Summaries: PS chapters 4 and 5

[Sheryll Townsend]

No: HPFGUIDX 27577

Chapter 4

Another resounding knock and the door crashes open,
revealing a wild-looking giant of a man in the
doorway. Much to Uncle Vernons dismay, the giant
takes away his rifle, ties it into knots and proceeds
to make himself at home, chatting to Harry. The giant
pulls a birthday cake out of his pocket, to which
Harrys only response is Who are you?

Hagrid introduces himself, starts a fire in the empty
grate, and begins to pull the fixings for dinner out
of the many pockets of his coat. Over sausages and
tea, Hagrid discovers that the Dursleys have told
Harry nothing of his background. An angered Hagrid,
over Vernons loud protests, tells Harry that he is a
wizard.

Hagrid hands Harry the letter he has been anxious to
see. It turns out to be his letter of acceptance to
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Hagrid
sends an owl back to Professor Dumbledore, saying he
has given the letter to Harry and that he will take
Harry to purchase school supplies the following day.

It comes to light that the Dursleys have known all
along that Harry was a wizard and that it had been
their intention to stamp it out of him. During
Petunias rant about what a freak she considered Lily,
she lets slip that Lily and James had been blown up,
contrary to what Harry had been told about them dying
in a car crash. Hagrid is outraged at this deceit and
tells Harry the truth about his parents, their
encounter with Voldemort, their deaths at Voldemorts
hand, and how Voldemorts attempt to kill Harry
backfired somehow and resulted in both Voldemorts
disappearance and Harrys scar.

Harry tells Hagrid that a mistake must have been made,
that he doesnt think hes a wizard. Hagrid chuckles
and asks if Harry has ever had anything happen, when
he was angry or scared, that he cant explain. Harry
recalls a number of incidents that could have been the
result of magic.

Vernon continues to protest that he will not allow
Harry to attend Hogwarts, despite Hagrids assertions
that Vernon would not be able to stop it. Vernon then
makes the ultimate mistake of insulting Albus
Dumbledore and Hagrid becomes enraged. With a swish of
his umbrella, a flash of light, and a bang, Dudley
ends up with a pigs tail poking out of his trousers.
The Dursleys then shut themselves in the other room.

Hagrid confesses he shouldnt have done magic, as hed
been expelled from Hogwarts and that, despite his
expulsion, Dumbledore has allowed him to stay on as
gamekeeper. When Harry tries to ask why Hagrid had
been expelled, Hagrid quickly changes the subject. He
gives Harry his coat to sleep under and the two of
them settle in for the night.

Questions:
1. Vernon had the foresight to purchase a rifle before
going to the hut. Was he expecting a wizard to show
and how did he think a rifle would defend them against
magic?

2. Petunia considered Lily a freak. If there had been
other wizards in the family somewhere, why would
Petunia consider Lilys magic such an aberration?
Wouldnt she have heard of/been familiar with other
wizarding members of the family?

3. Who do you suppose addresses the Hogwarts letters
and how did they continue to be able to know exactly
where Harry was?

4. Vernon says that Harry needs all kinds of supplies,
implying that he is not willing to provide them. Why
didnt Hagrid say that Lily and James had money and
that Harry could get his own things?

5. Why was Hagrid not willing to tell Harry why he had
been expelled?

Chapter 5 

Harry wakes to find that its not a dream, a giant did
indeed come to the hut on the rock and tell him he was
a wizard.

An owl delivers Hagrids newspaper and after Harry
pays the owl they have a quick breakfast of cold
sausages and head off to buy Harrys school supplies.
A magically enhanced boat ride and a train trip later,
Harry and Hagrid are walking through London, coming to
a halt at The Leaky Cauldron.

Once inside, the bartender recognises Harry and soon
everyone in the pub is crowded around, shaking Harrys
hand and introducing themselves. It is here that Harry
first meets Professor Quirrell, who will be his
professor for the Defence Against the Dark Arts class.

Hagrid finally manages to get Harry away from the
crowd and the two of then exit the back of the pub
into the walled courtyard beyond. Hagrid starts
tapping bricks in the wall and, to Harrys amazement,
the wall opens. They pass through and enter Diagon
Alley.

An overwhelming array of new and exciting sights and
sounds await Harry in Diagon Alley. They pass a
variety of fascinating shops, arriving at their first
stop, Gringotts, the wizarding bank. Two wild cart
rides later, they have retrieved both Harrys money
and the package Dumbledore asked Hagrid to bring back.

>From there, its off to Madam Malkins to purchase
Harrys robes. Here Harry meets his first fellow
student, a boy to whom Harry takes an instant dislike,
feeling he reminds him of Dudley. Harry is finished at
the shop and leaves before names are exchanged.

Over ice cream, Hagrid explains more to Harry about
the wizarding world, such as Quidditch and the
different Hogwarts houses. From there its a stop at
Flourish and Blotts to buy school books, the purchase
of a cauldron, and a trip to the apothecary for
potions ingredients. They then go to Eeylops Owl
Emporium, where Hagrid purchases Hedwig, a snowy owl,
as Harrys birthday gift.

Their last stop is Ollivanders, to buy Harrys wand.
After a brief discussion which includes mention of his
parents wands and the fate of Hagrids, Harry is
measured for his own wand. It takes numerous attempts
to find the right wand for Harry and, in the end, his
wand turns out to have the same core as the one which
gave him the scar.

Purchases complete, Harry and Hagrid stop for a bite
to eat. Then Hagrid hands Harry his train ticket for
his trip to school and puts him on the train home.

Questions:
1. Hagrid says he flew to the hut on the rock. How?

2. I know this has been discussed before, but perhaps
there are some new ideas out there. How did the
Dursleys manage to get home from the hut on the rock?

3. Neither the key or Dumbledores letter seem to be
very carefully examined at Gringotts. Is this a sign
of lax security?

4. Harry seems to have been very quick to decide that
the boy at Madam Malkins reminds him of Dudley, why
do you think that is?

5. Theres no mention of Harry actually leaving Madam
Malkins with his robes. Did he actually get them
right away? If not, when did he receive the robes?
Draco had been there longer than Harry, why wasnt he
finished getting his robes?

6. No mention is made of Hagrids buying Harrys
ticket for the Hogwarts Express. Did he already have
it or did he purchase it that day?

I had a hard time coming up with questions, as we have
already discussed these books to death! Enjoy.

Sheryll, finally doing her first chapter summaries :)


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"We need to be united and strong. We'll have losses and scares, sure. And you'll be there for each other, helping each other through the bad times."
 blpurdom - Harry Potter and the Psychic Serpent, Chapter 26

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