Civil as an Orange

Day 15. What did you think of the series as a whole? Bonus question: How has Harry Potter shaped/changed your life? For better or for worse?

As a whole, I think the whole series was phenomenal. It has been a part of my life growing up and it definitely touched so many lives. It may have its flaws and people might hate on it, but I guess that’s part of what makes it so awesome. It’s exciting, creative, tackles most of society’s greatest issues (albeit discreetly), and just WOW. Add the fact that the books came out just when I was old enough to read and actually appreciate literature but young enough to enjoy it was just amazing; plus, while Harry was growing up, I was too. So yeah, the timing was superb. Haha :)) I feel so privileged to have had the chance to be a part of this awesome journey. It definitely made my life more colorful and meaningful. But I don’t believe it’s the end. As long as we have it in our hearts, it will never die out. As long as we don’t forget all the lessons we got out of it, Harry Potter will still live on.

Day 14. A death that you celebrated and a death you wished didn’t happen.

YES TO THE DEATH OF:

Lord Voldemort

But of course. Who wouldn’t want the villain dead, right? Well, except for the villain himself and his minions, that is… :)

NO TO THE DEATH OF:

Fred Weasley

When I first read this part, I screamed then threw my book away. I didn’t touch the book for a whole 5 minutes because my mind was going haywire. I kept thinking “MY FAVORITE CHARACTER GOT KILLED. YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME.” I didn’t believe it the first time I read it. I still don’t want to believe it. This scene in the movie will be the death of me, I’m sure. :(

Day 13. A character you didn’t like in the books but loved in the movies, or vice-versa.

A CHARACTER I DIDN’T LIKE IN THE BOOKS BUT LOVED IN THE MOVIES:

Severus Snape

I don’t know, really. I mean, he was tolerable in the books, but in the movies… Alan Rickman did such a wonderful job in portraying Snape. Love it.

A CHARACTER I LOVED IN THE BOOKS BUT DIDN’T LIKE IN THE MOVIES:

Ginny Weasley

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: Ginny is my favorite character but for some reason her portrayal in the movies was just BLEAGH. I don’t blame Bonnie - okay, maybe just a bit - but the writers and directors never really gave her growth that much importance. So much of her story was ignored, in my opinion. So, yeah.

Day 12. A film/scene that disappointed you or made you angry because they ignored important parts of the book.

Now THIS I have so much to say. But since in the last number I only mentioned one, I will also only mention one here, and it was changing the way Harry and Ginny got together. I mean, now that I think about it, they never really SHOWED how they got together! Instead, they showed the RonxHermionexLavender love triangle, and although I love Romione, I really thought that HarryxGinny was sort of the main focus in Half-Blood Prince in terms of couples. SIGH. I wanted to see the internal debates Harry had, the small moments they had, and the kiss! GAH. Oh well… :(

Day 11. A film/scene that actually worked even though it’s not in the book.

There are quite a few scenes wherein they actually worked even though they weren’t in the books, but I’m too tired to think of them and type them all at the moment. The most memorable one, though, would be when Harry tries to cheer Hermione up by dancing with her. This was such a sweet, sweet moment. :) Harry was so sweet and sympathetic. Also, the Harmony shipper in me was squealing! It was touching.

Day 10. Unpopular opinion.

I really don’t have an unpopular opinion about the series in general. I guess the one thing that I didn’t like (and I’m pretty sure some would agree with me) is how some of the films put unimportant scenes or add even inappropriate scenes, making the whole story of the series not really understandable to the non-readers. Sometimes, it gets annoying when those who watch the movies with me ask soooo many questions along the way, making me lose focus on what I’m watching. But, all in all it’s all good. Hiii :3

Day 9. Your canon and non-canon OTP.

CANON:

Harry Potter x Ginny Weasley

I love their story. :) And it was kind of unexpected yet expected at the same time. I think they really do deserve each other. ♥ This is of course based on the book, since the movie didn’t really let Ginny grow as a character, per se.

NON-CANON:

Hermione Granger x Draco Malfoy

I have a lot of favorite non-canon pairings (i.e. HarryxHermione, HarryxDraco, NevillexLuna, Fredxmyself) but I’ve liked this pairing the longest, I think. This is my guilty pleasure non-canon. :) (and Feltson is quite a cute pairing, don’t you think? ;p)

Day 8. The house you would want to belong to and why.

HUFFLEPUFF

I don’t know why, to be honest. I just felt inclined to this house. Also, according to most of the sorting quizzes I took, I belong here. :)

Day 7. Unforgettable scene/part of the whole series (book or movie).

I think the most unforgettable part of the whole series for me was the first four chapters of Philosopher’s Stone. It’s where it all started, you know? When Harry was left in the Dursley’s doorstep up until he found out he was a wizard… just, whoa. It’s unforgettable for me because it wasn’t just Harry’s life that changed and it wasn’t Harry who just grew. We all did. Well, I know I did. :)

Day 6. A certain scene/part of the whole series (book or movie) you hated.

TOP THREE SCENES THAT I HATED:

3. Pettigrew escapes. Thus forcing Sirius to go into hiding. It was a noble thing in Harry’s part to take him up to the authorities, but if only it wasn’t a full moon! Haha xD

2. Harry shouting at Dumbledore and destroying Dumbledore’s things after Sirius’ death. That was, uh…uncomfortable reading, to be honest. I get what Harry was feeling, but still. But, then again, he was still a kid. Anyway, as I said, I had quite a hard time going through that part of the book.

1. “I must not tell lies.” THIS. I hated Umbridge with a relish especially in this part. She is PURE EVIL, I tell you!

Day 5. A certain scene/part of the whole series (book or movie) you loved.

TOP THREE SCENES THAT I LOVED:

3. The Weasley twins giving Umbridge a hard time. Most especially with their fireworks! And I love the fact that the teachers didn’t do anything to help Umbridge and Filch; they even applauded the twins’ bravery and creativity and magical prowess. That was a fun part to read.

2. Harry and Ginny kiss. Yes, they are my ultimate OTP. Anyway, I just love the spontaneity yet romantic feel of it. I thought they both deserved it. :) Too bad they never incorporated it in the movie.

1. Harry and Hermione use the Time Turner. And Harry waits for his dad to appear… only to realize it was himself he saw, and produced a corporeal patronus. I think this was a defining moment for Harry, getting him ready to fulfill the prophecy.

Day 4. Favorite female character and least favorite female character.

FAVORITE FEMALE CHARACTER: Ginny Weasley

Feisty, strong, energetic, and a true Weasley. She was possessed by Riddle in Chamber or Secrets which more or less made her tougher than she already was (given having 6 older brothers). People seem to hate her and her relationship with Harry, but whatever. I’ve put in my two cents about that, and I rest my case. But I love book!Ginny than movie!Ginny more though. Bonnie’s acting didn’t really embody the Ginny I envisioned, or the director/script writers didn’t put too much effort on Ginny as a character.

LEAST FAVORITE FEMALE CHARACTER: Dolores Umbridge

This woman is just plain scary and evil. She is conniving, scheming and downright sickening. Her toad-like face says it all. Add the fact that Mama Umbridge (from the parody A Very Potter Sequel) scared the beeswax out of me, just UGH.

Day 3. Favorite male character and least favorite male character.

FAVORITE MALE CHARACTER: Fred Weasley

The Weasley twins are a chock full of energy and laughter! They’re like the fireworks they created and let loose in Order of the Phoenix. Although, I’m kind of leaning more to Fred than George. Aside from his name being mentioned more than his twin’s in the books, he was sort of the “leader” of the two, like he usually initiates things. I was distraught when I read Deathly Hallows and his demise. I actually screamed and threw the book away. But Fred will forever live on in my heart. Char.

LEAST FAVORITE MALE CHARACTER: Peter Pettigrew

He’s a foul, scheming, untrustworthy, cowardly RAT. I knew there was a reason why his animagus was a rat. Definitely describes in to the dot. Honestly. Why he was part of the Marauders in the first place is beyond me. I hate him. He got what he deserved (even though they didn’t show it in the movie… Sigh. Too bad.)

Day 2. Favorite movie and least favorite movie.

FAVORITE MOVIE: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1

I love Philosopher’s Stone. It’s where it all started, you know? And the fact that it has been very faithful to the book is an obvious plus. Movie critics didn’t like it because it was too “magical” and “childish” but I think they’re missing the point. The first book IS a book for children and IS magical, so, naturally the movie should be, too. As for Deathly Hallows part 1, it’s also faithful to the book while (now) being dark and exciting and hanging. My friend (who hasn’t read any of the books) was furious when the film ended where it ended. She wanted more! Haha :) Good thing (for her) part 2 is coming REAL soon. Anyway, these movies (along with Sorcerer’s Stone) didn’t disappoint the book lover in me. Which should be if you make movies based on books.

LEAST FAVORITE MOVIE: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban; Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

I may be a bit biased with Prisoner of Azkaban, since it’s my favorite book, but still. They left out a good number of important things and either put the not-so important ones or added new scenes which don’t make sense. Same goes for Half-Blood Prince. They focused more on the romantic love than the horcuxes, and while I love the Ron/Hermione pairing, they didn’t focus on Harry/Ginny which was actually what was heavily written in Half-Blood Prince! Like Harry’s internal battles and when they first kissed after winning the Quidditch cup and all those things… So disappointing. Sure, the cinematography and whatnot was better (because of the dark-ish mood it had) but still.

I honestly think that, if you make movies based on books, you have to be really faithful to it and not just make it to sell.

Day 1. Favorite book and least favorite book.

FAVORITE BOOK:  Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

I don’t know why but I love this book. This is like the turning point of the whole series, since the story was getting darker and clearer. The twists J.K. made were also astonishing. I think I’ve read this book about a hundred times already. Okay, maybe not, but I’ve definitely read this again more than the rest. And I still love it just like I loved it the first time I read it.

LEAST FAVORITE BOOK:  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Don’t get me wrong; it was a great book. It was compelling and thrilling and dark. But I neither loved it or hated it. I was neutral to the feeling. Maybe because it was the last book and I numbed myself so that I wouldn’t be too emotional because the series ended. Or whatever, LOL. Anyway, there are just some parts of the book where I felt it was sort of rushed, and killing Fred was just the last straw for me.