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 in-boxes) 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 (minus that extra space) HPforGrownups-owner @yahoogroups.com NOTE: This ChapDisc is the work of AFN. Mike only posted it for him. -------------------------------------------------------------------- CHAPTER DISCUSSIONS: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter Twelve, Magic Is Might As Chapter 12 opens, Harry, Ron, and Hermione (HRH), are as comfortably hidden in #12 Grimmauld Place as they ever will be. Kreacher is now helpful and has retrieved Mundungus, who reveals Umbridge is now in possession of the horcrux locket. The Trio realize that to get the locket back will require access to Umbridge and the Ministry of Magic. While Death Eaters lurk around outside, life in Grimmauld Place has taken a turn for the better in that Kreacher, no longer antagonistic to HRH, cleans, cooks, and seems to take pride in pleasing the Trio. Yet they are in for more surprises and concerns. From the Daily Prophet which Harry obtained by apparating under the invisibility cloak, they learn that Snape has been appointed Headmaster at Hogwarts. Speculation about what this entails ensues. They realize Hogwarts will be very different this year and also express nostalgia that they will not be going back to school for the beginning of that term. Hermione also realizes through the portrait of Phineas Nigellus in Grimmauld Place Phineas can go to his other portrait in the Headmaster's office and hence have communication with Snape. So, his Grimmauld Place portrait gets stuffed into the now familiar beaded bag. The Trio begin their plan to try to get the locket horcrux from Umbridge and decide they should infiltrate the Ministry of Magic. Their surveillance of the Ministry has given them a good deal of information as to how it is entered and exited, the approximate location, and so forth. With much trepidation, they decide that it is time to act. While finalizing the plan, Harry has another painful scar pain on his forehead. By now he cannot really hide these episodes well from the others. Harry has a vision, which we later confirm is what Voldemort is experiencing at the time. He sees a foreign city and hears Voldemort ask the woman who opens a door for Gregorovitch. Harry sees her fear and hears replies in a foreign language, pleading that Gregorovitch is not there. Then he sees her and two children fired upon with a wand and a flash of green light. Harry regains his normal consciousness violently to the sound of Hermione's shouts. Confronted directly by Hermione, he tells what he experienced. All three discuss whether Harry should be trying to stop the visions, but he insists he must know what Voldemort is doing, much to the chagrin of Ron and Hermione. Discussing the scene, Harry explains that Gregorivitch is another expert wandmaker, along with Ollivander, who made Victor Krum's wand. What this could mean is not resolved. So the three set out on their quest at the Ministry, not realizing they'll no longer be able to use Grimmauld Place as sanctuary from Death Eaters hunting them. Armed with a number of things they believe useful, including their ever handy supply of Polyjuice Potion, they apparate just outside the Ministry, lying in wait for employees whose identities they will assume. Hermione stuns Mafalda Hopkirk and assumes her identity. Then Hermione makes magical maintenance worker Reg Cattermole eat a puking pastille, so they can get the hairs they'll need for Ron's transformation. Finally inflicting a nosebleed on another worker, they get hairs for Harry. After flushing themselves into the Ministry, they immediately see that the Magical Brethren statue has been replaced to fit the new regime. The new statue depicts a witch and wizard sitting on thrones that are portrayals of Muggles, now in their rightful place, to go along with the inscription "Magic is Might." Finding out more about who they're impersonating, the Trio proceed by taking the elevator, keen on pursuing their goal but not getting caught at the ruse. Ron, as Reg, gets sent on a task by Yaxley. Then as Harry and Hermione ascend to the floor for the Minister of Magic and Support Staff, discussing the advisability of sending Ron on his own, the doors open and they come squarely into abrupt contact with none other than Umbridge herself. Discussion Questions 1. Were you surprised that the trio were apparating to Grimmauld Place on the top outside step and why? 2. Harry says if Umbridge opened the locket it would make no difference, since she was so evil to start with; however she did wear it awhile. Could its influence possibly have made her even more malevolent than in the past? 3. Did you even think before we see the tidy kitchen that Kreacher's transformation and efforts to please would or could be so dramatic? 4. We find out Snape is the new Headmaster at Hogwarts. Who else did you think might take this place? Perhaps as Deputy Headmistress in the past it could have been McGonagall? 5. Since Hermione got Phineas's picture off the wall, has she learned how to defeat the charms that keep other pictures from being removed or was Phineas's portrait not stuck to begin with? 6. What did you think about upon learning of the plot to infiltrate the Ministry in search of Umbridge and the horcrux? They discuss timing, strategy, and logistics and express their own misgivings. Could or should they have tried to get the horcrux in a less dangerous and complicated manner? 7. There was concern over the painful scar Voldemort visions, about Voldemort invading Harry's mind. Why didn't Voldemort ever try to invade Harry's mind? Did the fact that Harry had a scar and that Voldemort presumably did not have anything to do with this? 8. Did you find anything particularly interesting about how the trio actually physically got into the Ministry building? 9. They will have to leave Grimmauld Place after the incident. How did you feel about the location while they are there? For instance, is it a safe refuge, Harry's real home, and positively nostalgic of former times there, or merely an expedient and sometimes unpleasant one at that? ~AFN -------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: For more information on HPfGU's chapter discussions, please see "HPfGU DH Chapter Discussions" at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/database Next chapdisc, Chapter 13, The Muggle-born Registration Commission - February 4, 2008