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Deathly Hallows: The Reread (Chapters 11 and 12)
WARNING: Since this is a collection of comments from my rereading the book, expect there to be many spoilers in the sections on early chapters for developments that come in later ones; there is really no other way to discuss foreshadowing or the "real" purpose of something that occurs early on and is explained later. Do not read if you are still going through the book for the first time and do NOT want spoilers.

Chapters One and Two
Chapters Three and Four
Chapters Five and Six
Chapters Seven and Eight
Chapters Nine and Ten


Chapter Eleven: The Bribe

When Remus comes to Grimmauld Place, the Trio learn that Arthur heard a rumor that Death Eaters had tried to torture Harry's location out of Scrimgeour before killing him, but he didn't give Harry away. The Tonks family were also tortured concerning Harry's whereabouts and Lupin confirms that they have the might of the government now and that the pretext for going after Harry is that he's wanted for murdering Dumbledore. There is now a price on Harry's head.

Lupin also tells them about the Muggle-born register, another similarity to the Holocaust, which produces another sweet Ron/Hermione moment when he suggests that he tell people Hermione is his cousin (kissing-cousin :D) and she squeezes his hand, telling him that she couldn't let him, but he refuses to listen and grips her hand back. He is not letting anything happen to his girl.

The result of the Muggle-born register is what Slytherin originally wanted: all students going to Hogwarts must be able to point to a wizarding relation or they can't go. Muggle-borns are no longer welcome.

Lupin also asks Harry about his "mission", but Harry does not tell him. Instead, Harry turns the tables on him and wants to know why he's abandoning the pregnant Tonks instead of sticking with his kid and wife. Harry does not accept Lupin's "explanation", and even calls him a coward. After Lupin storms off, Harry says to Ron and Hermione, "Parents shouldn't leave their kids unless--unless they've got to."

After Lupin leaves, Harry looks at the paper he brought and reads a bit from Rita's biography of Dumbledore. It's full of assumptions--about why the family moved to Godric's Hollow, about Ariana, Albus's sister, being a Squib. After Harry reads it Kreacher appears with Mundungus, who eventually reveals that Dolores Umbridge now has the locket. Oddly enough, this makes Harry feel like the writing scars on his hand are tingling, much as the scar on his forehead responds to Voldemort.


Chapter Twelve: Magic is Might

Harry returns to Grimmauld Place on September first after going out for a bit; it's still unclear how someone is supposed to say, "I didn't kill you," with a rolled up tongue. Harry brings news that Snape is now the headmaster of Hogwarts.

Hermione utters the highly amusing, "Merlin's pants!" before going upstairs to stuff Phineas's portrait into Mary Poppins's her bag. Her exclamation also prompts Ron to counter with, "And what in the name of Merlin's most baggy Y Fronts was that about?" (Rowling has definitely not lost her touch for humor, despite Harry's grim situation.)

It becomes clear that Harry, Ron and Hermione are planning to infiltrate the Ministry; Harry suggests they do it the next day (the second of September). When he says Voldemort's name pain shoots through his scar; he doesn't know it yet, but he's activated the Taboo spell and the only reason he isn't apprehended is probably the protective spells on the house. (Their using the Taboo name while in the house may be why there are Death Eaters out in the square in the first place, rather than Snape saying even a little about where Headquarters was.) To camouflage his scar pain, Harry goes to the bathroom and sees, through Voldemort's eyes, that his enemy is trying to find Gregorovitch, the wand-maker.

Once again, Hermione natters on about Occlumency (she really doesn't get it) and suggests that Harry likes being connected to Voldemort. He confirms that he hates it but also says that he's going to use it.

They're taking a number of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes products (yay!) with them the next day, as aids to get into the Ministry. Ironically, they stun Mafalda Hopkirk and Hermione impersonates her with Polyjuice Potion The second person whose place they're going to take happens to be a man whose wife is being examined as a Muggle-born, but they don't know yet that that is why he's so keen to stay at work; he's supposed to support her with his testimony and presence. He was carrying his uniform because of this, rather than wearing it, which they find odd.

More irony: a wizard complaining about having to enter through the toilets, saying, "Who are they expecting to turn up? Harry Potter?"

More fascist imagery: the huge statue in the Ministry that has replaced the Fountain of Magical Brethren (however unrealistic it was). The base of this statue is made of naked Muggles, supporting an enormous witch and wizard.

Chapters 13 and 14