30 Days of HP -- Day 2

[kelly_chambliss]

01. Discuss how you got into Harry Potter.

02. Your favorite book

Order of the Phoenix --- Even though the writerly part of me knows that JKR needed a hard-nosed editor in this book, the fan part of me loved having such an indulgently-long story to lose myself in. I have quibbles with various issues of characterization and motive and with the often-unquestioning way that the story continues to valorize most things Gryffindor/Order/"good guy," but overall I like the way that JKR deepens the story and characters and the growing elements of moral ambiguity. And I love the character of Dolores Umbridge. Moral bankruptcy and sexual depravity done up in self-justified pink ruffles and kittens; what could be better (and in a kids' book, too!)

But most of all, I love this book because Minerva gets to shine. Unlike the film version, where she literally backs down from Dolores (wtf?), she's at her fierce, HBIC best in OoP, from the moment we learn that she's in the Order (and she shows up at Grimmauld Place looking, to Harry's callow eyes, "very odd in a Muggle dress and coat") till her return to Hogwarts after the Stunners, where she's "good as new" and starts handing out House points galore. (And flirts with Snape -- yes, she does. Minerva/Severus -- canon, right here.)

The book is filled with patented 3Ms -- Marvelous Minerva Moments:

--the Stunning scene ("How dare you!")
--the moment when Harry realizes just what her presence has meant ("solidly and dependably there...")
--Madam Pomfrey's defense of her ("as if one of them could have Stunned Minerva McGonagall face-on by daylight!") (Minerva/Poppy -- canon, right here.)
--the scene where she tells Peeves that the chandelier unscrews the other way
--giving Harry "career advice" ("Cough drop, Dolores?")
--the "human" moment early on when she tells Harry to be careful and offers him Ginger Newts. ("Do you really think this is about truth and lies?")
--the staffroom scene, where she calls Grubbly-Plank "Wilhelmina" (that's all the evidence I need for hot femsex) and treats Harry like an adult. (Minerva/Wilhelmina -- canon, right here.)
--the scene in Dumbledore's office when AD has to flee -- McG is superbly scornful to Fudge and Umbridge, she has no hesitation in whipping out her wand to defend Albus ("He will not be single-handed!"); and she pretty much uses herself as a human shield to protect both Harry and Marietta from harm in the eventual hex-battle.
--the glorious Inspection scene (as Ron says, "I can't wait to see McGonagall inspected!")
--the way she believes Harry after he dreams of Arthur's attack and the way she immediately falls in with Albus's Umbridge plans with unquestioning aplomb ("'Minerva, go and head her off; tell her any story.' McGonagall was gone in a swish of tartan.")
--her defense of Sybill during the Sacking of Trelawney (did you see anyone else stand up for ST? Huh? Despite "half the school" being there? No, you did not.) (Sorry, no Minerva/Sybill, though. *shudder*)

While all these grand moments can't make up for Minerva's marginalization in HBP, they're enough to make OoP my favorite HP book.

03. What house would you be in?
04. Your favorite movie
05. Wizard Rock: discuss
06. Your favorite character(s)
07. Song that reminds you of HP
08. Your favorite ship(s)
09. Fanfiction: discuss
10. Favorite book moment(s)
11. Character you're crushing on
12. Favorite movie scene
13. Least favorite character(s)
14. Moments in the books/movies that made you cry
15. Whatever tickles your fancy
16. How have you participated in the fandom over the years?
17. Your favorite celebs from the movies or fandom
18. If you could change one thing about canon, what would it be?
19. A favorite fanart
20. A favorite quote
21. How has the HP fandom connected you to other fandoms, interests, or people?
22. Your favorite villain
23. Share some HP icons
24. Rant about Steve Kloves something
25. Song that reminds you of HP
26. What aspect of the books has been best translated to film?
27. What aspect of the books has been most poorly translated to film?
28. Hogwarts subject you would most like to take
29. Favorite location
30. Whatever tickles your fancy