CHAP DISC, HBP 25, The Seer Overheard

[Beatrice23]

No: HPFGUIDX 161741


Great Questions!  I am only answering a few as I only have a little 
time and others have given some great answers alread.


QUESTIONS


2. The narrator tells us that the reason why Harry disliked
Snape's detentions was because they were taking away from his time
with Ginny. Would have Harry liked them otherwise?

Beatrice:
I actually say this in a different way.  True, that Harry would never 
enjoy detention with Snape, but I thought Harry actually felt that he 
deserved detention in this instance.  Which I think is a sign of two 
things.  First, that Harry is maturing.  He no longer feels that he 
can justify all of his rule breaking.  Second, and most importantly, 
that he truly regrets inflicting harm on Malfoy.  This in my opinion 
is one of the most important things about Harry and really indicates 
how he is different from LV and the Death Eaters.  Although, he and 
Malfoy detest each other, Harry would never purposely cause bodily 
harm to him or anyone if he could help it.  He might defend himself, 
but he would never use his feelings to justify a horrible act.

I also think about this incident with Harry and Malfoy and what it 
might imply about James and Snape, or, more precisely, just about 
Snape.  The animosity between Harry and Malfoy has often been 
compared to the dynamic between Snape and James. I think that we can 
possibly see two parallels here.  1.  This is why James could not let 
Snape come to harm when they were at Hogwarts, because he is an 
essentially good person.  And 2.  This is why Snape may be so 
conflicted / repentant about his role in the deaths of Lily and 
James.  Or if you believe in DDM!Snape, why Dumbledore thinks that 
Snape is so contrite. 


4. The card that Trelawney pulls and reads to Harry correctly
predicts what will happen soon. Did that cause you to change your
opinion of Trelawney's prediction powers, card reading and other
Seer abilities for the better? If not, why not?

Beatrice: 
At first, yes, but then no.  This is the ultimate problem 
with "fortune telling" but in real life and in HP; fortune telling is 
not precise and it can be interpreted in multiple ways.  Even, 
Trelawney thinks that her prediction is flawed and questions it.  
Also, I am reminded of the old saying, "even a broken clock is right 
twice a day."  LOL. .. I just read Charles's response.  Oh well, 
cheers!

6. "Snape and Peter Pettigrew together had sent Voldemort
hunting after Lily and James and their son ..." Do you agree or
disagree with this quote? Why?

Beatrice:
It is an interesting quote.  This is Harry's thoughts, or at least 
the narrator through Harry's mind?  I think that this is Harry's way 
of trying (still) to make sense of the death of his parents.   He is 
looking to place blame.  While his conclusions are not necessarily 
incorrect (particularly as they apply to Peter), is this the most 
productive way to view these past events?  Could Snape possibly have 
predicted the events that would follow his revelation to Voldemort?  
This certainly supports Dumbledore's view of Snape.  Okay, Snape is a 
git, but would he really advocate the murder of a 15 month old 
child?  

7. "Dumbledore did not speak for a moment; he looked as though
he was trying to make up his mind about something. At last he
said, 'I am sure. I trust Severus Snape completely.'" What was
Dumbledore trying to make up his mind about?

Beatrice: 
I thought at this moment that Dumbledore was once again struggling 
against the instinct to reveal some information that has been 
withheld from Harry.  I think that Dumbledore chooses to simply state 
his confidence in Snape rather than revealing something else
the 
answer of "what?" I will leave to the individual.

8. "'He hated my dad like he hated Sirius! Haven't you noticed,
Professor, how the people Snape hates tend to end up dead?'" We also
know so far that people whom Harry loves tend to end up dead and
some of the names on the list of people whom Snape hates and Harry
loves tend to be the same. If you were to predict the next person to
die by that criteria, whom would you pick?

Beatrice:
This is tough.  I know that someone answered Ginny, but I don't see 
that Snape hates her exactly.  Perhaps, Lupin, Hermione or Ron.


10. "'You're leaving the school tonight and I'll bet you haven't
even considered that Snape and Malfoy might decide to -' To what?'
asked Dumbledore, his eyebrows raised. 'What is it that you suspect
them of doing, precisely?'" Why is Dumbledore asking Harry this
question?

Beatrice:
I think that Dumbledore says this to point out two things.  1.  That 
Harry's information / suspicions are woefully incomplete.  Harry has 
allowed these nagging suspicions to get in the way of things that 
MUST be done too often.  (eg. Getting the memory from Sluggy).  This 
is to remind Harry that he must keep focused on his goal and forget 
about things over which he has no control.  2. Although this is along 
the same lines, Harry has to give himself permission to focus on the 
larger task and ignore the things that he has little or no control 
over.  Harry has to give up the idea that he can "save" everyone and 
just focus on what he can do.   

11. `Thanks,' said Ron. 'Er - why do I need socks?' Here we
meet socks again. In fact, we have attempted to figure out possible
socks symbolism in the books for quite some time now. So, is there
any possible symbolic reason why Harry gives Felix felicis to Ron
wrapped in sock?

Beatrice:
Well, it is true that Freud said "a cigar is just a cigar."  But, at 
the time he was talking about his own addiction to them when one 
pointed out the implications of his "oral fixation."  Freud had an 
annoying habit of refusing to apply his own theories to himself. That 
being said, I do think that socks are very significant in these texts.

Urggggg! I have to go
perhaps a socks thread later..