This is a brand new topic for everything related to Harry Potter. Here is the place to discuss all aspects of our favorite series: the characters, the plot, what you like and what you don't about it...Everything that comes in mind, as long as it is about Harry Potter!

This topic is very wide. So, if you'd like to discuss something related to the existing threads (check the Great Hall Masterlist), please post your questions and/or views there, to avoid duplicates.

Also, while posting keep in mind the rules of the Great Hall. One-liners are not permitted and personal attacks to members are forbidden. Last but not least, try to make your contributions as well-thought as possible!

Without further delay, I present you the first question to begin with:
Which character of the books are you more related to, and why?

Happy posting!

I think one character most of us can relate to is Tonks. Who does not know what it feels like to be clumsy in the most 'don't be clumsy now' - situations? I certainly know! And also the fact that she's not one to sit behind and let things happen. She's a modern woman really; she's an Auror, she's got girl power and she's strong enough to tell a man who's being ridiculous that he should pull himself together. I think there's a little bit of Tonks in all of us. Either we're clumsy, or we're having a good job, or we have that amazing energy, or we're loving and caring.

Another one I'd like to think of us as is Harry. Of course not all of us can be so brave or loyal, but he's human. He's at times blinded by love for his fellow human beings, he's vulnerable, he wants to be taken serious and if he's not it's hitting him hard, he makes mistakes. I not only see Harry's love as the thing making him human, but every flaw. Every flaw that I might have a little of and most people around me have them too, but it's good really. It's what makes us what we are.

JKR have made a great job in making her characters believable. They're all human and have individual personalities and flaws. They makes mistakes and wrong choices. That's what makes them believable and makes it easier for us to relate to them in a good way. No one is perfect and the books show that. Even Dumbledore has a flaw (or two) and I see that as a good thing. Ron has a lot of flaws, Hermione has, Sirius had. I can't really find one who does not have a flaw.

So with that long ramble over, I'd still hold onto Tonks, but I think the keyword here it flaws. At least that's the way I see it

Great shiny new Thread! It's more and more of what we talk regurlarly, but it allows us to btalk about everything in an only place.

So, first:


Very deep reflects. That, along with what I'm quoting next, are the very same things that make me love and defend Harry Potter. Besides the magic that make it special, I love that they aren't super heros, people who don't feel, don't show their feelings, are perfect and think always right. Harry failed, Harry got angry and broke things and shouted his friends, and thought bad things, and Harry loved his friends, missed his parents and all the people who left him, and felt hurt, and found love, and snogged a girl before discovering his real love. And then he saved the world. But he was a human, and a teenager like us. I like finding flaws in the characters because that make you think: "See? With their flaws and all, despite those same flaws could make them fall, they can carry on, and they are heros!"



Good you too think that, then! And we discover that flaws can be good at the end, as long as you can stand up and keep fighting, and regret your bad actions. For example, many people see Ron as a jerk just because he has flaws. And tell me then, so Harry is a jerk, so Dumbledore itself is a jerk for having flaws? No, and you still could say, "But Ron ... Come on, he's acting like a stupid all the time, and he run off Harry and Hermione, and he felt jealous of Harry!" And, can you see that Ron always regreted what he did, and he didn't do it again? He didn't leave in DH because the jealousy was back. He had his thoughts, and he was influenced by the Horcrux. But he came back, not like if he hadn't given a damn. If he had given a damn, he wouldn't, he had got back home, not caring what his family could think, and wouldn't definitely saved Harry. Ron has his flaws, but so Harry, so Hermione. Can we blame him for being a teenager?

Then you have DD. He made mistakes, but those mistakes built Harry as the man he became later. Those mistakes hurt him, but they were worth.

Snape. Everybody thought Snape was the worst traitor and jerk! And what happened in the end? Snape was the cause of many good things that helped Harry to survive! Snape's mistake was becoming a Death Eater, but he regreted it, and he went to the good side. He could still be a nasty person, but he was good deep inside, and love was still there, waiting.

Should I go on?

Well, so definitely, I love HP because of the humanity of the business

I think I'm like Hermione. I'm bossy, and kind of nerd, and I'm self-insecure. And so I have a lot of flaws, but good things as well Then I'd be like Ron, always saying funny nonsense and annoying people sometimes And a bit like Tonks with the clumsiness. I don't know who else.

I have a question, but maybe it's a bit dumb: Have you ever felt empathy with the books, being in that age? I mean, for example, like Harry irritating all the time in OotP, or Hermione busy and histerical in PoA, or Ron insecure about himself with girls in HBP?
As I grew with the characters (I mean, the time I started reading, not when they were released), I felt like that sometimes.

Actually, I've never thought about relating myself to Tonks. I have a few similarities with her, clumsiness being one of them. Stubbornness being the other, as well as doing what I want to do, not really caring about others trying to prevent me from doing it.

The person I relate to the most, and who reminds me of myself, is Hermione, like Desire. I am kind of geeky at times, I know a lot of things and can't restrain myself from correcting people when they make a mistake. I have the tendency to look up things, and when a crisis occurs, I can become the leader and put everyone to their place.

I don't really relate to Ron or Harry, mostly because their experiences can not be compared to mine. I think that Tonks and Hermione are the closest to me. Oh, and a little bit of Percy, for sticking to the rules in the boundaries of school/university. I can be really annoying!

Empathy, hm...It's funny cause this word in greek means hate.
The one thing I have noticed while reading the books was the major change in Harry in GoF. It just made me realise he was a teenager who wanted to rebel against what was imposed to him. It was amazing how JKR portrayed all this. I could feel his rage, and really empathize with that, not because I was angry as teenager, but because I really understood the reasons behind this attitude.
As for Hermione, I really saw no change in the books. She has grown in DH but she still has some of her vulnerability in her. As for Ron and his awkwardness towards girls, well, I don't misjudge him. I remember how it feels to be around boys and blush or confuse your words. It is just a very awkward period of one's life this one. But this did not justify his attitude towards Hermione or Lavender. He was acting without thinking at all. And then at DH, he was trying too hard to win Hermione, by supporting things he didn't really care about. This was a little bit immature and maybe silly.

Interesting question. We ask it in many of our quiz areas but we usually get answers that are a bit of everyone or a one-liner that doesn't explain much as to why the member actually sees him/herself that way

For me, it would have to be Neville. Neville went through an amazing metamorphosis as did I . He was a bit shy in the beginning, a follower, never showing a real aptitude for any branch of magic, he was picked on by peers and generally he never really fit in. Yet there was something about his character and personality traits that landed him in Gryffindor and that gave him a chance to show the courage lurking within.

This was me growing up. I was an average student in every subject, I was teased by my peers (boys who were immature and girls who were jealous) I would seek to fit in and thus just go along with what my friends would say because I didn't want to 'rock the boat' and then I changed. I found that I was quite good at athletics and played several sports and that brought out a natural leader in me. I found my voice and spoke up for myself and what I believed in. I threw myself into English because I realized I enjoyed describing things when I wrote and loved to read new things. Eventually I began to try new things, question my parents, my beliefs, my schools rules...everything and that took a lot of courage because anytime you question what is considered the norm you can be taken for a troublemaker.

This is what I like about the Harry Potter series. JKR developed characters that almost everyone can relate to on some level. She really identified with her audience not only in character development but in real life issues and controversy as well. I don't see how anyone can think she developed a book that promotes witchcraft. I have never gotten that feeling while reading Harry Potter.

Which character of the books are you more related to, and why?

I seem to relate to a few different characters, but I relate the most to Luna. For various reasons. She was just different than everyone else. Which is kind of like me. I'm not different in the same ways, but it's the main idea. I don't fit in well with other people. Sometimes I feel weird about it and wish I could just blend in with the walls behind me, but I don't really let it bother me too much. I don't have many friends either, but the friends I do have are great. We're also both very firm in our beliefs and aren't easily swayed. The main thing that links Luna and me is the fact that we don't care what other people think about us. I mean, I don't do anything questionable or wrong, don't get me wrong, but if someone stares at me funny for laughing really loud or wearing unmatching clothes etc. I just don't care. Luna didn't either. I just act myself around everybody and if they can't accept me as I am, well, let's put it this way. I'm not changing.

Another character I can relate to is Tonks. Yes, I'm a bit clumsy. I can relate to Hermione a bit too. She's caring, and is always keeping herself busy. And she's a bookworm. That's me, but I can be bossy at times like her, no point in denying it.

As the books progressed, I found I could more and more relate and understand what the characters were feeling.



That's how I feel too. But in the books, more the 5-7 I could feel their happiness, sadness and anger. Like in OotP. When Harry was feeling the hatred towards Umbridge, I could feel it too. I was angry! The literal frown was on my face. It's amazing how JKR can pull you in like that.

Which character of the books are you more related to, and why?

I am a lot like Luna Lovegood, I suppose. She isn't someone who goes out and tries to get noticed, but she's just so different, so people pay attention to her. I go through something like that all of the time. People are always staring at me because I'm one of "the triplets." It's a big thing at school. They also just can't understand that it's not weird to be quiet, or read big books, or draw really nice drawings.

Also, Luna's strange, but she's smart. Why else would she be in Ravenclaw? Why else would she always have good advice? I'm not saying that I give good advice, but people tell me that I'm smart.

I always thought of myself as a Hermione. I'm smart and I only have a few close friends. It is only by those reasons that I feel I am most like Hermione. I also feel I can releate to Luna, as I am not quite like everyone else, and I march to my own beat.I don't think many of us are specifically like a single character. We all are composites of characteristics of JKR's characters, and in turn, of 'real' people.



Harry and Tonks are good examples of characters we can all relate to. Harry has moments of vulnerability and naivety in the beginning, and matures to the limits of bravery and adulthood. We all face these same things as Harry did; by that I mean maturing and going through changes. Tonks gives us an example of clumsiness and stubborness found in almost everyone at some point.

Empathy is an interesting thing to think about, though I haven't felt it so much when reading the series. I am a couple years younger than Harry and the gang, so I haven't gone through as amny things as they did.

If anyone has a particular topic, subject, question that they would like to put forth for discussion, please feel free to do so.

I'd have to say that I'm a lot like Luna, too. Granted, I don't go around swatting at invisible (mythical) creatures, but I do tend to say things point blank in an insightful kind of way that tends to make others uncomfortable. I've always attributed it to not thinking before I speak. That's why the written word (or typed in this case) is so much easier for me. I have to think about my words first.

Also, I was always the brainy one that could ace my studies without hardly cracking a book. I have to admit, though, that science was my nemesis, but everyone has a weak spot. Ahem.

And finally, I have always been who I am no matter what anyone else thought. I didn't try to change myself in school to fit in certain clicks. If they didn't like me for who I was, that was their problem, not mine. I was content with myself, and that's all that mattered.

But, let's see if we can come up with another topic.

How do you think JKR did in making the HP world believable. Magic itself excluded, did she make characters that were believable to the world around us? The friendships, or lack of, plausible?

Which character of the books are you more related to, and why?

While I agree that everyone can relate to just about every character by a certain characteristic they have - I'd have to say, personally, that the two characters I would relate myself to would be Hermione and Hagrid. I don't say Hermione because I'm intelligent, smart, brilliant, geeky, a know-it-all, etc. - quite frankly I'd say I can really be the dullest crayon in a box sometimes. I'm not booksmart, I'm street smart, and I think that Hermione is as well, even though some people seem to disagree with that. I'm logical, determined, form my own opinions and stick with them, she does what she thinks is best; even when it is not always the right thing (like stealing potions ingredients, stunning a fellow student to sneak out of the commonroom, using the time-turner to save two lives, blackmail for a cause, and so on.) and I do the same if I feel I have enough probable cause. I prefer a few close friends to a wide variety, like she does, and I would do anything to protect them and my family. I think she is a wonderful character and I love how all of her faults make her so much more real than a fictional character in a book.

Now, about Hagrid. Well, Hagrid's that big lovable oaf that's loyal to a fault and a bit narrow-minded. Not to mention he loves practically all animals in existence and most likely some that aren't ! That's me in a nutshell. I can be so completely black and white on some issues it's terrible and there are some people in my life I put on a pedestal and they can do no wrong - much like he did with Dumbledore. Supportive and willing to do anything for that person. I love animals, simple as that; from snakes to lizards and frogs, to bears and dragons and opossums and armadillos, to canines and felines !

Have you ever felt empathy with the books, being in that age?

I can say I did empathize with the characters of the books at different moments. I'm sure every girl can relate to Hermione's many moments of annoyance, despair, and alienation. Ginny's long unrequited love, Luna's odd actions and different beliefs. Ron and Harry's awkwardness with the opposite sex and obliviousness to numerous situations (Commence Operation: Open mouth - insert foot.) Neville and Tonks' clumsiness, Snape's snarky, superior attitude to all not on his level. (I hope I'm not the only one that relates to Snape and his total lack of tolerance for imbeciles.)

How do you think JKR did in making the HP world believable. Magic itself excluded, did she make characters that were believable to the world around us? The friendships, or lack of, plausible?

I think she did a pretty good job.The Ministry works exactly how I imagine most governments are ran - corrupted and inefficient, biggoted and controlled by money. The villian, Voldemort, is believable as well; his actions and prejudice, narrow-minded and self-serving. As for the friendships, yeah, I can believe it. The trio definitely have their ups and downs throughout the series. Voldemort, I can imagine not having any forms of friendship - only followers he controls. Luna and Hermione I can see being ostracized for their actions, their friendships (or lack of), their beliefs and intellectual levels, and just because they are different and on a completely different level from those their own age. I really think the Harry Potter universe was woven in a pattern that many can relate to and become lost in, and she did an excellent job with her creation.

~ihkny

I agree with ihkny as well. The world JKR created, and all of its aspects seem rather realistic to me. This is one reason why Harry Potter became so famous. It was an easy series to read, and everything was based to our (human) reality.

The characters: I really like the fact that all of us can relate more or less to some of them. I believe that JKR gave depth to her heroes, demonstrating their abilities and characteristics through their actions. It is amazing that we can hate a fictional character, feel sorry for another, cry and be hurt for those who die. This is magic itself.

The friendship: At first it seemed really bizarre. The three of them were so different. Harry was closed to himself, Ron was trying hard to shine, and Hermione was having a hard time being the "nerd" of the class. However, somehow, all the chips fell into their place, and in the end, each one of them completed the other. They were different, but it seems that this difference brought them together.

Overall, I like the fact that nothing in JKR's world was "convenient". There had to be sacrifice, pain, and loss, to have a happy ending. And even then, noone ignores the fact that the characters were wounded deep inside, forever marked by their battles.

How do you think JKR did in making the HP world believable. Magic itself excluded, did she make characters that were believable to the world around us? The friendships, or lack of, plausible?

I think it was more than just one thing that made the books believeable to us and made us love them.

I think the HP books are some of the books I've read which were most realistic (well, except that it's about magic and such) in the way they portray the characters and what they do. They're human and react like that. None of them are superheroes. Which leads me to,


We're not told how anyone are, but we draw a piture of them ourselves through their actions as JKR have made them do.

I think that the fact that JKR didn't mind killing persons like Dumbledore and Sirius showed that she knew how to write this. She went for the happy ending, but not the impossible happy ending where everyone survives. I think stories where the author ends it like she/he wants instead of what's impossible are unreal... and it kinds of ruin it all that it's not a realistic and proper ending. Also, if she needed something, she didn't just come up with an easy way out (some magic potion, spell or magic device which could save everyone) and let that save the character. No, either they weren't saved or she came up with something with a little thought behind it.

And about the magic... Well, she's not coming up with a thousand new mythical creatures, but taking from what we know (centaurs, merpeople etc.), and then giving them the twist she finds correct to this story. We laready know of them and they don't seem as unknown, therefor we can put up with all of this and accept them.

Also. She had a plan with this. She didn't come up with it as she wrote it, but knew about every character and their background. Take Sirius. We heard of him in book one already, and first we're just 'Oh, well, he was just a nobody', but then when we hear the name again, it doesn't seem as much out of the blue as it did when he had been mentioned before. It was all planned and it made a connection.

Okay, so with that said, my conclusion might be that it was all of these things above (and probably something more) that made the HP universe and books so believeable.

I believe that being a member of a Harry Potter site demonstrates the fact that we are true fans of the series. Many of us have been influenced while reading the books, and many empathized with the characters. So, my question is this:
Have you ever found yourself comparing real-life situations to Harry Potter ones? For example, have you had a teacher that annoyed you, making you think "She's such an Umbridge!"? Have you integrated somehow Harry Potter in your everyday life?

I know that many have found teachers like Dumbledore, and certainly ones like Snape or Umbridge. I wonder though how deep is the influence of Harry Potter.

Which character of the books are you more related to, and why?

I can't say that I relate to just one character. I feel like I see myself in alot them. For instance in the quiz that I took when I first joined VTM it said that the character that I was most like was Tonks. I can sort of see where they were aiming. I tend to seem careless and I'm clumsy and can be just outgoing and cool. Like Tonks when she was first introduced I saw her as laid back, carefree [in a good way], easy to get along with, funny, cool, clumsy, just like a teen girl. I so related to her at that moment. And her views to things were so different. Like she saw things differently. Which is where Luna comes in and is also another character that I relate to. She's weird and different. People underestimate her becuase of how she is. She too views life differently. Sees life outside the box. Like me. I relate to Hermione in the sense like any other person does book wise. She's like me when it comes to studies, takes on more than she can. We share the same dating history and how it's hard to attract a guy when all they see is a smart unattractive girl. Just because she's a bookworm and is determine and seems stuck up. Harry becuase he had to grow up before time. He had to mature faster than others becuase of the famiy situation and new world he lived in. I had to mature becuase I never lived the easy life either. My parents divorced always lived in the low class level. Ron becuase of the way he is. Like fear for spider and love for chess; That's me Also how oblivious he can be to things so can I. The small things is where we relate. I'd go with the other characters but I'd be here forever. So those are some.

Have you ever felt empathy with the books, being in that age?

Well the one book that I couldn't relate to the moment I read was Goblet of fire becuase well I was nine when I read it and it was the first of the series that I read. So I was lost. But now that I go back and read there are things that I defienetly can relate to. Like the Deathly Hallows is the book that I read the most. Though they were seventeen and I'm sixteen I can still relate. I understand the small things that they go through. Like minust the saving the wozarrding world, things like family, love, death, life. I can relate. Family. The fact that Harry never really had a true family like a mother and father. It's like me with a mom. I have one but she never really played the role of the mother. She only did the easy stuff of a mom. My dad did everything. So I don't learn things that you do from a mom. I have always lacked a true mother in my life. And my family has always been seperate. Like I have a sister who I hadn't heard from in 6 years and then 2 years ago I finally do and I feel so distant. My dad's side is soo distant from me becuase my mom never really wanted to 'bond' with that side. My mom really was the cause of the distance between my dad's family and us. I totally know what it felt like for Hermione and Harry and Ron when they all started to develop feelings. When Harry saw Ginny with another in the 6th year I related because I knew how that felt like. It was like me last year I really liked this guy and he liked me but he had a girlfriend and he chosed her. So I had to see and hear and think about it everyday. It bothered. I wanted nothing more than for them to break up so I can be with him. Never happened but I was fine with it. Another thing was Harry and Cho. I knew what it was like when two people like eachother but the other just couldn't let go there siginificant other. I know that in Cho's case he died but she couldn't let go. Two years ago I liked this guy who also liked me and we knew it. We kissed and we knew we had a shot, problem was he couldn't let go what his old significant other did and that affected us and it bothered like crazy. So I was confused. Then Hermione when all she wants to do is try to look her best and be her best to impress Ron. Or her get jealous when she sees him with another or anything to that. All of us girls know what that is like. So I knew as I was reading how irritated and annoyed she was getting. Death. I've experinced death around. But like Harry the worse that he could've experienced was the one with Sirius, like for me was my favorite grandpa. Though he didn't die in front of me I knew that it was a blow to the face to lose someone. When I read OoTP a few months later my grandfather died. So I re-read and I knew right then and there how Harry must've felt. And life itself in the books. The way you have to fend for yourself; Think strategically. Life's like a chess game any wrong move could cost you.

How do you think JKR did in making the HP world believable. Magic itself excluded, did she make characters that were believable to the world around us? The friendships, or lack of, plausible?

Of course she did. If she didn't do you think that we'd be able to relate so much? There's always a Draco around school. It's like the 'popular' kid walking around with there possy. The one who flaunts there stuff just becuase they have money. He's the typical snobby rich kid in school. Luna is that weird nerdy girl in school. She doesn't care but that's how others see her. Harry is that new kid in school and all he tries to do is make it through the day normal. Trying to make friends without a catastrophe happen. Ron is that kid who tries to make peace with everyone. He's the kid that anyone would like to hang with, he may not have much but that's ok. Hermione is that smart girl in class that anyone would kill to sit next to just to pass class. Ginny is the pretty girl that is related to the cool kid and that everyone wants to date. There's a HP character in your school trust me.

Have you ever found yourself comparing real-life situations to Harry Potter ones? For example, have you had a teacher that annoyed you, making you think "She's such an Umbridge!"? Have you integrated somehow Harry Potter in your everyday life?

Teacher wise is probably the only thing I've done. Like I have teachers that remind me of HP characters. Like my chem teacher last year was just like Snape never smiled always had this face like they were bored with life. My math teacher this year is like an Umbridge. Short and chunky and thinks she's funny and when she snaps she goes crazy and when she tries to compose herself she gets all smiley and giggly o.O My math teacher from last year was like my Dumbledore. She was that one person that I turned to always. And even though I don't have her for any classes I still go to her(:

Okay, so I thought of something else that might be interesting to discuss. Feel free to answer or ignore it.

JKR had originally planned to have a character that was supposed to develope magical abilities late in life. However, she changed her mind so it never happened. Who do you think that person was and why, and what do you think her original plans were for that character when they had develop magical abilities?

Huh. That's something I've never read before.

My guess is that this person is Petunia. It would be such a huge turn of the story if she ended up being a witch too. I know that there are several fanfictions out there where Petunia and/or Dudley prove to be wizards. I don't know whether that would have been good for the plot or not. I think it would have changed the story a lot. Petunia's family (and Vernon precisely) would have to adjust to a whole new reality. I can imagine Vernon breaking up with her for turning into a "freak" too. It might have been risky and too complicated. JKR wanted to create two separate worlds. One of the Muggles (from which Harry wanted to escape) and one of the Wizards. If somehow Petunia ended up with magical abilities, this balance would have been disturbed.

And then, imagine how Petunia would have reacted! She would have loathed herself, and who knows where that would lead her.

So, if that person was Petunia, I'm glad she let her be a Muggle. We can't really have a total happy ending with Harry having a great family involving both wizards and Muggles.

I agree with alkisti on who it is because Petunia was related to a witch, and wanted to go to Hogwarts (even if she didn't really show it). I think that Petunia might have been a good character to be magical, but It would have taken away from Harry's story a bit.



I think that is absolutely right. Especially if Petunia had become magical it would have been really disturbed because she and Harry are kind of important links between the two worlds.

I think that if she had become a witch she would not have been very happy with herself because even though she sort of wanted to be a witch when she was younger, she would have changed her views. She had established herself with a 'respectable' family and was leading a mostly happy life. Such a turn of events would throw her off completely.

Well, looks like we could use a little pick-me-up in here. I had a couple of really good questions the other day, but I've forgotten them now. Hopefully, I'll remember then later. In the mean time, here is another question.

If there was one thing you could change in the HP world, what would it be, what would you change it to, and why?

If there was one thing you could change in the HP world, what would it be, what would change it to, and why?

I would have liked to have the perspective changed to allow us more insight into Tom Riddle's days at Hogwarts. We got to see some aspects of his time through Slughorn's memories, Harry's experience with the Diary, Dumbledore's research into his life, as well as Dumbledore's time with Tom in Hogwarts.

Yet, it seemed to me that the books could have been richer concerning his character, if we were able to read some of the history from Tom's perspective. I would have liked to see how JKR expressed his angst, frustration, intelligence, etc., first hand and not through the memories of others. I definitely feel we were given enough of Tom Riddle in the books, yet I would still have enjoyed to know more about him through his own eyes.

If there was one thing you could change in the HP world, what would it be, what would change it to, and why?

In the world or in the storyline of the books? I'm not sure which one the question refers to...

In the story: no matter how my heart aches for some things, deaths, happenings, I think it's - well, not perfect, but it's good just the way it is. But as I think about it... Maybe the one thing that needs changing is the Ron/Hermione relationship. I don't think that could really work... I mean it might be sweet (or at least many consider it sweet), for a while, but it just isn't a real thing, in my opinion...

In the magical world, what I would change is the clothes. True that the long cloaks and robes contribute a lot to the magical atmosphere, but I think their clothing is really impractical. Well, maybe there are spells to make them more comfortable, but somehow they always forget the logic and sense of common things.

If there was one thing you could change in the HP world, what would it be, what would change it to, and why?

No Voldemort! But then there would be no story, and no series. Let me try to think up something else.

I think I would change they way they ride around on broomsticks. They are fine for Quidditch, but I think of it as a stereotype for them to actually ride on brooms to get around. That part of it just bugs me.

I would also have liked to have more background for characters stories. Dumbledore, Tom Riddle, the Marauders...

I also agree with uzzzkata about the cloaks thing. I don't think that they would be very practical for everyday wear. They seem kind of awkward to wear and work in.

I kind of agree with Kata about the Ron-Hormone relationship. I'm sure they liked each other, but I don't think they had what it takes to be in a real, long-lasting relationship.

One thing I'd like to change was Sirius' death. I really liked this character, and I can't help it but feel a little sad when I think about it. He was the only real relative Harry had, before marrying and having kids, and I'd like to see him happy. But then, when I thought about that, I realized that so many things would have to change in the plot of the book. Harry wouldn't have chased Bellatrix, Voldemort wouldn't have entered his body, and the Ministry wouldn't have seen Voldemort's return. It's interesting how a single event seems to affect the whole story. But I still wish Sirius didn't have to die.

I am in complete agreement with the Ron/Hermione romance. I just don't see it. Ron's a great character, don't get me wrong, but a relationship is just too far out of the realm for me. I always saw Harry and Hermione getting together. Perhaps it is that Harry was an orphan with this entire other (magical) life he didn't know about, and Hermione came from Muggles. They both had to learn about their true world on their own without any family assistance.

Harry was the hero of the story and he should get the girl. For me, that's the girl we all came to see as bigger than any other female character: Hermione.

I like Ron, but I'd have been a bit more satisfied if Harry got Hermione, and Ron married another witch. Say, Luna. I always liked her, too. I can Ron and Luna as a couple.

I think it's time for another question.

According to the letter Harry received in his first year, students were allowed to bring "an owl OR a cat OR a toad." Why do you think it was limited to these particular animals?

Also, if the letter specified these particular pets, how was Ron able to have a rat?

Before the new question, I'd liek to coment on this:

I basically agree with everything you said, especially about Sirius. I miss him and hated the loneliness Harry had to deal with during the last two books. I wanted Sirius to be there, but I think it was important that Harry was all alone with no great wizards like Dumbledore and Sirius to help and protect him. Sirius' death was necessary, but I hated, hated it.

Also, if the letter specified these particular pets, how was Ron able to have a rat?

I've been wondering about that too, but I don't think it's limited, but it's merely written like that is to say, 'You can't bring ten animals to our school. One is enough.' or it's to say 'Peaceful animals only, no Hippogriffs.' It could also just be a mistake from JKR (that can happen), and she hadn't thought it over. I can't really think of anything else

Okay that's all I've got! Haha.

According to the letter Harry received in his first year, students were allowed to bring "an owl OR a cat OR a toad." Why do you think it was limited to these particular animals?

I think it's because these animals are commonly associated with wizards and witchcraft. I think JKR thought that these would be best for them to bring. They are also pets that don't cause as much trouble as a giraffe would cause.

Also, if the letter specified these particular pets, how was Ron able to have a rat?

I agree with happy-potter. On both counts. It could just be a typo or a misread, which can certainly happen. Also, it could have just been outlining certain guidlines of animals allowed. Like I said before, a giraffe wouldn't be the best pet to bring.

According to the letter Harry received in his first year, students were allowed to bring "an owl OR a cat OR a toad." Why do you think it was limited to these particular animals?

I think that the wisest choice would be an owl, for obvious reasons. Sorry Neville, but I would never bring a toad with me. It is not even an animal to hug, like cats.

I think JKR mentioned these three animals because owls are necessary for mail, cats are small and can make great pets without dirtying everywhere (in comparison to dogs), and frogs...because of the lake maybe?

I really have never wondered why. Maybe these three are the most quiet pets, as opposed to squirrels, or lizards which are useless. (well, as useless as toads. I still don't get that.)
Maybe she chose those animals because, except for the owl, they are easy to be found everywhere, so as to give the chance to the poorest of kids to have a pet.

Also, if the letter specified these particular pets, how was Ron able to have a rat?

Maybe noone knew? It could go unnoticed. Plus, it sleeped all day. And maybe it is a mistake after all. How else could Peter have appeared?

Maybe this thread needs a new question.

If you could turn one wizard or witch into a Muggle or Squib, who would that be, why would you do it, and how would that affect the story?

If you could turn one wizard or witch into a Muggle or Squib, who would that be, why would you do it, and how would that affect the story?
This looks like a fun one.
Well, I think that the obvious choice, for me, is Mundungus Fletcher. I mean, in all honesty it's not like he's that great of a wizard; which is why I choose him. He just wastes people's time with all his rubbish about stolen goods and all that.
If he wasn't a wizard, then, first off, the Order might have had someone decent following Harry during the summer between fourth and fifth year. That would mean that Harry would never have had to be attacked by Dementors, and then he wouldn't have to stand trial at the Ministry (though, he wouldn't have been cleared of all charges either).
Also, he would have never stolen those items from Grimmauld Place. That means that Harry, Ron, and Hermione wouldn't have had to infiltrate the Ministry to steal the locket from Umbridge.
Those are the only ways I can think of that Mundungus becoming a Muggle or Squib (though if he was a Squib he might have managed to rob Grimmauld Place, still) would affect the story. Like I said, he wasn't that great of a wizard anyway.

Mundungus Fletcher is a very good suggestion, but I wouldn't want to turn him. His problem is not magic, and I think, at least as I see it, it should be one who doesn't know or misuses magic. Mundungus Fletcher is just a special character, who gives the story a little colour. I actually kinds like him. Haha.

Personally I'd take Umbridge. She misuses not only magic, but also her position to misuse magic even more. And I think that should be a reason to get turned into a squib. But that couldn't happen in the story as she's sucha central character from fifth book.

I can't really find anyone who could be a muggle without changing huge parts of the story...

But I do think it could be fun to make Mrs Figg a real witch. She'd probably still have been so boring for Harry to stay at, but I have a soft spot her, and she deserves it

If you could turn one wizard or witch into a Muggle or Squib, who would that be, why would you do it, and how would that affect the story?

I think I would turn Voldemort into a Muggle. I would do that because he is a Muggle hater and I think he needs to see what it is like. It would supremely change the story because it is Voldemort's need for power that fuels the story. It would pretty much turn the story upsidedown if Voldemort was a Muggle. I just think that he should see what Muggles are like. I just want to take his powers away.

I like what Vicki said about Mrs. Figg. I think she deserves to be a witch.

~Kel

Mundungus doesn't bother me either. As it's been said already, wizard or not, he'd still lie, steal, and try to find any possible way to make money.

I also agree with that statement:

Very funny, and also, very well-put. I think I had her in mind when I thought about this question. So, yes, I would turn her into a witch as well. She is such a kind person. Maybe I would turn Filch into a magician as well. He'd be less mean, wouldn't he? But then again...it wouldn't be that much fun for the twins, huh?

Ok...to answer the question...Hm...Umbridge is definitely one person who deserves being a Muggle. Lucius Malfoy is another one. He'd find it really hard to impose himself without the name of his "pure-blood" family, or his money. I don't doubt he'd still find a way, but it would have taken him longer to do so.

Another person I would turn is Pettigrew. I know, that would change the story. But I wouldn't do it to save Lily and James. I'd do it to save himself. Being a Muggle is less hard than being a wizard, simply because people are judged by their real skills instead of the number of spells they can do, or potions they can brew. He might actually find a way to be happy as a Muggle.

The last person I'd like to turn is Bellatrix. You know, I kind of like that character. She is so strong, and indepedent. These can be horrible if used on the evil side, but for a normal person, they are great characteristics to have. Plus, she'd be so angry if she no longer was a witch! Imagine the disgust of her family and...Voldemort!

I agree with turning Umbridge into a muggle.. no, actually into a sqib. That would be more painful to her. Reason, being the same, she highly misused the power of magic. Being a sqib, she would have respected the muggle-borns and the half-breeds.. I think, turning her into a sqib would drastically change the story, because then The Trio would hve had a hard time to get hold of Slytherin's Locket..

I won't want to turn Voldemort into a muggle or a sqib.. True, he would have then caused much less terror and all but after all he was the core of Harry Potter series, along with Harry. Though his ways were evil and very dark, I admire his ways of performing magic and gaining and using power. Noone, not even Dumbledore would disagree that he was brilliant when it came to magic..

I know Hermione is a favorite character, but why does she have to be so crazy about school? She's always studying, and she never gives up on lecturing Harry and Ron about doing their work. Although she is quite like myself, I still find it a bit irritating when she tells Harry off nonstop.
Hermione should find something that she likes, other than school work. That's what I do. I think that Hermione would be just about perfect if she didn't bug Harry.

I suppose that Hermione is one of the most extreme characters JKR made. She is annoying and a know-it-all, and she gets way too emotional sometimes. I guess she was trying to make her character more...complex? Hermione is tough on one side, but very emotional on the other. Most of the times however, her first part dominates.

I never actually found her annoying. I always considered her the "voice of conscience". She reminds me a little bit of myself. Trying to do the right thing, reading many books, playing by the rules...

It's funny though how much you dislike her. I wonder, did this affect your reading the books? I mean, did it make them less enjoyable? She is one of the leader characters after all.

I too never minded much this behaviour of Hermione. I too go on lecturing my friends to study, complete their assignments on time and be serious about their carrer.. But I(and probably Hermione as well) have my friends best interest at heart and lecture them only to make their future bright. Hermione, like me never wanted to boss around Ron and Harry, she just merely wanted them to understand the importance of education, which would help them in future.. Thus, I never found Hermione as irritating, infact this shows how much she loved Harry and Ron..

I got my personal results back from the Character Quiz, and it said I am most like Hermione. Now, I love Hermione, and sometimes she does get on my nerves because she can be a little bit too moody. But I really do like her. She is just trying to teach Harry and Ron responsibility, even if it is in a nagging way. And I like the way alkisti stated it that she one of the more extreme and complex characters. If every character was simple, would that make a good story? She's a muggle born, and there's not much to do in our world, so she wanted to find something she could be good at. I was a lot like her when I was younger; always studying. I think it just takes a while to realize what all of life means, and she hadn't quite hit that point yet.

I have always liked the character of Hermione. Yeah, she's always pestering Ron and Harry about doing their schoolwork, but that's only because she wants them to do well. I think that her whole thing about doing well in school isn't really about being the smartest she could be, but maybe about being better at something than everyone else? Hermione's faults are constantly noted in the books, making us understand that she is not the most popular person or the most attractive. Her grades seem to be the only thing that people can look up to. Without the grades, Hermione would probably be a bit less confident. She seems to be a pretty insecure person to me, her confidence about her grades kind of making her feel better about herself. And maybe, whenever she isn't the best, like when she got an E in her OWLS for DADA, instead of the O, she starts to go back to being a bit insecure, thinking that the one wrong thing she did is going to make it less likely for people to look up to her, or want to be her in some way.

I agree she's a bit extreme in situations where she's nervous or unhappy, but I think that connects to her not being sure of herself... I don't know if some of you have thought about this, but she encounters a lot of things that can lower her self-esteem and confidence, like in her first year when Ron was making fun of her, or in her second year when Malfoy called her a Mudblood. Maybe all of those things just made her want to be better at them in something, so that she could look down on them and feel like she had the power to make fun of them for not being as good as her?

I don't know. I'm not that great at analysis, or anything, but this is what I think.

I think you're right about Hermione feeling insecure at times, especially in her earlier years at Hogwarts.

I think that this is because she felt a bit lost in the wizarding world - she was probably the best in her class at her muggle primary school, and was used to knowing more than the people around her, but then she was suddenly thrust into this world full of magic and things she didn't understand, so I don't blame her for feeling a bit insecure in herself. Actually, that's probably why she spends so much time studying; to regain her self-image as a bit of a know-it-all.

I think I would tur Mrs Dursley into a witch. I think the reason why she hates everything that has with magic to do including her sister is jealously. Lily was her best friend when they were little and when she found out that she was a witch I think Petunia was left out. Lily got all the attention.
Another reason why she hates magic can also have to do with that it was magic that took lily away from her. Before Lily knew she was a witch they were always together, but after they drifted apart.

If Petunia also was a witch there would be no jelously and she would also have been going to Hogwarts, never had been left out and never had losed Lily as a friend. When Lily and James died I think she would have taken care of Harry much better and she would have been nicer to him. That would have changed very much in Harrys life.

I am happy that Petunia wasn't a wich though, cause I like it the way it is in the books and Hogwarts wouldn't hve felt the same for Harry, a home, as it does now.

good observations GreyEyes! I do beleive that Petunia was jealous of Mrs. Dursley. I wouldn't give Mrs. Dursley magical powers though, i feel like she doesnt deserve them due to her treatment to Harry. Maybe she would abuse her powers??

But if i could take the power away from any witch and wizard..hmm.. I beleive that i would take powers away from well voldemort, but everyone thinks that (at least alot of people >.<), So i am going to say Crabbe or Goyle. Now i dont like malfoy. But i especially dont like his little, excuse me, BIG minions that follow him around and act like his slaves and do whatever he tells them to. They are jerks and they abuse their power for the wrong, not the good.

This would affect the story because Malfoy wouldnt have the kids that do whatever he wants them to do to do what he tells them to (thats a mouthful). So maybe Malfoy wouldn't be as Malfoyish if he didn't have them.

I am not saying that Malfoy would be a good little boy (NO!!) I just dont see him being as much of a problem to other students without them.

Andrew

I would take away powers from Lucius Malfoy. Like Voldemort ,Lucius is also a Muggle hater, however; Voldemort was gone for eleven years and it was Lucius that never renounced the old ways. He made life difficult for anyone that wasn't a pure blood and anyone that approved of muggles and mudbloods...regardless of their own blood status.

If Lucius was a muggle, Draco wouldn't be the little pompous butt head that he is. And Voldemort wouldn't have his right hand man. The ministry wouldn't have been as corrupt and people wouldn't have been terrorized. For example: Lucius threatened the other governors if they didn't agree to sack Dumbledore in PoS.

Harry would have had to put up with some other nincompoop I'm sure, but next to Voldemort, I think Lucius Malfoy was a wizard to fear.

Dawn

I think that if I could take magical powers away from anybody, I would take them away from Peter Pettigrew. His powers weren't all that great to begin with, and if he didn't have them, then a lot of things that Voldemort did wouldn't have been possible. Voldemort wouldn't have had that nice little sycophant to keep everything running, who was so desperately loyal to him (as long as he had the power, that is ). And maybe if Pettigrew didn't have magic, and went to Muggle school and grew up in the Muggle world, he might have found more respect for himself. Maybe among "normal" people, he could have found a better niche. He wasn't good enough at magic to even have a chance when it was combined with the kind of person he was, anyway.

Hermione17, I like your reasons for taking Lucius Malfoy's magical powers away, too. Maybe he could have really been a Squib instead? That would certainly have taken him down a peg, and maybe he could have taught Draco more humility, instead of thinking that he was so much better than everyone else just by virtue of his "pureblood" status.

I don't think Lucius Malfoy was someone who was somene to fear. I mean, yes he was a Dark Arts lover and a muggle hater but he was not determined to do evil as good as Voldemort was. Sometimes I think Lucius did noting but to boast about his pure-blood status.. Remember, after Voldemort dissappeared Lucius dint try to find Voldemort or carry out the evil things that were done durinf Voldemort's time.. Yeah, he did give that diary to Ginny and he did harass the muggles and all during the World Cup but he did not do anythinf much more evil that would revel him. Lucius just liked to take te shelter of the Ministry of Magic and boast around.. He claimed he was a muggle-hater, but did he do anything to do something about the muggles? Lucius didnt do anything in the Deathly Hallows, did he? When Voldemort was most powerfull, Malfoy merely remanined in his little Manor and did nothing.. I think, Bellatrix was more dangerous than he was. She went to the Azkaban readily and she openly backed uo Voldemort, unlike Lucius... And in the end, Bellatrix died out of true loyalty to Voldmort and the Dark Arts, while Lucius hust sat in the cornor.. All in all, Lucius was just interested in boasting about, but he actually never really wanted to enter the circle which was dangerous.

I have to agree with Pryia. I don't think Lucius was frightening or scary. He was a showoff with lots of money and thus, influence on wizard politics. It is true that he hated Muggles, because he was a pure-blood and he wanted to protect his own bloodline. However, he was not evil enough to go around killing people by himself. Joining Voldemort was the safest solution not only because it'd be a way of protecting himself and his family, but also because Voldemort was the most powerful wizard at that time and it was the most clever solution to join him, since this would help him maintain his fame and power. In a way he was no better than Pettigrew. More handsome, yes ( ), but equally coward.

Time for a new question maybe?

If you could rewrite the story, which characters would you not include, and why? Which ones would you present more, and why?

If you could rewrite the story, which characters would you not include, and why? Which ones would you present more, and why?

Ooh. It's questions like this that make me feel like I need to brush up on my Harry Potter... I'm a bad fan! *irons hands*

Hmm. I think I would have wanted a bit more Luna. I think it was a terrible shame that she was only introduced in the fifth book, and then she barely got any time "on page." I think she's really interesting and I've always loved her character.

Wouldn't include. This one is tough for me. No it's not. Grawp. He's lame. I hate having to read through that stuff every single time. I love OotP, but that chapter...what a snoozer. I'm not really interested in Hagrid, and especially not interested in his goofy giant half-brother. Pff.

If you could rewrite the story, which characters would you not include, and why? Which ones would you present more, and why?

I agree with Just the Droobles I too don't like to read stuff about Grawp. What was the point in including him anyway? He did not help in the Battle at Hogwarts. The only point of including was to just tell that yes, a gaint could be civilized.. But this was something which was not at all related to Harry Potter. So, yes I would have liked to exclude Grawp.. I would like to include Regulus Black and James and Lily Potter. I would have loved to read how Regulus left his Death Eater days and how he turned his back on Voldemort. I would have also loved to see James and Lily with Harry. (Offcourse, the whole story would be changed then..) But u know, I would have loved to go into someone's memory and get to see an infant Harry with his parents..(I am sure Harry would have wanted to see this too..)

I just want to know what people think about the "19 Years Later" chapter at the end of The Deathly Hallows.

I wish JKR said who the headmaster/mistress of Hogwarts was. Personally, I think it should have been Hermione. She did say Neville was the Herbology teacher and I do think that was a wonderful idea but I wanted to know more on the teachers.

Also, I wanted to know what happened to the other survivors of the Battle of Hogwarts. I know most of you know just about as much as me (unless you have some personal connection to JKR) but I just want to know what people think.

My biggest question is WHAT HAPPENED TO LUNA? Luna Lovegood is my favorite character in the whole series. I think she should have ended up with Dean, they were together for most of the last chapters and they always seemed to be helping each other out.

Please discuss!

Yes, I too would have liked to know who became Hogwarts Headmaster/Headmistress... I would have loved to read more about the teachers of Hogwarts too.. Like, if MacGonagal was still there or not.. (Or whether she was alive or not.. )

I loved the idea of making Neville the Herbology teacher..
I didn't like the idea of Harry marrying Ginny.. It was like marrying a fan, like Demelza..
But I loved the relationship that is showed between Harry and his son, Albus Severus... I really loved it that J.K.Rowling described Albus Severus.. And Ron and Hermione's family too was well put...

About Luna, I think it was mentioned somewhere that, Luna ended up marrying Neville... I like this idea too..

Yeah, I would have lover to know more about what was going on at Hogwarts, and I would also love to know more about what happened to all the other students that we met throughout the series. I would have also liked to know where the teachers were, those that may have still been alive. I kind of just want an update on everyone, and I'm hoping if she ever decides to write that encyclopedia or whatever, she'll let us in on some info like that.

I think it kind of sucks that Luna was just kind of dropped off the face of the earth. She came in the series too late and I think JKR should have included her more. After all, she had a huge hand in helping Harry and helping the wizarding society in book 5. I just think it's a shame she couldn't get more time.

All in all, the epilogue was a bit ho hum for me. I love that Ron and Hermione got together and started a family, but everything else was just cheesy and ridiculous. I would also have liked for JKR to be a little more creative with the children's names. They just seemed a little hokey to me. Not to mention the names were some of the worst combinations I've ever seen. It was just meh for me.