Pottermore Moments Revisited: Madam Pomfrey’s Got a Lot to Do
Chapter 5: The Dementor
Chapter thoughts:As we jump on the Hogwarts Express to go back to school, we meet a character that has become an absolute reader favorite: Lupin. We are also introduced to dementors, one of the most terrifying things in the series in my opinion. For the first time, Harry feels the effects of these creatures, though his reaction seems to be worse than most. And one of my favorite lines ends this chapter: “Harry…felt he was home at last.”
Moment 1: Professor R.J. Lupin
Once again, this is an absolutely beautifully illustrated moment, but there’s not much to do. I love this portrayal of the dementor attack on the train. However, Harry and Neville are not at all visible. I would have thought Harry and his reaction to the dementor would have been more of the focal point of this moment, as it’s the focal point of the text.
Chapter 6: Talons and Tea Leaves
Chapter thoughts: It’s the first day of lessons, and what a first day it is. The trio attends their first Divination lesson, and we are introduced to yet another new character: Professor Trelawney. Hermione is obviously not convinced on the subject, and Harry finds himself worrying that he is indeed seeing the Grim. Hagrid teaches his first lesson, but predictably, Malfoy decides to make it a fiasco.
Moment 1: Sir Cadogan
Sometimes, JKR gives us information that we didn’t even know we wanted until we get it, and then we find ourselves asking why we never thought to want something as fantastic as that information. This is certainly the case for Sir Cadogan. The fact that he is rumored to be one of the Knights of the Round Table is simply wonderful.
Moment 2: Divination
Just looking at this moment makes me feel oddly dreamy. However, it’s another moment with not much to do besides collect a few things. The clutter of this room is incredible, however, and there are some interesting things to collect. This seems to fit the trend of this book: the artwork is stunningly beautiful, but there’s not much interaction. It’s quite the contrast to the last book, which seemed to be the opposite.
Moment 3: Hagrid’s First Lesson
Once again, this chapter offers us information we didn’t even know we wanted until we got it. The amount of detail that JKR knew for Professor Kettleburn is incredible, especially because his name is mentioned once in the entire series. I also love the artwork in this moment, especially the way hippogriffs are presented. They have the perfect blend of fearsome and beautiful.
The school year has not started off very smoothly, but it doesn’t seem like it will get much better for Harry and his friends…
