You Have To Be Free To Fail

Bidding The Wizard Farewell, He Turned To His Daughter, Who Held Up Her Finger And Said, “daddy, Look — One Of The Gnomes Actually Bit Me!” “how Wonderful! Gnome Saliva Is Enormously Beneficial!” Said Mr. Lovegood, Seizing Luna’s Outstretched Finger And Examining The Bleeding Puncture Marks. “luna, My Love, If You Should Feel Any Burgeoning Talent Today — Perhaps An Unexpected Urge To Sing Opera Or To Declaim In Mermish — Do Not Repress It! You May Have Been Gifted By The Gernumblies!” Ron, Passing Them In The Opposite Direction, Let Out A Loud Snort.

He Knew One Thing Only, And It Was Beyond Fear Or Reason: He Was Not Going To Die Crouching Here Like A Child Playing Hide-and-seek; He Was Not Going To Die Kneeling At Voldemort’s Feet . . . He Was Going To Die Upright Like His Father, And He Was Going To Die Trying To Defend Himself, Even If No Defense Was Possible. . . .

Hagrid, Look What I’ve Got For Relatives!” Harry Said Furiously. “look At The Dursleys!” “an Excellent Point,” Said Professor Dumbledore. “my Own Brother, Aberforth, Was Prosecuted For Practicing Inappropriate Charms On A Goat. It Was All Over The Papers, But Did Aberforth Hide? No, He Did Not! He Held His Head High And Went About His Business As Usual! Of Course, I’m Not Entirely Sure He Can Read, So That May Not Have Been Bravery. . . .

Dumbledore Was On His Feet Again, Pale As Any Of The Surrounding Inferi, But Taller Than Any Too, The Fire Dancing In His Eyes; His Wand Was Raised Like A Torch And From Its Tip Emanated The Flames, Like A Vast Lasso, Encircling Them All With Warmth.

I Love A Good Dorothy L. Sayers.