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| Caspian and Rilian Present |
| A Tale of Corruption: |
| An Interview with the Happily Converted |
Seated in a small booth in the corner of the deserted
late-night diner, Heathcliff swipes his finger at the whipped
cream dripping from his overflowing hot chocolate.
It's a cold night, the chill leaving frost on the parked cars
outside and along the brightly lit windows of our favorite
diner.
I haven't seen Heathcliff in a while. School and work have
taken up our time, but when I'd told him of my idea for the
Guest Blog, he jumped at the idea.
Heathcliff Holden (yes, dear readers, he's a cousin of
everyone's favorite webmasters) is a convert to the Potter
fandom. He's not a natural, Cas and I had to drill it into him.
This is a tale of our success. A tale of the corruption of an
innocent Potter on-looker.
A one-time forsaker of all things Potter related, Heathcliff
had sworn he'd never pick up the books. (Mostly, I think, just
to aggravate us.) Yet, nevertheless, we prevailed. The juicy
goodness that is Harry Potter proved far too tempting and
eventually won Heathy over.
And so, taking a sip of my boiling hot chocolate, I begin the
interrogation by first laughing at the dollop of whipped cream
he's managed to get on his nose. Then, having dodged the
multiple napkins that come flying my way as a result, I ask him
to share with us his side of the story.
late-night diner, Heathcliff swipes his finger at the whipped
cream dripping from his overflowing hot chocolate.
It's a cold night, the chill leaving frost on the parked cars
outside and along the brightly lit windows of our favorite
diner.
I haven't seen Heathcliff in a while. School and work have
taken up our time, but when I'd told him of my idea for the
Guest Blog, he jumped at the idea.
Heathcliff Holden (yes, dear readers, he's a cousin of
everyone's favorite webmasters) is a convert to the Potter
fandom. He's not a natural, Cas and I had to drill it into him.
This is a tale of our success. A tale of the corruption of an
innocent Potter on-looker.
A one-time forsaker of all things Potter related, Heathcliff
had sworn he'd never pick up the books. (Mostly, I think, just
to aggravate us.) Yet, nevertheless, we prevailed. The juicy
goodness that is Harry Potter proved far too tempting and
eventually won Heathy over.
And so, taking a sip of my boiling hot chocolate, I begin the
interrogation by first laughing at the dollop of whipped cream
he's managed to get on his nose. Then, having dodged the
multiple napkins that come flying my way as a result, I ask him
to share with us his side of the story.
Ril:
Heathcliff:
What made you first take interest in Harry Potter?
I was forced in by evil corruption.
But seriously, I've always loved fantasy-type
books and mysteries as well. I had seen the cover
of book 5 and thought it just looked like a great
book. I was, however, intimidated by the 800+
pages and decided to ask my cousin, Ril (that's
you), if you’d read these books. You said 'yes'
and that they were really interesting, and so I
was intrigued.
But seriously, I've always loved fantasy-type
books and mysteries as well. I had seen the cover
of book 5 and thought it just looked like a great
book. I was, however, intimidated by the 800+
pages and decided to ask my cousin, Ril (that's
you), if you’d read these books. You said 'yes'
and that they were really interesting, and so I
was intrigued.
Ril:
Heathcliff:
Ril:
Heathcliff:
Ril:
Heathcliff:
Ril:
Heathcliff:
Ril:
Heathcliff:
Ril:
Heathcliff:
Ril:
Heathcliff:
Ril:
Heathcliff:
Ril:
Heathcliff:
Ril:
Heathcliff:
Ril:
Heathcliff:
Ril:
Heathcliff:
Ril:
Heathcliff:
Ril:
Heathcliff:
Ril:
Heathcliff:
Ril:
Heathcliff:
Ril:
Heathcliff:
Ril:
Heathcliff:
Ril:
Heathcliff:
Ril:
Heathcliff:
Ril:
Heathcliff:
Ril:
Heathcliff:
Did that experience make you want to read the
books?
books?
Yes, it did actually. But not enough to actually
read them. Reading has never been a great
enjoyment to me. I do love reading but the moment
has to strike me as well.
read them. Reading has never been a great
enjoyment to me. I do love reading but the moment
has to strike me as well.
Did the movies spark your interest more?
Absolutely. After seeing the first and second
movies, I went out and bought the 3rd and 4th
books.
movies, I went out and bought the 3rd and 4th
books.
But you still didn’t read them?
No. I was excited about the story from seeing the
movies, but by the time I got the books and got a
moment to read, I just wasn’t interested anymore.
The spark wasn’t there. That, and I couldn’t let
Cas and Ril know that I was even thinking about
reading the books!
movies, but by the time I got the books and got a
moment to read, I just wasn’t interested anymore.
The spark wasn’t there. That, and I couldn’t let
Cas and Ril know that I was even thinking about
reading the books!
What did make you want to read the books?
It felt like there were a couple of things missing
from the movies and I wanted to know more about
the characters. I also couldn't wait to see what
happened next.
And the one thing your readers have to understand,
Ril, is that you and Cas are obsessed.
from the movies and I wanted to know more about
the characters. I also couldn't wait to see what
happened next.
And the one thing your readers have to understand,
Ril, is that you and Cas are obsessed.
(Laughs) I think they know that...
No, I mean, there was a while there when you guys
didn’t talk about anything else. Or anything you
did talk about led back to Harry frickin’ Potter.
I was sick of the code speak. It was like you were
in some sort of cult. It was what made me want to
know what you were talking about and what made me
keep away from it. I didn’t want to turn into you.
You were all like, “Blank blanks blank.” And, “You
know when Hermione does the thing with the coins?
Yeah, it was pretty awesome.”
didn’t talk about anything else. Or anything you
did talk about led back to Harry frickin’ Potter.
I was sick of the code speak. It was like you were
in some sort of cult. It was what made me want to
know what you were talking about and what made me
keep away from it. I didn’t want to turn into you.
You were all like, “Blank blanks blank.” And, “You
know when Hermione does the thing with the coins?
Yeah, it was pretty awesome.”
Okay, we get it, dear cuz. But obviously your
curiosity won out. You did wind up reading the
books.
curiosity won out. You did wind up reading the
books.
Yeah, well, it was more like you made me an offer
I couldn’t refuse.
I couldn’t refuse.
More like you didn’t want to refuse. You wanted to
read the books, just admit it.
read the books, just admit it.
I was intrigued. That’s all you’re getting.
I don’t know why you resist it. Clearly, I’ve
already won, as you’ve read them. And you’re being
interviewed right now.
already won, as you’ve read them. And you’re being
interviewed right now.
Can I tell everyone about the ‘offer’ or are you
going to keep interrupting me?
going to keep interrupting me?
By all means, cuz.
Since I procrastinated with the reading on my own,
Ril and Cas offered to read them with me and
definitely made it more fun. Well, they didn’t
just read the books, they practically performed
them. It was hilarious. I wish I had it on tape.
Ril and Cas offered to read them with me and
definitely made it more fun. Well, they didn’t
just read the books, they practically performed
them. It was hilarious. I wish I had it on tape.
Why did Cas and Ril offer to enact the books with
you? Why did that appeal to you? What was the
experience like?
you? Why did that appeal to you? What was the
experience like?
(Laughs) There are no words. They offered because
they thought it would be more fun and intended to
read the books again as well so we read them
together. I was very excited because as you know,
Ril and Cas are very...humorous and entertaining.
They would also be able to answer any questions I
had and that they did, and very well I might add.
they thought it would be more fun and intended to
read the books again as well so we read them
together. I was very excited because as you know,
Ril and Cas are very...humorous and entertaining.
They would also be able to answer any questions I
had and that they did, and very well I might add.
(It takes a good five minutes, for Heathcliff to stop laughing
and wipe the tears from his eyes.)
and wipe the tears from his eyes.)
Did that make you totally love it?
Yes. I think at that point I definitely became a
huge Harry Potter fan. It wasn't a children's book
anymore.
huge Harry Potter fan. It wasn't a children's book
anymore.
So, in other words, we won.
(Laughs) No, JK Rowling won. I even called my
girlfriend at the time, Michelle, and told her I
was now a huge Harry Potter fan and she was so
excited she practically dropped the phone and
laughed at me saying “I didn’t know you converted!”
girlfriend at the time, Michelle, and told her I
was now a huge Harry Potter fan and she was so
excited she practically dropped the phone and
laughed at me saying “I didn’t know you converted!”
| ****** |
So, you were hooked from that point on?
Yes, definitely. I couldn't wait to see what
happened next. I think we started reading the
fourth book as soon as we closed the 3rd one. I
didn't want to wait. I don't think I had a choice
either. :)
happened next. I think we started reading the
fourth book as soon as we closed the 3rd one. I
didn't want to wait. I don't think I had a choice
either. :)
Aside from being forced into it, what motivates
you to want to continue with the series?
you to want to continue with the series?
So many people have died in the story and I am
very curious to see how the characters handle it
and what motivates them in doing what they are
doing. Every ending to every book seems to be a
cliff-hanger and I want to see what their next
adventure is.
very curious to see how the characters handle it
and what motivates them in doing what they are
doing. Every ending to every book seems to be a
cliff-hanger and I want to see what their next
adventure is.
Who’s your favorite character?
Probably Hermione.
Good answer. Why is she your favorite?
Because she is a know-it-all. And she does know
everything! And at such a young age! She is the
most intelligent of the group and Harry and Ron
would be completely lost without her! They
probably would have died in the first book.
everything! And at such a young age! She is the
most intelligent of the group and Harry and Ron
would be completely lost without her! They
probably would have died in the first book.
What point have you read up to?
I am about to complete book five. From what I have
heard from you two, I am a bit apprehensive to
read books six and seven. I want to savor the
goodness of book 5.
heard from you two, I am a bit apprehensive to
read books six and seven. I want to savor the
goodness of book 5.
And how many of the films have you seen?
I have seen all of them.
Which, in your opinion, is better: the book or the
movie?
movie?
Oy. The fifth movie was a very good movie but
there were so many things they left out that were
extremely important!! If I didn't read the book, I
probably would say that was the best movie I had
ever seen. But I know how good it could have been.
The second movie was probably my favorite. That
was absolutely amazing!
there were so many things they left out that were
extremely important!! If I didn't read the book, I
probably would say that was the best movie I had
ever seen. But I know how good it could have been.
The second movie was probably my favorite. That
was absolutely amazing!
Having gotten that far into the books, how do you
think the series will end?
think the series will end?
I think two of the characters will get married. A
lot of others will die and they will have many
more obstacles in keeping themselves alive. I
really don't know what to expect to tell you the
truth.
lot of others will die and they will have many
more obstacles in keeping themselves alive. I
really don't know what to expect to tell you the
truth.
How do you want it to end?
Hopefully with Hermione and Harry together, but I
think she will end up with Ron unfortunately. I
think Harry will finally conquer Voldemort and
we’ll finally figure out why Voldemort didn't kill
Harry when he was a baby but continually wants to
now. I know he was protected by his parents' love
for him and all but there has to be more to the
story. I want to know why they are so much
connected and why Voldemort is the way he is.
think she will end up with Ron unfortunately. I
think Harry will finally conquer Voldemort and
we’ll finally figure out why Voldemort didn't kill
Harry when he was a baby but continually wants to
now. I know he was protected by his parents' love
for him and all but there has to be more to the
story. I want to know why they are so much
connected and why Voldemort is the way he is.
Are you happy to be corrupted?
Yes. I do say that with hesitation though.
Ril:
Heathcliff:
Why the hesitation? We haven’t scared you too much
with our horror over the last two books, have we?
with our horror over the last two books, have we?
A little bit. You kept saying how bad it was and
what a mess she made. It’s a bit unnerving.
(Laughs) I don’t want everyone to die. And I’m
scared of what’s going to happen. I’m going to be
nervous when I read six and seven.
what a mess she made. It’s a bit unnerving.
(Laughs) I don’t want everyone to die. And I’m
scared of what’s going to happen. I’m going to be
nervous when I read six and seven.
Ril:
Heathcliff:
Okay, final question: Any advice to those still
resisting or those who have friends who need to be
corrupted?
resisting or those who have friends who need to be
corrupted?
For those who are fighting it. Stop...it'll be
totally worth it. For those with friends they
want to corrupt - keep at it...they will come
around. The material should speak for itself!
Though, it does help to have Cas and Ril around. ;)
totally worth it. For those with friends they
want to corrupt - keep at it...they will come
around. The material should speak for itself!
Though, it does help to have Cas and Ril around. ;)
Aww, thanks for the plug, Heathy.
And so we part, after making sure we’ve eaten the whipped
cream and not worn it. We set out into the cold night, bundled
up against the wind and waddling to our cars.
My advice for your as yet uncorrupted friends...let me at ‘em!
And so we part, after making sure we’ve eaten the whipped
cream and not worn it. We set out into the cold night, bundled
up against the wind and waddling to our cars.
My advice for your as yet uncorrupted friends...let me at ‘em!
Special thank you to Heathcliff Holden for this wonderful
contribution to the site.
contribution to the site.
