PS/SS Chapter 8 Summary and Discussion Q's

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No: HPFGUIDX 28042

PS/SS Chapter 8 Summary and Discussion Questions

THE POTIONS MASTER

Harry begins his new life as a student at Hogwarts under the scrutiny of 
curious students of all ages.  We are provided with a montage of student life 
at Hogwarts; the various and quirky staircases, the doors with personalities, 
the ambulatory portraits, the ghosts, Peeves, Filch and Mrs. Norris, and the 
classes…

Astronomy, Herbology, History of Magic, and Charms are given a brief mention 
and description.  Transfiguration, taught by McGonagall, is described in 
enough detail to show that Hermione's aggressive passion for learning is no 
empty show; she is the only one to make progress in turning a match to a 
needle.  Defense Against the Dark Arts (affectionately known around here as 
DADA) is busy-bookwork under Quirrell, whose tremulous demeanor and silly 
purple turban (the one JKR said Snape refused to wear) further add to the 
cavalier attitude students adopt toward the class.

Harry is rather relieved that he isn't "miles behind" the other students, and 
by the time Friday rolls around, he and Ron are able to find their way to the 
breakfast table without getting lost (I'm coming to appreciate this feat, as 
I've recently discovered on a trip to Bloomington, Indiana that my 
campus-navigating skills leave MUCH to be desired - and I don't even have to 
deal with moving staircases!)  The only class they haven't been to is Double 
Potions, which they share with the Slytherins.  Ron comments that he's heard 
scuttlebutt to the effect that Snape favors his own students over other 
houses, and wishes, with the opportunistic philosophy that increases with 
Harry and Ron book to book, that McGonagall would equally favor the 
Gryffindors.

They are interrupted by Hedwig bringing Harry his first mail.  It's a note 
from Hagrid asking him to tea after Potions is finished.  It turns out to be 
the last bright spot of the afternoon, because Potions turns out to be a 
nightmare which, it is all to clear, is going to last about seven years.  
Snape doesn't just dislike Harry, he hates him.  Down in the dungeons, Snape 
sneers openly at Harry's name on the roll, gives a very silky and eloquent 
speech about the allure of Potions, and then proceeds to grill Harry about 
things which apparently only Hermione knows.  Snape takes a point from 
Gryffindor for this, and class begins.  Only Malfoy, apparently, can do no 
wrong, and Snape seems to be delighted with him.  He also seems to be equally 
delighted with the opportunity to snarl at Neville for melting his first 
cauldron (he's up to six now, as I recall).  He takes another point from 
Harry for not helping Neville (he later takes points from Hermione for doing 
just that in PoA).  

After the debacle of Potions, Harry and Ron go to visit Hagrid, who 
introduces them to Fang and makes them at home in his cabin.  He serves them 
tea and rock cakes ("extremely aptly named," as Connie Willis's Ned Henry 
says).  Harry and Ron are glad to hear that Hagrid also detests Filch and 
Mrs. Norris.  When Harry tries to relate Snape's particular hatred of him, 
Hagrid changes the subject and begins asking Ron about his brother Charlie.  
Harry is distracted by a clipping on the table from the Daily Prophet, which 
informs him that the robbery at Gringotts which Ron told him about actually 
occurred on his birthday, and (Harry puts two and two together) might even 
concern the grubby package that Hagrid had only just removed while with 
Harry.  Harry asks Hagrid about it, but Hagrid stonewalls him.

Harry and Ron return to the castle for dinner.  Harry ponders:  "Had Hagrid 
collected that package just in time?  Where was it now?  And did Hagrid know 
something about Snape that he didn't want to tell Harry?"

DUM-DUM-DUMMMMMM….  Tune in next time…[radio-play organ music]

Discussion Questions:

1. Hedwig comes to Harry with an unsolicited note from Hagrid.  How?  Do owls 
instinctively know when people want to send mail to their owners?  Or did 
Hagrid go up to the Owlery and choose her, knowing she was Harry's?  Once 
Hedwig got to know Harry, she did know enough to visit Hermione and pick up 
Harry's birthday present in PoA.  [side note:  I bet owls would be smart 
enough to refuse to deliver Anthrax letters.]

2. How does Hagrid know Harry and Ron have Friday afternoons off?  Perhaps 
all students, or all first-years, do….?

3. Why is there such enmity between Hagrid and Filch?  Why does Filch put 
Mrs. Norris up to following Hagrid everywhere inside the castle?

4. Why doesn't Hagrid want Harry to know that Snape hates him?  Why couldn't 
he have just said, "Snape has some Issues.  They'll sort themselves out 
eventually."  This would not have betrayed Hagrid's confidence in a teacher, 
and it would have satisifed Harry's questions for a while -- maybe.  Of 
course, it would have taken a bit of impetus from Harry's interest in 
detective work, but still, I'm curious to know why Hagrid is being coy; it 
doesn't seem necessary.


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