H. Piddy.

Who wrote an essay about Harry Potter AND turned it in 12 hours early? This girl. Reading Summary Voldemort, the leader of the dark wizards, and a group of his most devoted follows are gathered together in the home of Lucius Malfoy, one of Voldemort’s “truest” followers who has fallen from grace with the leader. While Voldemort does not wish to have any friends or let anyone close to him, some of his followers are relentless in trying to win his approval. One follower in particular, Bellatrix LeStrange, is extremely persistent. While trying to bridge the gap that has formed between Voldemort and Malfoy, who is married to Bellatrix’s sister, she tells the Dark Lord that it is an honor to have him in the family home. Voldemort furthers the rift by pointing out that Bellatrix and Lucius’ niece has recently dishonored their family name by marrying a werewolf, polluting their pure wizard blood. The rest of the group begins to taunt the mortified members of the family, humiliating them even more. Finally, Bellatrix denounces the fact that she is related to them, announcing that she is no longer their niece. Personal Critique Since I began learning more about people with disabilities, my entire view of the world around me has changed. I find myself being more aware of those around me that have disabilities, or of those that may be viewed as “different” from what the world views as “normal.” My mind is now constantly thinking of ways that I can serve others and be mindful of those with disabilities. Taking this class has also encouraged me to question “Why?” constantly. Why do we constantly seek for ways to demean others? Why do we think that a disability inhibits all other abilities? Why do we feel like it is our place to judge when we have no idea what their life is like? As I was reading this passage of Harry Potter this weekend, I found myself asking why. Why should Remus Lupin, the werewolf that the Malfoy’s niece married, be denied the opportunity to live his life to the best of his abilities? Remus Lupin was not born a werewolf; he contracted the condition after being bitten by another werewolf. He had no control over what happened to him and given the choice, I doubt he would have chosen the trial. But alas, such was his lot in life and he had to live with it. So it is with many, if not all, disabilities in our lives. Rarely is a disability something that we wish for, but yet many people are affected by them. We could choose to let the disabilities control our lives, or we could be the masters of our own destinies. We can choose to be happy and live our lives to the fullest extent possible and not let our disabilities hinder our abilities. It is oft times demonstrated that one with a disability is at a disadvantage. There is no possible way that they can ever come off victor. I love the fact that although the dark wizards in this passage view the choice that Tonks (Lupin’s wife) made to marry Lupin as something horrible, in reality, Lupin is a popular favorite in the Harry Potter series. He is a member of the Order of the Phoenix, a group that fights to destroy the evil wizards. He is a “good guy”, if you will. The fact that he is a werewolf is of little importance to his friends and family that love him. At times he struggles with his plight, but those around him are supportive and encouraging. So it is with the disabilities that we face every day. With love and support from those around us, they are made bearable.