Three Interesting Moments in “Prisoner of Azkaban”
I recently reread Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and there were a few interesting moments that made me really stop and think. Prisoner of Azkaban is my favorite book in the series because for once everyone seems to be having normal problems. Not having a permission slip signed. Trying to sneak out of school. Having a favorite professor and another one who has no idea how to teach. Normal things. Sure, there’s a bloodthirsty escaped criminal out to kill Harry, but other than that, it’s normal problem. There are a few moments in the book that I found stood out as particularly interesting during this reread.
Divination Class
I’d forgotten that Harry was the one who said, “… so you’re going to suffer but be very happy…” (105). I’m really not a fan of Ron getting all of the funny lines in the movies. I really wish that the true level of Harry’s sass showed up in the movies. Speaking of Ron, something surprising is that his predictions in the tea leaf reading class came true.
‘There’s a blob a bit like a bowler hat,’ he said. ‘Maybe you’re going to work for the Ministry of Magic….’ He turned the teacup the other way up. ‘But this way it looks more like an acorn…. What’s that?’ He scanned his copy of ‘Unfogging the Future’. ‘A windfall, unexpected gold.'” (105–106)
Harry did work for the Ministry of Magic. He joined the Auror Department after the events of the last book and worked his way up the ranks. He also won the Triwizard Tournament and was surprised when he was handed the gold that was part of the prize. He ended up giving the money to Fred and George Weasley to start their joke shop. I don’t believe that Ron is a Seer, but it is a little bit funny that he predicted both of these things.
Wolfsbane Potion
Severus Snape spends the year making the Wolfbane Potion for Remus Lupin. During my reread, I spent a while thinking about this. Remus Lupin and the rest of the Marauders bullied Severus when they were students at Hogwarts. How did he feel brewing this essential potion for a man who spent seven years making his life hell? Especially after that prank Sirius tried to pull that could have ended with Severus being killed by Remus in werewolf form.
Harry and the Dementors
Harry has a very bad reaction to the Dementors and asks Remus Lupin for help. Remus ends up teaching Harry the Patronus Charm. While asking for these lessons, Harry reveals to Remus just what he hears when he is around a Dementor.
‘When they get near me – ‘ Harry stared at Lupin’s desk, his throat tight. ‘I can hear Voldemort murdering my mum.'” (187)
Can you imagine being in Remus’s position? Having a boy who looks exactly like his father, a man who was one of your best friends, tell you that he hears his mother being murdered. Harry did not know that Remus was friends with his parents at this point, which makes it a little bit worse. Then, during the first lesson, Harry hears his father for the first time.
‘I heard my dad,’ Harry mumbled. ‘That’s the first time I’ve ever heard him – he tried to take on Voldemort himself, to give my mum time to run for it….'” (240)
This is just a heartbreaking scene. Can you imagine being Remus in this situation? Hearing this must have been horrible for him. Harry shouldn’t have to remember this. It is just a really bad situation.
How did your Prisoner of Azkaban reread go? Were there any moments that you found particularly interesting? Let me know in the comments!
