Thoughts about writing books 5-7 (WAS: Playing the game )

[pkerr06 at attglobal.net]

No: HPFGUIDX 30486

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., Susanne Schmid <pigwidgeon37 at y...> wrote:
> 
>  
>   "Cindy C." <cindysphynx at h...> wrote: 
> >Hmmm.  Interesting discussion, Susanna and Luke.  But can >someone 
> >expound on how JKR uses the same plot devices and same plot 
> >patterns?  
> 
> Oooohhhh, yessss! 

<snip>
> 
> Plot pattern PS/SS: (Short prelude to introduce us to who Harry is 
and why he's staying with the Dursleys)
> 
>                      Summer: He makes something "unusual" happen- 
Boa Constrictor at the zoo
> 
>                      Hogwarts: Everything stays calm for the first 
two months, introduction of important elements (in this case many,
all the teacher and student characters, ghosts, and the castle in
general, Fluffy)
> 
>                      Halloween: Event that gives a decisive turn to 
the plot (Troll in the dungeons and friendship with Hermione)
> 
>                      Between Halloween and about Easter: Everything 
remains relatively calm, HRH do "detective work" and discover who is 
Flamel
> 
>                      Christmas: Harry receives something important 
(Invisibility Cloak and flute)
> 
>                      End of school year: Showdown


You know, upon reviewing this list, I realized that there is one
other very important structural element which is repeated in every 
book.

Near the climax of the book, Harry learns the DADA teacher's big 
secret.  What he learns is then directly related to the showdown.

Think about it: 

PS/SS: Quirrel is the one who has been working against him, and he's 
hiding Voldemort under his turban.  Harry learns this right in the 
inner chamber.

CoS: Gilderoy Lockhart did not do all the actions he reported in his 
books, but is, in fact, a fraud. Harry learns this when he turns to 
Lockhart for help rescuing Ginny; outraged, he forces Lockhart to 
accompany him and Ron.

PoA: Lupin is revealed to be a werewolf, and we get all the other 
information we get in the Shrieking Shack.  When Lupin actually turns 
into a werewolf, we get the whole chain of events that leads to 
Sirius' escape.

GoF: Mad-Eye Moody is actually Barty Crouch, Jr.  Harry barely
escapes from him alive.

So: it might be amusing to give some thought to what other deep dark 
secrets future DADA teachers might bring to their new position.  
(Vampire?  Time traveler?  Secret relationship to Harry or anyone
else he knows?)

If we assume that JKR will continue to follow this pattern, then if 
Snape finally gets the DADA job in the seventh book, it's a pretty 
good bet that we're going to get to the bottom of Snape's secrets 
before the ending.

Comments?

Cheers,
Peg