Goblet of Fire chapters 21-24 discussion

This week's chapters are:

21: The House-Elf Liberation Front

22: The Unexpected Task

23: The Yule Ball

24: Rita Skeeter's Scoop

In these chapters, Hermione discovers that Dobby and Winky are now employed at Hogwarts, Harry and Ron struggle to find dates for the Yule Ball, which Hermione attends with Viktor Krum, Ron and Hermione have a fight, and Rita Skeeter outs Hagrid as a part-giant.

Let's have some discussion!

Ron & Hermione show in fine form. Ron is such a tool. Harry, too. I love how Harry can see right through Hermione & Ron, yet is totally clueless about Ginny.

I just don't understand how anyone could have been a Harry/Hermione shipper after chapter 23.

I agree. I felt like the end of that chapter was the point at which the Ron/Hermione thing was crystal clear -- for those of us who hadn't seen it coming since, oh, the first book.

"You've got something on your nose, just there." Called it.

I love the Yule Ball chapter. Reading it brings back memories of my formals in high school. I think what I love the most is knowing that hardly any of our favorite lead characters are there with the person they want to be with. They ALL had to settle. Watch and admire each other from afar. Such a typical high school scene.

#5 Well put, I totally agree.

How come Parvati & Padma were available so late in the game? Weren't they supposed to be pretty? (They were in the movie.) Doesn't Seamus even say something about that, but then he's going with Lavender, the bimbo?

I kept wondering why Lee wasn't in the movie version for books 4 & 5.

yeah me too! Why wasn't he? I hate when movies cut out intense characters.
High school formals...shudder....I wouldn't go thru one again for a lifetime supply of the elixer of life and felix fedelios or however its spelled!

Don't forget to read chapters 25-28 for Monday!