In our family there`s a routine we follow every time a new Harry Potter comes out. James (17) reads it first, then me because I read very quickly, then his dad. James has made the observation that any child under 10 would be too young to read the latest book. "Too dark, it`s too dark for them," he decided. Read on>>>>
I won`t tell you the ending (ah, I`ve just finished, bother it!) since several dozen of you would carve me up for breakfast I shouldn`t wonder. However there is an incident in the book which I loved and demonstrates beautifully the effect of luck on Ron.
Those who know will recognise Harry`s friend, Ron Weasley, someone who is an excellent keeper at Quidditch if no one is looking! He lacks confidence (probably because of the merciless teasing from his older brothers) and flails around flapping his arms uselessly when he is given the role of keeper of the goal. However, Fred and George (his brothers) have left Hogwarts and he has made the house team though he is quaking in his boots.He is getting ready to play in the house matches (of huge significance to the school). He is looking green and is very frightened of letting his team down especially against their old enemy, Slytherin house.
However, his friend Harry has won (through dubious means) a potion that will ensure whoever drinks it will have good luck. The potion is called "Felix Felicis" (interestingly, felix in latin means 'happy' as well as 'lucky') and when drunk, all endeavours succeed and perfect days can be had until the effects wear off.
Harry pretends to slip some of his winning lucky potion into Ron`s glass of pumpkin juice and Ron sees him (as he is meant to do). He really believes he is filled with an invincible luck for the whole day. He strides out confidently onto the pitch, and much to the consternation of his enemies and detractors, he makes spectacular saves, "some with the very tips of his gloves" and gets embraced and enthusiastically congratulated by the supporters at the end of a triumphant match.
Harry then shows Ron that his flask of Felix Felicis is still full and explains that he has created his own luck. Ron is astounded. He can hardly believe it. He has managed to perform at his magnificent best because he has believed that he has nothing to fear and that everything will turn out well. And set about proving what he believed to be right.
Need I say more?
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