I have nothing witty to say, so let’s just dive into chapters 3 and 4.

Chapter 3- The Advance Guard

So Harry stays put. He is locked in his room and not allowed to leave. He doesn’t get a letter from any of his friends or Sirius. The Durselys leave to go and receive an award for the look of their lawn. The Durselys leave and shortly after Harry hears a thud downstairs. Lo and behold a pack of wizards are infiltrating the house. They chit-chat with Harry and tell him they are there to save him from the horrors of this place. Their destination is secret, the REAL Mad-eyed Moody is taking everything super seriously and then they are off, flying high above London.

Chapter 4- Number Twelve Grimmauld Place

They end up on this weird street where there is a magically hidden townhouse waiting for them to arrive. They go inside and to Harry’s surprise EVERYONE HE KNOWS AND LOVES IS THERE… don’t forget readers, this is the ultimate betrayal because none of these suckers have been talking to Harry and yet they’ve all been together. Harry feels betrayed and rightfully so if you ask me. When they all start talking to Harry there are hints of a weapon and what Voldey’s been up to, but Mrs. Weasley keeps pulling the mom card and saying everyone’s too young to know these things and sends them to bed.

You know these past few weeks have been interesting in the law world. The clinic I am in is ramping up and student orgs are starting to shift their views to next year and man oh man, I’m tired. But you  know what really has just got me really upset lately? Well, it’s a phrase that I keep hearing from people… “It’s all in your head.”

I’d like to just take a moment and tell you something… NEVER SAY THAT TO A PERSON. It invalidates their feelings and makes them appear to be a crazy person. I recently told a professor that I recently left an event feeling like I didn’t do well. That I didn’t get to shine and really interact with people and that I left feeling deflated, like I didn’t perform my best. And while yes I’m sure she said this with good intentions she said to me that it was all in my head. This isn’t the first time she’s said this to me and I’m sure it won’t be the last time.

You know if people said to Harry: “Your loneliness this summer, that’s all in your head,” I’m sure he would have wanted to Avada Kedavara everyone in the room. Now that strong of an emotion mainly comes from the hormones rushing through his teenager body, but the thing is I understand it. It sucks to be told that you thinking something isn’t quite reality and then to not be offered any other evidence as to how you are perceiving it wrong. Sure, there are a million quotes out there about things being “mind over matter” but when someone expresses a feeling, don’t tell them that it is all in their head. Maybe explore it for a moment if you think how they are feeling is wrong. Validate the feeling, but then give proof as to why you think that feeling may be a little off. Don’t just offer up the “it’s all in your head” statement and then move on because it might be too damn messy to take the time to offer someone advice or assurance. Damn. And that’s just my first little rant about things lately.

What I really want to explore from these chapters is the relationship between Harry and the “authority” figures in his life. He walks into this unknown house after being picked up by a wizard guard who was completely unannounced and he sees everyone he loves and trusts together. When he finds out that Dumbledore is the one calling the shots about Harry’s life he feels super betrayed. When Molly won’t tell Harry what’s going on, he feels super betrayed. I get those feelings too.

My mentor this past week said that I had an interesting belief that professors are leaders, or at least authority figures who should at least act like leaders. At first I tried to explain to him why I have such a belief, but after a few days of dwelling on it I’m starting to think that maybe that’s part of the problem in my life. Growing up in a military family you learn that everyone older than you or in a higher position than you is to be respected and seen as an authority figure. Now, I’ve carried that with me throughout my life, but now I am starting to think that maybe it’s become a liability in my life. I am so hell-bent on trying to impress these people who are “authority figures” but actually are some of the most inefficient and unprofessional and sometimes just downright poor leaders, professors, and lawyers.

I drive myself crazy putting these people up on a pedestal just to be constantly disappointed by their lack of leadership. I also blindly trust these people to lead me in the right direction, to help me when I’m struggling, to really use their “power” for good and then I am so disappointed when I find out that they’ve been withholding information. This past week something happened where I honestly felt like Harry felt walking into this house where everyone he trusted and loved stood there after not speaking to him almost all summer. And it sucks.

So my lesson this week is this: Just because someone is an “authority figure” by title, it doesn’t mean that they are a leader, and it sure as hell doesn’t mean that they always know best or that what they say is law.

Professors, mentors, lawyers with years of practice, friends, parents, managers of stores, older students, the person who sounds like they know everything… they are all just humans who suck just as much as you do. So let them suck, don’t give a fuck, and try your luck… you’ll be happy you did. You do you boo… because from here on out, I’m going to be doing that exact thing…world watch out.

Until Next Time,

Mischief Managed