CHAPDISC: DH4, The Seven Potters

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 177669

Potioncat:
> 1.  There is a great deal of reflection in the beginning of the
> chapter, with some plot arcs coming full circle. How do the 
> memories and events around Sirius's bike in this adventure compare 
> with the events from SS/PS?  

SSSusan:
All I know is I had a big grin on my face when that motorbike 
reappeared.  "So *that's* how she's gonna use it again," I thought 
to myself. :)


> Did any other of Harry's musings resonate with you?

SSSusan:
Well, definitely *not* the rug where Dudley threw up.  Urgh.


> 3.  Were you surprised by any of the team members--either at their
> inclusion or behavior? Why do you think Moody made the team this 
> way? Why did JKR set it up like this?
> 4.  Compare the makeup of this team with the Advance Guard from 
> OoP. How is it different? How has the mood changed? Why isn't 
> there a back-up squad for protection this time?

SSSusan:
I was concerned about the inclusion of Mundungus for sure.  (Proved 
right on that one, darn it.)  I wondered why he had to be used.  No 
Dedalus or Hestia Jones?  No Charlie Weasley, returned home to 
fight?  (Where the heck *was* Charlie in this book anyway?)  It 
didn't seem all that likely that Dung was the only option.

Interesting question about there not being a back-up squad.  


> 6.  There are some laugh-out-loud jokes in the beginning of the
> chapter. Did anyone suspect the mood would change so quickly? What 
> do you think of JKR's use of humor here?
> 7.  Immediately after the Firebolt is lost, Hedwig is killed. 
> Harry's attention is on the battle. Did the pacing of the story 
> affect your reaction to Hedwig's death?

SSSusan:
I *loved* Fred & George in this scene.  The "We're identical!" line 
was one of the best JKR ever wrote, imo.  Obviously, going into the 
task at hand -- getting Harry safely out, and after what we know of 
the discussion at Malfoy Manor about what they know/suspect -- 
things were not going to stay that light for long, but no, I was NOT 
prepared for Hedwig's demise (sniff), especially coming up so 
quickly.

Even the loss of the Firebolt and what we shortly find out about Mad-
Eye's death felt incredibly rapid-fire and hard to take in.  I know 
there was a point in that, that this is exactly what happens in war, 
that losses occur quickly, without warning, with no time to process 
them, but it was hard to take.

 
> 8. Moody's plan was based on the best information he had. But in
> what ways did his plan backfire? Which beliefs were wrong? Should
> Harry have been paired with someone else? 

SSSusan:
Reading it the first time, it did seem really weird and kind of dumb 
to have Harry paired with Hagrid in the sidecar.  Well, maybe not 
weird to be paired with him, but weird to have him in the sidecar.  
THinking about the fact that the DEs would be *expecting* Harry to 
be on a broom, though, because of his prowess as a flyer, I 
understood the rationale.

Siriusly Snapey Susan