DARKNESS

I remember Saga and Kallen talking about that Harry Potter's going darker and darker when this third volume was published and read. Then I really found the dark atmosphere overflowing between the lines. It seems not so many happy things happen to Harry during this school year ---- he was run after an escaped murderer, he was not admitted to go to Hogsmeade, he had to play quidditch with the fear of dementors and to win the match over the bloody dirty Slytherins(one of the most exciting moment though when Gryffindor won the final), he found out the truth but could convince others, and his favorite left the school and he still had to stay with the pig-like Dursleys during the summer vacation. What a terrible year, not to mention his two best friends quarrel a lot! It does not read like a children's book without a happy ending that justice win over the evil. It left over too much regret on the case of Black and Prof. Lupin (whick might become excellent information for slash writers though).

FRIENDSHIP

As Hagrid told Harry and Ron, "you two should value friend more than broomsticks or rats". The battle of cat and rat ingraded into the discord between Hermione and Ron, I wonder how many readers was happy to see it. Their tense relationship held on through more than half a book, making me upset and uneasy all the time when I read them quarreling. It made me sad for I value friendship more than other things. The betray from one's best friends is the last thing I want to see in world. Yet it happened here on James Potter. While the second last thing I want to see is that a good indeed person being framed and treated unjustly, which happened on Mr. Black the godfather. It's bitter!! Not even Black's escaping again can change it for the god-damn-it traitor rat ran out of the hand of Azkaban.

QUIDDITCH

It's probably the most happy and exciting part of the third school year in Hogwart. I love Lee Jordan's ironic commments on the final match and his naughty responds and jokes to  Prof. McGonagall. He made the match even more enjoyable that I took it as the climax instead of the last a few chapters. It's funny to imagine Prof. McGonagall yelling and shouting to the Slytherins too, when Malfoy dragged Harry's Firebolt. And winning the cup is the best time for all the supporters of the Grinffindor and me, like the only sunny day amid continuous cloudy gloomy days. I'm looking forward to more description of Quiddtch matches in the fourth volume, since Ron said there would be the Quidditch World Cup.

Werewolf VS. Potion

What kind of teacher will described as good and be liked by most of the students taught? Mr. Lupin set an example. A good teacher should be fair to all the students no matter he is in his house or not. A good teacher should encourage slow students instead of teasing them to make them a laughing-stock. A good teacher ought to make his lessons attractive so that students will enjoy them as well as master all the knowledge required but not to scare his students in stone. A good teacher shall try to help his students while criticize them when necessary, even to the famous Potter "Your parents gave their lives to keep you alive, Harry. A poor way to repay them -- gambling their sacrifice for a bag of magic tricks."

As a teacher, Lupin did all the above. It's a great loss that he has to leave Hogwart for he's a werewolf. And Mr. Snape did all the opposite, and he's only qualified for his mastery of making potions.

As a wizard and a human, Lupin is kind to students and colleagues, loyal to his friends and beliefs, and strong in his spells. While Snape is narrow-minded, vain, likely to bully and looking for any mistake Harry is tend to make.

What a flagrant contrast of these two characters. One is newly-appeared and pale but popular and a little miserable for his monthly change and final leaving. The other is still dark, cold, tart and mean and even more dislikable than before. I really hate Snape! He is a nuisance and he's in the book so that when Harry has someone to fight on when Voldemort does not haunt. I do not feel pitiful for him if he was killed although I did not wish it.

I especially want to ask the question now to Saga and Kallen: why you like Snape??? I can't understand it! I know you often prefer the dark character or someone cross the line of good and bad, but I still don't know what on earth you appreciate Snape. I can't find anything lovable in him, except that the actor of him acted absolutely perfect. Would anyone of you be kind to give me a clue on it?