Chapter 14: Snape’s Grudge | Prisoner of Azkaban

[@aryadne2004]

Snape tells Harry it's an "odd place to meet" because he proabably has seen the Marauders gathering there countless times, since he was always trying to figure out what hey were up to. He must be going insane over Harry doing the same mischiefs as James lol

[@boilerfan18]

Harry is basically anti stealth. The marauders seemed to be able to wonder the castle all they pleased, yet Harry gets caught constantly with the same exact tools.

[@aryadne2004]

My read is that he gets constantly caught by Snape because Snape watched the Marauders closely and all their suspicious behaviour so he knew exactly all of his tricks. But with James and Sirius, he never had the authority to call them out on anything, but he would see them hanging around the One Eyed Witch, appearing suddenly out of nowhere, quickly shoving a piece of parchment in their pockets and hiding it like it's sacred. Just like as he was trying to figure out what there trying to do in the castle

[@malijar]

I feel like Hermione is not being blamed for Crookshanks supposedly killing Scabbers because we know it’s Peter. However, if Crookshanks killed any other pet or if Scabbers was actually a very old, senile rat, I don’t think people would so easily excuse her actions. From Ron’s point of view, her actions and her negligence directly led to his pet dying, and he is 100% right in blaming her for it. If a friend of mine, after being repeatedly asked to control their animal, caused my pet to die, they would probably never be my friend again. She is definitely the guilty one here and is being a terrible friend.

[@sawanna508]

But when I read the book the frist time I didn't know Scabbers is Peter. I just didn't find the evidence convincing and was sure the rat will turn up again at some point and show that Crookshanks was wrongfully suspected. I also was sure he is not a normal cat.

[@Debatra.]

Her unapologetic attitude certainly doesn't do her any favors.

[@tommarsdon5644]

​@@sawanna508But you're using metatextual reasoning, you know this is a story and use that knowledge to make assumptions about what happened. If you were actually in the story, I doubt you'd think the same thing.

[@parryxxlivxx]

Maybe I'm biased by being a cat owner myself, but I kind of agree with the sentiment I saw expressed elsewhere that it would be at least equally if not more negligent of Ron to not keep his very old, senile rat in a cage where he was safe. Crookshanks wouldn't have been the only cat around as cats were one of the three types of pets that were mentioned in the first year's acceptance letters. You can't keep cats from going after a prey they've identified as such. When we used to keep rabbits in our backyard when I was little we'd have them safely fenced in so that none of the neighborhood cats were able to get in. Now obviously Hermione's dismissiveness about the whole thing is not okay, as it doesn't sound like she was willing to take any responsibility at all. But even if her approach was wrong I would argue that Ron's lack of responsibility is more to blame for things supposedly having gone sideways for Scabbers.

[@thekicker2517]

Oh if a friend of mine caused the death of my pet in the way Hermione supposedly did. I'm never talking to that person till the day I die.

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

The map insulting snape is one of the funniest Moments of the series😂😂😂😂😂

[@Hawker5796]

That should’ve taught him to not treat Harry like crap. 😂

[@coolnerdlll6053]

"...and advises him to wash his hair, the slimeball." 😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@lespangen]

Marauders adjusting the map to insult Snape:marvelous he who laughs last…… they were amazing talents albeit devoted to their own ends 🎉

[@lespangen]

Marauders forever ✋👍❤️

[@whomigazone]

Can you imagine Lupin and Sirius later in the series when Lupin remembers to mention it to him, you should have seen Severus' face when it actually insulted him like we programmed it so long ago.

[@CarlosAlexDanger]

Dumbledore probably told the ghosts to perpetuate the rumor about the shrieking shack being haunted

[@aliceepalermo5047]

I imagine that Dumbledore put protections on the shack to stop the ghosts going there and finding out about Lupin being a werewolf. I wonder is ghosts gossip in the same way that wizards do?😂

[@MrApplelovin]

8:15 I mean none of the portraits managed to see a huge snake roaming the school last year (even if it was in the pipes it came out to attack) soooo.....

[@stevenrobertson1416]

@MrApplelovin - But would the portraits have been "killed" like Nearly Headless Nick? Would the painting turn grey too!? I'm getting lost down the rabbit theory hole!

[@Datenauflauf]

​@@stevenrobertson1416and then being restored with some paint mixed with mandrake stuff. I'd like that!

[@kacperkubicki1101]

Of course they couldn't, it's DARK at night 😂

[@kze24]

@@kacperkubicki1101 The only attack that happens at night is Collin Creevy, and if it was too dark for the portraits couldn't see a 20 foot long snake, it'd be too dark for Collin to see it, realistically.

[@yogtheterrible]

How do people not realize that hermione was awful to ron? Could you imagine a friend acting the same way to you? They bring over a new pet, which harasses your old pet that has been in the family for 12 years, you constantly tell her to get a handle of their pet because it's trying to kill your pet and she constantly refuses. Even if it just ends with that, that's a horrible friend. She brings her cat into their room where scabbers was. The negligence involved in that and the absolute disregard for the consequences of her actions is astounding. How could you be friends with someone like that? It's not about the rat, it's about the decisions she made time and time again. Ron just doesn't know how to express that.

[@sawanna508]

All in all in school there are only two attacks mentioned by Crookshanks. (And Harry cought him once trying to sneek up to their dorm but he didn't tell Hermione about it) If he really wanted to kill scabbers he would be dead now. Also cats are very difficult to control in general and locking them up in the dorm room would be cruel. Therefore it would have been on Ron to keep his rat save. He could have build a cage or ask a teacher for a protection spell or what ever. The school as a whole is pretty dangerous for a rat.

[@chrisblanc663]

@@sawanna508it still shows a lack of respect or consideration from Hermione toward Ron. And no. She is the owner of her cat. If it kills someone else’s pet, that’s on her. If scabbars had the plague, or rabies, you wouldn’t expect Ron to tell people their safety is their responsibility. I do agree Hogwarts isn’t the safest place for rats, or children for that matter😉.

[@heylolp9]

​@@sawanna508 Locking up the Cat in Hermione's Dorm (like she said in Diagon Ally) isn't cruel, there are pure indoor Cats. Bringing a Natural Predator into the Room where, as per her own plan, the Rat is living is cruel towards the Rat pet owner If Scabbers hadn't been Peter but actually just a pet rat, then Hermione doesn't have anywhere to hide. Because She goes actively against what She said herself before the School year. This boils down to Hermione AND Ron being, as Hagrid put it, stupid about their pets

[@kingdaymon6433]

@@sawanna508 I mean she really did want to kill scabbers. It's literaly her entire goal.

[@y345vash9]

​@@sawanna508 🙄

[@cornobbled]

Lupin knows all the same hidden passageways and is also withholding the fact that Sirius is an animagus. Harry is 13 and understandably lacks judgement. Lupin has no excuse.

[@Cailus3542]

It is, oddly enough, an instance of Remus being a coward. He was too afraid to admit everything to Dumbledore, who (at great expense and risk) brought Remus to Hogwarts. Dumbledore later even gave Remus a respectable job where he could meet James and Lily's son. Remus viewed his teenage years as a betrayal of Dumbledore's trust. More: there is one more occasion of Remus being a coward. After learning that Tonks was pregnant, he left her. Only Harry's brutal honesty forced Remus to go home to his pregnant wife. Remus is amazing, no question, but he has his flaws, like most great characters.

[@EnbyGaemer2005]

​@@Cailus3542 He definitely seems cowardly in many ways.

[@forestgrump4723]

@@Cailus3542Yea I kinda think he might have belonged in ravenclaw instead.

[@aryadne2004]

Him being afraid to tell Dumbledore about Sirius being an animagus definitely makes sense, because it would betray his trust, but it doesn't excuse the Honeydukes passageway. I mean, the Marauders were known rule-breakers, Lupin could have easily told Dumbledore "Oh yeah we discovered this thing in our 5th year or something, so Sirius knows about it, just thought you ought to know". I think he is not telling anyone because he maybe wants to confront Sirius himself to either get revenge or get him cornered and ask him why he did it, which he would not be able to do had he been given the Dementor's kiss

[@ObsessiveGeek]

@@Cailus3542I don’t interpret it as cowardice, more seeing the best in others whilst thinking the worst about himself.

[@Zeke_O3773]

J’s mustache is getting so big it might need a footrest. 😂😂😂

[@CrazyMuggleGirl]

For real! It looks like it’s about to fly right off his face (on a broom with footrests) 😂

[@sawanna508]

You clearly haven't seen real big mustaches. J's is still small.

[@aliceepalermo5047]

😂😂😂😂 footrests for his leisure

[@Zeke_O3773]

@@sawanna508 well, sure, but if it got bigger it would probably be comfortable enough not to need a footrest!

[@chrisblanc663]

I have a handlebar that is about twice the length of his. I’m wondering if he will keep it growing. I trim mine about once a week because it does get hard to maintain when too long.

[@kyellverdonschot9922]

I will never agree with the idea that Hermione is right. Sure all of them are being really stubborn and childish, but just imagine that you have a pet, someone elses bigger, stronger pet, keeps trying to kill it, and then when you tell them about it, they just get angry at you. I think it's pretty absurd to act like this didn't start with Hermione

[@andrewshearsby8125]

Yeah Hermione never considered that they were right. Probably because it would mean she was wrong. We know the truth now but at the time? She was wrong if she just apologises to Ron all would be fine

[@Martyn_Wolf]

B n J are unfortunately very much in the "we fawn over one of the few female leads in the book" types. One of the things that skews their theory crafting in a way as they'll be biased.

[@PcCAvioN]

Lets say crookshanks is a pitbull and scabbers is a cat. Is hermione still innocent or is she a negligent pet owner who should be charged? My one cat loves attacking his brother, but if I let them hurt each other I would have failed both. Hermione should have taken responsibility for her aggressive animal that threatened the life of another person's pet. For some reason people read "pet rat" and act as if being a rat means it deserves worse treatment than other pets

[@andrewshearsby8125]

@@Martyn_Wolf no one is truly unbiased

[@Martyn_Wolf]

@@PcCAvioN Most people don't like rats. As a child we're told they caused the death of millions and millions of people (not accurate, they were carriers of the fleas just as humans were) That socialpsychological scar has been passed down the many generations since. Rats don't help themselves by living in sewers, landfills, garbage sites and places where diseases can fester, to which they can then carry and spread, destroy homes (as can mice) etc yes they're doing what they naturally do. As someone who is dating a person whom happens to own rats. I've touched them etc, I can say I'm still not fond of them. I don't hate them, nor would if willing keep em as a pet.

[@Cailus3542]

For me, it's a case of Harry not really comprehending risk. He fought Voldemort twice, believed that he was going to die on both occasions, but still prevailed. He simply isn't afraid anymore. That doesn't really hit him again until he sees Voldemort's resurrection.

[@teaniery]

Not to mention, Harry has good instincts when it comes to Voldemort being involved, and the fact that his instincts were telling him it was fine was a good indication that he wasn't really afraid of Sirius Black, and he turned out to be correct of course.

[@vinnyl264]

He’s a 13 year old boy who has only really seen freedom the last 2 years. 13 year old boys think they are invulnerable and take dumb risks haha

[@Cailus3542]

​@@teaniery In this case, I don't think that Harry's *instincts" play a factor at all. He has no reason to think that there's more to it. Sirius is making a concerted effort to reach him. Heck, in the end, Sirius outright attacks Ron, breaking his leg in the process. Harry's fear response is just out of whack. He just can't fathom Sirius being as dangerous as Voldemort, even though he very much is (as far as anyone knows). It makes him brash, overconfident, and could easily have gotten him killed.

[@werewolflover14]

Ron is absoluyely justified in being angry at Hermione. Her new pet has killed his pet, she doesn't apologize, and Hagrid is a hypocrite for calling out Ron for being a bad friend, when he has gotten them in trouble so many times by being a poor pet owner. Its easy in hindsight to feel Hermione is being treated badly because we the reader know Scabbers is Peter, but the characters don't know that. Ron Deserves so much better.

[@IslarfPokemon]

Hagrid does own up to the hypocrisy by referencing himself. He hints to it.

[@nathans9764]

I mostly agree. Hagrid isn't being a hypocrite though. Hagrid is pointing out that she's being stupid, but that Ron shouldn't throw away their friendship over it. You can agree or disagree with his sentiment, but he's speaking from experience about how he also did dumb things because of pets, not pretending otherwise.

[@tayters8763]

say what you will about a teenager choosing their freedom they enjoy outside of the rules over being murdered, but Lupin was a teacher and also knew about the passage through the one eyed witch.

[@LangThoughts]

Maybe Dumbledore enchanted the Shack to shriek even when Lupin is not there, so people couldn't calculate it's always on the full moon, and thus a werewolf, and maybe he had reasons to leave that up after Lupin left school?

[@kitfisto5132]

the way J described how he imagined Snape is pretty much how i imagined Filch

[@bjdefilippo447]

And the picture looks like Karkaroff does in the movie.

[@bryce5631]

It's just not Sunday morning until the episode drops

[@ShadowRunn3r13]

You go on how Harry and Ron are being bad friends to Hermione, yet Hermione hasn't been any better. She knows crookshanks keeps attacking scabbers, yet doesn't do anything to help stop or prevent it happening, instead giving the cat complete freedom to go where it wants, and on multiple occasions putting the cat in a spot to attack. Then she blames Ron for getting more and more frustrated with the cat, with each attack. When scabbers does "die" and all evidence points to the cat, she doesnt even apologies instead blaming Ron for not liking her cat even though it keeps attacker scabber and in turn Ron. Ron even later admits if she just apologies he would forgive her, only reason she really gets out of it is because scabber isnt really dead and is in fact a bad guy. Add the fact she went behind their backs about the firebolt which main thing that started everything, and threatens to get them into trouble about the map. While for the right reasons is going about it the wrong way, just making things worse.

[@ShadowRunn3r13]

Also you point out that Hagrid is right that people can be strange about their pet, SCABBERS WAS RON'S PET, yet he cant be mad about Hermione's pet trying to kill his. Most of the arguments these had all year would of not happened, if Hermione actually spoke to Ron and Harry instead of going behind their backs or using it as a threat, and was a good pet owner. Even after this book, Crookshanks eyes up Pidwidgeon and chases it, think on one occasion does try attacking it.

[@clover2739]

@@ShadowRunn3r13that’s something that always bothered me. So hagrid uses the excuse that people can be strange about their pet, but Ron can’t when he literally thought his pet was KILLED?? Like huh?? Id truly like to see how hagrid would act if he thought Hermione’s pet got one of his animals killed and kept brushing it off

[@sawanna508]

@@ShadowRunn3r13 If Hermione had told them she will speak to McGonagall about the broom they would ahve argued nonetheless. Harry would never have parted with that broomstick willingly and would have been mad at her if she had spoken about her concerne to the teachers.

[@sawanna508]

In my opinion the evidence agaist the cat has always been small. First of all the cat was not mentioned beeing near that dorm at that point, there would be far more hair on Ron's bed and mostlikely somekind of mess not jsut a little bit of blood especially because houscats are usually well get and don't hunt for food.

[@kze24]

Ron and Hermione both treated each other poorly, I don't know if they should have gotten married

[@dtlwheels1153]

Speaking of imagining characters before the movies, Richard Harris was EXACTLY how I had always pictured Dumbledore

[@Luverofmysoul2]

Omg, way more than second Dumbledore

[@satsujin-shathewitchkingof6185]

I just want this book to be over so I don't have to listen to you two blaming Ron for something that's 100% Hermione's fault. She brought the cat that jumped on Ron's head,made no effort to stop it attacking Scabbers,actively brought it into the boy's dormitory and then refused to apologise when all the evidence says he killed Scabbers. Not only has Ron had Scabbers for years but he was also a gift from his brother with a massive amount of sentimental value! Ron put Scabbers in HIS dorm,where nobody has a cat. And when Scabbers isn't in the dorm,he's with Ron. Ron made all the right decisions to protect Scabbers,you can't put him at fault. Cats attack owls, trade Scabbers for Hedwig and I bet you'd be singing a different tune. And as for Hagrid,he's the one who brought an illegal dragon into the school that bit Ron and got him into the hospital wing and almost got Harry and Ron killed last year by sending them to Aragog! He's being such a hypocrite here! He's the last person who should be lecturing Ron about his very justifiable anger that Hermione doesn't care about his rat!

[@ryanoakley5620]

Good point, I think it’s easier for people to write off Scabbers because he’s a rat and Ron is always bitching about him, but if it was Hedwig getting attacked constantly, ain’t NO way anyone is siding with Hermione 😅

[@sawanna508]

There are things we don't know though: We don't know how many times Hermione might have scolded her cat for going after Scabbers. What she DID try to prevent him from going after him or to train him. Yes, she shouldn't have brought him to the boy's dormitory but the other thing is you can't lock up a cat this big in a bedroom all the time, that's cruel. The boys could have locked their bedroom door since a rat is smaller then a cat and dosn't need as much space to be healthy. Also the evidence always seemed quite thin to me. In my opinion a lot of people here are to hard on Hermione she IS sort of right that hunting is in the nature of cats you can't train that out of them.

[@satsujin-shathewitchkingof6185]

@@sawanna508 Who's saying the boys didn't lock their dorm? Also,come on,Hermione's attitude in this book does not say "I'm making any effort to try to get Crookshanks to stop". She doesn't even apologise,just goes straight to making excuses. Factually right does not mean morally right. Hermione has a duty to make sure her pet isn't harming other's pets,in the same way a dog owner is responsible for making sure their dog doesn't harm someone's cat.

[@NCThomas821]

At about 1:10:00 Lupin seeing the map. It's possible he was already looking for it. When he says to Harry that he found a boggart in Filch's office, he may have been in there looking for the map as he knew it was confiscated by Filch years ago, and the boggart was just lucky chance.

[@lucypreece7581]

One thing I would love in the future is in the introduction to the Map for the next, next generations going after 1998 it will say "Messrs Moony, Weasley, Padfoot and Prongs are proud to present The Marauder's Map" Like the map with its potential small amount of sentience almost like updates itself and erases Pettigrew from the group because he was the true traitor and instead replaces him with Fred because the twins truly embodied the like purpose of mischief and the energy of the map.

[@Boundwithflame23]

What was Fred’s code name on Potter Watch. I think it was Rapier? Or was that George

[@Rebel_Winds]

Well, the Marauders are being treated like heroes, but really, just being kids makes sense. Kids stuck in an old man's war is how it always goes.

[@arieldahl]

9:25 I would add to the discussion that even in later books the use "security trolls". after the twins use Accio to get their brooms from Umbridge's office wall, she puts the firebolt in the dungeons guarded with security trolls. i would say that although it's not a 1-to-1 comparison, book 1 trolls vs. these trolls is like the difference between unleashing untrained wild animals in the school (like bears, large cats or wolves) vs trained work animals (like guard dogs, tame bears etc)

[@solareagle1802]

I think there's also an out-of-book reason for their lack of care about Sirius. The author knows he's innocent, so it's easy to forget that the other characters should be way more afraid of him than they are.

[@DuskMoment]

On the topic of casting for the series I really hope that any pictures or flashbacks of Fabian and Gideon have the Phelps twins playing them.

[@silasreade]

The comments of Snape and the Marauders needing to be younger I fully agree with and hope to get rectified in the HBO series. I’d love a cast of largely unknown or up and coming actors, not the well established actors we got in the film series.

[@Zeke_O3773]

This chapter and the chapter in which Harry uses sectumsempra were the two times I felt like throwing my arms up in the air and saying, “you’re on your own, Harry!”

[@teaniery]

It annoys me how much they defend Hermione and say Hagrid is right about Ron caring more about his rat than his friendship, but COMPLETELY ignore the fact that Hermione was the one who got mad at Ron about her cat killing his pet and refused to apologize or listen to him whe he asked for her to keept her cat away from their dorm. Hermione was terrible to Ron's feelings this entire book, she refused to appologise to him until after he himself choses to forgive her, but Ron is the one who gets told off for being a bad friend when he's entirely in his right about being mad at her. Can we stop pretending Hermione is a saint? She's very much not in the first half of this book and it annoys me that Ron is the one that gets the brunt of it when he's the one who lost a pet. Not to mention Hagrid's hypocrisy, he's doing everything in his power to not have his pet killed, but completely dismisses Ron's feelings about losing his. He tells Ron off for being a bad friend and putting his rat over Hermione, but defends Hermione for putting her cat above Ron's feelings and their friendship. Ron always gets the short end of the stick in these discussions and it's completely unfair.

[@jamma.77]

This, 100% - she doesn't care at all that her pet keeps trying to kill Ron's, and even brings Crookshanks into his dormitory and actively ignores Ron's perfectly reasonable request to remove him, then when he does appear to eat Scabbers, she doubles down and spends weeks refusing to apologise, and even blows up at Harry just for pointing out that all the evidence indicates that she's wrong.

[@modelomegatyler]

because ron never even really cared about scabbers?

[@animatedpsychologist]

And if Ron had put Scabbers in an appropriate enclosure, neither Crookshanks nor any of the other cats presumably at the school, would've been a danger to him. And, also, everyone's getting all bent out of shape that Hermione let him wander into the dorms. Except she actually DIDN'T. Scabbers faked his death! She didn't believe Crookshanks had done it because she knows he didn't have the opportunity, so she's obviously not sorry and she's defending him. And she is completely correct.

[@RealGaIaxy]

​@modelomegatyler I'm sorry but the way Ben and J also use this as an argument is so terrible. You only perceive Ron to "not care". I mean Harry literally says (Ron's best friend who knows him better than anyone) that he knows Ron would be "very upset" if Scabbers died. But because people aren't impressed with how a 13 year old acts towards his pet rat, they dismiss any feelings of grief. In fact I think it's people like Ben and J projecting how they feel about Scabbers/Peter onto the situation. End of the day, I completely back Harry and Ron in this instance, and I'm tired of them acting like Hermione is perfect.

[@RealGaIaxy]

​@@animatedpsychologist"appropriate enclosure" wtf are you going on about

[@whomigazone]

My headcanon is the Jelly Bellies are made by Bernie Botts after finding that Muggles would like them also, but they are limiting the flavors to the Muggle market.

[@animatedpsychologist]

My headcanon is that Ron would've been able to turn Scabbers yellow if he'd been an actual rat.

[@TheToneBender]

If Dumbledore had seen the map insult Snape, he would 100% have given Snap shampoo for Christmas

[@kimgrod]

😅

[@ailynrenee1796]

I don't understand your confusion guys. You both agreed in earlier chapters that Harry's instincts rightly told him not to be worried about Sirius, and now you're not understanding why he's not worried? Yeah he's gotten into the school a couple times, but he hasn't once attacked Harry. I mean, when you're 13, and already not worried about something, and that something is constantly being pushed to the background by schoolwork and day to day stuff, you don't then allow your actions to be shaped by that something.

[@aryadne2004]

The whole instinct conversation happened before the reveal that Sirius is Harry's godfather and the one who allegedly betrayed his parents, so Harry wasn't giving any thought to Black at all, it was just another powerful Dark Wizard who was trying to kill him. But after the reveal, Harry does give more thought into Sirius and the whole thing just becomes more personal. That's why he should have been more afraid. Also, since that time, Sirius has broken into the castle twice, so Harry should know better thinking that he is still hanging around at Hogwarts

[@ailynrenee1796]

@@aryadne2004 the first instinct conversation happened before that reveal, but the topic of Harry's instincts has been brought up again and again. The point i was referring to was in the chapter when they're all at the Leaky Cauldron and Harry overhears that Sirius is supposedly after him. J and Ben discussed whether he wasn't scared because he instinctually knew he wasn't in danger.

[@dek6592]

I always thought Hagrid booked 2 seats on the knight bus, because there is no way he would fit in a single one. Not that he is bringing buck beak with him 😂

[@jb888888888]

Harry suffers from Main Character Syndrome. The fact that he is actually the main character is incidental.

[@Baalslegion07]

Hermione isn't the good guy here, but certainly not the bad guy either. She acted selfish and irresponsible where it would have mattered that she was dilligent and thoughtful, but acted that way when she should have been okay with her friends just having fun. It feels like Hermione simultainiously is both as highly concerned about Sirius as she should be, but also utterly unconcerned about what her responsibilities in pet ownership are. Checking the broom and ratting them out is bad, but only due to Sirius not actually being a murderer. Thats the only thing that makes Hermiones behavior bad in this regard. Because if he actually was out to stab Harry, ratted his parents out to Voldemort, killed his former best friend and a good couple of muggles, he'd surely be a very real threat that is taken way less seriously than it should be. But as for the Scabbers thing: The only thing that makes Hermiones behavior acceptable, is that Scabbers is Peter and she doesn't know that yet. So she literally doesn't care that her pet ate Rons pet and doesn't feel bad about it, even though Ron told her on multiple occasions that she should keep her Crookshanks under close watch. If you had a dog, and your neighbor gets a big aggressive dog, you'll tell them to watch it. If that dog than mauls your dog, I'm pretty sure you'd be very angry at them. Even if you didn't love your dog as much as you should have, that dog was still a living being. Scabbers, is a rat, a living Rat many of the people in Rons family loved. He was with them, for a very long time. Yes, Peter is bad, but Hermione is not being a dick about it because she knows its Peter. She just doesn't take responsibility for her actions.

[@KudaKeileon]

That said, the man who got mad at Ron for being bitten by his own illegal pet baby dragon probably shouldn't be taken seriously when talking about matters of responsible pet ownership. Everyone's terrible in this chapter. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Hagrid.

[@teaniery]

Exactly! Hagrid is the LAST person who gets any say about how anyone should handle losing their pet. Not to mention the double standards of him telling Ron off for putting his rat before Hermione while defending Hermione for putting her cat above Ron. Why does Hermione get a pass and Ron doesn't when she was the one who didn’t control her pet and willingly let it endanger the life of her friends pet?! Hagrid was NOT right in that situation.

[@lukeleslie9648]

They had better make Hermione mean in the TV show just like in the books

[@triforceofcourage100]

In all honesty it’s pretty clear to me that the carlin brothers have never owned a rodent as a pet. I used to have a dwarf hamster that bit any hand that entered his cage. I was super sad when he passed away. I never thought I had much attachment to him but I did. Ron still being furious at Hermione is extremely valid if my friend had a pet that killed mine I’d never speak to them again.

[@ObsessiveGeek]

@triforceofcourage100 I don't think anyone needs that specific experience, owning ANY pet is more than enough to have an understanding. However, most who own smaller animals understand the risks in taking it outside - Ron was quick to laugh at Neville whenever he lost his toad yet didn't learn a lesson in regards to his own pet

[@triforceofcourage100]

@@ObsessiveGeek I was more so trying to convey having a pet that seemed to mean nothing to you actually meaning more than you were consciously aware of. It’s hard to convey that idea without spouting out a million words. As for the small animal pet thing very true. However, defending a pet’s actions as just following its instincts without in any way trying to keep it under control is the mark of the worst kind of pet owner. Ron is the one being painted as unreasonable in this story despite having a very normal reaction. I used to have a dog (with a traumatic past) that would attack anyone who stepped into our house or got too close (he was fine at a distance) and we knew that and were extra careful with him. The one time he almost got someone was because they literally ran up behind us on a walk.

[@kiwibug07]

Off topic but, I feel like the "turn this fat rat yellow" spell doesn't work only because scabbers isn't actually a rat.

[@kze24]

That and the fact that it probably isn't a real spell and Ron just did it to try to impress Harry

[@maryann4451]

14:15- he is thirteen. There's the reason 😂

[@jmace2424]

I just realized how weird it would be to be Peter and have Voldemort pretty much only refer to him using his high school nickname 🤣

[@Tylerthephantom]

"My lord, do you have to keep reminding me that I peaked in high school?"

[@bjdefilippo447]

Thanks for covering the scarpered vs scampered. I had wondered about the version issue. Scampered is definitely an odd word to use for an adult!

[@kimgrod]

I think you’re spot on. HP has lived a mostly homebound life. When would HP have had the opportunity to visit a candy or joke shop? He’s 13. His priorities are misaligned.

[@adamrabe3105]

Never really put it together how Lupin and Snape still are jabbing at each other. I also agree that when the series comes out, I hope they are able to cast actors a little closer to the age of the characters in the books.

[@nightfox6738]

I forgot about the front doors trained to recognize sirius... "***This is.. Not.. Count Olaf***"

[@kze24]

Series of Unfortunate Events mentioned

[@nitra214]

I enjoy the podcasts, but I am starting to find it a bit annoying how much you all blame Ron for the argument between him and Hermione. Sure, he exaggerates sometimes, but he’s only 13 years old. That being said, I would also be furious if someone else's pet had eaten mine, and the owner refused to even apologize. On top of that, Crookshanks had already made several attempts, but Hermione didn’t really try to stop him. I mean, she even brought Crookshanks into the boys' dormitory! To not completely throw Hermione under the bus, Hagrid is right that people can react strangely when it comes to their pets.

[@lahlybird895]

Ron is very justified in being pissed at Hermione for all of this

[@satsujin-shathewitchkingof6185]

I agree! They wouldn't be saying this stuff if Crookshanks seemed to have killed Hedwig (birds do attack owls). You wouldn't tell Harry to stop complaining if Hermione had refused to apologise and actively endangered Hedwig. Ron doesn't deserve the crap they're giving him in this book at all

[@Martyn_Wolf]

@@satsujin-shathewitchkingof6185 That's what happens when you're more left leaning people like Ben n J they fawn over Hermy (who's actually more irritating in the books) and ignore other parts. Or they simply don't like Ron for some reason. He's as irritating as Hermy is at times too.

[@dilwindersingh-x7b]

@@Martyn_Wolf their wifes boyfriends probably support ron

[@lahlybird895]

@@satsujin-shathewitchkingof6185 it's because people don't like rats and therefore they are considered as worth caring about as other pets I feel bad for anybody who has an unconventional pet I was watching a KZbin video about a Reddit story where this one girl's boyfriend threatened to eat her pet lobster and she broke up with her boyfriend over it and the guy who were reacting to the video were shocked about it cuz they said it was just a lobster well outright admitting that if somebody had threatened to eat a pet cat they wouldn't be anywhere near as forgiving so it's literally just because it's a different kind of pet than the ones they think are acceptable that they completely change their perspective on the story regardless of the issue being the exact same If Ron is at fault it's only because he let his pet rat be free arranged at a castle where multiple people have pet cats when most people do keep pet rodents in cages specifically for this reason But Hermione is still way more in the wrong here simply for her attitude about the entire thing

[@LangThoughts]

I think what they were going for in the movie's design of the map is that it appears as a blank piece of parchment until someone says "I solemnly swear....." and then it develops the flaps.

[@anna-katehowell9852]

Ben's vampire theory and J losing it laughing over that is one of the best moments of this podcast to date

[@itsallme1234]

The way I picture it, there's the main British flu network, but also Hogwarts has its own flu intranet within the castle. So getting Lupin wasn't an outside call. Also, thank you so much for pointing out the vampire essay counter-jab, that's a great one!

[@simunjiii]

I think Malfoy just sends an Owl to Snape, which would be faster than any shortcut. That would explain Snape is informed before Harry and Ron arrive and why Malfoy isn't with Snape. On a nother note, Harry may not recognise, that going Hogsmeade is risking his life, because in his mind it is safe, when all the students and some of the teachers are there. Beeing alone in a (except for the first years) deserted Castle in which Sirius already has broken into twice, may seem even more scary.

[@LeaF-vo2mx]

Love the owl idea! (It must've been a scops owl.)

[@kimgrod]

Hmm…does Malfoy walk around with an owl or does he dash to the post office to get one? I think he’d rather tell Snape, gleefully.

[@Zachfive]

My favorite discovery from this episode is the Lupin Vampire Essay/Snape shade theory

[@MythStarFire]

One thing merchandise wise I hope they fix with the new series is THE EAGLE! I do love that the best place to get Ravenclaw Eagles are through SCB. As a Ravenclaw, it is so annoying seeing a raven instead of an eagle as well as blue and SILVER. Sigh. At least most items do have blue and bronze, but ravens. I love ravens, but not on Ravenclaw items! The golden trio are all being jerks in this chapter, in this whole book. Hermione only apologizes for her cat repeatedly attacking Ron’s SICK rat after Buckbeak gets a death sentence. Hagrid doesn’t even try to give them suggestions to stop Crookshanks from attacking Scrabbers. Surely Hagrid has had to deal with creatures that want to kill each other at some point. No one even asks him for tips. Animals even natural enemies can be trained to be friendly. I had a beagle whose best friend was a bunny rabbit.

[@MCGreggy28]

Hagrid had an “I SHOULD have said that” chapter.

[@sandrarose7129]

Draco probably hates the Hippogryph so much because being the only one injured would have been humiliating and instead of taking responsibility he ants vengeance on the animal And he hates Hagrid because Draco sees him as a servant and beneath him and now he has been given a teaching position which now puts Hagrid above him to a degree.

[@codydues8708]

1:17 NAME OF THE WIND yesssss

"Tactfully messing with people" is also a nice description of what Picard does in "Next generation". Previously I called it "Diplomacy trolling", but I think that is a better description.

[@wrdreads4742]

Off chapter: Why did Seamus take so long with the Hat? What other house could he have been in?

[@desmondgentle1474]

He kinda acted like an idiot in book 5. Sounds like a hufflepufff to me

[@kevincontreras6870]

@@desmondgentle1474 not enough loyalty, slytherin ambition?

[@Anna-B]

@@desmondgentle1474ok, rude 😂

[@jennyblanch8241]

There are plenty of smart Badgers like Newt, Tonks, Cedric, and even real world Hufflepuffs like me.​@@desmondgentle1474

[@jennyblanch8241]

We know that can identify squibs, so why not The possibility of the hat identifying people that are too stupid to go to Hogwarts... Like Seamus and others. Besides there are plenty of Smart Puffs: Cedric, Tonks, Newt, and even real world Hufflepuffs like me and my Mom.

[@bhavens9149]

I kinda thought Hagrid needed two beds for himself, didn't think he took Buckbeak with him?

[@andrewtimmreck4915]

I know you didn't disrespect my boy Percy It's always interesting to hear how different people feel about certain things in books. When it comes to Harry Potter, I get wanting the characters to interact with more magical things. He really does go to a whole seperate magical world hidden from the muggle world. When it comes to percy jackson, however, I feel the whole point of the series is being torn between two worlds. Going out into the world and seeing how the magical fits in the normal. Eating doritos and dr. Pepper while fighting hydras, skeletons, giants, titans, and humans indiscriminately is the whole point. He's part human, part god. He needs to live in both worlds, that's the challenge.

[@jimmyphelps6037]

I always dread the end of each episode i just want them to go on forever

[@emilyjewett2660]

No one being allowed to tell Nevill the password was kinda a weird punishment. Because as soon as someone uses the password to let him in, he’d know the password.

[@dimitra3867]

Ok, I don't know if you like this or not, but my new headcannon is Dumbledore must have made some "occurances" during non-fullmoon nights, otherwise everyone would have to be pretty daft to not understand its clearly a werewolf. SEVEN years only Lupins shouts were heard during full moon. It would solve the "most haunted house in Britain" and the "how did the people not get it was just a werewolf". Also makes them having the map imperative when moving around the castle as not to bump into him when he is also heading to the sack for a good old paranormal event.

[@jhh1451]

Maybe other werewolf students were at the shool after lupin so it could have been "haunted" for more than 7 years

[@satsujin-shathewitchkingof6185]

That would make sense to me. Or any other number of supernatural beings. Vampire student? Use the shrieking shack as a meeting place and we'll make sure you get blood

[@awkwardturtle907]

An interesting what if..... What if Neville joined them in the Sorcerer's Stone to go through thr trap door and then was always part of the group. How that would change or not change the story.

[@sebastianacacia7621]

Draco ferret foreshadowing? 27:03

[@samfrisby6135]

I don't remember if I've already commented this or not but I would love to see you guys do a commentary on the movies!

[@theflashhobbyist]

I see Hogwarts safety in the same vein as a bar and favorite hangout of Navy Seals... it's easy to come in and try to rob it but laughably hard to leave in one piece. It's filled with the literal instructors in every form of magic with a top wizard the dark lord feared... in terms of safety it's hard to beat but not exactly perfectly safe.

[@lizwarwickcares]

Two things: 1. Mr Mort had me chuckle out loud, getting a delivery 😂 also as 'mort' in French means 'death', so literally Mr Death 💀 2. 'Scarpered' is used in England to mean 'fled' or 'to suddenly leave', which describes what Sirus did perfectly. (E.g. The old bill (police) turned up to a house-party and everyone scarpered.) 'Scampered' is more associated with the movement of a dog or animal, ironically!

[@shhimreading906]

i feel like a possible explanation for not using the portraits and instead using the doors to recognise sirius, is that the portraits fall asleep and i'd imagine many of them are just unreliable/useless and not that interested in what's going on😂😂

[@simonazcarate316]

In my mind, as long as the map i wiped it looks like a standard bit of parchment, but when you unlock it you can fold it out as needed

[@wandl1767]

Does the Knight Bus have the Capacious extremis charm? It would explain how Hagrid who is larger than the average witch and wizard would fit on the Knight Bus and fit in the beds, let alone Buckbeak. Love the idea of Buckbeak and Hagrid popping out of a tiny bed.

[@suziwolf4830]

We find out later that Dumbledore started the rumors about the Shrieking Shack

[@stevenrobertson1416]

44:49 I agree Hogwarts visits are definitely their biggest days of the year BUT if you can apparate and use the floo network to go shopping then it doesn't matter too much if people live there. Like as a special treat in the middle of summer Arthur could just stop by Honeydukes on his way home from work or him and Mollywobbles could do a date night at the Three Broomsticks

[@jaredbennett7677]

All of your criticisms of Harry not revealing the passage are fair, but also should apply just as well to Lupin, who is aware of all of the passages and *specifically* knew that Sirius knows them too... And I mostly chalk it up to Harry being young and dumb, but Lupin doesn't have that excuse at all lol. I know he mentions not wanting to disappoint Dumbledore, but at this point in the story I think we can say it has moved past that point. Idk, just some food for thought

[@kgstudios30]

My theory is that certain years get more privileges. For example, thirteen-year-old witches and wizards have to be monitored but sixteen-year-olds ok you can walk out the door any time you want, and be back by midnight.

[@ShadowDogProduction]

Draco doesn't have to be faster than Ron because there was no way to immediately know where Harry was. Ron probably went to his Common Room first, waited there, then realized Harry must have been caught.

[@aryadne2004]

I would genuinely LOVE to read a Prisoner of Azkaban through Lupin's POV, just imagine: Ah Snape called me to his office, I wonder what's up **holy shit it's Harry omg is that THE MAP, it's insulting Snivellus, omg Harry you are so stupid there is a serial killer on the loose and you have found the map and you are sneaking around that's so stupud, James would have been so proud**

[@chriskelley1989]

Heyyyy brothers! I work a highly stressful job and this channel helps me get through my days so much. I love how I can escape reality for a bit and enjoy these fun stories in a way I’ve never done before! Thank you both and the rest of your team so much for all your hard work. But here’s a thought, what if Harry was just bad at flying? So much of the story revolves around his amazing broom handling, but what if he had no skill at it at all.

[@athenbales6325]

Oh no…. They don’t know why Kellogg made cornflakes 😮

[@sandrarose7129]

And remember- teenage boys especially have a weird belief that they are invincible- according to psychologists anyway

[@kimgrod]

Generally, youth & immortality

[@lukeleslie9648]

That's an interesting parallel between James telling Sirius not to endanger Snape and Harry telling him not to kill Peter.

[@charliecopley9337]

Pretty tough to listen to this one when this is the 3rd chapter in a row where they’ve defended hermione for getting mad after her pet murdered Ron’s pet after repeated attempted murder? (From their perspectives he’s been murdered)

[@IslarfPokemon]

With the portraits, we do know they can sleep. Sirius probably goes during the dark..and being a black dog they likely wont see him

[@keeperofthevoidful]

I can't wait to see how the story changes, with Sirius attack on Ron in the Hufflepuff dormitories.

[@toeray5864]

I think the TV series is shooting for a summer or fall 2026 start. That aligns with the 25th anniversary of the first film's release.

[@180_jay]

Could you do a what if on 'if James never saved Snape' so werewolf lupin does end up killing/seriously harming him? Snape would then never hear the prophecy and tell Voldemort. Surely James and lily survive... 🤔

[@ryanwildego9829]

love this pod so much omg Percy Jackson got a mention would love nothing more than for you guys to make videos about that series especially because of the Disney plus show and the sheer quantity of books to make theories about

[@p.s.8171]

16:30 but that's making his bedroom the least secure place. Statistically he's more in danger when going to bed than when wandering around the castle at night or going to Hogsmeade.

[@fidogyrenuzanon2335]

I agree that Hermione had a point when she commented on the map. However, I will point out that if someone doesn’t trust you, then they will not listen to you. As such, she really didn’t stand a chance in getting Ron’s attention. As for the pet instance, imagine that Ron just lets Scabbers go about his business and do what rats do because he is a rat, and saying that Hermione should expect it. That is even more problematic than Hermione letting Crookshanks loose because A) rats are rodents and can spread very deadly diseases, and 2) rats are very destructive, chewing through nearly every material just so that they can make their home there. In this regard, if Ron would be irresponsible in letting Scabbers loose, then Hermione is also being irresponsible in letting Crookshanks loose. Thankfully, she does get paid back when Crookshanks messes with the extendable ear in Order of the Phoenix.

[@loopylinguist7716]

I actually think the thing about the last time a student left information about the castle lying around could also be a reference to Chamber of Secrets.

[@DisneyLuver97]

I’ve compiled all your Harry Potter j vs Ben trivia questions into one giant 1400+ question quiz and the scops owl question WAS a trivia question lol

[@r.m.morison2636]

Questions for Ben vs J: Which of the marauder’s insults snape first? And In which order do the marauder’s insult snape?

[@theskronicles4435]

As someone who lives in Nola green slimy puddles are a plenty here

One big aspect that would be relevant if HP took place nowadays would be that current elementary school students tend to have smartphones already. It is one thing to make muggle technology unusable in Hogwarts in a time when it had not that big of an effect on childrens' lives yet that it could to be impossible to replicate with magic, but now they would basically have to get separated from all their online friends for months at a time, without even be allowed to give the real reason why. I think that could be an interesting plot point.

[@masonhammond4489]

Fun fact, "What type of owl is used for local deliveries only?" was a quiz question 6 years ago. Both got it wrong. 😂

[@JitteryJackanape]

Why didn't he just take the regular path back, UNDER THE CLOAK!?

[@cripplious]

Alan Rickman was English. He was using his regular voice for snape.

[@omiyascott6070]

If Lupin thought that Sirius was guilty, why doesn't he say anything about the one-eyed witch passage? He made the map, he knows about the secret passageways, and he doesn't do anything about it but he shouts at harry when harry also does nothing about it???

[@jtpadilla1]

For the love of Pete, please have the book colors and mascot for Ravenclaw! It’s the one thing I hope they get right in the show and it’s merch!

[@kimgrod]

Here, here from a fellow Ravenclaw

[@sweep_swoop]

Rickman plays Snape perfectly but he isn't what I pictured Snape would look like either

[@jmace2424]

Magic sure has taken a dip since the Marauders’ day. The 3 of them managed to become Animagi and create a sentient map of an Unplottable location.

[@kayleighlehrman9566]

Technically, Hogwarts being unplottable is neither here nor there in regards to the map. Just because you can't make a map showing where it is, doesn't necessarily mean you can't make a map of the place itself.

[@lacklustermathie]

Lupin does a good job at guilt tripping Harry and Ron in this chapter, but somehow doesn't manage to guilt trip himself enough to tell Dumbledore that Sirius is an Animagus at any point during the year. As far as Lupin knows, he's putting a school full of children, and particularly his best friend's son, in increased mortal danger. He didn't even need to tell Dumbledore that they left the Shrieking Shack, just that his friends kept him company during the full moon. Unless he's afraid that the "near misses" he mentions at the end of the book were well known enough that Dumbledore could put two and two together. For that matter, why didn't Lupin tell Dumbledore about the secret passage behind the one eyed witch? He must have known it was there, and revealing it wouldn't be incriminating.

[@satsujin-shathewitchkingof6185]

Exactly! But I suppose you could just place all the blame on the teenager,basically tell him he can't make mistakes because it disgraces his dead parents and leave it at that