Chapters 201–210
So Long, Thanks to the Fish
The title of the chapter is an allusion to the book title “So Long and Thanks for All the Fish” by Douglas Adams.
Angels and Other Creatures
The angel’s prayer is a traditional Christian childrens’ prayer I found online. Of the books mentioned only “Angels of Grace” by Anselm Gruen really exists – it’s a wonderful book, no matter if you are Christian or not. I can absolutely recommend it.
To recapitulate, because it’s been a while: in chapter 73 we learn that when Hermione was a little child, her mother used to go to church with her. Not so much because the Grangers were devout Christians, but because it was one of the things that were done in her circles. When Hermione received her Hogwarts letter, that practice stopped. And when she visits Chartres with Severus, she wonders if the reason was that she’s a witch or only that she outgrew such “childish” traditions. As angel prayers are among the most common ones for small children, along with the story of guardian angels, I think Hermione might remember one of those fondly.
“Magic is Might” – Redux
“Magic is Might” is a chapter in DH.
“One man’s ‘magic’ is another man’s engineering” is a quote from my favourite Science Fiction author, Robert A. Heinlein.
The Second Question
Introducing the motif of “unfinished business” is a very respectful nod to one of all time favourite stories, “Unfinished Business” by Ramos. Even on the fifth reading it made me laugh out loud and sob like a child. So: highly recommended.
Bright New World
According to the HPL Daisy Dodderidge was the original owner of the Leaky Cauldron and died in 1555.
The fairy tale alluded to at the end is “Haensel and Gretel” as collected by the Brothers Grimm.
And of course the title of the chapter is a not too clever allusion to Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World”.
A Blissful Happy Smile, Lightly Expended
The title of this chapter and its last lines contain a textual allusion to one of my favourite German poems “The Carousel” by Rainer Maria Rilke. At first reading, it’s just about an old-fashioned carousel. But if you look beyond the immediate meaning of the words, you’ll find that it’s actually about life.
It felt very appropriate for that once scene when Hermione dances happily with Viktor …
Here’s a translation by Albert Ernest Flemming:
The Carousel by Rainer Maria Rilke
Under its roof that casts a cooling shadow
the carousel keeps circling for a while
with brightly painted horses, all from the land
that lingers long before it disappears.
THough some of them are pulling carriages,
still all show pride and boldness in their mien;
a vicious-looking lion, all in red, goes with them,
and now and then appears a snow-white elephant.
Even a stag is there, just as in woodlands,
save that he wears a saddle on which rides
a little girl in blue, securely buckled.
Upon the lion’s back a boy in white
rides, holding anxiously onto the reins,
while fierce the lion shows his teeth and tongue.
And now and then appears a snow-white elephant.
And on their horse they come charging by,
among them girls who almost have outgrown
this galloping of steeds; midway in passing
they look about, across, up, over, anywhere —
And now and then appears a snow-white elephant.
And so it circles round and hurries on toward
the finish, always turning, for it has no goal.
A red, a green, a grey keep flying past us —
a little profile comes and is already gone.
At times a smile comes floating by, for us
intended, a blissful happy smile, lightly
expended upon this blind and breathless game.