Chapter Discussions: Chapter 8, The Hearing
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Mon Dec 22 21:27:28 UTC 2003
No: HPFGUIDX 87462
Chapter 8: The Hearing
Harry walks into the dungeon for his hearing and is shocked to discover that it is the same one he saw in Dumbledores Pensieve. Harry sits down in the chair covered with chains. The chains did not wrap around him (which we know is a good thing from the trials of Ludo Bagman and the Lestranges/Barty Crouch respectively).
Harry learns fully what the Wizengamot is: a council of about fifty witches and wizards who will decide his fate. All wear plum colored robes with a silver W on them. Harry realizes that he only knows two of the people there: Cornelius Fudge and Percy Weasley. When Harry looks at Percy, Percy does not acknowledge his existence, this enforces Percys estrangement from his family.
Fudge begins to list the charges and the people in attendance. We learn a few more names: Amelia Susan Bones and Dolores Jane Umbridge.
Dumbledore comes to testify for Harry. Although Dumbledore is there, he does not look at Harry or acknowledge his existence. Most of the members of the Wizengamot look upset to see Dumbledore there, but two witches in the back row wave to him. Fudge is surprised to see Dumbledore because Fudge did not think Dumbledore was aware of the change in time and venue. Dumbledore conjures up a chair for himself and sits down to listen to the trial.
Fudge seems to have lost his momentum with the arrival of Dumbledore. He reads the charges: using a Patronus Charm in a Muggle-inhabited area. Fudge starts to question Harry rapidly, he does not let Harry give more than yes and no answers. Harry becomes frustrated with Fudge and his line of questioning. Harry is interrupted by Madam Bones. She asks him if he made a corporeal Patronus. Some of the Wizengamot is impressed that Harry can produce a Patronus while still young. Harry tells them that Lupin taught him in his third year.
Harry finally tells the Wizengamot that there were Dementors in Little Whinging. Fudge tries to laugh it off, and he tells the Wizengamot that he thought Harry would make up a story like that. Harry tries to make them believe his story.
Dumbledore interrupts and says that Harry has the right to present a defense. Madam Bones backs him up. Percy goes to the hall and fetches Harrys witness - Mrs. Arabella Doreen Figg.
Fudge is suspicious of her because they have no record of any other wizards in that area. She admits shes a Squib. The Wizengamot seems skeptical about whether or not Squibs can see Dementors; Mrs. Figg is indignant. When she first begins to describe them, it does not sound as if she has ever seen one in real life. Madam Bones is not very patient. When Mrs. Figg describes how they made her feel, the Wizengamot knows that she actually saw them.
Fudge tries to play down her importance, but Madam Bones believes her. Fudge questions why Dementors would be in Little Whinging. Dumbledore suggests that they were sent there and implies that it was someone within the Ministry. We hear Dolores Jane Umbridge speak for the first time, and we learn of her high-pitched, girlish voice. Dumbledore banters back and forth with Umbridge and Fudge.
Fudge guides everyone away from the topic of Dementors outside of Ministry control, and back to whether or not Harry is guilty. Dumbledore mentions Clause Seven of the Decree, which says that magic can be used in life threatening situations. Fudge says that he still doubts Dementors where there, and he says that he wants this trial over with as soon as possible. Dumbledore slyly accuses Fudge of wanting to expell Harry to make himself look good. They talk about the Hover Charm that Dobby did in Chamber of Secrets, and Dumbledore offers to summon Dobby there to testify. Dumbledore tells Fudge that the Ministry cannot punish students for misdemeanors at Hogwarts. Fudge tells Dumbledore that laws can be changed. Dumbledore accuses the Wizengamot of turning into a witch hunt (no pun intended).
Madam Bones takes a vote for the verdict. Harry does not have time to count the hands in favor of innocence. Fudge and Umbridge both vote for guilty, but they are outnumbered. Harry is acquitted!
Questions (in no particular order):
1. Was it really pure luck that Dumbledore happened to arrive at the Ministry early enough to make the trial, or was he notified by someone?
2. Does Dumbledore help or hurt Harrys case by throwing accusations at the Ministry?
3. Is there only one dungeon used for trials? Are all trials for adults held there? Does that make the scheduling of such trials hard since there is only one governing body? Would it be better for justice if the Wizengamot was split into smaller groups?
4. Does this scene support EvilGit!Percy? He does not even acknowledge that Harry is in the room, or that he knows Harry. Or does this support SpyfortheOrder!Percy?
5. Is Percys attendance at the trial a part of Evil!Fudges plot to further separate Percy from his family and friends?
6. Was it entirely legal for Professor Lupin to teach Harry the Patronus Charm? In the Ministrys eyes, I mean.
7. How exactly does one become a member of the Wizengamot?
8. Do they have to buy those robes themselves? :-D
9. How long did Dumbledore feel Lord Voldemort could sense the connection between himself and Harry? Dumbeldore does not look at/talk to Harry in this scene.
10. Will this make Harry an anarchist of sorts? Like on Buffy when Buffy said, Theyre in England. They cant tell which way my back is facing. Will Harry turn his back on the Fudge-run Ministry?
Oryomai
"But raising an heir
Could never compare
To raising a bit of hell!"
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