Hello! I’ve been reading Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince (yes, again). I can’t really classify this as my favorite Harry Potter book, because they each and every Potter book is a favourite of mine, but I really love this one exceptionally much because it is so funny. Harry and his friends are growing up, and they are dealing with their hormones while still having to think of the murderous Voldemort who wants Harry dead. Here are some of the funny moments in the book that just makes me giggle every time.
Cornelius Fudge telling the British Prime Minister about the existence of the Magical World
“Not to worry”, he said, “it’s odds on you’ll never see me again. I’ll only bother you if there’s something really serious on our end, something that’s likely to affect the Muggles – the non-magical population, I should say. Otherwise it’s live and let live. And I must say, you’re taking it a lot better than your predecessor. He tried to throw me out of the window, thought I was a hoax planned by the opposition”
At this, the Prime Minister had found his voice at last.
“You’re – you’re not a hoax, then?”
It had been his last, desperate hope.
“No”, said Fudge gently. “No, I’m afraid not. Look”
And he had turned the Prime Minister’s teacup into a gerbil.
“Bur”, said the Prime Minister breathlessly, watching his teacup chewin on the corner of his next speech, “but why – has no body told me – ?”
“The Minister for Magic only reveals him or herself to the Muggle Prime Minster of the day”, said Fudge, poking his want back inside his jacket. “We find the best way to maintain secrecy”
“But then”, bleated the Prime Minister, “why hasn’t a former Prime Minister warned me-“?
At this, Fudge had actually laughed
“My dear Prime Minister, are you ever going to tell anybody?”
Funny factor: At least a 7/10. Although this is by far not the funniest part of the book, I always have a good chuckle imagining any Prime Minister discovering a secret world just after his elections. I would certainly question my own sanity, I would definitely suspect a hoax, and I would certainly be most loathsome of the thought that there is another PM running a part of my country after all the hard work I’ve put in to win elections!
Dumbledore giving Vernon Dursley some sass
“I don’t mean to be rude – “he began, in a tone threatening rudeness in every syllable.
“-yet, sadly, accidental rudeness occurs alarmingly often”, Dumbledore finished the sentence gravely. “Best to say nothing at all, my dear man. Ah, and this must be Petunia”
Funny factor: 8/10. The Dursleys have mistreated Harry since day one, and they are always a thorn in his side. I love that every time the Dursleys meat someone of the magical world, something goes askew, whether it is planned or not. Dumbledore sneaking in some well deserved attitude towards them is hilarious and well deserved.
Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes
Why Are You Worrying About You-Know-Who?
You SHOULD Be Worrying About
U-NO-POO –
The Constipation Sensation That’s Gripping The Nation!
Funny Factor: 10/10Fred and George are always hilarious, and the bring the funny yet again by dealing with a crisis with humour.
Harry giving Snape some sass
“Do you remember me telling you we are practising non-verbal spells, Potter?”
“Yes,” said Harry stiffly.
“Yes, sir”
“There’s no need to call me “sir”, Professor”
Rating: 9/10 Ah, Harry and Snape. By now we all know that Snape ultimately redeemed his mean behaviour, but these two were always at odds at Hogwarts. This is just one of the occasions where Harry shows once again he is a funny guy and that he can deal with unfair discrimination with humour.
Harry’s “Tattoo”
“You’d think people had better things to gossip about,” said Ginny, as she sat on the common-room floor, leaning against Harry’s legs and reading the Daily Prophet. “Three Dementor attacks in a week, and all Romilda Vane does ask me if it’s true you’ve got a Hippogriff tattooed across your chest”
Ron and Hermione both roared with laughter. Harry ignored them.
“What did you tell her?”
“I told her it’s a Hungarian Horntails” said Ginny, turning a page of the newspaper idly. “Much more macho”
“Thanks”, said Harry, grinning. “And what did you tell her Ron’s got?”
“A Pygmy Puff, but I didn’t say where”
Rating: 8.5/10 Apart from the fact that Harry finally woke up and discovered Ginny Weasley is the girl for him, this scene always makes me laugh. It is a happy one, showing Harry and Ginny’s fun side and how cute their relationship is.
Any additions/comments? Let me know!
Life of this city girl 