I've read all six as well... I was reading them again recently (or some of them) kind of in preparation for DH, like you said. So...yeah. Not much longer now tilll July 20th! But anyway, it's true that Harry's a bit unusual. Most kids probably wouldn't have been able to make the connection that the people raising them were the ones being mean, and not that there was something wrong with the child him/herself. I think it would have been good for Dumbledore to raise Harry, tho, b/c that way he wouldn't have been so horrendously mistreated, he wouldn't have grown up being arrogant from all the fame he had before being able to walk and talk (Dumbledore expressed concern about this to McGonagall in that first chapter, as i recall), and he could have protected Harry from Voldemort, seeing as he was the only one the Dark Lord ever feared. I think sometimes Dumbledore may want to do something, but be afraid to do it, in case it isn't prudent. I'm sure he would have prefered to raise the poor lad himself rather than subjecting him to 10 years of the Dursleys, but he also wanted to do what was best in the long run for Harry. Anyway, my two cents. (Also, don't you agree that in the first book it's neat meeting everyone for the first time, when you've known them for years if, like me, you've been reading the books ever since they've been coming out? Kind of nostalgic in a way... No-one dies except the bad guy...)
Btw, i like your siggy, Larael. Snape, i'm assuming? If so, i agree. I don't believe he was fooling everyone all along.

_________________

Avi and banner by ForeverFrodo. Words on banner by me.
Proud Frolass
Resident Elvengoth

Aye, there's something wonderful about rereading the first book after you've read the entire series [or rather, 1-6]. You get the same kind of excited feeling as you get to know the characters all over again. And the first book is so innocent as well. There's no death, and the purpose is clear. I think that's how JKR got people so hookedo on the series. A fantastic first book brings readers back wanting more, which is exactly how things turned out.

Now, speaking of chapters 4-6, these chapters are where we get blasted with a load of new info. Even Harry feels overwhelmed. I was really surprised that Harry believed everything Hagrid said almost instantly. Sure, he had his moment of doubt, but it didn't really last that long. I guess he was so fascinated with everything that was going on that he really didn't stop to think how odd all of this was.

@ Eariel: Haha.. yup, that's my Snape-y. I wuv him.

^Aw... I can identify with thinking he's misunderstood and all, partly b/c there's a tv series (Avatar on Nickelodeon, if you're curious) where my favorite character is the anti-hero. So...anyway, i think i know the feeling, lol.

There is a time when Harry asks if he could really be the one Hagrid's looking for, or if there's some mistake, and also he has this fear that the Sorting Hat won't put him in a house, and McGonagall will say there's obviously been some mistake and he doesn't belong there. Of course, it does seem too good to be true, especially i suppose if you've grown up with the Dursleys. Still, that may be part of why Harry's willing to believe what Hagrid says. He knows there's something different about him, like that time he set the boa constictor free by accident. Anyway... *posts*

_________________

Avi and banner by ForeverFrodo. Words on banner by me.
Proud Frolass
Resident Elvengoth

Mhmm. The anti-hero describes in perfectly. Besides he's just evilishly cool like that.

Oo, you're right. He does know he's different, and I think, deep down he's really been hoping something like this will happen. I think at one point he mentions that he had dreams of his parents [or other relatives] would come to take him away from the Dursleys. So, when Hagrid shows up he isn't too doubtful because in the back of his mind he wants to believe it if it means he has the chance at another life, one without the Dursleys breathing down his neck.

Whee! I can't wait for the next three chapters! Any idea when we'll start discussing them? [Hehe.. and call me Lar Eariel, everyone else does. ]

I agree that he knows he is different. I don't think that he should have been raised under the care of Dumbledore, true, he wouldn't have been mistreated but the whole 'ancient' magic would not be played and then he would have been vunerable to Voldemort. He would have died in the First book, because the charm that Dumbledore placed on the Dursley's house allowed Harry to stand against Voldy. Another point is that he would have been forced to live in a world where everyone knew him and he would have been forced to cope with that at an early age. He would have to deal with not remembering why he is famous. I think it would lead him somewhere where Dumbledore would not have wanted him to go. Learning the truth at 11 is a much better bet for Harry.
Also, is the Sorting Hat based on preference or by the blood-aka future of the wizard. Harry could have easily been put into Slytherin because he has part of Voldemort. but the Sorting Hat put him in Gryffindor when Harry asked for it. Do you think that is a bit odd, because the Sorting Hat was insisting on him going into Slytherin? I like the fact that he is in Gryffindor, because it helps Harry's true personality. AND why was the Sorting Hat insisting on Harry going into Slytherin. Isn't Slytherin supposed to be only pure-bloods...or did I miss something?

_________________
<center>

[font=Times New Roman]
Hello, I'm Amoniel
[/font]</center>

Those are some very good point Amoniel. I always thought it'd be sort of "too good to be true" if Harry grew up under Dumbledore's roof. The ancient magic protection wouldn't be in place for one, and as Dumbledore mention in the first chapter knowing you were famous can go to people's heads. Especially for younger children.

As for the Sorting Hat.. that's what I'm a bit confused about. I don't think you have to be pureblood to be in Slytherin I just think that's the way it's always worked out. It's what's in your mind that matters, not necessarily what family you come from. Just think of Harry, his ancestry isn't exactly very pure since his mum came from a muggle household, but the sorting hat was thinking of putting him in Slytherin anyway.

My banner that I had before was from the Prisoner of Azkaban. I think it was the part when Harry was telling them how he hear that Sirius was a traitor to his parents.

Welcome Nurrantiel Mashiara and Larael! Its great to have more Harry Potter readers! hah!
I just finished CoS last night so im going to move onto PoA in the next few days. I have been so busy with work and my horse! When I have more time I will get into your conversations though

_________________
<center>

Avvy and Siggy set by me, HP banner by Aliana</center>

Lol. I've just started PoA today. I'm on a time schedule now. I'm hoping to finish OotP right before the release of the movie on the 13th.

Cool! Im not sure if I want to read OotP again before the movie, because I want to watch the movie and be like ohhhhh, and be remembered of things. But I will definatly have to read HBP before DH comes out!

Ohh by the way Larael I love your siggy set!! Is it supposed to be Snape or something? Haha it looks like him

_________________
<center>

Avvy and Siggy set by me, HP banner by Aliana</center>

Hehe.. that's why I want to read OotP before the movie comes out. It's so that I can compare the book and the movie. Does anyone else here do that?

By the way, when are we going to be discussing chapters 7-9?

Lol. Aye, that's a young Snape-y drawing. I wuv him.

We'll start now! I just finished HBP. It was really good reading them and remembering stuff, i can't wait for the OotP movie!

Ok, the 8th chapter is the Potions Master. It sets up the whold inner family (father- James, godfather- Sirius) prejudice against Snape, and Snape hating Harry.
But going off of that, do you think Snape was jealous of James, or did he hate James for some other reason?

_________________
<center>

[font=Times New Roman]
Hello, I'm Amoniel
[/font]</center>

Haha it is indeed a very cute picture!!
I personally think that Snape was maybe jealous of James. I dont think he actually hate him. He just doesnt really show how he feels, so it comes of as hate.

_________________
<center>

Avvy and Siggy set by me, HP banner by Aliana</center>

Really, I always had the impression that he loathed James?
There was also a theory that Snape was in love with Lily.

_________________
<center>

[font=Times New Roman]
Hello, I'm Amoniel
[/font]</center>

Yay! This is my favourite discussion of all time! *huggles Snape-y* I am one of the few who think that at one point Snape definitely had some sort of love interest in Lily. She was kind to anyone and could see things in people that they didn't normally see. Snape was a loser at school and I think Lily may have been one of the few people who was nice to him.

James was the complete opposite of Snape; he was popular and good at quidditch. He admired Lily, but she wanted nothing to do with him. After "Snape's Worst Memory" I think Lily stopped all contact with Snape, which made Snape feel even worse. And then, when James married Lily I think that sealed the deal. Snape hated James for being good at everything he was not, for taunting him during their school days, and then taking away the one girl he ever loved.

OMG! Your a Snape/Lily/James love triangle person! I thought i was the only one! lol

I think that Snape had no remorse for James when he gave the information to Voldy and then when he killed them. I think it was the death of Lily that really shocked him. He lost the girl/woman he loved because of something he gave to Voldy. I also think it was mounting hatred when James married Lily. More jealousy.

_________________
<center>

[font=Times New Roman]
Hello, I'm Amoniel
[/font]</center>

Mhmm. That's exactly what I was saying. Do you think Snape is ever confused about how he should treat Harry? I mean, Harry is the spitting image of James and that makes Snape want to loathe him as much as he loathed his father, but then when Snape looks in Harry's eyes I wonder, does he find himself looking into Lily's? *dreamy sigh* I'm such a romantic.

So, chapter 7 gives us our first real glimpse of Dumbledore's character. My first impression of him is that he's a very interesting character and that we'll be seeing a lot of him. He's very wise, yet has one of the best sense's of humour I've ever read about. I would've never thought he'd be fighting at the Ministry in OotP, or drinking that awful green potioni in HBP. What were your first impressions of him?

I'd also like to know, did anyone find Hermione extremely annoying at first. I mean, all she wanted to do was tag along and be a goodie two shoes. And her cleverness was enough to make me gag. But then, she grew on me after the troll bit at Halloween and now she's one of my favourite characters. She has loads of common sense and has some of the best lines in the book.