Summary/Questions: PS/SS Chapter One

[dfrankiswork at netscape.net]

No: HPFGUIDX 27164

Jana wrote:
> 
> 1. What 
> things in this chapter do you see as foreshadowing to the coming 
> books?  Why do you feel these things are pertinent to the series?

Why did McGonagall spend all day there just to get the latest about 
the Potters?  I think she had some other role, and since Dumbledore 
had clearly not asked her to be there, it's not part of his plan to 
protect Harry.  When I first read the book, I assumed it was 
sinister.  Three more books on, I don't think that, but it still 
puzzles me.

Dedalus Diggle is an obvious candidate too.  What do we deduce from 
the fact that his parents couldn't spell Daedalus?

Jim McGuffin could well be a leading Death Eater.

Dumbledore will need to rescue Hagrid, who will get stuck in the 
turnstiles on the London Underground.  He will only be able to do 
this because of the map on his knee.
> 
> 2. Many believe the series will come full circle, with everything 
> trailing back to that fateful night on  31 October 1981.  Do you 
> agree?

Yes.  It's the central mystery of the series: why did V attack 
Harry?  How did Harry survive?  Why did V lose his powers?  What is 
the significance of his scar?

> 3. A speculation on what might have been: How would Harry's life be 
> different if he had spent his childhood growing up in the wizarding 
> world?  Would it be better or worse?  Would be have the ego of 
> Gilderoy Lockhart or would he be as insecure as he had been coming 
> out of the shelter of the Dursleys?

He might well have felt very insecure, if still alive, after many 
attacks by disgruntled DEs.

Of course, one possibility is that he may have been *adopted* by 
Lockhart:  "No, no Albus, I can take care of it.  It's really very 
simple."  (waves wand) "Harrypotterforgrownups...  oops, well, yes, 
that can sometimes happen.  Never mind, Albus, I'm sure I can leave 
it in your capable hands to clear it up.  He's no longer a newbie, 
that's the main thing."
> 
> 4.  If George had been in this chapter, how might he have affected 
> the story?  No, really. :-D

He would have been 3... he might have prodded Harry and woken him?
Decided it would be a good joke to swap him for baby Ron?

David