Which floor?, Harry's lack of consideration, 7 Heavenly virtues, subjects at Hogwarts, Draco, Moody and reading (Is this subject line long enough yet?)

[Simon J. Branford]

No: HPFGUIDX 3042

Steve wrote: "Because we Yanks refer to the ground floor as the first floor,
while you Brits call the floor ABOVE the ground floor the first floor, it's
a bit tricky to place some of the rooms."

Just to confuse you further - both are used in the UK so you have to be
careful when referring to floor numbers. I believe this has been caused by
American influence entering into the British culture.

Steve wrote: "Also, do the British versions refer to Gryffindor tower's
common room as being on the seventh floor, same as the American versions? If
so, I'm going to assume that means the BRITISH seventh floor."

It says seventh in the UK versions of the book so I would assume that this
is the case.

DrMM wrote: "It's Hermione who has to explain Ron's feelings to Harry (and
her understanding it makes for a nice H/R arguement).  And despite knowing
why it has upset Ron, he's refuses to understand, instead focusing on
himself and how *he's* the one insulted.  And in the end it's *Ron* who is
the one to end the fight."

Harry has also had little interaction with either a family or friends to
know how to deal with these things. Also he seems reluctant to acknowledge
that he may be the one in the wrong.

Peg wrote: "So: if I hear enough interested noises at the idea of my
continuing these essay posts by examining the 7 Heavenly virtues, I'll take
a stab at it.  Let me know."

Keep going. I always find it interesting to read and think about how such
things apply to the HP world.

Skimmel asked: "Question 1. Why is Harry taking the same courses year after
year when clearly other students at the same level are taking different
courses? (Lack of imagination on the part of Miss Rowling?)"

I would guess that the options picked in the third year are those that are
examined in the fifth year (OWL's). It would be difficult to change courses
after the third year, as you would have to make up far too much work.
Something that Harry would find difficult as he has little free time.

Skimmel asked: "Question 2: Why did we believe Moody is Harry's friend and
benefactor?
Question 3: Why do we accept Moody's casual cruelty toward a student even if
it's a slimeball like Malfoy?"

Cause Draco that is getting punished for his actions for once, instead of
getting away with it. He made the mistake of taking action, against Harry,
in front of a hostile teacher. Also we have heard good things about Moody,
from the Weasley's, and so we are prepared to accept that he is doing the
right things.

Steve wrote: "And frankly, I'm just as boggled by the fact that his
12-year-old sister read a 732-page book this summer! That's amazing too!"

I have a 10 and 13 year old cousins. The only reading I have seen them do
for years has been to read computer games manuals or magazines. Then
suddenly this summer they are reading HP (various different parts of the
series). Hopefully they will have finished reading them all by now and have
decided to read some more.

Simon