Long message, only small mention of food

[flying_ford_anglia at yahoo.com]

Original Yahoo! HPFG Header:
No: HPFGUIDX C1748
From: flying_ford_anglia
Subject: Long message, only small mention of food
Date: 6/8/00 11:42 am  (ET)

I'm still working my way through Chapters 5-8 of book one (second
time only).

I was sitting in a caf' in my lunch hour, reading the book, when this
woman of my age came over to me and said:

"That's my son's favourite book."

"I think it's one of mine, too" I beamed.

Then she sat staring at me, so I had to leave...

I love chapter 6, where Harry meets Ron and Hermione, for the first time,
on the train. The character of Ron is captured so well in those few
pages, and it's really touching when Harry shares his sweets and cakes
with Ron; he seems strong and supportive, despite being overwhelmed by
strange experiences, while Ron comes across as vulnerable and animated,
and protective of his new friend.

Then, chapter 7, where they're sorted: the Sorting Hat's crafty song
playing against that ludicrous school song.

Anyway, enough rambling... I have a few questions and posers:

Q: What's a Madam in witchcraft circles? Why Madams Malkin, Hooch and
Pomfrey, but Mrs Weasley? Why not Professor Hooch?

Q: Why witches and wizards, rather than witches and warlocks?

Q: There's mention of twins called Patil. Parvati ends up in
Gryffindor. Does her sister (or brother, perhaps) end up in another House,
or do just vanish? Did I miss something?

Comment: Scabbers originally belonged to Percy Weasley. Was it Pettigrew
when he had it, or was Scabbers replaced by a look-alike animagus? (is
that why he's fat in book one and skinny later on?) Should we keep an
eye on Percy?

Comment: The Sorting Hat only mentioned Slytherin to Harry because he
was thinking "Not Slytherin". It says he's difficult to place, but maybe
it's just that he has such a rich personality that he could be placed
in any of the Houses.

Neil