CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Chapter 34, "The Department of Mysteries"

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No: HPFGUIDX 120271


> Questions:
> 
> 1) Thestrals obviously understand human language since they were able to 
> understand Harry's instructions.  Why is that?  Can most magical 
> animal/beasts/beings understand the human language?

A1).  Might I suggest some magical creatures can understand Wizard humans 
based on their magic.

> 10)  What is the Ministry doing with Brains?  Is it purely for research on 
> how the brain works or are the brains from famous witches and wizards?  Like 
> the rumor that people have kept Einstein's brain in a jar because of his 
> genius.

A10).  Perhaps it's generating some sort of power.  Or have I seen too many 
science fiction movies?  If the basis of magic is in the brain, it would make 
sense that the most powerful wizards donate (willingly or not) their brains 
upon their death.

> 12)  Why is Hermione not affected by the veil like Harry and the others?  
> She is almost hysterical when trying to pry Harry away from the veil.  What 
> does she know or understand differently?

A12).  I think Hermione senses there is something not quite right about the 
veil.  Trelawney has said she has no inner eye for divination, but when 
Trelawney is wrong, she's usually really wrong.  Hermione might sense it's a 
one-way trip somewhere you really don't want to go to right now.

> 14)  Seems there must be significance to the prophecy being in row 97, any 
> ideas?  Could it be the year that the prophecy will come true?  What about 
> row 53, is there significance that this was the first row seen by the group 
> upon entering the hall of prophecy.

If it indeed refers to dates, 1953 might be the year Tom Riddle, aka Lord 
Voldemort, went over to pure evil, pure darkness.  That might have caused a 
ruckus in the divination crowd.  But it makes me wonder where do all these 
prophecies come from?  Does no one check for accuracy?  Are they being 
logged and followed?  Or is it like the room at the end of "Raiders of the Lost 
Ark" where they are merely kept and ignored?

> 15)  When Harry doesn't find Sirius being tortured, he deals with his 
> mistake by treating his friends horribly.  Is this a direct result of his 
> up-bringing?

A15).  Perhaps it is because he feels he has failed and he's not used to 
failure?  He might be beginning to believe his hype...  that's he's really 
invincible and unfailing because he's got good intentions.

The other questions are ones I'm still questioning myself.  These are the 
ones I have theories for.

~Lisa the Lurker