This message is a Special Notice for all members of http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups In addition to being published onlist (available in webview), this post is also being delivered offlist (to email inboxes) to those whose "Message Delivery" is set to "Special Notices." If this is problematic or if you have any questions, contact the List Elves at HPforGrownups-owner @yahoogroups.com (minus that extra space) CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone/Philosopher's Stone, Chapter Fourteen, Norbert The Norwegian Ridgeback The trio become protective of Quirrell hoping to boost his defiance to Snape, since they were sure Snape was after the Stone. Although Quirell became paler, Snape kept his bad temper, so the Stone was safe. The time is 10 weeks before their final exams. That meant Hermione had Harry and Ron with her in the library when Hagrid came in to borrow a book on Dragon breeding. Ron showed an uncommon lot of knowledge on the subject of Dragons and the laws relating to them. To stop the trio asking about the Stone too loudly in the school, Hagrid invited them to his hut. They went, and through a bit of flattery, Hermione got Hagrid to name the 7 teachers asked to help guard the Stone: Hagrid, Sprout, Flitwick, McGonagall, Quirrell, Dumbledore and "Oh yeah, Professor Snape." It was very hot inside the hut because Hagrid, it turned out, had won a Dragon egg (a rare Norwegian Ridgeback) from a stranger in the village. He had turned his hut into an incubator for the Dragon (even though, Hermione noted, the hut was wooden). Hagrid sent a note a few days later so they could come and see the hatching, but Malfoy followed them and saw the illegal dragon. Norbert, the dragon, would have to leave Hagrid's soon. Over the next two weeks, they devised a plan to send Norbert to Romania where Ron's brother, Charlie, studied wild dragons. Charlie arranged for friends to fly him by broom. Before they could, Norbert bit Ron on the hand, and the swelling made him go to the hospital wing (Harry's 2nd home at Hogwarts). While there, Malfoy visited Ron (to blackmail him) and found out the details of Norbert's escape - Saturday at midnight on the tower. Harry and Hermione used the invisibility cloak to carry the crate with Norbert to the tower. Malfoy was waiting at the bottom of the tower stairs, and was caught and so given a detention from McGonagall. Harry and Hermione passed Norbert over to Charlie's friends, and then, they were caught by Filch as they left the tower staircase. Questions: 1. Did the way Harry trusted Quirrell and doubted Snape give you an idea of what to look for in following books? 2. "We wondered who Dumbledore had trusted . apart from you" Hermione flattering Hagrid. Is this the only time Hermione uses flattery? 3. "Dragon breeding was outlawed by the Warlocks' Convention of 1709." RON said that !?!! He also knows his Broomsticks. What other topics could Ron beat Hermione at in a trivia night? 4. Only four of the teachers were members of the Order of the Phoenix. If JKR re-wrote this, would Moody, Lupin or other trusted people have been called in? Who and why? 5. Norbert was the star of this chapter. We witnessed the birth and habits of a young Dragon. But after that, he almost never got a mention. So why have Norbert there at all? Your opinion please. 6. How did Hagrid's attitude towards Norbert develop Hagrid's character for you? 7. If you knew your plans for Norbert were leaked to Malfoy, how would you have avoided trouble? 8. . and your question is .. aussie_lol / Norbert's mummy NOTE: For more information on HPfGU's chapter discussions, please see " POST DH Chapter Discussions" at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/database?method=reportRows&tbl=33 Next Chapter Discussion, Chapter 15, The Forbidden Forrest, on December 10, 2009. If you would like to volunteer to lead a Chamber of Secrets chapter discussion, please drop a note to HPforGrownups-owner @yahoogroups.com (minus that extra space).