Summary - POA Chapters 3 and 4

[meboriqua at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 18396

Very nice and detailed summary, Jim!
> 
> QUESTIONS
> 
> 1.  Was it a coincidence that the wand gesture that Harry made while 
> looking for the big dog was exactly what was needed to call the 
> Knight Bus?  Could the whole thing have been orchestrated by the 
MoM, 
> or was this just a convenient Deus ex Machina for the author?

Very few things are coincidences in the Wizarding World, and that is 
becoming more apparent.  If the MoM knows within minutes that magic 
had been performed at the Dursley house in CoS, then they could just 
as quickly, I imagine, figure out that Harry had run away.  I'm sure 
(now) that they had a hand in sending the Knight Bus to him.
> 
> 2.  Is there any significance to the name "Knight Bus?" [In the 
> French edition, it is the Magicobus.]

I also thought it was a reference to medieval knights, who were 
valiant fighters and protectors.
> 
> 
> 5.  Was Hermione's attitude about Crookshanks realistic and 
> consistent with her other attitudes and actions?  Why does she 
> minimize Ron's feelings about the danger the Crookshanks poses to 
> Scabbers?  Could she be under some kind of spell that caused her to 
> buy the cat?

I suppose we are all selfish at times, especially when we really want 
things to work out for ourselves.  This is Hermione's time to be 
selfish.  Someone also mentioned that Hermione is always helping 
"those in need" (at least those she perceives as being in need), and 
Crookshanks has been sitting forever alone on the shelf in the pet 
store.  I'd want to keep him, too.  She truly felt that Crookshanks 
needed a home more than Ron needed to worry about Scabbers.
> 
> 6.  Why were the Ministry so concerned about Harry's safety?  After 
> all, he is *only* a celebrity, "the boy who lived." Are they mainly 
> worried about PR implications of losing Harry, or could there be 
> something more profound about Harry that we don't know yet, such as 
a prophesy about him?

Being "the boy who lived" is obviously a very big deal.  I think the 
MoM is of course concerned about losing face if they lose Harry, but 
he is one who needs to be protected.  He's not your average wizard; 
he's special.
> 
> 7.  Are the adults being overprotective of Harry? [Ebony, if you are 
> reading this: what do real 13-year-olds think about this question?]

Adults should protect kids.  If only our society protected abused kids 
as well as Harry is protected in his society!  Sirius Black is 
considered about as dangerous a person can get - Harry should be 
watched like a hawk!
> 
--jenny from ravenclaw***************************