Timing: was CHAPDISC: HBP 2, Spinner's End

[Ceridwen]

No: HPFGUIDX 142046

> Carol:
> You determined this from the image of the breeding Dementors at the
> beginning of the chapter, right? If so, I agree. I think they take
> place simultaneously.
> 
> But what about chapter 3, to anticipate a little? I know that 
Ceridwen
> thinks that Slughorn's acceptance of the Potions position coincides
> with this chapter timewise, so that Snape becomes DADA professor
> (without knowing it) just in time for the DADA curse to bind Snape 
in
> the form of the UV (specifically provision three) at the end of the
> chapter. I'm also wondering what others think about the timing of 
the
> chapters, as I'm absolutely convinced that the UV as it controls the
> action on the tower is the manifestation of the DADA curse, whether 
or
> not Snape is officially the DADA instructor when he takes it. But if
> he *is* the DADA instructor at the time of "Spinner's End," the 
curse
> could already be operating, trapping and dooming him before he even
> returns to Hogwarts.

Ceridwen:
Since you mentioned it, I'll try to explain.  I'll mark the post 
seperate from the chapter discussion so I won't confuse it (or me!) 
any more than necessary.  I'm not too good at explaining, so bear 
with me!

I think that chapters one and three, are concurrent, or nearly 
concurrent, as are chapters two and four.  There may be some 
overlap.  In 'The Other Minister', it was 'nearing midnight' as the 
chapter opens.  It doesn't say how near to midnight it is.  
Dumbledore is to come for Harry at eleven p.m.  The image of breeding 
Dementors is used in both chapters one and two and seems to tie the 
two together as being on the same night.  Chapters three and four, 
Dumbledore's cozy visit with the Dursleys, then his and Harry's visit 
to Slughorn in 'the charming village of Budleigh Babberton' are 
obviously consecutive.  When they leave the Dursleys' house, they 
step out into 'cold, misty darkness' evoking the Dementor breeding 
fog again.

When DD and Harry Apparate to BB, the church clock reads a few 
minutes until midnight.  Probably about the time Fudge and Scrimgeour 
are leaving the PM's office.  Chapter 1 seemed longer, through the 
device of the PM's thoughts.  What takes paragraphs to relate 
probably only took seconds of time for him to think.

Cissy and Bella go to Spinner's End on what is apparently the same 
night as the PM's unexpected visit.  The tie-in with the Dementor 
fog.  It seems to follow right on the heels of The Other Minister, 
both in time and in the book...

(Odd thought just now, all four chapters include unexpected 
visitations)

*IF* (a very big word for so few leters) chapters 1 and 2 are 
consecutive, and *IF* chapters 3 and 4 are on the same night, and 
*IF* the times are the same or nearly the same, that would put Cissy 
and Bella Apparating at about the same time, or thereabouts, as Harry 
and Dumbledore.

Big leap:  I believe that the street called Spinner's End is in the 
charming village of Budleigh Babberton.  The only piece of canon I 
can offer is Snape looking out the window.  I think he was looking 
for someone or something.  He doesn't raise the curtain, but peers 
out.  I think he's there to keep an eye on Slughorn for DD, and he 
knows DD is supposed to be in town that night to talk to Slughorn.  
So he says he knows the reason, to keep the sisters talking a bit 
longer so Dumbledore and Harry can get out of the twisting streets 
near Spinner's End and to the town center.

And, I think he and DD talked it over before book 6 begins.  If they 
are to get Slughorn to come and teach at Hogwarts (both to get the 
memory and for Sluggy's own protection, why else is he squatting in 
someone else's house?) they need to free up the Potions position.  I 
do think DD thought Slughorn would come around and agree to teach, 
but nominally, it was provisional - if Slughorn agrees to teach, he 
will teach Potions and Snape will step aside into the DADA slot.  
Snape's just about got the DADA, all they're waiting for is the 
formality of Slughorn accepting.

And, as Carol mentioned, I think the point where Slughorn stops 
Dumbledore and Harry and accepts, is the approximate point where 
Snape is taking the UV.  The sudden, unannounced third provision is 
the point when Snape realizes Slughorn has accepted, and the DADA 
curse has just kicked in.

Hm, I do have one more possible trail of canon to connect the run-
down area of Spinner's End with the less unattractive village of BB 
(or is it just Harry not noticing that the dark windows are 
deserted?) - the twists and turns it takes to get from the river to 
Spinner's End, and from the point of Apparation to Slughorn's 
temporary abode.

Slughorn says he had about two minutes' warning of their approach.  I 
take this to mean he has some sort of magical detection spells or 
devices set at about two minutes away.  DD Apparates outside of the 
alarms.  *IF* Snape is in BB, his residence is also just outside of 
the alarms.

I know it's a long-shot on Spinner's End being in Budleigh 
Babberton.  There are probably plenty of towns with run-down 
sections, remnants of the early Industrial Age.  They probably all 
have warrens of twisting streets in them, deserted houses, and 
couples in the better sections who go away for at least part of the 
summer so a wizard like Slughorn can move in.  But it seems to me 
that there's a method here, tying the four chapters together.  It 
does amuse me, and explains the slight movement of curtain the text 
suggests to me, rather than the broader sweep of open curtains which 
allows Snape to Legilimens Narcissa in the glass undetected.  I just 
hope I'm not falling into another JKR time-warp!

Ceridwen.