[HPforGrownups] GoF Ch12 Discussion

[Diann Recla]

No: HPFGUIDX 2306

The chapter opens with our heroes' arrival at Hogwarts.  They are already
wet when Peeves starts throwing water balloons.  Professor McGonagall comes
in to chase him off and hurry the students in to the Great Hall for the
sorting and the feast.

Muggle born Colin Creevey greets them with the news that his younger
brother, Dennis, will be joining him this year.  In the discussion of the
chances of Dennis being in Gryffindor we learn that Parvati Patil's twin
sister is in Ravenclaw.  It appears that members of the same family are not
always in the same house.

Harry notices a few vacant spots at the head table.  Where is the new DADA
teacher?  Is there a new DADA teacher?  Most of the old teachers are at the
table.  Harry notices Dumbledore looking at the ceiling above and realizes
that it has taken on the appearance of the storm outside.  The new students
appear in the hall to be sorted.  All appear to be terrified except for the
smallest who looks at Colin Creevey and mouths "I fell in the lake," he
seems to very happy about it.  The sorting hat sings its song and we
discover that the song is different every year.  Dennis joins Gryffindor.

The sorting is finally finished and the feast begins much to the delight of
Ron and Harry who are starving.  Nearly Headless Nick informs them that
Peeves had caused trouble in the kitchen almost causing the feast not to
take place.  It seemed that Peeves had "wreaked havoc and mayhem" and
"terrified the house-elves."  When Hermione learns that there is "the
largest number in any dwelling in Britain," she wants to know if they are
being paid and other benefits.   On learning that they do not she refuses to
eat any more of the feast.

After the feast Professor Dumbledore makes his announcements.  We first
learn of 3 new items banned from the castle (there are a total of 437 banned
items).  We next learn that there will be no House Quidditch Cup this year
to the dismay of the students.  Before we can learn what Percy has hinted at
all summer; what will take place at Hogwarts this year, a new arrival
interrupts.  It is a scarred individual with an eye that seems to move at
will - up, down, side to side, to the back of his head.  Dumbledore
introduces the new DADA teacher, Professor Moody - Mad-Eye Moody.
Dumbledore continues with the announcement of the first Triwizard Tournament
to take place in over 100 years.  It will take place at Hogwarts and
students from Beauxbatons and Durmstarang will also participate.  The
Tournament had been discontinued because of the high death toll.  Only
students who are of age (17) will be allowed to participate.  Of course
younger students immediately plan to try to enter.  The students from
Beauxbatons and Durmstarang will be arriving in October and the drawing for
school Champion (one from each school) will be on Halloween.  George, Fred,
Ron, and Harry all think about entering.

Questions
How old is Peeves?  Most of his actions appear to be that of a child.
Colin and Dennis are Muggle born brothers, is this fact important?
How did Moody arrive at Hogwarts?
Is it natural for underage students to dream of participating in activities
they can not legally do?