GoF Ch11 Discussion

[Simon Branford]

No: HPFGUIDX 2062

As the chapter 11 discussions have still not commenced I have contacted
Penny and agreed to do the summary. So here goes on another interesting and
varied discussion. Yet again the chapter I am commenting on is short (11
pages this time), but this time it is much more interesting (last time I did
chapter 2).


Chapter 11: Aboard the Hogwarts Express

This chapter starts with the triad (I do not like the word triumvirate to
describe Harry, Ron and Hermione) at the Burrow in the aftermath of the
Quidditch World Cup and the ensuing chaos. It is time for them to go back to
school. That, of course, means another trip on the Hogwarts Express - the
sixth time for Harry and Ron and the ninth for Hermione (Hermione goes home
for Christmas in the first year - I am assuming by the Hogwarts Express.
Harry and Ron had a slight problem causing them to miss the train in their
second year).

We start however with the boys (Harry, Ron and the twins) arriving for
breakfast to see Amos Diggory on the wizard equivalent of a telephone. There
is a dual reason for this. On the one hand it is to introduce us to this
form of communication, which we see used by Harry and Sirius shortly before
the first task. It is also to give us an indication that something has
happened to Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody.

In the description of this incident we learn a little about the character
that is Mad-Eye Moody. We are told that he 'was a great wizard' but has
'been getting paranoid in his old age'. We are also told of Arthur's plug
collection (just had to put this comment in), who then rushes off to help
out his friend.

It could be argued that this meeting with Amos is an indication that Cedric
is going to be the one to die at the end of the book. This is the second
meeting with some of the Diggory family and it is this that is turning
Cedric into the 'character we care for'. We are seeing how his father reacts
to help an old friend and extend this characteristic to be one that Cedric
also possess.

This brings us to the travel to London and the Hogwarts Express. We see how
little Molly knows about muggles, as she is surprised that the taxi drivers
seem unhappy at the party they are transporting.

This time Harry, Ron and Hermione pick a carriage in the middle of the
train. Charlie then gives us a tantalising indication that something
important is going to be happening that year at Hogwarts but will give no
details.

Having had an indication of the Beauxbatons school in chapter 9 we now
learn, from overhearing Draco in a nearby compartment, of Durmstrang. We
hear that Lucuis contemplated sending Draco to this school, as he knows the
Headmaster.

Following this Seamus, Dean, Neville and several others drop by to say
hello. Unfortunately Dean and Seamus have left the door ajar and Draco has
noticed their presence and come to try and wind them up.

He taunts Ron over his dress robes, which are covering Pigwidgeon's cage to
shut him up. He then follows up by talking about the Triwizard tournament,
which Lucius has told him about, but gives away few details.

They arrive at Hogsmeade, which is in the middle of a torrential downpour,
and transfer to one of the carriages to head up towards Hogwarts.

Questions and comments (at least those I could think of at 2am while
watching the Olympics):
Am I making too much of the meeting with Amos pointing towards Cedric's
death?
Where do the Weasley's live? Most indication and comments, based on the
first three books, has been that they live in the Devon area but suddenly
they are using taxis to travel, if the hypothesis is correct, a journey of
200 miles. Did someone else pay for the journey?
Are we given enough indication of Mad-Eye's character to work out what has
occurred? This is when he was replaced and yet are we told enough here to
work it out?
Compare the actions of the triad in this chapter with that of previous
books. They take a more prominent position in the train (nearer the front).
Is this an indication that Harry is getting more used to his fame? Is he
less worried and happy that he is going to have a 'quiet year'?
Compare the actions of the triad in this chapter with their actions on the
train home. Ron gets very close to taking action against Draco for the
taunts. Does this give us an indication of the events of the journey home?


Have I started to sound like a schoolteacher? If so I am off to panic.

Simon