| Prisoner of Azkaban |
Harry is very sensitive about his parents whom he idolizes. He
never got to know them, but he loves them, is loyal to their
memories and get very defensive when someone else questions them
or says nasty things about them. Aunt Marge learns that lesson
the hard way.
As any kid, especially an orphan forced to live with people who
hate him, might do Harry glorifies the memory of his parents.
This theme, the theme of family and history defining who you are
and shaping your present, becomes very relevant in this book.
Unique in the series, Book 3 is perhaps the most widely viewed as
everyone’s favorite and it deals mostly in the workings of the
past not so much the progression of Voldemort’s quest for power
and vengeance.
Because Harry knows that the Ministry monitors magical activity
and he’s already had one warning, he decides to make a run for
it. Entirely stupid, yes, after all he’s only 13 and has no one
and nowhere to go. Yet here’s the precedent for “I’m going
hunting for Horcruxes!”
He’s alone in the Leaky Cauldron for a while, exploring the
exotic world of Diagon Alley and getting his homework done. A
little Hermione must be rubbing off on him.
They all meet up and Harry finally finds out who Sirius Black
really is and why everyone’s been treating him with kid gloves.
Arthur wants to tell him the truth; Molly prefers to protect him.
never got to know them, but he loves them, is loyal to their
memories and get very defensive when someone else questions them
or says nasty things about them. Aunt Marge learns that lesson
the hard way.
As any kid, especially an orphan forced to live with people who
hate him, might do Harry glorifies the memory of his parents.
This theme, the theme of family and history defining who you are
and shaping your present, becomes very relevant in this book.
Unique in the series, Book 3 is perhaps the most widely viewed as
everyone’s favorite and it deals mostly in the workings of the
past not so much the progression of Voldemort’s quest for power
and vengeance.
Because Harry knows that the Ministry monitors magical activity
and he’s already had one warning, he decides to make a run for
it. Entirely stupid, yes, after all he’s only 13 and has no one
and nowhere to go. Yet here’s the precedent for “I’m going
hunting for Horcruxes!”
He’s alone in the Leaky Cauldron for a while, exploring the
exotic world of Diagon Alley and getting his homework done. A
little Hermione must be rubbing off on him.
They all meet up and Harry finally finds out who Sirius Black
really is and why everyone’s been treating him with kid gloves.
Arthur wants to tell him the truth; Molly prefers to protect him.
We also see that this is a constant struggle...
this debate of how much to tell, how much burden
to place upon a young boy’s shoulders.
This is where we see the state of Scabbers and
meet Crookshanks for the first time. The
relationship of their owners mirrored in the
relationship between the animals. The dislike
and antagonism between Ron and Hermione played
out in and exacerbated by the actions of their
pets.
Along the ride back to Hogwarts, we meet
Dementors and one Remus J. Lupin for the first
time. Both will be of great importance not only
to this story but also to the rest of the series.
this debate of how much to tell, how much burden
to place upon a young boy’s shoulders.
This is where we see the state of Scabbers and
meet Crookshanks for the first time. The
relationship of their owners mirrored in the
relationship between the animals. The dislike
and antagonism between Ron and Hermione played
out in and exacerbated by the actions of their
pets.
Along the ride back to Hogwarts, we meet
Dementors and one Remus J. Lupin for the first
time. Both will be of great importance not only
to this story but also to the rest of the series.
- The stranger was wearing an extremely shabby set
places. He looked ill and exhausted. Though quite
young, his light brown hair was flecked with gray.
- “Who d’you reckon he is?” Ron hissed as they sat
away from the window.
- “Professor R. J. Lupin,” whispered Hermione at
- “How d’you know that?”
“It’s on his case,” she replied, pointing at the
small, battered case held together with a large
quantity of neatly knotted string.
- Standing in the doorway, illuminated by the
that towered to the ceiling. Its face was completely
hidden beneath its hood. Harry’s eyes darted downward,
and what he saw made his stomach contract. There was a
hand protruding from the cloak and it was glistening,
grayish, slimy-looking and scabbed, like something
dead that had decayed in water...
| ... |
| Prisoner of Azkaban Chapter 5 |
The first time we meet the man who will become not only their
best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, but also Harry’s
second godfather, he is a shabby mess, sleeping until threatened
by Dementors. Immediately, in a protective role of Harry and the
others. As opposed to Sirius who is introduced in a violent,
malevolent light.
Though we don’t know it at the time, Remus is probably the more
dangerous of the two, being a werewolf. But despite this,
Dumbledore, in his infinite wisdom, brings Remus to Hogwarts this
year…perhaps to further protect Harry? If anyone knew how to get
around the school and how Sirius might think and act, it would be
his former best friend and fellow Marauder, right?
In school, they meet Trelawney – another character who will have
greater importance down the line a bit. She’s a bit of a joke,
but later we are proven wrong about her. She may be 99.9% quack,
but there’s still that .1% that has true seer potential…even if
it is accidental, she makes two startling predictions. We see one
here and learn of the other only when it’s too late.
best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, but also Harry’s
second godfather, he is a shabby mess, sleeping until threatened
by Dementors. Immediately, in a protective role of Harry and the
others. As opposed to Sirius who is introduced in a violent,
malevolent light.
Though we don’t know it at the time, Remus is probably the more
dangerous of the two, being a werewolf. But despite this,
Dumbledore, in his infinite wisdom, brings Remus to Hogwarts this
year…perhaps to further protect Harry? If anyone knew how to get
around the school and how Sirius might think and act, it would be
his former best friend and fellow Marauder, right?
In school, they meet Trelawney – another character who will have
greater importance down the line a bit. She’s a bit of a joke,
but later we are proven wrong about her. She may be 99.9% quack,
but there’s still that .1% that has true seer potential…even if
it is accidental, she makes two startling predictions. We see one
here and learn of the other only when it’s too late.
Hermione, ever the logician, has a problem with this class. Much
to the amusement of everyone else. Her vocal dissention about is
sleeping through their Charms class or suddenly vanishing when
she was right behind them.
Her strange behavior is unsettling to Harry, it even upsets Ron
who more or less tries to ignore Hermione most of the book due to
their pets. Hermione is the rock, the steady one. If she starts
acting wonky, none of them have any hope of not going under.
The Dementors that were guarding the school gates invade the
Quidditch match, not only causing the Gryffindor team to lose the
game, but also their seeker. Harry’s affected so badly by these
beasts that he collapses mid-air and if not for Dumbledore’s
intervention would surely have died from the fall.
His broomstick gets destroyed…but gets an even better
replacement, without caring who might have sent it. Hermione
reports it because she’s worried for his safety (as well she
should considering the threat on it and everything that’s
happened so far), but Harry gets angry with her. He doesn’t want
his new toy taken away and, like a typical kid, doesn’t see that
their might be consequences. Cause really, what’s more important
than a new Firebolt?
Harry is annoyed with Hermione, but Ron is even angrier…why? I
don’t really understand Ron’s horror, as it has nothing to do
with him. This is beyond getting angry on his friend’s behalf.
It’s almost as if she has done something to Ron personally. Let’s
ignore the fact that she’s trying to protect Harry. Ron takes it
as a personal insult, would probably be more lenient with an
insult or jibe actually. He just jumps on the bandwagon of Harry
being angry with Hermione, because now it’s no question whose
Harry’s best friend.
Ron and Hermione have always just been friends for Harry’s sake,
but now with Scabbers and Crookshanks thrown in the mix, the
contention between the two “sidekicks” is astronomical. Ron’s
excited because now that Harry’s pulled away from Hermione, they
can just go ahead and forget about her. And really, isn’t that
what Ron’s wanted all along? One less person to overshadow him?
Though Harry seems to enjoy not being the only one upset over the
broomstick, he is ready and willing to forgive Hermione before
Ron and even makes the first approach. Harry is also the first to
broach the topic of Hermione’s crazy course schedule with her.
to the amusement of everyone else. Her vocal dissention about is
sleeping through their Charms class or suddenly vanishing when
she was right behind them.
Her strange behavior is unsettling to Harry, it even upsets Ron
who more or less tries to ignore Hermione most of the book due to
their pets. Hermione is the rock, the steady one. If she starts
acting wonky, none of them have any hope of not going under.
The Dementors that were guarding the school gates invade the
Quidditch match, not only causing the Gryffindor team to lose the
game, but also their seeker. Harry’s affected so badly by these
beasts that he collapses mid-air and if not for Dumbledore’s
intervention would surely have died from the fall.
His broomstick gets destroyed…but gets an even better
replacement, without caring who might have sent it. Hermione
reports it because she’s worried for his safety (as well she
should considering the threat on it and everything that’s
happened so far), but Harry gets angry with her. He doesn’t want
his new toy taken away and, like a typical kid, doesn’t see that
their might be consequences. Cause really, what’s more important
than a new Firebolt?
Harry is annoyed with Hermione, but Ron is even angrier…why? I
don’t really understand Ron’s horror, as it has nothing to do
with him. This is beyond getting angry on his friend’s behalf.
It’s almost as if she has done something to Ron personally. Let’s
ignore the fact that she’s trying to protect Harry. Ron takes it
as a personal insult, would probably be more lenient with an
insult or jibe actually. He just jumps on the bandwagon of Harry
being angry with Hermione, because now it’s no question whose
Harry’s best friend.
Ron and Hermione have always just been friends for Harry’s sake,
but now with Scabbers and Crookshanks thrown in the mix, the
contention between the two “sidekicks” is astronomical. Ron’s
excited because now that Harry’s pulled away from Hermione, they
can just go ahead and forget about her. And really, isn’t that
what Ron’s wanted all along? One less person to overshadow him?
Though Harry seems to enjoy not being the only one upset over the
broomstick, he is ready and willing to forgive Hermione before
Ron and even makes the first approach. Harry is also the first to
broach the topic of Hermione’s crazy course schedule with her.
- “Can I sit down, then?” Harry asked Hermione.
“I suppose so,” said Hermione, moving a great
- Harry looked around at the cluttered table, at the
glistening, at the even longer Muggle Studies essay
(“Explain Why Muggles Need Electricity”) and at the
rune translation Hermione was now poring over.
- “How are you getting through all this stuff?”
- “Oh, well – you know – working hard,” said
as tired as Lupin.
- “Why don’t you just drop a couple of subjects?”
for her rune dictionary.
- “I couldn’t do that!” said Hermione, looking
- “Arithmancy looks terrible,” said Harry, picking
- “Oh, no, it’s wonderful!” said Hermione earnestly.
- But exactly what was wonderful about Arithmancy,
strangled yell echoed down the boys’ staircase.
| Prisoner of Azkaban Chapter 12 |
Prior to this the boys just speculated amongst themselves about
how weird Hermione was acting…however, this little moment of
genuine concern is interrupted by the apparent murder of Scabbers.
Harry is so self-centered over his hurt and annoyance about the
Firebolt that he forgets all about Hagrid and helping him with
Buckbeak’s case. (“Gawd knows yeh’ve had enough to be getting’ on
with. I’ve seen yeh practicin’ Quidditch ev’ry hour o’ the day
an’ night.”)
That work is left to Hermione, who is already dealing with the
stress of an overloaded schedule. Yet when anything needs to get
done, and done right, Hermione is the only choice.
We also get a whiff of the power of public perception and how the
lack of truth can confuse and deter justice and awareness. The
end of the First War with the massacre of the Potters and
Voldemort’s disappearance was clearly a hectic time. No one can
ever know what really happened there.
Sirius was arrested and thrown into Azkaban without trial because
the coward, spineless rat Pettigrew designed an escape to make
things appear a certain way. No one waited for the smoke to clear
to make out the truth of the situation they just acted blindly.
Sirius was in prison for a crime he did not commit, but years
later when Harry, the only son of his best friends, hears the
warped tale; Sirius must now take the blame yet again. Harry vows
to kill him. Without knowing the full story, Harry makes a choice
to hate and kill someone...he chooses vengeance over truth.
(Foreshadowing of Book 6?)
We are proved wrong about Sirius Black, just as we are proved
wrong about Trelawney, Quirrel, Lockhart, Lupin...the list goes
on.
how weird Hermione was acting…however, this little moment of
genuine concern is interrupted by the apparent murder of Scabbers.
Harry is so self-centered over his hurt and annoyance about the
Firebolt that he forgets all about Hagrid and helping him with
Buckbeak’s case. (“Gawd knows yeh’ve had enough to be getting’ on
with. I’ve seen yeh practicin’ Quidditch ev’ry hour o’ the day
an’ night.”)
That work is left to Hermione, who is already dealing with the
stress of an overloaded schedule. Yet when anything needs to get
done, and done right, Hermione is the only choice.
We also get a whiff of the power of public perception and how the
lack of truth can confuse and deter justice and awareness. The
end of the First War with the massacre of the Potters and
Voldemort’s disappearance was clearly a hectic time. No one can
ever know what really happened there.
Sirius was arrested and thrown into Azkaban without trial because
the coward, spineless rat Pettigrew designed an escape to make
things appear a certain way. No one waited for the smoke to clear
to make out the truth of the situation they just acted blindly.
Sirius was in prison for a crime he did not commit, but years
later when Harry, the only son of his best friends, hears the
warped tale; Sirius must now take the blame yet again. Harry vows
to kill him. Without knowing the full story, Harry makes a choice
to hate and kill someone...he chooses vengeance over truth.
(Foreshadowing of Book 6?)
We are proved wrong about Sirius Black, just as we are proved
wrong about Trelawney, Quirrel, Lockhart, Lupin...the list goes
on.
Harry learns to defend himself against
Dementors. His greatest fear is fear. Which
is actually very mature in a way. It’s not
stupid like a fear of spiders or glue...
There’s power in fear...on one hand it can
keep you alive and on the other it can stop
you from living. To be afraid of that, of
yielding your free will to something, even
fear, is powerful too.
It makes you aware that the only thing that’s
stopping you, holding you back is you. You’re
in charge of your own destiny, not someone or
something else.
Dementors. His greatest fear is fear. Which
is actually very mature in a way. It’s not
stupid like a fear of spiders or glue...
There’s power in fear...on one hand it can
keep you alive and on the other it can stop
you from living. To be afraid of that, of
yielding your free will to something, even
fear, is powerful too.
It makes you aware that the only thing that’s
stopping you, holding you back is you. You’re
in charge of your own destiny, not someone or
something else.
Taking the shape of a Dementor, Harry and Lupin work with the
boggart to learn the defensive spell for a Patronus...or patron,
a protector.
In this lesson, Harry is torn. He is at once horrified and
curious about the screams he hears in his head when the Dementors
take affect. He relives the most horrible moments of his life,
moments he was too young to remember on his own. But with the
power of the Dementor feeding off of his emotions, Harry is able
to hear his mother beg for his life.
boggart to learn the defensive spell for a Patronus...or patron,
a protector.
In this lesson, Harry is torn. He is at once horrified and
curious about the screams he hears in his head when the Dementors
take affect. He relives the most horrible moments of his life,
moments he was too young to remember on his own. But with the
power of the Dementor feeding off of his emotions, Harry is able
to hear his mother beg for his life.
- But the classroom and the dementor were
white fog, and his mother’s voice was louder than
ever, echoing inside his head – “Not Harry! Not Harry!
Please – I’ll do anything –”
- “Stand aside. Stand aside, girl!”
| Prisoner of Azkaban Chapter 12 |
I don’t think I need to talk about the exquisite torture it must
be to have the first time you hear your mother’s voice be the
scream of despair and terror that ripped from her throat as she
tried with her last breath to save your life.
Quaking with the effort of an orphan who has had everything he’s
ever wanted or hoped for ripped away from him to not hope, to not
wish for anything, Harry cannot help but to yearn for his
mother’s voice no matter how horrific the scene. He cannot help
but to long for more information about the parents he never knew.
This book is mostly about discovery of the pat. Discovering your
own history. How events transpired to make you who you are. Harry
discovers the truth about his parents’ friends, enemies and the
traitor who sealed their death and sentenced him to the life he
has had to live.
The foundation Harry had been firmly planted on gets pulled out
from under him in the Shrieking Shack. He had thought that Sirius
was the culprit, hadn’t known about Remus’ role in the story, and
thought Peter to be a dead victim like his parents. This gets
entirely turned around as the truth, the whole truth comes out
before everyone’s eyes.
It’s also a warning about how knowing part but no all of the
truth can lead to misjudgments and misunderstandings. Again,
another appearance vs. reality caution. The Wizarding World
jumped to conclusions and it was easier to sentence the innocent
man to 12 years in the world’s worst prison for a crime he didn’t
commit. Easier and quicker to send him to jail without trial,
than to question things and find the truth.
Harry behaved admirably in the Shrieking Shack, aside from the
whole trying to kill Sirius thing that is. He must have been
reeling from all that was revealed, but he saves the life of the
man who caused them all such pain. He saves the life of his
parents’ betrayer.
be to have the first time you hear your mother’s voice be the
scream of despair and terror that ripped from her throat as she
tried with her last breath to save your life.
Quaking with the effort of an orphan who has had everything he’s
ever wanted or hoped for ripped away from him to not hope, to not
wish for anything, Harry cannot help but to yearn for his
mother’s voice no matter how horrific the scene. He cannot help
but to long for more information about the parents he never knew.
This book is mostly about discovery of the pat. Discovering your
own history. How events transpired to make you who you are. Harry
discovers the truth about his parents’ friends, enemies and the
traitor who sealed their death and sentenced him to the life he
has had to live.
The foundation Harry had been firmly planted on gets pulled out
from under him in the Shrieking Shack. He had thought that Sirius
was the culprit, hadn’t known about Remus’ role in the story, and
thought Peter to be a dead victim like his parents. This gets
entirely turned around as the truth, the whole truth comes out
before everyone’s eyes.
It’s also a warning about how knowing part but no all of the
truth can lead to misjudgments and misunderstandings. Again,
another appearance vs. reality caution. The Wizarding World
jumped to conclusions and it was easier to sentence the innocent
man to 12 years in the world’s worst prison for a crime he didn’t
commit. Easier and quicker to send him to jail without trial,
than to question things and find the truth.
Harry behaved admirably in the Shrieking Shack, aside from the
whole trying to kill Sirius thing that is. He must have been
reeling from all that was revealed, but he saves the life of the
man who caused them all such pain. He saves the life of his
parents’ betrayer.
- “DON’T LIE!” bellowed Black. “YOU’D BEEN PASSING
DIED! YOU WERE HIS SPY!”
- “He – he was taking over everywhere!” gasped
refusing him?”
- “What was there to gained by fighting the most
terrible fury in his face. “Only innocent lives,
Peter!”
- “You don’t understand!” whined Pettigrew. “He
- “THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED!” roared Black. “DIED
FOR YOU!”
- “Black and Lupin stood shoulder to shoulder, wands
- “You should have realized,” said Lupin, quietly,
Peter.”
- Hermione covered her face with her hands and
- “NO!” Harry yelled. He ran forward, placing
can’t kill him,” he said breathlessly. “You can’t.”
Black and Lupin both looked staggered.
- “Harry, this piece of vermin is ther reason you
filth would have seen you die too, without turning a
hair. You head him. His own stinking skin meant more
to him than your whole family.”
- “I know,” Harry panted. “We’ll take him up to the
go to Azkaban...but don’t kill him.”
| Prisoner of Azkaban Chapter 19 |
He is immediately eager and accepting of going to live with
Sirius, which always struck me as odd, because mere minutes ago
and now you want to live with him?
In the fiasco that ensues, Harry and Hermione are the only ones
left with Sirius as he is being attacked by the Dementors. And
despite being seconds from passing out, Harry tries to use what
he learned this year and asks Hermione for help...she does try,
even though she’s on the verge of unconsciousness.
Sirius, which always struck me as odd, because mere minutes ago
and now you want to live with him?
In the fiasco that ensues, Harry and Hermione are the only ones
left with Sirius as he is being attacked by the Dementors. And
despite being seconds from passing out, Harry tries to use what
he learned this year and asks Hermione for help...she does try,
even though she’s on the verge of unconsciousness.
- Black gave a shudder, rolled over, and lay
- He’ll be all right. I’m going to go and live with
- “Expecto Patronum! Hermione, help me! Expecto
- “Expecto –” Hermione whispered, “expecto–expecto–”
But she couldn’t do it. The dementors were closing
wall around Harry and Hermione, and were getting
closer...
- “EXPECTO PATRONUM!” Harry yelled, trying to blot
- A thin wisp of silver escaped his wand and hovered
Hermione collapse next to him. He was alone...
completely alone...
| Prisoner of Azkaban Chapter 20 |
They both fight for Sirius and each other until the absolutely
cannot fight any longer.
In short, we see Harry’s desperate thirst to know his parents, to
have a family. We see how important it is to him. We see is utter
goodness, saving the life of a man not worth the scum on the
bottom a shoe.
Later it is said that Harry is pure of heart, here we see the
evidence. Even filled with rage and hatred, he saves the man that
caused his parents' deaths.
Yet at the same time we see that he does have the anger and the
willingness to attack his enemy without holding back.
cannot fight any longer.
In short, we see Harry’s desperate thirst to know his parents, to
have a family. We see how important it is to him. We see is utter
goodness, saving the life of a man not worth the scum on the
bottom a shoe.
Later it is said that Harry is pure of heart, here we see the
evidence. Even filled with rage and hatred, he saves the man that
caused his parents' deaths.
Yet at the same time we see that he does have the anger and the
willingness to attack his enemy without holding back.
Harry risks his life for someone else yet again. In this sequence
of events: saving the betrayer, in saving Sirius and in fighting
beside Hermione until they both lose consciousness, it is shown
that Harry is capable of great forgiveness, empathy and
acceptance. It shows that he wants to love and be loved, even if
he doesn’t quite know how or how to recognize it.
In the same fell swoop, the great teamwork between Harry and
Hermione is highlighted. Harry and Hermione work well as a team.
She’s got the skills and foresight to pull them through and
Harry’s got the ability to cast the Patronus in the end.
They compliment each other. Mutual respect. Each looks up to the
other, respects the other’s opinion and seeks it out.
She’s the technical expert and Harry completes the set with the
will and the guts. (Not to say that she doesn’t have those
qualities – just that Harry’s impulsiveness usually forces the
situation where her clear-headed logic would probably have
avoided the entire thing in the first place.)
They’re a good team. Work well together. Listen and adapt. Work
with each other’s strengths and weaknesses without having to be
told.
of events: saving the betrayer, in saving Sirius and in fighting
beside Hermione until they both lose consciousness, it is shown
that Harry is capable of great forgiveness, empathy and
acceptance. It shows that he wants to love and be loved, even if
he doesn’t quite know how or how to recognize it.
In the same fell swoop, the great teamwork between Harry and
Hermione is highlighted. Harry and Hermione work well as a team.
She’s got the skills and foresight to pull them through and
Harry’s got the ability to cast the Patronus in the end.
They compliment each other. Mutual respect. Each looks up to the
other, respects the other’s opinion and seeks it out.
She’s the technical expert and Harry completes the set with the
will and the guts. (Not to say that she doesn’t have those
qualities – just that Harry’s impulsiveness usually forces the
situation where her clear-headed logic would probably have
avoided the entire thing in the first place.)
They’re a good team. Work well together. Listen and adapt. Work
with each other’s strengths and weaknesses without having to be
told.
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