Five Questionable Moments in “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”
Since I examined the questionable moments in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, I thought I’d continue and look at the dubious moments in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Marge’s Comments
It’s damn good of Vernon and Petunia to keep you. Wouldn’t have done it myself. You’d have gone straight to an orphanage if you’d been dumped on my doorstep.” (PoA 23)
Despite the tense relationship between Aunt Marge and Harry, it doesn’t excuse the things she said to him or the way she treated him. The orphanage comment was uncalled for. After everything she said, Marge deserved to be blown up.
Dementors on Campus
‘Well — that thing — the dementor — stood there and looked around (I mean, I think it did, I couldn’t see its face) — and you — you —‘
‘I thought you were having a fit or something,’ said Ron, who still looked scared. ‘You went sort of rigid and fell out of your seat and started twitching.’“ (PoA 85)
Dementors are used to guard the worst of the wizarding world. Being around them is a punishment as it is. Who thought that having them on a campus full of relatively innocent students was a good idea?
The Malfoys’ Influence on the School
‘I’m afraid he [Hagrid] won’t be a teacher much longer,’ said Malfoy in a tone of mock sorrow. ‘Father’s not very happy about my injury —’
‘Keep talking, Malfoy, and I’ll give you a real injury,’ snarled Ron.
‘— he’s complained to the school governors. And to the Ministry of Magic. Father’s got a lot of influence, you know. And a lasting injury like this’ — he gave a huge, fake sigh — ‘who knows if my arm’ll ever be the same again?’” (PoA 125)
Both Draco and Lucius Malfoy have massive influence over the school. The fact that Lucius was able to get Dumbledore temporarily suspended in Chamber of Secrets and Buckbeak executed in Prisoner of Azkaban is ridiculous.
Hermione’s Class Load
‘Oh, Ron, what’s it to you if my schedule’s a bit full?’ Hermione snapped. ‘I told you, I’ve fixed it all with Professor McGonagall.’” (PoA 98)
Hermione’s ambition and desire to glean as much information from Hogwarts as she can is admirable. However, the professors allowing Hermione to take so many classes and exhaust herself is highly questionable.
Harry and Ron’s Treatment of Hermione
‘I gotta tell yeh, I thought you two’d value yer friend more’n broomsticks or rats. Tha’s all.’
Harry and Ron exchanged uncomfortable looks.
‘Really upset, she was, when Black nearly stabbed yeh, Ron. She’s got her heart in the right place, Hermione has, an’ you two not talkin’ to her.'” (PoA 274)
Harry and Ron treated Hermione especially terribly in this book. Hermione was only concerned about Harry’s welfare when she told McGonagall about the Firebolt. Plus, he got it back untouched in the end. In addition, Ron was especially cruel to Hermione over their pets.
What do you think of my list? Are there any other questionable moments in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban? Let us know in the comments!
