CHAPDISC: DH10, Kreacher's Tale

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 180053

Questions:

1. Sirius' room is described as dusty and there is a spider's web and
mice inhabiting it. The decorations are also from his teen years as
well. Do you think that Sirius actually stayed in his old room in
"The Order of the Phoenix" or that he stayed in another bedroom?

Alla:

Since I am of the opinion that Sirius was very unhappy, depressed in 
that house and much rather never went back I do believe that he 
would have at least avoided his old room which IMO would have 
reminded him of what he tried to leave behind forever at sixteen.


2. If he had slept in his old room, do you think that added to his
"living in the past," with all the reminders from his "happy" years?

Alla:

Yes, therefore I do not think he did.

3. Why is Lily's letter addressed to "Padfoot" instead of Sirius? Is
this just a term of affection or was Sirius underground at the time 
of
the letter? If a term of affection, why doesn't she call James
"Prongs" in the letter? She calls Peter "Wormy", so it seems she
does know about the nicknames.


Alla:

I think it was both really. I think by that time Sirius was 
underground yes, but I think it was  a term of affection too. For 
some reason which I cannot explain it makes sense to me that she 
would not call James Prongs.



4. Kreacher mentions that Sirius' leaving home broke his mother's
heart. Does this new bit of information seem to contradict Sirius'
story about his relationship with his family?

Alla:

NO, not for me. I am sure her heart was broken when Sirius was 
sorted in Gryffindor as well. IMO of course. 

5. Regulus joined the DEs when he was 16, which means that Voldemort
really had no age limit for his recruits. How does this contrast with
the Order of the Phoenix? Ignoring that the DE's are evil and the
Order is good, do you think that the DEs support the notion of
fighting for what you believe in, regardless of age? In other words,
do you agree with the Order's stance of not allowing underage wizards
to join or do you agree with the Death Eater's stance instead?

Alla:

In the RL I absolutely agree with Order's stance. I think kids 
should be cherished and protected, not allowed to rush to war no 
matter how strongly they believe in the subject matter.



6. After Kreacher returns from the cave and tells his tale to 
Regulus,
where do you think Regulus went? Regulus' return to Kreacher shows a
Regulus with a disturbed state of mind, strange, according to
Kreacher. Do you think Regulus talked to anyone or just did book
research?


Alla:

Snape ;) I wish. I think he did book research and was horrified at 
what he read and still determined to go ahead.



7. Did you initially believe that Regulus forced Kreacher to drink 
the
potion, as Harry thought, or did you think as Hermione did – that
Regulus did give up his own life?

Alla:

Since I as many was already convinced that RAB is Regulus, no I did 
not believe that he could force Kreacher at all, I thought he gave 
up his life.

a. Despite what Harry knew about the note that Regulus left in the
locket, did he think badly of Regulus because he was a Slytherin? Do
you feel that Harry is showing his old biases here?

Alla:

Um, no. I think he just did not change his mind about Regulus yet, 
not because he is Slytherin.

8. How did you feel when Regulus' death was revealed? I found this to
be the most tragic death of all of the deaths in the series. Do you
feel that Regulus redeemed himself?

Alla:

I cried. I certainly find it one of the most tragic deaths in the 
series. Seventeen year old dying for House elf...

9. Do you think Regulus should have done more to let others know what
Voldemort was up to?

Alla:

Could've, should've, easy to think after the fact, you know?

Yes he could have, but I forgive him for not doing it.

10. How do you feel about Kreacher at the end of this tale? Did you
feel empathy for him? Is Kreacher's attitude now explainable and
understandable?

Alla:

I totally get that JKR wants me to think so - to understand Kreacher 
and forgive him, I get it on intellectual level.

I cannot. I never bought him being brainwashed because of slavery. 
He was smart enough to sneak out and go to Narcissa. I know it is 
purely emotional attitude, but I cannot forgive little shmack for 
Sirius' death and the fact that Reg died for him. Oy.

I applaud Harry for forgiving him, but Harry is more forgiving than 
me, I always said so :)

11. Does Hermione's explanation - Voldemort's contempt for house-
elves
was his downfall in Kreacher's escape from the cave - make sense? Do
you think her parallel of Voldemort's and Sirius' attitude towards
house-elves was warranted, or a bit extreme?

Alla:

Yeah, extreme as far as I am concerned.

12. Harry's attitude finally changes towards Kreacher, with his tale
and Hermione's explanation. Is this a turning point for Harry in
regards for empathy and understanding or do you feel that Harry has
already made strides in this area with other characters? Do you have
examples, if the latter?


Alla:

Eh, he is able to feel something for Dursleys despite the torment 
they put him through, pity he felt for Draco?

I think it may have supposed to be turning point in a major way 
though, yes, but I certainly think he expressed it before.


Alla, who is rushing and feels bad that she is unable to do justice 
to Michelle's questions now. BRAVO.