CHAPDISC: DH Ch 9, A Place to Hide

[mz_annethrope]

No: HPFGUIDX 179794

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "juli" <jlnbtr at ...> wrote:
>
> Discussion Questions:

> 1. When you first read this chapter, what did you think it was
> that tipped the Death Eaters off to the Trio's whereabouts? Did you
> happen to think that the Name was jinxed? Or, like me, you thought
> that the trace was simply still active?

mz_annethrope:
I had no idea and I certainly didn't suspect the name had been 
jinxed. Ron's idea about the trace got a "maybe."
 
> 2. Were you ever a Boy (or Girl) Scout? If so, what do you think
> of Hermione's "Always prepared"? Do you think she would have made a
> good Girl Scout?

Two responses. One is that the Trio needed to have everything handy 
after their escape so JKR had Hermione include everything they could 
possibly need. Of course. But you can't anticipate everything that 
will happen in real life so Hermione's loaded handbag would have 
seemed more plausible if a few important items were overlooked and a 
few unimportant ones were included. The other response is that I--
and probably everybody in this group--expected the attack at the 
wedding. I was never a girl scout, but as a character in this book I 
would have known I should be packing. And, unlike Hermione, I'm an 
experienced adventure traveler so I know what to pack.

> 3. Why do you think The Trio didn't want to kill the Death Eaters?
> They are 'good', we all get that, but they are in a war, and at
> those times killing is allowed. Do you agree?

I don't think killing would have occurred to Harry or Hermione. It 
would occur to Ron, but he would never have gone through with it. 
They are not yet at war. The state has just been overthrown by a 
coup. Even if they are completely cold hearted they would have been 
unwise to kill the goons of the new powers that be. Imagine the 
retaliatory slaughter of the Weasley family.

> 4. How does Hermione know how to produce a speaking Patronus? This
> isn't taught in any book at all, only the Order knows how to. Has
> Tonks perhaps been teaching her? Or another Member? Who do you 
think
> would be willing to teach her Order-Restricted incantations?

Hermione produces a speaking Patronus? What bothers me is that she 
knows how to erase memories. That seems to be something only Aurors 
do. And for good reason. I would think that if Hermione can perform 
Memory Charms then a number of talented people who shouldn't be 
performing these charms are having a heyday with them. And would she 
really be able to perform a complicated charm she's never practiced 
before? She may be quickest to learn in a class, but she doesn't do 
magic perfectly in the beginning.
 
> 5. What do you think were Harry's feelings as he entered 12
> Grimmauld Place, that dreaded place where his godfather once lived,
> and is greeted by the ghost of his mentor?

Under normal circumstances he would want to avoid 12 GP and he would 
have been horrified to see the eyeless Dumbledore. (Nice touch, 
Moody.) Under these circumstances he is probably so pumped up with 
adrenaline that he's not feeling anything.
 
> 6. The Trio see signs that someone has been at 12 GP. What did you
> think this meant? Did you think it had been Snape, and if so, how 
did
> you think he got past Moody's jinxes?

I thought it was Snape and that he got past the jinxes. And anyway 
the Tongue Tie curse may have been Snape's own creation. After all, 
Harry found a Tongue Tie curse in the Prince's potions book and used 
it on an unsuspecting Filch.

> 7. Do you think Draco regrets not taking Dumbledore's side? Do
> you think he would be better off on 'The Good Side'?

No. He's a pure blood fanatic, thoroughly indoctrinated by Dad and 
Mum, and thinks DD has the wrong beliefs. But I'll bet he really 
regrets his father's falling in with Voldemort.

> 8. What do you think of Harry's emotions towards Draco? Is it OK
> to pity him despite all he's done? Or is this what makes Harry 
such a
> remarkable person?

I'd be horrified too. Harry's showing normal empathy. Draco is also 
a good set up for Harry's understanding of Kreacher.
 
mz_annethrope

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