PoA Chapters 21-22 Summary (even better format)

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No: HPFGUIDX 22393




Had Black really meant to 
> kill him then? It was a very dangerous prank, but was it 
> cruelty on Black's part or thoughtlessness?

~ I do not believe that Sirius had tried to kill Snape.  Indeed I do 
believe that Sirius tried to harm Snape greatly - but not to the 
point of death.  I do believe (as do many others) that a very 
important incident happened between Snape and Sirius that lead Sirius 
"over-the-edge".  However, we do not know what this incident might 
have been - but it can be assumed that Snape showed a great deal of 
animosity towards Sirius that Sirius only felt it was his duty to 
return.  Indeed Sirius did not act responsibly, however, maybe this 
incident harmed him so much (mentally) that Snape deserved to be 
physically harmed.  (we all have seen times where Snape's treatment 
of Harry should be met with  a smack).  So, it was recless of Sirius, 
and it was a good thing James showed up (or was it ?)

Why tell it in clues? Great for the story and suspense 
> building, but was it really reasonable when so much is at 
> stake? What if they hadn't understood?

~  I believe Dumbledore exibits a great deal of faith in Harry.  
Albus feels that Harry should be given a chance to prove himself to 
himself, and he does so by giving Harry a "head-start in the race".  
I think that if Dumbledore tells Harry flat-out what to do - Harry 
might feel that he is incapable of thinking things for himself and 
that he can't stand on his own two feet without help, or that he is a 
let down to people's expectations of him ( Mr. Ollivander's "We 
should expect great things from you Mr. Potter")  Harry grazes this 
thought process at the end of Bk 1 where he stated that he thought 
Dumbledore may have intentionally let him come face-to-face with 
Voldemort.  But still, it may have been a little foolish of 
Dumbledore (as much as I hate calling him that) to give clues - 
especially when an innocent life - Harry's own godfather's life was 
at stake.

  What's wrong with a 
> broomstick? Why did they need Buckbeak?

~  a couple of reasons:
1 - Buckbeak is also an innocent life
2 - Brooms can be jinxed easily (Quirrel at Harry's Quidditch match)
3 - Buckbeak could provide Sirius protection

In or out?
~  Inside the fence - but because of that - I believe the fence has a 
door


Is there some rule as to what shape a Patronus takes? If 
> so, what is the rule? What can we conclude about it from 
> Harry's Patronus? Did anybody read this bit without tears in 
> her/his eyes?

~ I believe that the patronus takes whtever shape we find strentgh 
and hope in and thus can only be seen by the maker.  Harry has always 
wanted to see + talk to his parents, so , thus - there is the hope - 
and he finds strentgh because of their great love for him (from 
hearing his mother's voice).  And yes - I did read it with tears - 
amid massive confusion - as I STILL believe Harry's first vision was, 
in fact, his father...(i dunno - it's just cooler and more mysterious 
and sad that way...)

Why, though? This point has always rather 
> confused me. A "single, very happy memory" is not the same 
> as self-confidence, is it?
 
~  I believe they go hand-in-hand.  His happy memory may have been 
that he knew they survived without being kissed and that his father 
was indeed with them in spirit.

Why?? How can he hate him so much as to want him to 
> receive the Kiss? Is it reasonable for a boy's grudge to be 
> taken to such an extreme?

~  some people are just not normal and have no feelings for 
others...Snape is one of them.  It is not reasonable at all, unless 
it still goes deeper than what we know.  Maybe the "Snape-Sirius" 
incident made Snape turn to the Dark Side and become a Death Eater.  
Maybe Snape is putting all his life's flaws blame onto Sirius and 
once Sirius is dead - Snape feels- he will be "cleansed".  But 
whatever the case - Sirius did not deserve the punishment worse than 
death.

If werewolves are 
> only dangerous at the time of the full moon, why are people 
> afraid of them all the time? 

~  it's just the way people are...

In what way will this happen? Is 
> the bond that Dumbledore refers to a magical bond or a moral 
> bond?

~  I believe that Peter will never be able to kill Harry.  It seems 
to be a magical bond - as Harry's mother's love sa ve Harry numerous 
times.