Going Back to Hogwarts with a “Prisoner of Azkaban” Reread
We all have that one book that feels like home when we reread it. For me, it’s Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. This book brings back so many memories of when I was a child. Reading the first few chapters made me remember all of the hot summer nights I spent reading this book under the covers with a flashlight for hours after I should have been asleep. I would read this book over and over, dreaming of one day going to Hogwarts. While rereading Prisoner of Azkaban, I was surprised to find out that I had some very strong thoughts about things that I never really noticed or cared about when I was younger.
The first thing I really noticed was just how extra Harry is. It shows up in all of the books, but for some reason, I really noticed it in Prisoner. He asks the Minister of Magic to sign his permission slip to Hogsmeade. I’m not sure if he really thought that would work, but seriously, Harry, what are you doing? While Harry is staying at the Leaky Cauldron, he debates buying a solid gold set of Gobstones, a game that is mentioned a few times in the books but something that we literally never see Harry playing. During this period, he also spends ages staring at the Firebolt in the window of Quality Quidditch Supplies. I understand that it is a super fancy and amazing broom, but what exactly is staring at it going to do, Harry?
Hermione was never really my favorite character when I was younger, but rereading Prisoner of Azkaban made me love her a lot more. She couldn’t decide which classes she wanted to take, so she signed up for all of them, requiring a Time-Turner from the Ministry of Magic to attend them all. Apparently, no one thought that letting a 13-year-old mess with time was a bad idea. Hermione has a rough year. She is constantly buried under schoolwork, does extra research to help Hagrid with Buckbeak’s trial, and has to deal with Ron being an idiot and basically abandoning her and taking Harry with him. Near the end of the book, she has the most epic day ever, slapping Draco Malfoy, trash-talking the Slytherins, sleeping through Charms, trash-talking Divination to Professor Trelawney, and storming out of the Divination classroom. This is just an amazing day for her character development, and it really helped me grow to love her a little bit more.
Remus Lupin is honestly my favorite part of this book. He didn’t use to be, though. I find myself getting more and more attached to him as I get older. I just want him to be happy. My first thought about him in this book is, where did he get his case that says “Professor R. J. Lupin”? Since the letters on it are peeling, it must be old. Was it a Hogwarts graduation gift? Did one of the Marauders give it to him? The whole Remus and Peeves interaction was amazing. I bet Peeves came up with the “loony, loopy Lupin” song while he was at Hogwarts. The boggart lesson is the best moment in the book. Severus Snape just seems to draw out the prankster that Remus used to be. Sure, he is expected to be a responsible adult, but that doesn’t mean he can’t have fun.
Are you reading along with me? What were your thoughts on Prisoner of Azkaban? Let me know in the comments! I’ll be starting Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire next!