CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Chapter 12, "Professor Umbridge"

Jen Reese stevejjen at earthlink.net
Wed Feb 18 14:34:16 UTC 2004


No: HPFGUIDX 91184


This chapter sets the stage for the division of loyalty taking place 
in the Wizard World. With the battle heating up between 
Dumbledore/Harry vs. Fudge/ The Daily Prophet, everyone seems to be 
choosing sides. Harry is frustrated to discover that even fellow 
Gryffindors like Seamus and Lavender don't believe his story that 
Lord Voldemort returned.

Ron, Hermione and Neville remain steadfast in their support, 
reminding Harry of this when he lashes out at them. Suddenly, 
Hermione notices a sign in the Common Room recruiting students 
for `virtually painless jobs' and attempts to enlist Ron to stop 
Fred and George. Ever idealistic, Hermione misses the obvious point 
that prefects have had little impact on Fred and George's behavior 
in the past, and little brother Ron has even less influence! 

But Hermione's narrative voice takes an important turn here, as she 
reminds us of Dumbledore's words at the end of last year's feast 
regarding You-Know-Who: "His gift for spreading discord and enmity 
is very great. We can fight it only by showing an equally strong 
bond of friendship and trust
" Hermione's analysis that the in-
fighting has already started, despite Dumbledore's words and the 
Sorting Hat's warning to `stand together,' is ominous foreshadowing 
for the literal and symbolic battles ahead.

Over breakfast, Fred and George seem undisturbed by the looming war 
and regale the Trio with tales of fifth-year OWL woes, and how their 
concoctions like Nosebleed Nougat and Skiving Snackboxes are really 
a *service* to all the students. We find out that Fred and George 
considered not returning to Hogwarts for NEWT year, but instead 
decided to make the best of it after Percy turned out to be 
the `world's biggest prat'. As Fred and George depart for classes, 
Hermione and Ron debate how the twins could afford to open a joke 
shop; Harry steers the conversation to a safer topic.

CLASSES

History of Magic proceeds in the usual fashion—Harry tunes out what 
is sure to be important information about the Giant Wars and 
Hermione dutifully takes notes. During break, a solo Cho approaches 
Harry for the second time in two days, a circumstance Harry points 
out is `most unusual'. Ron quickly interrupts the burgeoning 
conversation when he notices Cho's Tornados badge and proceeds to 
cross-examine her about her loyalty to the Quidditch team. The scene 
ends with Hermione rounding on Ron after Cho leaves, and Harry stuck 
as usual between his best friends' bickering.

POTIONS

Snape starts class by telling the students his expectations for OWL 
year, the `high-pass level' he's come to expect from fifth years. We 
see Neville once again intimidated by Snape's words and eye-contact, 
and Hary and Snape exchanging glares. Harry hopes this will be his 
last year of Potions.

Just as the Trio expected, Snape sets a `fiddly' potion for the 
first class of the year, the Draught of Peace. The potion is 
described as calming and soothing if made properly, but can result 
in a heavy and possibly irreversible sleep if not. Harry doesn't 
make the potion correctly and even though he is not the only one, 
Snape publicly points out Harry's mistake, cleans his cauldron 
with `Evanesco' and, Harry suspects, gives him zero marks for the 
day. 

While Harry is still seething about Snape's unfairness, Ron and 
Hermione start bickering again over lunch, debating Snape's true 
loyalty. Harry finally has enough and tells them to `shut-up', then 
heads to Divination alone.

DIVINATION

Harry has time to calm down before Trelawney's class starts, and 
accepts Ron's announcement that he and Hermione have stopped 
fighting. Ron reminds Harry again that they are on his side, so why 
is he taking his anger out on them? Harry, unsure why he's exploding 
at his best friends, feels both annoyed at R/H and ashamed of his 
own actions.

Trelawney announces their first lesson—-dream interpretation. Harry 
and Ron are predictably glum about this new phase of Divination, 
Harry because of all the recent dream activity he wants to keep a 
secret from everyone. Interestingly enough, Ron's dream (prediction?)
is about playing Quidditch.

DEFENSE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS

Umbridge, the only unknown quantity, finally appears in the last 
class of the long day. The class quickly sees through Umbridge's 
attempt to teach them theory over practical defense strategies, and 
erupts into questions and concerns over the new direction the DADA 
classes are taking. Umbridge plays a game of cat-and-mouse with the 
students, attempting to ignore and circumvent their questions. 
Finally, after Harry frankly states he saw Lord Voldemort and 
Umbridge retorts that Harry is repeating lies, we see the true 
reason for Umbridge's appearance at Hogwarts—to cement the 
Ministry's presence at the school and prevent Dumbledore from 
further `influencing' the students. Umbridge tells the class that 
the Ministry of Magic `guarantees you are not in danger from any 
Dark Wizard' before assigning Harry detention and sending him to 
McGonagall.

MCGONAGALL'S OFFICE

Harry proceeds to McGonagall's office with a pink, magically-sealed 
parchment from Umbridge. He is briefly waylaid by Peeves, who teases 
Harry about being a `crackpot'. Harry explodes once again, fourth 
time for the day, and brings McGonagall running from her office.

Harry expects McGonagall to be furious with him after reading 
Umbridge's note, but instead, McGonagall asks him a few questions 
and offers him a biscuit and a seat.  After contemplating for a 
moment, McGonagall becomes serious, almost anxious, and reminds 
Harry that misbehavior in Umbridge's class could cost him more than 
a few detentions. When Harry starts to justify his behavior, 
McGonagall's anger flares: "Do you really think this is about truth 
or lies? It's about keeping your head down and your temper under 
control!" (U.S. p. 249). McGonagall sees that Harry has only a vague 
understanding of what the Ministry is doing at Hogwarts, and only 
then because Hermione interpreted Umbridge's speech for him. 
McGonagall sniffs and sends Harry on his way.


QUESTIONS:

1) In COS when many students avoided Harry because he was the 
presumed Heir of Slytherin, Harry turned to Ron and Hermione for 
support and encouragement. In OOTP when the same situation arises, 
Harry is pushing everyone away including his best friends. Is this a 
temporary crack in the relationship of the Trio, or is it the 
beginning of a more permanent break in the relationships?

2) Fred and George rarely talk about the hot political climate in 
the WW once they leave Grimmauld Place. Should we take at face-value 
that their part in the War will be to provide humor for the over-
stressed WW? Could they also be doing other research that might 
assist the Order at a later date?

3) When the Trio discuss future career options over breakfast, what 
is Hermione proposing when she suggests taking S.P.E.W further?

4) The Draught of Peace can cause an irreversible sleep, but 
apparently not death. The use of this potion is opposite of the 
effects of the Befuddlement Draught mentioned in a later chapter. 
Coincidence? Red Herring? 

5) Snape singles out Harry once again in Potions, making much of 
Harry's mistake. It crossed my mind that Snape, while bullying 
Harry, might also be trying to make certain Harry knows how to make 
this particular potion. Any thoughts? 

6) Umbridge makes much of the `lies' told to the students, but never 
confronts Harry that he started the rumor. Why? 

7) Why does McGonagall warn Harry that misbehavior is Umbridge's 
class will cost more than a few detentions? What does she think he 
will lose?


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