chapter 19 discussion

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 99840

Melody wrote:
> Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
> Chapter 19
> The Lion and the Serpent
> Questions:
> 
> 
> 2)  Hermione finally revealed she was almost in Ravenclaw.  This has
> been a fan question for a long time.  Did JKR add that bit in there 
to
> answer our question, or was is a natural progression in the book?  
Or
> another way of asking, why have they not asked this before?  Or are
> the houses integrating more now and these questions often come up?

Potioncat:
As we are starting to see the other houses more, it feels natural for 
this to come up.  As many of us have speculated, some of our 
favorites might seem to fit better in a different house.  One has to 
wonder if the Sorting Hat looks at which House would be best for the 
student or which House would the student best serve.  Sort 
of...here's a clever, brave one; Gryffindor could use a clever first 
year.
> 


>
> 
> 5)  Slytherin put a lot of time and effort in their tactics against
> Ron and the Gryffindor team.  They spent many hours creating badges,
> writing the song, and teaching others to chant and sing together...a
> feat in and of itself since Slytherin is not thought of as clever,
> team workers, artistic, and able to sing on pitch (ok that one is
> assumed by me)  Does this show a true willingness on Slytherin's 
side
> to actually work as a group for the good of a common goal even if 
that
> goal is for poor reasons? 

Potioncat:
I never picked up on this one.  But it fits what the Sorting House 
says, "Slytherin can make you great,"  "find their true friends," 
sorry, I'm paraphrasing But the Sorting Hat speaks about the House 
itself helping its fellows to succeed.  It sounds like the type of 
organization that networks heavily and pulls together for their 
combined goals.  And certainly, winning the Quidditch Cup or the 
House Cup are important to all members of Slytherin.
> 
x
> 
> 8)  Does she favor Slytherin because they have buttered her toast
> better than the other, submit themselves better than the others, or
> because she has alliances with their parents that she upholds?  Or 
is it because they have ideals that she too holds?

Potioncat: 
We know of at least one Ravenclaw whose mother works well with 
Umbridge.  And I would think there could be some in each House.  But 
if the Slytherins felt Umbridge was the one with the power, they 
would support her.  And she would eat that up!  I wonder  how the 
Slytherin students view Snape's quiet disdain of her?  Even if he 
never disparages her, he doesn't speak well of her or help her either.


Potioncat