Rowling, J.K. - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter #5) - Informal Buddy Read; Starts December 16, 2014--REVISIT-- June 2018

[Megan]

Chapter 15-33
I've been so busy I haven't had chance to come on here.

I find this book bittersweet. Its really when you see Fudge is a massive pompous jerk. And I love George and Fred.
I actually forgot how annoying Cho is. Shes actually quite a brat sometimes. I understand shes jealous but does she like Harry or not? Bringing up a dead boyfriend pretty regularly is just weird.

[Sassafrass]

Chapter 31: Umbrige is horrible!!
She knew what she was doing when (view spoiler)[ she sacked Hagrid during Harry, Ron and Hermione's astronomy OWL. And the way she did it with the stunners! (hide spoiler)]

She's just a truly despicable person. I really hope she gets what's coming to her.

[Sassafrass]

Oh and I can't remember what chapter that was but Harry seeing Snape's vision of Harry's father. What an eye opener. I'm glad that Lily was a better influence on James and that he grew up because he was reminding me a lot of Draco Malfoy in that memory.

[Sassafrass]

Chapter 36:

Dumbledore is a badass!

I was laughing so hard (view spoiler)[when he told Fudge exactly how he (Fudge) was going to restore Hogwarts back to his (Dumbledore's) satisfaction. Just as calm as could be. (hide spoiler)]

[Sassafrass]

Ok, I'm done.

I can't stop my eyes from leaking though. I feel awful for Harry.
I just loved this one. It really took me on quite the emotional ride. I can't wait to find out what's going to happen next.

[Judy]

Chapter 16

Ernie Macmillan really reminds me of Percy - he's just as pompous, but less of a dick 😂 I'm living for all these interactions with the people from other houses and he's been one of my highlights ever since he first appeared (in Chamber of Secrets I think)!

[Judy]

Chapter 21

This whole "Mistletoe, it's probably full of Nargles" thing kills me 😂

Also that LEGENDARY teaspoon quote 😂😂😂

[Natalie]

I’ll be starting this today. Team Draco Malfoy

[Judy]

Chapter 28

I love this chapter because I love anything and everything Marauder's Era, and it's kinda good to see that Snape's accusations re: James' arrogance aren't unfounded, but it still doesn't make it okay that Snapes directly transfers those characteristics onto Harry! Because anyone with half a brain can easily see that Harry is quite different from James (apart from their looks).

I just want that James/Lily romcom so baaaaaaaad!!!

[Sassafrass]

The romcom idea is an interesting one. it would be fun to see how Lily went from hating James to being in love with him. I wonder if it was sort of like what happens with (view spoiler)[Ron and Hermione (hide spoiler)]?

[Judy]

Sassafrass wrote: "The romcon idea is an interesting one. it would be fun to see how Lily went from hating James to being in love with him. I wonder if it was sort of like what happens with [spoilers removed]?"

Yesssssss!! I love enemies to lovers soooo much and I just really really want their full story!!! (Also imagine how jealous Sirius must've been that there was now someone else James spent time with 😂)

(view spoiler)[Hmm I dunno, Lily really dislikes James, which Hermione never did... (hide spoiler)]

[Judy]

Chapter 35

I can't BELIEVE there's another Uranus joke in the middle of this super intense chapter 😂

[Sassafrass]

Judy, I was thinking more in the first book but I guess Ron just thought her annoying more than anything else.

[Sassafrass]

Judy wrote: "Chapter 35

I can't BELIEVE there's another Uranus joke in the middle of this super intense chapter 😂"

I KNOW, I remember thinking: "What?!" LOL

[Judy]

Sassafrass wrote: "Judy, I was thinking more in the first book but I guess Ron just thought her annoying more than anything else."

Hmm true... but it's not that extreme, I think 😊

[Judy]

Finished

(view spoiler)[I remember reading this the first time and not believing that Sirius was truly dead - I was so sure we'd find out the mystery behind the veil at some point and get him back.

I also really want to know what the three times Harry's parents (and Neville's, too) have escapted Voldemort. There's soooo much interesting stuff about the Marauder's Era and the First Order that we could still explore. I'm holding out hope that one day we'll get those stories - even if we know that most of them end by the characters dying. (hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

Through chapter 10

(view spoiler)[One fun part about rereading this books is seeeing how many little details that show up later here or in the series. (hide spoiler)]

My favorite part:
“You're a prefect? Oh Ronnie! That's everyone in the family!"
"What are Fred and I? Next door neighbors?”

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Natalie wrote: "Through chapter 10

[spoilers removed]

My favorite part:
“You're a prefect? Oh Ronnie! That's everyone in the family!"
"What are Fred and I? Next door neighbors?”"

Not to mention Ginny...

[JoLene]

I just started this a couple days ago. Harry really never has a good summer, does he..

I’m wondering if I’m the only one that is reading this for the first time.

[Natesha]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Natalie wrote: "Through chapter 10

[spoilers removed]

My favorite part:
“You're a prefect? Oh Ronnie! That's everyone in the family!"
"What are Fred and I? Next door neighbors?”"

Not to mention..."

I laughed so hard at their response and I completely forgot about Ginny! Hahaha!

[Natesha]

JoLene wrote: "I just started this a couple days ago. Harry really never has a good summer, does he..

I’m wondering if I’m the only one that is reading this for the first time."

I said the same thing. I want him to have ONE good summer break away from the Dursley's.

[Natalie]

Finally finished this

(view spoiler)[
I always forget how long this is. I have Harry Potter books in this mental box of quick reads. Doesn’t help that the first time I read this book, I read it in one day. Actually afternoon to evening. I had preordered it through amazon as they advertised their new release day delivery. It didn’t occur to me that it meant the book wouldn’t be delivered until typical delivery time, in this case, around 2pm.

Book four is the shift in the series to a more mature one, and this book solidified that shift. Harry is your typical whiny teenager who is dealing with hormones and of course, his daily issues of being the chosen one. I always enjoy reading this series though.

One standout for me this time is that chapter near the end with Dumbledore where he apologizes for how he has treated Harry, both this year and in previous ones by not explaining what he needed to know. Dumbledore is the source of most of the series’s best quotes, and this chapter is full of them.

Especially looking back at this considering the events and revelations of the seventh book which I won’t go into. This chapter is one that can be seen in so many ways. (hide spoiler)]

[Jackie]

I'll be starting in a couple of days. Listening to Jim Dale audio.

Team Tonks

[JoLene]

Finished

Thoughts from a first time reader (view spoiler)[

So I was living under a rock with the HP craze began (actually living in France). When I moved back, I started reading them, but they didn't grab me. I'm not really sure why since I do like YA and fantasy, but they felt a bit more young than young adult.

I think with 4,5, as the group ages, I am liking the books more. There is a lot going on and I've been listening to the audio but at some point I may want to actually read them.

I definitely enjoyed this one, but there is a lot of sadness. I felt back for HP losing Sirius (which I thought was just temporary, but now think might be permanent. I also felt so bad for Hagrid as he is also very lonely.

There were definitely some comedic moments like Ron being named prefect as well and Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood's roles. I do space out my reading so sometimes the large cast of characters gets a bit confusing for me.

I definitely understand why these books captured so much attention and I'm sure that my 10 year old self would have been just as enthralled. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

JoLene wrote: "Finished

Thoughts from a first time reader

So I was living under a rock with the HP craze began (actually living in France). When I moved back, I started reading them, but they didn't grab me. I..."

I love seeing how the group ages, some more quickly than others!

I think once you reach the 4th book, you're out of the 'young' category. The situations in general are more mature.

Have you seen the movies? Looking forward to your thoughts on the next books!

[Donna]

Chapters 1-15
(view spoiler)[
Cornelius Fudge- There is something up with this guy. Is it really because he likes his position so much? I really doubt it. He is meeting with Lucius Malfoy, who we know is a death eater. Then he starts passing laws meant to target the school and Dumbeldore.

Professor Umbridge - What a waste of time for the kids to learn from her. She doesn't even teach. She just makes them read the book. How can the kids possibly learn how to protect themselves just by reading? They need practical learning as well. The thing I can't understand is why none of the good teachers have figured out how she is punishing Harry. Turning Malfoy into a ferret to teach him a lesson was not allowed but slicing a students hand open every night over and over again is ok??
(hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

I'm starting this one today :)

[Claire]

chapter 2

(view spoiler)[I was absolutely taken aback by Petunia knowing about the dementors. I had completely forgotten about that. It makes me wonder how much she knows about the wizarding world. The dementors seems like such a random thing to know. I'm sure she must know more than that. Did Lily teach her about the wizarding world? Or did she spend her time spying on her sister? In book one she's described as a nosy person who spies on her neighbors for gossip. Is than when she learned the skill? lol (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "chapter 2

[spoilers removed]"

I always wondered about that! How did Petunia find this out. I doubt she found out from Lily when they were children but I have a hard time believing it would come up in conversation between them as adults.

[Devann]

@Claire and Sarah - I think that later on in the books there's a scene (view spoiler)[where she's spying on Snape and Lily at some point? Unless that was in a fanfic and I can't remember the difference lol. But I think that was it and she overheard them talking about it probably and not her talking with James like Harry assumes (hide spoiler)]

[Devann]

Yay! I finally started this! I think I got into a funk after GoF because I don't really care for that one. This one is my favorite book in the series although it also breaks my heart at the end :(

CHAPTERS 1-5

I love how sarcastic Harry is in this book. I mean there's so many good lines but I think my favorites are when Vernon is like 'you're listening to the news AGAIN' and Harry goes 'well it changes every day, you see' and also when he's talking with Dudley and he's like 'this IS night, that's what we call it when it gets all dark like this' #loveit

Also because I'm apparently perpetually 12 I am still sitting here laughing at 'what do you mean, I'm not brave in bed?', 'I heard you last night. Talking in your sleep. Moaning', and 'Did he use - his thing?' like lmao I'm sorry but I swear JKR did that on purpose.

I don't know if opinions have changed in the past 10 years [I hope they have] but back in the day I remember everyone HATED Harry in this book and just went on about how he was so pissed off and whiny etc etc and I mean ...I guess? But like if anyone has a right to be pissed off it is Harry Potter in this particular book and he's honestly handling it better than I would even as an adult, much less the fits I would have pitched at 15. Love the scenes with Harry and Sirius commiserating with each other though.

But seriously almost every single problem in this book could be solved by TELLING HARRY WHAT IS GOING ON! [spoilers for future books] (view spoiler)[Like could Dumbledore just take 10 minutes to be like hey Harry I know the Durlseys suck but you living there for a few weeks literally keeps your mother's protective magic in place so could you tough it out for a month or so and then you can leave' like ...that's pretty reasonable. I don't think Harry would be thrilled about it but I think he would understand. Not to mention all the other shit Dumbledore is keeping from him for no good reason. (hide spoiler)] Ugh. I love this book but it's also so infuriating.

[Sarah]

Devann wrote: "@Claire and Sarah - I think that later on in the books there's a scene [spoilers removed]"

Petunia definitely listened in on conversations Lily had with SERIES SPOILER (view spoiler)[ Snape. We saw this in Snape's memories. I just don't recall of this is one of the conversations we see in Snape's memories. (hide spoiler)]

[Devann]

@Sarah haha good to know that i can still separate fanfic from canon then. but yeah i think fandom just collectively decided that must have been the answer but idk if rowling has since answered it directly like on pottermore or something

[Sarah]

Devann wrote: "Yay! I finally started this! I think I got into a funk after GoF because I don't really care for that one. This one is my favorite book in the series although it also breaks my heart at the end :(
..."

I've often wondered whether something that stands out to us is a charater quirk or a mistake/something forgotten by Rowling. Such as, in this book with Dumbledore not being forthcoming about things. Or, in Chamber of Secrets, Arthur Weasley bought the Ford Anglia car. How did the Weasley's afford that car? So is that a mistake by Rowling or is it a strange character quirk by the Weasley's?

[Claire]

Devann wrote: "@Claire and Sarah - I think that later on in the books there's a scene [spoilers removed]"

Yes I never doubted (later books spoilers, be warned) (view spoiler)[the boy would be Snape. They were best friends as a kid after all, so that makes sense. James and Lily only started to hang out later. Also, if it had been James, I'm sure Petunia would have used to opportunity to insult him and not just say "that boy". (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

Devann wrote: "Yay! I finally started this! I think I got into a funk after GoF because I don't really care for that one. This one is my favorite book in the series although it also breaks my heart at the end :(
..."

Yes!! I love Harry's snark. A lot of people complain that Harry is so moody in this book, but I don't mind. One, it's normal teenager behavior. Two, seeing what he has gone through at the end of Goblet of Fire, it's to be expected. Three, he becomes even more sarcastic. I love it, just as much as you do. I wish it would come through in the movies. He's such a golden boy in the movie. There's barely anything of the sarcastic teenager left. it's too bad.

And also, all these inuendos, haha. I'm sure she did it on purpose. already in book 2 there's a little allusion to sex when Professor Sprout comments that they would know the mandrakes would be ready when they'd try to get into each other's pot. haha.
Also in an interview where they talk about the success fifty shades of grey she commented "imagine how successful Harry would have been had he been more creative with his wand". ROFL! So, yeah. I'm sure she was aware of what she was writing. (Also have you ever watched this video in which a guy replaces the word "wand" with another, if you catch my meaning. it's hilarious).

Also, I absolutely hate Dumbledore in this book and for the rest of the books to come. He's always withholding vital information. Imagine how different things would have been had Dumbledore been more honest. In the first books I can forgive it more easily, because Harry was still too young. But now? After Harry witnessed Cedric's death, I think he's seen enough that he needs to understand it all.

[Sophie, The other one]

Just started my reread!

You definitely see the characters grow up through the series and experience teenage snark and attitude. How I take to that depends on my mood during the reread - has certainly annoyed me in the past

[Sophie, The other one]

Chapter 1
(view spoiler)[ it's a shame Harry doesn't give tea at Miss Giggs a chance. Would probably make him feel better to spend time with someone from the wizarding community (hide spoiler)]

[Sophie, The other one]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "Devann wrote: "@Claire and Sarah - I think that later on in the books there's a scene [spoilers removed]"

Yes I never doubted (later books spoilers, be warned) [spoilers removed]"

Good catch on why it's unlikely to be James she was talking about!

[Devann]

@Claire i'm so glad someone else can't stand dumbledore at this point lol everyone is always like 'well he's got a plan' and i'm like you know what makes plans often work better? IF YOU SHARE THE DAMN PLAN! And I mean it would be different if Harry hadn't done all the thing he has at this point, but he has done more than anyone this time around regardless of his age and also all of this stuff DIRECTLY affects him. Lke ...he literally just saw someone murdered in front of him a month ago, it's probably a little late to ~protect him~ because he's ~just a child~

anyway, sorry! i could literally rant about this for hours lol like i said, i love this book but it also infuriates me a lot

[Claire]

Devann wrote: "@Claire i'm so glad someone else can't stand dumbledore at this point lol everyone is always like 'well he's got a plan' and i'm like you know what makes plans often work better? IF YOU SHARE THE D..."

Haha, I get it. Just ask my best friend. I've ranted about how much I hate Dumbledore a hundred times! But she doesn't mind. she shares my opinion. Personally, I don't understand why people love Dumbledore so much after book 4. And I'm sure we are not alone thinking that. Just look at all the Dumbledore bashing fanfiction out there. There are so many.

[Claire]

Sophie wrote: "Good catch on why it's unlikely to be James she was talking about!"

thanks ! ^-^

[Devann]

@Claire yeah i've basically been out of the fandom for the past 10 years so i'm sure the opinions are not the same as they once were but i remember a lot of people defending all of dumbledore's actions back in the day and i was just like mmmmm ok then lol

[Sophie, The other one]

Devann wrote: "@Claire i'm so glad someone else can't stand dumbledore at this point lol everyone is always like 'well he's got a plan' and i'm like you know what makes plans often work better? IF YOU SHARE THE D..."

When he was 11, fine don't share. By this point you'd have thought they would have realised that no info makes him do risky things

[Sophie, The other one]

Just at the bit before Harry's hearing - hadn't realised there was a department of Muggle worthy excuses before!

[Sophie, The other one]

Natalie wrote: "Through chapter 10

[spoilers removed]

My favorite part:
“You're a prefect? Oh Ronnie! That's everyone in the family!"
"What are Fred and I? Next door neighbors?”"

Just read this bit! Love it - too many children to keep up with. Feel sorry for Ron that everyone presumed it would be Harry

[Devann]

@Sophie i know! i'm like look you all KNOW he's just gonna do it anyway. please look back at the previous four years!

[Sophie, The other one]

Chapter 29 is one reason why I'm always annoyed they left Peeves out of the films. Would love to see his salute!

[Devann]

CHAPTERS 6-10

i love 'my mother didn't have a heart. she kept herself alive out of pure spite' because on the one hand sirius' mom is awful but on the other hand #same lol

i really don't understand why they can't do something to get sirius out of the house. i mean can't they use some kind of charm as a disguise or maybe like ...to turn him into a different looking dog or even let him polyjuice himself as someone just to take a damn walk. idk, it just seems like surely with all this magic at their disposal something could be worked out.

mention of the locket, dun dun duuuuuun ;)

i know i give dumbledore a pretty hard time from this book onwards but i will give him credit for (view spoiler)[showing up to help harry when he really needed it. even if he did otherwise completely ignore him for a pretty stupid reason -_-; (hide spoiler)]

love the 'what are fred and i, next door neighbors?' part when mrs. weasley says everyone in the family has been prefects lol

and i love luna so much!

[Sarah]

Sophie wrote: "Chapter 29 is one reason why I'm always annoyed they left Peeves out of the films. Would love to see his salute!"

That is EASILY my favorite Peeves moment. He won't listen to anyone but the Bloody Baron but he takes their request to heart.