CHAPTER DISCUSSION: CH 2, "A Peck of Owls" (slightly modified repost)

[bookraptor11]

No: HPFGUIDX 82849

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Kelley" <kelleythompson at g...> 
wrote:


> Q1: As Arabella's "cats" do not seem to attract interest by having 
an 
> unusual appearance, are they only part-Kneazle as well? Will Harry 
> now be able to identify Mrs. Figg's cats if he needs to? Any ideas 
> how the Kneazle's ability to "guide its owner safely home if they 
are 
> lost" will come into play in canon? Mrs. Figg and Filch are the 
only 
> Squibs we've met (that we know of); does Mrs. Norris fall into the 
> part-Kneazle category, too? Or is she a transfigured person unable 
> to change back? (Was that why Filch was taking the Kwik Spell 
> course?)

Donna: 
Does anyone else find it interesting that the only two squibs we've 
met may both have part Kneazles as pets?  I say "may" because Mrs. 
Norris is not confirmed as a Kneazle but, like Kneazy's posted, I 
think she is. Perhaps squibs are encouraged to form a relationship 
with them because if the part Kneazle takes a liking to them and 
agrees to be their pet, a squib is offered some protection from Dark 
Wizards? To quote from Fantastic Beasts: "The Kneazle has an uncanny 
ability to detect unsavory or suspicious characters..."  A squib 
knows about the WW, and even if they are like Mrs. Figg and live 
outside it, they are more connected than Muggles, but are just as 
defenseless. A part Kneazle could be a great help as a warning system 
and also to lead the squib to a safe place, not just "home".

I suddenly thought of "The Egg and the Eye" chapter in GOF, and 
reread the parts that mention Mrs. Norris. She's only mentioned once 
after FakeMoody comes on the scene, that she gives a loud meow and 
peers around Filch's leg, looking around, Harry thinks, for the 
source of the bubble bath smell. If she is part Kneazle, is her 
agitation because she senses someone evil nearby?  Everyone is 
treating him as Moody; their body language indicates trust, but she 
can sense something is off inside?

The only other confirmed half Kneazle belongs to Hermione, who is far 
from a squib. Crookshanks purpose in POA was to show that Sirius was 
not the villain in that book, if anyone was in the know about 
Kneazles. What will be his purpose in future books?  Perhaps Hermione 
will become too overconfident of her abilities and need Crookshank to 
save her?

> Q3: What *does* "spoiled, pampered Dudley" hear when attacked by 
> Dementors? 

Donna:
Probably things he's overheard on the playgrounds: that he's dumb, 
he's a spoilt mama's "ickle Duddums."  The deep inner voice that 
tells him he's feared as a bully but not respected, that he's never 
developed the social skills to get along with people. He's never had 
any real friends, and his parents are the only two people who will 
ever think well of him.  

Now that I've depressed myself by thinking of what a Dementor would 
pull out of Dudley's psyche, I'm off to make supper.