[HPforGrownups] Re: CHAPDISC: HBP7, The Slug Club

[Amanda Haffery]

No: HPFGUIDX 145810

AHK wrote:
> "3. Compare this train scene with the early train scene in OOP. How
> do his feelings toward Neville and Luna compare in the two scenes?
> What does this scene do for our understanding of the Harry in HBP?"

Amanda:
My feeling is that at the beginning he didn't know Luna or Neville too well. Along the way they've both proven to be (can't think of the word here lol) right up there on his list with Ron and Hermione and Ginny. He knows that no matter what, they'll be on his side. Anywhere he needs to be or whatever he needs to do, they'll be by his side. No questions asked. And I think now that he understands what happened to Neville's parents due to the DL he has a new appreciation for him. And he understands Neville's need to fight the DL becuase his parents can't any longer.

AHK wrote:
> "4. In this chapter, Harry spends time with people of two very
> different rungs on the social ladder: the Slug Club -v- Neville and
> Luna (whose lack of popularity is touched upon several times in this
> chapter: Romilda's comments, DA being a source of Luna's only
> friends, Neville's own grandmother's wish for Harry as a grandson
> etc.). Discuss Harry's very different opinions of the two social
> circles. What about Draco's perception of where he is on the social
> ladder? (the attempt to impress that seemingly was trigger by being
> snubbed by Slughorn, his relationship with Pansy who seems
> determined to form some kind of attachment to him, etc.)"

Amanda:
I don't think Harry thinks in terms of a social ladder. These people have proven thereselves to him and for that they will always be most important to him. He doesn't care about money (as proved to the Weasley's time and again) he doesn't care about status.  All he cares about is keeping his friends and the WW safe from Voldemort. I just think Draco is a prat which has been helped along by the way his family raised him.

AHK wrote:
> "5. Neville mentions that his wand may have been the last Ollivander
> sold before he vanished. Do you think this is one of those throwaway
> lines that will be significant later? How?"

Amanda:
I think Voldemort had him taken. I think certain people's wands together will create something that Voldemort thinks will destroy Harry.

AHK wrote:
> "6. What is the composition of Neville's wand, and will it be
> important?"

Amanda:
Unicorn hair. And like I said before I think it will have some 
significance to other people's wands that will create something that 
Voldemort believes will destroy Harry.

AHK wrote:
> "9. The luncheon scene with Slughorn highlights the personality
> traits that we glimpsed in "Horace Slughorn." Did this scene cement
> your opinion of Slughorn, did it change your first impression from
> the earlier chapter, or did your opinion undergo a transformation
> later, say, after seeing the full horcrux memory?"

Amanda:
I felt from the beginning that Slughorn was a user and this just cemented my belief. He doesn't care about anyone or anything but his self and where people he meets can take him.


AHK wrote:
> "11. I find the end of this chapter difficult to read, wishing at an
> emotional level that Harry would use more caution. Harry's
> impulsiveness has gotten him into scrapes before, and he once again
> takes a chance and loses. How do you think this tendency will play
> out? (Curiosity killed the cat or caution makes cowards of us all?)"

Amanda:
Harry has never had to worry about someone before. No one's cared about him before. I think he's still trying to adjust to all the change that's come his way. He is putting people in danger with his antics but at the same time he's just trying to help. I think he holds himself responsible for everything that's happened to everyone because VM is after him and he just wants to be the one to handle it all so he can try to protect those he loves.

Amanda