The Harry Potter books are still exciting to read even though I know what happens. It’s bringing back memories of reading the books as a kid and the excitement of seeing another Harry Potter movie in theaters. There’s incredible detail in the books with back stories, events the main characters go through in between stopping Voldemort. I just finished Chamber of Secrets and of course I’ll be sharing the moments I forgot about: 

• Arthur Weasley works at the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts office.
• Ron is seen reading comics titled “Adventures of Martin Miggs, the Mad Muggle” This made me laugh.
• It was Ron who knew about mudbloods in the book, Hermione didn’t even know the term. However, in the movie, Hermione knows exactly what mudblood means.
• Nearly Headless Nick was stabbed 45 times in the neck.
• Ron informed Harry not to tell Dumbledore about the voices he has been hearing. Another difference where Hermione is made smarter in the movies versus the books.
• Needing Lockhart’s signature to get the book for the Polyjuice Potion. The one time Lockhart helps with anything.
• Draco reveals to Harry & Ron under the Polyjuice Potion of all the Dark Arts Lucius has hidden in his mansion. This later gets Lucius into trouble.
• Aparecium is a spell used to reveal ink which was used on Tom Riddle’s Diary
• Lockhart obnoxiously decorating the Great Hall for Valentine’s Day. I wish I could have seen Snape’s face when this happened.
• Dumbledore taught Transfiguration before he became a Headmaster
• Lucius Malfoy targeting Ginny is more political than the movie lets on. He targeted her due to wanting to destroy Arthur Weasley’s Muggle Protection Act. If Arthur’s daughter opened the Chamber of Secrets, Arthur would have been ridiculed.

My number one complaint with the books versus the movies is how different Ron is. Ron is incredibly knowledgeable on how the Wizarding World operates. He often has to educate Hermione and Harry about certain terms and social norms when they appear in the books. Hermione is seen in the movies as being her intelligent self at the expense of taking that knowledge away from Ron.

The Harry Potter book series has a lot of politics in it. The term “mudblood” is a dirty term almost a derogatory word which has meaning in today’s society. Even looking at Arthur Weasley as a character, he’s a champion of human rights. He wants peaceful witches & wizards to live with Muggles. This gives him bad press, but that’s what makes Arthur endearing. He is standing up for what’s right despite how the majority of wizards feel.

I started the Prisoner of Azkeban already and it makes me look forward to my lunch breaks at work. Reading on my lunch breaks has helped me be more productive. Let me know in the comments below how you feel about the Chamber of Secrets book and how it’s similar or different to the movie.