[HPforGrownups] CHAPDISC: HBP8, Snape Victorious

[Tiffany Black]

No: HPFGUIDX 146548

Sherry:
2.  Harry despises himself for wishing there would be the sound of panic,
people wondering what had happened to him.  He has always hated his
celebrity, but in this situation, it might have helped.  Later in the
chapter, when he is at the Gryffindor table and feeling embarrassed, he
hopes the students will just assume he was off doing something heroic.  How
do you feel about his thoughts in this situation?  Does it seem
inconsistent, practical, or natural to you?

Tiffany:
I think it is a perfectly normal way for a sixteen year old to think. When
Harry was on the train, it would be perfectly normal to hope someone was
worried about him, and when he got to the dining hall, being totally
embarrassed that Draco had just stomped all over him, immobilized him and
left him to be stranded on the train, he realized that this sounded like a
really dumb and embarrassing reason for being late and covered with blood.
Having a sixteen year old's need to be thought of as cool, he'd want them to
think he'd done something heroic rather than stupid.



Sherry:
4.  Some have said that we didn't see enough of Harry grieving for Sirius.
What do you think of this scene, with Harry's thoughts about Tonks and his
inability to talk to her about Sirius?  Does this show his grief to you?
Tiffany:
I do think this shows Harry's grief very well. Harry is the kind of person
who keeps his deepest and most intense feelings to himself most of the time,
so he shouldn't be expected to be leaving his grief hanging out for all to
see. Sirius was very dear to Harry, and it must be difficult to talk to him
with people who might remember him differently or say something that will be
painful to hear.


Sherry:
7.  We've discussed Harry's hatred of Snape over Sirius death many times in
the past, and I want to go in a different direction with this question.
Harry believes that the reason Sirius rushed off to the ministry was because
of Snape's taunts.  Whatever you think of that belief, why do you think
Harry would so easily believe that Sirius would only rush off because he was
taunted?  Does Harry have difficulty believing that Sirius could have rushed
to his rescue out of love for him and a desire to save him, as he could not
save James and Lily?  Does Harry have a problem believing that people could
love him enough to risk their lives?


Tiffany:
I do think that Harry has trouble with the idea that anyone wants to put
themselves at risk for him. He did try to keep five of his friends from
going with him to the ministry because he didn't want them to get hurt on
his account.


Sherry:
9.  Hermione tells Harry that Hagrid was only a few minutes late, yet Snape
had said that Tonks' message to Hagrid couldn't reach him, because Hagrid
was late, and that was why, he, Snape, had taken the message instead.  Was
this true?  Do you think Snape intercepted the patronus message before it
could reach its intended recipient?  How long do Patronuses take to arrive
with a message?  Did it arrive when Hagrid was not there? Did Snape
intercept the message because he was supposed to protect Harry, or just to
have another golden opportunity to give him a bad time?
Tiffany:
I think that hagrid was probably still overseeing the first years when the
partonus came in and couldn't intercept it himself.


Sherry:
11.  Toward the end of this chapter, we have two different situations with
Ron, both that jumped out at me in different ways.  First in the
conversation with nearly Headless Nick, was this meant to be comic relief,
or showing Ron's insensitivity?  Later, as Harry tells Ron the story of what
happened on the train, he believes Ron shows his friendship by not laughing.
Does this show anything about Ron's character, or is this just normal for
any kid his age?
Tiffany:
I do think that Ron is being perfectly normal for his age.
 
Sherry:
13.  Here is one of my favorite parts in the book, for surprise value,
Dumbledore announcing Slughorn as Potions teacher.  How did you react when
you read Dumbledore's announcement of Slughorn as potions master?  Were you
shocked?  Did you expect it at all?  When Harry and Dumbledore were going to
meet Slughorn, did you think it was to hire him for DADA?

Tiffany:
Yep, I did think that Slughorn was supposed to be the DADA teacher. Like
Harry, I simply assumed that was the vacancy being filled.

Tiffany