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

[Cathy M.]

Other thoughts thru Chpt 21 -

(view spoiler)[Draco is such a little punk with his little taunts & thinking he's oh so important because of his father. Neville attacking Draco, then the Weasleys & Harry. That boy just needs to get his ass beat!

So Umbridge. I REALLY tried to think of it from the other viewpoint but I just can't. When she observes Hagrid's class & talks down to him as if he's stupid, that made me SO MAD!!!!!

I was so loving on McGonagall when she tried to put Umbridge in her place when she's punishing Fred, George & Harry. Unfortunately that didn't hold because of her stupid position. She has way too much power now :/ Curious that everyone wears robes except for Umbridge. Wonder why that is.

Lastly, so funny that Dobby takes all the clothes that Hermoine is leaving out for the elves. Someone should really tell her to stop! (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle]

Oh, the way Umbridge spoke to Hagrid made me SO mad! Hem Hem.

[Cathy M.]

Michelle wrote: "Oh, the way Umbridge spoke to Hagrid made me SO mad! Hem Hem."

(view spoiler)[It's like, even if you try to see it from one of the other students' or even Hagrid's viewpoint, I don't think it would change. Her miming to him as if he can't understand the words was patronizing & so wrong. Especially doing it in front of the children. I felt so bad for Hagrid. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

Joanne wrote: "Chapter 23

The scene with Neville's parents is heartbreaking. There is a comic online of this, from someone who draws comics of scenes that didn't make it into the movies. If anyone is interested ..."

Thanks for sharing the comic. It is really well done.

[Cat]

Re Umbridge... I get that we are seeing her from Harry's eyes, but we do also see the teachers responding to her with dislike - all the teachers, even Snape!
I particularly (don't we all?!) loved her interactions with McGonagall

[Cathy M.]

Joanne wrote: "Chapter 23 ..."

(view spoiler)[They did a really good job with that comic. Talk about sad! But what was up with Hermoine's hair?! (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Michelle wrote: "Chapter 23
Poor Neville! ..."

(view spoiler)[Me too! It had to be embarrassing for Neville that his grandma told them he spoke about them. Like they are the popular kids & he just wants to fit in. I just want to hug him! (hide spoiler)]

[Cat]

I find OotP the hardest book to like. Even more than Goblet, there is a lot of filler that could be chopped. But there is also a lot of plot to get through - Umbridge, Snape etc.
And this was where I really started disliking Dumbledore - ghosting on Harry after Cedric was just wrong.

[Cathy M.]

Thru Chpt 26 -

(view spoiler)[Gotta start with Umbridge. You know when Umbridge asks them personal questions, like when Harry was looking at the Quibbler, I don't understand why they answer her. Can't they just say it's something personal? Like it's none of her business!

And the scene where she's fired Trelawney. Did she HAVE to say all that with the students around? It's like she enjoys making people who she deems below her miserable. Love how Dumbledore handled the situation, but also remember why he feels the need to protect her. As incompetent as she seemed in Divination she was still a person who deserved to be treated better than that.

Loved what Phineas' said to Harry about how young people always think they are right about everything, & how there might be a good reason Dumbledore wants Harry to stay where he is. It's what we were all thinking! At least someone said it like it is :)

It's already been said how sad it was that Neville's parents are at St Mungos. But it was crazy that we saw Lockheart as a patient there as well! (hide spoiler)]

[Cat]

@CathyM, yup! There are so many better ways to interact (or not!) with Umbridge! Sooooo frustrating, reading & shouting at them to just stop & think!

[Cathy M.]

Cat wrote: "I find OotP the hardest book to like. Even more than Goblet, there is a lot of filler that could be chopped. But there is also a lot of plot to get through - Umbridge, Snape etc.
And this was where..."

It does seem like a lot of filler. I could've done without the Quidditch matches (that's like 50 pages right there), and the whole ordeal with Cho. Dumbledore hasn't been very present so far which is disappointing & I do agree with you, but I could never hate Dumbledore because he's Dumbledore :P

[Jenny]

I have to enter the fray here and pile more on Umbridge. She is the worst character in the Potter universe, I think. Voldemort is a caricature of evil. Snape is an ass, but with good qualities, and he acts like some people I have known who are disappointed that their life didn't turn out the way they wanted. Fudge (and other ministerial people) are frightened, idiot bureaucrats. Draco is a privileged little boy, and we have all met him before. All the other baddies have a reason for their behavior- lust for power, fright, ignorance, attraction to the dark side. All except Umbridge. She is just evil. You can see her pulling wings off of flies as a child and laughing when they try to fly. She is also so sure of her world view that anyone who challenges her is not just wrong but is in need of correction. Yuck. She makes my skin crawl.

I have to give kudos to the movie version of her. I thought that Imelda Staunton (spelling) did a great job of capturing the cbaracter.

Hoping to finish this tonight, about 3/4 through. Still doing the treadmill!

[Joanne]

Jenny wrote: "I have to enter the fray here and pile more on Umbridge. She is the worst character in the Potter universe, I think. Voldemort is a caricature of evil. Snape is an ass, but with good qualities, and..."

Agreed! While I certainly have disliked Voldemort, Draco, Snape, I've never felt hatred and anger toward them like I always do toward Umbridge. I just read Chapter 33 and (view spoiler)[I was not sorry to see her taken away into the Forbidden Forest (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle]

Listened to chapters 25 and 26 on my run this morning.

I had completely forgotten about Hermione and Rita!
(view spoiler)[The way she called her back and made her write the article was masterful. You go, girl. And Luna is so spacey! She cracks me up. (hide spoiler)]

I agree about Umbridge.
(view spoiler)[When she asked Harry what he was reading, he should have told her it was personal. She's the worst. (hide spoiler)]

[SandyL]

Cathy M. wrote: "Got thru Chpt 9 -

I swear every book the Dursleys ."

I'm here now. It was a bit surprising at first (view spoiler)[ that Ron and Hermione were appointed Prefects and Harry was not. But then, it made more sense. I see lots of discord ahead because of this, though! :-) (hide spoiler)]

The hearing (view spoiler)[ seemed to be a major set-up, what with changing the time and, as Dumbledore pointed out, making it such a big deal for a small infraction. I really wonder what's up with Cornelius Fudge! (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

Jenny, your comments on your many different feelings and thoughts for all the baddies versus just plain hatred for Umbridge, mirror mine exactly. And you definitely said it better than I could!

Keep going with that treadmill! You go girl! :)

[Joanne]

Finished

(view spoiler)[All the feels. I remember reading this when I was younger and being more annoyed that Sirius kept acting recklessly, but now I really feel his pain. He wants to help and be useful so much and he's stuck in the house he hated growing up alone and made to feel he isn't doing his bit. He had such a hard life. It seems like, he, like Harry had a tough childhood and really came into his own at Hogwarts with his friends. It's tragic that things turned out so badly for him as an adult and I'm sorry he and Harry never got to deepen their relationship and spend more time together.

Harry may be the main character this book but Hermione was really the star. She had the idea and organized the DA, she got Harry's story out there with Rita Skeeter, she opposed Umbridge at every turn while keeping a cool head and staying out of detention, she tried to stop Harry from racing off to the Ministry by insisting he check on Sirius and when it seemed Harry was right, she was right next to him fighting. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenny]

Finished as well!
Some of the bits that get to me the most...

(view spoiler)[ The court case for Harry. It is such a powerful visual for me. One small person being judged by all of those powerful people. And, Dumbledore being so brilliant, and then so dismissive of Harry.

Snapes's memories during occlumency lessons. It explains so much about how he acts as an adult.

Hermione convincing Harry to teach dada. She so admires him, and knows how much more he needs to grow.

Neville putting the gum wrapper in his pocket. Pause to wipe tears away.

Minerva M. Dissing Umbridge during Harry's newt conference. I love how she defends him!

Sirius dying. He was doing what he had to do to make his life worth living, defending Harry, being part of the resistance. He was happy. Pause to wipe away tears.

What I didn't like was Harry's bad mood. I know he had been through a lot. I think maybe the years of dealing with all of the unfair crap that was thrown his way just became too much. I get it, I just got a little tired of it. Pause for me occasionally yelling at the characters in a book.

Also, the mirror fragment. Why oh why didn't Harry figure out what it was sooner? I am pretty sure that I would have been broken if I found out after Sirius' death that I could have maybe stopped it. Not gone to the ministry. That part made me weep.

(hide spoiler)]

Also, I want to explore the department of mysteries.

[Cathy M.]

Jenny wrote: "I have to enter the fray here and pile more on Umbridge. She is the worst character in the Potter universe, I think. Voldemort is a caricature of evil. Snape is an ass, but with good qualities, and..."

YES YES YES!!!!! You said it perfectly!

[Cathy M.]

Joanne wrote: "Jenny wrote: "I have to enter the fray here and pile more on Umbridge. She is the worst character in the Potter universe, I think. Voldemort is a caricature of evil. Snape is an ass, but with good ..."

(view spoiler)[If only they would've kept her/killed her/destroyed her! (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Michelle wrote: "Listened to chapters 25 and 26 on my run this morning.

I had completely forgotten about Hermione and Rita!
[spoilers removed]

I agree about Umbridge.
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[you know that's one of the reasons I didn't like Luna at first - she is completely spacey! But she's grown on me & I love her to bits because of it :) (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

I need to pick up the pace to finish this series before the end of the month! Am now thru Chpt 34 -

(Adding more of the Umbridge hate)(view spoiler)[Okay seriously, she is just a horrible horrible person. When she catches Harry & Hermoine in her office, the way she grabs him, pulling back his head, pushing him away from her (resulting in him hitting a desk), not to mention how she manhandled Marrietta earlier. Unacceptable. No adult has any right to touch a student or child in that manner ever. Period. And this isn't just a Harry exaggerated viewpoint thing.

And it keeps coming. She actually tells Harry that she was the one who set the dementors on him over the summer. WHAT?!?!?! And the attack on Hagrid?! & then hit McGonagall with the spells?! The way she spoke to the centaurs showed how disgusting of a person she really is. I can't see her having any redeeming qualities whatsoever. She just needs to die. Slowly & painfully.

Funny how she dotes on the Slytherins. Surprised it hasn't been revealed yet that she's actually a Death Eater. And last comment (for now) - it was hilarious when she kept Hem Hem-ing & McGonagall turned to her & asked if she needed a cough drop. HAHAHA!! (hide spoiler)]

[Jenny]

I entirely agree with your Umbridge rant!

Hem Hem!!!

[SandyL]

Chapter 10

Luna's quip to Harry cracked me up (view spoiler)["Don't worry. You're just as sane as I am." (hide spoiler)]

[Nicole]

Started this morning. Got the end of chapter 5. I did feel slightly bad for Harry, being kept in the dark, but then he just got annoying. I hated that he threw the philosopher's stone etc in his argument. He would never have accomplished those things without the help of his friends. I hate that he thinks he is invincible or the only one who can defeat Voldemort. He is a bit big for his britches and whiny.

[Michelle]

I had that thought too, then I had to remind myself that he’s only 15. For some reason I forget how young the characters are supposed to be and constantly have to remind myself.

He does come across as so whiny and self important in that scene though.

[Melissa]

Hello everyone - starting this one yesterday and I'm on Chapter 10 now.

Dumbledore is definitely shown differently in this book. This is where you start to realize that he is not just a lovable person who just cares for Harry and wants to keep him safe. His main goal is to defeat Voldemort. (view spoiler)[ I think knowing that Harry had to die might have prevented him from fully becoming a friend to Harry. He might not have wanted to get close to spare himself the pain. (hide spoiler)]

[Melissa]

Michelle wrote: "I had that thought too, then I had to remind myself that he’s only 15. For some reason I forget how young the characters are supposed to be and constantly have to remind myself.

He does come acro..."

I might be in the minority but I'm not much of a fan of Harry LOL I think he is a bit of a whiny person, especially in this book. He IS only 15 which is easy to forget when reading but that doesn't excuse the way he feels towards his friends. That scene where (view spoiler)[ Ron gets the Prefect badge and throughout the book whenever it is mentioned. Harry is a bad friend to him. He changes his tune but the jealousy there is surprising at first. (hide spoiler)]

[Melissa]

Cathy M. wrote: "I need to pick up the pace to finish this series before the end of the month! Am now thru Chpt 34 -

(Adding more of the Umbridge hate)Okay seriously, she is just a horrible horrible person. When ..."

McGonagall and Umbridge are great!!! I hate Umbridge but love the interaction between these two.

[Jenny]

Melissa, I am about where you are in the chapters too.
(view spoiler)[ I think one of the hardest things Dumbledore did in his life was to try to keep Harry at arms length. Clearly he loves him, but he had to weigh his own wishes to see him happy and keep him safe against keeping the rest of the world safe. Tough call. (hide spoiler)]

[Melissa]

Jenny wrote: "Melissa, I am about where you are in the chapters too.
[spoilers removed]"

I agree. It must have been hard for him to guide and care for Harry knowing what the future looked like.

[SandyL]

Nicole wrote: "Started this morning. Got the end of chapter 5. I did feel slightly bad for Harry, being kept in the dark, but then he just got annoying. I hated that he threw the philosopher's stone etc in his ar..."

As has been mentioned above, it's hard to remember he's 15 - and he's often acting like a typical self-involved teenager!

[SandyL]

I'm finally done. This book started out very slow for me and I had a hard time getting into it. I switched to the audio version around chapter 7, which was better. As much as I hated Umbridge, once she started taking over things at Hogwarts, it got much more interesting.

I was so surprised (view spoiler)[ that Sirius died!!!! Poor Harry. And finding out more about why he has to stay with the Dursley's was interesting but another blow to Harry.

There seemed to be a lot less focus on Ron and Hermione in this book. They seemed like side characters rather than MCs! (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Finished!

(view spoiler)[Boo for Dumbledore saving Umbridge from the centaurs!!! But laughed like crazy when Peeves chased her out of Hogwarts :D Loved that scene!

Was so sad (actually did tear up) when Sirius died. Felt so bad for Harry - Sirius was finally someone he could call family that truly cared for him (besides the Weasleys & his friends of course). And to know that he had that mirror so could've contacted him at any time. Stupid Kreacher. *sniff* But I almost hate the author for killing him off so soon. He was only introduced 2 books ago & they haven't been able to spend as much time together as I would've hoped. But he was a character whose death would have a big impact to Harry (& the reader).

I totally forgot that the prophecy could've also been about Neville & that it became about Harry because Voldemort CHOSE him. Crazy.

Ah Luna, felt so bad at the end when she said people always stole her things at the end of term. That's so mean! But glad that she's found friends in Harry & the gang.

Also loved that the Order members said something to the Dursleys at the end about how they treat Harry. It should've been said so long ago! (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Did anyone else wonder why there didn't seem to be that many Order members?

[Cathy M.]

Jenny wrote: "I have to enter the fray here and pile more on Umbridge. She is the worst character in the Potter universe, I think. Voldemort is a caricature of evil. Snape is an ass, but with good qualities, and..."

That actress was PHENOMENAL in her portrayal of Umbridge! But I think that about a lot of the other characters too :)

[Cathy M.]

Jenny wrote: "Finished as well!
Some of the bits that get to me the most......"

(view spoiler)[I did like that we got a little more information on Snape & why he was the way he was & why he hated James, Sirius & Lupin so much (besides the story we got in Book 3). BUT after all the years, you would think that he would've let some of that go!

I agree about Harry - his anger & bad moods got tiring after a while for me too. But was part of it because Voldemort's bond with him (his mood was affecting Harry)? (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

SandyL wrote: "I'm finally done. This book started out very slow for me and I had a hard time getting into it. I switched to the audio version around chapter 7, which was better. As much as I hated Umbridge, once..."

(view spoiler)[I'm glad we finally learned WHY Harry had to stay with the Dursleys because I think everyone would agree that they were horrible to him! (hide spoiler)]

[Nicole]

I just got to the end of chapter 12...Umbridge 😡🤬 That lady is a real piece of work! I'm not prone to violence but I want to beat the living daylights out of her! Argh! And I agree, she has to be the most hated character in the HP series.

[Nicole]

Melissa wrote: "Hello everyone - starting this one yesterday and I'm on Chapter 10 now."

I've never actually thought about in that way. (view spoiler)[I always thought that Dumbledore showed enough affection and kept the boundary between student and teacher at a good distance. But yes, you are right in that his ultimate goal was to defeat Voldemort.

But Dumbledore also knew that he had to die so maybe that's why he tried to keep his distance because Harry has only experience loved one's (adults/parent figures) leaving him. (hide spoiler)]

[Nicole]

Cathy M. wrote: "That actress was PHENOMENAL in her portrayal of Umbridge! But I think that about a lot of the other characters too :)"

I agree. She played the part brilliantly and did it justice.

[Michelle]

Done! Finished it off on my drive home tonight.

Harry was so mad at the end.
(view spoiler)[Dumbledore was patient in trying to explain it all to him, and while some of the rage Harry was showing had to be about his guilt and grief, I wonder how much of it was Voldermort's influence on him as well?
(hide spoiler)]
Loved the scene at Platform 9 3/4!

[Jenny]

Michelle wrote: "Done! Finished it off on my drive home tonight.

Harry was so mad at the end.
Dumbledore was patient in trying to explain it all to him, and while some of the rage Harry was showing had to be abou..."

Did Harry's Voldemort influenced mood make you resort to road rage? Totally understandable if so.

[Sarah]

LMAO

[Nicole]

Up to the end of chapter 18...

(view spoiler)[These kids have got balls. And I like it! Here they are, uniting together to stand up against something. Training and arming themselves. That takes guts.

I'm slightly annoyed with Hermione and her persistence. Which is such a contradiction to my feelings towards her in HP and Goblet of Fire when she created S.P.E.W. I was all gung-ho, you go girl! And now I'm like give it a rest! (hide spoiler)]

[Jenny]

You're just having a cognitive dissonance moment picturing the house elves in her knitted caps. With ear flaps and pompons on top.

[Sarah]

It's just after 2:30 a.m. so my eyes might be a little off... Instead of pom-poms I read tampons.

I still think Dobby would have been pleased.

[Nicole]

Up to chapter 30 and that vile woman Umbridge! Argh! I want to take her Educational Decrees and shove them where the sun don't shine!

(view spoiler)[My heart broke for Neville :( His grandmother has to let up a little bit though. She is affecting his self-esteem and confidence.

I was frustrated with Harry and the occlumency. But putting it into perspective I can understand why he didn't put effort into it. He is left in the dark with many things. No one is explaining anything to him. And now he has a direct way of getting the information he lacks. Added to that his hatred of Snape. Being a broody teenager and being forced to work and listen to someone you don't like, I'd also do a half-arsed job of it.

I love Luna! She doesn't give a rat's ass what anyone thinks and I love that she doesn't succumb to the Harry Potter hype. Voldemort may have returned but Harry must wait for his chance for it to published in her father's publication. Just because he is Harry Potter does not mean he gets privileges.

I didn't like Cho in Goblet of Fire and I didn't like her now. I felt she was using Harry even though she was attempting to make him jealous.

Did no one else want Harry and Hermione to get together? I did. I remember hoping for it desperately when I first read this series.

Totally forgot about Firenze's appointment. And I love Dumbledore sweeping in to save the day.

I love that the school rallied behind Dumbledore in their own way by rebelling and making things difficult for that horrible woman.

James, Lupin and Sirius were arrogant teenagers and bullies. I'm so glad Harry realizes his Dad wasn't all that. Hard truth.

Fred and George went out in style. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenny]

Sarah wrote: "It's just after 2:30 a.m. so my eyes might be a little off... Instead of pom-poms I read tampons.

I still think Dobby would have been pleased."

Lol, you're right, Dobby would have still worn the hat, and been happy to do so.

[Nicole]

Finally finished! Wow.

(view spoiler)[I gotta admit Harry was a badass when surrounded by the Death Eaters. He didn't flinch. He owned the situation. And those kids stood up to those Death Eaters! Amazing and awe-inspiring stuff.

I was gutted for Harry about Sirius. This poor kid. Heartbreaking.

And Dumbledore. Cool. Calm. And collected as always. I really did want him to blow Voldemort to smithereens though. And I liked that he owned up to his part in Sirius' death. He played his cards too close to his chest. He should have been a little bit more open with Harry and not just move the players in the background.

Fudge! That insufferable man! Wanted to slap him silly. Foolish, stupid man!

And good riddance to Umbridge. Although I wanted her to suffer immensely. (hide spoiler)]

Things were definitely notched up in this book. It was dark and sad and filled with so many things happening outside of Hogwarts.