PoA Chapter Summary: Chapter 7

[Zarleycat at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 18749

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., pbnesbit at m... wrote:
> Chapter 7, "The Boggart in the Wardrobe"
 

> QUESTIONS
> 
> 1.  Why was Remus on the train?

I can think of two possibilities.  One, Dumbledore asked Remus to 
travel to Hogwarts via train because he was worried about the 
possibility of Dementors boarding the train.  As Remus was the only 
new member of the staff who had to get there from a distance, why not 
travel by train? 

The other thought I had was perhaps this was a day after a full moon, 
since Remus is so obviously exhausted on the journey.  Perhaps 
apparating from wherever he was living to the gates of Hogwarts would 
have been too much of a strain.

> 2.  What do you think Ginny experiences when the Dementors get 
near?  
Memories of her bad experiences from CoS.
 
> 3.  What do you think Neville experiences when the Dementors get 
near?

Neville was obviously bothered, but I'm not sure at this point 
whether the Dementor brought out a reaction derived from Neville's 
past, or if he was suffering from the typical Dementor reaction - 
cold, unhappy, etc.  
 
> 4.  Just how badly was Malfoy hurt?

Not nearly enough, in my opinion.  Too bad Buckbeak didn't rip 
his...wait, I'll stop now before the Draco-ites come after me with 
wands raised.  I think he obviously milked his injury for all it was 
worth, not only to gain sympathy, but to cause trouble for anyone he 
could.  After all, Hagrid is half-giant, which Daddy Malfoy does not 
like. Someone like that should not have been promoted to a teaching 
position, let alone teaching pure blood wizards.  
> 
> 5.  Why wasn't Remus applauded by everyone when he was introduced 
as the new DADA teacher?

Ummm.  He was an unknown, not famous like Lockhart?  He doesn't have 
the most dynamic appearance?  The students were busy thinking about 
other things, such as the Dementors?
> 
> 6.  Why is Neville so terrified of Snape?

If someone in a position of authority relentlessly belittled me, I'd 
probably be afraid, too.

> 7.  Why do you think Hermione feels she must take all those classes?

Perhaps she feels that since she was muggle-born, she has to do 
everything in her power to learn as much as she can.  And, since she 
is a bright student, she feels she can carry it off.  Her teachers 
agree with that assessment.  After all, McGonagal gives her the time-
turner.  

> 8.  Why does JKR refer to Remus as Lupin?  (She does this with Snape
>     and Dumbledore as well)
> 
I didn't pick that up at all the first 2 times I read the book.  
Maybe this is a method to reinforce a certain formality about Lupin.  
He seems to me to be someone who almost always maintains a great deal 
of self-control.  He's never portrayed as raising his voice, his 
dealings with the students are quietly effective, and, even in the 
Shrieking Shack, he's not the one raising his voice - everyone else 
is carrying on at high decibels.

> 9.  Is there more to Remus than meets the eye (other than being a 
>     werewolf)? 

We'll see.  I hope JKR will let us see Remus and Sirius combining to 
perform some sort of wonderful feats of magic in the upcoming battle 
against V.  And I would like to see Remus lose control in some way - 
I'm sure there is a volcano of emotion under that calm exterior.  


> Sorry, I couldn't think of a 10th one.  Care of Magical Creatures 
> summary will be up later.