like this previously or if it’s a new feeling. Don’t get me wrong, I find it funny when they’re copying Percy and being overly formal. It’s just at the end of the chapter. Their actions annoyed Percy (i.e. they had the desired effect) but they also gave Ron unwanted bother. It all seems so trivial and childlike when you compare it with what Harry has just found out. I know JKR probably intended us to juxtapose the twins fun with Harry’s hardship but they just annoy me for some reason here. They haven’t previously so I’m not sure if it’s because I’m maturing and seeing it differently or if it’s just a one off. It’s going to be interesting to see what my view of them is throughout the rest of the series (if I ever get a chance to fit in reading alongside my uni work).

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:28:58 +0000

Something you may not have noticed, when Harry firsts see the Firebolt at Quality Quidditch Supplies, the proprietor says that the Irish National Team bought seven Firebolts and are favorites for the World Cup.

By: May

May — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 05:21:34 +0000

Re: The Power of Magic. The Firebolt even has an unbreakable braking charm installed! Too bad that Harry’s Nimbus Two Thousand lacks this.

Re: Something To Remember: At this point of my rereading the books, I’d really like to know how Scabbers/Peter Pettigrew ended up with the Weasley family in the first place! Curious off-cam bit, don’t you think?

It’s so heartwarming to see Harry being so carefree in this short span of time. He actually deserves it!

Adele, I am also wondering about that. From the descriptions we gathered about Dementors, it seems unlikely that they could even talk. Just my inference, though. I wish somebody would clear this question.

By: Kitty

Kitty — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 14:49:43 +0000

I just love Crookshanks. He has been an interesting character to talk about. The shop owner said that he had been there for ages, and no one wanted him. How long is ages? He attacked Scabbers at the first sight of the rat because, we’ll later find out, he figured out something wrong about this rat, something that wizards couldn’t realize. Is a cat can be that intelligent? Yeah, I know we are talking about the wizarding world, but he still seemed to be too smart. What if that was not the first time he saw the rat, or, in later case, the dog? It’s just a theory, but we know that twelve years ago, there was a cat in a family, which almost got killed by their one-year-old dark-haired boy when he rode his first broomstick on his birthday. When his parents died and the house was destroyed, we never know what happened to the cat. If it’s the case and the cat is actually Crookshanks, it can be explained why he recognized the rat and the dog in these situations… We can only guess. ;)

By: Amanda

Amanda — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 13:30:52 +0000

I really like that the Leaky Cauldron is also a kind of hostel. It’s just such a cool place – working as a passage between the Muggle world and the wizarding world, it must be the perfect place to see weird people like the ones Harry observe.
I also really like this chapter, it has a warmth and peace to it that’s really nice.

By: Adele

Adele — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 05:48:30 +0000

When Mr. and Mrs. Weasley are arguing and he says that the Azkaban guards told Fudge that Sirius had been talking in his sleep… how did they manage that? A couple of other times in the book characters are mentioned to ‘talk’ to the Dementors, but I’ve always been curious as to how that would work

By: q

Sun, 12 Jun 2011 15:55:32 +0000

I’ve always loved how the manager in Flourish and Blotts suddenly transforms into an assistant after getting Unfogging the Future for Harry. The imprecise branch of magic, Divination, lowers other people’s opinion of you as well~

By: Casey

Casey — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 01:12:35 +0000

I love this chapter! It’s always been one of my favorites in the whole series. I just always feel so envious of Harry in this chapter, because of all the freedom that he has given to him at such an early age. When I was thirteen, I’d be stalked by my mother the whole time I’d go to hang out with my friends! And to spend three whole weeks by yourself, basically living like an adult (even making adult decisions like not spending all of your money on things you don’t really need) has just always fascinated me! Wish I could live in Diagon Alley for a few weeks alone!

And I also was very interested in the speed of the brooms, and how modern physics would probably say it’s impossible to go that fast on something as small as broomstick with no wind protection without falling off. But then again, this IS the Wizarding world. I wouldn’t be surprised if a wizard’s fortitude would keep them on, or their were some kind of wind-breaking charm. I’ve also always wondered what that Unbreakable Braking Charm is on the broomstick. Anyone have any ideas? The Firebolt also seems to have the speed capabilities as a Ferrari or some kind of exotic sports car – it goes about 0 – 60 in 4 seconds! It’s no wonder it’s such a sought out mode of transportation =P

By: John Kearns

John Kearns — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 15:12:49 +0000

Paul Menkens, Care of Magical Creatures was one of the optional courses (like Divination, Arithmancy, etc.) that students could sign up for beginning third year. Once they signed up, though, it seems they were stuck with it through fifth year. Then after O.W.L.s everything changes again.