CHAPDISC: HBP4, Horace Slughorn

[h2so3f]

No: HPFGUIDX 143363

Alla:
"QUESTION.1. Consider the following quote from this chapter:
Dumbledore: "However, I do not think you need worry about being 
attacked tonight."
Harry: "Why not, sir?"
"You are with me," said Dumbledore simply. 
Now look at this quote in chapter 26,"The Cave:"
"I am not worried Harry," said Dumbledore, his voice a little 
stronger despite the freezing water. "I am with you." 

Do you see any symbolic connection between these two quotes?"


CH3ed:
Yep. I agree with Carol's interpretation that they symbolize the 
passing of the torch from DD to Harry being 'The Man.' I'm a bit 
uneasy about it, though, since Harry is not anywhere near where DD 
was magically (tho I think he has the potential to be as great a 
wizard, given enough time). I think the turning points for DD in his 
later 'evaluation' of Harry are the successful extraction of Slug's 
horcrux chat with LV memory ,and Harry forcing DD to drink the 
potion in the Cave(under DD's order, of course) against DD's (under-
influence) protests for mercy. After that I think it is clear to DD 
that Harry will do what it takes to get the job done.

Alla:
"Question 2: When Albus says, "Lord Voldemort has finally realized 
the dangerous access to his thoughts and feelings you have been 
enjoying," does he mean that in OOP Voldemort had no idea that Harry 
had access to his thoughts and feelings? Wasn't it necessary for 
Voldemort to know that Harry would receive the vision of Sirius in 
order for his plan to lure Harry to MoM to be successful? In other 
words, I thought that Voldemort was aware of the connection during 
OOP. Are we supposed to think that he was not? How does Dumbledore 
know that Voldemort is now employing Occlumency against Harry?"


CH3ed:
I think DD meant that LV finally realized that it is not safe 
getting into Harry's head after he got burnt by the love for Sirius 
at the MM. LV wouldn't have known of Harry's access until the attack 
on Arthur Weasley. He immediately penetrated Harry back (shown in 
Harry's sudden impulse to bite DD before taking the portkey to 
12GP). So LV knew of the connection and Harry's failed attempt at 
occlumency and probably thought LV was home free getting into 
Harry's head because Harry couldn't prevent it. Now Harry could just 
think of someone he loves like Sirius or Ron and Hermione and LV'd 
probably find Harry's head something of a hot seat. ;O) I think DD 
knew for sure LV has been staying away from Harry when Harry told 
him his head doesn't hurt anymore (and no 'nightmare visions' too).

Alla:
"Question 3: Horace Slughorn tells Dumbledore that he did not have 
time to set the Dark Mark over the House. "The Dark Mark," he 
muttered. "Knew there was something 
 ah well. Wouldn't have had 
time anyway" I realize that I am missing something obvious here, but 
it bugs me nevertheless. Can anybody set the Dark Mark? Anybody who 
has no connections with Death Eaters at all? I am guessing that 
since Winky was accused of doing so in GoF, the answer is probably 
yes, but the suggestion that a house elf had done it was met with 
such disbelief that maybe not anybody could do it? What do you 
think?"

CH3ed:
I don't quite know what to think but I believe Arthur's assertion 
that only current and ex- DEs would know the spell for it. This 
doesn't look good for Slug, tho I can still give him the benefit of 
a doubt and say maybe he meant that he could have done an imitation 
of a dark mark? 


Alla:
"Question 8: Would you agree that Slughorn seems to be *too* 
unconcerned about Dumbledore's injury? If you disagree, why?"


CH3ed:
I think he did seem not too concerned, he was likely more concerned 
than he showed. After all the big reason that made him accept the 
position at Hogwarts was to be under DD's protection from LV and his 
DEs (at least that's what appears to be at face value). Slug had 
known DD long enough to not make too much out of something that DD 
didn't want to discuss overtly, tho. 


Alla:
"Question 9: What was your very first impression of Horace Slughorn? 
I mean, particularly, if it's possible for you to recall before you 
read anything about him on the HPFGU. "


CH3ed:
I thought he was likable for a Slytherin... tho he was obviously a 
Slytherin, always looking after himself first. I agree with Harry's 
misgivings about Slug's stand on pure-blood issue. I think Slug is 
prejudiced deep down, but he also realizes that it is wrong so he 
over corrects for it (which is what tipped Harry off). I don't think 
he put as high a priority on blood as folks like the Malfoys, tho. 
Slug is more practical. He wants something from the people he hangs 
with so he would try to 'collect' you if he thinks you have the 
potential to be of service to him in the future (rich, famous, 
influential). So your ability and connection would rank higher on 
Slug's priority list than your blood status. 


Alla:
"Question 10: We know that Harry does not ask questions about his 
parents even in those rare situations when he has the chance to do 
so. Here Harry meets the man who taught his mother, who seems to 
like his mother very much and Harry is still not asking him any 
questions about Lily. What do you think about it?"


CH3ed:
I think Harry never believed that Slug is not prejudiced against 
muggle-born and so he didn't believe Slug was sincere when he 
professed his fondness of Lily. Harry is also aware of Slug's 
manipulative spider trait, so he just doesn't trust him enough to 
confide in him.


CH3ed thanks Alla for a very thorough and thoughtful job on Chapter 
4. :O)