Yer a wizard, Harry

What's that? You were wondering if I was still a huge nerd? Well, funny you should ask...

If you don't follow the goings-on of the magical world like I do, then you may not have been aware of the new illustrated version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, released just a few days ago. 

A spectacular illustrator, Jim Kay, added some stunning artwork to J. K. Rowling's masterpiece. I obviously pre-ordered the book, and may or may not have wept when I opened the package. (I totally did.)

It's so beautiful!

Even the inside cover is gorgeous!

Seriously, can you understand why I cried?

 My thoughts exactly, Jo.

Order your own here.

My Favorite Moments - Book 7

Book 7 is finally up! This may be my favorite Harry Potter book, so it was really difficult to pick just a few moments. I actually started re-reading the entire book, because I had thumbed through it so much while searching, it felt like I was already reading it.

Ear-Related Humor

"'Saintlike,' repeated George, opening his eyes and looking up at his brother. 'You see...I'm holey. Holey, Fred, geddit?'

Mrs. Weasley sobbed harder than ever. Color flooded Fred's pale face.

'Pathetic,' he told George. 'Pathetic! With the whole wide world of ear-related humor before you, you go for holey?'"

"'Well said, Harry,' said Fred unexpectedly.

'Yeah, 'ear, 'ear,' said George, with half a glance at Fred, the corner of whose mouth twitched."

-Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 5, pages 74, 81

I love Fred and George so much. I laugh out loud every time I read this part. 

The Kiss

"'So then I thought, I'd like you to have something to remember me by, you know, if you meet some veela when you're off doing whatever you're doing.'

'I think dating opportunities are going to be pretty thin on the ground, to be honest.'

'There's the silver lining I've been looking for,' she whispered, and then she was kissing him as she had never kissed him before, and Harry was kissing her back, and it was blissful oblivion, better than firewhiskey; she was the only real thing in the world, Ginny, the feel of her, one hand at her back and one in her long, sweet-smelling hair --"

-Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 7, page 116

Swoon! When I first read this book, I think I had to stop for a moment at this part to collect myself. Poor Harry, he loves this girl. And he is afraid that if he's with her, she will be in danger. But Ginny isn't one to be scared off easy. She is basically letting him know, in no uncertain tones, that she is still interested, and will wait for him. 

Godrick's Hollow

"He could see it; the Fidelius Charm must have died with James and Lily. The hedge had grown wild in the sixteen years since Hagrid had taken Harry from the rubble that lay scattered amongst the waist-high grass. Most of the cottage was still standing, though entirely covered in dark ivy and snow, but the right side of the top floor had been blown apart; that, Harry was sure, was where the curse had backfired. He and Hermione stood at the gate, gazing up at the wreck of what must once have been a cottage just like those that flanked it....

His touch on the gate seemed to have done it. A sign had risen out of the ground in front of them, up through the tangles of nettles and weeds, like some bizarre, fast-growing flower, and in golden letters upon the wood it said:

On this spot, on the night of 31 October 1981,

Lily and James Potter lost their lives.

Their son, Harry, remains the only wizard

ever to have survived the Killing Curse.

This house, invisible to Muggles, has been left

in its ruined state as a monument to the Potters

and as a reminder of the violence

that tore apart their family.

And all around these neatly lettered words, scribbles had been added by other witches and wizards who had come to see the place where the Boy Who Lived had escaped. Some had merely signed their names in Everlasting Ink; others had carved their initials into to wood, still others had left messages. The most recent of these, shining brightly over sixteen years' worst of magical graffiti, all said similar things.

Good luck, Harry, wherever you are.

If you read this, Harry, we're all behind you!

Long live Harry Potter.

'They shouldn't have written on the sign!' said Hermione, indignant.

But Harry beamed at her. 'It's brilliant. I'm glad they did.'"

-Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 17, page 332

This is the first time that Harry has ever seen his childhood home, and he is feeling very alone up until this point. While visiting his parents' graves, he is struck with just how not there they are. Heck, his best friend even walked out. But seeing this sign, with the messages left for him over the last sixteen years, proves to Harry that there are people out there rooting for him. 

Potterwatch

The entire Potterwatch broadcast covers about 6 pages, so I'm not going to type it all out, but here's an exert:

"'Rapier, could you please give us your take on the various stories we've been hearing about the Chief Death Eater?'

'Yes, River, I can,' said Fred. 'As our listeners will know, unless they've taken refuge at the bottom of a garden pond or somewhere similar, You-Know-Who's strategy of remaining in the shadows is creating a nice little climate of panic. Mind you, if all the alleged sightings of him are genuine, we must have a good nineteen You-Know-Whos running around the place.'

'Which suits him, of course,' said Kingsley. 'The air of mystery is creating more terror than actually showing himself.'

'Agreed,' said Fred. 'So, people, let's try and calm down a bit. Things are bad enough without inventing stuff as well. For instance, this new idea that You-Know-Who can kill with a single glance from his eyes. That's a basilisk, listeners. One simple test: Check whether the thing that's glaring at you has got legs. If it has, it's safe to look into its eyes, although if it really is You-Know-Who, that's still likely to be the last thing you ever do.'

For the first time in weeks and weeks, Harry was laughing: He could feel the weight of tension leaving him.

'And the rumors that he keeps being sighted abroad?' asked Lee.

'Well, who wouldn't want a nice little holiday after all the hard work he's been putting in?' asked Fred. 'Point is, people, don't get lulled into a false sense of security, thinking he's out of the country. Maybe he is, maybe he isn't, but the fact remains that he can move faster than Severus Snape confronted with shampoo when he wants to, so don't count on him being a long way away if you're planning on taking any risks. I never thought I'd hear myself say it, but safety first!'...

The radio's dial twirled and the lights behind the tuning panel went out. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were still beaming. Hearing familiar, friendly voices was an extraordinary tonic; Harry had become so used to their isolation he had nearly forgotten that other people were resisting Voldemort. It was like waking up from a long sleep."

-Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 22, page 443

The Potterwatch broadcast is marvelous! Simply hilarious, and so reassuring to Harry! As the book says, Harry feels himself laughing for the first time in weeks! The horcrux hunt has been very difficult, for everyone, and I think they needed a brief chance to just enjoy each other. To have fun, if only for a moment, and to be reminded that they are part of a much bigger purpose.

The Kiss

"'Hang on a moment!' said Ron sharply. 'We've forgotten someone!'

'Who?' asked Hermione.

'The house-elves, they'll all be down in the kitchen, won't they?'

'You mean we ought to get them fighting?' asked Harry.

'No,' said Ron seriously, 'I mean we should tell them to get out. We don't want any more Dobbies, do we? We can't order them to die for us --'

There was a clatter as the basilisk fangs cascaded out of Hermione's arms. Running at Ron, she flung them around his neck and kissed him full on the mouth. Ron threw away the fangs and broomstick he was holding and responded with such enthusiasm that he lifted Hermione off her feet.

'Is this the moment?' Harry asked weakly, and when nothing happened except that Ron and Hermione gripped each other still more firmly and swayed on the spot, he raised her voice. 'OI! There's a war going on here!'

Ron and Hermione broke apart, their arms still around each other.

'I know, mate,' said Ron, who looked as though he had recently been hit on the back of the head with a Bludger, 'so it's now or never, isn't it?'"

-Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 31, page 625

Finally!! Ah, Ron and Hermione! How I love them! They balance each other so well, and I was so thrilled when this moment first happened. Sigh.

Well, there you have it! My favorite moments in each Harry Potter book! To read the rest of them, click the link:

http://dontstandonthatyoullbreakit.blogspot.com/search/label/harry%20potter%20moments

My Favorite Moments - Book 6

Book 6 is up!

The Other Minister

"It was nearing midnight and the Prime Minister was sitting alone in his office, reading a long memo that was slipping through his brain without leaving the slightest trace of meaning behind...
It was then, as he stood with his back to the room, that he heard a soft cough behind him.
He froze, nose to nose with his own scared-looking refection in the dark glass. He knew that cough. He had heard it before. He turned very slowly to face the empty room.
'Hello?' he said, trying to sound braver than he felt.
For a brief moment he allowed himself the impossible hope that nobody would answer him. However, a voice responded at once, a crisp, decisive voice that sounded as though it were reading a prepared statement. It was coming -- as the Prime Minister had known at the first cough -- from a froglike little man wearing a long silver wig who was depicted in a small, dirty oil painting in the far corner of the room.
'To the Prime Minister of Muggles. Urgent we meet. Kindly respond immediately. Sincerely, Fudge.'
The man in the painting looked inquiringly at the Prime Minister...
'I...oh...very well,' said the Prime Minister weakly. 'Yes, I'll see Fudge.'"
-Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 1, pages 1-2

This chapter blew my mind back in 2005. Fudge indeed visits the British Prime Minister, brings him up to date on all that's going on in the magical world, and introduces hime to Rufus Scrimgeour, the new Minister of Magic.
I remember reading this and immediately wanting to write a letter to Tony Blair, asking if he'd been visited by any wizards lately. I was thrilled to find out that there are a few select muggles who, for political and safety reasons, are permitted to know of the magical world's existence. That lead me to think about the US Ministry of Magic, and if they are in regular contact with our government; does the Oval Office have a fireplace?



Voldemort's Past

It's impossible to write out a quote from the book, as this encompasses several chapters. If you want to, go read Chapter 10, The Gaunt House, page 194
Chapter 17, A Slugginsh Memory, page 349
Chapter 20, Lord Voldemort's Request, page 423

These chapters follow Harry as he has "special lessons" with Dumbledore, in which they visit Voldemort's past through pensive memories. They meet Voldemort's family and learn of his background, watch him manipulate and frighten others as a youth, and ultimately learn that he has created six Horcruxes.
These chapters were so interesting to me! I was enthralled with Voldemort's past, and what made him who he was. I have gone back and re-read these chapters over and over, and still learn something new every time. 

Ron says Hermione's name in his poison-induced stupor

"'Then the poisoner didn't know Slughorn very well,' said Hermione, speaking for the first time in hours and sounding as though she had a very bad head cold. 'Anyone who knew Slughorn would have known there was a good chance he'd keep something that tasty for himself.'
'Er-my-nee,' croaked Ron unexpectedly from between them."
-Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 19, page 402

Be still, my heart! Ron loves her! Up until this point in the books, I always hoped that Ron and Hermione would get together, but this is the moment that I knew it would happen! Swoon!




Book 7 is coming soon!

My Favorite Moments - Book 5

In case you're just joining me, I am doing a series where I outline my favorite moments from each Harry Potter book. To check out the rest of the series, click here.

The fifth book was really difficult to pick moments from. I think it's my least favorite book (the rest of the books are at a 10, and this one's a 9.9), and it took me several days to pick three. 

You ready?

Here we go!

Harry is cheeky.

"'What were you doing under our window, boy?' 

'Listening to the news,' said Harry in a resigned voice.

His aunt and uncle exchanged looks of outrage.

'Listening to the news! Again?'

'Well, it changes every day, you see,' said Harry."

-Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 1, page 6

There are several instances throughout the series when Harry is hilariously sarcastic, and I love it. The real wit behind the Chosen One is lost a bit in the movies, but the books are chalk-full of it!  

When Ginny gets Harry out of his crankyness.

"'We wanted to talk to you, Harry,' said Ginny, 'but as you've been hiding ever since we got back--'

'I didn't want anyone to talk to me,' said Harry, who was feeling more and more nettled.

'Well, that was a bit stupid of you,' said Ginny angrily, 'seeing as you don't know anyone but me who's been possessed by You-Know-Who, and I can tell you how it feels.'

Harry remained quite still as the impact of these words hit him. Then he wheeled around.

'I forgot,' he said.

'Lucky you,' said Ginny cooly.

'I'm sorry,' Harry said, and he meant it."

-Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 23, page 499-500

Harry, Harry, Harry. He's so angsty. And we get it, really. Last year, he saw Cedric die and fought Voldemort, and now half the world thinks he is either insane or a liar. One of his teachers is literally torturing children as punishment (Die, Umbridge!), and now he thinks Voldemort may be possessing him. On top of all this, he's 15.

But after a while, it gets a bit frustrating. And so far, everyone has been walking on eggshells, especially when he gets all angry. Ginny, however, is not. She tells him how stupid he's being, and it's exactly what he needs to hear. She goes on to tell him that he is not being possessed, and he snaps out of it a bit. 

Ginny knows what Harry needs. They are perfect for each other.

The Twins' Exit.

"'STOP THEM!' shrieked Umbridge, but it was too late. As the Inquisitorial Squad closed in, Fred and George kicked off from the floor, shooting fifteen feet into the air, the iron peg swinging dangerously below. Fred looked across the hall at the poltergeist bobbing on his level above the crowd.

'Give her hell from us, Peeves.'

And Peeves, whom Harry had never seen take an order from a student before, swept his belled hat from his head and sprang to a salute as Fred and George wheeled about to tumultuous applause from the students below and sped out of the open front doors into the glorious sunset."

-Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, CHapter 29, page 675

Fred and George are easily my favorite characters. 

This moment is wonderful. The amount of hatred I have towards Umbridge is astronomical, and the twins totally make her crazy. They set of fireworks in the school, sell their products in the halls, make a whole floor into a swamp,  and now, just when she is about to resort to corporal punishment, they Accio their brooms, and speed off. And the best part, is that Peeves actually does give her hell. He goes nuts, even more so than usual, making messes, playing pranks, even following Umbridge around for hours and blowing raspberries every time she speaks. Ha! 

This is the real beginning to Umbridge's downfall.

Stay tuned for Book 6!

My Favorite Moments - Book 4

The 4th book was really difficult to narrow down to just a few moments. Can I say the whole book is my favorite moment? 

No?

Ok then, here are four of my faves.

When Ron quips about Uranus. 

"'Oh Professor, look! I think I've got an unasapected planet! Oooh, which one's that, Professor?'
'It is Uranus, my dear,' said Professor Trelawney, peering at the chart.
'Can I have a look at Uranus too, Lavendar?' said Ron.
-Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 13, page 201

Hahahahaha!!


When the students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang arrive at Hogwarts.

"And then Dumbledore called out from the back row where he stood with the other teachers --'Aha! Unless I am very much mistaken, the delegations from Beauxbatons approaches!'...

Something large, much larger than a broomstick -- or, indeed, a hundred broomsticks -- was hurtling across the deep blue sky toward the castle, growing larger all the time...

As the gigantic black shape skimmed over the treetops of the Forbidden Forrest and the lights shining from the castle windows hit it, they saw a gigantic, powder-blue, horse-drawn carriage, the size of a large house, soaring toward them, pulled through the air by a dozen winged horses, all palominos, and each the size of an elephant."

"'The lake!' yelled Lee Jordan, pointing down at it. 'Look at the lake!'

From their position at the top of the lawns overlooking the grounds, they had a clear view of the smooth black surface of the water -- except that the surface was suddenly not smooth at all. Some disturbance was taking place deep in the center; great bubbles were forming on the surface, waves were now washing over the muddy banks -- and then, out of the very middle of the lake, a whirlpool appeared, as if a giant plug had just been pulled out of the lake's floor...
Slowly, magnificently, the ship rose out of the water, gleaming in the moonlight. It had a strangely skeletal look about it, as though it were a resurrected wreck, and the dim, misty lights shimmering at its portholes looked like ghostly eyes. Finally, with a great sloshing noise, the ship emerged entirely, bobbing on the turbulent water, and began to glide toward the bank."
-Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 15, pages 242, 246

This part is so exciting to me! It shows that there is a whole world of magic out there beyond the UK. What are wizarding schools like in Asia? Or America? Is there an equivalent of Gringotts in South America, and is it run by goblins too? My imagination runs wild!

Snape's assignment.

"'Severus,' said Dumbledore, turning to Snape, 'you know what I must ask you to do. If you are ready...if you are prepared...'
'I am,' said Snape. 
He looked slightly paler than usual, and his cold, black eyes glittered strangely.
'Then good luck,' said Dumbledore, and he watched, with a trace of apprehension on his face, as Snape swept wordlessly after Sirius."
-Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 36, page 713

Voldemort has just come back earlier that evening, and following Fudge's absolute refusal to accept the facts, Dumbledore has started giving orders left and right. This is his last assignment, and it's so mysterious! What does Snape have to do? Why does he seem so afraid? What does this all mean for the future? 
When I first read this 13 years ago (wow! 13 years?!?), Carrie and I had many a discussion about this moment, and what we thought it meant.

When Molly hugs Harry.

"'It wasn't your fault, Harry,' Mrs. Weasley whispered.
'I told him to take the cup with me,' said Harry.
Now the burning feeling was in his throat too. He wished Ron would look away.
Mrs. Weasley set the potion down on the bedside cabinet, bent down, and put her arms around Harry. He had no memory of ever being hugged like this, as though by a mother. The full weight of everything he had seen that night seemed to fall in upon him as Mrs. Weasley held him to her."
-Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 36, page 714

Throughout the series, I think it's easy to forget that Harry is just a boy. He is only 14 at this point in the story, and is afraid and confused and traumatized. And Molly Weasley, bless her soul, is one of the only ones remembering that he's just a kid. Just a kid with no family to turn to. 

I love Molly for loving Harry like a son. I like to imagine that somewhere, Lily Potter is grateful that Harry has a mother to hug him when he needs it most.

Book 5 coming soon!

My Favorite Moments - Book 3

Here comes the third installment of my favorite moments in each of the Harry Potter books!

When the Marauder's Map insults Snape. 

"As though an invisible hand were writing upon it, words appeared on the smooth surface of the map.
'Mr. Moony presents his compliments to Professor Snape, and begs him to keep his abnormally large nose out of other people's business.' 
Snape froze. Harry stared, dumbstruck, at the message. But the map didn't stop there. More writing was appearing beneath the first.
'Mr. Prongs agrees with Mr. Moony, and would like to add that Professor Snape is an ugly git.'
It would have been very funny if the situation hadn't been so serious. And there was more...
'Mr. Padfoot would like to register his astonishment that an idiot like that ever became a professor.'
Harry closed his eyes in horror. When he'd opened them, the map had had its last word.
'Mr. Wormtail bids Professor Snape good day, and advises him to wash his hair, the slimeball.'"
-Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 14, page 287

Glorious, wonderful marauders. The first time I read this part, I laughed so hard I cried. Snape is an ugly git, and I loved that someone finally told him so! I know, I know, Snape plays a great role in the story, and is instrumental to Harry's success, but he's still a slimeball.
Plus, we really get to see a bit of the personality of the marauders.



When the Marauders are revealed.

"'I doubt whether any Hogwarts students ever found out more about the Hogwarts grounds and Hogsmeade than we did... And that's how we came to write the Marauder's Map, and sign it with our nicknames. Sirius is Padfoot. Peter is Wormtail. James was Prongs.'" 
-Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 18, page 355

I love the moment where Harry first realizes that he's been carrying around his father's map all year. He has so little knowledge of his parent's personalities, and this map helps him to understand who his father was a bit more.

Book 3: When Sirius asks Harry to live with him.

"'You're free,' said Harry.
'Yes...,' said Black. 'But I'm also --I don't know if anyone ever told you -- I'm your godfather.'
'Yeah, I knew that,' said Harry.
'Well...your parents appointed me your guardian,' said Black stiffly. 'If anything happened to them...'
Harry waited. Did Black mean what he thought he meant?
'I'll understand, of course, if you wanted to stay with your aunt and uncle, ' said Black. 'But...well...think about it. Once my name's cleared...if you wanted a...a different home...'
Some sort of explosion took place in the pit of Harry's stomach.
'What -- live with you?' he said...'Leave the Dursleys?'
'Of course, I thought you wouldn't want to,' said Black quickly. 'I understand, I just thought I'd --'
'Are you insane?' said Harry, his voice easily as croaky as Black's. 'Of course I want to leave the Dursleys! Have you got a house? When can I move in?'
Black turned right around to look at him... 'You want to?' he said. 'You mean it?'
'Yeah, I mean it!' said Harry.
Black's gaunt face broke into the first true smile Harry had seen upon it."
-Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 20, page 379

This is the first glimmer of hope for Harry. He gets to leave the Dursleys, and live with someone who not only knew his parents, but loved them! And most importantly, someone who loves him. This is the first time in his life that Harry is looking forward to having a home, and the first time he has felt love from a family member that he can remember.

Stay tuned for Book 4!

My Favorite Moments -Book 2

Ready for book 2?


When the trio brews Polyjuice Potion. 

"Immediately, his insides started writhing as though he'd swallowed live snakes -- doubled up, he wondered whether he was going to be sick -- then a burning sensation spread rapidly from his stomach to the very ends of his fingers and toes -- next, bringing him gasping to all fours, came a horrible melting feeling, as the skin all over his body bubbled like hot wax -- and before his eyes, his hands began to grow, the fingers thickened, the nails broadened, the knuckles were bulging like bolts -- his shoulders stretched painfully and a prickling on his forehead told him that hair was creeping down toward his eyebrows -- his robes ripped as his chest expanded like a barrel bursting its hoops -- his feet were agony in shoes four sizes too small--"

-Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 12, page 216-217

 This shows that Hermione really is the brightest witch of her age. She is not only attempting to brew Polyjuice potion, but she brews it perfectly, as a second year! You go, girl!

When it is revealed that Harry is a Parslemouth.

"'A Parselmouth!' said Ron. 'You can talk to snakes!'...

'So?' said Harry. 'I bet loads of people here can do it.' 

'Oh, no they can't," said Ron. 'It's not a very common gift. Harry, this is bad.'

'What's bad?' said Harry, starting to feel quite angry. 'What's wrong with everyone?...What does it matter...?'

'It matters,' said Hermione, speaking at last in a hushed voice, 'because being able to talk to snakes was what Salazar Slytherin was famous for. That's why the symbol of Slytherin house is a serpent.'"

-Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 11, page 195-196

This moment is where the reader starts to wonder a bit about Harry. What does it all mean? Why is he able to talk to snakes? Why does he share so many qualities with Voldemort?
There is so much foreshadowing here about what is to come, and for the first time ever, Harry is really afraid that he may be just what everyone thinks he is.


When Lockhart Obliviates himself.

"'His memory's gone,' said Ron. 'The Memory Charm backfired. Hit him instead of us. Hasn't got a clue who he is, or where he is, or who we are. I told him to come and wait here. He's a danger to himself.'

Lockhart peered good-naturedly up at them all.

'Hello,' he said. 'Odd sort of place, this, isn't it? Do you live here?'

No,' said Ron, raising his eyebrows at Harry."

-Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 17, page 324

Hysterical. I laughed so hard when I first read this book. Lockhart was a conman, and obnoxious, and I loved that he got a taste of his own medicine.
Plus, it added some much needed humor in a very serious part of the story.


What are your favorite moments?

My Favorite Moments -Book 1

Several months ago, a friend requested that I write about my favorite non-climactic moments in each of the Harry Potter books. I've literally been stewing over this for weeks. It's been incredibly difficult to choose, but I think I've narrowed it down to just a few moments per book! 

You ready?

Here we go!

When Harry goes to Diagon Alley for the first time.

"Harry wished he had eight more eyes... There were shops selling robes, shops selling telescopes and strange silver instruments Harry had never seen before, windows stacked with barrels of bat spleens and eels' eyes, tottering piles of spell books, quills, and rolls of parchment, potion bottles, globes of the moon...."

—Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Chapter 5, page 71-72

I love this moment. It's the first time Harry really sees the wonder of this new world. He is amazed that it is all real, and even more amazed that he gets to virtually start his life over. He is no longer the abused little kid hiding underneath the stairs at Number 4, Privet Drive. He is for the first time in his mind, the boy who lived.



When Ron sacrifices himself in the chess game.

"'Yes...' said Ron softly, 'it's the only way...I've got to be taken.'
'NO!' Harry and Hermione shouted.
'That's chess!' snapped Ron. 'You've got to make some sacrifices! I take one step forward and she'll take me - that leaves you free to checkmate the king, Harry!'...
'But-'
'Look, if you don't hurry up, he'll already have the Stone!' There was no alternative. 
'Ready?' Ron called, his face pale but determined...He stepped forward, and the white queen pounced. She struck Ron hard across the head with her stone arm, and he crashed to the floor...The white queen dragged Ron to one side."
-Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Chapter 16, page 283

I love Ron. He is so important to the story of Harry. 
Throughout the books, Ron frequently sacrifices his wants, feelings, and even sometimes his life for the cause. Think about it. Who went with Harry into the Forbidden Forrest to talk to giant spiders, even though they were his biggest fear? Whose only desire is life is to be recognized and loved for himself, and yet allows himself to almost constantly be in the shadow of his famous best friend, usually without complaint? Who drops out of school and leaves his home and family to help Harry search for horcruxes? Who remained friends with Harry year after year, knowing that it put not only him, but his entire family in grave danger? 
Ron. 
No, he wasn't perfect, but he was willing to give his life for Harry, and this moment in the first book illustrates that perfectly.


So there's Book 1! Stay tuned for more!

Fantastic!

Guys. Let's talk Harry Potter.
You may or may not know that I am a super fan. I own and have read every book, including Tales of Beedle the Bard, Quidditch Through the Ages, and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
Today I read an article, announcing that J. K. Rowling has signed on with Warner Brothers to write a new movie set in the Harry Potter universe. It's going to be Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, starring Newt Scamander! It's set 70 years before Harry's lifetime, but it's still the wizarding world. AND, it starts in New York!
American wizards! EEP!
Words can not express how excited I am.

Check it out here, here, and here.

Tom O'Dell

My dad's birthday was a few days ago, on the 5th. If you've never met my dad, you're seriously missing out. Here are a few reasons why my dad is awesome:

1. He is funny. My dad is constantly making jokes. He loves making people laugh and pranks. In fact, I think J. K. Rowling based Fred and George's characters after my dad and his twin brother, Bill. There's the time my dad and his brother made stilts that were 20 feet high and walked around town with them, or the time they tied all the doors on main street together with fishing wire, or the time that they somehow got their band instructor's car out onto an island in the middle of the lake. The list goes on. Having this man for a father was definitely a lot of fun.

Check out baby Allen's chub rolls.

2.  My dad is suuuuper smart. He knows so much stuff about cars and machines. If we ever have car issues, he is the first guy we call! He also knows all about the country, and how to get anywhere.

His graduation picture.

3. My dad has pretty awesome music taste. He played music all his life, and eventually jammed with some famous musicians. Oh, you may have heard of them. Joe Walsh, Billy Joel, CCR, Dolly Parton, Meatloaf, The Hollies, no big deal. Saw the Beatles in  concert. Hung out with the Stones backstage. Whatever.
I know you've all been impressed with my awesome music taste. I learned it all from my dad.

My dad's old band. He is second from the left, Billy is second from the right. Sa-weet bell bottoms guys!

Here are a few more pictures of my super cool dad.

My dad is on the right.

Nice shorts dude. 

My dad is on the left this time.

Sept. 27th can't come fast enough!

The Casual Vacancy is the name of J. K. Rowling's new book, set to be released Sept. 27th.
http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/story/2012-04-12/harry-potter-jk-rowling-new-book/54200224/1

Here's what the publisher posted:

 "When Barry Fairweather dies unexpectedly in his early forties, the little town of Pagford is left in shock. Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty fa?ade is a town at war. Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils…Pagford is not what it first seems. And the empty seat left by Barry on the parish council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations?"

It's supposed to be darkly humorous. I'm really excited!

things I'm lovin today

Today has been hard. Portia is still sick, and we spent almost 2 hours in the doctor's office this morning. Those of you with small kids know how un-fun that is. Brandon and I have not been sleeping well, since Portia has been waking up several times a night. Add that to Margot's several times a night, and you get reeeeaaaalllly tired parents.

I was really hoping for a nap this afternoon while these babies were sleeping, but it didn't happen. I was pretty sad. It seems that not much is going right for us, so I decided to write this post about what is.

ahem

Things I'm Lovin Today:

1. Corndogs and a large Dr. Pepper. You know that's right.

2. The fact that Portia only has the flu and not strep throat. I have heard strep is going around, and was worried. But the doc said she is on the tail end of the flu and it should work it's way out of her system in a day or two.

3. The fact that Margot has not caught the flu from her sister. It's really a miracle. None of us got flu shots this years, and I was sure that with the close proximity of these girls, Margot would get sick too. But she hasn't! I think Heavenly Father knew I couldn't handle both of them being sick right now. Either that or she has super powers (forcefield, anyone?)

4. The fact that I get to hang out with my family in Tulsa all next week! Wooo!

5. J. K. Rowling just announced that she is writing another book. You have no idea how happy this makes me. I'll give you a hint: super super happy.

6. America's Next Top Model starts on Wednesday. Bring on the crying!

I feel better already.