COS Chapter 4 - At Flourish and Blotts

[Amber ?]

No: HPFGUIDX 23311


(Sorry no alternate version, I had too many things to do last night!)

Harry enjoys life with the Weasleys; they actually like him, unlike the 
Dursleys. A week after he arrives at the Weasleys, letters from Hogwarts 
arrive with a list for the years schoolbooks and supplies. Harry sees that 
nearly all the books are by Gilderoy Lockhart. The same is for the other 
Weasleys lists.

Ron and Harry get a letter from Hermione. She tells of her worry about 
Harrys silence all summer and says that shes been busy studying. She also 
says that she and her parents will be in Diagon Alley the next Wednesday and 
that they should meet there to get their school supplies.

Afterwards, they all go out and play Quidditch. Harry learns about the 
O.W.L.s. George expresses his concern about all the Lockhart books that the 
Weasley parents will have to buy. Harry feels bad about his wealth.

The next Wednesday, the Weasleys prepare to travel to Diagon Alley. Harry 
learns about traveling by floo powder. When Harry tries it, he accidentally 
stutters while saying Diagon Alley and ends up in a stone fireplace in a 
dimly lit wizards shop. There are many strange objects in the shop and 
Harry knows that hes not in Diagon Alley. Determined to leave, Harry heads 
towards the door when he sees Draco Malfoy about to enter. Not wanting Draco 
to see him, he jumps in a black cabinet and hides.

As Harry waits for Draco and his father to leave, he overhears the 
conversation between Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Borgin, the shop owner. He learns 
that Mr. Malfoy has illegal items that would cause him to get in trouble 
with the Ministry if they found out about them. They also talk about the 
problem of Mudbloods in the schools as Draco comes nearer and nearer to 
Harrys hiding place. Just as Draco is about to open the cabinet that Harry 
is hiding in, Mr. Malfoy drags his son away.

Once they are gone, Harry leaves the shop. He starts heading down the 
street, hoping he can find a way out. He learns that he is in Knockturn 
Alley from a street sign. Just as a witch offers Harry a tray of human 
fingernails, Hagrid finds him. He brings Harry to Diagon Alley in front of 
Gringotts.

Harry meets Hermione and her parents and a minute later the Weasleys appear, 
relieved that they found Harry. Harry says that he got lost down Knockturn 
Alley and the Weasley boys are jealous that he saw a place they arent 
allowed to go to.

The Grangers, the Weasleys, and Harry go into Gringotts to withdraw and 
exchange money. Harry again feels badly about his wealth after seeing how 
little the Weasleys have. Afterwards, everyone separates. Harry, Ron, and 
Hermione go off window-shopping. After an hour, they head towards Flourish 
and Blotts.

Outside, there is a large crowd trying to get in. They learn that Gilderoy 
Lockhart is there for a book signing. The crowd seems to be made up of 
mostly witches Mrs. Weasleys age. Harry, Hermione, and Ron sneak in and 
stand in line with the Weasleys and the Grangers.

Lockhart makes his appearance. He sees Harry and grabs his arm, forcing him 
to be in several photographs. After this, Lockhart makes an announcement 
that he will be the new DADA teacher for that year. In the resulting hubbub, 
Harry gets presented with the entire works of Gilderoy Lockhart, which he 
promptly gives to Ginny.

Draco Malfoy sees Harry and starts badgering him about having his picture 
taken with Lockhart. Ginny sticks up for Harry and Malfoy says that shes 
Harrys girlfriend. Malfoy then insults the Weasleys monetary status. Ron, 
incensed, tries to attack Malfoy but Harry and Hermione hold him back.

Mr. Weasley comes over, as does Mr. Malfoy. He also insults the Weasleys 
about their monetary troubles. Mr. Weasley attacks Mr. Malfoy and Hagrid 
breaks up the fight. Mrs. Weasley scolds Mr. Weasley.

Everyone leaves Flourish and Blotts. The Weasleys and Harry say goodbye to 
the Grangers and they travel back to the Burrow using floo powder.

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Yes, I know the following questions are quite silly. However, I had a 
*really* hard time coming up with good ones. This chapter seemed pretty 
straightforward to me! If you have better ones, please post them!
---------

Questions:

1) How do you think Dumbledore already knew that Harry was at the Weasleys?

2) Why are all the letters from Hogwarts addressed in green ink? Any 
significance or just coincidence? Maybe its Dumbledores favorite color?

3) How do you think the Weasleys were able to afford all the Lockhart 
books? Perhaps Flourish and Blotts runs a tab?

4) When floo powder is thrown into the fire, the flames turn green. Another 
coincidence or something deeper there?

5) Do you think it was wise of the Weasleys to let Harry travel by floo 
powder by himself when he had never done so before? Why cant two people 
travel by floo powder at the same time?

6) Were you surprised to hear that Malfoys grades needed improvement? Do 
you think its because Mr. Malfoy has unreasonable expectations of his son 
or that Malfoys grades just arent up to par?

7) Percy is found reading a book called Prefects Who Gained Power: A study 
of Hogwarts prefects and their later careers. Do you think this is an 
indication that Percy could be seduced to Voldemorts side?

8) What did you first think of Lockhart when you read his description? What 
was your opinion of him at the end of the chapter?

9) Did you make the connection that Lockhart was to be the new DADA 
professor before he made his announcement?

10) Obligatory Silly Question: Woohoo! Its Harrys birthday! (Or was 
Harrys birthday, depending where you are in the world) How did you 
celebrate it?

~Amber

"Humans can evolve by themselves.  In order to do so,
they have to know their actual structures.
Do you think about what you really are?"
- Serial Experiments Lain, Layer 12 "Landscape"


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