Just finished Chapter 7 The Sorting Hat. I didn’t remember that Harry had a dream about Quirrell’s turbin and a voice telling him that he should be in Slytherin as it’s his destiny on his first night at Hogwarts. Since I’ve read the last book I seem to notice the foreshadowing more this read through.
I read that today as well. I totally forgot that. I did remember Snape was in the dream, though.
I’ve never read the books before, but the podcasts and the desire to know the full story of books 6 & 7 started me into the series. I’ve read books 1-3 and I just started the 4th one today. One thing I remember from the first book was the smell of the turbin - a garlicy smell that was hard to place. I don’t rememeber Harry smelling this same smell in books 2-3 as a signal of Voldemort. Was that just a first book thing?
That was just cover for wearing the turban, the vampires thing, notta to do with voldie
Agreed, wasn’t Quirrell doing research for a book on Vampires in Albania when he met up with spirit Voldie?
That’s my understanding. And then everyone was like “Lol he’s a wuss he met some vampires and now he’s a chicken”
Also…we’re supposed to believe that was Quirrel’s first year at Hogwarts? That uh…never struck me in the book.
But I thot Percy had him as a teacher the year before. Am I mismembering?
Crap now I remember. He was a teacher for a year, took a year off, came back for another year. There we go voldie curse on the DADA position holding firm
Finally made through Chapter 10 - Halloween. Didn’t remember it taking that long for Harry, Ron and Hermione to become friends.
Yeah, it’s quite a while in book terms, but a tiny while in series terms.
I agree. Funny how many small but significant detail you notice during the reread now that I know the ending. Looks like I’ll get a few chapters read this afternoon…storms rolling in.
Currently reading The Mirror of Erised. Love the emotional depth of the scene of Harry in front of the mirror, realizing that he is looking at his parents and generations of his family. Also, there was more impact than I recall when he received the Invisibility Cloak. (Of course, that might have something to do with me knowing the future importance of that item, but I also think that I was more aware of its significance to Harry as the only tangible connection to his dad. (That’s the difference between having a child almost Harry’s age now and being pregnant the first time I read the books. I’ve read it numerous times in between, but never with the whole story in mind.)
I’m glad we’re doing this re-read. I’m really enjoying it!!!
You’re right about the invisibility cloak - it’s really the first moment we the readers get a taste of something tangible about Harry’s family. 
I was wondering about that too. One year in is a little early for a sabbatical, which has some relation to the word sabbath and was originally taken after seven years. Probably that was the only way Dumbledore could get him to come back was to give him a whole year off. We know what teaching Defense against the Dark Arts is like at Hogwarts.
It’s a small thing, but I noticed that the thing Harry seems to like most about having money and being able to buy sweets is that he can share them with Ron on the train.
So I looked it up on the wikipedias, HP one I believe, and apparently he was a muggle studies teacher for years, took a year off to write his vampire book, and came back as the DADA teacher.
Just finished.
What an absolute fun book! The characters, the world, the story; everything is so much fun and imaginative. It truly is amazing that this was her first book. You are drawn in and intrigued. You want more. Brilliant!
Well, I finally finished last night, just before bed. Another satisfying read.
I look on this book fondly. So many have such disdain for it, like it’s a “kiddie” book. I disagree. Even on my first read of it, I never felt that way. I still think there is plenty of depth to this book to enjoy on an adult level, certainly to analyze on an adult level.
Oh, so he watched the position go through several and then thot, “I think I’ll give it a try. Can’t be any harder than muggle studies!” Brilliant!
Anyway, I went looking for the article you mention, and found it here, but I also found this essay (yes, an essay) on the topic of Quirriel’s Leave of Absence. I think Rowling didn’t quite have her story straight on this bit. Oh, well, enough quibbling.
To me the books make the accomplishments of Harry & CO even more impressive. Because the books drive home the fact that they are in an academic environment, which means classes and homework and studying. And for Harry long grueling hours of Quiddich practice too.
The fact that they can even find the time to do their research and investigations, and then executed these missions is amazing!
And the fact that Harry could endure such a harsh and loveless home environment and not turn out a bitter or angry child is a testament to his character!
And in many ways what is a pivotal moment in this book is when Harry refuses to align himself with Draco and his cronies. Had he done so, in many ways his life could have been so much easier. But as is often the case, and this seems to be a theme throughout. Doing the RIGHT THING is often the hardest thing! But the rewards down the road are worth it, and not simply for yourself, but for those you care about.
And something to think about:
Had you been raised by the Dursleys and then came home from school with new found powers and abilities. Would you not be tempted to exact revenge??? 