I dedicated my two previous posts to new HP stuff to look forward to. So I’ve decided that it’s only fitting to dedicate my next I-don’t-know-how-many posts to looking back. HP has a very long history and obviously much to look back on and remember. I want to start with going back to each book, remembering their most shocking, interesting and fascinating revelations. Today I’ll be looking at books 1-3.
Philosopher's Stone
In the first book everything was new, unusual and unexpected. So, basically, everything there was a huge giant revelation.
“Harry – yer a wizard.” ‘Nuff said.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is a revelation in and of itself. Quidditch. Classes. Oh, yes, let’s not forget about a giant and deadly three-headed dog whose name turned out to be Fluffy, who belonged to Hagrid and who fell asleep when you played him a bit of music.
But I think that the biggest revelation for me was the fact that Quirrell and not Snape turned out to be the bad guy (possessed by Voldemort no less!) and that Snape was actually trying to save Harry all along.
But I think that the biggest revelation for me was the fact that Quirrell and not Snape turned out to be the bad guy (possessed by Voldemort no less!) and that Snape was actually trying to save Harry all along.
“Severus?” Quirrell laughed and it wasn’t his usual quivering treble, either, but cold and sharp. “Yes, Severus does seem the type, doesn’t he? So useful to have him swooping around like an overgrown bat. Next to him, who would suspect p-p-poor st-stuttering P-Professor Quirrell?”
Who indeed! I was completely thrown off the trail there.
Chamber of Secrets
In the second book there were a lot more revelations. The most shocking for me was the truth behind Ginny’s diary:
“They had almost reached the motorway when Ginny shrieked that she’d left her diary.”
Now, tell me, who would have thought that this unobtrusive sentence, thrown among other sentences of similar nature, would have such a profound effect on the whole plot? I still can’t wrap my mind around the way J.K. Rowling plants her clues throughout the story. I mean, really!
Another shocking revelation was that Harry could talk to snakes! I just love that scene during the Duelling Club when he can’t for the life of him understand why everyone is staring at him like that. Poor boy. Similarly shocking was the fact that model student Tom Riddle turned out to be Lord Voldemort. That Moaning Myrtle was more than just a sulky ghost that haunted the girls’ bathroom but actually Basilisk’s original victim. And that Hagrid was expelled from Hogwarts because he was wrongly but deliberately accused by the boy who was to become the most feared wizard of all times. Hagrid and Voldemort went to school at the same time! Just think about that!
But I must confess that my favourite revelation was actually the story behind the names of the four Hogwarts Houses and that they belonged to Godric Gryffindor, Salazar Slytherin, Rowena Ravenclaw and Helga Hufflepuff. I don’t know but it just gives me so much feels. What can I say, Hogwarts: A History would be my favourite bedside table read :D
Prisoner of Azkaban
In the third book things began to get a lot more complicated. I think it was while reading the third book that I started realizing just how tightly everything was linked and interconnected.
Now, where to begin…
Messrs Mooney, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs - the creators of the Marauder's Map - are actually Remus Lupin (Harry's DADA Professor!), Peter Pettigrew, Sirius Black and James Potter. It so happened that they all became animagi in their fifth year, having broken not only about a thousand school rules but wizarding laws too. Sirius and James were best friends. Sirius is Harry’s godfather. Sirius betrayed his parents to Voldemort. Sirius is innocent. Sirius is a giant bearlike dog. Ron’s rat Scabbers is not a rat at all but Pettigrew. Pettigrew is a Death Eater who actually betrayed Harry’s parents to Voldemort. Lupin is a werewolf. James saved Snape from being savaged by the said werewolf after Sirius pranked him into going after it. Whomping Willow! Crookshanks! Firebolt! Hermione’s Time-Turner. Harry’s Patronus! Professor Trelawney can actually produce prophecies once in a while! Whew, this book is a rollercoaster of revelations!
Have I missed anything? I’m sure I must have…
So what are your most memorable revelations? Revelations that shook you to the core?
P.S. I just love these new ebook covers from Pottermore. Especially the third one. Do you?
