[HPforGrownups] SS/PS Chapter Twelve Summary and Questions

[Susanna Luhtanen]

No: HPFGUIDX 28787



Susanna Luhtanen
s_luhtanen at hotmail.com


>
>1. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley are visiting Charlie in Romania for Christmas.
>What does this indicate about Charlie? (Why can't he return to the
>Burrow for the holidays? His own family? Work?)

Injured by a dragon - too wounded to travel - so his parents and possibly 
Bill as well, come to him instead.

>2. Do you feel that the sterotypical portrayal of Madame Pince as the
>ill-tempered, spinsterish librarian is problematic and/or overly
>simplistic, or is it another misleading characterization brought to
>you by Red Herring, Inc.?

Possibly misleading. She may have extra-tense hearing, so that too much 
noise pains her. As world is noisy, library is her way to have some peace...

>3. How did Ron get so good at chess? Who did he play with? The only
>other Weasley that we that we know plays chess is Ron's (possibly
>deceased) grandfather.

His grandparents, parents and his elder brothers. His whole family, for all 
we know (possibly learned the rules by watching Fred and George play). The 
curse-breaker Bill might have been good at chess as well. Also, with magical 
pieces having a mind - refusing Harry's moves i.e. - so it's also possible 
that the other pieces played by themselves against Ron if none in his family 
played with him (like playing against computer - I've never managed to beat 
the computer opponent, though I have won my father and grandfather in 
chess...)

>4. (How timely!) Sure, Ron complains about maroon sweater (and corned
>beef), but considering that Percy, Fred and George all have their
>first initial knitted into their sweaters and Ron's does not, do you
>think that his family really does notice him less than his other
>siblings? What niche does this leave for Ron?

No - R is harder a letter to knit than G,F or P. Also, the twins have 
letters to tell them apart, particularly after the little joke they played 
on their mother and Percy's P may also stand for Prefect. (It does in 
Finnish translation, where Prefect is "Valvojaoppilas" - and Percy's sweater 
has a V in it, not P). So, um, there's a special reason for the letters in 
case of the other Weasleys.

>5. Percy nearly breaks a tooth on a silver sickle in his Christmas
>pudding. In muggle traditions, the person who finds the coin in their
>slice of pudding will come into money during the following year.
>Considering Percy's low-level Ministry job in GoF, is this just a
>throwaway bit, or is JKR hinting at big things for Percy (and not
>necessarily of a wholesome nature) in future books?

Wouldn't know - finnish tradition that helds a hidden piece (Not a coin, but 
an eatable thing) in white porridge - is about a wish and that'll come true, 
good luck in general, marriage or something else, but I never heard of 
money. Maybe it was about Percy finding the love of his life (Penelope 
Clearwater).

>6. If the Mirror of Erised had not been the Philosopher's Stone's
>final protection prior to December 27th, what kind of puzzle or
>enchantment do you think Dumbledore protected it with between July 31
>and December 27?

Maybe Dumbledore had it in his pocket all the time? ;-)

>7. Assuming Dumbledore WAS being truthful about seeing himself with
>socks in the Mirror of Erised, (a big assumption, but this can count
>as my fun question!) why does Dumbledore desire them so? (see Pablo
>Neruda's ""Ode to My Socks")

For last Christmas, I wished for books and got none. Same the previous year. 
I might see myself getting books if it goes on for long!

Similarly, Dumbledore may wish for socks, because for several decades he's 
always had a book, a piece of jewelry or some other piece considered "suited 
for someone in his position" - while wollen socks, hand-made with love 
specially for him would mean a lot more for the philosopher he is, warming 
both his feet and soul. A gift for [i]him[/i] - not for the Headmaster of 
Hogwarts IFYSWIM.

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