Chap. 9 Summary: The Writing on the Wall

[catherine at cator-manor.demon.co.uk]

No: HPFGUIDX 24567

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., Zarleycat at a... wrote:
> Questions:
> 1. What was Snape's "peculiar expression"?  If he really was trying 
> not to smile, what about this situation did he find so amusing?

Snape always has a peculiar expression where Harry is concerned.  A 
mixture of hatred of Harry, sadism when he sees him in a difficult 
situation, and as he is always looking for reasons to punish Harry, 
he is probably gloating as well.  But, he does often look at Harry in 
a calculated way which makes me think that he knows something we 
don't.

> 2. Is Snape's suggestoin that Harry be removed from the Quidditch 
> team reasonable?

Of course not!  Self interest at play here.  Of course he wants Harry 
off the team - he wants Slytherin to continue winning.

> 3. We know Harry is not very trusting of adults.  Even so, and 
> leaving aside what it would do to the plot, do you think Harry 
should 
> have told Dumbledore about hearing a disembodied voice no one else 
> can hear?

One of the frustrating things about CoS for me.  I think (and 
understandable, though misguided) that Harry is slower than he should 
be in trusting and confiding in Dumbledore.

> 5. Is Ron correct that Percy cares more about becoming Head Boy 
than 
> he does about Ginny?

Now this is one of my major gripes about Ron - he does not show much 
family loyalty.  Percy would never put Head Boy ahead of Ginny, if 
she were in "mortal danger" etc.  Ron does have a propensity to think 
the worst of his brothers - not only Percy when he says that he would 
feed any of his family to the Dementors if it would help his career - 
but also in thinking that Fred and George would do anything for 
money, when the blackmail thing comes up.  IMO, if anyone is disloyal 
to his family, it is Ron, not Percy.

> 6. What is it about getting competent teachers for this school?  
> Can't Dumbledore/Hogwarts Board of Govenors find a living, vital 
> person to teach History of Magic, or are they happy at not having 
to 
> pay anyone a salary for this position?

I agree with Caius - what makes you think he isn't being paid?  He 
could have living relatives that he is passing his salary onto - 
there are loads of possibilities as to what a ghost could do with 
their money.  

I do agree though, that it is time for Professor Binns to go.  When I 
think of the wonderful history teachers I had when at school, I feel 
really sorry for the Hogwarts students - they really are being sold 
short.

> 7.  Why wouldn't an heir to Slytherin have appeared sometime in the 
> last 1000 years?  Or can the heir only open the Chamber when there 
is 
> a particular need to do so?

We don't know that the Heir of Slytherin hasn't opened the Chamber in 
the previous 1000 years.  It happened 50 years ago - who's to say it 
hasn't happened before that?

Catherine