The Lion and the Serpent - Christmas on the Closed Ward

BOOK: The Order of the Phoenix
CHAPTER: 23
SYNOPSIS: In which Gryffindor defeats Slytherin, but Harry, Fred, and George are given a lifetime ban from Quidditch by Umbridge for fighting with Malfoy. Hagrid's class is observed by Umbridge, Ginny Weasley replaces Harry as Gryffindor's Seeker, Dumbledore's Army meets again, and Harry and Cho kiss. In a dream, Harry witnesses Arthur Weasley being bitten by a huge snake. Arthur Weasley is rushed to St. Mungo's Hospital, Dumbledore sends Harry and the Weasleys back to Sirius' house, and they visit Arthur in hospital as he makes his recovery. Harry speculates on why Dumbledore will not look him in the eye, Hermione joins Harry and the Weasleys at Grimmauld Place for Christmas, and Percy sends back his Weasley sweater. They visit Arthur in St. Mungo's encounter Gilderoy Lockhart, and see Neville and his gran visiting his parents.

FOR TOMORROW: 24

Rest In Awesomeness, Esther

I wanted to share something with you guys. Esther was a 16 year old Nerdfighter and Harry Potter enthusiast with advanced thyroid cancer. With the help of the Vlogbrothers and the Nerdfighters of the world, she spearheaded a campaign that helped send much needed supplies to the flood refugees through the Harry Potter Alliance. Thanks to her, we were able to send not one, not two, not even three, but four plane loads of supplies to those in need.

She passed away on Wednesday at about 3am.



John's video includes links to help her and her family, but I wanted to put another one in here for any of you who aren't aware of the Harry Potter Alliance.

This is a really amazing group and I strongly encourage each of you to check it out, and spread the word. Rest in peace, Esther. I never knew you out here in the real world, but I know the lives of thousands of people suck just a little less because of you, and that is pretty darn amazing.

New Previews

I thought you guys might enjoy these. The first was from the MTV movie awards, and the second is the new official trailer.

Educational Decree Number Twenty-Four & Dumbledore's Army

BOOK: The Order of the Phoenix
CHAPTER: 17 & 18
SYNOPSIS: In which the High Inquisitor orders all Student Organizations, Societies, Teams, Groups, and Clubs disbanded, Harry and Ron learn that boys are not allowed in the girls' dormitory, Hedwig is hurt coming back from London, and Sirius is almost caught by Umbridge in the Gryffindor common room fireplace. Harry again dreams of the windowless corridor with the door at the end, Dobby tells Harry about the Room of Requirement, and Dumbledore's Army meets for the first time.

FOR TOMORROW: 19


IMPORTANT NOTICE: I will be going to Dragon*Con this year! That means that from September 3-7 I will have little access to the internet, if any at all. So, naturally, I won't be updating during that time period. Wanted to give you guys plenty of warning!

Less Important Notice: I've started a little side project. If any of you are interested in Agatha Christie mysteries, join me at my other blog: Murder on the Blogger Express

Percy and Padfoot, The Hogwarts High Inquisitor, & The Hog's Head

BOOK: The Order of the Phoenix

CHAPTERS: 14, 15, 16

SYNOPSIS: Harry writes to Sirius, Cho Chang calls him brave, Percy writes to Ron telling him to not be friends with Harry, Gryffindor has their first practice, and Harry and Sirius communicate via the fire in the common room. Umbridge is made Hogwarts High Inquisitor, and Harry loses his temper again in Defense Against the Dark Arts, serving another week's detention. Umbridge observes the professors in class, and Ron and Hermione try to convince Harry to give Defense Against the Dark Arts lessons. Harry, Hermione, and Ron hold a meeting at the Hog's Head to discuss with other students the possibility of Harry giving them Defense lessons, and Hermione tells Ron and Harry that Ginny is dating Michael Corner.

FOR TOMORROW: 17

POSSIBLE DISCUSSION TOPICS

* As a 15 year old, you would have joined a secret club like the DA, knowing it could potentially get you into trouble?
*Can you think of another fictional character you hate as much as Umbridge?

The Sorting Hat's New Song, Professor Umbridge, & Detention with Doloros

BOOK: The Order of the Phoenix
CHAPTER: 11, 12, 13
SYNOPSIS: In which the start-of-term feast takes place, the Sorting Hat gives warning in its new song, Harry recognizes Dolores Umbridge as she is introduced as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and Harry learns that not everyone believes that Voldemort is back. Fred and George advertise for volunteers to test their products, the trio discusses their schedules and the upcoming O.W.L.s, Harry has an outburst in Defense Against the Dark Arts, Umbridge assigns him detention for a week, and McGonagall warns him to keep his temper under control.

FOR TOMORROW: 14

The Woes of Mrs. Weasley & Luna Lovegood

BOOK: The Order of the Phoenix
CHAPTER: 9 & 10
SYNOPSIS: Hermione and Ron learn they are prefects, and Mrs. Weasley has a run-in with a boggart. The gang is late for the train, also, we meet Luna and are introduced to Thestrals.

FOR TOMORROW: 11

POSSIBLE DISCUSSION TOPICS

* What would your boggart look like?

The Ministry of Magic & The Hearing

BOOK: The Order of the Phoenix

CHAPTERS: 7 & 8

SYNOPSIS: Arthur takes Harry with him to the Ministry of Magic for his hearing. Harry attends his disciplinary hearing at the Ministry of Magic.

Possible Discussion Topics:

*How do you think Fudge justified, to his own staff, the use of such extreme measures for this particular hearing?

FOR TOMORROW: 9

The Order of the Phoenix & The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black

BOOK: The Order of the Phoenix

CHAPTERS: 5 & 6

SYNOPSIS: We get some background info on the Blacks, Sirius and Molly argue over what's best for Harry. A chapter where we learn that Sirius is practically related to everyone, Kreachur is crazy, and there's a lot of cleaning being done.

FOR TOMORROW: 7

The Advance Guard & Number Twelve Grimmauld Place

BOOK: The Order of the Phoenix

CHAPTERS: 3

SYNOPSIS: Harry is rescued from Privet Drive, we meet some new characters and read about some familiar ones. Harry has a few choice words for Ron and Hermione, and the kids clue Harry in to what's been going on with the Order while he's been gone.

POSSIBLE DISCUSSION TOPICS

* CAPSLOCK!HARRY: Yay or nay?

FOR TOMORROW: 5

We are back on schedule from here on out!

Dudley Demented & A Peck of Owls

BOOK: The Order of the Phoenix
CHAPTER: 1
SYNOPSIS: In which Harry is angry and picks on Dudley, Dudley is attacked by Dementors, and their neighbour Mrs. Figg returns. Harry receives various owls informing him of his future at Hogwarts and as a wizard, while being hounded by Uncle Vernon about Dudley's condition. Petunia receives a howler.

FOR TOMORROW: 3 & 4

POSSIBLE DISCUSSION TOPICS

* Compare Harry's attitude at the beginning of Book 5 to the opening chapters of the previous books.
* What memories do you think Dudley was reliving during the Dementor attack?
* Apart from what we already know about Petunia promising to keep Harry safe at their house, do you think she knows something that we still aren't aware of?

The Pensieve - The Beginning

BOOK: The Goblet of Fire
CHAPTER: 30-37
FOR TOMORROW: take a break!

Sorry guys! Comcast managed to screw up internet for my whole building. We're now draped with orange wires that are supposed to "fix" the problem, but they haven't given us any idea as to how long before we stop looking like a construction zone. God I hate Comcast.

We should be almost caught up now. If anyone has fallen behind, don't worry, most of the new three books are one chapter per day so you should have plenty of time. :)

The Madness of Mr. Crouch & The Dream

BOOK: The Goblet of Fire
CHAPTER: 28 & 29
SYNOPSIS: Harry learns the third task involves a maze, Hagrid introduces his class to nifflers, and Barty Crouch and Winky have both seemingly lost their minds. The trio discuss Crouch, Fred and George discuss blackmail, and Moody discusses Crouch. Harry prepares for the Third Task, dreams of Voldemort in Divination, and reports to Dumbledore.
FOR TOMORROW: 30 & 31

The Second Task & Padfoot Returns

BOOK: The Goblet of Fire

CHAPTERS: 26 & 27

SYNOPSIS: The trio search for spells to help Harry with the second task, Hagrid returns to teaching, Harry gets a visit from Dobby and performs the second task.

FOR TOMORROW: 28 & 29

Rita Skeeter's Scoop & The Egg and the Eye

BOOK: The Goblet of Fire
CHAPTER: 24 & 25
SYNOPSIS: Hagrid's reputation is tarnished thanks to an article published by Rita Skeeter.
FOR TOMORROW: 26 & 27

NOTE: I noticed that I missed four or five chapters when making the schedule, so I'm playing catch up now. We'll get back on schedule in no time. :)

The Unexpected Task & The Yule Ball

BOOK: The Goblet of Fire

CHAPTERS: 22 & 23

SYNOPSIS: The Yule Ball is announced, Harry is informed that he needs to find a dance partner. Harry asks Cho, but she's already going with Cedric, so Harry plans to go with Parvati instead. Harry gets an owl from Sirius and a visit from Dobby. We finally find out who Hermione's date to the ball is and Ron is not happy! Harry and Ron overhear a couple of secrets.

FOR TOMORROW: 24