CHAPTER DISCUSSION: ch. 32 "Out of the Fire"

[finwitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 118405


Ginger:
 
> 1)  Do you think that F&G really intended to use what seems to be a 
> fatal substance for a prank?  Or was Ginny lying about that too?

Finwitch:

I think F&G came up with the idea to /tell/ people about the Gas
(which really wasn't there). It could also be an ingredient for their
Skiving Snackbox (particularly the Fainting one).
 
> 2)  If Ginny continues in this vein, will she be a potential asset to 
> the group?  Will she be good enough to fool LV, for example?  Or 
> another Legilimans?  Or will she be a potential liability?  

Finwitch:

Well, as Ginny *could* learn Occlumency, I suppose. Maybe she and
Harry *both* can learn it together. I do think Ginny's good asset to
DA and Harry in particular.
 
> 3)  This is the second time that Ginny is able to cut Harry off mid-
> pique.  (The first being when she points out that she too knows what 
> it is like to be possessed.)  Does this speak for her character?  Or 
> is it that she is someone outside the trio, so Harry is not as used 
> to her comments?  Or (I'm gonna kick myself for asking this) could it 
> have shipping implications?

Finwitch:

What ever it is, Ginny knows how to listen. She DOES come out with
information etc. and, of course, Ginny's the one who got F&G to help
Harry to talk with Sirius. Remember, growing up with twins made her
think that anything's possible if you've got enough nerve. (which, of
course, is a Gryff. trait, to have/appreciate the Nerve).
 

> 5)  Umbridge says she is going to loosen Harry's tongue with the 
> Cruciatus curse.  She is pointing her wand at Harry.  Knowing Harry's 
> tolerance for the Quill, don't you think she would have gotten the 
> truth out of him more easily by torturing one of his friends and 
> making him watch?  Or does she not understand love between friends?  
> Or did she choose to curse Harry in the hopes that one of his weaker 
> friends would crack to spare Harry the pain?  

Finwitch:

And all she got was - well, a trap! Of course, Harry *has* tolerated
Cruciatus before. I wonder, maybe Neville's accidental magic would
have knocked Umbridge off if she had cast the curse on Harry? Or Snape
had her arrested? Or - well, something? Hard to go on with a what-if,
though...
 
> 6)  What do you think of Snape's actions?  He managed to warn Harry 
> that she had used veritaserum on him once, which should have put 
> Harry on his guard.  He played up to Umbridge without being any help 
> whatsoever. (And got in some delightfully snarky comments as well.)  
> He saved Neville from choking with another snarky comment to Crabbe.  
> Do you think he could have given Harry a clue that he understood 
> him?  Or would that have been too risky as Umbrigde had just seen 
> through him enough to put him on probation?  

Finwitch:

Veritaserum... as I recall, Harry merely pretended to drink, thinking
of what Moody would say about accepting a drink from a known enemy. As
such, Harry already WAS on his guard. (so Snape's fake Veritaserum
didn't do much help...)

Well, I suppose Snape DID tell some Order member at some point -
(while Harry was flying on a Thestral?)...
 
Finwitch