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Thanksss Amigo
The Moment: One of the first glimpses we get of Harry’s magical powers is in a scene at the zoo, where Harry finds himself able to understand one of the snakes on display. Provoked by a typical bit of taunting from Dudley, Harry’s temper gets the better of him and the snake’s case shatters. “Brazil here I come…” hisses the grateful serpent, “Thanksss Amigo.” Not only is this a fairly amusing episode, it also flags up Harry’s status as a parselmouth from the off…
Better On Film? The Brazilian Boa Constrictor in the zoo has become a Burmese Python, which presumably explains why it drops the “Amigo” when talking to Harry.
The Fat Lady Sings
The Moment: As the Gryffindors return to their common room from the Great Hall, they are confronted with the fat lady, and her attempts to break a glass with the strength of her singing voice. The enchanted paintings are among the most magical elements of Hogwarts, and the Fat Lady is our favourite of the lot.
Better On Film? Dawn French knocks it out of the park every time she appears on screen, but her disappointed, “yes alright, go in,” is probably her finest moment. Eagle-eyed viewers will also have spotted Sir Cadogan larking around in the background…a nice additional detail.
Birds Of A Feather
The Moment: Book six delights in playing up the growing hormonal strife amongst our heroes, and nowhere is it more in evidence than when a jealous Hermione unleashes a flock of enchanted birds upon Ron after a public kiss with Lavender Brown. Now-now children…
Better On Film? It works a treat, Rupert Grint clowning around once again to significant comic effect.
You Say: “When Hermione is jealous of Ron and Lavender” – Irvan Muzakky (@irvan_ALSDDL)
Pre-Match Interview
The Moment: Sensationalist tabloid hack Rita Skeeter pops up throughout the series, although it is during an interview with Harry in advance of the Triwizard Tournament that she really gets her chance to shine. "Your story's legend,” she begins. “Do you think it was the trauma of your past that made you so keen to enter such a dangerous tournament?" "No, I didn't enter, " replies Harry. “Of course you didn't,” replies Skeeter, winking. “Everyone loves a rebel, Harry.” Tabloid skulduggery at its finest.
Better On Film: Miranda Richardson is wonderfully scurrilous as the mercenary journo. A better fit for the character you couldn’t imagine.
Slughorn's Party
The Moment: Horace Slughorn’s party is notable for precipitating the following sweet exchange, as Harry invites Luna to go as his date: " We're supposed to bring guests,” he stumbles, “so I thought you might like; I mean, just as friends, you know. But if you don't want to;" "Oh no, I'd love to go with you as friends!” replies Luna. Nobody's ever asked me to a party before, as a friend!” Awww.
Better On Film? It's just as awkward as is on the page. Intentionally so, we should add!
Saint George
The Moment: In the aftermath of the Death Eaters attack above Little Whinging, George Weasley finds himself gravely injured by the confrontation. However, the ever-cheerful twin laughs off his missing ear by remarking that he feels “saintly”. Confronted by the blank faces of his family, he points to his missing ear. “Saintly…cause I’m holey…get it?”
Better On Film? Having Fred tend to his stricken twin is a nice touch, and hints at the sorrow that is still to come at the Battle of Hogwarts.
Spidey Senses
The Moment: Convinced that the riddle of the Chamber of Secrets can be answered by the proliferation of spiders spotted around Hogwarts, Ron and Harry follow the trail or arachnids into the Forbidden Forest. Their bravery is rewarded by an encounter with the grotesquely oversized spider Aragog, who looks set to kill them before the timely intervention of Ron’s flying car. Phew!
Better On Film? It’s a lot creepier. In the book, the encounter ends in something of an anticlimax, but the movie version is a creepy crawly treat.
Harry's Birthday
The Moment: Firmly ensconced in another miserable summer at chez Dursley, Harry’s spirits are lifted by a flurry of owls bringing him Birthday cards and presents from Ron, Hermione and Hagrid. A quiet, low-key moment in an otherwise action-packed instalment, it’s a welcome reminder of the sorrow and loneliness that has plagued the boy wizard’s short life. “Extremely unusual as he was,” reads the prose, “at that moment Harry Potter felt just like everyone else; glad, for the first time in his life, that it was his birthday.”
Better On Film? It’s glossed over in favour of the incident with the inflating aunt. A shame, as it's one of the better bits set in the Muggle world.
Wedding Jitters
The Moment: The union of Bill and Fleur should be a moment of happy respite amid an increasingly sombre tale, but the Death Eaters use it as an opportunity to wipe out a number of their foes en masse, and soon arrive to crash the party. They are accompanied by the news that Voldemort has taken over the Ministry of Magic, suggesting that things are going to get worse before they get better…
Better On Film? The announcement of the fall of the Ministry is suitably doom-laden, whilst the smoky appearance of the Death Eaters is a nice visual flourish.
You Say: “When George winked at Harry after he and Ginny kissed the morning of the wedding. Hahaha” – Adel Liena (@dhell_adhell)
Potter Senior
The Moment: During his occlumency lessons with Snape, Harry inadvertently witnesses the potion master’s worst memory, in which a younger Snape is bullied by James Potter and Sirius Black before lashing out at Lily Potter when she comes to his defence. Suddenly, our conceptions concerning Snape are flipped on their head, hinting at even bigger revelations to come…
Better On Film? The scene is drastically trimmed with Lily Potter not appearing at all. A shame as it lays the groundwork nicely for things to come.
