Potter Profile - Brittney

November 11, 2005

Give us your review of Half-Blood Prince.
Well, I'm onto my sixth re-read if that gives you a hint. Love it. Amazing. Wow. !!!!!!! It comes so close to beating OOTP for my favourite, which says a lot.

Dumbledore at the Dursleys' was just too cool, with the mead bumping against their heads and all. I think that was an illuminating character moment all around and really demonstrated their differences. If they cut that out of the movie … well, I'm not going to think about it. It must also be said that I squealed, bit a pillow and ran around the house several times upon reading the first blatant Harry/Ginny hint in Slughorn's lesson. I've been looking forward to that one for a long time.

I loved the way Jo allowed us to get to know Dumbledore further before he died. He was at his best in this book, showing us his more human side, while still being his calm, witty old self. One of my favourite lines that just made an impression in my mind – “I am not worried, Harry. I am with you.” Ugh, getting emotional now! It shows this incredible turnaround since the beginning of the book, where Dumbledore tells Harry he'll be fine because, “You are with me.” And I know Jo says that Dumbledore has no equal, but you just get this sense that with time, Harry could've been stepped up into that role. And that's really incredible.

Did you like the third movie or not and why?
Yes. Maybe it missed out parts of the book that we ‘Potterheads' (Editor note: *Greg laughs*. See this face? I'm laughing) deemed important, but it still captured the essence of Harry Potter, something the first two at failed miserably . Plus the main cast learned to act! Yay! There was only one cringe-worthy moment, which is a big improvement. (I'd like to take this opportunity to apologise to all the people in the movie theatre who had to endure my hysterical laughter and mockery following the “HE WAS THEIR FRIEND!” sobbing scene in POA.)

My favourite scene was the third year boys in their dormitory; they actually seemed like real people for once! So I found the first two movies a big disappointment; they just screamed ‘this is fake!' which is not something you want in a movie. You want to believe it. Plus they got rid of my favourite lines like, “But there's no wood!” so I was somewhat bitter about that (still am, actually). The realism of POA meant I enjoyed it, as that's what I love about the books.

From what you've seen in the trailers, how to you think the Goblet of Fire movie will turn out? Are you excited for it to release?

I think it's going to rival the third for my favourite, definitely. I've listened to the MiniCast with Matthew Vines and they've left HEAPS out, so I just have to make sure to enjoy it for what it is. The finding dates scene is … well, I can't even type this without laughing about it. Dumbledore is, ahem, interesting. Let's face it though, no one could truly pull off the Dumbledore.

Sadly, the movie doesn't come out here ( New Zealand ) until the 24 th of November, but it'll make a most excellent birthday present.

If you could spend the day as one character from the books, who would it be?
Umbridge, so I could throw myself off a cliff. Ron … so I could get him and Hermione together?

No, I have to say I would spend the day as Verity, Fred and George's assistant at Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. Getting to spend all day with those two … in that store …

Staff discount! Magenta robes! U-No-Poo!

Best. Day. Ever. I have this vague feeling that it won't happen though.

What is your favourite moment of the series so far?
I don't believe in favouritism. Nah, just kidding, I'm just procrastinating because I'm much too indecisive for this question. I love so many moments in the books - Dumbledore's speech about Cedric at the end of GOF, “Remember, remember Cedric”, the entire Dudley Demented chapter, Lily dissing James in the Pensieve, Harry crying at the lake about Sirius and Harry's thoughts at the end of HBP… mostly I just love the fact that I found these books. And the Fandom too!

…I told you I was indecisive…

Is Snape REALLY good or evil and is Dumbledore REALLY dead?
Dumbledore is dead. I think the question is more likely: Did he intend to die? The MuggleNet poll showed that the vast majority believe he did, I, however, don't think so. He was not begging Snape to kill him, but I also don't believe he was begging for his life. There's something more to it than that. Jo has something else up her sleeve. So that basically tells you that I think Snape is evil as well. The essays for the ‘Good Snape' theories are very well-written and perhaps more plausible than ‘Evil Snape', but Jo's reaction to the question in the interview … and it's also just a gut feeling. I guess in time we'll see just how good at Divination my gut is…

Will Harry survive the 7th book?
I'm going to say yes. He isn't a Horcrux. His scar isn't either. I'll cry no matter what happens in 7 though – it'll hit me that it's all over.

Do you have anything else you'd like to add? Maybe a theory you've concocted, a shout-out?

I'd like to say hey to my sister Steffi – you're the only real life Harry Potter obsessive I know! Apart from myself, of course, but I can only talk to me for so long. I'd go crazy without you to talk/rant/theorize to. Well, crazi er . Thanks for putting up with all my squealing, gasping and “wait until you get to this page” while we were reading HBP. Sorry. And we will be flying to Scotland for the release of HP7, because it's written right here on the Internet. Can't wait. Also, hey to my fellow Durmstrangians – with Emerson the Kitten-Slayer on our side, we can't lose! Hey Emerson … like your new title? Finally, I'm the first Kiwi to be Potter Profiled, so New Zealand represent!

Editor's Note: To clear up any confusion (okay, my confusion), the line 'but there's no wood!' refers to PS/SS when the trio are trapped in Devil's Snare and Hermione is perplexed about how to create light without a fire..

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