CHAPDISC:HBP19,Elf Tails

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 157532

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Kathryn Jones <kjones at ...> 
wrote:
> 5.	Considering the information that we have been given on Life 
Debts, is this
> fore-shadowing of what will come in Book 7?  Has Arthur just 
realized what this
> could mean for the Weasley family?  Does the fact that he speaks in 
a
> constricted voice mean anything other than his distress at nearly 
losing Ron? 

Alla:

Wonderful summary and questions, thank you. There is a reason that we 
are given so little on life-debts and many seem to agree that they 
would come into play big time, it seems, just what is this way that 
is the question.

But NO, I don't think that means that Wesley family owes life-debts 
to Harry. IMO of course. JKR pretty much said that it is different 
with Ginny, no? So, I suspect that something more than saving one's 
life triggers life-debt. Boy, do I want to know what exactly that is.

KJ: 
> 6.	 Does Harry understand what has been said here?  Does 
Hermione owe Harry
> and/or Ron a life debt after the troll incident, and could Ron's 
near-death
> experience be having a magical affect on Hermione?  How many people 
owe Harry
> their lives at this point?

Alla:

See above, but actually come to think of it, she just may, if we 
speculate that saving person you dislike triggers life-debt. They did 
not like each other before Troll's incident, so IMO that is possible.


KJ:
> 7.	Why is Hagrid so careful to make sure that no one over-hears 
their
> conversation and then blurts out to Harry that Dumbledore was angry 
with Snape?
>  Hagrid was very clear about two of the statements, "doesn't want 
to do it any
> more" and "you agreed to do it," but unclear on the rest.  As the 
character of
> Hagrid has been used to blurt out information that Harry is not 
supposed to
> know, is this concern for security in character for someone who is 
about to
> commit an indiscretion?  Do you think that Hagrid has been giving 
Harry the
> information he needs at Dumbledore's instruction? 

Alla:

Well, here I am showing my bias of course as somebody who does not 
buy Dumbledore and Snape plotting Dumbledore's death long in advance, 
so no, I don't think that this was Hagrid giving Harry hints on DD 
orders.

As to why he was making sure nobody was listening? Heee, I am going 
to go ahead and say that Hagrid can be careless, but not stupid. he 
thought Harry deserved to know, but that it was nobody else's 
business?

Speculating of course.


KJ: 
> 8.	Knowing what we do about the Unbreakable Vow, and assuming 
that Dumbledore
> was told about it by Snape, is there anything he, Dumbledore, could 
have done to
> secure the castle, or apprehend Draco early in the game, without 
triggering the
> Vow?  Do you believe that Dumbledore was willing to risk others in 
order to
> protect his spy and keep his plan in action? 

Alla:

Ugh, too bad that we don't know the mechanics of the UV. So, don't 
know what DD could have done, but yes IMO it is pretty clear that 
Dumbledore was willing to risk other students lifes ( Kathy and Ron 
seem to be the examples), but to do what? I'd say protect Draco.

 
> 10.	We have seen in the books that Snape had promised four 
things, to go back to
> Voldemort as a spy, to protect Draco, to help Draco in his task, 
and to perform
> the task if Draco is unable to do so.  Which promise do you think 
Dumbledore was
> insisting Snape keep?   Do you think that the promise Dumbledore 
wanted from
> Snape, in their conversation near the Forbidden Forest, was 
unrelated to these
> prior promises?

Alla:

Well, again see above. Of course if Dumbledore and Snape were 
plotting his assasination, that is what it was, but I am hoping and 
keeping my fingers that this is **not** what it was.

I think Dumbledore insisting that Snape kept his watch over Harry or 
Draco is just as likely for example, or keep his promise to teach 
DADA.

Maybe Snape dear just realised that he cannot break DADA jinx and 
wanted out?


Alla, who thanks KJ again for wonderful questions.