Fiction seems to treat memory alteration as less horrific than I think it is. It's scary and violating! I mean, even if it's being done ostensibly for your own good, it's a terrifying display of force and control.

I thought she realized what a horrible thing it was but, really, that could be me recalling my own judginess at it. I mean, it was horrible violation or likely death. It's the better choice but it's still creepy.

I mean, it was horrible violation or likely death. It's the better choice but it's still creepy.

Very creepy, and I teared up at that point in the book.

But was that you, or was that the text? Did the movie acknowledge the moment (are the movies up to that point--I haven't seen the last one)?

Which book was it?

In terms of rereads, the whole HP series is one I *do* plan to reread at some point. I tore through the last three books so quickly, for one. I also simply loved them, but they're so dense with that kind of detail, there's a lot of stuff I've forgotten already.

It's book 7. In the movie, it's moved to the beginning, but I think it's not revealed until pretty close to the end of the book.

I think it's awesomely tragic.

Did the movie acknowledge the moment (are the movies up to that point--I haven't seen the last one)?

Haven't seen them.

I know she gets upset in the book because someone either doesn't realize or appreciate the pain / sacrifice / this was a bad thing but I had to do it-ness of her actions. But I don't honestly recall if she thought it was as much of a bad thing as I did.

In the movie, it's moved to the beginning, but I think it's not revealed until pretty close to the end of the book.

Actually, I think they emphasized it more in the movie. They show it, whereas in the book they only allude to it.

It is treated as a sacrifice by Hermione, who will go unremembered if she dies fighting Voldemort. But it was portrayed as necessary to protect her parents since Voldemort very clearly targeted family members, civilians and Muggles. So her parents would've been captured and tortured very quickly without her efforts.

In the book, Voldemort's war against family members and Muggles is more evident. Things like Hannah Abbot's mother being killed, and lots of Muggle murder occur. (Neville winds up marrying Hannah Abbott, as they have the loss of parents in common, I guess.)

Once Voldemort takes over the Ministry he can kill with impunity.

Actually, I think they emphasized it more in the movie. They show it, whereas in the book they only allude to it.

Yeah, the scene of her altering the family photos in the movie is heartbreaking.