CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Chapter 29, Career Advice

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 115930


Potioncat:
>> 2. Harry lets everyone think his bad mood is due to the upcoming 
O.W.L.s.  But Ginny sees that it is something else.  She advises 
immediately that he talk to Cho.  But when he tells her the real 
problem she quickly comes up with a solution for that. What does 
this say about Ginny?<<


SSSusan:
That she's perfect for Harry!!!  ;-)  

Seriously, for all the talk about how in tune Hermione &/or Ron are 
with Harry, GINNY is the one who "gets it" here, and straight off.  
As Meri said, she's got brains & moxie.  As Andrea added, she's 
intuitive and concerned about Harry's emotional well-being.  Part of 
that may be the remnants of the crush; part of it, also, I think 
comes from the fact that [as she reminds Harry at one point] she 
alone can understand a *bit* of what it's like for him to have 
Voldy "in his head."  


Potioncat:
>>3. After Harry turns, he hears a smashing sound. Who or what broke
the sample vial of potion? Would Snape have broken it, given that
Draco thinks Snape is teaching Harry remedial potions? Would Draco
have broken it in front of Snape? Could it have fallen by itself?<<

SSSusan:
Oh, I don't think there's any question that Snape broke it, since it 
happened so quickly after Harry turned it in and since he issued 
the "whoops" and the sneer.  COULD it have been someone else?  Yes.  
Do I believe it was someone else?  No.  It was Snape's way of "paying 
Harry back" for looking in the penseive, imo.


Potioncat:
>> 8. McGonagall ignores Umbridge, and pretends to think Umbridge 
has a sore throat.  Then she is scornful of Umbridge's note and 
quotes Lupin as a better judge of DADA knowledge. What do you 
think of McGonagall in this situation?<<

SSSusan:
I loved what Lupinlore said about MM in this scene, in particular the 
bit of a smile she wore when she said, "Yes, Potter, POTIONS."

Lupinlore:
> IMO this is just a common way of conveying sympathy and
> understanding without having to denigrate another teacher, 
> especially in front of Umbridge. McGonagall seems to be one of those
> unfortunate souls possessed of a tender heart combined with an
> inability to unbend beyond a certain rather limited point. Thus she
> must rely on minimal expressions and gestures, especially in
> professional situations, to convey her feelings.

SSSusan:
I think this is an excellent description of MM's tender heart & 
strictness rolled into one.  She's almost never going to be a gusher, 
that one.  Well, except for after that Gryffindor victory over 
Slytherin, where she sobbed harder than Wood....

And Andrea had this to say:
> This scene really tickled me in many ways, especially since early 
> in the book, it was MM urging Harry to keep his tongue and his 
> temper around DJU.  And yet, on Harry's behalf, she winds up in a 
> yelling match that Harry hears all the way down the hallway on his 
> way out!  Of course, even if she doesn't meet her own principles of 
> behavior, her repartee and cleverness in disputing outclasses the 
> toad's on every level.

SSSusan:
An excellent point!  I love how fiesty MM is in this scene, and how 
supportive of Harry, how she doesn't back down from Umbridge one 
bit.  For all of us who think Harry needs to learn to control 
himself, it *does* serve as a reminder of just how hard that can be 
when you're being baited!  But at least the shouting was reserved for 
after Harry's departure.  


Potioncat:
>> 9. Do you think Black and Lupin really listened to Harry? Did they
just dismiss his worries?<<

SSSusan:
I think they heard but didn't quite *listen* deeply enough to 
accurately assess Harry's level of concern.  I think they also got a 
little lost in their reminiscences....


Potioncat: 
>> 11. The twins leave Hogwarts as heroes.  Do you think we'll see 
these two playing a big role again?<<

SSSusan:
I sure hope so!  With all the darkness, doom & gloom that's surely 
awaiting Harry, et al., we'll be in desperate need of their humor at 
times.


Potioncat: 
>> 12. Your own question here.<<
 
Meri:
> > How freaking awesome was Fred and George's escape? Was that not 
> > the single coolest scene ever? Was anyone else cheering and 
> > jumping up and down when that happened? [Awkward silence...] 
> > Okay, just me then! 

Andrea: 
> No, Meri, it was not just you.  I'm sure I did a little dance right 
> there in the middle of the livingroom.  Just thinking about that 
> scene still gets me to grinning.

SSSusan:
Me three, Meri! It was perfect.  They *wanted* to do it for Harry and 
to get Umbridge.   The time was right--they were truly ready to 
depart.  They did it with their own brand of style.  And what better 
advertisement for their future enterprise? 

Siriusly Snapey Susan