More specifically, I wanted to rant a little bit about an catastrophic event in the Harry Potter series that could have been very easily avoided, namely the escape of Peter Pettigrew at the end of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. I just finished re-reading the fourth book, and it struck me all of the sudden how much things would have changed had Peter been properly apprehended by the dementors. First of all, Sirius wouldn't be an outlaw and Harry would be free to go live with him. Second, Lord Voldemort would never have regained his body and probably would never have returned at all. Knowing this, it becomes clear that the entire rest of the series hinges upon Peter Pettigrew's escape, because without that singular event the third book could have ended, "And they all lived happily ever after."
In constructing such an important turning point, Rowling seems to have ignored one immensely obvious possibility: WHY THE HECK DIDN'T THEY STUN THE GUY BEFORE TRYING TO TAKE HIM UP TO THE CASTLE?! They were already floating around one unconscious body (Snape), why not another? Neither Sirius nor Lupin is stupid. They both expected escape attempts. ONE of them at least should have brought up stunning! Harry's admonition not to kill Peter certainly would not have precluded knocking him out. You'd think at least Hermione would mention it...
Anyways, there you go. Harry Potter completely solved and without conflict at the end of the third book. Of course, I love the series, so I'm rather glad it didn't turn out that way despite the loophole.
