CHAPDISC: HBP 27, The Lightning-Struck Tower

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 163003

Beatrice wrote:
<snip, snip, snippety-snip of the lovely summary>
> 1.	If Harry is able to apparate to Hogsmead from the nearest 
> boulder, why couldn't they have apparated closer to the cave and 
> saved themselves the climb and the tiring swim?

SSSusan:
See, I just love this question!  Why not, indeed?  I may be way off, 
but when a question like this comes up, I always have an image of 
JKR doing a forehead smack and saying, "Eh, I should have thought of 
that!"

I do think that I've heard postulated the idea that DD wasn't sure 
of the *precise* location of the cave, though, only its general 
area.  If that were the case, and given the difficult terrain around 
the cave, it's possible that DD would not have wanted to shoot for 
something too specific and then end up, say, on some craggy, 2'x2' 
outcropping 50' above the sea, rather than in the cave.


> 3.	Are you reassured by Dumbledore's wry humor about the potion 
> in the cave ("That was no health drink")?  How grave is his 
> condition?  Is there any possibility for recovery?

SSSusan:
I've long held that DD knew only too well how dire his situation was 
at this point.  Frankly, I think he used the humor to comfort Harry, 
who had real reason to be worried. 


> 4.	Harry wants to bring DD to Madam Pomfrey (or vice versa), 
> but DD insists on seeing Snape.  Harry's reluctance is 
> understandable, but what do you make of DD insistence that he see 
> Severus?  

SSSusan:
That Snape has the history, of course -- that he knows about what 
happened to DD's hand, that he would be more likely to understand 
any Dark Magic involved in the potion & cave water, that he would 
know without any explanation or protestation how very serious the 
situation was and how there was no time to lose.

There's also always that possibility that DD knew he was dying and 
was going to "make" ("ask"? "command"? "beg"?) Snape to do the deed 
they'd talked about before.... <veg>

 
> 6.	When you first read that the Dark Mark was flying over 
> Hogwarts, what was your initial reaction?  Did you think that 
> someone had been murdered?  If so, who?  Did you believe that 
> the "major death" had already occurred or were you prepared for 
> something more?

SSSusan:
I definitely thought someone(s) had already been murdered, yes.  I'm 
sure my mind ran through any number of possibilities, but I don't 
think I settled on any one candidate or candidates.


> 7.	Did you see Dumbledore's strength on the flight back to the 
> castle as a sign that he might recover from his injuries? Or 
> simply a rally due to adrenaline? 

SSSusan:
I get so sad just thinking about this scene. :-(  Yes, I saw it 
exactly as a rally due to adrenaline and dire need.  I think that 
because the Dark Mark was there, DD was able to muster enough 
strength -- and only enough so -- to fly back to Hogwarts, so that 
he could see what had happened and if he could help in any way.  I 
believe he was worried beyond belief for his students and staff and 
knew that he had to find a way to get back.  I also believe it took 
almost all that he had left to do so.


> 9.	Upon reaching the deserted tower, Dumbledore orders Harry 
> again to wake Severus and bring him to DD.  If there is a 
> possibility that DEs are in the castle, why send Harry into the 
> castle on an errand?  Why not accompany him?  Why does he order 
> him to talk to no one?  Why not alert some one like McGonagall or 
> Hagrid, if Harry should meet them along the way?

SSSusan:
I think DD didn't accompany Harry because his strength was sapped 
and he physically couldn't.  I think he instructed Harry to stop and 
talk to no one because he knew his remaining time was very, very 
short without Snape's intervention.


> 13.	Draco and DD disagree about who Snape is working for
Well, I 
> am going to ask again: Where do Snape's loyalties lie?  Okay, okay 
> you don't have to answer that – just see the last 10,000 posts.

SSSusan:
Heh.  Well, of course Draco is wrong and Snape's working for DD and 
against Voldy. :)  But it will prove beneficial that Draco still 
believes Snape's on Voldy's side, as it will help Snape to be in a 
position to convince Draco to give up the DE path.


>14. ... Who else might be in hiding?

SSSusan:
Amelia Bones.

Maybe! ;-)


> 18.	Again a common question: Why does DD plead with Snape?  What 
> is he pleading for?  Why does his tone frighten Harry more 
> than "anything he had experienced all evening?" 

SSSusan:
Because he can sense the horribleness inherent in whatever it is DD 
is "saying" to Snape (which is that he must kill DD, of course!).


> 19.	 And again, sigh: What is the hatred and revulsion on 
> Snape's face?  What revolts him?

SSSusan:
That this is what he must do by virtue of having promised DD he'd do 
whatever necessary to assist him.  I suspect, also, that he's truly 
revolted by having to kill (dare I say "again"??).  I believe he 
sincerely wanted to leave that in his PAST, not be called upon to 
resort to killing, even for a cause, even in wartime.  

Not to mention he may well be pissed that DD's forcing him to lose 
the (apparently already weak) trust of the Order members and to have 
to leave Hogwarts and go on the run.

Just my two knuts, of course.

Siriusly Snapey Susan