Filch and semantics

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 83392

bookraptor11: 
> >I'm wondering if it was Dumbledore who abolished the chaining of 
> >students when he became Headmaster, or even successfully 
campaigned 
> >for their elimination while he was just a teacher. Filch said in 
COS 
> >that he missed the screaming; we don't know how long he's been 
> >caretaker. Perhaps he was never allowed to use this punishment and 
is 
> >just nostalgic for his own student days, sick little puppy.
 

Chiara:
> The verb "miss" can mean two things:
> 
> - I was there at the time the "screaming" happened, I liked it and 
I feel it
> should still be there nowadays but it isn't.
> 
> - I am too young to have witnessed the "screaming" so I didn't 
happen to
> witness it.
> 

Geoff:
I think I am right that Filch's remark about mssing the screaming 
only occurs in the film.

The comments by Filch in canon are:

"'Follow me,' said Filch, lighting a lamp and leading them 
outside. 'I bet you'll think twice about breaking a school rule 
again, won't you, eh?' he continued, leering at them. 'Oh yes.... 
hard work and pain are the best teachers if you ask me.... It's a 
pity they let the old punishments die out.... hang you by your wrists 
from the ceiling for a few days, I've got the chains still in my 
office, keep 'em well oiled in case they're ever needed...'"

I interpret this as being that Filch was there when they were used; 
he seems to be speaking from experience.

Geoff