Opening of Book 6 - Theories, Anyone?

[finwitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 114671


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Susana da Cunha"
<susanadacunha at g...> wrote:
> Oh, we're doing futurology now, are we?
> 
> That is sooooo dangerous! What if one of us comes up with a better
idea for the fist chapter then JKR? Won't you be disappointed? What if
we come out with *the same* idea as JKR? Doesn't that qualify as a
*spoiler*?!?

Finwitch:

Not to me, since it's all speculation! And if someone really *does*
have such an excellent "first chapter" - post it into fanfiction.net
or some other fanfic-forum and continue it! I'd be ever so curious to
read it. Second, I very much doubt someone can come up with the same
idea, and even if we do, we won't *know* that! (unlike after the
book's published/information is from JKR's website/interview with JKR
- in latter case, it's very general at most, so it doesn't exactly
spoil too much... I myself might have seen it already at the source)

Susana: 

> The first chapter has the purpose of the book. In PS introduces
Harry, in CoS... is missing, in PoA informs about the escaped prisoner
(Sirius), in GoF foresees the return of Voldemort, and in OotP
establishes Harry as the target. 
> 
> I say it's missing in CoS because the first chapter doesn't
introduce the purpose of the book; it just reintroduces Harry. That is
very consistent with a whole plot being taken of CoS - and we know
that plot has been 'transferred' to HBP.
> 
> CoS is actually my least favourite book - I just can't see its
purpose! Maybe that's why I reckon the introductory chapter is
missing. If someone has any idea about the purpose of CoS in the
series, do explain, please!

Finwitch:

Kafi explained it in further detail - but this Chapter introduces
Dobby, the themes - Good intentions, bad results; Choices - the
freedom to make them, the sacrifice this freedom might require etc. ;
being great no way means you're good; introduction of the Ministry of
Magic and the fact that they DO have means to watch over Harry...

Susana:

> Another hint we have is that Harry will have to learn to control his
emotions in the sixth book. I thought the Dursleys would be essential
to that. I was very surprised when I read JKR's statement that we'd
see little of the Dursleys in the sixth book. I thought the reason
Petunia had taken Harry was a subplot to be resolved before the main
one(s) but reading posts here made me realize that to resolve that
issue would 'give too much away'.

Finwitch:

Well, it will remain short if Harry's lack of control over his anger
leaks, once again, in magical means! And keeps doing so. Strong
magical accidents one after another following each other would, as I
see it, indeed introduce Harry's need to control his emotions AND keep
his time with Dursleys short. (that's what I think causes magical
accidents - "ever got anything happen when you were angry or scared?"
and I'm not going to imitate Hagrid's dialect - this further shows
when Aunt Marge blows up, and when that case is rementioned in Harry's
trial (and Dumbledore says it's about lack of emotional control as
well as the fact that Fudge knew it, too).

It could be that an official of Ministry of Magic, Accidental Magic
Reversal Squad visits Dursleys and possibly takes Harry away to St
Mungos to be treated for Dragon Pox or some such (duh, ALL the books
have some visitor! in PS, Dumbledore/Hagrid; in CoS there are Masons
for Dursleys and Dobby for Harry - later the Weasleys to pick Harry;
PoA Aunt Marge/Sirius as dog; GoF four Weasleys; OOP Dementors/
members of the title's group... Will the Half Blood Prince visit the
Dursley neighbourhood?

******

Something I see in the opening of every book: Faulty communication

in PS - Dursleys steal Harry's letters (from Hogwarts, I suppose - but
nothing to say that in those hundreds of letters weren't at least one
from some place else. Hagrid solves this by giving Hedwig).

in CoS, Dobby steals Harry's letters; Hedwig is locked up in a cage.

in PoA, Harry must send Hedwig (his only means to communicate with WW)
away for Marge and listen the result of all the lies of Dursleys, just
to get a permission slip signed! (this is the last one where NO
letters sent appears, but at least he can recieve them now)

in GoF, Harry does not know *how* Weasleys mean to arrive (meaning the
Weasleys get stuck into living room fire-place) due to their vague
information.

in OOP, the information is clearly vague, and Harry definately does
all he possibly can to get the information he needs with little or no
result - due to old headmaster's decision. (everyone keeps reminding
that letters can be intercepted)

Is Harry finally being properly communicating in HBP? think not, but
more so than before - and I think he will be in Book #7 (because
that's when he's supposed to defeat the Dark Lord!)...

Finwitch