Alan Rickman, David Thewlis, Gary Oldman and all those are iconic in their roles in Harry Potter, but I’ll always be a bit sad about that casting, because having that ‘Marauders era’ cast be age appropriate would’ve just been so much better for the story.
Sirius wasn’t this old man who spent 12 years in Azkaban, no he got locked up at 21. He spent almost third of his life in a cell. He wasn’t this wise father figure to Harry, he was a reckless thirty-something who never really got the chance to mature past 21.
Remus was an exhausted, bone deep tired man carrying both physical and mental scars from the suffering he went through. Because he’s a werewolf, because of the war, because he lost all of his friends. And he’s only 33 when first introduced.
And Snape. Snape wasn’t an old bitter man who just hated everyone and enjoyed being antagonistic. He was 31 in Harry’s first year. He began to work for Voldemort as a teen, and as a double agent at 20. He’s a thirty-something bitter man, who never got to really live or make real connections. From Harry’s perspective he’s scary and intimidating, but really he’s just kinda…sad and pathetic. And then especially that scene where Snape is begging Dumbledore to help save Lily, and promising anything in return. (Because apparently Dumbledore needs something in return…for saving people.) He’s twenty. Barely out of his teens. Rickman was good in that scene, but having someone who actually looks twenty, would better show how scared, young, guilty and just desperate he was. That might not put Dumbledore in such a good light, though.
And then, the characters I think would’ve been the most important to cast age appropriately. And most people probably already agree and know who I’m talking about. James and Lily. They were 21 when they died. When Harry sees them in the mirror of Erised, they’re 10 years older than him. That’s the age difference Ron has with Bill. In that scene I might understand somewhat them being in their thirties, because that’s what Harry wants. He wants his life with his parents, he wants to have been raised by them. Though, I don’t know if the mirror could know what they might’ve looked like in their thirties, since they didn’t live that long. But then, in the cemetery when Voldemort’s wand spits the last spells cast, we see Lily and James as they were. 21. They’re telling their son to hold on just a moment longer. And they are 7 years older than him. In Deathly Hallows, Harry sees Voldemort kill them. They’re not this happy couple who’s got to love each other for a long time, only to have that happiness torn from them, no they started at Hogwarts ten years ago. They’re 21, and they’ve barely tasted that happiness. At the end of the book Harry talks to his parents. They comfort him and promise to stay with him, as he goes to die. Harry’s seventeen. James and Lily are four years older than him.
It wouldn’t have felt as nice. Harry being comforted by someone who looks almost his age. But it wasn’t nice. It was pretty tragic. Casting people who look 21, would’ve really made it land on the audience. It was a tragedy. They were barely adults.
written for @hpwritersnet prompt of the week ‘minerva mcgonagall’
She enters Hogwarts young and naïve with cascades of magic flooding under her fingertips, churning in every crevice. She is rugged copper ready to be shaped, ready to grow. She engulfs herself in knowledge, filling every gap in her brain with words and symbols and spells until she cannot speak without inked letters spilling from her mouth. Her innocence is burnt away under the light of petty arguments and childish fun and she emerges slightly older and slightly less naïve.
She lives and learns and grows older still and finds herself back at her old school with old friends and she thinks this is where she is meant to be. She has tried the cool chambers of the ministry and although she knows she is strong enough to shout down the voices of those stuck in the past, she misses the Scottish rain and the hope of young minds. She changes the world by nurturing the roots instead of cutting the leaves, watching generations grow up in front of her.
She watches James Potter and Sirius Black charging through her corridors, overflowing with a love of life. Watches them pull Lupin from his shell and give Pettigrew a chance, sees her boys grow into men. She does not bring them up but drags them, barking orders to straighten up and tuck in shirts, because there is no space for the youth in the world, no time for them to mess around. Don’t they know the war is coming? She keeps an eye on the newspapers that bring her names of past students in lists of the dead, in lists of those wanted for the dead. She starts to hold onto all her students a little more, not enough that they notice but enough that the dread in her heart lessens a little.
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jem and tessa constantly thinking about and showing kit how much they love him added 20 years to my lifespan, cleared my skin, raised my grades, cured my anxiety, and gave me 20/20 vision
look
how
much
they
fucking
love
him
The Fandom Effect: a piece of information about Harry Potter that everyone thinks it’s canon after tons of fanfictions/fanarts but when they read the books again it’s actually not.
What are the best examples?
Teddy: find a place near Uncle Harry’s, because he spoils him
Victoire: binge watch all the Disney movies in one night ( “That’s impossible, Vic.” “Go die in a hole, Scorpius.” )
Dominique: disarm Aunt Hermione in the family duels
Louis: eat an entire pizza in 3 minutes ( “Does the Weasley-Delacour family have any realistic resolutions?” “SHUT UP, SCORPIUS, I’M GONNA DO IT!” )
Molly: get better grades
Lucy: learn how to speak Punjabi with Molly and mum to hide stuff from her dad
Fred: drink nine bottles of firewhisky and not pass out ( “Fred, you’re not even of age.” “WATCH ME.” )
Roxanne: go viral on YouTube with a video of her “miraculously moving things with her mind” ( “Against the law, Roxy.” )
Rose: get better grades, become a prefect, learn how to speak Gobbledook, defeat at least two of Hogwarts’ Quidditch records, write an award-winning book, skip a few grades, beat Uncle Harry out of his Head Auror placement, singlehandedly join the wizarding and Muggle cultures together… ( “Dammit, Rose…” “I’m gonna do it, Scorpius. Watch your mouth, you’re gonna wanna stay on my good side.” )
Hugo: make the Quidditch team
James: get good enough grades to get into Auror training ( maybe even find out what his sexuality is ffs )
Albus: spend more time with his boyfriend ( “That’s sweet, Al.” “Also, learn how to make you less grumpy all the time.” “I’M NOT GRUMPY!” “Of course, Scorp.” )
Lily: jump while simultaneously doing a handstand on a broomstick. while it’s in the air.
Scorpius: find a new boyfriend (this one’s family is exhausting)
okay, well not that.
he really likes his.
crazy, unnecessarily large family and all.
no.
she was not strict.
she was not just a teachers pet.
she was not a goody good two shoes.
she was NOT hermione!
its like everybody just wants lily to be the marauder version of hermione.
she was a mixture of hermione, ginny and bits of luna.
she was vibrant.
she was funny.
she was chill.
she didn’t get hyper when james flirted with her. she just quipped back.
“Hey Evans, if I see you naked. I’d die happy.”
“Yeah. but if I see you naked I’d die laughing.”
she swore.
oh, she swore so fluently and beautifully it was like it was another language itself.
but she never swore in front of the firsties.
nah, she loved them. she was like a little mother to them.
she helped them in finding their classes and everything.
she didn’t hate the marauders. she just hated it when they bullied people and when they cough james cough flirted with her.
she didn’t become friends with remus first.
oh no, she didn’t.
it was actually peter. she understood his insecurities.
and then it was remus. she figured his furry little problem out.
and then sirius. 3 am in gryffindor common room. before christmas the blacks had sent the gift him gave them back. it was a framed photograph of the time when they were kind of a happy family.
and then it was james. once he stopped his stupid bullying stuff, she was happy enough.
she asked him out.
in the great hall, in front of everyone.
and then she walked out.
he stood dumbfounded while everyone was hooting and cheering.
sirius pushed him and he ran after her and kissed her.
they were everyone’s OTP.
she was very fond of the marauders.
she had always been.
in fact she became sort of an honorary maruader after she played a prank on dumbledore (she dyed his hair pink. he went with it for a week.).
after she found out about the prophecy she was forced to hide. but it was fun living with james. when he was sleeping.
she wrote humongous letters. (remember sirius’s letter?)
all she wanted was to protect her loved ones and the war to get over.
she laughed.
she loved.
she lived.
and then suddenly she didn’t.
Moss Graffiti: A How To Guide
Harry Potter Next Gen as modern family moments
Harry: *reading a letter from Teddy after he leaves for Hogwarts*
Ginny; Harry?
Harry: Make sure to take care Harry, I’ll miss you guys so much
Ginny; nice huh?
Harry, full on crying: Nice! Im gonna go mail him another robe
****
Hugo; you know that hero essay we have to write
Hermione: Mhmm, what about it
Hugo: Well dad kinda assumed I wrote it about him, but I didn’t
Hermione: don’t worry I’ll talk to him
Hugo; you don’t think he’ll be upset, I wrote it about you?
Hermione, touched: you wrote it about me?
Hugo; you know me, I didn’t think much. What’s a hero? Someone whose not afraid of anything and whose strong, that’s you
****
Bill: Im actually relieved, the day that I’ve been dreading. The day you two have finally have out grown me has finally arrived.
Bill, crying; I’m handling it really well.
Victoire: Dad are you crying?
Bill: No
Dominique: are you sure you’re okay?
Bill: Yep
Victoire: Oh Merlin he is crying
Dominique: I’ve never seen dad cry before.
Victoire, starting to cry: but dad if you cry then I’ll cry.
Bill, still crying: I’m not crying
Dominique, also crying; we made our dad cry
Bill: you totally did
Victoire: Because you are our daddy!
All three: *harsh crying and sobbing*
****
Ron and Hermione after Rose got a bump in the head.
Hermione: can we please just call your sister?
Ron: No way, Ginny will be all judgement and condescending, like she’s perfect and I don’t know how to take care of a baby
Hermione: Ronald, she is your family.
Ron: Right so-
Hermione picking up the phone: Of course she’ll be judgmental and condescending
****
Louis: I remember crashing through the wall and the ambulance ride to St Mungos
Bill: That wasn’t an ambulance, I drove you
Louis: then what was that siren?
Bill: that was your mother
Fleur: I ‘as worried!
****
Harry: I did not pick Lily up early from play school
Ginny: Lily, did Daddy pick you up early from school?
Lily: No
Harry: See? Case closed
Lily; we didn’t go
Ginny: Case open
Lily: we went shopping
Harry: Ha Ha, shush now, Lily-
Lily: we bought matching hats
****
George: Act like a parent, talk like a peer.
George: I call it “peer-renting”
****
Percy: There are very few parenting issues where I come out on top.
Percy; You know I’m distant. I work too much, my French braiding is sloppy
Percy: finally, something that isn’t my fault.
****
James: Whoa, you’re being a little-
Rose: Obstreperous? Recalcitrant? Truculent?
James: I was going to say “cray cray”
****
Ginny: Hermione and I are going to go on this beautiful hike while you all sit and think about how selfish and thoughtless you’ve been
Hermione: *nods in agreement*
Rose: if we’re thoughtless how can we think?
Ginny:…
Hermione: …..
****
James: In Legally blonde, Elle won her case because she was true to herself and dressed cute
Harry: James, this is real life, not an excellent movie
****
James: Al, before you say no-
Albus: No.
James: I haven’t even told you yet!
Albus: I’m sticking with no.
****
Ron: Marry someone who looks sexy, while disappointed
Hermione: *looks to Ron in disappointment*
Ron: see?
****
Ron: I’ll get you fixed up *bandages Hugo*
Hugo: Where’s mum?
Ron referring to Hermiones work: She belongs to the people now
Rose coming in: My allergies are acting up again
Ron giving her medicine: well it’s your lucky day, because missy, doctor dad is in the house
Rose: where’s mum?
Hugo: some people took her
Rose: …..
****
Dominique & Victoire arguing
Bill: Ah ah ah, let’s this in court, the food court. The honorable judge Cinnabon presiding
Victoire: That place smells like the inside of Louis Quidditch Robes
Dominique: I like the food court
Lily: me too
Bill: don’t worry girls. We’re not gonna deprive ourselves because of Victoires aversion
Dominique: *cackles*
Victoire: ….
Bill: …..
Dominique suddenly stops: Oh, Victoires aversion, I thought you said-
Victoire shakes her head rapidly
Dominique: Never mind
Bill 0-0 *slowly realizes*
****
Angelina walking until she slips on eggs
Angelina: Fred! Why?
Fred: Im making my egg dropping project
Angelina: maybe don’t make such a mess in the hallway
Fred: Got it! What if I’m the container!
Angelina: there’s a thought- wait no Fred!
Fred, on the edge of the stairs with Roxy putting an egg in his mouth
****
Fleur: What a wonderful dinner
Bill: I’m impressed
Teddy with his arm around Vic: Thanks next time let’s do it at our place
Victoire realizing he accidentally told them they’re moving in together
Louis: I’m in, just give us a owl to let me know
Bill: our place?
Victoire: Well since I’m finished school now, Teddy and I were thinking of getting a flat
Bill: I-
Louis: are you doing sex?
****
Hugo: I’m moving into the attic
James: Cool
Albus: The attic?
Hugo: Hey, at least it’s big, Teddy said you used to live in a closet
Albus: *gay silence*
****
Ron taking care of Rose alone
Hermione over the phone; Keep an eye on rose she has a tendency to wander off
Ron realizing Rose did exactly that: ‘Mione I’m completely capable of-
Hermione: You lost her didn’t you?
Ron: No no no, she is right here, hi honey
Hermione: I can it in your voice, check the dairy case
Ron finding her and trying to open the door: Do you honestly think-
Hermione: doors don’t pull they slide
****
They called her a know-it-all. They told her that she was annoying and would never have any friends. They told her she was a mudblood, not worthy to flourish a wand or brew a potion or stand beside the ones they called purebloods. They told her she couldn’t. They forgot that she was persistence, she was strength, that the most important things were friendship and bravery. They forgot that she was Hermione Granger.
They called her crazy. They told her that she would never be anything more than the loony girl who read the quibbler, that crumple-horned snorcacks and nargles were fairytales her father told her to help her get to sleep. They told her that she would never fit in. They forgot that she didn’t want to fit in, that she was secret wisdom and serenity, that they were just as sane as she was. They forgot that she was Luna Lovegood.
They called her small. They told her that she was overshadowed by her brothers, that she was a slut who dated too many boys and who loved the Boy Who Lived because he brought her recognition. They forgot that she didn’t need a boy to bring her recognition, that quidditch and power and rebellion and the bat-bogey hex flowed in her veins. They forgot that anything was possible if you’ve got enough nerve. They forgot that she was Ginny Weasley.
They called her needy. They told her she was clingy and useless and that she needed a boy to define her. They forgot that she truly loved him, she just didn’t know how to show it. They forgot that even though she was afraid, she fought and died for her friends. They forgot that she was Lavender Brown.
They called her self-absorbed. They tpld her she had no right to be in Gryffindor, that she was a sucker for attention from professors like Trelawney, that Harry Potter had only taken her to the Yule Ball because he had no one else to take. They forgot that she was intelligence and small doses of courage and a true friend. They forgot that she was the prettiest girl in her year. They forgot that she was Parvati Patil.
They called her shallow. They told her that she was gorgeous only on the outside, that she was stuck-up and patronizing. They forgot that she would die for the ones she loved, that looks meant nothing to her, that she was as much a fairy princess as they were. They forgot that she was Fleur Delacour.
They called her weak. They told her to get over her tears, that she would be happy again if she only tried, that she wouldn’t survive a storm. They forgot that she was the storm, that she was hidden strength, that her fury was as strong as her sorrow. They forgot that even if they had the emotional range of a teaspoon, she didn’t. They forgot that she was Cho Chang.
They called us many names
but they forgot that we are W O M E N
Hunger Games Relevance
(Please read/boost if you’ve ever read/watched the hunger games or you care about what’s going on)
I don’t know if other people feel the same way but especially with the new hunger games film coming out I’ve been absolutely floored by some of the parallels between the world in the series and the current conflict in Palestine.
Firstly, Suzanne Collins did say that she partially got the idea from flicking between channels showing reality TV interspersed with footage from the Iraq war so I guess there’s a good reason for me to be seeing similarities now.
But the fact it’s being live-streamed - the carnage - the propaganda - the fact that lots of us have been following the same few (often very young) journalists who have become the ‘face’ of Palestinian resistance (because right now journalism IS resistance being actively targeted by Israel) - it’s all crazy familiar.
I saw a clip of Israeli’s sitting on a hill watching and laughing at the bombs dropping on Gaza today as though they were fireworks just minutes before Israel bombed the 3rd floor of a paediatric hospital. The same ‘Sderot Cinema’ where Israeli’s bought deck chairs and snacks to ‘watch the spectacle’ of the 2014 bombing campaign on Gaza.
The way not everyone in the capitol was evil or bad and some people actively supported the districts but realistically they were still complicit in the exploitation - even if just through ignorance.
The incredible amount of children dying - the bombing of hospitals and withholding of resources (like in District 8 in Mockingjay), the taking of people not involved in Hamas into administrative detention (hundreds arrested in the West Bank - like how the victors were taken in Catching Fire even the ones who weren’t involved in the rebellion), the collective punishment of Gaza (the firebombing of District 12).
The way Israel dropped pamphlets from the sky to tell Gazans to evacuate south and then bombed the route (literally straight out of the games I swear - the video of the pamphlets falling was like the scene with the parachutes in Mockingjay which represent hope and then detonate).
It’s so eerily similar and I just wonder how so many watched those films and read those books and are silent now - why could they identify resistance and oppression and desperation and exploitation in fiction and not reality?
And I wonder if maybe it’s because we have to remind ourselves that we aren’t Katniss in this situation - we aren’t the heroes - we are the Capitol and District citizens watching it all happen on our screens - and that’s an unfortunate and uncomfortable concept to grapple with.