Chapter Discussion - Chapter 6: Draco's Detour

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 145116

Meriaugust wrote:
Draco's Detour >  
> Discussion Questions - 
>  
> 1. This chapter begins with the death or disappearance of familiar 
> characters. Regulus Black is mentioned being killed "a few days" 
> after he abandoned Voldemort, though Karkaroff managed to survive a 
> full year. How did he do this? How high of a priority does this 
make 
> Karkaroff seem compared to Regulus? From what we suspect about the 
> identity of "R.A.B." could this imply that he was killed because of 
> his Horcrux theft? Does this confirm for us that Karkaroff was 
> indeed the DE "too cowardly to return" mentioned in GOF?

Potioncat:
I was very surprised to have Karkaroff mentioned so late in the game! 
I'm not sure if it means JKR was dealing with loose ends, or if she 
wanted his fate left unknown until Snape revealed his own status as 
the one who left forever. Although if you think about it, wasn't the 
coward to be punished and the one who left to be killed? I wonder if 
it was significant that Karkaroff was still in England?
>  
> 2. Why attack Florean Fortescue? Or was the shambles his place was 
> left in just a cover for a hasty escape? And for that matter, why 
> take Mr. Olivander? Does Voldemort want a new wand with which to 
> duel Harry with? We know that a wizard using an unsuitable wand 
does 
> not practice magic as well as he could; could Voldemort having a 
> wand without Fawkes' tail feathers in it be an advantage for Harry 
> in the final duel? What good does having Olivander do the dark side?

Potioncat:
Fortescue must have been attacked. Pretending he was wouldn't fool 
the DEs and would serve no other purpose. He may be related to the 
Headmaster Fortescue and he was the one who helped Harry so much with 
his history homework. I think he knows something that might help LV. 
Maybe something about artefacts? 
>  
> 3. The presence of the wanted posters and warning signs posted by 
> the Ministry has reminded some readers of WWII propaganda signs and 
> leaflets. In what ways are these things useful to the magical 
> community? Is it really possible to teach people to defend 
> themselves against threats with blurbs on purple poster board? Or 
is 
> this just another example of the Ministry wanting to be seen doing 
> *something* even if that something isn't that effective? Don't most 
> witches and wizards graduate from school with at least five years 
of 
> Defense Against the Dark Arts? How is their schooling practically 
> applied in these situations? Will the DADA curriculum be 
permanently 
> changed now that there is actual defense that needs to be done?

Potioncat:
Well, how effective has DADA classes been since about 1955? I'd say 
most wizarding families would fall short in those spells. I think the 
posters are JKR's dig at the current useless responses to terrorism. 
Not that all the reaction is useless, but some certainly have been!


 

>  
> 8. In this chapter we are presented with a very different Narcissa 
> Malfoy than appeared in "Spinner's End". Why has she changed so 
> drastically? Is this just her calm, public face? Or is she that 
> confident in the Unbreakable Vow now protecting her son?

Potioncat:
I think this was her public face. I don't think she's so calm inside. 
in fact she still seems to be trying to protect Draco.
 
>  
> 9. This chapter also presents some minor shipping moments: the 
> beginnings of Harry's attraction to Ginny (him laughing at her 
jokes 
> at breakfast), Ron and Hermione's continual bickering, and our 
first 
> sights of Fleur and Bill together. How do Bill and Fleur match up 
in 
> your estimation? Too sugary? What about the subtle hints about 
Harry 
> and Ginny? Were these too subtle or just right? 

Potioncat:
Whether or not you like shipping, these were sort of funny. Having 
this clinging girlfriend at a family Christmas event reminded me of 
events I've been to, with young cousins' new boyfriend/girlfriend 
joining in. I thought it seemed pretty real. 
>  
> 10. And just for fun, which products would you be picking up at 
> Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes? Why do Fred and George still have to test 
> on themselves? Surely they can hire subjects now? Or are their 
items 
> too dangerous?

Potioncat:
Erm...I'd think I'd be the parent pulling the kid away saying, "We've 
spent too much today already!"