RE: [HPforGrownups] CHAPDISC3: HBP 3, WILL AND WON'T

[Sherry Gomes]

No: HPFGUIDX 142594

Snipping excellent Summary:

Sherry says:

Let me just start out by saying this is one of my favorite all time favorite
chapters in all the books, and probably my favorite in HBP.

Q1:  Does this signal a change in attitude toward Harry?  Is this a 
grassroots change or a campaign started by the Ministry?

Sherry
i think it's not so much a change, as a return to the way the WW felt about
Harry before OOTP.  Remember how he was greeted the first time he went to
the Leaky Cauldron.  The same for The ministry, I'd say, because they were
the same toward him before Fudge's denial of Voldemort's return.  The Chosen
One is a bit more than the past, boy who Lived, but I think it's pretty much
the same attitude.

Q2:  How does knowing that Scrimgeour was the Head Auror change your 
interpretation of earlier events as they had unfolded in OotP?

Sherry
i didn't really think much about it in terms of the past.  i thought it
might affect the handling of the Voldemort problem, more law and Order, and
potentially abuse civil liberties.  (Does the WW even have civil liberties?)
And the arrest of Stan shows that is exactly how it went.

Q3:  Events later in the book show us that Scrimgeour tries to use 
Harry to get some positive publicity for the Ministry.  Do you think 
this is what caused the rift between Scrimgeour and Dumbledore - 
that Scrimgeour wanted to set up a meeting with Harry and Dumbledore 
refused?  Or do you think there are some long-standing issues 
between them?

Sherry
I think that's part of it, but I'd also guess that Dumbledore expected there
to be problems with him.  Again, the arrest of Stan Shunpike would be
something DD would dislike, and probably is only the tip of the iceberg.
After all, Harry knows Stan, so we know about it.  

Q4:  Is Mrs. Longbottom one of those who "seem reassured" by the new 
security measures?  What do you think she said that is hidden from 
us?

Sherry
I don't think anything in particular is hidden.  I think Harry just needed
something for the bottom of Hedwig's cage.  Having had birds before, I'd
have used the Daily Prophet too.

Q6:  We later see the inferi that Voldemort left in the cave.  In 
what way do you think the DEs might *currently* be using inferi?

Sherry
No ideas on how they are using them, but the first thing I thought of was
the old horror movie, NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD.  Shudder.

Q7:  Is Harry's pessimism justified?  Do you think he has reason to 
believe that Dumbledore will not do as he says he will? 

Sherry
I think that in Harry's situation, I'd be concerned. But more from the idea
that the message could have been faked in some way, after the end of OOTP.

Q8:  What do you think of Dumbledore's behavior here? 

Sherry
YIPPEE!!!!  I loved, loved, loved Dumbledore's behavior.  Harry thinks, as
he coming downstairs, that past experience has taught him to stay out of the
reach of Uncle Vernon, telling me that he *has* been physically abused in
some way by Vernon.  Dumbledore's handling of the Dursleys was brilliant.  I
think it was good for Harry to be present for it.  i laughed and laughed
during this chapter, and i love reading it again and again.  After all that
Harry has suffered at the hands of the Dursleys, i was saying, GO
DUMBLEDORE!  At last, Harry could feel that someone knew and cared about
what he'd been through.  

Q13: Why does Dumbledore say this now?  Why not 5 years ago?  At 
this point, why say it at all?  

Sherry
Well, it needed to be said, someday.  and I really think it's more for
Harry, to give Harry confidence that someone has seen and cared.  It seems
to help bond him closer to Dumbledore.  I doubt any of it ever gets through
to the Dursleys, but it matters to Harry.

Sherry