CHAPTER DISCUSSIONS: DH7 - The Will of Albus Dumbledore

[Zara]

No: HPFGUIDX 179040

zgirnius:
Thanks, KJ, for a lenghty summary of a lenghty chapter, and some 
great discussion questions!
 
> 2.	Have we heard the name of  Gregorovitch before in previous 
books? 

zgirnius:
Yes, he is the wandmaker who made Viktor Krum's wand (mentioned in 
GoF, "The Weighing of the Wands"). This is enough of a clue to those 
of us who remember such trivia, that Voldemort is interested in 
wands/a wand.

> 3.	We see Harry hit himself in the eye with his glasses and tie 
his
> shoelaces in a knot.  

zgirnius:
I think this is more about realism. Everyone messes up, sometimes in 
funny or embarassing ways.
 
> 5. This seems odd to me, as Harry has split with Ginny for her
> protection. Why would Ron encourage Harry to seek other female
> company when he knows how upset Ginny is and how Harry feels about
> Ginny? Does Ron actually understand that Harry is not likely to
> survive?

zgirnius:
Personally I think this gift proves the opposite, that Ron has no 
inkling that Harry might die. Unlike Hermione's gift, it is of no use 
for the Horcrux hunt. It is something Harry will have a use for only 
once the war is over regardless of which witch he chooses to charm.

> 7. We have seen Hermione as the boys' conscience, their researcher,
>  their tutor. Why are we seeing this "Suzie homemaker" side of
> Hermione? Is this in character?

zgirnius:
I did not see this as Hermione being "Suzie homemaker". Her most 
recent role has been quartermaster, obtaining an organizing all the 
various items she supposes they will need for their mission. I 
presumed it was in this capacity that she was packing up Harry's 
gifts and Ron's clothes, into her nifty little bag of tricks.

> 12. Does Scrimgeour see Ron as the weak link? Do we see Ron as the
> weak link? Ron was portrayed as equally skilled in the first book 
> and was more knowledgeable about Wizarding things than Harry or 
> Hermione. Has this change in position added to the books?

zgirnius:
Scrimgeour I imagine, hardly knows Ron. Personally, I do not see Ron 
as the weak link. All three of the Trio have personality flaws, but 
they have all made contributions in past books (and will in this 
one). Ron is no longer more knowledgeable than the others, 
necessarily, but this was never why he became friends with Harry, any 
more than Harry recruited Hermione to be his walking encyclopedia for 
all matters academic.

> 18.	Could anyone please explain to me why a flesh memory in a 
snitch
> would be likely to tell the difference between flesh and lips?  

zgirnius:
I don't see why not. It remembers the first flesh that touched it. I 
presume this means a Snitch that was caught in a more traditional 
manner, would open if the Seeker's hand that caught it, touched it. I 
mean, it could be written so it is only the person that matters, but 
there is no reason it *has* to be like that.

> 19.    What is the most important "happening" in this chapter:
> Voldemort's search for Gregorovitch, Harry's birthday, the loss of 
the
> trace, the flight of the Lupins, the bequests from Dumbledore or the
> antagonism of the Minister?

zgirnius:
Definitely the bequests from Dumbledore. (As the choice of title 
suggests). This sets Harry on the trail of all three Hallows, signals 
the future importance of the sword, gives Ron a way back when he 
leaves later on, and provides Harry the Resurrection Stone.

> 20.	What parts of this chapter would you have left out as 
unnecessary
> to either plot or characterization?  

zgirnius:
I personally would not miss Lupin if we saw much less of him in this 
book. That would certainly cut into his characterization, though. <g>