CHAPDISC: DH1, The Dark Lord Ascending

[va32h]

No: HPFGUIDX 175939

1. Snape and Yaxley "raised their left arms in a kind of salute."
Is this a reference to World War II and the likening of the Death
Eaters to the Nazis, in Deathly Hallows?

va32h:
Yes, that was my first thought. 


2. Saluting the gate with their left arms makes them able to pass
through the wrought iron gate. Is this a tacit confirmation that
there was indeed a blocking spell on the tower in HBP which only
allowed Death Eaters to enter?

va32h:
Yes again. 

3. The peacock at Malfoy Manor is mentioned at least twice in the
book. What is its significance?

va32h:
It shows that the Malfoys are pompous and pretentious. Or were, 
before they were Voldemort's whipping boys. 

4. On the first reading of Deathly Hallows, who did you think might
be the person hanging unconscious above the table?

va32h:
Someone we'd heard of before, at least. 

5. Only one person already in the room looks up at the unconscious
revolving body above the table: Draco Malfoy. Once the body is
resuscitated, he no longer looks at her. Why?

va32h:
He's repulsed by the body, but like a motorist and a car wreck, can't 
tear himself away. Once he is forced to acknowledge that she is a 
real person, he is too horrified to look back. 

6. Voldemort gives Snape the seat of honor at his right hand. Is
this because Snape is his "right-hand man"? Or is Voldemort "keeping
his friends close, and his enemies closer"?

va32h:
Snape is his right hand man. 

7. Yaxley's information is different from Snape's. Is anyone in the
Ministry who is not a member of the Order of the Phoenix aware that
the Order will move Harry earlier than expected?

va32h:
No idea. Frankly, I found Harry's mistrust of the Ministry excessive 
and uncalled for. 

8. Several things that happen later in the book are alluded to in
this chapter. When discussing the Imperiusing of Pius Thicknesse,
Yaxley suggests that Thicknesse can subjugate the other heads of
departments at the Ministry to bring down Minister Rufus Scrimgeour.
Was Scrimgeour killed by the Imperiused heads of the various
departments under Thicknesse's direction?

va32h:
Again, no idea, too boring to even contemplate. I was disappointed 
that the takeover was accomplished soley via Imperius. An appeal to 
the hearts and minds of the wizarding world would have been more 
sinister. 

9. Who is Snape's informant? Who does Voldemort think it is? Is it
the same person?

va32h:
No clue again, and my very cynical side says JKR never thought of one 
either. It doesn't matter, it's just a way to show Snape seeming to 
be on Voldie's side, so we can all be shocked at the memories. 

10. Lucius and his family are clearly not happy with Voldemort's
presence. Is this because Lucius is still disgraced from his botched
mission at the Ministry and his use of the diary Horcrux? Does their
apparent discomfort at the situation foreshadow their lack of
involvement in the Battle of Hogwarts?

va32h:
Yes. Lucius has failed Voldemort repeatedly now, and his son in turn. 
They have nothing to offer Voldemort except their home. Conversely, 
having given him everything, they most likely feel they have nothing 
to lose by defying him in the final battle. 

11. Wormtail is described as sitting so low that his chair looks
unoccupied. Is this further sign of his physical deterioration as
seen in HBP? Is this because he would rather not be there? Is it
just that he is a small man? Or is it symbolic in some way?

va32h:
He's just short. Wormtail is not a terribly complicated character, 
IMO.

12. The Malfoys do not make much eye contact with Voldemort. When
Voldemort looks at Snape, other Death Eaters look away. Are all of
the Death Eaters at the manor happy with Voldemort's return?

va32h:
We don't know enough to conclude either way. It would simply be 
guesswork. 

13. Snape looks comfortably into Voldemort's eyes when the other
Death Eaters turn away. We see an example of Voldemort's Legillimency
later in the book. How strong is Snape's Occlumency?

va32h:

I think reports of Voldemort's Legillimency skills are greatly 
exaggerated. I would peg Snape as superior in both Legillimency and 
Occlumency. 

14. Why does Voldemort praise Bellatrix, then humiliate her?

va32h:
Because that is his idea of entertainment. 

15. Where were the Lestrange brothers?

va32h:
Probably there, just not named. Most of the DE are not. Either that, 
or dead. One DE was killed by accident at the end of HBP. Let's say 
it was Rabastan. 

16. When Harry reviews Snape's memories later in the book, Snape
tells Dumbledore he has only watched people die whom he could not
save. Yet he looks dispassionately at Charity Burbage as she pleads
and cries. Was Snape lying to Dumbledore? Was this the first time
he could not save someone? Was Charity Burbage someone Snape could
not save?

va32h:
Well, he apparently sold out Emmeline Vance after all too. In the big 
picture, Burbage's death is one of those "for the greater good" 
things. He can always apologize to her in the afterlife. 

17. Voldemort refers to "Mudbloods" as "thieves" of the Wizarding
World's "knowledge and magic." This charge is repeated later in the
book. Is it possible for a witch or wizard to have her or his magic
stolen? Is it possible to steal knowledge without leaving that
knowledge for others as well?

va32h:
No of course not, this is just the excuse they invent to round up and 
kill the muggleborns. 

18. When Charity Burbage's body falls to the table, several Death
Eaters jump back in their chairs. Draco falls off his chair to the
floor. Is this symbolic of some Death Eaters not being fully behind
Voldemort's agenda? Or was it simply surprise?

va32h:
It's a surprise. 

19. Why are the Purebloods dwindling?

va32h:
Because they are all related, which reduces the marriage pool 
considerably. 

20. Voldemort has no issues with "pruning" the family tree of
undesirables, even though they may be pure-blood or half-bloods.
Yet, he is displeased with Burbage's article and her assertion that
the dwindling of Pureblood families is a good thing. Voldemort
says, of Charity Burbage, "She would have us all mate with Muggles...
or, no doubt, werewolves..." He includes himself with the Purebloods
here. Does he think his Muggle father's family doesn't count? Or is
he actively enforcing the idea that he, too, is a Pureblood?

va32h:
Voldemort is clearly lying about his blood status. Why would he think 
his Muggle father suddenly doesn't count? 

21. Why does Voldemort think that Lucius does not need his wand
anymore?

va32h:
It's a symbolic castration. 

22. Do you think Voldemort is planning on dispensing with the
Malfoys eventually?

va32h:
Yes.

23. Voldemort invites Nagini to dine on the corpse of Charity
Burbage. What do you imagine the reactions of the others around the
table might be? This idea has been presented in the books before.
When do you think Nagini has disposed of the evidence before? Is
this part of her value to Voldemort, or is Voldemort giving his pet a
treat?

va32h:

It's a treat. Voldemort does not care if people know who he's killed. 
I'm sure the DEs are revolted, the are shown fearing the snake 
already.