Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Beginning
In chapter thirty-seven of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Harry has an incredibly sad meeting with the Diggory’s, Dumbledore gives my favorite speech of his, and Hermione finally gets her revenge on Rita Skeeter.
(Please be advised that this is a reread and I will be discussing book and movie spoilers.)
Harry’s got to start out this chapter breaking my heart into a million little pieces when he meets with the Diggory’s to tell them how Cedric died. When Harry tries to give his Triwizard Tournament earnings to them as well, Mrs. Diggory recoils and refuses, and this little moment says so much about all of the characters involved. No one wants this money. It’s Cedric’s blood money, in a way, and Harry’s desperation to get rid of it is heart wrenching.
Hagrid, who I’ve always maintained is wiser then this
indicates, says he’s completely not surprised by this terrible turn of events, because he’s always known Voldemort will come back, but at least they’ve got Dumbles! COUGH
Speaking of A-Dumbs, he gives what is hands down my favorite speech of his in the entire series, and considering the man is a walking quote machine this is truly impressive. First, he talks about Cedric for a bit, before boldly letting everyone know Cedric was killed by Lord V.
(Wormtail: Am I joke to you?)
Then he lets the foreign students know they are always welcome at Hogwarts, and gives HPotz some praise. But then Dumbledore slays me dead with this poetry:
“Remember Cedric. Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory.”
It’s a testament to how much of a dumpster fire the adaptation of Goblet of Fire the movie can be that they edited this best part out of the movie WHYYYYY. Oh sorry, of course we’ve got to get in more of the dragon chase, silly me!
Yes I know Dumbledore gives a good movie speech, but those lines above have always resonated so deeply with me that cutting them is a crying shame.
Anyway, so Fleur comes over to say au revoir, and Krum reveals that he was fond of Ced, not so fond of the asshole Karkaroff, and Ron’s dormant inner fanboy can’t handle this awesomeness, comes alive, dances naked in Dobby’s tea cozy, and asks for Krum’s autograph.
That’s my boy, Ron! Get out your lipstick and Krum doll!
Not content with much awesome is being slung around this chapter, Hermione ups the ante by revealing that she’s figured out that Rita Skeeter is an Animagus, and oh, she’s also trapped her in a jar as punishment.
Look this might be illegal kidnap. This also might lead to Hermione accidentally squashing a beetle and killing a human witch. But fuck if this is not so satisfying I feel like binge eating chocolate and dancing naked with Ron, also in one of Dobby’s tea cozy’s.
TAKE THAT, RITA!
Oh, wait, more awesome is coming, do you say? Hook me up to a defibrillator, because I’m going to need it!
Malfoy shows up to be a little albino turd and mock Harry for not being a bigot or whatever in his choice of friends–ok sigh, this is break in the awesome–and then says the shittiest thing he’s ever said, which…for D-Malfs, is really saying something. This pond sucking spoiled rat faced twit mocks Cedric’s death and then simultaneously gets attacked by Ron, Hermione, Harry, and the twins and whew, the awesome is back!
Just when I’m about to faint from the sheer amazing satisfying ending of Malfoy N’Goons getting hexed five times over Harry has a stroke of brilliance, and decides to give his winnings away to fund Fred and George’s joke shop and
perhaps I’m overreacting, but my goodness, this moment is perfection. Bronze it, immortalize it, carve it into your brain, because
Oh yeah, and we finally found out the longest running red herring Harry Potter plot in history, Bagman owes Fred and George money, is finally solved. But whatever, because the twins are in business!
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What is your favorite Dumbledore speech or quote?
Up to the end of the fourth book, what is the worst thing Malfoy has ever said or done in your opinion?
What did you think about Krum’s comments to Harry about Cedric and Karkaroff when you first read this book?
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I don’t know if you read this, but I follow your blog entries since I started my own reread. Hilarious commentary. I hope to get back to some of your questions, especially considering this book.