Weekly Summary: PS/SS Chapters 2 and 3

[- Joy -]

No: HPFGUIDX 27050

Hi everyone,

Sorry these summaries are late, but I was at home without my books over the
weekend.  I had a really hard time coming up with original questions for
these pretty straightforward chapters, so feel free to add as you see fit.
Enjoy!

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Chapter Two: The Vanishing Glass
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Everything is pretty much the same at the Dursleys as it was ten years ago.
They pretend that Harry isn't living with them.  Harry is having a dream
about a flying motorcycle before Petunia wakes him up.  He has to make sure
Dudley's birthday breakfast doesn't burn.  The kitchen table is covered with
Dudley's birthday presents.

We learn that Dudley is fat and likes to abuse Harry.  Harry, on the other
hand, is tall and skinny with black hair, green eyes, Scotch taped glasses,
hand-me down clothes, and a thin lightening bolt shaped scar.  The Dursleys
tell Harry the scar is from a car crash.  They don't like questions, and
hate Harry's messy hair.

 Dudley is upset because he got less presents than last year, but Petunia
quickly appeases him with the promise of more.  Mrs. Figg, who usually takes
care of Harry, has broken her leg.  No one else can watch Harry, and the
Dursleys don't trust him enough to leave him at home.  Harry is taken along
to the zoo, in spite of Dudley's protestations.

Strange things happen around Harry, like his hair regrowing, sweaters
shrinking, and him landing on the school roof.  Harry talks about his
motorcycle dream, and Uncle Vernon yells.  The Dursleys hate talk of magic.

Harry gets a rare treat of ice cream at the zoo.  A boa constrictor winks at
Harry, and talks to him.  The glass to its cage vanishes, and the snake
escapes.  Everyone is scared and agitated.  Piers Polkiss, Dudley's friend,
reveals that Harry was talking to the snake before it escaped.  Harry has to
stay in his cupboard without food.

He remembers green light and burning pain from the night when he got his
scar, though he can't reconcile the light with a car crash.  Harry has no
photographs of or information about his parents.  Odd-looking people like to
talk to him on the street.  Harry has no friends.
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Is Dudley's weight a sign of prejudice against big people, or is it just
description?
Where do the Dursleys get the money for Dudley's presents?
Why is the scar lightening shaped?  Will that be significant?
What's up with Mrs. Figg?
Is the cabbage smell in her house an indicator of magic?
Why didn't Petunia recognize Harry's incidents as signs of magic?
Why do the Dursleys hate Harry so much?
How did Harry survive their neglect and abuse?
Didn't Harry think it was odd that he could hear the snake?
Why is the light green?
Why isn't Harry more curious about his past?
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Chapter Three - The Letters from No One:
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Harry isn't allowed to leave the cupboard until summer starts.  He tries to
stay out of the house, to avoid Dudley and his friends.  Dudley is going to
Smeltings, Uncle Vernon's alma mater, while Harry will go to the local
public school.  Harry stays with Mrs. Figg, who gives him chocolate and lets
him watch TV.  Dudley's uniform comes with a stick, which he uses on Harry.
Everyone admires Dudley in his uniform.  Harry's uniform is old, wet, and
grey.  Harry is sent to get the mail, and he gets a letter, which has never
happened before.  Uncle Vernon steals the letter, and is alarmed.  He calls
Petunia.  Both Harry and Dudley are kicked out of the room.  They decide to
ignore the letters, and affirm their commitment not to be involved with
magic.

Harry gets to move into Dudley's second room.  Everything there is broken.
Even though it's more luxurious than his cupboard, Harry would prefer the
letter.  Another letter is delivered, but it's addressed to the bedroom, not
the cupboard.  Harry tries to intercept the letter by going down early to
get the mail, but he steps on Uncle Vernon, also waiting.  Three more
letters arrive.  Vernon nails the mail slot shut.  More letters are pushed
under the door.  Letters come inside the eggs, and down the chimney.

The family packs hurriedly and goes to a remote hotel.  Another letter is
sent there.  The next day will be Harry's eleventh birthday.  They row out
to a hut perched on a rock in the sea.  It's cold and stormy.  Harry has to
sleep on the floor.  Harry counts down to his eleventh birthday.  At the
stroke of midnight, there's a loud knock on the door.
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Does Mrs. Figg give Harry chocolate because the Dursleys are like dementors?
How are the letters delivered?
Wouldn't Petunia know that the letter was coming?
Why did Hogwarts wait to send Hagrid to get Harry?
How does the school track Harry's location?
Who did you think was knocking on your first read-through?
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~Joy~
http://diluted.org/joy