CHAPTER DISCUSSIONS: Chapter Thirty seven - The lost prophecy . REPOST

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 124039


>>1. Do you think we will ever meet Phineas again? What do you think 
about the possibility of the network of portraits playing even larger 
role in the later battles?<

Betsy:
I sure hope we see Phineas again!  I loved that portrait!  And I 
wonder if the entire castle of Hogwarts will play a role.  It was 
created as a fortress in the beginning (I think).  It'd be nice to 
see Hogwarts in full protective action.
 
>>2. Harry blames himself for Sirius's death. Do you?<
AND
>>5.  Dumbledore blames himself for Sirius death. Do you?<

Betsy:
I'm going to agree with Sherri on this one.  Bellatrix killed Sirius; 
Voldemort set the whole thing in motion.  They are the ones to blame 
for the death of Sirius.
 
>>3. Dumbledore is sure that Harry IS the person the prophecy talks 
about. Are you?< 
AND
>>7. Do you agree with the possibility that Neville may turn out to 
be the real prophecy boy?<

Betsy:
I don't think JKR is going to pull a big switch on this.  I think the 
ambiguity comes in the final part of the prophecy - how exactly does 
Harry defeat Voldemort.  Of course, I could be wrong! :) 
 
>>4. Harry complains to Dumbledore that Occlumency lessons were 
weakening him. Dumbledore replies with his usual vow of trust for 
Snape. Do you trust Snape?<

Betsy:
Yup! :)

>>Tammy:
>I think that Snape is being a true Slytherin and looking out for
himself. If Snape's best interests are to be on the side of good -
then that's where he is. If Snape is better served by being on the
side of evil - then that's where he is.<

Betsy:
The one problem with that, Tammy, is that Snape switched sides before 
Voldemort turned to vapor in GH.  And at that time, Voldemort was 
definitely winning.  So at that time, Snape chose the losing side.  
Of course, maybe Snape was thinking of where his moral conscience 
would be best served. :)

>>11. Dumbledore tells Harry, "In the end, it mattered not that you 
could not close your mind.  It was your heart that saved you."  Does 
this mean that occlumency lessons were unnecessary in the first place?

Betsy:
I'm always leery of ignorance being a good thing.  If Harry knew 
Occlumency and then chose not to use it, that would be one thing.  
But he refused to learn it (or had a bad teacher - to include all 
theories :)) and so wasn't able to choose how to fight Voldemort.

It's apparent that Voldemort can get into Harry's head and give him 
suggestions and visions that influence Harry's behavior.  If 
Occlumency gives Harry more control over his mind, Harry needs to 
learn it.  And if Harry's emotions give him an edge over Voldemort, 
being in control of his emotions would only make Harry more 
formidable. 
 
>>12.  Do you think that this chapter was well done "plot wise"? I 
don't remember my complete reaction when I read it for the first 
time, but I remember that disappointment was definitely there.  I was 
thinking something like "that is the big secret"? Do you think that 
it would have been more effective if Harry learns about the contents 
of the prophecy from somebody else? Yesterday for some reason I was 
imagining Voldemort explaining things to Harry instead of 
Dumbledore. "Potter, we have to kill one another or be killed. You 
better be prepared." :o) What do you think?<

Betsy:
I actually liked this chapter, and was surprised that Harry has to 
actually *kill* Voldemort.  I think it's a huge emotional burden to 
put on someone (especially a child).  I can understand why Dumbledore 
was reluctant to do so.  I also think it's dramatically interesting 
for Harry to have time to ponder exactly what his role is.  Learning 
his part in the prophecy now, while he has time to reflect rather 
than in the midst of some future battle, means Harry will fully 
comprehend what he needs to do and will make his choices with eyes 
wide open.

I was also very touched with Harry's emotional breakdown and the way 
Dumbledore handled it.  Harry had been under so much pressure and 
went through such a horror, he really needed a safe place to 
explode.  I loved that Dumbledore gave him that time and place and 
that he wouldn't allow Harry to leave until he had gone through it.
 
>>13. We see Dumbledore crying in this chapter for the first time in 
the books. Despite the fact that a similar question was already 
posted couple of days ago, I decided not to delete mine. What did you 
feel when you read about Dumbledore's tear?<

Betsy:
I was very touched.  The prophecy makes it plain that Harry was never 
going to be a normal boy.  He was born, essentially, to be an 
assassin.  I think Dumbledore did everything he could to keep Harry 
as normal as possible, and I think he hates that he had to place such 
a burden on such young shoulders.  The full impact of that burden is 
expressed in Dumbledore's tear - this is something Dumbledore wishes 
he could change.  And he cannot.  That is huge. Harry can no longer 
depend on Dumbledore to fix things for him.  The fight is Harry's 
now.  And it truly sucks, and I can understand why Dumbledore himself 
would weep.

Betsy