Prisoner of Azkaban is essentially an elaborate excuse for an opportunity to be introduced to Professor R. J. Lupin

I really love all seven novels, of course, but it has always been difficult for me to decide between Prisoner and Goblet when it comes to my (dare I utter the word?) favourite (I, quite apparently, dare) – in terms of both books and movies. Naturally I have misgivings about both movies – but can they really be so bad as to challenge the epic fail of Order? (The answer to that being a resounding and emphatic ‘No’). So in addition to rereading the series I have decided to watch both Prisoner and Goblet today. I decided I love the music in Goblet (Hello Jarvis Cocker *swoons*) but in terms of novelization I simply love love love the characters from Prisoner. I mean… really? I suppose it is a bit silly that I go through this almost every year…

I have very stubborn preference settings.

I am, afterall, a Marauder’s girl through and through. Firstly, there is the fanfiction that PoA sparked. I mean, seriously, there is Harry Potter fanfiction and then there is Marauder fanfiction – it is hardly an unmanagable conundrum to decide which fictions I’d rather read. Then there is the fact that PoA has an abundance of Remus John Lupin – who I adore, incidentally – and Sirius Black – who is easily one of my favourite characters. I tend to form very fervent attatchments to the unjustly mistreated and wrongfully accused. I also have an inevitable devotion for back-story – Remus Lupin and Sirius Black (and the dementors, I suppose,) make Lily and James Potter people rather than the final victims of Lord Voldemort (although the dementors sort of emphasize the last moments rather vividly).

I love Prisoner of Azkaban and I doubt I will ever tire of the events leading to the rescue of Buckbeak and Sirius Black. Nor the number of times Professor Lupin offers chocolate to students as a remedy. Nor be able to temper the irrepressible joy I feel when (re)introduced to so many of my favourite aspects of the series; namely: Remus John Lupin, patronuses, hippogriffs, marauders, the map, hogsmeade, &ct.

Yes. Harry is quite contrary to Snape and Malfoy (and even truly bratty to Hermione) while Dumbledore proves, once again, to be rather manipulative and contriving … but, to be quite honest, I like them that way (okay, not so much the bratty bit) and  I continue to find Harry Potter to be an awesome fellow and pretty darn good wizard.

Pensieve About Real Life

I have read Goblet of Fire so many times that the cover is struggling to remain attatched to the binding and the pages don’t smell like pages anymore. I love reading this book. I loved reading this book. I have an inkling that I will always want to read this book.

Goblet of Fire was once the book for which I was ‘waiting’. I read the Philosopher’s Stone, Chamber of Secrets and Prisoner of Azkaban box set and had to wait absolute ages for the sequel. Ages. I mean, it took months and months. Then finally one evening, on a not particularly remarkable or otherwise significant day (other than the fact that it was snowing – always a good omen *no thanks to Sybil who said it’d be a miserable day*) I walked into a shop (I had Prisoner of Azkaban in hand) and there was a mound – a very large, tall mound – of brilliant red and blue books that screamed ‘HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE’. I happened to have exactly $20 on this otherwise unremarkable day so I bought myself the Goblet of Fire and read it over and over and over until Order of the Pheonix was released.

I am not exaggerating for dramatic effect.

I sincerely loved Goblet of Fire because of the shiny newness (which eventually became a rather matte shabbiness) and the fact that Harry was forced to grow up. (Isn’t it always the case that you only really truly care because it somehow relates to what you are going through?) I’ve always been around the age of Harry, Ron and Hermione. I was just 13 when I read Goblet. I was just finishing elementary school. I was just starting high school. It was a weird time – yet somehow having this book and reading it over and over made everything seems so much better than it was. That’s a sort of magic isn’t it?

My mom always tells me to ‘live in real life’ very critically and a little (read: really rather) derisively but where is the fun in ignoring the things that make me happy? I happen to rather like that my real life includes quite a significant amount of Harry Potter related influences and Goblet of Fire still blows my mind. Epically.

Confessions of a Remus J. Lupin Fangirl

It seems that evertime I come back to Prisoner of Azkaban I cannot but remember how much I love Remus John Lupin (okay, not really, considering I seem to recall this infatuation everytime I sign into HPFF or everytime I take a breath). I love a man who loves chocolate.

Books and Cleverness and More Important Things

It is about that time again, the countdown to Potter has officially begun in my world. Yesterday I began the 25th day with Philosopher’s Stone. A good start as any (to say the least). I am having no trouble falling into the series from the beginning (as is my tendency). Was there ever a time when Harry did not charm me so ridiculously? I think not. How Violet can be so decidedly unHarryable and how Maisy can resolutely deny AWPB Dumbledore’s wonderfulness after all this time is unfathomable to me. Despite knowing what I now know – the  various histories, motives, truth – I still feel like that twelve year old girl (hiding a book under the covers clutching a pillow while reading an enthralling life changing series by lamp light) fascinated by the magic one novel can hold. Philosopher’s Stone really did start it all. I loved books once I began to read that one and I haven’t stopped yet.

Chamber of Secrets is proving to be less nostalia inducing (no, actually. Not really. Or at all. This is me, afterall, and a jar of jam can make me feel nostalgic) but just as enthralling. I almost forgot how much I dislike Lockhart. Can you believe it?

Happily Ever After

Once upon a time there was a girl who went through life thinking that she was complete in her own self. On one seemingly humdrum day she came upon something so beautiful – something so flawlessly wonderful – that her niave misconceptions were quickly forgotten.

To be completely honest, I am rather suprised that I didn’t see this coming. ModCloth has challenged all of my stylistic ideals since the day I first came upon the miraculous link to thrifty and unique fashion finds. First there was the Unicorn Princess Heel, followed by the Pewter and Black spinoffs. But really, nothing quite says ‘fairytale’ like The Unicorn Princess Heel in Gold. I am besotted. Does anyone else hear the chorous? The bells? The harp?

I know, right.

The Unicorn Princess Heel in Gold by Jeffrey Campbell

Golly.

Not to say that this is the end of all shoes – and it isn’t like I am about to give up my love affair with oxfords and Mary Janes – but as far as peculiar, pretty, out-shinning party heels go… Yeah.

Endearing Sentiments

I am in favor of saving humanity from the impending devastation that industrialism and overconsumption have been catalysts to at an unprecedented rate. It’d be nice to have a recognizable ecosystem in the future. Indeed, I quite liked playing with fire for an hour most, to be completely honest. I find Earth Hour to be an wonderful social experiment. I am pleased to have observe an increase of 30% in participation of my immediate neighbourhood. Last year, about 10% of my street participated. Hopefully next year even more people will take part. Granted it is possible that people weren’t at home &etc but I distinctly noted less garage lights and/or porch lights lit. So there, take that cynicism. Hmm.

I like trees, they are home to the only leafs I like.

Comme vous voulez.

I love blue eyes. I love thieves. I love liars. I love stories that manage to say things without telling anything. I love it when a character is so appealing in every way that, despite his legal and moral deviance, one cannot but want him to win.

I find Jef Costello to be all that is clever and menacing.

Too much.