Review brought to you by OBS staff member Annabell Cadiz
Synopsis: Harry wants to get away from the pernicious Dursleys and go to the Quidditch World Cup with Hermione, Ron, and the Weasleys. He wants to dream about Cho Chang, his crush (and maybe do more than dream). He wants to find out about the mysterious event that’s supposed to take place at Hogwarts this year, an event involving two other rival schools of magic, and a competition that hasn’t happened for a hundred years. He wants to be a normal, fourteen-year-old wizard. Unfortunately for Harry Potter, he’s not normal—even by wizarding standards.
And in his case, different can be deadly.
Review: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire begins much darker than the previous novels. Lord Voldemort opens the third installment, hiding out in the house that had belonged to his parents, along with Worm tail (Peter Pettigrew), continuing to recover. Frank Bryce had been the caretaker for the Riddle family until they had been found dead and was relieved from his duties. But Frank decided to return to the small cottage on the Riddle House grounds to continue to act as caretaker. That is how Frank and Lord Voldemort come face to face. Frank does not meet a very kind end.
Harry is awakened with his scar hurting and having seen the murder of Frank in his dream. Soon after, Harry embarks on his very first trip to the Quidditch World Cup with Ron, the entire Weasley clan, and Hermonie. After the match, everyone is celebrating when the Death Eaters, servants of Lord Voldemort, attack. They storm through the camp of wizards and witches, everyone around panicking. Harry, Ron, and Hermonie flee into the forest along with Fred, George, and Ginny. From their hiding spot, they see the Dark Mark lit up the sky, the sign of Lord Voldemort.
Once they arrive back in school, Professor Dumledore announces Hogwarts will be hosting the Triwizard Tournament. It’s a century old competition between different magical schools but had been stopped because it was too dangerous. The tournament will hold three difficult tasks and only one student will be choosen from each competing school by the Goblet of Fire. Only students seventeen and older are allowed to enter. But later on, when the Goblet of Fire releases the names of the champions chosen for each school, a fourth name unexpectedly pops out: Harry Potter. Dumbledore, along with everyone else, is completely thrown for a loop.
Harry never wanted to enter. He had no dreams to gain anymore glory than he already had. He just wanted to watch the tournament like everyone else. But Harry gets thrown into a tournament that has less to do with winning a trophy and more to do with trying to get out alive because Lord Voldemort is ready to meet face to face.
Memorable Scenes/Moments:
–Harry’s first time using a Portkey with the Weasleys to get to the Quidditch World Cup.
–The tent the Weasley’s use at the Quidditch World Cup. On the outside, it looks ordinary but the inside is complete furnished and has a bathroom and a kitchen.
–Malfoy’s “Potter Stinks” badge.
–Twiwizard Tournament and the Goblet of Fire announcing the names.
–New character: Professor Alastor Moody, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and former Auror. He turns Malfoy into a ferret for trying to attack Harry from behind.
–Hermonie forming S.P.E.W (Society for the Protection of Elfish Welfare) to help protect house elves.
–The Yule Ball. Hermonie going with Viktor Krum (which causes Ron to get jealous!)
–Harry winding up in the cemetery and battling Voldemort for the first time
–One of the students at the school being killed.
Favorite Quotes:
“If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.” ~Sirius Black
You place too much importance… on the so-called purity of blood! You fail to recognize that it matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be!” ~Albus Dumbledore
“Just because it’s taken you three years to notice, Ron, doesn’t mean no one else has spotted I’m a girl!” ~Hermonie
